HEADLINES

1. The Fix: Pawlenty to enter 2012 race Monday

   The former Minnesota governor will formally enter the 2012 race in Iowa.
   » Read full article

2. Tester becomes the tested

   Sen. Jon Tester's tough reelection race is among those that will test the staying power of rural western Democrats.
   » Read full article

3. The GOP's seekers of the House

   While House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) wages battle against President Obama and congressional Democrats, his biggest threat may be from within his own party.
   » Read full article

4. Democratic SuperPAC launches 2012 ad war

   In what appears to be the first major media buy of the 2012 presidential campaign, an independent group supporting President Obama launched television ads in South Carolina on Friday attacking potential GOP candidate Mitt Romney over health care.
   » Read full article

5. 2chambers: Biden to resume debt limit talks with congressional leaders Tuesday

   The huddle will be Biden's third meeting this month with congressional leaders from both chambers.
   » Read full article

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BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT SHOWDOWN

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

Jon Huntsman, a former ambassador to China and former Utah governor, commenting on his potential candidacy for the GOP presidential nomination:

"We are the quintessential margin-of-error potential candidate, and I understand that New Hampshire loves margin-of-error candidates."

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COMMENT OF THE DAY

AnnsThought, on Lori Montgomery's "Senate Dems won't release budget plan" story:

Congress takes money from OUR paychecks every month. That's OUR money you're planning to spend. Release your proposed plan and let us have a look at what you plan to do with OUR money.

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Q&A DISCUSSIONS

Washington Post foreign correspondent was online at 2 p.m. ET to discuss President Obama's speech Thursday on the Middle East, how it impacts Israel and how the Arab world is reacting to it.:

Q: Lots of worry about Hamas and Fatah, but is it possible that we could get a real peace deal now? What are the factors to consider?

Liz Sly:

I'm not sure we're any closer to a real deal. The response of the Israelis has not been positive, and Obama also seemed to make it clear that the Palestinians themselves would have to figure out what to do about Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel's right to exist before we can move forward.

» View full Q&A session

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MULTIMEDIA

Video: Obama, Netanyahu meet

President Barack Obama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to discuss the future of Palestine.