HEADLINES

1. 44: Why the 'Gang of Six' doesn't really matter

   Obama and either John Boehner or Mitch McConnell will likely need to sign off on any agreement.
   » Read full article

2. The Take: Newt Gingrich keeps digging deeper

   It was Hillary Clinton, back in 2007, who said there are no do-overs in life, Dan Balz says. That is especially true for politicians. If there were, Newt Gingrich would be grasping for the opportunity.
   » Read full article

3. U.S. to sanction Syrian President Assad

   The Obama administration imposed sanctions Wednesday on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and six of his government's top officials as the White House sought to increase pressure on Assad to halt violence against anti-government protesters.
   » Read full article

4. The Fix: The wide open 2012 field

   The 2012 Republican presidential primary field has grown increasingly clear in the past week. And yet, the latest data from Gallup, which seeks to account for where the votes of Huckabee and Trump will wind up, suggests the field remains decidedly muddled with no clear frontrunner.
   » Read full article

5. Fact Checker: Darrell Issa's inflammatory 'act of war' comment

   Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) has claimed the Mexican government called a bungled operation an "act of war." We find no evidence for his claim.
   » Read full article

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BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT SHOWDOWN

Sign up for daily e-mail updates on the federal budget showdown

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich referring to his retracted comments on Rep. Paul Ryan's budget plan:

"Any ad which quotes what I said on Sunday is a falsehood. Because I have said publicly those words were inaccurate."

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COMMENT OF THE DAY

ronartassoc, on Philip Rucker and Lori Montgomery's "'Gang of Six' talks on verge of collapse" story:

Everybody fears what will be cut, what won't be the same; there is no hope. The fact is, if we all don't sacrifice something, we will all fall together. It is past due time to stop thinking about what's due to me; we need to start thinking about what needs to be done for everyone.

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Q&A DISCUSSIONS

Washington Post columnists Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts were online at noon ET to discuss Arnold Schwarzenegger's infidelity:

Q: I know this is not a political chat, but really - Arnold's legacy marred? ... Sounds to me that his "legacy" was one of screw-ups and controversy already. This issue (so to speak) just goes along with it. I feel bad for Maria and kids.

Amy Argetsinger:

You could probably have a good debate about whether he was a good governor or not. But the fact remains that he was fairly popular in the state and politically savvy, elected twice... And this scandal puts a big damper on his personal popularity.

» View full Q&A session

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MULTIMEDIA

Video: Gingrich 'glittered' by protester during book signing

GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista were hit with glittery confetti by a protester Tuesday during the couple's appearance at a book-signing in Minnesota.