Better known for his punditry, here mayoral candidate William F. Buckley Jr. complains about delivering stump speeches "without boring the voter, which is bad enough, but without boring yourself, which is worse." 

Democrats and Republicans will this morning release their separate plans to raise the debt ceiling before the August 2 deadline. But only one plan can pass and Congress is running out of time. The lack of time has thrown a spotlight on the 14th amendment, which some say would allow President Obama to increase the debt ceiling on his own. 

Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina talks about his book The Great American Awakening: Two Years that Changed America, Washington, and Me, and what the Tea Party means for Washington negotiations on the budget, the debt ceiling, and the Republican pres. Field.

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In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Obama discussed his plans for job creation and increased American competitiveness in the global market during his next two years in office. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) delivered the official response on behalf of the Republican Party and stressed the need for spending cuts and his party’s skepticism about further “investments.” And there was a new feature to the evening: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) spoke on behalf of the Tea Party in their united response to the president.

Reince Priebus was elected the GOP's new chairman on Friday, replacing Michael Steele. He alreday has his sites set on the 2012 presidential election, and taking down Barack Obama. Todd Zwillich, The Takeaway's Washington correspondent gives us some background on Priebus. And Ron Christie, CEO of Republican Christie Strategies and the author of "Acting White: The Curious History of a Racial Slur," said on our show last week he thought the new leader would be Saul Anuzis or Maria Cino. He'll share his surprise with us about the choice of Priebus, and how he thinks it will shape the GOP.

Conservatives from across the country have convened in Washington this week to elect the next Republican National Committee Chair. With the 2012 presidential election right around the corner, Republican officials are looking for a leader who can rally the base, attract new voters and, of course, raise money. Michael Steele, the current RNC chair, doesn't seem to have enough support to win a second term, although he has in some ways raised the profile of the office during his term. What else does the RNC Chair need to ensure a GOP win in 2012?

On a conference call with members of the Republican National Committee last night, Michael Steele ended several months of speculation and announced he will run again for chair of the RNC. His term as chairman has been marked by personal gaffes, attacks from prominent Republicans calling for his head, but also significant GOP pickups in both houses of Congress.