Obama staying in background.

When President Barack Obama opened the first meeting of his fiscal commission last April, he promised to be “standing with them” as they produced recommendations for curbing the nation’s escalating debt.Link

The clarifying Manning/Crowley controversy.

The forced "resignation" of State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley -- for the mortal sin of denouncing the abusive detention of Bradley Manning -- has apparently proven to be a clarifying moment for many commentators about what the President is and how he functions in these areas.Link

Quake-tsunami death toll likely over 10,000.

TAGAJO, Japan – The death toll in Japan's earthquake and tsunami will likely exceed 10,000 in one state alone, an official said Sunday, as millions of survivors were left without drinking water, electricity and proper food along the pulverized northeastern coast.Link

Remark gets Fed's Dudley an earful.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Memo to central bankers: Best not to cite the price of the new iPad as an example of why inflation isn't a problem when you head into a working-class neighborhood.Link

Audit The Fed: HR 459 - 94 Co-sponsors.