Is the Republican brand damaged?
That question will ultimately be answered by the American people in the next election. Chief National Correspondent John King takes a look at why the saying "all politics is local" may be especially true in the midterms.
Shutdown: Winners and losers
The dust is still settling on this latest budget battle. President Obama says there were no winners, but it seems plenty of lawmakers from both parties are framing this as a victory. So what was gained and lost during the 16 day shutdown? Andrew Sullivan, founding editor of The Dish and Christian Coalition founder Ralph Reed debate.
Sen. Ted Cruz and the shutdown blame game
The government just re-opened, and already an aide to Senator Ted Cruz says he's not ruling out another shutdown. The Texas Republican led the effort to inject the defunding of Obamacare into the budget debate. Does he deserve blame or credit for the shutdown? Anderson takes a look at what Cruz has said during this budget battle, anddiscussed it with former House Majority Leader Tom Delay and columnist Mark McKinnon.
What’s in the budget bill?
We know Congress voted last night to reinstate government funding through January 15, and push back the debt ceiling deadline until February 7. But that's not all that was in the 35-page bill. So what else was in there? Jake Tapper breaks it down.
Chaplain Barry Black: "Some people felt my prayers should not have been as pointed as they were"
If you were praying for an end to the shutdown, those prayers were finally answered last night. Senate Chaplain Barry Black is one voice that has stood out through this budget battle. Some even called him the last sane man in the Senate. He opened each session with a prayer appealing the lawmakers to end the shutdown. He told Anderson "My prayers simply reflect the reality that I am in."
Pres. Obama: "There are no winners"
President Obama praised Democrats and "responsible Republicans" for ending the government shutdown. He described it as a "self-inflicted crisis" that encouraged our enemies, emboldened our competitors and depressed our friends who look to us for steady leadership. Brianna Keilar has the latest from the White House.
How severe are the Obamacare web site glitches?
The government's website where people sign up for health care exchanges under Obamacare launched the same day the government shut down. It has been plagued with major glitches, and even Obamacare supporters call it a mess. The White House has repeatedly refused to tell us how many people have signed up for insurance through the website. It is now day 16, and we're still waiting for numbers. 360's Drew Griffin has the story.
Does the deal to end the shutdown just "Kick the can down the road"?
The debt deal Congress agreed upon tonight funds the government through January 15th and lifts the debt ceiling until february 7th. But then we could be back to square one. David Walker is the Former Comptroller General of the United States.
Sen. McCain: "The American people have no faith in their government. Can you blame them?"
Sen. John McCain has been very vocal about his disdain for what's been happening in Washington over the last 16 days. From the floor of the Senate he called it one of the more shameful chapters he has seen in all his years in Washington. As the budget deal was heading for a vote, he told Anderson the shutdown was "unacceptable to most Americans and the polls show that."
Alex Castellanos compares the budget battle to "bunny sex" and finds himself face-to-face with a rabbit
After a 16 day government shutdown, sometimes it is hard to find the right words to explain what's going on in Washington. Republican consultant Alex Castellanos raised plenty of eyebrows last night on AC360 when he tried using "bunny sex" as an analogy. Tonight he is face-to-face with Lucy the bunny.
Lucy is available for adoption.
You can find out more at washhumane.org
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