Must Reads: Trump Finds a New Way to Get Attention: F-Bombs
Democrats Can Play Politics With the Economy, Too
Growing numbers are joining Republicans in demanding big deficit cuts as the price for voting to raise the nation’s debt limit, without which the economy will crater. [Washington Post]
Petraeus Move to C.I.A. Will Bug Pakisan
Pakistan’s military leadership already disliked the general, and this won’t help. As CIA chief, he would take over the armed drone campaign that’s so inflamed U.S.-Pakistan relations. [New York Times]
Oil Companies Squeeze Production, Boost Prices (and Profits)
At a time of sticker shock at the pump, Exxon Mobil and other companies are producing less (and exporting more) gasoline and diesel than is usual for this time of year, and watching the money roll in. [LA Times]
Democrats Launch Big Money Push
White House-connected Democrats are kicking off a major fundraising effort to counter big-money GOP groups in 2012. Two new outfits aim to raise $100 million to defend Obama’s re-election, using some of the same policies on unlimited, secret donations that Obama himself has long opposed. [Politico]
Sryian Protestors Take to the Streets, Defying Army
Tens of thousands of Syrians demanding political freedoms massed in towns and cities Friday to show support for the besieged city of Deraa, in defiance of army and security forces. [Reuters]
Donald Trump Finds A New Way to Get Attention: Dropping F-bombs
At a Las Vegas rally, Trump trash-talked Obama and called politicians as “blood suckers,” dropping F-bombs left and right. Example: How he’d tell China he wants to slap a tariff on their exports: “Listen you mother——ers we’re going to tax you 25 percent.” [Politico]