Also, the Republican National Committee should limit the number of debates and, by showing wisdom in picking debate moderators, limit the media's ability to depict the party as a fringe group.

WSJ: Rove: The Lessons of Defeat for the GOP

Congressional Republicans said they want an open debate and accuse Democrats of trying to limit amendments to avoid a vote on offshore drilling -- an assertion the Democrats deny.

CNN: GOP lawmakers want special session on energy crisis

Powerful institutions such as the Bundesbank, the trusted guardian of economic stability, and the constitutional court, which has said Germany is close to the limit of how much power can be surrendered to the EU, do much to set the boundaries of the euro debate.

ECONOMIST: The euro crisis

The legislation is a nonstarter with Democrats controlling the rest of Washington and is likely to be an afterthought when the debt limit debate turn serious this summer or fall.

NPR: House Passes Bill To Prioritize US Debt Payments

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to extend the country's debt limit until May, deferring the budget debate for a few months at least.

BBC: US economy shrinks a surprise 0.1% in fourth quarter

In a debate on the draft European regulation, Financial Secretary Mark Hoban said the plans would "limit the ability of member states to respond to the unique characteristics and risks of their markets and, where necessary, go beyond minimum standards to ensure financial stability in their own jurisdiction".

BBC: EU bank regulation motion