What to watch for:

President Obama keeping schedule open to meet with Republicans about the budget if no resolution is reached (Wall Street Journal)

Federal government races to prepare shutdown; 800,000 workers could become idle (New York Times)

House Armed Services Committee to hold hearing on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal (Armed Services Committee)

E.U. and IMF prepare bailout loan for Portugal (Wall Street Journal)

Video: Incoming DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz says that GOP budget would “literally be a death trap for seniors”:

On the main site:

Augusta’s Rising Sun by Quin Hillyer: Tiger challenged by age and youth.

Too Late for George Allen? by W. James Antle, III: He wants to be senator again — but before he can take on Tim Kaine he’ll need to win back grassroots voters who were going to make him president.

The Race Is On by R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.: President Obama is just the latest in a long line of Democratic chronic campaigners.

‘Card Check’ — A Time to Reflect, But Not Rest by Patrick Pizzella: Big Labor at its most brazen has been foiled for six years now. But with an ally in the White House, it’s hardly ready to concede defeat.

Are the States Different? by James M. Thunder: You bet they are. The third in a series of essays on our ever under-appreciated federal form of government.

My Starfish Story by Christopher Orlet: An inspirational story reconsidered.

The More Things Exchange by Joseph F. Johnston, Jr.: “Barter was the trick that changed the world,” Matt Ridley writes.