Obama is saying that the downgrade resulted because the Tea Party had the temerity to debate and question his policies. See, it was a Tea Party downgrade, according to the Democrats' silly rhetoric. It wasn't Obama's record smashing national debt and first-time-ever trillion dollar plus deficits every year in office that caused the debt downgrade.

◼ The Downward Spiral - Peter Ferrara at American Spectator

Editorial: Tea Party, Fix Your Gaze On 2012

◼ Debt Battle: The Tea Party has proved its power — and its principle. Now it's time to declare an imperfect battlefield victory in 2011 and regroup for the more important struggle of defeating President Obama in 2012. - Investors.com

Blaming the Tea Party for America's Debt Dilemma? Better Get Your Facts Straight

◼ Neil Cavuto - FOX

Fact One -- Tea Partiers' opposition to tax hikes didn't bring us to this brink. Washington's indifference to spending did.
Fact Two -- Tea Partiers didn't create these deficits. Washington did.
Fact Three -- Tea Partiers didn't wreck the budget this year. Try Democrats, who had total control of Washington, not even offering a budget at all... last year.
Fact Four -- Tea Partiers aren't the reason we're up against another debt limit. Washington is....
Fact Eight -- Tea Partiers aren't the crazy ones for saying it's time to stop this nonsense. Those who call them crazy for dare speaking the obvious are the ones who make "no" sense.... Read all 10

Government tax revenue growing in 2011

◼ Feds still notch 32nd straight monthly deficit - Washington Times