White House

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President Obama talks about the ongoing budget ceiling negotiations on July 29, 2011, at the White House. (Associated Press)

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President Obama talks about the ongoing budget ceiling negotiations on July 29, 2011, at the White House. (Associated Press)

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White House Press Secretary Jay Carney speaks to reporters during a press briefing at the White House on July 27, 2011. (Associated Press)

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry's aides have been laying the groundwork for a White House bid, and Mr. Perry has been talking to influential Republicans in early voting states. He is expected to jump in when he announces a decision in the coming weeks. (Associated Press)

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Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., left, is arrested in front of the White House after performing an act of civil disobedience at a rally in support of the DREAM Act in Washington, Tuesday, July 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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President Obama addresses the nation from the White House on July 25, 2011, on the approaching debt limit deadline. (Associated Press)

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President Barack Obama addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 25, 2011, on the approaching debt limit deadline. (AP Photo/Jim Watson, Pool)

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"Republicans' short-term plan is a nonstarter in the Senate and in the White House," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, with Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, looking on. "It appears to me at this stage that the Republicans are more interested in trying to embarrass the president than doing what's right for the country." (Associated Press)

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President Obama and baseball legend Willie Mays hold an autographed San Francisco Giants jersey at the White House on Monday. Giants manager Bruce Bochy (left) presented Mr. Obama with the jersey while his team was honored for its 2010 World Series championship. (Associated Press)

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NEGOTIATING: White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley said a debt deal can't be a "short-term gimmick." (NBC via Associated Press)

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President Barack Obama meets with House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Saturday, July 23, 2011, in Washington, to discuss the debt. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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President Obama leaves the White House briefing room after discussing the continuing budget talks on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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President Obama speaks to reporters about the continuing budget talks on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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President Obama announces the nomination of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray (right) as the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on Monday, July 18, 2011, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama (right) and their daughters, Malia (left) and Sasha, watch the Women's World Cup soccer game between the U.S. and Japan from the Treaty Room at the White House in Washington on Sunday, July 17, 2011. (AP Photo/The White House, Pete Souza)