On The DMZ, Bill and Matt discuss the intra-conservative battle over Ted Cruz’s attempt to defund Obamacare. Matt says the conservative rank and file is being manipulated and misled. Is a government shutdown imminent? Matt argues that the GOP is stuck with a message that appeals to its base, but not to the media or the larger public. Bill explains how John Boehner could make an unorthodox play for greatness. Turning to foreign policy, Bill touts the importance of Obama’s address to the UN. Has the president pursued a consistent foreign policy vision? Plus: Why “taking the fight to Obama” may be a poor political strategy for Republicans.
On The Glenn Show, Glenn and Harold discuss the growing field of behavioral economics. Harold argues that 401(k) plans show both the benefits and the limits of benign paternalism. What about people too poor to have a 401(k)? Glenn and Harold consider how behavioral economists are studying the developing world. They close by discussing Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir’s new book Scarcity, which explores why poor people make self-limiting decisions.