Every day we ask influential politicos to send us their top three bullet points that are driving the day's conversation inside and outside Washington.

RedState.Com Editor Erick-Woods Erickson:

– Newt Gingrich continues to do damage control. Has there ever been a campaign rollout that has done this much damage control in the first week?

– Republicans and Democrats continue to work on a deal in the Senate. But, the Gang of Six is now the Gang of five and conservatives are increasingly putting pressure on the Republicans to get out altogether.

– The President's message is don't change the horse in the middle of the race. But, with the economy like it is it seems like this horse isn't going to make it across the finish line. Independent voters are increasingly dissatisfied and senior citizens don't appear to be scared of the Medicare fight.

Firedoglake.com Blogger/Founder Jane Hamsher:

– Uncompromised And Uncompromising

– True Lies Ahead: Ahnuld, Newt and Elephants in the Living Room

– Health Insurance Industry Loves That You Can’t Afford to Use Your Coverage

Editor’s Note: The blog is a place for a freewheeling exchange of ideas and opinions. CNN does not endorse anything said by its contributors

Every day we ask influential politicos to send us their top three bullet points that are driving the day's conversation inside and outside Washington.

RedState.Com Editor Erick-Woods Erickson:

– Is Daniels in or out? I'm hearing from several people that he has made up his mind and will run. Today he said he has not made up his mind. Is he going to become the Mario Cuomo of 2012? Everyone wanted Cuomo to run in 1992 and he bailed.

– Newt Gingrich continues to walk back his comments on Paul Ryan's Medicare plan and the individual mandate.

– We have hit the debt ceiling. The world has not stopped. We have not defaulted on our bills. So what's the big deal?

Senior Political Columnist for TheDailyBeast.com John Avlon:

– Special Election in California Today: With all the attention lavished on NY-26, the special election to fill Jane Harman’s seat in CA-36 has been all but ignored. This is a significant race because it is the first primary that will be held under the state’s new open primary law which is a top-two primary, allowing anyone to run in this Democratic-leaning district. If no one reaches 40%, a run-off will be held in June.

– Huntsman Gets Unexpected Boost in SC: Mike Huckabee’s 2008 campaign co-chairman, Mike Campbell, son of still-revered Republican governor of the Reagan era, has stated that he will back Jon Huntsman if the former Ambassador and Utah Governor runs for president. This unexpected news could have reverberations through the primary field. Romney is considered a non-starter in SC; Huntsman however could prove surprisingly competitive in the Palmetto State, especially in a fractured field.

– Newt Throws Ryan Budget Under Bus, Gets Run Over Himself: Newt’s decision to attack Paul Ryan’s budget plan as “Republican Social Engineering” on Meet the Press this weekend, drew immediate blowback as a betrayal of the kind of big idea deficit reduction plan the old Newt would have supported. It turns out that back in March, Newt had praised the Ryan plan in an interview with PJTV at the Conservative Principles Conference in Iowa, describing it as “a very bold budget that includes entitlement reforms, it includes very significant cuts in government spending.” For the time being, we'll focus on that flip-flop and not the dog-whistle politics of Newt saying that the 2012 election will be about questions of 'American identity.'

Editor’s Note: The blog is a place for a freewheeling exchange of ideas and opinions. CNN does not endorse anything said by its contributors

Every day we ask influential politicos to send us their top three bullet points that are driving the day's conversation inside and outside Washington.

RedState.Com Editor Erick-Woods Erickson:

– Huckabee is out. The pro-life and evangelical crowds will probably begin flocking to people like Tim Pawlenty and Herman Cain.

– Newt Gingrich has long had a reputation for being undisciplined. Yesterday, on Meet the Press, he defended the individual mandate and attacked Paul Ryan's Medicare reforms. Today he is backpedalling.

– With Huckabee out, all eyes now are on Mitch Daniels and a decision could some soon. But with tales of phone calls from Laura Bush, whispers about the Rove machine, and Daniels' own reputation, look for his opponents to begin spinning him as the second coming of George W. Bush.

Senior Editor of MarioWire.com Mario Solis-Marich:

– It Always Happens in Threes: Conservative Senators Coburn and Santorum seem to be steeped in the Ensign hush money sex scandal in what will become a reminder to independents on why they distrust the GOP.

– Dreams in the Morning-An Angels Warning: Obama angers immigrant activists by issuing a fundraising letter touting his support of the DREAM Act, maybe his fundraising pen should sign a student deportation ban.

– If Your Nose Itches You’ll Kiss a Fool: Gingrich has Sunday pundits mouthing his absurd talking point that he is no longer a flame thrower while he defends his Obama is the “food stamp President” bomb by asking if America really wants to “become Detroit”.

Editor’s Note: The blog is a place for a freewheeling exchange of ideas and opinions. CNN does not endorse anything said by its contributors