| Radio America News |
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| Explaining the Pain at the Pump |
| Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:16:26 EST Adam Ulbricht of Radio America examines how gas prices are set. There is no simple answer to how the price consumers pay at the pump really works. Instead, prices are set through a process that begins with drilling and ends at gas stations across the country. Taxes, regulations and crude oil prices are all major factors that increase the price you pay. Dan Kish of the Institute for Energy Research, John Felmy of the American Petroleum Institute, Scott Drenkard of the Tax Foundation and Rob Underwood of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America each help explain the complex issue. |
| Democrats a Criminal Organization? |
| Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:18:30 EST During an election year, passions run high and accusations get thrown around with regularity. Usually those charges relate to the current candidates or the present-day politics of the party. But former Time magazine associate editor Michael Walsh says the entire history of the Democratic party is one of crime and corruption - from Aaron Burr's building of Tammany Hall to how Democrats tried to defeat Abraham Lincoln's re-election bid and from Franklin Roosevelt's rise to the presidency to the Chicago machine connected to the current administration. Walsh says doing whatever it takes to win led to these political machines that seemed to run big city politics for years. Walsh explains why he believes this trend is worse among Democrats than any other party and why the current administration is not that different from previous generations of Democrats - just more direct about it. Walsh also indicts his former colleagues in the mainstream media for doing little more than carrying water for their preferred candidates and issues. |
| 'Facing An Intolerant Movement' |
| Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:29:53 EST When Chick-Fil-A President Dan Cathy told a radio show that he endorsed traditional marriage and not gay marriage, liberal activists unloaded on the business famous for its Christian roots. Boycotts were called, gay people threatened to hold kiss-ins at Chick-Fil-A restaurants and at least two big city mayors announced they planned to forbid Chick-Fil-A from opening any new franchises in their cities. Liberty Counsel President Mathew Staver says this reaction proves that pro-gay marriage activists are militantly intolerant and are interested in intimidating and silencing critics rather than engaging in an actual debate. Staver says the statements by Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel are irresponsible and blocking a business from opening because of the personal beliefs of its leader is discriminatory and unconstitutional. We'll also hear why Staver calls this debate a zero-sum game where there can be no compromise. |
| Rolling Back the Red Tape |
| Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:50:54 EST On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed its second major bill of the week designed to spur greater job creation. This one takes aim at a myriad of Obama administration regulations that Republicans contend is a massive burden on small business owners, farmers, energy producers and others. Texas Rep. Mike Conaway serves on the House Agriculture Committee and is pushing rollbacks to new rules on commodities enforced through the Dodd-Frank law. He explains how those restrictions impacted business owners and job creation. He also explains some of the other key components of the plan, which now faces a very bleak future in the Democratically-controlled Senate. |
| The Muslim Brotherhood Threat |
| Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:03:06 EST Five House Republicans got a fierce rebuke from Democrats and many fellow GOP lawmakers for denouncing the Obama administration's increasing acceptance of the Muslim Brotherhood and questioning the ties of some administration figures to the radical organization. In particular, the five House members want to know more about the connections of Huma Abedin to the Muslim Brotherhood. Three of her immediate family members have had some ties to the group and she has personally been connected to some of its personnel. The question is what all of this means. Andy McCarthy prosecuted the terrorists behind the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and is now with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. He says Americans should not be fooled by the presentation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a peaceful, secular organization. He says it is just as radical and just as much of a terrorist organization as ever. McCarthy explains the ties that Abedin has to the Brotherhood and how U.S. acceptance of the group is a stain on both political parties. He also comments on how the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt will likely approach Israel and why the reaction to the five House members has been so severe on both sides of the aisle. |
| House GOP Targets Domestic Energy |
| Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:53:38 EST House Republicans are focused on job creation this week through two primary avenues. Later in the week, the GOP will look to roll back what it sees as far too much bureaucratic red tape that stifles businesses and hiring. But first, the House will take up energy legislation - a bill to roll back Obama administration restrictions on exploration and greatly expand the amount of coastal waters available for energy exploration. Texas Rep. Francisco "Quico" Canseco says ending our huge dependence upon foreign energy should be a major goal and it will easily create tens of thousands of jobs in the process. Canseco says President Obama's claims of greatly expanding exploration is stunningly deceptive and he explains the big difference between the administration approving drilling permits and drilling leases. He also details how the House bill will expedite the process for companies wishing to explore for energy. He also responds to criticisms that this bill does nothing to advocate renewable energies and explains how embracing the GOP House agenda could lead to a considerable drop in gas prices before too long. |
| Going Broke |
| Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:48:42 EST Adam Ulbricht of Radio America looks at the increasing number of U.S. cities that are filing for bankruptcy protection. Increasing debt and unfunded pension plans are leaving city administrators with few options. Critics of the current public pension system are calling for reform. This trend may continue if the economy doesn't improve. Mark Calabria of the Cato Institute, Ivan Osorio of the Competitive Enterprise Institute and Andrew Roth of the Club for Growth provide context to the issue. |
| Syrian Christians in Peril |
| Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:47:24 EST There's very little sympathy in the United States for the regime of Syria's Bashar al-Assad. His longtime terrorism connections, his pursuit of nuclear weapons and his nefarious ties to Iran have many people in the West cheering for his downfall. But while Assad clings to power in the midst of a civil war, the fate of the 1.6 million Christians in Syria may very well hang in the balance. According to Jerry Dykstra of Open Doors USA, the Christians in Syria have actually been treated quite well by Assad and are free to worship in their neighborhoods. In contrast, Dykstra says the rebels have frequently targeted Christian populations with violence. He adds that the rebels are joined by Al Qaeda figures and seem likely to bring in a much more repressive approach to religious freedom - much as we've seen in Iraq and Egypt. Dykstra explains what his organization is doing to support refugees from the civil war in Syria and what steps he would like to see the U.S. government take with respect to the freedom to worship in the region. |
| Chasing the American Dream |
| Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:03:50 EST Adam Ulbricht of Radio America looks at the proposed Dream Act in congress and what it means for American business. Immigration reform has long been debated, but this temporary fix received a boost after President Obama enacted several key parts of the proposal through executive order. Thirteen states have already passed Dream Act legislation. Maryland State Senator Victor Ramirez, George Washington University's Department of Economics Chair Barry Chiswick and President-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Doug Stump each talk about the issue. |
| Bolton Talks Syria, Egypt, Chavez |
| Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:15:48 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton is offering his analysis on three international hot spots. Bolton says the Assad regime in Syria would on its way out of power if not for the Russians. He says Russian military assistance and diplomatic interference gives the brutal dictator a much longer lease on power. Bolton also worries that Assad may use chemical weapons against his own people. On Egypt, Bolton says we are witnessing a classic power struggle between Islamist groups and the military and we ask Bolton whether elections in Egypt and among the Palestinians several years ago suggest that democracy may not be in the best interest of the U.S. in all parts of the world. Finally, Bolton slams President Obama for suggesting that Venezuela's Hugo Chavez has no been a national security threat. |
| Higher Taxes and Soda Wars |
| Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:02:24 EST The Capitol Steps weigh in on two issues that have people fuming. First, the parody group brings in President Obama to explain why he wants to raise taxes on the wealthy - with some Broadway flair. Then the Steps plunge into the great New York City soda debate. Our guest is Steps star and co-founder Elaina Newport. |
| Akin Makes His Case |
| Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:20:28 EST Todd Akin has been a Republican congressman from Missouri for nearly 12 years. This year, he's locked in a tough GOP Senate primary for the chance to take on embattled Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. Akin says McCaskill is out of touch with her state since voters have overwhelmingly rejected the Obama health plan while she continues to defend it. The congressman also lays out his vision for addressing the economy - radical spending cuts, keeping taxes low and rolling back draconian regulations on American businesses. Akin also says he expects to win the GOP nomination because he is the only candidate that has already made tough conservative stands on issues ranging from opposition to 'No Child Left Behind' to opposing the Wall Street bailout to opposing last summer's debt ceiling compromise. |
| 'This IS A Jobs Bill' |
| Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:53:01 EST House Republicans are moving forward with their second attempt to repeal all of the Obama health plan. The House passed the repeal in January of last year but the effort died in the Democratic-led Senate. Since then, the House has voted to repeal specific parts of the law, but only one small component has been removed. Georgia Rep. Phil Gingrey is a longtime physician. He says Republicans will not get the repeal through the Senate this time either but the GOP has a responsibility to fight against this plan at every opportunity. Gingrey rejects Democratic complaints that the debate takes away from legislation that could spur job creation. He says repeal is the best thing Congress can do for job creation since business owners are currently paralyzed by the regulations and restrictions aimed at them in the Obama plan. Gingrey says this will be a major issue in the Fall campaign since it is so closely connected with our lackluster economy. The congressman also details what concerns him most of all about the Obama plan and he explains what Republicans want to put in place of Obamacare if it is ever repealed. |
| 'It's All Politics' |
| Mon, 9 Jul 2012 15:46:29 EST President Obama is once again calling for an extension of the current income tax rates for middle class Americans but he is also demanding an increase for Americans making more than $250,000 per year. At issue is the so-called 'Bush tax cuts'. The original plan passed in 2001 but Senate Democrats forced the cuts to be removed at the end of 2010. At that time, Congress and President Obama agreed to extend the rates for another two years. Obama wants an extension of another year for those below the top tax bracket and Republicans want a year's extension for all taxpayers. Nebraska Rep. Lee Terry is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He says while Obama is demanding that wealthier Americans pay their 'fair share', the real victims in this effort are small business owners. Terry says the majority of small businesses file their taxes as individuals and many of them bring in over $250,000 per year. He says this is exactly the wrong time to be making life tougher for America's business owners. Terry also says extending tax rates for a year does not provide any certainty for business owners - even if all tax brackets get a year's reprieve. He adds that a year's extension could give Congress enough time to welcome a new president and put forth some permanent changes in the tax code. |
| 'She's Completely Disconnected' |
| Mon, 9 Jul 2012 15:36:12 EST Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill is one of the most endangered incumbents in the 2012 cycle. On August 7, Republicans will choose a nominee from a very competitive field to run against her. The leading GOP candidate at the moment appears to be Sarah Steelman, a former state senator and state treasurer. Steelman says it is clear the Obama agenda is not leading to greater job creation and she says Sen. McCaskill has joined Obama on every single legislative priority. Steelman rips Obama for once again demanding higher taxes on the wealthy and she says class warfare is not what made America great. Steelman strongly disagrees with the Supreme Court decision on the Obama health laws and sh says McCaskill's ongoing support for the law shows the senator has completely lost touch with her state. The GOP front-runner says she is the best nominee from her party because she is willing to fight for what's needed and not be a go-along-to-get-along Republican. |
| There's Actually A Cooling Trend |
| Mon, 9 Jul 2012 15:24:37 EST In the midst of recent wildfires, deadly storms and a record-setting heatwave, many climate change proponents claimed these extreme events were further proof of man's impact on our environment. They claim part of the human impact is greater volatility in our climate. Dr. Tim Ball says that's nonsense. Ball is a former professor of climatology at the University of Winnipeg and is one of the leading scientific voices challenging the climate change movement. Ball says the events we're seeing are cyclical and are actually the start of a cooling trend for our climate. He explains how winds from the north and south are leading to the extreme temperatures and he says we will probably see them again for years to come as part of this trend. At the same time, Ball says Europe, Russia, Asia and parts of the western U.S. are seeing rather cold and rainy conditions - all part of the cooling cycle we're witnessing. Ball gives us further insights into the factors causing these conditions and explains why all the talk of human activity causing these events is just a convenient political move and nothing based in actual science. |
| 'Beyond Disappointing' |
| Fri, 6 Jul 2012 15:20:12 EST The Labor Department reported Friday that 80,000 jobs were added to the economy in June - well below already meager expectations. The overall unemployment rate stayed at 8.2 percent. Texas Rep. Kevin Brady is chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, which closely studies the monthly jobs reports. Brady says the current trend shows job creation getting even slower and Obama presiding over the most sluggish response to a recession in several decades. He says the Obama health plan and other regulations have business owners holding off on plans to hire, grow and expand. Brady admits that Obama inherited a rough economy but adds that he hasn't made it any better in three-and-a-half years. The chairman responds to Obama's accusations that uncooperative House Republicans are responsible for paltry jobs numbers and explains why he thinks Mitt Romney would be a far better steward of the economy. Finally, Brady discusses the House-passed jobs bills that are gathering dust in the Senate and outlines the stark choice facing voters in November. |
| Ten Pills |
| Fri, 6 Jul 2012 14:47:29 EST A few weeks ago, we learned that President Obama won over the support of the pharmaceutical industry for his health care plan. One concession Obama made was to stop his public push for generic and imported prescription drugs. That means all your favorite TV ads for those drugs will keep rolling along and the Capitol Steps are taking notice. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| What Next on Fast & Furious? |
| Thu, 5 Jul 2012 13:10:48 EST Last week, the House of Representatives voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress. That would normally trigger an investigation and prosecution by the Justice Department and a U.S. Attorney, but the DOJ has already announced it will not be moving forward on the action against Holder. The contempt citation came after what Republicans say is more than a year of deception and stonewalling from Holder and his colleagues at the Justice Department in connection with the gunwalking scandal known as 'Fast & Furious'. Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar is a member of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee that first voted out the contempt citation. Gosar says he is deeply disappointed by the politics involved in the Justice Department's decision and he says civil contempt charges should be coming soon through the Republican leadership. Gosar also discusses the myriad of immigration and border security headlines in recent days - from the Supreme Court decision on Arizona's immigration laws to the Department of Homeland Security refusing to cooperate on cases of illegals detained in Arizona to the DHS telling border agents to 'run and hide' if confronted by violence. |
| Obamacare's Taxes |
| Tue, 3 Jul 2012 14:25:27 EST The individual health insurance mandate survived a major court challenge last week when Chief Justice John Roberts declared it could exist as a tax. While President Obama and his allies still insist the mandate is not a tax, Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist says the plan has always been full of taxes increases on the American people - more than 20 in all. Norquist walks us through some of the most onerous taxes, from targeting investors to the mandate tax to the medical device tax. He calls it the largest middle class tax increase we've ever seen. |
| 'We Are At A Crossroads' |
| Tue, 3 Jul 2012 13:25:52 EST When the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Obama health plan last week, opponents were left one realistic strategy for thwarting the full implementation of the plan - the ballot box. Republicans will hold another repeal vote in the House of Representatives next week, but it is doomed to languish in the Senate and never reach President Obama who would veto it anyway. Louisiana Rep. John Fleming says the point of that move is to reassure the American people that Republicans are not done with this fight. Fleming explains why he believes the fight against the law needs to continue and what needs to happen on Election Day for opponents to have a chance at repeal. He also reacts to conservative arguments that there is a legislative 'silver lining' to the recent Supreme Court decision. |
| Entertainment or Agenda? |
| Mon, 2 Jul 2012 16:46:29 EST Vanessa Oblinger of Radio America examines the relationship between popular television and the increasing acceptance of homosexuality. Dan Gainor of the Media Research Center and Chris Geidner of Metro Weekly provide insight on the impact of television on today's society. |
| Hostile Takeover |
| Mon, 2 Jul 2012 14:44:48 EST FreedomWorks has been one of the leading voices of the Tea Party movement over the past three years. Deficit spending and the push for the Obama health plan galvanized millions of activists to change the complexion of Congress in 2010. FreedomWorks President and CEO Matt Kibbe says Thursday's Supreme Court ruling will only serve to rally the grassroots organizations to play a major role in this year's campaign. Kibbe is also the author of "Hostile Takeover: Resisting Centralized Government's Stranglehold on America". He explains how America thrived as a decentralized nation that allowed its people the freedom to pursue their dreams. He says that's not the case anymore and that voters need to begin the march back to limited government by firing our "senior management" from both parties in Washington. Kibbe also gives us insight on how to tell which candidates are serious about shrinking the role of Uncle Sam and which ones just want your vote. |
| Where's the Outrage? |
| Mon, 2 Jul 2012 13:53:09 EST While President, George W. Bush faced wide-based criticism from the left for his foreign policy decisions. Adam Ulbricht of Radio America examines President Obama's policies and the left's feelings on a continuation of many Bush-era programs. Supporters of the president also describe the significance of the recently leaked presidential kill list. Brian Katulis of the Center for American Progress and Melvin Goodman of the Center for International Policy give their take on the issue. |
| Hello November! |
| Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:22:46 EST Chief Justice John Roberts was initially ready to strike down the Obama health plan but ultimately decided to find a way to declare it constitutional. That's the assessment of Galen Institute President Grace-Marie Turner, who has been on the front lines in the battle against government intervention in health care since before the Clinton-era health debate in the 1990s. Turner says other critics have good points that the Roberts decision contains aspects that could make repeal easier and she says that means voters will have the final say on Obamacare in November. Turner expects this to be a huge issue, perhaps even eclipsing the economy. She also calls the ruling 'corrosive to job creation' since business owners refuse to make long term plans to expand or add workers until they know how much this plan will cost them. Turner says she is not worried that Mitt Romney could turn out to be weak on this issue despite his record back in Massachusetts. She says Romney has no choice but to follow through on the promises he's making right now. |
| Cash for Codgers |
| Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:55:38 EST On Thursday, the highly anticipated Supreme Court ruling on the Obama health plan was delivered and by a 5-4 margin the court ruled the plan was constitutional under the taxing power of Congress. The Capitol Steps offered a health care reform plan of their own that was patterned after the popular 'Cash for Clunkers' program. It's called 'Cash for Codgers'. Our guest is Steps writer and performer Mark Eaton. |
| Obamacare Ruling's Silver Linings |
| Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:41:32 EST In 2010, Virginia moved to pre-empt the individual mandate from affecting consumers by passing a law protecting its residents form the penalty for not purchasing health insurance. After the Obama health plan was passed, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli filed suit in defense of his state's new law. That suit was eventually tossed out of federal court, and on Thursday the mandate itself was declared constitutional based on the power of Congress to levy taxes. Cuccinelli strongly disagrees with the verdict on the mandate and even called Thursday "a dark day for liberty". But after further review, he sees a number of positives from the majority opinion from Chief Justice John Roberts. Cuccinelli says it is very significant that the court found the mandate unconstitutional on grounds of the Constitution's Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause. He calls those rulings the greatest judicial constraint of federal power since the New Deal in the 1930s. Cuccinelli is also very pleased that states will not be forced to be part of the Medicaid expansion that the Obama administration plans to use to fund the expanded health coverage. Overall, Cuccinelli gives Thursday's ruling a 'B-', saying the limitations on federal power are strong but the mandate ruling brings the overall grade lower. |
| Coverage Does Not Mean Care |
| Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:32:06 EST Indiana Rep. Larry Bucshon intently watched Thursday's Supreme Court ruling on the Obama health plan, both as a member of Congress and as a longtime cardiothoracic surgeon. Rep. Bucshon says he is deeply disappointed that the individual mandate was upheld but he is more concerned about that the plan will do to the quality of health care in the nation. Bucshon is mildly encouraged that the Supreme Court also allowed states to refuse being part of the Medicaid expansion used to extend coverage. Bucshon says more people on Medicaid will mean more people not getting to see doctors because the reimbursement rate is so low. He says previously uninsured people may now have a card in their pocket but many of them will still need to head to the emergency room for care. He says November will be key to potentially electing a president and Congress that will dismantle much of the Obama plan. |
| 'Big Hearts and Small Minds' |
| Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:23:26 EST Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul strongly disagrees with Thursday's Supreme Court decision that upholds most of the Obama health care law. But the man who closely identified himself with the Tea Party movement says this ruling will create a resurgence among the grassroots movement that will carry on through the November elections. Paul says this will be a huge campaign issue and Mitt Romney will have options to roll back the plan - either with a cooperative Congress or through executive orders. But Paul warns that if Obama is re-elected we will be headed down a troubling path toward health care rationing, long lines and worse. he also fears Obama is preparing to go after domestic energy the way he did after the private insurance industry. |
| 'Kicked in the Stomach' |
| Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:53:34 EST Chief Justice John Roberts provided the key vote in upholding the constitutionality of the Obama health care plan. In his opinion, Roberts wrote that the law is unconstitutional with respect to the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution. However, he says it is constitutional under the power of Congress to tax. That did not impress California Rep. Dan Lungren, who is also the former attorney general of the Golden State. Lungren says Roberts was "stretching" to find the plan constitutional. In the process, the congressman says Roberts gave Congress much greater power through taxation. Lungren expects the health care issue to once again become a major election issue. |
| 'That's an Outright Lie' |
| Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:32:17 EST Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar is a member of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee. He voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the committee's investigation into the gun walking program called 'Fast & Furious'. Gosar says Obama administration assertions that all 'relevant' documents have been turned over to the committee are an 'outright lie'. He explains what convinced him that now was the time to take this action regarding Holder. He also says he is looking forward to the Justice Department investigation of the attorney general. Rep. Gosar also expresses his frustrations with the Department of Homeland Security for cutting off many cooperative efforts with Arizona officials on immigration enforcement following Monday's Supreme Court decision. He says the federal government is 'playing favorites' and such action is an 'atrocity'. Gosar says playing political games with border security is an affront to Americans nationwide. |
| 'This Is An Absolute Disaster' |
| Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:00:54 EST "What's coming is going to be evil." That's the assessment of former Benjamin Netanyahu aide and accomplished author Joel Rosenberg on the future of Egypt. Rosenberg says the ascending to power of the Muslim Brotherhood is a nightmare for the region (and particularly Israel) since the new president loudly promoted Sharia Law and jihad during his campaign. Rosenberg tells us what the proper U.S. position should have been toward Egypt over the past couple of years in his estimation. He also sizes up the growing violence in Syria and the rising tensions between Syria and Turkey. Rosenberg also details his new book, "Implosion: Can America Recover from its Economic & Spiritual in Time?". Rosenberg says he can't answer the question posed in the subtitle but insists Americans need to get very serious now about reversing our huge debt and addressing our nation's spiritual decline. He says the latter is not about engaging in the debate over key social issues but rather a need for a third Great Awakening in which Americans repent and turn back to God. |
| Pandering Through Amnesty |
| Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:42:11 EST It's been over a week since President Obama announced a unilateral plan to allow young illegal immigrants to stay in this country and legally obtain work permits but critics are still fuming over what they see as an unconstitutional method to attain an overt political goal. Jim Gilchrist is the founder and head of the Minuteman Project - a group founded several years ago in response to what he considered the federal government's abdication of border security responsibilities in the Bush administration. He is even more infuriated with what he sees as blatant political pandering now from President Obama through his executive order to implement key aspects of the DREAM Act. The most significant changes would allow young illegals who were brought to the U.S. before the age of 16 and are currently younger than 30 to stay here and legally obtain work permits. Gilchrist rejects the compassion argument of going easy on young illegals since they didn't consciously break the law. He asserts that breaking the law has consequences and young illegals should have to be sent home and get in line for the legal immigration process before being allowed to enter the U.S. again. Gilchrist says Obama is consciously encouraging illegal behavior in hopes of legalizing tens of millions of immigrants who shouldn't be here. He says the ultimate goal is to turn the vast majority of current illegals into loyal Democratic voters. Gilchrist has no love for Republicans either, as he contends the GOP would be doing the same thing if it thought most illegals would vote for them. In fact, he believes that's exactly why President George W. Bush was so lenient towards illegals during his administration. |
| A Very Loud and Messy Time |
| Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:29:46 EST Many political battles will play out in the coming months, but few loom larger than the scheduled tax increases set to take effect at the start of next year. The Bush tax cuts are set to expire, so are the payroll tax breaks and other provisions that could add up to a huge financial hit to American families. Both parties are opposed to letting all the cuts expire but there are major disagreements over what should be extended and which breaks can lapse. Rep. James Lankford is a member of the House Budget Committee. He says there will be a huge legislative fight over the expiring taxes in the lame duck session. Lankford tells us what his goals will be to protect taxpayers this year and what sort of permanent change he would like to promote in the new Congress. |
| Farm Subsides: A Growing Debate |
| Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:34:52 EST Adam Ulbricht of Radio America looks at a growing divide over agricultural subsidies in the United States. During congressional debates over the recent Federal Farm bill, some lawmakers tried limiting subsides given to farmers, a practice that dates back to the Great Depression. Supporters are urging Congress to back new crop insurance programs, rather than traditional forms of payment. Don Carr of the Environmental Working Group, Francis Smith of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Dale Moore of the American Farm Bureau Federation and Jay Lehr of the Heartland Institute each shed light on this issue. |
| 'That Was the Central Issue' |
| Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:57:44 EST The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a mixed verdict on Arizona's hotly debated immigration laws Monday, striking down much of the legislation but unanimously upholding the most contentious component of the law. The court ruled 8-0 that police in Arizona could request proof of legal residency from someone confronted over an unrelated violation if there is probable cause to believe the person may be here illegally. The high court also struck down provisions that would make it a state crime for illegals to apply for or hold a job. Illegals will also not be guilty of a state crime for not having proof of their legal residency on their person. All three of those provisions are currently in the federal law, but the Court ruled the state had no business entering an area of the law that was the domain of the federal government. Justice Antonin Scalia wanted the entire law upheld, saying Arizona should not be punished for wanting to enforce laws the federal government won't enforce. He also said this ruling questions whether states can be considered to have any sovereignty. California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is one of the staunchest voices in Congress for tougher border enforcement. He says the the most important part of the Arizona law is the portion the court upheld and provides local and state authorities with much more latitude to keep their people safe. He does not seem worried about the components that were struck down and blames Democrats for failing to get serious about protecting our borders. Finally, Rohrabacher explains why President Obama's recent efforts to attract Latino votes through leniency toward young illegals is going to backfire. |
| Energy Bill Really A Jobs Bill |
| Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:35:50 EST On Thursday, while most of Washington was focused on the drama of a House committee finding Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress, the full House passed a sweeping energy bill. The larger package contained seven smaller measures ranging from greater access to domestic supply of energy or fully reviewing new environmental regulations that most Republicans deem harmful to the energy industry in particular and to the economy as a whole. Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson is a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and represents a coal-rich district in eastern and southeastern Ohio. He walks us through the seven components of the bill and why he thinks they have the ingredients to spark the creation of a million new jobs - and at least 600,000 in the oil and gas industries alone. Johnson details how proposed regulations would be reviewed and he responds to allegations from Democrats that such a process would lead to dirtier air and more cases of lung cancer. Rep. Johnson also explains why he's not optimistic about the bill's fate in the Senate and he unloads of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, saying if Reid were in the military he'd be in Ft. Leavenworth for failing to do his job. |
| Lankford Rebuts Pelosi, Carney |
| Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:45:50 EST On Wednesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted to find Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for his ongoing refusal to fully cooperate with the ongoing probe into the botched Fast & Furious operation. In the intervening days, both Holder and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney have insisted that the Justice Department turned over all "relevant" documents. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi further alleges that this is all a Republican "scheme" to distract and discredit the man tasked with stopping GOP voter suppression efforts in this year's elections. We get reaction from Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford, a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He also defends his committee vote and explains why it was necessary. |
| The Brief Against Obama |
| Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:29:43 EST Any presidential campaign that seeks to defeat an incumbent must make the case for why the current officeholder needs to be fired. Radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt is now releasing what he considers to be a thorough and frightening indictment of the Obama record on everything from the economy to ignoring the Constitution to a very weak record in foreign policy. |
| Will Hatch Survive? |
| Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:11:40 EST Utah Republicans will choose their U.S. Senate nominee on Tuesday. Incumbent GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch is favored to win a seventh term, but he is facing a vigorous challenge from State Sen. Dan Liljenquist. Hatch resisted just about every debate request so Liljenquist employed a Hatch tactic from 1976 and debated video clips and a cardboard cut-out of his opponent. As for their one actual debate, Liljenquist explains where he believes he nailed Hatch on his role in Washington's growing debt. Liljenquist also tells us how he would react to critical issues in Washington - from staving off the massive tax increase set for the start of 2013 and what to do about Obama's executive order to change immigration enforcement laws. |
| Supremes Curb Union Power |
| Thu, 21 Jun 2012 16:59:05 EST On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that non-union members in a closed shop were not required to pay special dues used solely to engage in political campaigning. The case stems from California, where the local chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) tried to compel additional dues with what the court deemed insufficient notice. The 7-2 majority also called this a First Amendment free speech issue. Barbara Comstock is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and is affiliated with the Workforce Fairness Institute. She says this is not a huge step towards fairness for employees and employers but it is a step in the right direction. Se also explains what this could mean down the road and where the union movement and right to work movements stand right now. |
| Privilege and Contempt |
| Wed, 20 Jun 2012 17:07:20 EST In recent days, Attorney General Eric Holder gave strong indications that he would provide additional documents related to the Justice Department's handling of Operation Fast & Furious. The focus of a Congressional probe for nearly 18 months, Fast & Furious is the gun-walking program that allowed thousands of guns to end up in the hands of Mexican drug cartel members, resulting in the deaths of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and hundreds of Mexican citizens. But a Tuesday meeting with Congressional investigators resulted in nothing but posturing between Holder and Republicans. Wednesday morning, President Obama invoked executive privilege at Holder's request. That means the documents won't be turned over to Congress any time soon. South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy is a member of the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees - the two committees that have spent the most time investigating this issue. Gowdy is outraged and says the Justice Department deliberately stalled for many months in turning subpoenaed documents over to the Oversight Committee. He also cries foul over Obama's latest move, saying Obama can't use 'executive privilege' to protect information that doesn't directly involve him. Gowdy says that either means Obama is directly involved in this scandal after insisting he wasn't or that Obama is taking extraordinary measures to protect communications that should not fall under executive privilege. But Gowdy says whether Obama acted lawfully or not, there's not much Congress can do to get the critical documents from the Justice Department. Gowdy also discusses Wednesday's committee vote holding the attorney general in contempt of Congress, explaining the vote is not specifically about Fast & Furious but about Holder's disregard for the role of Congress and the rule of law. The congressman also rejects Democratic complaints that this probe and today's vote are about damaging the administration, distracting from the focus on job creation or about racial animosity against Obama and Holder. |
| 'You Have to be Outraged' |
| Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:18:43 EST On Friday, President Obama unilaterally changed immigration policy by announcing that illegal immigrants younger than 30 and who entered the U.S. before the age of 16 do not face deportation and can legally obtain work permits. Arizona Rep. David Schweikert is fighting back with a new bill that would block funding needed to implement the policy change. Schweikert says this is necessary because Obama's decision does "violence" to the constitutional mechanics of the country. He says every member should be appalled at the precedent of a president changing a law without action from Congress. The congressman says he's spoken with several Democrats who see Obama's actions as a really bad precedent, but they will grin and bear it because they want to win in November. Schweikert says Obama should have worked with lawmakers trying to change immigration policy through the legislative process. In addition to the constitutional threat, Schweikert fears what the legalizing of 800,000 new young workers will mean for a dismal job market and a jobless crisis among young people. Some Republicans fear a major GOP backlash to the Obama directive could bring devastating results among Hispanic voters in November, but Rep. Schweikert says we have to tell the truth about the impact this Obama decision has on the role of the Constitution. |
| Obesity and the Fight Over Sugary Drinks |
| Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:14:46 EST Adam Ulbricht of Radio America looks at rising obesity rates in the United States and what they mean for the country. Obesity is the target of many programs, ranging from the First Lady's "Let's Move" campaign to the NFL's "Play 60". New York City has even proposed a ban on large sugary drinks. Hank Cardello of the Hudson Institute, Margo Wootan of the Center for Science and the Public Interest and Scott DeFife of the National Restaurant Association help examine the issue. |
| Sizing up Syria |
| Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:48:21 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says it is definitely in America's interest to see the Assad regime collapse in Syria but he recommends no direct U.S. role at this time. Bolton says President Obama is not demonstrating that he understands the significance of the Syrian crisis and he hears Obama may be willing to agree to Iranian nukes in exchange for Iran abandoning its friends in Damascus. Amb. Bolton also scolds the Obama administration for making many concessions to Russia on missile defense and other issues but failing in every way to end Russian support of Syria and Iran. Finally, Bolton assesses the latest developments in Egypt, where he says there are no good options. He says the military and Muslim Brotherhood will likely find a way to work together and that anything close to a representative democracy won't be a reality there anytime soon. |
| What Banks and Borrowers Need |
| Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:27:20 EST In the past several days, bank regulation was back in the news - particularly in the wake of JP Morgan Chase losing two billion in funds through risky bets. Proponents of more government intervention say this means the Dodd-Frank bill didn't go far enough. Free market advocates say more tinkering from Uncle Sam is the last thing we need. American Bankers Association President Frank Keating says the government has to have a regulatory role any time taxpayer money is being used to back up bank funds. However, Keating believes the lessons from the 2008 financial crisis have been learned and that banks don't need excessive hovering from regulators. He also explains whether he sees Dodd-Frank as a necessary response to the crisis or as a meddlesome overreaction. Keating also explains how prospective homeowners should go about preparing for the biggest financial decision of their lives and what indicators should tip you off over whether to buy a home or avoid becoming another statistic. |
| Foreign Policy and Your Money |
| Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:12:41 EST Adam Ulbricht of Radio America examines the debate over foreign aid the United States provides to other countries. The U.S. gives billions of taxpayer dollars to help foreign governments on a wide range of issues. However, that practice is beginning to be questioned. Russell Rumbaugh of the Stimpson Center, Ian Vasquez of the Cato Institute, Carol Adelman of the Hudson Institute and Ambassador Terry Miller of the Heritage Foundation each weigh in on the topic. |
| Liddy Talks Watergate |
| Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:21:46 EST Sunday marks 40 years since burglars at the Watergate complex were discovered and arrested. The break-in triggered a chain of events that ultimately resulted in the resignation of President Richard Nixon. G. Gordon Liddy, the man in charge of the Watergate plot, gives us his unique insight into how the Watergate operation originated and why the operation really targeted the Democratic headquarters in the Watergate complex. Liddy tells us why he became famous for not talking in the wake of his arrest, why he was not at all surprised when John Dean "cracked" and why he took on the mission in the first place. |
| 'It's About the Constitution' |
| Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:22:52 EST President Obama triggered a political and legal firestorm on Friday when he ordered a rule change through the Department of Homeland Security that allows young illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S. and legally obtain work permits. The policy was one the major components of the DREAM Act, which failed to clear Congress even under Democratic control. The easing of the rule is aimed at illegals who were brought to the U.S. before they turned 16 years old and are currently younger than 30. The president says it's unfair to to punish those young people for decisions their parents made and those young adults are already contributing to society. Iowa Rep. Steve King isn't buying any of that. The Republican lawmaker is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and says the greatest outrage in this move is Obama's ignoring of the Constitution. King says the president can't just create new laws through executive orders because he's frustrated that his agenda can't get through Congress. King adds that he's ready to take the president to court for acting in a manner that is clearly reserved for the legislative branch. He has experience in this type of legal fight. As an Iowa state senator, King successfully sued then-Gov. Tom Vilsack over what King sees as the same type of executive branch power grab. The congressman says he isn't concerned that what the president did may be similar to a reform plan being assembled by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio because the legislative process is where these things need to be hashed out. King says he will press the legal challenge to the president's move regardless of what GOP leaders do. |
| 'I've Got Big Bucks' |
| Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:09:46 EST Mitt Romney says he's grown wealthy by helping failing companies recover and grow. But President Obama contends all that money means Romney is out of touch. So now, the Capitol Steps discover Romney embracing his riches. Guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| What the Future Holds for Holder |
| Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:40:16 EST Twice in the past week, Attorney General Eric Holder faced very tough questioning from House and Senate committees probing the 'Fast & Furious' gunwalking scandal. Republicans on both panels demanded his resignation or at least much greater compliance in turning over subpoenaed documents to investigators. Rep. Blake Farenthold is a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and called for Holder's resignation months ago. Farenthold tells us why lawmakers have little choice but to approve a contempt citation but also explains how such a step could still be preventable. Farenthold says the paper trail makes it very clear Holder has stonewalled and misled Congress. And in an ironic twist, Farenthold reveals a contempt citation would trigger a Justice Department investigation of its own boss. |
| Obamacare, Congress & the Court |
| Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:16:41 EST Sometime this month, the U.S. Supreme Court will issue a series of rulings on the constitutionality of the Obama health care laws. Michigan Rep. Dan Benishek says after witnessing some of the oral arguments in person he's confident at least part of the law will be struck down and perhaps large parts of it. Benishek is a longtime physician and surgeon and the health care debate was pivotal in his election in 2010 and in the retirement of former Rep. Bart Stupak. He says the Obama laws as currently constructed will destroy the American health care system through the gutting of Medicare and government intervention in personal decisions through the Independent Payment Advisory Board. Benishek says the Obama plan focused on expanding coverage but is greatly eroding the quality of care patients can receive. The congressman also explains what the GOP can do to advance its cause while Democrats control the Senate and White House. |
| Whose Land Is It, Anyway? |
| Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:03:00 EST Tuesday is primary day in a number of states around the country. However, in addition to the House and Senate races, some key ballot initiatives are also being decided. One that's garnered a lot of attention in recent days is Measure 2 in North Dakota, which would abolish property taxes. Charlene Nelson is chairman of the Empower the Taxpayer movement behind the referendum. She says the property assessment process is frustratingly arbitrary and different zoning areas carry much different tax rates. Nelson also argues that if she owns her property there's no reason why she should still have to 'pay rent' on it to the local government. Supporters of the repeal have an uphill climb according to recent polls but the effort is still competitive despite being outspent by an estimated 30-1. Nelson says organized labor, big business and other interests are all aligning against the plan. They worry that abolishing the property tax will drain valuable resources from the government for schools and other priorities. Nelson says that money will still be there and tax hikes in other areas won't be necessary to make up the difference. |
| NASA Climate Fight Rages On |
| Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:38:09 EST Several weeks ago, a group of former NASA astronauts, engineers and other scientists sent a letter to the agency to rebuke the current leadership for its active embrace of the climate change agenda. Now NASA officials have responded to those concerns but have only served to infuriate their former employees even more. Leighton Steward is a geologist and author of "Fire, Ice and Paradise". He has worked closely with the astronauts and scientists in explaining why climate change science is far from settled and why many of the common conclusions from NASA leaders and others are flawed. Steward also says NASA leaders are guilty of speaking out of both sides of their mouths. The response to the former scientists claimed NASA does not offer hard conclusions in the climate change debate but just days later top scientists were making very dire predictions before Congress. NASA leaders also said climate change is a moral danger on par with slavery. Steward now tells us how the ex-NASA personnel are responding and where the battle goes from here. |
| The Marshall Plan |
| Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:38:34 EST Five months ago Virginia Del. Bob Marshall made a late entry into the Republican field for the 2012 U.S. Senate nomination. On Tuesday, Marshall hopes to be the one emerging from a four-person race to take on Democratic nominee Tim Kaine. Marshall says he brings a solid 20-year record from the state legislature - a record of leadership and independence. Marshall touts his sponsorship of the legislation that would shield Virginians from the individual mandate inside the president's health care plan. He also proudly notes his bill fighting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provision that allows for indefinite detention of American citizens if they are deemed a national security threat. Marshall also describes himself as a thorn in the side of his own party, being punished by his own leadership team for refusing to back a rule that would keep subcommittee business out of the public record. When it comes to his GOP competition, Marshall says he has a consistently conservative record, has successfully locked horns with Kaine in the past and is not vulnerable to attack on spending and debt issues like frontrunner and former Sen. George Allen. Virginia's primary is on Tuesday. There is no registration by party affiliation in the Old Dominion, so all voters may participate. |
| Turner Vows Common Sense in Senate |
| Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:19:59 EST Last year, businessman Bob Turner shocked the political world by winning a special election in New York's heavily Democratic ninth congressional district. His reward was to watch the state eliminate his district through reapportionment. So now Turner is running for U.S. Senate and looking to defeat Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Turner says Gillibrand is ranked as the most liberal member in the entire chamber - even more liberal than Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders who is an avowed socialist. Turner points to Gillibrand's reliable support for every Obama initiative from the stimulus to the health care plan and more as proof she is out of touch with the needs of New York. The congressman says the economy is the biggest issue and his business background gives him the perspective to help create conditions favorable for job creation and reduce the debt. Before Turner can truly focus on Gillibrand, he has to actually win the GOP nomination. The primary is June 26 and the Conservative Party is already behind Wendy Long, who is also seeking the GOP nod. Turner tells us it's been a very positive tone in the primary campaign, but he firmly believes the only way for a Republican to beat Gillibrand is to be competitive in New York City. He contends no other Republican hopeful is capable of winning the kind of support he can draw in and around the city. |
| Guns, Government and Fraud |
| Fri, 8 Jun 2012 16:06:23 EST Virginia Rep. Morgan Griffith is a busy man. The freshman Republican from southwest Virginia is introducing a critical new bill for gun owners, battling Medicare fraud and trying to roll back what he sees as environmental regulations that will cripple the economy in his district. First, Rep. Griffith is sponsoring a new bill designed to end lots of headaches for law-abiding gun owners. The resolution would allow transportation of a firearm from one state where a gun is legally possessed to another where it is also legal. That means states traveled through between the two states would not be able to charge the gun owner with a crime. Griffith says a number of responsible gun owners have been hassled for no good reason and at great legal expense. In addition to protecting the transportation rights of gun owners, any jurisdiction that improperly files charges will be responsible for the legal fees of the citizen involved. Griffith also takes us inside two other fights. He is actively involved in investigating Medicare fraud and discusses hearings into how the government and insurance companies are impacted by this illegal activities. And Griffith takes us inside the fight to push back against new environmental regulations that threaten the existence of the coal industry, the surrounding economy and your electricity rates. |
| 'Under the Sea' |
| Fri, 8 Jun 2012 15:56:15 EST The U.S. drone strikes scored another high-profile kill this week by taking out the second highest figure in Al Qaeda. President Obama has shown no hesitation in claiming credit for the killing of top terrorist figures, including Osama Bin Laden. And as the Capitol Steps show us, the references to Osama may become more frequent as the economy stalls. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| The Great Destroyer, Part 2 |
| Thu, 7 Jun 2012 16:26:49 EST David Limbaugh's new book, "The Great Destroyer", chronicles multiple "wars" that Limbaugh alleges President Obama is waging against the American people and against this country as a whole. In this portion of our conversation, Limbaugh explains the extent of Obama's spending and the rapid expansion of our debt. He also takes on Obama's assertion that his level of spending is rising at the slowest rate since the Eisenhower years. Limbaugh also confronts the president over energy policy, calling Mr. Obama liar when the president claims that he is aggressively expanding energy exploration and that the U.S. sits on just two percent of the world's energy reserves. Finally, Limbaugh tells us what he thinks a second Obama term would bring and why he thinks Mitt Romney will win convincingly come November. |
| The Great Destroyer, Part 1 |
| Thu, 7 Jun 2012 16:06:44 EST Syndicated columnist David Limbaugh is back with a new book that picks up where his last critique of the Obama administration stopped. In "The Great Destroyer", Limbaugh documents what he sees as Obama's "war" on everything from America itself to our culture, our economy, oil and more. In this part of our conversation, Limbaugh cites multiple examples of how the president is diminishing America's stature by apologizing to the world and retreating from the idea of "American Exceptionalism". He also rips Obama for demanding political civility in the wake of the Tucson shootings and then bombarding his opponents with very harsh rhetoric. Limbaugh also details how Obama is circumventing not just the Congress but the Constitution in how he is advancing his agenda through executive orders. |
| 43,000 Jobs on the Line |
| Thu, 7 Jun 2012 14:46:08 EST House Republicans are spending Thursday afternoon repealing another provision from the president's health care law. Minnesota Rep. Erik Paulsen is sponsoring a bill to repeal a 2.3 percent increase in taxes on medical device makers. Paulsen says the tax would be devastating to a thriving industry, saddling manufacturers with $29 billion in new taxes over the next decade. He also estimates that some 43,000 jobs could be lost as a result of the additional tax burden. Critics of the repeal claim the tax should not be a concern because the infusion of newly insured patients will create a demand that should more than compensate for any negative impact of the tax increase. Rep. Paulsen tells us why he believes that logic is incorrect and what he expects the Senate to do once the bill passes the House. |
| The Great NDAA Debate |
| Thu, 7 Jun 2012 10:54:46 EST Adam Ulbricht of Radio America looks at the debate over Section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act. Opponents of the bill, say American citizens could be locked up without charge or trial. Christopher Anders of the American Civil Liberties Union along Shahid Buttar of Bill of Rights Defense Committee, share their concerns over the legislation. However, not everyone disagrees with the NDAA. Andrew McCarthy of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, explains that no changes are made to existing law under the NDAA. |
| We're Eating Into His Numbers |
| Wed, 6 Jun 2012 16:38:16 EST Tea Party leader and Virginia Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Jamie Radtke says she is poised to mount a very strong showing in Tuesday's primary. Radtke says her polling has her above 20 percent while E.W. Jackson and Delegate Bob Marshall are mired in single digits. Allen still leads but Radtke says she is in the same position Deb Fischer was just days before her shocking win in the Nebraska U.S. Senate primary. Radtke continues to make the debt and spending reductions the hallmark of her candidacy, and she explains her proposal to balance the budget in just four years. She is also the only GOP challenger to Allen who seems ready to go after her party's frontrunner. Radtke says nominating Allen would bring more of the same to Washington and give Democrat Tim Kaine opportunities to run to the right of the Republican nominee. The founder of the Virginia Tea Party also discusses what it's like to raise money when a presumptive nominee is in the race and why she's confident she's raised enough to get her message to voters by Tuesday. |
| Cocktails with Molotov |
| Wed, 6 Jun 2012 16:25:37 EST Barry Farber has been a radio staple for more than 50 years and the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity consider him the real trail blazer in talk radio. Now Farber is publishing a book of his favorite life experiences entitled "Cocktails with Molotov". The book includes stories ranging from his first encounter with segregated drinking fountains as a young boy to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and from actually rubbing elbows with Molotov while in the USSR to the story of how Bob Hope likely saved his early radio career. Farber also explains how his time in Hungary profoundly impacted the rest of his life and what role he played in the rise of political talk radio. |
| 'I Think I'm Going to Win' |
| Tue, 5 Jun 2012 14:19:57 EST For months, former Sen. George Allen has been the prohibitive favorite to win the Republican nomination in his quest to win back the U.S. Senate seat he lost to Jim Webb six years ago. There have been no new public polls showing a major shift in the race but GOP hopeful E.W. Jackson says voters in the commonwealth can expect a shocking result next Tuesday. Jackson says internal polling gives him confidence that he will not only challenge Allen but score the biggest upset to date in the 2012 cycle. Recent debates seem to have given Jackson a boost as online polls suggest he won the encounters with Allen, Delegate Bob Marshall and Tea Party favorite Jamie Radtke. His profile also rose after presumptive Democratic nominee Tim Kaine slammed Jackson for declaring war on Kaine and President Obama at the most recent debate. Jackson tells us what he meant by those comments and why he's spent far more time going after Kaine's record than George Allen's. He also gets down to the meat of the campaign, as Jackson tells us what separates him from his current GOP rivals and why he is uniquely qualified to bring voters into the Republican party that his GOP rivals cannot. |
| 'A Violation of the Public Trust' |
| Mon, 4 Jun 2012 16:26:27 EST Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee say the Obama administration's lack of transparency kept the public from knowing about troubling negotiations between the administration and the drug industry. Colorado Rep. Cory Gardner says a committee probe shows the White House and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) struck a deal in which Obama promised to stop pushing for easier importation of cheaper drugs from other countries. In return, PhRMA agreed to pump some $80 billion into the effort to pass Obamacare. That effort included the return of Harry and Louise - the fictional TV ad couple that helped to scuttle the Clinton health care bill in the 1990s. This time the couple was pushing the Obama reforms. The committee also discovered that the Obama administration threatened to force higher payments from drug makers to Medicare if the industry did not back the legislation. Gardner explains why these hidden negotiations are so troubling to him and why he sees these proceedings as a breach of public trust. |
| 'We Need A Plan' |
| Mon, 4 Jun 2012 16:08:13 EST Tuesday is primary day in California, and the primaries for seats in the U.S. House are drawing plenty of attention since many of the districts look very different as a result of reapportionment following the 2010 census. Republican State Senator Tony Strickland is running for an open seat in the 26th district. Strickland explains why he is running for Congress after 14 years in the state legislature. He describes his famous role in exposing the expensive energy contracts that crippled California with rolling blackouts in the last decade. Strickland also explains why the jobs picture and debt totals under Obama's stewardship are unacceptable and what actions he would pursue if elected to Congress. The son of a career military officer, Strickland says he is most concerned about Israel and a nuclear Iran on the international stage. And he artfully dodges a question on what type of Republican he would be in Congress. |
| We Can Create Jobs! |
| Fri, 1 Jun 2012 16:41:36 EST On Friday, the Labor Department reported just 69,000 jobs were added in the month of May - and that's well below expectations. The report also revised job growth lower for March and April as well, while the overall unemployment rate ticked up to 8.2 percent. The Obama administration says its policies have this nation on the right course after inheriting a horrible crisis and will eventually lead to more robust numbers. However, California Rep. Jeff Denham says that argument has "zero" credibility. Denham also says Obama has no one to blame but himself since he had a compliant Congress for two full years. The congressman does applaud Obama for supporting his legislation that would allow returning veterans who are certified in skills learned while in the military to be certified in the private sector as well. But Denham says much more could be done if the Senate would move on more than two dozen jobs bills passed by the House. Denham also updates his investigation into the reckless spending of taxpayer dollars at the General Services Administration (GSA). |
| 'I'm So Pretty' |
| Fri, 1 Jun 2012 16:27:25 EST On Thursday, a federal jury in North Carolina acquitted former Sen. John Edwards on one count and failed to reach a verdict on the remaining five counts in his campaign corruption trial. As Edwards appears to go free, the Capitol Steps look back on his political rise with their classic parody "I'm So Pretty". |
| Small Biz Nixes Obamacare Credits |
| Thu, 31 May 2012 17:18:24 EST When the Obama health care plan was being pushed in 2010, one of the major selling points was a series of tax incentives aimed at small businesses of help defray the rise in health care coverage for employees. But recent statistics show only 170,000 of the nearly four million eligible businesses have applied for the credits. Some have decided that the benefits are not worth all of the jumping through bureaucratic hoops. Others have calculated that it's still more cost effective to end health coverage and pay the fines than to continue providing benefits with the tax credits in effect. North Carolina Rep. Renee Ellmers is a member of the House Small Business Committee. She says small business owners in her district and around the country are feeling burdened by the regulations coming out of the Obama administration and the health care laws are some the biggest problems. Ellmers also highlights what Congressional Republicans are pursuing to bring relief to small business owners. |
| Supremes to Settle Marriage Flap |
| Thu, 31 May 2012 16:58:52 EST The front lines in the legal battle over the definition of marriage will soon be in the halls of the U.S. Supreme Court. On Thursday, a three judge panel of the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled unanimously that the federal government could not refuse spousal benefits to legally married gay couples. The judges did not wade into whether they considered gay marriage to be a constitutional right and they did not reject the right of states to define marriage for themselves and deny gay marriages performed in other states if they wish. Harry Mihet is senior litigation counsel at Liberty Counsel. He says the logic in today's decision is deeply flawed since the court has no problem allowing states to define marriage how they see fit but apparently the federal government cannot. Mihel says he is confident the high court will side with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) for that very reason, and he says the series of recent court decisions against DOMA are largely a result of gay marriage supporters shopping for liberal, sympathetic judges to advance their case. Mihel also tells us that if the Supreme Court does not reverse the appellate court then American taxpayers will essentially be forced to fund gay marriage. |
| Can Mitt Win Libertarians? |
| Thu, 31 May 2012 10:49:04 EST Ron Paul has stopped actively campaigning and Governor Romney has secured enough GOP delegates to win the Republican nomination. Radio America's Vanessa Oblinger discusses the challenges and opportunities Romney faces to win over Paul supporters. Brian Doherty, the senior editor at Reason Magazine and author of "Ron Paul's Revolution" explains why Romney may have a very difficult time winning over those voters. Gus Portela of the College Republican National Committee tells us why he thinks libertarians will naturally gravitate to the GOP nominee. |
| Time to End Gendercide? |
| Wed, 30 May 2012 16:42:16 EST The House of Representatives will vote Thursday on a Republican bill that would ban abortions sought because of the unborn child's gender. The original version of the plan also banned abortions based on race, but the revised version focuses solely on gender. Iowa Rep. Steve King is one of the leading proponents of the bill. He explains how recent politics prompted sponsors to remove the racial component of the bill. In an additional hurdle for supporters, House Republican leaders are bringing up the plan for consideration without going through the usual committee process. That means passage will require a two-thirds majority rather than a simple majority. Rep. King is fine with that decision, saying it should be a no-brainer to ban the killing of baby girls just because they are girls. Some pro-choice advocates are opposing the bill on the grounds that it punishes Asian-American women who are raised to prize male children over females. King says that argument fails the logic test since the legislation would save the lives of many Asian-American females. The congressman admits it may be tough to get a two-thirds majority but vows to press on through regular order if Thursday's vote is defeated. |
| The Tea Party and Scott Walker |
| Tue, 29 May 2012 16:54:24 EST On June 5, Wisconsin voters will put an end to one of the most tumultuous years any state government has seen in recent years as they determine the fate of Gov. Scott Walker. The governor is the subject of a recall attempt by public sector unions over new laws Walker and a Republican legislature approved last year to force union members to contribute more to their benefits and pensions. The plan also restricted the collective bargaining power of unions. Critics succeeded in getting the recall effort on the ballot. Right now, Walker seems likely to survive the attempt to remove him from office and he's finding plenty of support among the Tea Party Patriots. The grassroots organization does not formally endorse candidates, but co-founder Jenny Beth Martin says her group is sympathetic toward Walker because he is one of the few politicians who has done exactly what he promised to do despite a torrent of opposition. Martin also believes recall efforts undermine the principles of a democratic republic. She says barring extraordinary circumstances, public office holders should be held to account at their next scheduled election. Martin also tells us how the Tea Party Patriots are involved in other races around the country and why three core principles - and not specific candidates - are at the heart of the movement. |
| Afghan Optimism |
| Fri, 25 May 2012 16:09:15 EST In the past few weeks, President Obama has outlined his vision for U.S. drawdown and eventual withdrawal from Afghanistan. His goal is to be done with our current mission by the end of 2014. In the past week, other NATO members have advocated leaving sooner or even immediately. South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson is a member of both the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. He is confident that the U.S. will pull back responsibly and leave the Afghan government and security forces in the best possible position to fend for themselves. Wilson says he is not worried that rampant corruption in Afghanistan will sink the country's future. He admires President Hamid Karzai, although he admits that's an opinion not many others share. The congressman also chides Pakistan for sentencing a U.S. intelligence asset critical to the Bin Laden raid to 33 years in prison on treason charges. Wilson says it's clearly in Pakistan's best interest to ally with the U.S. and root out Al Qaeda, which is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in Pakistan. However, Wilson says we should not be threatening to reduce foreign aid to Pakistan because less influence could mean greater instability in a nuclear nation. And Rep. Wilson shares his thoughts on Memorial Day and the incredible men and women who wear our nation's uniform. |
| Small Biz Misery |
| Fri, 25 May 2012 15:54:02 EST You may have missed it, but we are now at the end of National Small Business Week. But as the economy continues to struggle and the jobless rate is still influenced more by people leaving the labor market than the number of hires, what hindrances remain to sustained growth? California Rep. Dan Lungren has talked with many small business owners in recent days and says the hurdles are clear. The congressman says uncertainty is keeping expansion plans on the sidelines for many small businesses - uncertainty fueled by greater government regulation and a tax code that could be bad news for entrepreneurs in the months ahead. Furthermore, Lungren says already tight revenues are now threatened by much higher fuel costs - which hikes prices throughout the economy. He openly wonders whether most Americans find the current economic conditions unacceptable or whether they see the current conditions as the new normal. Lungren also highlights some of the House Republican bills designed to removed red tape and make life a bit easier for America's small business owners. |
| More Tea Anyone? |
| Thu, 24 May 2012 16:34:49 EST Adam Ulbricht of Radio America examines the role of the Tea Party in the upcoming 2012 November elections. FreedomWorks Josh Eboch and South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint weigh in, while highlighting what they believe will be another successful election for the movement. |
| Who Won't Talk with Whom? |
| Thu, 24 May 2012 16:25:49 EST Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert told us earlier in the week about his frustration with the Obama administration spending $20 million of taxpayer money on a marketing campaign to boost popularity of Obamacare. During that conversation, Gohmert also said President Obama has a habit of demonizing Congress on the campaign trail by claiming lawmakers (especially Republicans) won't work with him. Gohmert says Congress is willing to negotiate with Obama but the president won't sit down with them. The congressman explains where he thinks there could be - or at least should be common ground between the two parties. He discusses what we can expect the House to do with respect to Obamacare if the Supreme Court allows it to stand and he offers some strong comments on what he expects heading into yet another debt ceiling debate. |
| Obamacare 'Insanity' |
| Wed, 23 May 2012 16:43:31 EST This week, the Department of Health and Human Services announced it is launching a $20 million ad campaign designed to boost public support for the Obama health care laws. Public opinion polls consistently show Americans opposed to the two-year-old law and a majority still favor repeal. Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert is furious that the Obama administration would spend more "money we don't have" to convince people to embrace a bill they've already rejected. Gohmert also slams Obama for refusing to work with Congress on key issues while traveling around the country and "demonizing" Congress for not working with him. |
| All About the 1st Amendment |
| Wed, 23 May 2012 16:05:39 EST Earlier this week, 43 different Catholic institutions filed suit against the Department of Health and Human Services over the mandate that employers pay all contraceptive costs for female employees. After much outcry earlier in the year, the administration issued an "accommodation" that supposedly exempted organization that had a religious objection to covering contraception. The solution was to pass the costs along to the insurance provider. That adjustment is nowhere near good enough for the dozens of Catholic diocese, charities and hospitals that are filing suit. Bill Donahue is president of the Catholic League. His organization is not part of the lawsuit but Donahue has taken part in extensive conversations with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and others who are leading the legal challenge. Donahue says two major concerns are at the heart of the lawsuits. He says protecting religious liberties enshrined in the first amendment to the Constitution are at the heart of the case- but so is a little-known wrinkle in the Obama "accommodation". Donahue says for an organization to qualify for the religious exemption, it must almost exclusively serve and employ people of the same faith. So Catholic universities, charities and hospitals that welcome people of all faiths do not qualify for the exemption. Donahue says he is confident that the Supreme Court will dismantle much of Obamacare in the coming weeks. If not, he believes the 43 Catholic groups will likely win their challenge on first amendment grounds. But Donahue says if all legal effort come up empty, some 600 Catholic hospitals and charitable organizations will close their doors before agreeing to subsidize abortion-inducing drugs. He claims this contraception mandate is just the "camel's nose in the tent" and the Obama administration will soon want to mandate that all hospitals provide abortion services. Donahue says Catholics have overwhelming support from Evangelicals, Protestants, Mormons and Jews because, as he says, "They know they're next". |
| The Greatest Hoax |
| Tue, 22 May 2012 15:36:08 EST Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe has been on the front lines of the climate debate since his days in the House of Representatives and has been one of the most prominent opponents of efforts ranging from the Kyoto Protocol to Cap and Trade and now to the Law of the Sea Treaty. Inhofe says the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST) is often pitched as an innocuous effort to clarify maritime boundaries and even enhance U.S. access to vital resources. But in reality he says the treaty is a giveaway to the United Nations, which would then charge the U.S. and American energy companies a fortune to explore for energy underneath our own waters. Inhofe is leading an effort to stop the treaty from receiving the two-thirds vote necessary to be ratified - but he admits he doesn't have the votes yet. He also explains how the Obama administration is moving forward on the Cap & Trade agenda through regulations and emergency declarations after the legislative effort failed in the previous Congress. Inhofe was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994 and is the top Republican member of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee. |
| A Goode Plan? |
| Mon, 21 May 2012 15:51:50 EST As President Obama and likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney remain locked a virtual dead heat, is there any room for a third party to make a statement or even be competitive in 2012? That's the hope of the Constitution Party and its nominee, Virgil Goode. The 65-year-old Goode was elected to Congress as a Democrat in 1996, left the party in 2000 and caucused with the Republicans. He officially ran as a member of the GOP in 2002 and lost his seat in the 2008 election. As the Constitution Party nominee, Goode tells us the biggest issues driving his candidacy - namely our soaring debt and lackluster job creation. Goode says Obama's spending is completely out of control but Republican proposals are also not good enough because he says the budget needs to be balanced now and not in a few years or a couple of generations from now. He expects a fierce fight with Congress about cutting spending, but his plan would not focus on entitlement reforms. Instead, Goode envisions big cuts in discretionary spending - both in the defense and domestic portions of the budget. When it comes to jobs, Goode's top priorities are to end illegal immigration and nearly put a stop to legal immigration in order to prevent foreign workers from competing with Americans for the job opportunities that exist. Goode says he would also seek to repeal Obama administration regulations that he says are stifling job creation. He would start with the Obama health care laws which Goode considers the most repressive to job creators. The former congressman says he is not a spoiler in the race but is a much needed voice on fiscal responsibility, ending government programs for illegal immigrants and other issues. |
| 'Talk Is Cheap' |
| Fri, 18 May 2012 16:25:26 EST On Wednesday, House Speaker John Boehner served notice to the Obama administration that the coming debate over another debt ceiling extension would be resolved through offsetting spending cuts. South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney has been very critical of Boehner's performance in last year's fights over the continuing resolution and debt ceiling. Mulvaney says he welcomes Boehner's stance this time around but wants to see it backed up by verifiable spending cuts that take place soon and not years down the road. The timing of the debt ceiling debate is also a political spectacle according to Mulvaney. He says Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner ultimately decides when the government exceeds the debt ceiling - and he claims that determination will be based on what President Obama considers to be best for his re-election chances. A strong supporter of Texas Gov. Rick Perry during the Republican presidential primary season, Mulvaney is now confident that Mitt Romney is an excellent choice to take on the debt issue. The congressman says Romney may seem boring compared to Obama's rock star persona, but he will be very happy with a boring but competent leader. |
| Harpin' 'Bout the GSA |
| Fri, 18 May 2012 16:12:22 EST In recent months, Congress has been investigating rampant taxpayer waste at the Government Services Administration (GSA). Allegations include lavish parties in Las Vegas, thousands of dollars wasted on clowns and mind readers and a week spent in Hawaii for one hour of official business. As you might imagine, the Capitol Steps are not missing a chance to poke fun at this corruption. Their new song is "Harpin' 'Bout the GSA". Our guest is Steps Co-Founder Elaina Newport. |
| Biden's 'Laughable' Jobs Claim |
| Thu, 17 May 2012 15:57:49 EST For the past two days, Vice President Joe Biden has traveled around Ohio touting what he claims is a successful reversal of the economy thanks to Obama administration policies. But Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson says Biden is badly separated from reality. Johnson says job growth has occurred in his district in southern and southeastern Ohio. However, he contends the jobs are coming from private investment in private projects on private land and that the uptick is coming in spite of crippling new regulations from the Obama administration. In particular, Johnson says he is fighting feverishly to block a pending Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would close the last two steel plants in the U.S. that incorporate manganese into production. The congressman is also furious at Obama and the EPA for already implementing new "clean air" rules that could spell death for many coal-fired power plants. Johnson says well over 50 percent of Ohio's power comes from coal and losing multiple plants would not only mean job losses but higher energy rates. Finally, Rep. Johnson explains why he's confident Mitt Romney would pursue policies friendly to his district and the businesses inside it. |
| Headed for the Shredder |
| Thu, 17 May 2012 14:49:19 EST One of the most competitive open U.S. Senate races in the nation this year promises to be in New Mexico. Democratic Senator Jeff Bingaman is retiring after 30 years and Republicans see a chance to gain the seat after strong performances in the state in 2010. Heading into the June 5 primary, former Rep. Heather Wilson is considered the favorite to be the GOP nominee, but conservative challenger Greg Sowards believes he's poised for a come-from-behind victory in less than three weeks. Sowards explains the five questions he would ask before backing any legislation - ranging from impact on the family to whether it adds or subtracts rights to whether it's constitutional. He also tells us why a bill that is 90 percent good and 10 percent bad is not good enough. Sowards explains how his small business background gives him a good idea of what Congress can do to create a better economic climate. And he explains why he believes Rep. Wilson is a RINO (Republican In Name Only) and insists his votes would be based on devotion to principle and not to his party. |
| 'Saving the American Dream' |
| Wed, 16 May 2012 14:56:52 EST The U.S. Senate has not passed a budget resolution since 2009. Not only has the Democratic majority failed to approve a blueprint in over 1,000 days but it has not even proposed one in that time. Senate Republicans are launching an uphill effort to advance their own budget priorities as they see debt piling up and time running short. Utah Sen. Mike Lee is one of the leaders in this effort. He says Democrats apparently hope they can avoid accountability by failing to produce a budget but Sen. Lee contends the current fiscal path is unsustainable. Lee says multiple GOP budget plans are headed to the Senate floor, including proposals from the likes of Rand Paul of Kentucky and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. For his part, Sen. Lee is offering the "Saving the American Dream" plan. He explains to us how he would balance the budget within five years, partly be using means testing for entitlements and increasing the age of eligibility for Medicare and Social Security. Lee would scrap the estate tax and payroll tax and most deductions. He would then simplify most of our tax bills down to taxes on income and consumption. He says simplifying the tax code that way would not only pay for government operations but also give Americans a much better idea of how much government spends. Sen. Lee is not predicting any breakthroughs in the Democratic Senate but he says with votes starting today there will be a constant push toward more fiscally responsible government in Washington. |
| 'These People Are Total Liars' |
| Tue, 15 May 2012 16:32:06 EST North Carolina is the latest state featured by Project Veritas in its series on how America's electoral system is extremely vulnerable to voter fraud. In last week's North Carolina primary, James O'Keefe and his colleagues demonstrate how easy it is to obtain ballots even if the person has publicly professed not to be a U.S. citizen. Poll workers insist that the ridiculously dressed activists do not need to show identification or a passport. The video further shows an election official telling Project Veritas that it's up to the public to expose voter fraud. O'Keefe also tells us about his group's visit to the University of North Carolina, where a dean and a program director laugh off confessions of voter fraud and even seem to encourage it. Yet a day later, both officials tell conservatives that voter fraud never happens. And Project Veritas catches up with an election official who says he can no longer agree to uphold the state constitution in his oath since voters passed the amendment establishing only traditional marriage as the definition of marriage in the state. |
| The Six Commandments? |
| Tue, 15 May 2012 16:18:20 EST Eighteen months ago, a parent in Giles County, Virginia, objected to the Ten Commandments being posted in a high school as part a huge collage of documents linked to America's political and legal heritage. The school district does not want them removed and the case remains in U.S. District Court. In the past few days, Federal Judge Michael Urbanski offered a compromise - scrap the first four commandments and leave the final six. Urbanski suggested that could resolve the dispute since the first four commandments directly refer to God and the final six concern interaction among humans. Mathew Staver of Liberty Counsel is representing Giles County in the case. He says several other documents in the school display reference God, including the Magna Carta and Declaration of Independence, but no one is asking that those be taken down or edited. Staver says the school district is rejecting the judge's proposal and so is the parent, who is allied with the American Civil Liberties Union and the Freedom from Religion Foundation. Mr. Staver explains where the case stands now and what will likely happen if court-ordered mediation does not succeed. |
| Hard Measures |
| Mon, 14 May 2012 15:42:57 EST When terrorists attacked the United States on Septembewr 11, 2001, the U.S. intelligence community was woefully unprepared for the work that had to come next - rounding up and interrogating as many Al Qaeda leaders and operatives as possible. Jose Rodriguez was director of the CIA's National Clandestine Service at the time. He tells us why intelligence officials found themselves flat-footed on 9-11 and what the initial steps were to prepare for the eventual questioning of high profile terrorists. Rodriguez explains why the standard FBI questioning was good but did not yield results quickly enough and how the list of acceptable Enhanced Interrogation Techniques was born. Some news reports suggested top Al Qaeda figures like Abu Zubaydah and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed were subjected to waterboarding dozens and dozens of times, but Rodriguez tells us how many times the terrorists themselves claimed to have been waterboarded. He also addresses the controversy over the destruction of videotapes of interrogations and insists the move had nothing to with alleged incidents of torture and everything to do with protecting the identity of interrogators who were shown on tape. Media reports of these stories and other classified programs frustrate Rodriguez greatly and he explains why such leaks are so damaging. We also ask Rodriguez what if anything he would have done differently and how he looks back on his colleagues and the decisions he made in the first several years in the War on Terror. |
| 'It Has to Be Done' |
| Mon, 14 May 2012 14:37:18 EST A few weeks ago longtime Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch fell just short of securing the Republican nomination for a seventh term at the state's GOP convention. As a result, Hatch faces a primary challenge from State Sen. Dan Liljenquist, who is embracing the Tea Party in his hopes of scoring an upset victory. Liljenquist says over the past 36 years Sen. Hatch has contributed much more to the nation's debt than working to reduce it. He also doesn't think Hatch's increasingly conservative positions are genuine but rather a politically expedient move to save his own job after watching fellow Sen. Robert Bennett booted out of office in 2010. Entitlement reform is also high on the Liljenquist agenda. In the Utah legislature, he has led successful efforts on pension reform and Medicaid reform. He tells us why he believes that track record can succeed at the federal level as well and adds that reforming Medicare and Social Security is no longer a choice but a necessity. And Liljenquist renews his challenge to debate Hatch several times before the June 26 primary. |
| Stop the Spending! |
| Fri, 11 May 2012 16:47:48 EST House Republicans passed a plan this week to redistribute the spending cuts forced by the failure of the super committee last year. The original plan calls for many of the cuts to come from defense spending, but most Republicans say reductions of that size leave our security vulnerable and require the cuts to be spread around to other programs. Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo explains what the GOP is trying to do and where the party wants to cut instead of making huge reductions in defense. Pompeo also describes his effort to end funding for the Economic Development Agency - and explains what that office even does. The congressman explains how big of an issue deficit spending is to his constituents and why he thinks Mitt Romney is up to the job of reining in the red ink. |
| 'I'm One of Them' |
| Fri, 11 May 2012 16:17:28 EST Craig James has enjoyed some big wins in Texas. As a star running back in SMU's famed "Pony Express" backfield, James was one of the most celebrated athletes in America. He later enjoyed impressive NFL and sports broadcasting careers. But none of that is why James is running for U.S. Senate in Texas. He tells us how a childhood spent moving from apartment to apartment because of evictions helps identify with the very real struggles of Texans today. He also points to 30 years as an entrepreneur in ranching and real estate. James says he's running for office because he understands the economy and know to grow jobs and sees two critical paths to getting the job done. James says he would abolish the Department of Education and return that money to local leaders. He would also encourage life trades that don't require a college education to be taught in high school since jobs like plumbers, electricians, mechanics and other solid careers don't require tens of thousands to be spent on higher education. Energy is next on his priority list for growing the economy. James would also end the Environmental Protection Agency and responsibly tap American resources to create jobs, reduce prices and end dependence upon foreign energy sources. Mr. James also expresses strong support for Israel and details his uphill battle in the crowded GOP race to replace retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. |
| My Life Without God |
| Thu, 10 May 2012 16:14:43 EST William Murray was barely a teenager when his mother sued Baltimore schools and demanded that prayer and Bible reading be removed from public schools. Madalyn Murray O'Hair won her case at the Supreme Court but that didn't make her happy. She was still the same bitter, vulgar woman. That's William Murray's assessment of his own deeply dysfunctional family. Murray tells us how bitterness and an embrace of Marxism combined to fuel his mother's atheistic movement. He also explains how he changed from a much calmer Marxist and atheist than his mother to a Libertarian-type atheist. This shift alienated him from his mother to a great extent and set him on a path of seeking worldly fulfillment. But rather than satisfy him, that course left Murray broke, divorced and begging the mother he loathed to raise his daughter. Murray also explains how he found salvation in Jesus Christ in 1980 and how he can now see the steps leading to that dramatic conversion. Now the head of the Religious Freedom Coalition, Murray discusses the role his family had on our nation and his work now to defend the freedom of religion from those still seeking to scrub God from the public square. |
| Apple Has Fallen Far from the Tree |
| Thu, 10 May 2012 15:55:54 EST Republicans see Florida as a strong opportunity to pick up a Senate seat currently held by Democrats. Two-term Sen. Bill Nelson has low approval numbers and three Republicans are fighting for the chance to take on Nelson in November. But before the general election can get going, the bad blood in the GOP race is already clear more than three months ahead of the August 14th primary. Rep. Connie Mack IV is the current Republican frontrunner despite getting a late start in the race. Former Sen. George LeMieux says that lead will evaporate when Florida voters realize that this Connie Mack is not the very popular former senator but the son of that man. LeMieux says Rep. Mack has a violent personal history and has been part of the spending problem in Washington by embracing earmarks and the notion of "bringing home the bacon". LeMieux, who served over a year in the U.S. Senate in 2009 and 2010 after being appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Sen. Mel Martinez, says his record is quite different. LeMieux points to his votes against earmarks and against raising the debt ceiling. Claims of illegal campaign tactics are also being alleged. LeMieux says Mack has just recently been busted for using his Congressional mailing privileges to send thinly veiled campaign materials to voters outside of his district. He also tells about his approach to job creation that his state sorely needs and debt reduction that will keep our nation solvent. |
| Helms Protégé Targets NC Dem |
| Wed, 9 May 2012 16:26:04 EST North Carolina's embrace of traditional marriage was the marquee election result from Tuesday night, but the complexion of the U.S. House races in redrawn districts also became a bit clearer. In the Tar Heel State's seventh Congressional district, State Senator David Rouzer edged out 2010 GOP nominee Ilario Pantano. Rouzer is a former staff member for the late Sen. Jesse Helms and says Helms taught him how to say 'no' and how to defend what needs defending. Rouzer says he holds many of the same beliefs and positions as Sen. Helms but this campaign is focused mainly on job creation and controlling the nation's soaring debt. Rouzer also offers his case for why voters in his district ought to fire eight-term Democrat Mike McIntyre. |
| Rand Paul: Abolish the TSA |
| Wed, 9 May 2012 14:37:35 EST Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has long been a vocal critic of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). His position only intensified after the TSA detained him at length earlier this year and caused him to miss a flight and an important speech in Washington. Sen. Paul says it's time to abolish the TSA and claims to have bipartisan support for his plan. Paul insists this effort is not because of his own experience but because the very young, very old and frequent travelers have been humiliated by a system that he calls 'ridiculous'. Sen. Paul explains why he believes TSA measures are not necessary to maintain secure flights and asks how far the invasive techniques must go before Congress makes changes. He also highlights some the principles he wants to include in a new passenger "bill of rights" and why he thinks airport security should be handled by private firms and possibly by the airlines themselves. |
| Student Loan Embarrassment |
| Tue, 8 May 2012 16:25:59 EST On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate failed to reach a final vote on the Democratic plan to extend the current interest rates on student loans. Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns is one of those who voted to kill the plan. Johanns tells us why he believes Senate Democratic leaders ought to be embarrassed by their tactics and why the Democratic bill would hurt small businesses and entitlement programs. Johanns explains why he supports the House GOP approach of tapping Obamacare funds to offset to revenues lost by not allowing interest rates to rise. He also rejects Democratic contentions that using those funds threatens health care for women. In fact he says President Obama calls for tapping the fund in his own budget. Sen. Johanns also talks about the growing fears that student loan debt could be the next economic bubble to burst and why the problem only gets worse as young people fail to find jobs. |
| The Pink Pagoda |
| Mon, 7 May 2012 16:41:41 EST As the coverage of Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng grows as a result of his ardent opposition to China's forced abortion and sterilization policies, you need to meet Jim Garrow. Jim is a Canadian businessman whose life was changed when he took the time to comfort a Chinese employee who was devastated that her sister would have to allow her new baby girl to be murdered. Garrow intervened and found a new home for the little girl. That story attracted more cases of baby girls in need of rescue because their fathers were inclined to kill them and try for a son. It's all a result of China's one-child policy and a society that greatly favors males. Garrow explains why he couldn't allow one baby to die if he could do something to stop it, how one case turned into finding new homes for 44,000 other baby girls and what the Chinese government thinks of his illegal activities. Garrow also addresses China's looming generational disaster as tens of millions of Chinese girls were never allowed to live. |
| 'Fundamentally Worse' |
| Mon, 7 May 2012 16:33:31 EST On Friday, the Labor Department reported 115,000 net jobs were created in April, far below expectations. The overall jobless rate fell to 8.1 percent, but analysts of all political persuasions agree it's because many more people left the labor force. Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh is also a member of the House Small Business Committee. He says small business owners are not hiring because they're in a holding pattern. Walsh says until business owners see what happens with the Obama health laws and dozens of burdensome regulations they are not going to pursue plans to hire or expand. Walsh describes how some areas of his district look like ghost towns because of unfriendly business policies in his state and from this administration. Walsh also describes some of the 27 House Republican job bills and what they would accomplish if the Senate Democrats would move on them. |
| Grease on Greece |
| Fri, 4 May 2012 17:06:48 EST The Capitol Steps offer a medley of parodies from the legendary Broadway musical "Grease" to explain the financial woes of Greece. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Obamacare and Your Coverage |
| Fri, 4 May 2012 16:41:30 EST One of the most common complaints from critics of the Obama health care laws was that the provisions actually encourage employers to eliminate coverage for employees because the fines for not complying with the mandate are far more manageable for the bottom line of businesses. Now a report commissioned by the Republicans on the House Energy & Commerce Committee suggests those fears were accurate and the coming reality may be even worse. Ohio Rep. Bob Latta is a member of the committee's health subcommittee. He explains why business owners throughout his district are reluctantly planning to end coverage for their employees and why their bottom line will change so drastically come 2014. |
| Tar Heel Marriage Fight |
| Fri, 4 May 2012 16:20:28 EST On Tuesday, voters in North Carolina will head to the polls. They will address an anticlimactic presidential race and choose Congressional nominees but the biggest item on the ballot is a state constitutional amendment to define marriage in the Tar Heel State as only the union of one man and one woman. Kami Mueller of Vote for Marriage North Carolina reveals why the issue is heading to the ballot now and tells us precisely what language is being considered. Mueller also discusses the additional language that would be codified so the amendment could not be used to limit private contracts. She details how pro-gay groups are employing "smokescreens" and "confusion" to grow opposition to the plan. Mueller also touches upon why the poll numbers give her reason to be optimistic about Tuesday's and she reacts to GOP Rep. Renee Ellmers' surprising announcement that she opposes the amendment because it does not allow for civil unions. |
| 'He's Going Down the Wrong Path' |
| Thu, 3 May 2012 16:48:58 EST California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher has been pushing for a free Afghanistan since the days of the Soviet occupation, but he is strongly opposed to the status quo in Afghanistan and is highly critical of the agreements signed this week between President Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Rohrabacher explains why he believes Karzai has amassed far too much power and is stifling true democracy. He also details why the recent agreements might be in Obama's best interest but are not a good strategy for the U.S. and Afghanistan. Rohrabacher then outlines what he thinks is a far better approach for our Afghan policy. A couple of weeks ago, Karzai specifically refused to allow Rohrabacher into his country. Today, Rohrabacher fires back and has some choice words for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta for bowing to Karzai's demands. |
| Lights Out for Lugar? |
| Thu, 3 May 2012 16:32:52 EST Several months ago, most Republicans and Democrats expected Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar to breeze to the GOP nomination and easily secure a seventh term in November. State Treasurer Richard Mourdock launched his bid as a conservative challenger and has vaulted to a tie or even a lead against Lugar with just five days remaining until Indiana's primary on May 8. Mourdock explains why he thinks his candidacy is resonating with Republican voters and what issue are problematic for Lugar. Mourdock also explains how endorsements from the likes of the National Rifle Association, the American Conservative Union, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann have been critical to his momentum. And Mourdock responds to allegations from Lugar that Mourdock embraces earmarks, "gambled" on junk bonds as state treasurer and is not the conservative he claims to be. |
| Tipping Our Hand in Afghanistan |
| Wed, 2 May 2012 16:09:15 EST On Tuesday night, President Obama announced the U.S. would hand over leadership of security operations in Afghanistan at the end of 2014. Retired U.S. Army Brigadier Gen. David Phillips says any time we let the enemy know when we plan to pull back or leave gives that enemy an advantage we don't need to give them. Phillips also discusses whether Afghan security forces are up to the job and what the benchmark is for determining if those forces are up to the job. Gen. Phillips was also commander for all police operations in Iraq. He explains why he thinks the Iraqi army and police forces are an example of a successful training program. But Gen. Phillips says the greatest threat to Iraq comes at the very top - the deep loyalty of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to the Iranian government. He says that alliance threatens Iraqi stability and makes Iranian dissident groups like the MEK at risk for annihilation. Phillips says he personally promised the MEK that they would be protected by the U.S. government. However, he points out American policy changed toward the MEK in 2009 and it has suffered many deaths and injuries ever since. |
| 'Not One Word' |
| Tue, 1 May 2012 16:04:29 EST In the second part of our conversation with New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith, the congressman takes us inside the diplomatic process and explains what leverage we actually have with the Chinese to help dissident Chen Guangcheng and whether we'll use it. Rep. Smith also discusses how long it may take to resolve this issue. He also saves some very strong criticism for President Obama. Smith says Obama has done absolutely nothing to confront China over it's forced abortions, horrific treatment of political and religious groups and other human rights atrocities. |
| The Story of Chen Guangcheng |
| Tue, 1 May 2012 15:41:49 EST This week's trip by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is being overshadowed by the story of Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng. Chen has been imprisoned and confined to house arrest in recent years but recently escaped - most likely to the U.S. embassy in Beijing. Chen has been a target of the Chinese government for his vocal opposition to forced abortions and the one child policy. New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith has been a critic of China's human rights record for decades and he has been shining light on Chen's plight for years as well. Rep. Smith says the forced abortions in China are responsible for the slaughter of 100 million girls over the past 33 years, as parents terminate pregnancies unless it's a boy and the government mandates abortions for any subsequent children. The government also requires abortions of all pregnancies of unwed mothers. In this first half of our interview, Rep. Smith discusses Chen's struggles and what will likely happen next. |
| 'Funding the Enemy' |
| Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:20:12 EST After more than a decade in Afghanistan, there are still lingering problems in our effort to root out terrorists and establishing a stable, honest government. Rampant corruption in the Karzai regime, dealing with fickle war lords and trying too hard to make nice with the Afghans continue to frustrate us. One of the most maddening developments in the past 11 years has been the U.S. essentially subsidizing the activity of those trying to kill us. In his new book "Funding the Enemy: How U.S. Taxpayers Bankroll the Taliban", reporter Doug Wissing explains how our policy has been flawed from the beginning and how recent efforts to correct it have been largely unsuccessful. He also addresses the question of whether the Afghan culture is too corrupt to avoid some of our huge financial commitment ending up in the wrong hands. |
| 'A Policy of Divisiveness' |
| Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:30:38 EST On Friday, the House of Representatives voted 215-195 to extend low interest rates on student loans. The interest rates are currently scheduled to double on July 1. Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold voted for the plan and applauded the effort to pay for the rate extension by tapping a program within the president's health care plan for almost six billion dollars. Democrats say the program provides vital preventive care while Farenthold calls it a political 'slush fund'. Listen here as Farenthold also responds to the argument from 30 GOP House members that Congress should not be artificially manipulating the the interest rate on loans and that the market should run its course. Farenthold also shares his thoughts with us on President Obama making this a major campaign issue and how he's approaching a tough primary and fierce general election campaign in one of the most competitive districts in the nation. Listen here for our full conversation with Rep. Farenthold. |
| Jackson Ready for Debates |
| Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:49:13 EST Most political pundits assume former Virginia governors Tim Kaine and George Allen will meet in the race for Virginia's open U.S. Senate seat. But this weekend brings the first in a series of debates among the four Republican candidates - Allen, Jamie Radtke, Delegate Bob Marshall and E.W. Jackson. Jackson tells us that he plans to convey the same message that is winning him support across the state - that he is the best choice to protect the Constitution and preserve a system of government that recognizes that rights come from God and not the state. Jackson also explains why it's not a good idea to return Allen to the Senate. |
| House GOP Pushes Keystone Again |
| Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:39:49 EST After failing to get President Obama to agree to construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and an unsuccessful effort to force the issue, House Republicans are trying again. Lawmakers attached the pipeline to a major transportation bill in an effort to move the pipeline closer to reality. Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole tells us why the latest strategy is adding Keystone to a transportation bill and whether he thinks President Obama will ever relent on the issue. He also answers critics who say that Nebraska is the real hold-up in this process and he explains why the Keystone debate is symbolic of a larger fundamental divide between the priorities of the two parties. |
| 'That's The Big Liberal Lie' |
| Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:18:14 EST California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has been in office for almost 20 years. She's held public office almost non-stop for 42 years and is considered a heavy favorite for re-election this year. But polls in the Golden State show 44 percent of Californians are ready for someone new. Former IBM executive and autism activist Elizabeth Emken hopes to be that someone new and is considered the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in a very crowded field. Emken tells us why she's running for the Senate and why her efforts will find different results than the GOP got with business leaders Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina in the state's big races back in 2010. Emken offers her approach to spending and job creation and explains why the president's health care plan plan was the issue that really got her moving. Emken addresses Feinstein's huge financial advantage and makes her case for why Republican voters ought to nominate her to battle Feinstein in November. |
| Rohrabacher Rejected by Karzai |
| Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:06:34 EST Late last week, California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher was a late addition to a congressional delegation to Afghanistan. But when the group landed in Dubai in preparation for the final leg of the trip to Afghanistan, word came that Rohrabacher was not to enter Afghanistan. If he stayed with the delegation, all lawmakers would be denied entry. Rohrabacher Communications Director Tara Setmayer explains why Rep. Rohrabacher was singled out by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and why Rohrabacher's criticism of Karzai is unique. Setmayer also discusses why there was little surprise that Obama administration officials (including Hillary Clinton) urged Rohrabacher to abide by Karzai's demand. |
| The Real Unemployment Rate |
| Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:01:45 EST The national unemployment rate officially stands at 8.2 percent. But if the government factored in Americans who have given up trying to find work, the rate would be 9.6 percent. California Rep. Duncan Hunter says that should be the real unemployment rate because it gives a far more accurate picture into how many Americans would like to be working but cannot find a job. Hunter says the change would be easy because the monthly jobless reports already calculate that rate but it is not the official unemployment number. He adds that people leaving the labor market after their jobless benefits expire actually make the traditional unemployment go down - which is exactly the wrong way to look at 'discouraged' workers. Hunter tells us why this change is needed after so many years of most people accepting the current calculation for unemployment without any problems. He also explains why he does not want to count the "underemployed" in the jobless rate. Those are people who want to be working full-time but have to settle for part-time jobs. Hunter also discusses how policy decisions might be made differently if lawmakers had the real unemployment rate in mind. |
| Secret Service Chaos |
| Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:34:01 EST The Secret Service is getting an abundance of unwanted media attention, but the author of a book on the group charged with protecting the president says this scandal doesn't come as a surprise to him and may actually help to spark some much need changes in the organization. Ron Kessler is author of "In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents they Protect". Kessler says Secret Service management has become increasingly sloppy over the years so it's to be expected that attitude would trickle down to agents in the field. Kessler describes how basic security procedures are overlooked, critical tests are falsified and weapons standards are well behind the FBI and others. He also reports that agents are afraid to reject requests outside their job descriptions because Secret Service leaders routinely side with egotistical leaders and their family members and against agents who don't want to be treated like hired help. Kessler explains what changes are needed to improve the agency and he tells us why outside oversight is necessary to make the changes stick. |
| 'Devastating for National Defense' |
| Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:57:36 EST Last summer, President Obama and Congress agreed to a deal to raise the debt ceiling and impose spending cuts. The plan called for a "super committee" to find $1.2 trillion in cuts over the next decade. To provide incentive for the committee to achieve consensus, both parties' leaders agreed that failure of the committee would trigger big cuts in areas they regularly defended - entitlements for Democrats and defense for Republicans. The committee failed to come to an agreement so those default cuts are now scheduled to take effect at the start of 2013. Republicans are now trying to short circuit the automatic defense cuts, which would amount to some $500 billion in the next decade. However, President Obama is vowing to veto any changes to the plan and is ordering the Pentagon to proceed as though that money will not be at its disposal. Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He says spending should be cut in all areas of the economy, but he contends 50 percent of the burden should not be placed upon a sector that makes up less than 20 percent of the budget. Brooks says it's clear that defense is at the bottom of Obama's priority list. The congressman also explains what the cuts would mean to our troops strength, civilian jobs and our military arsenal. Brooks discusses his strong opposition to the debt ceiling deal that led to all of this and explains why there's little that can be done to ward off the huge defense cuts unless major changes come at the ballot box in November. |
| Solving the Debt Bomb |
| Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:07:20 EST Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, author of "The Debt Bomb", says America will solve its massive debt problem. He says we will either address the crisis in a real way while we still have time or we will have the terms forced upon us the way Europe is now dealing with Greece. Coburn tells us how he would like to see tax reform addressed and whether he thinks a consensus can be reached in this political climate. He also explains how entitlement reform - and Medicare reform in particular - can be achieved in a way that saves the system by making it more efficient. Coburn also offers his thoughts on the Ryan plan and how much the results of the 2012 elections will impact the likelihood of real action on our debt. |
| The Debt Bomb |
| Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:43:21 EST Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn has been crusading for smaller government throughout his years in the House and Senate. Despite his efforts, Congress has only accelerated spending and our debt continues to soar. Now the author of "Debt Bomb", Sen. Coburn tells us why we're already well past the tipping point and economic calamity is getting very close. Coburn tells us why congressional leaders of both parties are guilty of cowardice for kicking this issue down the road for so long. He also explains why a "tyranny of good intentions" is responsible for our explosive spending and how the U.S. will either resolve this crisis soon or solve it very painfully when no ones buys our debt anymore. |
| Eco-Tyranny |
| Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:54:23 EST The green movement is really red. That's the contention of former meteorologist Brian Sussman, who is author of the brand new book "Eco-Tyranny: How the Left's Green Agenda Will Dismantle America". Sussman explains how the modern environmental movement is rooted in the ideology of Karl Marx, was enthusiastically embraced by Vladimir Lenin and has increasingly seeped into American politics. Sussman discusses how the federal accumulation of land is very bad for our energy independence and why the collapse of capitalism is required for the green agenda to succeed fully. Sussman also tells us why wind and solar are not the answer to our energy needs and details what he sees as the smartest energy strategy. |
| Debacle |
| Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:41:12 EST In January of 2009, America was losing hundreds of thousands of jobs per month and the national debt had jumped tremendously in the years of the Bush administration. Today, the monthly unemployment numbers look better but the overall number is worse. The national debt has jumped more in the first three-plus years of the Obama administration than in all eight years of the Bush presidency. And we have trillion dollar deficits for as far as the eye can see. In their new book, "Debacle", Economist John Lott and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist make their case that President Obama's term has been an economic nightmare and his policies have us headed in exactly the wrong direction. Dr. Lott tells us why the Obama agenda has been bad for the country and why the president's argument that things would be much worse without his actions is very weak. Lott also offers a cursory prescription for turning around our huge debt and deficits. |
| The Facts on Voter ID |
| Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:32:08 EST Liberal groups and the Obama Justice Department consistently fight efforts by states to require voters to present photo identification at the polls. Their contention is that the poor, the elderly and minorities are least likely to have ID and are at the greatest risk of disenfranchisement. Cherylyn Harley LeBon of the Project 21 Black Leadership Council says the facts are simple. She contends voter identification laws have been upheld by the Supreme Court. She also says the poor and elderly need ID to collect federal benefits and she claims participation among black voters in Georgia increased when ID was required to vote. LeBon also offers her best guess as to why the Obama administration, the NAACP and others are very critical of voter ID laws. |
| Here We Go Again |
| Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:07:24 EST North Korea's vaunted missile test proved to be an embarrassing failure but America shouldn't let that distract us from the regime sinister intentions. That's the message from retired U.S. Army Major General Paul Vallely, who served as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army in the Pacific. Vallely says the malfunction of the missile doesn't change the fact that North Korea's weapons program is a threat to the U.S. and our allies and that diplomatic efforts at deterrence have been a consistent failure. We ask Vallely what approach might yield better results and what role China is playing in North Korea's bluster. |
| House GOP Eyes Bigger Majority |
| Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:59:53 EST Democrats have high hopes of winning back the majority in the House of Representatives this year, but the man charged with keeping the GOP in control is confident his party will remain in power. Texas Rep. Pete Sessions is chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which is tasked with electing Republicans to the House. Sessions says the dissatisfaction with the Obama administration that was palpable in 2010 is still very much alive. He says Republicans have a message of lower taxes, more jobs, less spending and less regulation and that the president is relying on division to secure a second term. Sessions lists the seats currently held by Democrats that he sees as ripe for the picking and discusses some of the toughest seats for Republicans to defend. He offers his counter to President Obama's argument that a do-nothing Congress is holding up our economic recovery and Sessions offers a very specific prediction for the House races this Fall. |
| Conservatives Will Embrace Romney |
| Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:48:12 EST Rick Santorum's withdrawal from the 2012 presidential race has most Republicans concluding that Mitt Romney will be the nominee. And John Gizzi expects that conservatives will embrace Romney because they can't stomach the thought of another Obama term. He also expects Romney to choose a conservative running mate. Gizzi also explains why he believes President Obama is being dishonest in claiming President Reagan would have supported the "Buffett Rule" and why Romney may be able to make progress with female voters by hammering Obama's economic record with respect to women. And Gizzi shares a little known political anecdote about the late news legend Mike Wallace. |
| Three Little Wives of Newt |
| Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:41:39 EST This past week, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Most observers see this as the unofficial signal that Mitt Romney will definitely be the GOP nominee. But Newt Gingrich is still hoping to be the conservative alternative to Romney in the remaining states despite being millions in debt. This week the Capitol Steps examine the issue that might be most memorable from the Gingrich campaign. |
| 'Absolutely Disgraceful' |
| Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:27:30 EST Democratic party spokeswoman and Obama insider Hilary Rosen is drawing severe criticism for suggesting Ann Romney can't have any meaningful economic insights because she "never worked a day in her life". Romney chose to stay home and raise five sons. Ann Wagner is the mother of three children, is a former Republican National Committee Co-Chair and is now running for Congress in Missouri. Wagner explains why she was so deeply offended by the comments and what she thinks they indicate about the administration's views toward stay-at-home mothers. She also comments on the Romney campaign assertion that the vast majority of job losses on Obama's watch have impacted women. She details what sort of agenda she would pursue if elected to Congress and why she expects conservatives to rally enthusiastically behind Mitt Romney. |
| Inside the GSA Waste Probe |
| Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:19:26 EST Over the past several days, more and more instances of astonishing waste of taxpayer dollars by the General Services Administration (GSA) have come to light - from lavish parties in Las Vegas to week-long trips to Hawaii for just one hour of official business. California Rep. Jeff Denham is chairman of the Transportation subcommittee with jurisdiction over the GSA. He explains why he thinks there are many more flagrant examples of waste yet to be uncovered and why this level of corruption is not just par for the course. Denham previews the hearings he is planning to lead and the questions he wants answered. He tells us what power Congress has to respond to all this and offers his assessment of whether President Obama's outrage at this waste is genuine. |
| No, They Can't |
| Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:43:52 EST For millions of Americans, the instinct whenever a problem arises is to look to government for a solution. However, John Stossel of the Fox Business Network says history shows that government almost always makes things worse. In his new book, "No, They Can't", Stossel explains why government stifles individual responsibility and the incentive to work hard. He also sets the record straight on the battle over "fairness" and explains why letting big and small businesses fail is ultimately a good thing for the economy. |
| Space Junk |
| Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:25:30 EST In recent years, NASA officials have spoken up frequently in defense of the theory that human activity is adding too much carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and is dangerously elevating the earth's temperatures. But that belief is not universal in the nation or even within NASA. That's why a large group of former astronauts and Johnson Space Center officials are pleading with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden to stop presenting an unproven contention as settled science. Apollo 7 astronaut Walt Cunningham says the space agency has no business wading into a politically charged debate and believes the prestige of NASA is being used to achieve political goals that are not good for America. Cunningham also offers his thoughts on the end of manned space flights here in the U.S. and what the priorities of our space program ought to be. |
| Santorum Suspends Campaign |
| Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:22:19 EST On Tuesday, Rick Santorum announced he was ending his quest for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. The move comes exactly one week after Santorum lost three contests but declared the fight was only half over and that he was planning to reverse his fortunes in Pennsylvania later this month. University of Virginia Professor Larry Sabato explains what factors went into the timing of this decision and why this was actually a very smart move by Santorum. Sabato weighs in on whether this gives Newt Gingrich any chance at a final resurgence and why Romney should be happy today but his campaign coffers are even happier. |
| It Gets Worse Every Day |
| Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:15:11 EST On Tuesday, President Obama went to Florida to pitch what he calls tax fairness. That's the idea that wealthy Americans have a responsibility to pay more in federal taxes. And since some rich people make most of their money through investments that are taxed at a lower rate than traditional income, Obama wants to mandate they pay at least 30 percent in taxes. It's called the Buffett Rule, since Obama often repeats the contention that billionaire Warren Buffett has a lower tax rate than his secretary. Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh says this is exactly the wrong approach, since the higher taxes will stifle investment and saddle small business owners with additional burdens. He also says wealthy Americans already pay far more than their "fair share" in taxes. Rep. Walsh also slams the administration for allocating $500 million to the IRS as part of the implementation of the health care laws. He discusses the projections of greater and greater debt incurred by the health care laws and predicts the Supreme Court will strike down the individual mandate and probably the entire law. And Walsh updates us on his tough re-election effort in an increasingly left-leaning district. |
| Voter ID Effort Targets Holder |
| Mon, 9 Apr 2012 16:16:29 EST Project Veritas founder James O'Keefe has released videos from three states that show his undercover colleagues easily gaining access to ballots for dead and living people and even registering to vote as Tim Tebow and Tom Brady. Thus far, O'Keefe's efforts have been dismissed by the Justice Department and Attorney General Eric Holder himself. Well, the latest Project Veritas video shows a young white man getting easy access to Eric Holder's ballot in the District of Columbia primary on April 3 since not photo identification is required. O'Keefe tells us what message he's trying to send to Holder and state leaders around the country about the need for Voter ID laws. He also reveals how the Justice Department reacted to this video and gives his response to the DOJ criticism. O'Keefe reveals how two states have passed Voter ID legislation in the wake of his videos and how leading Democrats in those states have been more outraged by his actions than by the apparent ease of committing voter fraud. And he reveals what the next videos from the DC primary will show. |
| Still Threatening the Court |
| Mon, 9 Apr 2012 15:56:31 EST Last week, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals demanded a written explanation from the Obama administration as to what it saw as the court's role in reviewing acts of Congress. Most reports suggested a much more deferential tone from Attorney General Eric Holder than we heard from President Obama just a few days earlier. But Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute says that's not the case. Turner says Holder stated the obvious in the beginning of the letter that the courts can strike down Congressional resolutions, but the rest of the letter seemed to echo Obama. She explains why the administration's written position still seems to be an attempt to intimidate the court - an effort she says seems to be failing given the soaring approval ratings for the court. Turner also reveals why she's even more optimistic that the individual mandate and possibly the entire health care law could be overturned. |
| Doesn't Pass the Laugh Test |
| Fri, 6 Apr 2012 14:07:29 EST Last week, House Republicans passed their budget for Fiscal Year 2013 without a single Democratic vote. This week, President Obama ripped the GOP budget as one that gives more breaks to the rich, burdens the poor and threatens everything from higher education to Medicare to accurate weather forecasts. Obama called the plan a Trojan horse and claims it would lead to social Darwinism. Missouri Rep. Todd Akin is a member of the House Budget Committee. He says House Republicans are the only ones serious about producing a budget and that the president's remarks are little more than baseless scare tactics. Akin also explains how taxpayers can be misled by the term 'spending cuts' - since some consider cuts actual reductions in spending and others use it to refer to reductions in projected spending increases. And Akin tells us why he's more than happy to have voters choose between the House GOP budget and the Obama budget that received zero votes in the House. |
| The Grim Road Ahead in Iraq |
| Fri, 6 Apr 2012 13:39:35 EST About a year ago, members of the Iraqi army killed 34 members of the People's Mujahedin of Iran at Camp Ashraf. The story drew little coverage but serves as a symbol of countless mistakes from both the Bush and Obama administrations in Iraq. That's the opinion of retired U.S. Army Col. Wesley Martin, who was commander of Camp Ashraf at the time of the massacre. Martin explains why he's outraged that the Iranian group was considered a terrorist group by our own government at the time and still is today. He also offers his blunt response to the official government response that removing the terrorist label on such groups would risk more involvement from Iran inside Iraq. Col. Martin also explains why he is very pessimistic about the future of Iraq, why he expects Iraq to drift further away from the U.S. and why many of the problems there stem from mistakes made by the U.S. before the war even began. |
| Super PACs |
| Fri, 6 Apr 2012 13:33:55 EST The 2012 presidential candidates have been aggressively raising money, but some of their biggest help is coming from the supposedly independent Super PACs that are popping up on behalf of the different campaigns. And as usual, the Capitol Steps have their own unique take on this new political wrinkle. |
| Destroying the Fabric of Society |
| Thu, 5 Apr 2012 16:23:23 EST On Monday, President Obama raised many eyebrows by claiming the Supreme Court would be taking an unprecedented, activist step by striking down all or part of his health care laws. Fierce criticism ensued and the administration has sought to water down those words for the rest of the week. Texas Rep. Michael C. Burgess is a longtime physician and says Obama likely failed to influence any of the justices if that was his intent. Burgess also speculates whether Justice Elena Kagan may have tipped off the administration as to the way this decision could go. He also wonders why Obama is claiming the courts can't strike down Obamacare while simultaneously asking federal courts to declare the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. Burgess says without action by the Supreme Court or major changes mandated by voters in November, the full enactment of Obamacare will "crater the ship of state. |
| The Facts on 'Stand Your Ground' |
| Wed, 4 Apr 2012 16:16:03 EST For weeks now, the highly emotional story of George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin have elicited very strong opinions. But away from the details of this case, the mainstream media are badly misrepresenting the facts of the so-called "stand Your Ground" laws in Florida and 40 other states. Economist John Lott is also the author of "More Guns, Less Crime". He explains why the actual laws are much more restrictive than the media would have us believe and those who use deadly force to defend themselves could still face criminal charges. Lott walks us through the laws and tells us what factors need to be in place for a successful defense based on these laws. And he details the impact "Stand Your Ground" laws have had on crime rates in the states where they have been implemented. |
| Very Weak Reasoning |
| Wed, 4 Apr 2012 16:02:13 EST On Wednesday, the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on the constitutionality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. The law allows each state to define marriage for itself but also permits states to deny recognition of marriages that don't meet its definition. The statute also makes clear that the U.S. government defines marriage only as the union of one man and one woman. In 2010, a federal judge declared the law unconstitutional, asserting that it discriminated against legally married gay couples because they were denied federal benefits that traditionally married couples in their state received. Mathew Staver is the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. He says the lower court's decision was based on very weak reasoning and that there are many things a state government may allow people to do that the federal government does not. He says the federal position of only recognizing marriages between a man and a woman proves that no discrimination is occurring. Staver also scolds the Obama administration for refusing to defend the law and tells us whether this could be the next big showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court. |
| The 'War on Coal' |
| Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:32:09 EST This past week, the Environmental Protection Agency released its much-anticipated regulations demanding that any new coal-fired power plants reduce emissions by 50 percent. Virginia Rep. Morgan Griffith represents a coal-rich district in southwest Virginia. He says President Obama and the EPA are undoubtedly waging a war on coal. He says the new rules will block the construction of any new power plants and he fears they will soon apply to existing plants as well. Griffith says even emerging clean coal technology wouldn't reduce emissions enough to comply with the new regulations. He explains the impact this will have on jobs in many areas and on everyone's power bills. |
| Democrats and the Budget |
| Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:25:28 EST For the past couple of days, we've talked with Republican members of Congress to discuss the best way forward on spending cuts, entitlement reform, tax policy and more. Democrats voted en masse against the final House bill but they also unanimously rejected the Obama budget. So what do they want? Larry Haas served as spokesman for the Office of Management and Budget in the Clinton administration. He says Democrats largely voted no because they saw no upside to owning any budget proposal that will never be approved in the Senate. Haas explains why he is staunchly supportive of tax hikes - especially on the wealthy. And he addresses calls for a marginal rate tax cut combined with closing most tax loopholes. |
| Great Blunder of Just A Gaffe? |
| Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:20:11 EST John Gizzi of Human Events weighs in on a very busy week in politics. Gizzi explains why critics of the Obama health laws got the upper hand in oral arguments but could still lose in the end. Nonetheless, Gizzi offers his predictions for the rulings we're likely to see in June. He also analyzes President Obama's unintentionally public comments about missile defense and how they could impact the 2012 race. We also ask Gizzi whether the mountain of GOP endorsements for Mitt Romney will really pave the way to securing the nomination sooner rather than later. |
| 'I'm Just A Pill' |
| Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:17:07 EST The Capitol Steps have watched the fierce debate over the Obama administration's contraception mandate. So after listening to all sides, the Steps examine the issue from the perspective of contraception itself. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Too Close to Call |
| Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:41:44 EST Conservatives were mostly encouraged by this week's oral arguments at the Supreme Court over the president's health care laws - particularly the fight over the constitutionality of the individual mandate. Ed Whelan is president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and is a former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. He explains why the oral arguments seemed to help Obamacare opponents and why it's never a good idea to predict a ruling based on oral arguments. Whelan tells us why expectations that Justice Scalia would be sympathetic to the government on the Commerce Clause were really overblown. He also explains what happens next, from justices taking preliminary votes as early as Friday, putting together opinions and justices having the freedom to change their minds until just before the rulings are revealed. |
| Inside the Budget Battle |
| Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:59:52 EST For the past couple of days, members of the House of Representatives have been debating many different proposals for a Fiscal Year 2013 budget blueprint. Oklahoma Rep, James Lankford is a member of the House Budget Committee. He explains why the Obama administration's budget was defeated 414-0 on Wednesday night and why he's strongly supportive of the plan unveiled last week by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan. Lankford gives us some insight into the budgetary priorities of House Democrats and what he thinks of the Republican Study Committee budget we profiled on Wednesday. The RSC budget was being voted upon as we spoke. It was ultimately defeated 285-136, meaning dozens of Republicans voted against it. |
| Balanced Budget in Five Years? |
| Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:19:27 EST Last week, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan unveiled the new GOP budget, which he says makes the tough decisions necessary to bring our nation back to fiscal responsibility. His plan would reduce projected spending by more than $5.3 trillion over 10 years, address major entitlement reform and balance the budget by 2040. The Republican Study Committee likes a lot of what it sees in the Ryan plan but does not believe it goes far enough. The coalition of House conservatives is offering its own plan - one that will balance the budget within just five years. RSC Chairman and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan details the blueprint for us. Jordan explains how repealing Obamacare and dozens of redundant programs on health, job training and welfare would make a huge dent. The plan also restores much of the defense spending currently scheduled for major cuts. It honors the spending cuts mandated by the failure of the super committee but no longer demands that it come from national security spending. Jordan explains how just returning discretionary spending to just below 2008 levels would make a huge annual difference and why block granting Medicaid to the states is another huge money saver. He details how entitlement reform would be structured, even though it wouldn't impact the bottom line in the next decade. Rep. Jordan also explains how the RSC plan will factor into the larger budget debate over the next couple of days. |
| Obamacare and the Court |
| Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:26:04 EST For the past three days, the Supreme Court has heard arguments on four different aspects of President Obama's controversial health care laws. Justices heard debate on whether the individual mandate is constitutional, whether the penalty for not buying coverage would be a tax or not, whether striking down the mandate would mean the death of the whole law and whether the federal government can force states to drastically increase Medicaid spending. Galen Institute President Grace-Marie Turner is a strong critic of the laws and is cautiously optimistic about how the verdicts may come down. Turner explains why she thinks her side will succeed in seeing the mandate get struck down but she's less certain about what would happen to the rest of the law. Turner also explains the tough work facing the justices long before the rest of us know the decisions. |
| It's About the Constitution |
| Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:03:22 EST On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments over the constitutionality of the individual mandate in the new health care laws. Pundits are feverishly making predictions about how the high court will rule based on today's oral arguments. South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy is a former attorney and prosecutor. He says this case has nothing to do with political preferences but whether the government can force everyone to buy health insurance in order to regulate it. Gowdy says if the government has that power, then why not mandatory dental insurance or exercise or healthy eating requirements. He also responds to the Democratic argument that Republicans warmly embraced the mandate in the 1990s and are now reversing positions because Obama likes the mandate. We also discuss the implications if the court allows the mandate to stand and what happens if the provision is struck down. |
| Student Loan Bubble Next to Burst |
| Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:05:52 EST For the past few years, the U.S. economy has struggled mightily to emerge from the 2008 financial crisis that stemmed in large part from a housing market meltdown. Now some experts say a trillion dollars in student loan debt is the next financial calamity about to strike. John Leo was a longtime columnist for "U.S. News & World Report" and is now a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. He has studied higher education for decades. Leo says the dire forecasts are probably accurate and could very well come true in just a year. He also explains why student loan debt has spiraled out of control and why much more pressure must be applied to colleges and universities to bring costs down. Leo says people are seeing the value in community colleges and are souring on traditional schools after many surveys reveal most students aren't any different four years and $200,000 of investment. |
| Small Business Help on the Way |
| Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:45:13 EST House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves says small business owners are badly in need of regulatory relief and contends his committee is providing it in a bipartisan manner. Graves describes five separate bills that have passed his committee and that he will seek to bundle together to secure full passage. Graves says the main thrust is to streamline the contracting process and make life easier for virtually all business owners. But Graves also says there's still a ton of uncertainty among business owners because of concerns related to the Obama health care laws, the tax code and many new EPA regulations. Graves explains why most business owners are in a holding pattern before engaging in expansion or additional hiring. |
| Obamacare and IPAB |
| Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:33:05 EST Friday marks two years since President Obama signed the health care laws that are now commonly referred to as Obamacare. Interestingly, President Obama and his allies are making almost no mention of it and Republicans are making every effort to make mention of it. Louisiana Rep. John Fleming is also a longtime physician. He says there's no mystery as to why the administration is downplaying the president's most significant domestic accomplishment. He contends every fear voiced by the Republicans in 2009 and 2010 has been proven true - from cost to loss of choice to concerns over rationing. Rep. Fleming also explains why House Republicans passed a bill to repeal a portion of Obamacare that would allow presidential appointees to make critical life-and-death decisions for Medicare patients in order to control costs. Fleming explains why this panel could not only refuse to cover certain procedures but eventually rule out treatment for specific people. He also offers the GOP strategy for bringing down the skyrocketing cost of health care. |
| Senate Seat for Sale |
| Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:13:48 EST Shortly after the 2008 elections, then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich attempted to essentially sell Barack Obama's soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder. A media circus of epic proportions followed as Blagojevich was constantly seen on television and he somehow dodged prison on a mistrial. The retrial ended with the result everyone expected the first time. Blagojevich was found guilty on multiple counts of corruption and will serve a lengthy sentence in federal prison. This week, the Capitol Steps reflect back on the Blagojevich scandal with their song, "Senate Seat for Sale". Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| The Real Cushing Pipeline Story |
| Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:12:27 EST As part of his two-day trip to highlight his energy policies, President Obama stopped in Oklahoma to tout the Cushing pipeline and announce he is expediting its construction. But Obama's event does not mesh with the truth, according to Kentucky Rep. Ed Whitfield, chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power. Whitfield says the pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma, to the Gulf Coast is a privately funded venture and Obama had nothing to do with it. Whitfield says this is an attempt by the president to claim he is for pipelines while continuing to block the Keystone pipeline from Canada to Cushing. The congressman also rebuts arguments from the Obama administration that Republicans killed Keystone by demanding a hurried decision and that the GOP governor of Nebraska stopped the original plan from being pursued. |
| Congress Is Not A Spectator |
| Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:38:37 EST Congress has not declared war since World War II, although American participation in many future conflicts were approved in less formal ways. But on some recent occasions, our military has been ordered into harm's way without any consultation with Congress. North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones says this has happened at least twice in his years in Washington. He says this is a direct violation of the authority the Constitution gives to Congress to declare war. Jones explains why this undermines the separation of powers and why he believes some very bad precedents have been set. Jones stresses this resolution is not aimed specifically at President Obama but he believes a healthy debate is warranted on the House floor about the role of Congress with respect to military hostilities. |
| Lower Taxes Mean More Revenue |
| Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:19:38 EST Texas Rep. Bill Flores is a member of the House Budget Committee and collaborated with Chairman Paul Ryan and other members of the panel on the new GOP budget blueprint. Flores explains why the plan calls for two tax brackets and an end to loopholes. He also walks us through the provisions for reforming Medicare while keeping it the same for those in or about to enter retirement. Rep. Flores says Democratic accusations that the Ryan plan ends Medicare as we know it can't possibly be true because President Obama already killed it through his health care laws. The congressman also discusses how much of a political football this budget plan could be in this election year. |
| 'A Tremendous Step Forward' |
| Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:04:48 EST On Tuesday, House Republicans unveiled their Fiscal Year 2013 budget blueprint. Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan is pushing for a simplified tax code and an end to the bulk of loopholes. He also advocates $5.3 trillion in cuts from projected spending over the next decade. Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist is very happy with the plan and says it's the only plan being promoted that pulls us away from the financial abyss towards which our nation is heading. Norquist praises the Ryan plan for offering options in tax reform and for shoring up entitlements for generations to come. He also contrasts the Ryan budget with the budget put forward by President Obama earlier this year. |
| A Tax to Prove Citizenship? |
| Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:45:12 EST Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist is raising some eyebrows among conservative immigration reform advocates for saying an end to birthright citizenship would be a tax on every baby born in America. Norquist now says it's more of a fee than a tax but the burden to prove citizenship for every baby would still carry a financial burden for the family of every child born in the U.S. He tells us why that cost would apply to all births - not just those of suspected illegals - and why that cost would undoubtedly go much higher. He also tells us whether supporters of ending birthright citizenship would be in violation of Norquist's famed Taxpayer Protection Pledge. |
| Slow March to Romney Nomination |
| Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:17:10 EST Rick Santorum grabbed the two biggest prizes this past Tuesday but Mitt Romney actually added a bit to his overall delegate lead. John Gizzi of Human Events says the long primary season will ultimately be a good thing for the GOP but everyone should expect Romney to clinch the nomination before the GOP convention in Tampa. Gizzi also explains why he doesn't think the president's political strategy on energy is working. And he previews the upcoming Illinois presidential primary and a tight congressional primary between two GOP members. |
| 'If I Tax A Rich Man' |
| Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:13:04 EST President Obama has tried his hand at singing in public recently, so the Capitol Steps give him a shot at a classic number to explain what he would do with the extra revenue gained through higher taxes on the rich. Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| 'This Was Known At the Time' |
| Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:52:27 EST This week, the Congressional Budget Office announced that the cost of the president's new health care laws over the next ten years would be $1.76 trillion - almost double the original 10-year estimate when the bill was passed. Georgia Rep. Tom Price is a longtime physician. He says Republicans repeatedly warned that this would happen prior to passage of the bill in 2010. Price says Republicans remain committed to full repeal of the laws if the Supreme Court doesn't order it first. In the meantime, he details the efforts to roll back the laws piece by piece. And Price discusses why Obamacare will remain a huge issue come November. |
| Akin: Actions Trump Promises |
| Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:39:12 EST Two weeks ago, Missouri U.S. Senate hopeful Sarah Steelman made her claim as the the choice for conservatives in the GOP primary. Today, Rep. Todd Akin tells us he's not only the best choice for conservatives but has the record to prove it. Akin lists a number of initiatives like No Child Left Behind and entitlement expansion that he opposed in the Bush administration and bucking John Boehner during the debt ceiling negotiations. Akin also tells us why current economic numbers, energy prices and the new estimated costs for Obamacare are all reasons to defeat Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in November. Akin also says he doesn't think some recent moderate votes by McCaskill will be able to distract voters from her record over the past six years. |
| We Can't Afford More Obama |
| Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:29:43 EST Mississippi Rep. Gregg Harper says he is loved the attention his state received as a result of the competitive Republican presidential race. Harper gives us his analysis of a tight, three-way finish in the state on Tuesday and explains why he's confident Mississippi will vote for the Republican nominee in November. Harper also tells us why he thinks the proportional delegate system is a good thing despite the prolong intraparty fighting. He also explains why he believes the president is badly misguided on energy policy and how high gas prices hurt American families and businesses. Harper also says despite the Obama administration's efforts to sympathize with American drivers, the administration showed its true colors on gas prices long ago. |
| Follow China? No Way! |
| Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:28:43 EST For the past several years, China's economy has boomed while the U.S. still struggles to recover from the 2008 financial crisis. Many economists have suggested that China is the model we should be following in order jump start our economic fortunes. But Veracruz founder and CNBC contributor Steve Cortes says that thinking is very wrong. Cortes tells us why he sees the Chinese economic bubble bursting before long and explains the inherent flaws in the Chinese system. He also discusses why the "experts" are not backed up by the actions of the wealthy Chinese and the immigration patterns from around the world. Cortes explains why he thinks the U.S. system will remain superior but will need to guard against some of the worst traits of the Chinese system. |
| Voter Fraud Is This Simple |
| Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:59:22 EST James O'Keefe and Project Veritas are demonstrating once again how easy it is to perpetrate voter fraud in states that do not require voters to show photo identification. Last week, O'Keefe and his team went to Vermont and had no trouble getting ballots for both living and dead voters. In contrast, they also tried to order alcohol in a bar and check into a Vermont hotel without showing ID. They were met with demands to present ID in both cases and in a feigned attempt to apply for a civil union in the state. O'Keefe explains how the operation stayed on the good side of the law and why he uses the "theater of the absurd" to make his points. O'Keefe also discusses how similar videos exposing the risk of fraud during the New Hampshire primary has already sparked new legislation there. And he offers us a glimpse of his next project. |
| Time for A Mission Change |
| Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:39:46 EST Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Tom McInerney says it's important to wait for all of the facts to come in before casting judgment on the alleged killing of 16 Afghan civilians by a U.S. soldier. McInerney adds the relationship between our two countries is far more tense than it needs to be and he lays much of that blame at the feet of Afghan President Hamid Karzai - especially for his weak efforts to restore calm after the recent Koran burnings. McInerney also explains why he thinks it's time to scale down our presence in Afghanistan, abandon fruitless nation building efforts and focus on taking out Taliban and other terrorist targets. |
| Assessing Afghanistan |
| Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:12:10 EST Over the weekend, reports from Afghanistan claim a U.S. soldier killed up to 16 people, including several children. Coming just a couple of weeks after deadly riots over accidental Koran burnings, how much will this incident further erode the relationship between the U.S. and Afghanistan. Daveed Gartenstein-Ross of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies explains the state of our relations with Afghanistan and why the answer really depends on which part of the country and with ethnic group we consider. He also explains what may be the best case scenario for U.S. and Afghanistan alike as we try to prevent the country from returning to a safe haven for terrorists. |
| Occupying the Occupiers |
| Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:02:58 EST The Occupy DC movement continues to hold court in Washington's Freedom Plaza. But now it has some company. The Occupy Occupy DC effort is a product of the National Center for Public Policy Research. So far the counter protest has held detailed demonstrations on the toxic threat of mercury inside the new light bulbs being pushed by the federal government and the deadly toll that wind farms are having on birds and bats. Bonner Cohen of the National Center for Public Policy Research explains the facts behind both presentations. |
| Values and Capitalism |
| Fri, 9 Mar 2012 16:09:43 EST In 2008, young voters overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama for president. Some surveys even suggest young Americans are more sympathetic to socialism than they are to capitalism. One of the reasons for these trends is the perceived greed and unfairness associated with capitalism and the free market. Henry Olsen of the American Enterprise Institute is looking to reverse the tide among young people and every generation by releasing an eight-part series of very short books entitled "Values and Capitalism". Olsen tells us why he believes there's an easy case to make for capitalism as the most fair and most moral economic system on earth. He explains some of the bedrock principles that people are simply not taught about capitalism and how those tenets impact views about taxes, the environment, trade, energy and much more. Olsen details why young people have been attracted to other movements and ideas in the name of fairness and justice. He also tells us why he thinks the Republican presidential candidates are not doing a great job of extolling the virtues of capitalism and how President Obama is teaching America that we should feel guilty about success. |
| Putin On A Blitz |
| Fri, 9 Mar 2012 15:56:25 EST The U.S. presidential race is not the not only vote making news. Last weekend in Russia, former president Vladimir Putin reclaimed his old job in an election many critics labeled as fraudulent. But the Capitol Steps are only too happy to see Putin replace the relatively dull Dmitry Medvedev. The Steps pull out a classic Putin parody for the occasion. Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| A New Obamacare Showdown |
| Thu, 8 Mar 2012 16:06:29 EST On Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee approved legislation to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board,a provision in the new health care laws that creates a board of unelected officials to reduce Medicare costs. Tennessee Rep. Phil Roe is a longtime physician and author of the repeal effort. Roe tells us Congress should be eager to rescind this part of the law since the Congress would have virtually no oversight over this panel. He explains how the provision got into the law in the first place and why quite a few Democrats are on his side. Roe also details how care would be indirectly denied by this panel, not by denying treatment but by denying reimbursement to doctors who prescribe treatment rejected as being too costly. Listen here for the full discussion with Rep. Phil Roe. |
| Neighbor Helping Neighbor |
| Thu, 8 Mar 2012 15:51:38 EST Late last week, a powerful storm system spawned deadly tornadoes across multiple states. Some of the deadliest storms struck southern Indiana, much of which is represented by Rep. Todd Young. He describes his reaction to seeing the devastation in the district and how many families and business owners are affected by the storms. The congressman also describes the inspiring spirit of the people he represents and the selflessness demonstrated at the darkest hours. Young explains why neighbor helping neighbor is preferable to waiting for federal assistance but also says critical aid is available through state and federal sources. He also discusses how anyone can help with the relief effort - either through donations or volunteering one's own time and energy. |
| Sizing Up Super Tuesday |
| Thu, 8 Mar 2012 15:38:56 EST Mitt Romney won six states and a big percentage of the delegates on Super Tuesday, but a very narrow win in Ohio revived doubts about his ability to win broad support throughout the GOP. John Gizzi of Human Events explains the good news and bad news for Romney after Tuesday's results, which candidate has the upper hand in the next few contests and whether the calls for Newt Gingrich to drop out are going to work or fall on deaf ears. He also disusses what role Ron Paul can still play in this campaign. Gizzi also takes us inside the primary defeats for Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich and Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt. Finally, he offers analysis on this week's meetings between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu and whether the two men are any closer on policy than they have been in the past. |
| GOP Aims for Bigger House Majority |
| Wed, 7 Mar 2012 16:02:50 EST The presidential race is getting most of the attention in the 2012 campaign, but the Congressional races are also very important. In 2010, Republicans picked up more than 60 House seats and claimed the majority. As might be expected, both parties are predicting strong gains this year. Paul Lindsey is communications director at the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is tasked with recruiting and re-electing GOP candidates. Lindsey tells us why he's confident that Republicans will add to their majority and not suffer the loss of many seats gained in 2010. He also explains why Democratic predictions of reclaiming the majority are nothing more than "chest thumping". Lindsey discusses why redistricting based on the most recent census is likely to benefit Republicans more than Democrats and why the list of retiring members also works to his party's advantage. Lindsey also tells us why he's not worried about a surprisingly high number of GOP retirements in California. |
| 'I'm A Proven Fighter' |
| Wed, 7 Mar 2012 14:29:05 EST Republicans are making a fierce push to take the majority in the U.S. Senate in the November elections. One of the fiercest fights will be in Missouri as the GOP looks to defeat first-term Democrat Claire McCaskill. Right now, the leading Republican contender is former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman. She tells us why she believes McCaskill needs to be unseated and how her philosophy on jobs, the economy and health care stand in stark contrast to the votes McCaskill has taken in Washington. Steelman also makes her case for why she is the best choice for conservative voters among the Republicans in the race. |
| Iran Nuke in 'Months, Not Years' |
| Tue, 6 Mar 2012 15:47:43 EST President Obama now says the United States will stand with Israel in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. But Obama also says he thinks crippling sanctions will make military action unnecessary and Iran is not all that close to completing a nuke. But Ohio Rep. Stave Chabot disagrees on both fronts. Chabot is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia. He says Iran will have a completed nuke in less than a year unless they are stopped and he does not believe sanctions are doing the job. Chabot also believes Obama's tougher stance may well be an effort to boost his re-election chances. |
| Obama's 'Bizarre' Keystone Policy |
| Tue, 6 Mar 2012 15:21:10 EST Nebraska Rep. Lee Terry is continuing to push for the Obama administration to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. The plan was at least temporarily rejected by President Obama, who says Congressional Republicans imposed a timetable that did not allow to evaluate the impact of the pipeline. Rep. Terry says that's wrong on a number of fronts. He says the environmental studies were already done and the State Department gave it's blessing. He also says the 60-day deadline for Obama to decide was badly characterized in the media. Rep. Terry says the president really had 60 days once Nebraska figured out how to re-route a portion of the pipeline and that hasn't happened yet. Terry explains why the pipeline should be a no-brainer for Obama and discusses what impact the start of the pipeline would have on energy prices. |
| Every State Is Important |
| Mon, 5 Mar 2012 16:33:23 EST On Tuesday, 10 states will hold primaries or caucuses to award delegates to the Republican National Convention. We discuss how the busy night is likely to shape up for the four remaining candidates with Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia. Sabato tells us how he thinks the pivotal state of Ohio will unfold and which other states he expects to be competitive. He also explains whether winning Georgia will be enough for Newt Gingrich to stay viable and where Ron Paul might finally crack the win column. Sabato also scolds his home state of Virginia for its tough ballot access rules and forbidding write-in votes. He also reveals how this year's 'Super Tuesday' is somewhat mild compared to what the event has been in previous election cycles. |
| Front Lines to the Senate? |
| Mon, 5 Mar 2012 16:01:20 EST Pete Hegseth is a highly decorated U.S. Army officer who fought in some of the most difficult moments in the Iraq War. He came home to lead Vets for Freedom, a group committed to finishing the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth then returned to active duty to teach counterinsurgency tactics in Afghanistan. Now he's back home in Minnesota and running as a Republican to defeat Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Hegseth tells us what he learned during his days in uniform and how that experience prepared him to deal with many other issues besides national security. He explains why he believes Sen. Klobuchar does not deserve a second term and what type of mindset he would bring to Congress. Hegseth also gives us a frank assessment of the political road in front of him in a state that has elected conservatives, liberals, a former wrestler and a comedian to statewide office. |
| 'Yes We Can' Drill Out of This |
| Fri, 2 Mar 2012 16:10:50 EST President Obama says there are no silver bullets to bring down energy prices and anyone who says we can drill our way to lower gas prices doesn't know what they're talking about. Texas Rep. Bill Flores begs to differ. A 30-year veteran of the oil and gas business, Flores says there are concrete steps that Washington can take to give increase supplies and relieve the pain at the pump. In our interview, Flores details those steps and explains how they would impact gas prices. He also has some choice words for the president over Obama's suggestion that it's time to end tax breaks for the big oil companies. |
| Mourdock Makes His Move |
| Fri, 2 Mar 2012 15:37:00 EST Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar is the longest-tenured Republican in the U.S. Senate. In most years, winning a seventh term would be pretty routine and winning his own party's nomination would certainly be a slam dunk. But Lugar is working hard to fend off a primary challenge from Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Mr. Mourdock tells us why he's running to unseat a member of his own party. He also tells us why he believes Lugar is not even eligible to represent Indiana in Congress. Mourdock chronicles the issues on which he feels Lugar has recently changed his views in order to win the primary. He also responds to allegations he has often been AWOL as state treasurer and that he may be too conservative to win a general election. Listen here for our conversation with Richard Mourdock. |
| Help Me, Honda |
| Fri, 2 Mar 2012 15:33:22 EST On Tuesday, Mitt Romney won the Michigan primary by a narrow margin over Rick Santorum. Santorum tried to pull ahead at the end by slamming Romney for opposing the auto bailout - even though Santorum opposed it as well. Today, the Capitol Steps take us back to 2009, when the fate of the U.S. auto industry was very much in doubt. |
| The Price of Redundancy |
| Thu, 1 Mar 2012 16:27:59 EST Earlier this week, the Government Accountability Office reported that taxpayers lose tens of billions of dollars to redundant government programs. There are literally dozens of programs in some areas that are tasked with the very same things. Leslie Paige of Citizens Against Government Waste says this is nothing new and the real cost is probably above $100 billion per year. Listen here as Paige explains how this happens and why new programs keep getting added when identical ones already exist. She also explains which areas of the budget see the most redundancy. |
| Momentum for Mitt |
| Thu, 1 Mar 2012 16:01:29 EST Mitt Romney scored big wins in Arizona and Michigan on Tuesday. In reality, Romney only won half the delegates at stake in Michigan but John Gizzi of Human Events says the momentum gained by winning the Michigan vote not only helped him dodge a huge embarrassment but gives him a leg up heading into Super Tuesday. Gizzi also breaks down what he expects from the four candidates next week . We also ask him to assess the real and political fallout of President Obama's apology to Afghans for the inadvertant burning of Korans. And Gizzi shares his thoughts on the sudden passing of conservative journalist activist Andrew Breitbart. |
| Presidential Candidate Report Card |
| Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:48:45 EST As the Republican field advances through the primary season, voters are evaluating the candidates on a number of issues. However, conservative stances on spending and taxes loom even larger than they did in previous years. With every candidate posturing as the real fiscal conservative, the National Taxpayers Union combed through the congressional voting records of Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. NTU Executive Vice President Peter Sepp explains which one does the best job of talking the talk and walking the walk. He explains how each of them stack up against fellow Republicans during that same stretch. He also offers some thoughts on Mitt Romney's record and review President Obama's Senate voting record and his policy choices since being elected to the White House. |
| 'The Answer Isn't Rationed Care' |
| Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:28:22 EST On Wednesday, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will consider a plan to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). It's a creation of the new health care laws that would be tasked with determining which procedures would be covered by Medicare. Critics say the board of unelected officials would be engaging in nothing less than health care rationing. Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Pitts is chairman of the subcommittee. He explains what will happen on Wednesday when the panel takes part in a "mark-up" of the bill and he tells us why he is strongly in favor of repealing IPAB. Pitts also explains why he rejects Democratic arguments that the board is an important tool in keeping health care costs from spiraling our of control. |
| Gas Prices and the Free Market |
| Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:46:35 EST Last week, President Obama said there was no silver bullet to solving the problem of rapidly rising gas prices and he mocked the idea that anyone has a plan to get us back to prices around $2.00 per gallon. Diana Furchtgott-Roth isn't promising two dollar gas but she she categorically rejects the idea that there is no way to bring costs down in short order. Furchtgott-Roth is a former chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor and is putting forth a six-point plan for bringing oil and gas prices down quickly. Furchtgott-Roth explains we're in this mess and why she believes aggressively increasing our supply of domestic energy should be at the top of the agenda. She discusses specific and general policy goals to achieve it. She also explains why we ought to wean ourselves off ethanol mandates, why greater flexibility with fuel blends is a must and why forcing oil companies to pay higher taxes is a prescription for disaster. |
| Bracing for A Nuclear Iran |
| Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:06:52 EST Experts disagree on how close Iran is to a nuclear weapon, but most agree such weapons and a competent missile delivery system would be a horrific combination. Assuming diplomatic efforts fail to prevent the Iranians from developing nukes, retired U.S. Navy Captain Randy Duncan says effective missile defense is our best option. Captain Duncan says President Obama is not doing what's needed to protect us and our allies and is actually degrading our missile defense capabilities. Duncan explains what steps are needed to keep us one step ahead of the Iranians and what the future of the program ought to look like. |
| 'Devil Is Gonna Be In the Details' |
| Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:51:48 EST President Obama rolled out a new tax reform plan earlier this week. And while the plan has been kicked off the front page thanks to international turmoil and skyrocketing gas prices, there is still plenty of reaction. South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney sits on the House Budget Committee and the House Small Business Committee. He says any cut in the corporate tax rate is welcome but he's bewildered as to why Obama wants to significantly raise taxes on overseas corporate profits. Mulvaney says some companies want to bring that money home to invest in the U.S. but won't because the government will take a huge bite out of it. Rep. Mulvaney is also no fan of higher taxes on small businesses but he's pleased the president finally seems to be defining what he means by 'fair share' in that small businesses and the wealthiest individuals will be paying around 40 percent to the federal government. The congressman believes that percentage is far too high and he's also disturbed by new reports showing that almost 50 percent of Americans pay nothing in federal income taxes. |
| 'War Against Fossil Fuels' |
| Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:36:03 EST Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson is mincing no words in expressing his frustration with President Obama and his energy agenda. Johnson says Obama is pursuing energy policies that frustrate businesses rather than partner with them to grow the economy. Johnson rips Obama for ignoring our own vast natural resources while pumping billions into failed 'green energy' firms like Solyndra. Johnson is particularly incensed at what he considers a crippling regulatory burden coming from the federal government - regulations that that have already closed multiple coal-fired power plants. Rep. Johnson also highlights what House Republicans are doing to increase domestic energy and bring soaring fuel costs back under control. |
| GOP Showdown |
| Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:47:26 EST The four remaining Republican presidential candidates locked horns in the final debate before next week's contests in Michigan and Arizona and the Super Tuesday races to follow. Former USA TODAY White House Correspondent Richard Benedetto says many Americans got their first good look at Rick Santorum. Benedetto says Santorum did pretty well in the spotlight but didn't have the lights out performance he may have needed. He explains how Santorum has a tough time separating himself from the Bush administration. Benedetto also assesses new polling numbers showing Romney leading Obama and Santorum within one point. He says despite the competitive numbers, the best news in the poll belongs to Obama. Benedetto explains how Obama could be hampered by high gas prices and why the recent fight over contraception and religious liberty may have been the intent of the Obama White House. And he offers some very tentative predictions on next week's Republican primaries. |
| 'A Failed Energy Policy' |
| Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:52:55 EST On Thursday, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline jumped to $3.61 per gallon and most expect it to go much higher. That's about double the price when President Obama took office. Traditional explanations for the spike range from Middle East turmoil to increased worldwide demand to price-fixing by OPEC. Louisiana Rep. John Fleming sees international demand as one issue but he says a failed Obama energy policy should be blamed most. Fleming says Obama's efforts to restrict exploration are exactly what America does not need. Fleming also addresses multiple Democratic contentions on energy. He says the notion that we have a miniscule percentage of the world's energy reserves is simply wrong. He also rejects the Democratic contention that starting offshore projects now wouldn't impact gas prices for a decade or more. And he explains what House Republicans are doing to ease energy costs. |
| U.S. Giving Away Land to Russia? |
| Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:25:36 EST In the late 1980s, the United States and the USSR negotiated a maritime treaty adjusting the borders between Alaska and our Cold War rival. The treaty moved the border to the east, which gave the Soviets more land. It also included islands north of Siberia. The premise of this deal was to thaw relations and even though the treaty was not ratified, our two nations have been honoring the proposed boundary changes ever since. Upon the conclusion of the Cold War, the treaty was still not ratified but no effort has been made by four subsequent presidents to restore what is still the official border. Joe Miller was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2010. He tells us what kind of energy is beneath the islands in question, how Alaska has been given no voice in this debate and why getting the State Department to scrap the treaty sooner rather than later is very important. |
| Tax Cut Or Tax Increase? |
| Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:35:13 EST President Obama is hoping to win over more moderate voters by pushing a reduction of the federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 28 percent. However, Americans for Tax Reform says the complete Obama plan is light on reductions and heavy with additional tax burdens. Ryan Ellis is ATR's director of tax policy. He says the proposed cut is too small when comparing our corporate tax rate with those of our economic rivals and when factoring in state taxes on corporate revenues. Ellis also says the plan blatantly raises taxes on small businesses and compounds the pain by doing away with critical tax deductions. Ellis also offers what he considers a more effective tax reform plan. |
| Marriage 'Betrayed' in Maryland |
| Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:49:04 EST The move to legalize gay marriage in Maryland now waits for a verdict from the State Senate. On Friday, traditional marriage advocates watched their majority position erode in the House of Delegates, as several members were convinced to back gay marriage at the 11th hour. Delegate Don Dwyer led the effort to preserve traditional marriage in the Old Line State. He explains how Gov. Martin O'Malley used the power of his office to win final passage. Dwyer also rips three trusted colleagues who fought with him on the issue only to be "bought off" in the end. Dwyer also sounds off on multiple elements within the Republican party that fiercely lobbied in favor of gay marriage. He also discusses how the bill might fare in the Maryland State Senate and describes the new effort to have Maryland voters ultimately decide the issue through a referendum in November. |
| Delivering Solutions, Part 2 |
| Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:39:55 EST After discussing the dire financial state of the U.S. Postal Service and chronicling the different explanations for the shortfall, we now turn to the proposed solutions. We discuss a proposal to fund the pension system without adding to the debt, a plan to create more independent authority over the USPS if the huge deficits persist and the renewed call to privatize the U.S. Postal Service. |
| Delivering Solutions, Part 1 |
| Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:31:16 EST Two weeks ago, the U.S. Postal Service announced a huge financial loss in the final quarter of 2011. The USPS says much of the problem lies in a substantial decline in mail volume. Some in Congress blame overly generous union contracts while the unions and others say a burdensome mandate to pre-fund the pension system is badly distorting the overall numbers. Listen here to learn the financial facts and the debate over what's truly responsible for them. |
| 'I Think It's A Mistake' |
| Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:31:48 EST On Friday, the House and Senate overwhelmingly voted to extend current payroll tax rates. The deal was reached after House Republican leaders agreed to scrap demands that the revenues lost from lower rates be offset with spending cuts elsewhere in the government. One GOP House leader did not go along with the compromise. Texas Rep. John Carter serves as GOP Conference Secretary. He doesn't think the lower rates are helping the economy and he doesn't like the idea of taking money away from Social Security recipients. But his biggest criticism is that Congress is adding to an already staggering debt and a Republican-led House is a willing partner. Carter says the GOP needs to get back to regular order, which means passing a conservative bill and then negotiating with the Senate Democrats rather than negotiating before anything is passed. Despite his frustrations, Rep. Carter strongly believes voters should trust Republicans much more than Democrats when it comes to addressing the nation's fiscal challenges. |
| Obama Failed on Iran |
| Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:39:10 EST This past week, Iran proudly hailed its domestically produced nuclear fuel rods. That announcement combined with the attempted murders of Israeli diplomats in multiple countries and recent statements advocating the killing of all Jews has greatly intensified the standoff in the Middle East. South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson is a member of both the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He explains why he believes President Obama failed to lead on this issue at the most critical time and what the best policy would be for the U.S. moving forward. He also explains why Iran's targeting of Israeli diplomats is far worse than the alleged Israeli killing of Iranian nuclear scientists. And he explains why he bucked his own party's leaders to vote against the extension of the payroll tax compromise. |
| The Obama Stimulus Turns Three |
| Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:23:16 EST Three years ago, a newly minted President Obama signed the economic stimulus bill into law. He and his allies declared the plan would stave off another massive depression and that unemployment would get no higher than eight percent if it was enacted. Ever since, Republicans have cited the stimulus as a symbol of Obama's big government vision and a huge giveaway to special interests. Florida Rep. Daniel Webster joins us to explain why he believes this is not an anniversary worth celebrating. Rep. Webster tells us why he believes the stimulus was a failure. He also predicts the economy will be the dominant issue in every major race this year and spells out how Republicans plan to contrast their economic vision with what we've seen from the president. |
| Owning A Piece of Facebook |
| Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:20:18 EST Earlier this month, Facebook began the process of going public by valuing itself at $10 billion. As investors decide whether to buy a sliver of the social media giant, the Capitol Steps examine how the site has changed so many lives. Our guest is Capitol Steps star and co-founder Elaina Newport. |
| Tea Party Patriots |
| Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:34:51 EST Within just a few weeks in 2009, Jenny Beth Martin went from losing her home to foreclosure and cleaning bathrooms to pay the bills to becoming one the key leaders of the grassroots Tea Party movement. Along with Mark Meckler, Martin founded the Tea Party Patriots. They are also co-authors of a new book by the same name. Martin tells us why she and her husband did not want to be part of big government programs that may have allowed them to keep their home. She also explains why she's disappointed with many of the freshman Republicans her group and other Tea Party members helped to elect. Martin also explains why ideas will be the focus of the Tea Party in 2012 and not a lot of campaigning for specific candidates. She also explains some of the reform ideas she thinks need to be pursued both in the near term and the long term. |
| Michigan Will Go With Mitt |
| Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:20:51 EST President Obama released his budget blueprint this week to typical reviews. Republicans called it more deficit spending and another attempt to soak the rich. Obama and his supporters say the plan institutes greater fairness into the system and advances the economic recovery Obama claims is taking place. President Obama also got a win this week when Congressional Republicans scrapped their demands that any extension of the payroll tax rates be offset with equal amounts of spending cuts. John Gizzi of Human Events evaluates both issues and believes voters will reward GOP members for not raising taxes rather than punish them for not demanding spending cuts. Gizzi also explains why he expects Mitt Romney to roar back and win his home state of Michigan at the end of the month and eventually claim the Republican nomination. And Gizzi spells out what we can expect the U.S. policy to be towards an Iran moving closer and closer to a nuclear weapons program. |
| Sen. Inhofe Slams Obama Nuke Goal |
| Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:58:29 EST President Obama is once again embracing his 2008 campaign policy of unilaterally reducing America's nuclear arsenal by 80 percent. This stance conflicts with his stated goals in the 2010 START agreement with Russia, which calls for smaller reductions in nuclear weapons and modernizing our stockpile to ensure reliability. Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and is very concerned. He says Obama is not doing anything to modernize our nuclear stockpile and is volunteering to reduce our capability at a time when the Iranians are ramping up their nuke program. He also says Obama's plan would leave the U.S. well below where the Russians are and he finds that unacceptable. Combined with major defense cuts and scrapping an eastern European missile shield, Inhofe fears national security is being severely degraded at the worst possible time. Inhofe also previews his new book "The Greatest Hoax" on the climate change debate. |
| The Myth of the Free-Ride Fix |
| Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:18:40 EST One of the main reasons President Obama gave for enacting an individual mandate in the new health care laws was to shield responsible citizens from indirectly paying for huge medical bills piled up by the uninsured. But the Galen Institute and several other public policy firms have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court explaining why they believe the health care laws do not solve the "free-rider" problems and actually make them worse. Grace-Marie Turner is president of the Galen Institute. She explains why the new law is not a solution but a giant shell game. Turner also tells us how the problem would be worse even if everyone was required to have coverage. And she details why this brief should be very persuasive to the high court. |
| Payroll Tax Showdown |
| Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:41:39 EST For the past several months, House Republicans have insisted that any extension of existing payroll tax rates be offset with spending cuts to keep the program deficit-neutral. This week, GOP leaders changed that position and will now allow the tax rates to continue and add to the deficit. In exchange, Republicans are now trying to reduce the number of weeks Americans may collect unemployment benefits. Texas Rep. Kevin Brady is chairman of the Joint Economic Committee. He explains why the Republican leaders changed strategies, how much progress the GOP really thinks it can make on jobless benefits and what he makes of the Obama budget. |
| 'It's A Scam' |
| Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:46:17 EST On Friday, President Obama offered an 'accommodation' to a new Health and Human Services rule mandating contraception coverage for women at no cost. Obama will now allow religious institutions to reject paying for coverage they consider in violation of their beliefs. Insurance companies will now pay those bills. But National Right to Life Committee Legislative Director Douglas Johnson says this is all a scam and nothing has changed from a policy standpoint. Johnson also says the same rationale behind the decision could be used to mandate 'free' abortion coverage in all health plans since it's cheaper than coverage for having and caring for a newborn baby. Johnson says it's all a sign of why government has no business dictating the terms of health coverage policies. |
| 'The Politics of Division' |
| Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:18:56 EST On Monday, President Obama unveiled his new budget plan. As expected the president continues his spending priorities and advocates for higher taxes on wealthier Americans. Indiana Rep. Marlin Stutzman sits on the House Budget Committee. He says Americans should be able to choose where they invest their money rather than give it to Obama to invest in pet projects like Solyndra. Stutzman also says his constituents want nothing to do with higher taxes on the rich. He claims they want Washington to get serious about reducing deficits and the debt to inject more confidence into the economy. |
| 'A Reprehensible Intrusion' |
| Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:06:14 EST On Friday, President Obama announced an 'accommodation' had been reached on a new government rule mandating coverage of birth control options for women. Instead of forcing employers to pay for such options regardless of institutional beliefs, Obama now says insurance companies will be required to pay for it without charging businesses or individuals higher premiums. Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold was appalled by the first draft of the rule and he's just as unimpressed with the new version. Farenthold says birth control options are not expensive and he says there's a genuine question as to whether contraception is a women's health issue. He says beyond that, this is a classic case of religious freedom being infringed and a textbook case of the government making decisions in areas where it doesn't belong. |
| Subprime Mortgage Holders |
| Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:01:48 EST Earlier this week, President Obama announced steps he says will assist struggling homeowners - including $2,000 for those already foreclosed upon and refinancing at historically low rates for mortgage-holders currently under water. But as the impact of the housing collapse continues, the Capitol Steps explain how this mess got started. Our guest is Steps co-founder Elaina Newport. |
| Obama 'Doesn't Have A Strategy' |
| Thu, 9 Feb 2012 14:56:24 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton discusses three critical hot spots in the Middle East. Bolton says the Obama administration spent all of its efforts on Syria trying to get sanctions approved at the UN and now it doesn't really have a strategy moving forward. Bolton explains why the instability in Syria is very different than what we encountered in Libya. He also discusses Iran's contradictory statements of wanting to discuss its nuclear program with the international community in one breath and calling for the extermination of every Jew within two years just days later. We'll also ask Amb. Bolton about the differences between the U.S. and Israel over how to confront an unrepentant Iran. And Bolton suggests the instability in Egypt is what you get by throwing a longtime ally under the bus - as he alleges the U.S. did to Hosni Mubarak last year. |
| It's Still Mitt's to Lose |
| Wed, 8 Feb 2012 16:23:03 EST Rick Santorum swept all three contests on Tuesday, winning as expected in Missouri and Minnesota and stunning Mitt Romney in Colorado. Many conservatives believe the results altered the state of the GOP race in major ways, but Human Events Political Editor John Gizzi says Mitt Romney is still the man to beat. Gizzi explains why Santorum's wins were not as big as they could have been and why Romney has the edge going forward. Gizzi tells us why President Obama is risking huge defections in the Catholic cote if he does not change his policy on mandating contraception coverage by all employers. And Gizzi offers his insights on a rapidly deteriorating Middle East. |
| New Regs Shut Down Power Plants |
| Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:02:42 EST Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson is denouncing the Obama administration and the Environmental Protection Agency in particular for imposing new regulations that have already forced six coal-fired power plants to announce plans to shut down. Johnson explains the different regulations that are at issue and why they are having such a significant impact. He also addresses the question of how his constituents and Americans in two other states will get their power and why President Obama and Senate Democrats have the ability to reverse this. |
| A Localized Loss on Marriage |
| Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:47:39 EST A three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld a lower court ruling on Tuesday in striking down a voter-approved definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The 2-1 decision states that the referendum known as Proposition 8 violates the 14th Amendment on equal protection. The ruling might pave the way for the official return of gay marriage in California, although supporters of Proposition 8 could appeal to the full 9th Circuit or to the U.S. Supreme Court. Liberty Counsel Chairman Mathew Staver is disappointed in the decision but says it could have been worse for traditional marriage advocates. He tells us why this decision really only mandates that gay couples can use the word marriage and doesn't change basic laws in the state. Staver explains why he believes that the gay rights lobby is probably not completely thrilled with this decision. And he tells us why defenders of Proposition 8 should not appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. |
| Now or Never, Part 2 |
| Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:14:43 EST In the second part of our conversation with South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, we discuss the legislative wish list that DeMint would pursue if Republicans do well enough in November. The senator also discusses whether the eventual Republican presidential nominee will be able to articulate the type of message he thinks is needed to win in 2012, and DeMint also offers a candid assessment of whether he thinks the current GOP House and Senate leaders are up to the task of advancing the type of agenda that he believes is necessary to save America from the financial abyss. |
| Now or Never, Part 1 |
| Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:08:30 EST South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint is author of the new book "Now or Never: Saving America from Economic Collapse". In the book and in our discussion, Sen. DeMint contends that America still has some time to turn our debt-ridden economy around through fiscally responsible, market-driven ideas. He tells us how close we are to the economic cliff, what could push us even closer to the edge and why compromising with the Democrats cannot get this nation where it needs to go. |
| Shutting off the DOJ Money Flow |
| Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:02:51 EST Three states have passed tougher immigration enforcement laws since their leaders believe the federal government can't or won't fulfill its responsibilities to provide national security. However, the Justice Department mounted legal challenges to those states by insisting border security is Uncle Sam's job. Now Tennessee Rep. Diane Black is offering legislation to block funding for any further Justice Department challenges to the state laws. Rep. Black explains why she thinks this move is necessary and reacts to potential criticism ranging from the federal role in border security to the possibility of Congress denying funds for any DOJ investigation the majority doesn't find acceptable. |
| GOP Votes to Freeze Federal Pay |
| Fri, 3 Feb 2012 15:53:15 EST Earlier this week, House Republicans and 72 House Democrats voted to freeze pay for federal employees through 2013. The freeze applies to every government employee except for military personnel. New York Rep. Bob Turner tells us why continuing the freeze was such a high priority for Republicans and how government employees compare to their private sector counterparts on salary and benefits. Turner also addresses the need to tackle real entitlement reform. Turner is an ardent supporter of Israel and weighs in on reports that Israel believes it can wipe out Iran's nuclear facilities if necessary. |
| Three Little Wives of Newt |
| Fri, 3 Feb 2012 15:46:35 EST Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign is trying to regain momentum after a tough loss in Florida. Ironically, his only win thus far is due largely to his reaction to allegations from his second wife that he wanted an open marriage. So the Capitol Steps offer a high class parody featuring the former wives and the current spouse for the former Speaker of the House. |
| Holder in the Hot Seat |
| Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:51:12 EST Attorney General Eric Holder faced a gauntlet of tough questions from Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee as part of the ongoing probe into the Fast & Furious operation that allowed guns to walk into the hands of Mexican drug cartels and resulted in hundreds of murders in Mexico plus the killing of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Committee Democrats largely defended Holder and accused the Republicans of playing election year with a tragic story. Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar is a member of the committee. He rips Democrats for trying to cover for the attorney general when Holder either knew about the program or was derelict in not knowing about it. Gosar tells us what may included in the thousands of documents that Holder is refusing to turn over to Congress, why this botched operation endangers the safety of his constituents and where the investigation goes from here. |
| The Next Obamacare Mandate? |
| Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:35:45 EST On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted to repeal the CLASS program. It's a long-term care provision within the Obama health plan that the administration shelved last year for being financially unsustainable. Yet Obama and most Democrats still oppose its repeal. Louisiana Rep. Charles Boustany sponsored the repeal that now heads to the Senate. He tells us why he believes repeal of CLASS is essential and what arguments Democrats are offering for keeping the program. Boustany explains why it's dangerous not to repeal CLASS and he reacts to predictions from Senate Republicans that the repeal is not likely to pass on their side of Capitol Hill. Boustany also explains why the program would leave the nation much deeper in debt. |
| Maryland Marriage Fight is Back |
| Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:52:22 EST Last year, Maryland was expected to be the latest state to legalize gay marriage. But the heavily Democratic legislature got a big surprise as thousands of people of all races and backgrounds rose up to demand the effort be stopped. Their effort was successful but now the battle lines are being drawn a second time as the legislature takes up the issue again. Pastor Derek McCoy is director of the Maryland Marriage Alliance, a coalition of activists committed to preserving the traditional definition of marriage. Pastor McCoy explains how his side was able to win the fight last year and why he's confident again this year. He also tells us why the largely Democratic black community is so overwhelmingly opposed to gay marriage. |
| The Battle Against Time |
| Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:42:26 EST The Alzheimer's Association is leading a campaign to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's disease by the year 2025. The effort is centered around expanded research and naturally relies upon the government to fund a sizable portion of that research. Harry Johns is president of the Alzheimer's Association. He explains what progress is being made right now and whether there is more hope for a way to prevent the disease or to treat it with greater success. Johns also explains why research funding should not be on the table if Congress ever gets around to cutting spending and he details the cost to the nation if there is no significant progress in stopping Alzheimer's from afflicting a rapidly aging population. |
| No Relief in Sight |
| Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:23:48 EST On Tuesday, the Congressional Budget Office projected a deficit of $1.1 trillion in 2012, jobless rates to stay well above 8.0 percent and economic growth to stay around two percent. Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns says these numbers prove that the Obama agenda is not working and is actually making things much worse. Johanns is stunned that Obama hardly even referenced deficits in his State of the Union speech. He also says projections of much lower deficits in the coming years will not happen because those estimates assume all of the Bush tax cuts will expire. Johanns says scrapping the Bush tax cuts would depress our economy. He also gives a glimpse at the fiscal restraint Senate Republicans will be advocating this year. |
| Sunshine State Showdown |
| Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:16:15 EST After watching more than a week of ad blitzes, debates and character attacks, Florida Republicans will decide the winner of today's primary and the recipient of its 50 delegates to the GOP convention later this year. Florida Rep. Dan Webster tells us why the economy will undoubtedly be the top issue for Floridians this year and why he believes President Obama has failed to make economic conditions better there. Webster also discusses the negative tone of the campaign in Florida and whether it will turn off independents and some Democrats away from the eventual Republican nominee. |
| CLASS Warfare |
| Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:09:44 EST One of the provisions of the president's health care plan that helped to make the package fiscally palatable was the CLASS Act. It's a program originally designed to allow people to pay a small amount monthly for a few years and then receive about $18,000 per year if they require long-term care in a nursing home or some other way. Last year, the Obama administration announced it was not implementing the program because it was no fiscally sound. But at the same time, Obama says he opposes its repeal. The fight comes to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, as GOP lawmakers try to repeal the provision. Most Democrats will defend it. Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute joins us to explain how the CLASS Act originated, why it was deemed financially unfeasible and why there needs to be a repeal effort when it's not being implemented right now. |
| 'The Spending Has to Stop' |
| Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:08:55 EST Former Michigan Rep. Pete Hoekstra is running for U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow. Hoekstra says Michigan suffered through a deep recession because of a terrible tax code, too much regulation and way too much spending. He says Washington has followed suit and reaped the same dismal results. Hoekstra says Michigan's new governor has reversed course in those three and the economy is picking up as a result. Hoekstra also says President Obama deserves some credit for reviving the auto industry but fears the president is also saddling the industry with the same type of mandates that crippled it in the first place. The former House Intelligence Committee Chairman also weighs in on the proposed military spending cuts and warns not to gut our national intelligence system like we did prior to 9/11. And Hoekstra tells us which Republican presidential candidate would do his campaign the most good in Michigan. |
| Akin Makes His Case for Senate |
| Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:59:06 EST Missouri Rep. Todd Akin is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill later this year. The six-term congressman tells us what he's hearing most from voters across his state and he gives his reasons for why Sen. McCaskill does not deserve a second term. |
| An 'Incredible Volume' of Cuts |
| Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:49:56 EST Missouri Rep. Todd Akin is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and is not at all comfortable with the amount of cuts in military spending proposed by the Obama administration. Rep. Akin explains why the sheer volume of cuts is alarming to him and which specific reductions in funding and personnel concern him most. Also an expert in sea power, Akin details why Obama's proposed focus on Asia requires many more ships rather fewer. He also highlights the concerns expressed by Obama's own defense secretary. |
| Three Million Jobs? |
| Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:37:16 EST President Obama claimed in his State of the Union message that since his economic policies took effect, three million jobs have been created. Is that true? Americans for Limited Government ran the numbers and concludes that not only is Obama's total wrong, it's horribly misleading. ALG Senior Editor Robert Romano explains how the basic arithmetic does not add up and why the average rate of job creation suggests the overall unemployment rate should be increasing or remaining about the same. Romano explains what the unemployment rate would be if the labor force had not shrunk dramatically in the past three years and why Obama's claims still don't work, even if you try to add "saved jobs" as well. |
| 'Under the Sea' |
| Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:19:02 EST President Obama delivered his State of the Union message on Tuesday. While Obama tried to paint a positive picture on the economy, it was clear he felt much more comfortable discussing the one undeniable achievement of the past year - killing Osama bin Laden. The president mentioned it twice in his speech and even used the skill and teamwork of the Navy SEALs as a metaphor for how he wants government to function. But the Capitol Steps are pretty sure that Obama wanted to celebrate even more - as evidenced in their parody, "Under the Sea". Our guest is Capitol Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| 'We're Going to Live to Regret It' |
| Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:05:02 EST Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad now says his government is willing to discuss his nation's nuclear program with the West. Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Tom McInerney says this is just a stalling tactic. He explains what Iran is trying to avoid most. At the same time, McInerney says rogue states like Iran are now emboldened by the U.S. announcing a trillion dollars worth of military spending cuts over the next decade. McInerney tells us what 100,000 fewer troops will mean to our security and how other cuts could compromise our security. |
| No Clear Favorite |
| Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:27:17 EST Newt Gingrich won a convincing victory in South Carolina and the Florida polls are fluctuating all over the place. Human Events Political Editor John Gizzi tells why we shouldn't assume Gingrich has the momentum for long and why it's equally hard to say Romney will soon be back on top. Gizzi also questions the long-term staying power of Rick Santorum in the GOP campaign. He also explains the political strategy behind the president's State of the Union address and analyzes why Iran is now willing to discuss its nuclear program with western nations. |
| Obama's 'Disingenuous' Speech |
| Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:05:21 EST In his State of the Union message, President Obama described the U.S. economy as on the rebound. He also tried to convince skeptics that he was being aggressive on developing domestic energy, rolling back burdensome regulations and working to reduce our national debt. But Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert says the facts are far different from the rhetoric. Gohmert tells us who is really responsible for the recent surge in oil and natural gas production. He says the president is greatly increasing government regulations despite the language Obama used in the speech, and Gohmert also sheds some light on the milk regulation the Obama so proudly repealed. And Rep. Gohmert explains why he believes the president's talk on spending and the national debt was either ignorant or deceptive. |
| 'Living in A Parallel Universe' |
| Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:47:19 EST California Rep. Dan Lungren says President Obama's rosy view of America's economy is simply not based in reality. Lungren responds to Obama's call for lawmakers to extend the payroll tax rates without any more political drama. Lungren also vigorously disagrees with the president's contention that the only way to fund key federal priorities is to raise taxes on the wealthy and he accuses Obama of rhetorical 'sleight of hand' in describing who is 'rich'. The congressman also has very different ideas from Obama on immigration reform and cautions the president about violating the Constitution by threatening to bypass Congress on key issues. |
| Class Warfare or Cooperation? |
| Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:26:27 EST President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address Tuesday night. And while the speech is usually a laundry list of policy items, most expect it to sound a lot like a campaign speech. Obama is likely to make another push for &qquot;shared sacrifice" and for everyone to pay their "fair share" by calling for tax hikes on the wealthy. Obama will also pitch his economic agenda with the middle class as the prime beneficiaries. California Rep. John Campbell is tired of this approach from the president and tells us why the Obama strategy is not only divisive but harmful to America's future. Rep. Campbell highlights the pro-jobs legislation the Republican-led House has passed but has yet to receive any consideration in the Democratic-led Senate. And Campbell explains why this election year will not be one of great legislative accomplishment. |
| The Abortion President |
| Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:17:35 EST On Monday, New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith took part in the annual March for Life in Washington. One of the strongest pro-life voices in Washington, Rep. Smith tells what message he shared with his fellow demonstrators. He also also explains why he believes President Obama is the most pro-abortion president in history, how Obama is crushing the conscience rights of pro-life Americans and why a second Obama term would be far worse since Obama would not have to fear reprisal from voters. |
| Bullish on Afghanistan |
| Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:47:15 EST During the House recess over the holidays, Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga was part of a Congressional delegation that visited military leaders and troops in Afghanistan. Huizenga tells us what he observed in the progress of our military campaign and the training of Afghan forces. He also addresses the debate over the timetable for drawing down American troops and whether the Taliban is our enemy. Huizenga also tells us why he'a cautiously optimistic about the ability of Afghans to eventually provide their own security. |
| Marching for Life |
| Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:47:07 EST One day after the 39th anniversary of the Supreme Court legalizing abortion in the United States, thousands of pro-life activists marched from the White House to the steps of the Supreme Court. Priests for Life National Director Father Frank Pavone was among them. Fr. Pavone explains what the march is all about and what the immediate goals of the pro-life movement are. He also describes the powerful 'Silent No More' campaign that his group is sponsoring and how pro-life activists are working to elect like minded lawmakers later this year. |
| Mia Love's Congressional Mission |
| Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:34:58 EST The 2010 Census showed enough population growth in Utah to create a new Congressional district in the state. Among the candidates in the Republican-leaning district is Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love. She tells us why her economic performance in office proves she is exactly the type of person we need in Congress. Love tells us how she would approach America's huge spending problem and where she believes we need to cut back. She also addresses military spending, the impact of energy on the economy and how she would approach efforts to repeal Obamacare. |
| GOP Making Run at Dem House Seat |
| Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:42:52 EST While most eyes are on the race for the White House, a tight House race in Oregon is also grabbing some attention. The state's first Congressional district has been without a representative since Democrat David Wu resigned last summer over repeated bizarre behavior. The district trends Democratic but recent polls show Republican Rob Cornilles surprisingly close to Democratic nominee Suzanne Bonamici. Mr. Cornilles explains what issue is paramount in this race and where he and Bonamici differ most strongly. He also tells us why Obamacare is a major issue in the contest and how Oregon's mail-in balloting system impacts the race. |
| The Payroll Tax Fight Returns |
| Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:33:51 EST Just before Christmas, House Republicans and Senate Democrats were at a stalemate over extending the existing payroll tax rates. Republicans demanded a year-long extension and approved that plan in the House. Senate Democrats refused to go along and passed the two-month extension. GOP House leaders demanded a conference committee to hammer out a compromise but Senate leaders adjourned and left the House to approve its version or allow payroll tax rates to rise. After several days, House Republicans relented but promised a vigorous fight weeks later. That moment has now arrived. Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford is a member of the House Budget Committee. He explains what Republicans want in a deal to extend the rates until the end of the year and how tough it will be to reach a compromise with the Senate this time around. Rep. Lankford also explains what happened back in December when Senate Republicans ended up backing the two-month deal and assuming the House would support it as well. |
| Amazing Race |
| Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:21:45 EST As the fight continues among the Republican candidates to stand out as the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney, many influential evangelicals are throwing their support behind Rick Santorum. In response, the Capitol Steps are putting this trend into their own unique perspective. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Perry Out, Trouble for Newt |
| Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:10:06 EST Thursday witnessed major developments in the 2012 presidential campaign. Texas Gov. Rick Perry suspended his campaign and endorsed Newt Gingrich. John Gizzi of Human Events explains whet went wrong with the Perry campaign after a meteoric start and assesses how much of an impact the Perry endorsement might have on Gingrich's fortunes. Gizzi also reacts to an ABC News interview in which Gingrich's second wife alleges the former Speaker of the House wanted an 'open marriage' so he could carry on an affair with the woman who is now his third wife. Gizzi explains why the sordid tale could cut both ways on the campaign trail. He also tells us why the Jon Huntsman campaign never managed to get off the ground. |
| 'That's Just Pure Political Bull' |
| Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:12:33 EST In December, Congressional Republicans forced President Obama to make a decision within 60 days on whether to approve or reject Canada's offer to build the Keystone XL pipeline all the way through the U.S. and down to the Gulf of Mexico. The Obama administration claims that three years has not been enough time to fully evaluate the environmental impact of the project. Nebraska Rep. Lee Terry says that is "political bull" and explains why that excuse from Obama runs contrary to recent statements from the State Department. Rep. Terry discusses the ecological issues involved with the pipeline and has some more choice comments for pipeline critics who claim the resources in the pipeline would end up in China anyway. |
| 'We Lost This Battle in August' |
| Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:59:02 EST On Wednesday, House Republicans approved a measure to reject an extension of the debt ceiling. But thanks to the debt ceiling deal from last summer, the vote is largely symbolic. South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney says today's gesture doesn't give him much solace because Republicans "gave up" on the debt ceiling battle last summer and essentially handed President Obama a free pass on the current $1.2 trillion extension request. Mulvaney further explains why he believes the only real solution to the crisis was to reject any debt ceiling increases last year. He also addresses critics who say his approach would have devastated the U.S. credit rating. |
| No Plan to Tackle Debt |
| Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:46:54 EST On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to block President Obama's request for a $1.2 trillion hike of the debt ceiling. But the Senate is not expected to follow suit and, even if it did, neither chamber could stop President Obama from vetoing that rejection. Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford is a member of the House Budget Committee. He explains what statement can be made through this vote, what Republicans can do this year since they're powerless to stop the additional borrowing and what kind of spending cuts his party is prepared to make. |
| A Navy at Risk |
| Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:26:09 EST Earlier this month, President Obama outlined his plans to dramatically reduce military spending. Part of the plan is to stop building new aircraft carriers and reduce the number we currently have. James Robbins is a senior editorial writer at The Washington Times and served as a special assistant to former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He explains why reducing our carrier fleet is a bad idea, why China's plans should convince Obama to reconsider and why the notion that the Navy is an outdated form of American power is dead wrong. |
| Electability |
| Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:01:26 EST In four days, voters in South Carolina will cast their ballots in the Republican presidential primary. But as they make up their minds, voters do not seem to be lining up behind the candidate that best reflects their views but rather the candidate they think can win in November. The latest survey from Monmouth University shows Mitt Romney ahead of Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum - both among evangelical voters and Tea Party members. We discuss it all with Patrick Murray, director of Monmouth's polling institute. He also explains what impact Ron Paul may have on Saturday and what it will take for someone other than Romney to seize the momentum. |
| Shakeup in South Carolina |
| Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:22:42 EST There are five days remaining until the critical South Carolina primary and now there are just five candidates left in the running. That's because former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman dropped out of the race on Monday and threw his support behind Mitt Romney. South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan joins us to discuss how much this development shakes up the GOP race and whether voters agree with Huntsman that Romney is the inevitable nominee. Duncan also explains what a huge percentage of undecided voters want to hear before making up their minds and what he hopes will be the first accomplishments in 2013 if Republicans take Congress and the White House. |
| The Politics of Dr. King |
| Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:06:22 EST As the nation pauses to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the debate rages on as to where Dr. King would find himself along the political spectrum if he were alive today. Many suggest Dr. King would be mostly liberal given where other civil rights leaders currently stand. But others like Stacy Swimp say King's writings, speeches and actions tell a very different story. Swimp is president of the Frederick Douglass Society and is a spokesman for the Project 21 Black Leadership Council. Swimp explains what he sees as King's greatest legacy and why King would be far more conservative today than other black leaders. Swimp also rebuts assertions from former Green Jobs Czar Van Jones that Dr. King would have been a strong supporter of the Occupy Wall Street movement. |
| Stop the Spending! |
| Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:02:56 EST In the coming days, President Obama will ask Congress for a $1.2 trillion extension of the debt ceiling - just five months after the last hike. South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson was one of a few House Republicans to vote against the final version and the Boehner plan that triggered the compromise. He offers his reaction to the new request and explains why last year's "Cut, Cap and Balance" is a better approach. And while Congress is largely powerless to block debt ceiling increases before Election Day, he also embraces the idea of refusing future hikes and letting the government survive on revenues alone. |
| Palmetto State Primary |
| Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:56:57 EST South Carolina will be the epicenter of the 2012 campaign for the next week as the Republican presidential hopefuls push hard for a win in the state's critical primary on January 21. Rep. Joe Wilson tells us what voters in his state want to hear from the candidates about how they would help to reduce South Carolina's high unemployment. He explains why the long fight between Boeing and the National Labor Relations Board will be a key issue, and he discusses other issues important to the electorate. Wilson was an early supporter of Tim Pawlenty and tells us whether he's endorsed anyone new. |
| 'The Jury Is Still Out' |
| Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:54:31 EST This week, Newt Gingrich launched a new television spot accusing Mitt Romney of not changing his policies despite a professed conversion to the pro-life position on abortion. The ad accuses Romney of appointing a pro-abortion judge, nominating pro-choice people to key positions but not doing the same for the pro-life side and allowing taxpayer-funded abortions in his health care plan. Dr. Janice Crouse says the Gingrich ad is effective and pro-life activists still have plenty of doubts about Romney. But Dr. Crouse says she and other pro-life activists will have no trouble backing Romney against President Obama if Romney is the GOP nominee. |
| Bush-Cloned Cowboy |
| Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:47:15 EST Rick Perry's presidential campaign has fallen on rough times but he is banking on South Carolina to turn things around. The Capitol Steps try to give Perry a shot in the arm by bringing in another famous Texan for support. |
| Playing Politics with Security? |
| Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:06:26 EST Last week, President Obama announced $450 billion in cuts from proposed defense spending increases over the next decade. Obama says it's necessary to address our growing debt and to retool the military for a different role in the 21st century. Florida Rep. Tom Rooney is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He doesn't think the cuts are smart and he wonders how much of this is designed to appease Obama's liberal base. He also insists that an additional $600 billion in defense cuts triggered by the super committee's failure is utterly unsustainable. Rooney explains why he now regrets voting for the debt ceiling compromise in August and wishes President Obama and House Speaker john Boehner had agreed on a "grand bargain". |
| Can Mitt Be Stopped? |
| Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:56:02 EST Mitt Romney won the first two contests of the 2012 campaign. John Gizzi tells is whether he thinks Romney is unstoppable or whether criticism of his time at Bain Capital and his abortion record in Massachusetts will trip him up in South Carolina. Gizzi also reacts to the Obama recess appointments despite the lack of a Senate recess and the death of longtime journalist and political figure Tony Blankley. |
| Obama's Immigration Changes |
| Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:55:48 EST Texas Rep. and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith joins us to discuss President Obama's plan to relax rules on illegal immigrants. The president plans to allow them to apply for new visas before going back to their countries of origin. And he would greatly reduce the amount of time illegals have to wait in their home countries before being allowed to come back to the U.S. Chairman Smith explains why he thinks relaxing the existing rules is a bad idea and why he is concerned about the Obama administration pursuing critical policy changes without the approval of Congress. Rep. Smith also responds to Obama's contention that all border security concerns have been addressed. |
| On to Carolina |
| Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:40:35 EST With the New Hampshire primary now behind them, the Republicans vying for the 2012 nomination now head to South Carolina for a crucial primary there next Saturday. Van Hipp was part of the team that created the South Carolina primary and he is a former South Carolina Republican Party chairman. He explains how much Mitt Romney's momentum will matter in the Palmetto State and which of the alternatives might emerge as the toughest challenger for Romney. Hipp also discusses South Carolina's reputation for rough and tumble politics and whether Romney will encounter resistance because he is a Mormon. Hipp also offers a bit of a prediction. |
| Another Iranian Nuke Expert Dies |
| Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:51:59 EST On Wednesday, we learned that yet another Iranian nuclear scientist has been killed under mysterious circumstances. This time the director of the Natanz uranium enrichment facility was killed after motorcyclists attached magnetic car bombs to his vehicle which exploded a short time later. The U.S. State Department has strongly condemned the killings. Retired U.S. Navy Captain Chuck Nash discusses the series of killings, who might be behind them and whether they are succeeding in delaying the progress of the nuclear program. Nash also tells us what would trigger a military response from Israel and why an uprising of Iranians would be the best way to kill the nuclear threat. |
| Big Labor Gets the Waivers |
| Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:59:19 EST The granting of waivers for the president's new health care laws remains a major controversy, as Republicans accuse the Obama administration of looking out for their donors and preferred groups and leaving the rest of the nation to fend for itself. The latest news is that organized labor is getting a huge percentage of the latest waivers. Indiana Rep. Larry Buschon is a longtime surgeon and says this pattern of waivers is no coincidence. Rep. Buschon discusses whether there is anything illegal about the waivers or if it just smells of political favoritism. He also explains which aspects of Obamacare he expects the Republican-led House to address this year. |
| Granite State Showdown |
| Mon, 9 Jan 2012 15:37:49 EST Former WMUR-TV News Director Scott Spradling examines how much the Iowa win is helping Rick Santorum in New Hampshire, how much Romney needs to win by to meet expectations and how big the stakes are for Jon Huntsman. Spradling also talks about the scramble for third place and why results from Iowa don't matter much in New Hampshire. |
| Republicans and the Economy |
| Mon, 9 Jan 2012 15:29:30 EST As New Hampshire voters head to the polls, the economy is still the dominant issue in the minds of voters. Former Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin tells us why the jobs picture is not good enough to be an asset for President Obama and why the Supreme Court decision on Obamacare could well hurt the president regardless of the verdict. Holtz-Eakin also discusses what the GOP nominee will need to articulate on the economy and the impact of the massive debt increase piled up in the past three years. |
| It's All About Jobs |
| Fri, 6 Jan 2012 16:57:49 EST Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is a member of the House Republican Leadership and explains how party leaders decided to give President Obama 60 days to finally make a call on whether to proceed on the Keystone XL pipeline project with Canada. Rep. McMorris Rodgers details why the project is good for our job-creation efforts and our energy independence goals. She also discusses what might happen if the president does not honor that 60-day deadline. And she reacts to Friday's jobs report and the coming House debate over another extension of the debt ceiling. |
| Romney on the Rise |
| Fri, 6 Jan 2012 16:51:29 EST Mitt Romney squeaked out a win in Iowa. He has a huge lead in New Hampshire and at least one suggests he's very well positioned to win in South Carolina as well. Republican strategist Joe Watkins served in the Bush 41 administration and ran against Rick Santorum in the 1994 U.S. Senate primary in Pennsylvania. He explains why finishing in second in New Hampshire is important for the other candidates, why Romney is smart to spend part of this week campaigning in South Carolina and whether a long, bruising primary is good for the eventual GOP nominee. |
| That Old Timer Robert Dole |
| Fri, 6 Jan 2012 16:44:22 EST Republican voters seem reluctant to embrace Mitt Romney and several more conservative alternatives have risen and fallen. So to help end the frustration, the Capitol Steps bring back a couple of former GOP nominees to bring the party together. Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| 'Emperor' Obama |
| Thu, 5 Jan 2012 15:56:50 EST On Wednesday, President Obama announced four recess appointments. The only problem is that the U.S. Senate is not in recess and many critics say Obama flagrantly violated the U.S. Constitution. Is there any precedent for this? Does it matter that the Senate is in session on a pro forma basis right now? What options does Congress have in response? We discuss it all with Louisiana Sen. David Vitter. |
| More Obamacare Taxes |
| Thu, 5 Jan 2012 15:04:19 EST The full implementation of the new health care laws won't be complete until 2014. But some provisions are kicking in now, including a new tax on may this year to help fund comparative effectiveness research. We discuss how big of a tax is this, what comparative effectiveness research is and how it impact this debate. We also examine how this could impact your relationship with your doctor and whether President Obama's vow that his reforms would lower your costs is proving to be true. We discuss it all with Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy, a longtime physician. |
| Cuts 'Eviscerate the Armed Forces' |
| Thu, 5 Jan 2012 14:58:33 EST On Thursday, President Obama and members of his national security team outlined almost half a trillion dollars in recommended defense spending cuts over the next ten years. Is this a necessary part of addressing our debt and a changing role for the military? Or is the U.S. preparing to endanger our national security and relinquish our role as a world leader? How will other nations react to this? We discuss it all with Frank Gaffney, former assistant secretary of defense and president of the Center for Security Policy. |
| Grover Norquist Talks Debt Fight |
| Wed, 4 Jan 2012 16:07:37 EST As President Obama seeks a $1.2 trillion increase in the debt ceiling just five months after the last huge fight, should we be surprised? Have Republicans abdicated by making themselves powerless to stop the increase? When will we see real, actual spending cuts? Are Republicans ready to make that push? And how much longer can the debt surge before it's "too late". We discuss it all with Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist. |
| Conservatives Reject Romney |
| Wed, 4 Jan 2012 16:01:45 EST On Tuesday, Mitt Romney won the Iowa Caucuses by eight votes - not by eight percent but by eight actual votes. But should we look at Iowa as a Romney win or a rejection of the GOP establishment's choice by 75 percent of Iowa Republicans? Why don't conservatives trust Romney? What does longtime conservative activist Richard Viguerie see as a telltale sign that Romney is not a conservative? Which candidate does Viguerie prefer? And why does he think we could see new candidates joining the fray and the nomination fight going all the way to the convention? |
| Bachmann Suspends Campaign |
| Wed, 4 Jan 2012 14:42:14 EST On Tuesday, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann finished a disappointing sixth in the Iowa caucuses. It was a steep fall after her straw poll victory back in August. On Wednesday, Bachmann announced she was suspending her campaign. Here is Bachmann's entire statement. |
| Rep. Steve King Talks Iowa, Debt |
| Tue, 3 Jan 2012 16:23:03 EST As Iowans get ready to caucus tonight and make their voices heard in the 2012 campaign, GOP Rep. Steve King joins us to discuss how voters in his state are approaching this election year tradition. What is motivating voter choices more than anything else? Why won't King endorse any of the candidates? Is there anyone he definitely does not want to win the nomination? And what is his reaction to President Obama's request for a major increase in the federal debt ceiling? We discuss it all with Rep. King. |
| How Much Does Iowa Matter? |
| Tue, 3 Jan 2012 14:53:57 EST The first real votes of the 2012 campaign will be cast in Iowa today. What will be happening at these caucuses? How long does the voting continue in each location? Will caucus voters gang up on anyone in particular? Will Rick Santorum dominate among social conservatives or will Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann divide that demographic? And which state is likely to play the biggest role in determining the GOP nomination? We discuss it all with David Johnson, a veteran of Bob Dole's 1988 campaign which won the Iowa caucuses. |
| The Bleak Debt Forecast |
| Tue, 3 Jan 2012 14:47:26 EST Over the holidays, President Obama requested a debt ceiling extension of $1.2 trillion. The request comes just a few months after a fierce debt ceiling battle. So why will this fight be mostly political theater? What did Republicans agree to last summer that makes them powerless to stop the increase? And what would happen if the debt ceiling was not raised? We discuss it all with Bill Beach, director of the Center for Data Analysis at the Heritage Foundation. |
| 2011 Passings, Part 2 |
| Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:59:22 EST Greg Corombos anchors the second half of our look back at the famous figures who died in 2011. In this section, we examine legends from the worlds of sports, film, television, music and bid a final farewell to three U.S. military heroes. |
| 2011 Passings, Part 1 |
| Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:51:53 EST Greg Corombos reflects on the famous figures who died in 2011. In the first half of this series, he highlights those who passed away - from the evil to the heroic and from politics and international affairs to the media and the business world. |
| Solving Korea |
| Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:48:18 EST As the Capitol Steps look back on 2011, they reluctantly say goodbye to one of their favorite parodies - a Kim Jong-Il spoof entitled "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Korea". Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| Debt, Blame and 2012 |
| Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:44:21 EST University of Virginia Professor Larry Sabato joins us to recap the year in politics. Why does he give everyone in Washington an incomplete on their report cards? Will Obama succeed in winning re-election by blaming Republicans in Congress for a lack of progress? How tough is it to defeat a sitting president? We discuss all these issues and more with Dr. Larry Sabato. |
| We Got Him! |
| Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:39:31 EST Eight Decembers ago, Americans awoke on a Sunday morning to the news that Saddam Hussein was in American custody. Now you'll hear the story of the hunt by U.S. forces to find the longtime Iraqi dictator. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steve Russell explains how his unit came into Iraq, how it went about finding this needle in a haystack and how the soldiers finally put the pieces together. He also looks back on what gives him the most pride about the time he and his men spent in Iraq. |
| The King James Bible Turns 400 |
| Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:32:08 EST The first edition of the King James Bible was printed in 1611. How did this achievement happen? How faithful is the text to the original manuscripts? What was the impact at that time in the English-speaking world? What has been the larger cultural impact on Western Civilization? How should the King James Bible be viewed as a work of literature? We ask Professor Leland Ryken of Wheaton College in Illinois. And we conclude with a reading of Christ's nativity from the King James Version. Merry Christmas! |
| The Gin-grinch and Joe Biden |
| Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:28:20 EST The Capitol Steps offer a Christmas parody doubleheader. They go deep into the archives to bring back "How the Gin-grinch Stole Congress" and they focus on a high priority of the Obama administration - keeping Vice President Biden on a short leash in "Muzzle Joe". |
| Iraq Will Only Get Worse |
| Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:27:24 EST Are Thursday's deadly bombings in Iraq likely to increase now that the U.S. has completely withdrawn? What factions and outside players are likely to trigger the most chaos in Iraq? Is there anything the U.S. can do from outside the country? We ask retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis, now a senior strategist for the Army. He also explains why North Korea may also be less stable as a change in dictator occurs there. |
| The Path to Business Uncertainty |
| Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:33:48 EST Some House Republicans are still in Washington, asking Senate Democrats to come back and finish hammering out a bill to extend the current payroll tax rates. So is there any sign the Democrats are coming or will the GOP have to pass the two-month bill and prepare for another showdown in a few weeks? We ask Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, who also explains the concerns many business owners in his district have about the brief extension of the tax rates and Medicare reimbursements for doctors. Brady also weighs in on the next debt ceiling deadline - which believe it or not is just a few weeks away. |
| Republicans Ready to Negotiate |
| Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:21:27 EST The Senators have gone home but House Republicans are urging them to come back and hammer out a compromise to extend payroll tax rates and reimburse doctors for treating Medicare patients. Has there been any indication that the Senate plans to come back? Why did Democrats push for a year-long extension of the tax rates but end up insisting on two months? Do Republicans feel like public sentiment is on their side? Is this impasse a result of poor communication between GOP leaders? And how long are Republicans willing to wait? We discuss it all with Georgia Rep. Tom Price, a member of the GOP House leadership and a conferee on the payroll tax bill if a conference committee is ever established. |
| Preborn Rights, Citizen Rights |
| Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:18:36 EST Iowa Rep. Steve King joins us to discuss the Preborn Non-Discrimination Act which would ban abortions based on the gender or race of the child. How big of an issue is that in the U.S. and how would the ban be enforced? King also discusses the provision within the new Defense bill that many believe would allow the government to indefinitely detain American citizens considered to be a threat to national security. And he offers insight on the upcoming Iowa caucuses. |
| 'An Ugly Piece of Baggage' |
| Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:59:08 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton weighs in on the transition in North Korea following the death of dictator Kim Jong-Il. What was Bolton's experience negotiating with that regime over nuclear issues? What does he expect from the new leader? What, if anything, would convince the North Koreans to abandon the nuclear program? And why does he think regime change and the dissolving of North Korea ought to be America's goals there? We discuss it all with Amb. John Bolton. |
| 'A Do-Nothing Senate' |
| Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:54:57 EST Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold is one of many House Republicans who refuse to approve the Senate version of a payroll tax extension because they want the extension to be for a full year and not just two months. Why is that so important? What else is different about the House version? Is this impasse actually the fault of the Republican leaders? And what is he saying to his constituents about the first year of the new GOP majority in the House? We ask Rep. Farenthold. |
| Real Medicare Reform? |
| Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:18:02 EST As Congress bickers all the way to the end of the calendar year, a bipartisan agreement on reforming Medicare is quietly impressing health care experts. Republican Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan and Democratic Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden are pushing the framework for a plan that would bring competition to firms vying to insure older Americans but also give seniors the option of sticking with traditional Medicare. So why is this the most promising plan we've seen in a long time? Will it get any traction in an election year? And would it be sustainable? We ask Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute. She also tells us about her testimony before Congress last week that detailed the growing worries of small businesses over the Obama care care laws. |
| The Lowdown on Lowe's |
| Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:11:41 EST Over the past several days, hardware giant Lowe's has been the target of many organizations for removing its sponsorship of the TLC program "All-American Muslim". So is Lowe's guilty of discrimination or was this mainly a decision based on the bottom line? What's the long-term goal of this protest? And what's the strongest case that Lowe's does not discriminate against Muslims? We discuss it all with Act for America Founder Brigitte Gabriel, author of "They Must Be Stopped". |
| The Long Road to Fiscal Sanity |
| Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:44:46 EST House Republicans have approved a plan to fund the government through September 2012. Costing just over a trillion dollars, the plan cuts discretionary spending and also eliminates what the GOP considers job-killing energy regulations and abortion funding for the District of Columbia. But is the plan fiscally responsible? And why are Republicans now advancing an omnibus bill like the one they condemned in the previous Congress? We discuss it all with New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce. |
| The Light Bulb Lives! |
| Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:38:53 EST As members of Congress race to extend payroll tax rates, unemployment benefits and funding of the government, a surprising provision is also part of the House plan. Republicans succeeded in passing language that will forbid funding for the enforcement of a 2007 law that phases out the traditional incandescent light bulb. Why is this important? How long will this reprieve last? And will manufacturers start making them again? We discuss it all with Texas Rep. Michael Burgess. |
| Capitol Steps Christmas |
| Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:33:07 EST The Capitol Steps continue their Christmas parodies with a jab at Al Gore in "Temperatures We Have Heard Are High" and also examine how outsourcing may impact Santa Claus himself. |
| Tragic Day in Iraq |
| Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:12:24 EST David Bellavia is a highly decorated Iraq War veteran. He is also very upset that the Obama administration failed to achieve a new Status of Forces Agreement that would keep troops in Iraq as our commanders requested. Why does he fear America's sacrifices could end up being wasted? And why does he believe those fears would be eased by maintaining a small presence in Iraq for a little while longer? We ask Sgt. Bellavia, who is also founder of Vets for Freedom. Bellavia is also outraged that the Obama administration is seriously considering the transfer of terrorist Ali Mussa Daqduq - a man responsible for the deaths of several U.S. troops. |
| Jobs and Justice |
| Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:53:06 EST Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer is running for the Republican presidential nomination. He has not been invited to any of the GOP debates but now leads Rick Perry in a New Hampshire poll. Will that get him invited to a debate soon? What is the Roemer campaign all about? Why is unique among Republican hopefuls in embracing the Occupy movement? Why is he already considering a third party bid? And why does he say that would not ultimately help President Obama? We discuss it all with Gov. Roemer. |
| More Heavy-Handed Government? |
| Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:34:38 EST On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended a complete ban on cell phone use by drivers - no texting and no talking on the phone even with hands-free devices. Is this a reasonable response to the growing concern over distracted driving or just the government deciding it knows what's best for us more than we do? We discuss it with Horace Cooper of the National Center for Public Policy Research. |
| Senate Rejects Budget Amendments |
| Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:03:08 EST On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate rejected Democratic and Republican versions of a balanced budget amendment. What was the difference between the two proposals? Can there be common ground on this? Would the Senate Republicans support the version of the amendment that failed in the House? We discuss it all with Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who co-authored the GOP amendment. Sen. Lee also weighs in on the latest budget showdown and has some very strong words for opponents of the Keystone Pipeline. |
| Payrolls and Pipelines |
| Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:42:39 EST Late Tuesday, the House of Representatives approved a bill to extend payroll tax rates, reform entitlement spending and approve construction of the Keystone Pipeline from Canada that experts say would create tens of thousands of jobs. But Senate Democrats and President Obama say the bill is a non-starter. So what happens now? Where are House Republicans ready to find common ground? And what about the possibility of a government shutdown at the end of the week. We discuss it all with Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson. |
| UN Pushes New 'Green Climate Fund' |
| Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:10:32 EST It's not a done deal yet, but the United Nations is hoping to institute a 'Green Climate Fund' at the upcoming climate change conference in South Africa. What is the point of this fund? Will it be enacted? Who would pay into it? We ask climate expert and author Leighton Steward, who says this effort comes at a time when the evidence of carbon dioxide levels triggering climate change is more flimsy than ever. |
| Gohmert: Holder Must Resign |
| Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:09:46 EST Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert says Attorney General Eric Holder has to leave over the ongoing 'Fast & Furious' investigation over his refusal to say who is ultimate;y responsible for the program that went fatally wrong. Gohmert explains the issue that requires Holder to step down regardless of what really happened. Gohmert also blasts House Democrats for defending Holder instead of pursuing the truth. |
| Gohmert: Holder Won't Follow Laws |
| Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:02:16 EST On Monday, the Supreme Court announced it will hear arguments on Arizona's controversial immigration laws. That's a small win for Arizona, since the Obama administration has won at the lower court levels. Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert explains why he thinks the Arizona laws are more than fair, do not racially profile and are necessary due to the federal government's inaction. Gohmert also weighs in on Justice Elena Kagan's decision to recuse herself in this case and wonders why she won't do the same in the dispute over Obama's health care law. We discuss it all with Rep. Gohmert. |
| Iraq Exit Strengthens Iran |
| Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:47:02 EST Retired Air Force General Tom McInerney says our forces have done an amazing job and won the war in Iraq, but he says the timing of our complete withdrawal is unwise. Why does he say that? Why does he believe President Obama is responsible for the failure to renew a status of forces agreement with Iraq? What good would be accomplished with a couple more years of U.S. troops in Iraq? McInerney also explains why the Iranian custody of an intact drone is an intelligence disaster and how he believes President Obama could have prevented it. |
| Three Weeks to the Iowa Vote |
| Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:54:28 EST Just after 2012 dawns, Iowa voters will have the first say in what could be a long road to the Republican presidential nomination. Professor Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia explains why Newt Gingrich is surging despite no money and little organization, why Romney's greatest liability among GOP voters may be his greatest asset against President Obama and why the primary schedule may not be kind to the winners of the early votes. |
| Blackouts on the Horizon |
| Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:39:35 EST House Republicans are actively trying to roll back Obama environmental regulations they say will stifle job creation. But now the National Center for Public Policy Research reports that some regulations will create far more headaches by crippling America's coal-fired power plants and making rolling blackouts a common event in some parts of the country. What regulations are at issue? How could they bring the coal industry to its knees? What can be done to prevent this? We ask Dr. Tom Borelli, senior fellow at the National Center for Public Policy Research. |
| Gingrich Surges, Romney Survives |
| Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:27:18 EST John Gizzi of Human Events says Newt Gingrich is looking strong as we approach the Iowa Caucuses, but he says Romney is poised to win the nomination over the long haul. Gizzi also takes us inside the Christmas party for White House correspondents and assesses the fallout from Russian elections and the fraud allegations that followed. |
| Boeing Clear for SC Takeoff |
| Fri, 9 Dec 2011 16:33:30 EST For the past several months, a political firestorm has been raging between the National Labor Relations Board and Boeing. The NLRB blocked Boeing from moving into a massive new plant it had already built in South Carolina because it feared the consequences of a company headquartered in a union state establishing a major presence in a right to work state. On Friday, the NLRB backed down after Boeing struck a new deal with the machinists union. So how significant is this for South Carolina? What will this episode mean for the NLRB in the future? And how could this all end up hurting union states down the line? We discuss it all with South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, whose district is greatly impacted by this development. |
| Holder Must Go |
| Fri, 9 Dec 2011 15:42:17 EST On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee grilled Attorney General Eric Holder on two key subjects. Lawmakers want to know why there's a two month gap in the paper trail of then-Solicitor General Elena Kagan in the effort to build a legal defense for the Obama health care laws. Republicans say Kagan's role in that should prompt her to recuse herself from the Supreme Court's upcoming consideration of the health care laws. Lawmakers also pressed Holder over who is responsible for the badly bungled Operation Fast & Furious that allowed hundreds of guns to walk into the possession of Mexican drug cartels. And now there are questions about millions of U.S. dollars laundered through the cartels and whether the whole thing was an effort to limit gun rights in America. We discuss all of this and more with Texas Rep. Ted Poe, a former judge and member of the House Judiciary Committee. |
| Rudolph, the Green Energy Reindeer |
| Fri, 9 Dec 2011 14:50:07 EST The Capitol Steps suggest an answer to energy independence may soon be possible if we just tap Rudolph's glowing nose. They also explain how Santa is tracking who's naughty and nice in cyberspace. |
| GOP vs. EPA On Dust Regulation |
| Thu, 8 Dec 2011 16:52:13 EST On Thursday, the House of Representatives approved legislation requiring changes in a proposed EPA rule on air pollution. Republicans are demanding that dust kicked up on dirt roads or in the process of farming not be gauged in the same manner as smog and other pollutants in the cities. So why does there need to be a distinction? How would jobs be at risk if the rule is not amended? And will this bill see the light of day in the Senate? We discuss it all with Colorado Rep. Scott Tipton, a member of the House Agriculture Committee. Rep. Tipton also updates us on the committee's hearings on the collapse of investment firm MF Global. |
| Terrorism or 'Workplace Violence'? |
| Thu, 8 Dec 2011 16:25:49 EST This week, we learned that the Defense Department has classified the 2009 Ft. Hood killings as 'workplace violence' - and not terrorism as many others believe is the case. Texas Rep. John Carter represents the district containing Ft. Hood. What does he make of this classification? What does it say about our approach to this war? Are semantics like this pervasive in the military or is this a product mostly of the Washington culture? And what benefits and honors are likely to be denied to the victims of the Ft. Hood shootings because of this designation? We discuss it all with Rep. Carter. |
| December 1941 |
| Wed, 7 Dec 2011 16:18:57 EST Wednesday marks 70 years since the Japanese attacks on the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Within 48 hours, our nation was at war. How did that event completely change the mindset of most Americans toward the ongoing war and our role in it? What were the biggest changes ordered by government to begin ramping up for war? Were Americans accepting of mandated rationing and other sacrifices or was there frustration? What are the similarities and differences between Pearl Harbor and the 9-11 attacks? And what does it tell us about America that despite being decimated by the attacks, we were able to turn the tide in the Pacific less than a year later? We discuss it all with Craig Shirley, author of "December 1941: 31 Days that Changed America and Saved the World". |
| Blagojevich Gets 14 Years |
| Wed, 7 Dec 2011 16:13:58 EST A three-year political and legal circus is finally over in Illinois as impeached and convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison on multiple counts of corruption - most notably his attempt to award a U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder. Was the sentence much of a surprise? Why did prosecutors get a conviction this time? Has this saga kept a cloud over Springfield for the past three years? And are we done with the federal prosecutions in this case? We discuss it all with Bernard Schoenburg of the State Journal-Review newspaper in Springfield. |
| REIN-ing in the Regulations |
| Wed, 7 Dec 2011 13:19:07 EST On Wednesday, the House of Representatives is poised to pass the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act - also known as the REINS Act. What would the bill do and why do Republicans think this necessary? Is this idea drawing bipartisan support or will the vote be along party lines? We ask Ohio Rep. Bob Gibbs, who also updates us on his fight against a new pesticide regulation that he says could be devastating to his district. |
| Latest 'Fast & Furious' Bombshell |
| Tue, 6 Dec 2011 16:24:44 EST The investigation into the gun smuggling scheme known as 'Fast & Furious' is taking bizarre new twists. Last Friday, the Justice Department released a pile of background documents and revealed it had misled Congress in two different areas. Now reports suggest the Drug Enforcement Agency was also sending millions of dollars to the Mexican drug cartels. How significant are the reactions from the Justice Department? How does it shape the remainder of the investigation? And what possible reason could there have been to send tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to Mexican drug lords? We discuss it all with Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold, a member of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee which is investigating 'Fast & Furious'. |
| The Gentleman from Kansas Responds |
| Tue, 6 Dec 2011 16:10:19 EST On Tuesday, President Obama visited Kansas to drum up support for his plan to extend current payroll tax rates by raising taxes on the wealthy. He also invoked a 1910 speech by Theodore Roosevelt in that same location that Obama says is proof Republicans were once willing to compromise but today's GOP lawmakers are not willing to find common ground. How does Kansas Rep. Tim Huelskamp react to all this? What is his response to the charge that Republican opposition to any tax increases on the rich threatens a tax increase for all of us? And does he expect some sort of deal to be struck by the end of the year? We discuss it all with Rep. Huelskamp. |
| Culture War Hits Macy's |
| Tue, 6 Dec 2011 15:55:39 EST Macy's department store is getting some very unwanted attention after an employee was fired for refusing to allow a man dressed as a woman to use the women's changing rooms. Why was she fired and why would Macy's allow such a thing? Do most stores have policies like this? Should the worker have backed down when learning of the official policy? We discuss it all with Mathew Staver of Liberty Counsel, which is representing the fired worker in the case. As you go about your Christmas shopping, Staver also explains how to determine which stores truly embrace Christmas and which ones try to profit from the season while muzzling any references to the true meaning of it. |
| Budgeting for Obamacare |
| Mon, 5 Dec 2011 16:03:40 EST The company that owns burger chains Carl's Jr. and Hardee's is fearful over what the new health care laws will mean for its bottom line. How much could the new mandates add to the operating expenses of the company? Why are there huge disparities in cost estimates? How is it impacting other businesses? And what will businesses do to avoid the huge new costs? We ask Texas Rep. Michael Burgess, a longtime physician. |
| America and the Euro Crisis |
| Mon, 5 Dec 2011 15:56:22 EST In recent days, the Federal Reserve, the Central Bank of Europe and the state banks of several economic powers have acted in concert to bring more liquidity to European markets and at least stave off fiscal calamity on the other side of the Atlantic. So what exactly did we accomplish? Did it do any long-term good? How far can we go to save Europe given our own financial woes? We discuss it all with California Rep. John Campbell, a member of the House Financial Services Committee and its International Monetary Policy and Trade subcommittee. |
| The Real Death Panels |
| Fri, 2 Dec 2011 16:12:50 EST Many conservatives sounded the alarm that the Obama health care plan would include panels of government bureaucrats deciding which Medicare treatments would be approved and which would be denied as too expensive. Tennessee Rep. Phil Roe says those critics were right, although they were pointing to the wrong provision. So what part of the health care laws could lead to bureaucrats denying needed treatments? How would those decisions be made? What would that mean for patients? And what is Rep. Roe doing to put health care decisions back in the hands of patients? Listen here for the full discussion. |
| How to Pay for Payroll Tax Cuts |
| Fri, 2 Dec 2011 16:04:28 EST This week, Congress failed to extend payroll tax breaks even though both parties want them extended. Democrats want to pay for the cuts by adding a tax on millionaires. Republicans want spending cuts as offsets. Where would the GOP trim spending? Should payroll tax cuts be extended at all? Will the two parties find common ground? We ask Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly, a longtime small business owner. Rep. Kelly also weighs in on Friday's November jobs report. |
| Jobs Climate Better, But Very Slow |
| Fri, 2 Dec 2011 15:53:33 EST On Friday, the Labor Department reported 120,000 new jobs in the month of November and that the unemployment rate dropped to 8.6 percent. Both are positive numbers, but have we turned the corner or is there more to the story? How worried should we be about the 315,000 people who quit the labor force? What is keeping businesses from hiring more? And when will we see how much of this was temporary holiday hiring? We ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor. |
| A HanuKwanzaChristmas |
| Fri, 2 Dec 2011 15:26:32 EST The Capitol Steps roll out their first Christmas parody by poking fun at the politically correct efforts to remove any distinction between the various holidays at this time of year. |
| Obama Seals Fast & Furious Records |
| Thu, 1 Dec 2011 14:27:15 EST The Obama administration has quickly sealed court documents detailing the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. He was killed by a gun smuggled to Mexican drug cartels by the U.S. Department Justice as part of an alleged sting known as Fast & Furious. What does this action tell us? What can Congressional Republicans do about it? And how might lawmakers respond to news that the whistle blowers who brought this scandal to light have since been punished for doing so? We discuss it all with Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, a member of the House committee investigating the Fast & Furious program. |
| Euro Rescue or Delayed Disaster? |
| Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:14:20 EST Wall Street boomed again on Wednesday, supposedly on the news that the Federal Reserve, Europe's central bank and banks in several other nations added liquidity to the markets through temporary interest rate reductions. But can the U.S., Great Britain and others really afford this? Is this a major intervention that will stabilize the Euro zone or are we just delaying the inevitable pain? And would a Euro collapse actually be the best thing for Europe? We discuss it all with Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation. |
| House Braces for Fiscal Fights |
| Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:09:15 EST As we prepare to enter December, Congress still has a lot of work to do - from passing appropriations bills to debating payroll tax cuts to considering Medicare reimbursements for physicians. Why are taxpayers likely to foot the bill for another omnibus bill for Fiscal Year 2012? How will spending compare to current rates? When will we get some significant entitlement reform? Why are Republicans largely opposed to extending payroll tax cuts? And how will the House address the massive tab owed to doctors by the Medicare program? We discuss it all with Georgia Rep. Rob Woodall, a member of the House Budget Committee. |
| Saving Troops A Security Hassle |
| Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:33:32 EST Minnesota Rep. Chip Cravaack is pushing a bipartisan bill to allow for a more dignified and streamlined airport security process for U.S. troops. What convinced Cravaack that this legislation was needed? What type of security would he prefer for troops? And would a less stressful security policy for troops present terrorist or radicalized service members with easier entry into the airline system? We discuss it all with Rep. Cravaack. |
| Unrest and Explosions |
| Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:28:41 EST On Monday, Iranian demonstrators stormed and looted the British embassy in Tehran. The violence follows a new round of sanctions aimed at Iran's nuclear program. Was this a genuine protest or something carefully orchestrated by the Iranian regime? Are the new sanctions reason for Iran to be worried? We ask Alireza Jafarzadeh, former spokesman for the Iranian parliament in exile and author of "The Iran Threat". Jafarzadeh also offers his insights into the latest mysterious explosions in Iran - this time at the Isfahan uranium enrichment facility. |
| Frist Joins Fight Against Obesity |
| Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:17:00 EST Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, many experts are taking part in the "Building A Healthier Future" summit in Washington to discuss ways to fight childhood obesity. Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is a major player in this effort. What does he see as the keys to reducing obesity among children? What "national resources" does he want committed to this fight? How much of the crusade against obesity is the responsibility of restaurants and how much of it common sense on the part of parents? We discuss all this and more with Sen. Frist. |
| The Pakistan Mess |
| Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:14:46 EST Relations between the U.S. and Pakistan are even worse following weekend NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani troops. Can the relationship be repaired? Why are we actually dealing with three separate Pakistans? What's the key to making the partnership as strong as possible? We discuss it all with Dr. Walid Phares, terrorism expert, adviser to the House Homeland Security Caucus and author of "The Coming Revolution". |
| Home Stretch in New Hampshire |
| Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:09:16 EST Over the weekend, the New Hampshire Union Leader endorsed Newt Gingrich for the Republican presidential nomination. Will this be a major boost for Newt or just one of many factors in the race? Why are many Romney voters still not totally sure he's their choice? Who else could be a factor in this race? And what will the participation of independents in the primary tell us about how the state is trending in the general election? We discuss it all with Scott Spradling, former news anchor and political director at WMUR-TV in New Hampshire. |
| Barney Bids Farewell |
| Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:03:01 EST On Monday, longtime Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank stunned many people in both parties by announcing he will not seek a 17th House term in 2012. With such a vocal and controversial track record, what will be Frank's legacy? Do Republicans believe that Congressional redistricting is the real reason for this retirement? Does a competitive GOP run against Frank in 2010 mean this seat is in play? And what does Frank's retirement tell us about Democratic hopes of winning back a House majority next year? We discuss it all with Paul Lindsay, communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee. |
| CIA Operatives Compromised |
| Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:54:51 EST Earlier this week, we learned that Hezbollah had identified and captured a number of U.S. intelligence agents in Lebanon and Iran and that the American government was working feverishly to protect other agents who have not yet been discovered. So how big of a blow is this to America's intelligence operations in the Middle East? How do agents protect themselves if one of their colleagues is arrested? What horrors will these operatives face at the hands of their captors? What lengths will be used to get them to divulge critical information? And what does this tell us about the reach and sophistication of Iran and Hezbollah? We ask Reza Khalili,a former CIA agent who infiltrated the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. |
| Lessons of the Super Committee |
| Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:49:09 EST As the two parties blame one another for the lack of any agreement or even much progress on deficit reduction, Iowa Rep. Steve King says this was to be expected. King says neither Democrats nor even many Republicans are ready to make the tough but necessary choices to get the debt under control. Why does he say a deal by the super committee would have accomplished next to nothing? What debt reduction plan did he support? And why does he believe the House GOP leadership should have offered a much tougher balanced budget amendment than was voted on last week? We discuss it all with Rep. King. |
| Military Braces for Massive Cuts |
| Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:42:45 EST As the super committee failed to find agreement on how to reduce deficits over the next 10 years, automatic cuts will be triggered for defense and some domestic spending in 2013. How much would be cut for defense - even after almost half a billion dollars were already cut earlier this year? What would another $600 billion in cuts mean? Why could it threaten a return to the draft? What would it mean in numbers of troops, ships and planes? And what can be done to prevent our national security from being the greatest casualty of excessive spending and political gridlock? We ask retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis, who is now a senior strategist for the U.S. Army. |
| Operation Christmas Child |
| Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:37:46 EST For nearly 20 years, Samaritan's Purse has annually provided millions of Christmas gifts to the poorest children in the world - and all in a shoebox. So what is the purpose of Operation Christmas Child? What should you include in your shoebox? How can you fill your shoebox online? What is it like to witness a child with no means and little hope receive such a gift? And how can you be part of this effort? We discuss it all with Randy Riddle, U.S. Director of Operation Christmas Child. |
| Bipartisan Group Pushes Debt Deal |
| Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:09:18 EST With just 48 hours remaining before the super committee deadline for reducing $1.2 trillion, a bipartisan coalition of former Congressmen are urging all Americans to get educated on our debt crisis and pressing members to find common ground. So what common ground can be found between a party that sees spending cuts as the solution and one that sees more tax revenue as the answer? What could end up being common ground for a deal? And does recent history prove or not prove that Republicans can trust Democrats to actually cut spending in exchange for tax hikes? We ask former Texas Rep. Steve Bartlett, co-chair of the Coalition for a Fiscally Sound America. |
| More Energy, Better Infrastructure |
| Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:30:06 EST Last week, America's official national debt passed $15 trillion. This week, it appears unlikely that the vaunted super committee will reach any agreement to reduce our nation's debt. What details might produce an agreement? Ohio Rep. Steve Stivers explains what concessions he would make in exchange for significant spending cuts. Rep. Stivers also lays out his new legislation that would pay for many of the nation's needed infrastructure upgrades through a significant expansion in domestic energy exploration. |
| House Dems Sink Budget Amendment |
| Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:18:49 EST On Friday, the House of Representatives failed to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment by a two-thirds majority. Why do Republicans see this as vital if our debt is ever to be controlled? What argument did Democrats offer in response? Where does the fight go from here? Should the public have any confidence that Congress can fix the debt mess when the super committee can't even figure out to slow down the increase in spending? We discuss it all with Minnesota Rep. Eric Paulsen. |
| Berlusconi Amore |
| Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:41:44 EST Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resigned recently after a no-confidence vote by lawmakers. Italy is currently on the brink of a major financial crisis, but the Capitol Steps see his legacy as something far different. |
| Chu Fails to Sway GOP on Solyndra |
| Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:18:39 EST On Thursday, Energy Secretary Steven Chu testified about the failure of solar-panel maker Solyndra. Chu says the loan guarantee program had rigorous oversight, that no one above him was calling the shots and that American taxpayers will not recover most of the $535 million that the government sent to Solyndra before it went bankrupt. So how satisfied are Republicans with those answers? Why do they think it goes well beyond Sec. Chu? And where does the investigation go from here? We discuss it all with Georgia Rep. Phil Gingrey, a member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations who questioned Sec. Chu. |
| Budget Simplicity |
| Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:25:43 EST On Friday, the House of Representatives will vote on a proposed Balanced Budget Amendment. The bill is identical to the one that nearly cleared Congress in 1995. It simply says expenditures must not exceed revenues. Is short and sweet the best approach? How has this strategy fared at the state level? We ask Florida Rep. Daniel Webster, who also explains why he does not want to attach special rules to the amendment that would limit spending to a percentage of GDP and require a supermajority to enact tax increases. |
| Fannie & Freddie Back for More |
| Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:46:40 EST Government-backed mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are once again asking for billions in taxpayer bailouts - and they're going to get it. How did President Obama arrange for these agencies to get unlimited bailouts through 2012? What would happen if they didn't get the money? Can Congress do anything to stop the bailouts or even slow them down? We discuss it all with Louisiana Sen. David Vitter. Sen. Vitter also explains why he is deeply disappointed in President Obama's plan for very limited energy exploration through 2017 and in the president's delay in bringing Canada's Keystone Pipeline to the U.S. |
| Secretary Chu and Solyndra |
| Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:06:14 EST Members of Congress will look for many more answers into the financial implosion of Solyndra when Energy Secretary Steven Chu testifies on Thursday. What does Secretary Chu need to clarify? Was this just an investment that happened to go bad? Has there been any explanation to date for how taxpayers dollars go put on the back burner once Solyndra collapsed? We ask Virginia Rep. Morgan Griffith, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which will hear from Chu on Thursday. |
| House Panel Repeals CLASS Act |
| Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:34:59 EST On Tuesday, the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health voted along party lines to repeal the CLASS Act - a long-term insurance program that even the Obama administration admits is fiscally unsustainable and will not enact. So why did this program implode before it even started? Why are Democrats still defending it? What changes need to be made to long-term insurance? And what does scrapping CLASS do to the bottom line of Obamacare? We discuss it all with Texas Rep. Michael Burgess, a member of the subcommittee. |
| High Stakes at the Supreme Court |
| Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:39:19 EST On Monday, the Supreme Court announced it would hear oral arguments on several aspects of the new health care laws early next year. Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert says the individual mandate for everyone to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional. he says if the mandate is upheld, the government will soon be able to dictate what we eat, how much we eat and how much we must exercise. He reacts to the argument that the case shouldn't be heard until someone is impacted by the mandate and he explains why Justice Elena Kagan should recuse herself from this case and may even warrant removal from the Court. |
| Supremes to Rule on Obamacare |
| Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:23:42 EST On Monday, the Supreme Court announced it would hear arguments on whether the individual mandate in the president's health care plan is constitutional. It will also hear an unprecedented five and a half hours of arguments. Georgia Rep. Tom Price tells us why he believes the court will overturn the mandate and possibly the entire law. Why does Price call health care bureaucrats 'reckless' for continuing to implement countless new rules while the health care law is litigated throughout the nation? And what are Republicans ready to do to address health care concerns if the mandate and the rest of the law get struck down by the court? We discuss it all with Rep. Price. |
| When the Government Attacks |
| Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:12:38 EST In August, government agents raided the Gibson Guitar Corporation on the premise that it was illegally using wood from India. The Feds said they were enforcing Indian law, but India said Gibson was doing nothing wrong. So what happened? Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz says the government reinterprets the laws of other nations and then enforces that different interpretation. He says that leaves business owners trying to comply with multiple versions of thousands of laws - and that's how a lobster merchant ended up in prison for eight years for packaging his product in cardboard. How bewildering is all this for business? And why is Juszkiewicz aligning himself with the Right on Crime initiative? |
| Balanced Budget Fight Nears |
| Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:27:24 EST As part of the recent debt ceiling agreement, lawmakers agreed that if one chamber approved a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution the other chamber would vote on that same plan. Next week, House Republicans will bring forth their proposed amendment - the very same amendment that passed the House but fell one vote short in the Senate back in 1995. So what does this version of the amendment prescribe? Should conservatives be worried that spending is not tied to a percentage of the economy? Can this pass? We ask Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte, who is leading the push for the amendment in the House. |
| Honoring Our Veterans |
| Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:40:48 EST Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell represents southeastern Virginia, one of the heaviest concentrations of military veterans in the country. How does he describe a district so rich in military involvement and appreciation? What have he and other generations of his family gained through their time in uniform? And what does he see as the role of Congress in supporting our active duty forces and veterans? We discuss it all with Rep. Scott Rigell. |
| Jobs for Vets |
| Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:02:56 EST Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General James "Spider" Marks served this nation in uniform as an Army Ranger for 30 years. On this Veterans Day, why does he say joining the service was the best decision he ever made? What are his thoughts on the current generation of service members that he had the opportunity to command? We ask Gen. Marks, who also tells us about the Call of Duty Endowment - which is designed to help returning war veterans find the job training and placement they need in a tough economy. |
| The Grinch Slinks Away |
| Wed, 9 Nov 2011 16:11:42 EST The Obama administration was poised to impose a 15-cent tax on every Christmas tree sold by vendors selling more than 500 trees. But immediate uproar forced the administration to scrap the plan. David Addington of the Heritage Foundation discovered the proposed tax and revealed it this morning. How did he learn about this planned tax? What was the supposed purpose of the money to be collected? How credible is the administration claim that the public would not actually face this tax? We discuss it all with Mr. Addington, who formerly served as chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney. |
| Politics Over Policy |
| Wed, 9 Nov 2011 15:25:14 EST The House Energy and Commerce Committee continues to investigate the implosion of solar panel-maker Solyndra despite over half a billion dollars in guaranteed taxpayer loans. And now the Obama administration is refusing to submit some of the documents requested by the committee. We get reaction from Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy, a member of the committee. Cassidy explains why the missing documents are important, whether Solyndra is the tip of the iceberg in bad government loans and what he makes of President Obama's position that some investments pan out and this one didn't. |
| Another Obamacare Court Win |
| Tue, 8 Nov 2011 16:30:23 EST On Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled 2-1 that the mandate for all individuals to purchase health insurance is not unconstitutional. The suit was filed by the American Center for Law and Justice. ACLJ attorney Ed White tells us how his organization got involved in the fight and why today's decision ought to terrify all Americans. |
| End of the Iranian Nuke Charade |
| Tue, 8 Nov 2011 14:58:41 EST The latest International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran's nuclear program is expected to reveal activities that can no longer be plausibly explained as part of a peaceful domestic energy program. So what is this evidence? How close is Iran to deploying a nuke? Is Israel about to launch a preemptive strike? Would an airstrike really cripple or set back Iran's program? We discuss it all with former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton. |
| Did Obama Advocate Perjury? |
| Mon, 7 Nov 2011 15:45:24 EST A pair of Congressional committees have recently been frustrated by a lack of cooperation from the Obama administration on subpoenaed documents. They are not alone. According to Pajamas Media, the Obama administration has been very slow to respond to Freedom of Information requests. Until the past few days, the administration was pursuing a new rule that would give federal workers the right to lie to those seeking government documentation by simply claiming the papers do not exist. So why would the administration even consider such a policy? Has the lack of cooperation increased since Republicans took control of the House? What is the expected response to a Freedom of Information request? Is this president much different than his predecessors on this front? And will the problem be lessened by the administration backing away from this proposed rule? We discuss it all with Patrick Richardson of Pajamas Media. |
| Not Good Enough |
| Fri, 4 Nov 2011 15:52:03 EST On Friday, we learned that a net of 80,000 jobs were created in October and the overall unemployment rate ticked sown to 9.0 percent. While both are headed slightly in the right direction, Texas Rep. Kevin Brady says there is no reason to cheer. As the top Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, Brady quizzed the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics about these numbers. Are we growing jobs at a rate that will get us to pre-recession unemployment levels? Why does he consider this proof the Obama economy is a failure? What facts did he learn with respect to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's claim that the private sector is doing fine and it's the public sector that is suffering? Why won't Brady back the Obama jobs agenda and what are Republicans pushing instead? We discuss it all with Rep. Kevin Brady. |
| McCalister Makes His Case |
| Fri, 4 Nov 2011 15:45:35 EST The 2012 Florida U.S. Senate race will be one of the most closely watched in the nation. Four Republicans are running for the chance to unseat Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. After interviewing Adam Hasner and George LeMieux, we now visit with Col. Mike McCalister. The longtime U.S. Army officer tells us why he's running, why his military experience would be a plus in jump-starting the economy, where he stands on critical issues and why he believes he's the best choice for conservative voters. Listen here for our full conversation with Col. McCalister. |
| Super Congress Debt Committee |
| Fri, 4 Nov 2011 15:32:30 EST With less than three weeks before the vaunted Super Committee has to agree upon a deal to reduce the debt by $1.2 trillion, the two parties still seem far apart. Not to worry, the Capitol Steps are here to add some levity to our fiscal crisis. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| The $4 Trillion Club |
| Thu, 3 Nov 2011 16:18:32 EST The recent debt ceiling deal mandated that a bipartisan super committee must find another $1.2 trillion in debt reduction by November 23. But as committee members struggle to find common ground on that goal, a bipartisan group of House members is asking the committee to reduce the debt by four trillion dollars. Why is that an important figure? Is there any bipartisan consensus on how to do this? What are Republicans ready to do on taxes and entitlements to get a deal done? And what happens if no deal is done and defense spending gets gashed by $800 billion? We discuss it all with Florida Rep. Tom Rooney, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. |
| Israel Will Strike Iran Soon |
| Thu, 3 Nov 2011 16:11:23 EST Israeli leaders have very openly discussed a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities as Iran moves closer to developing a nuclear weapon. Why is the Israeli government so open about these plans? Will all this talk damage the effectiveness of any future attacks? How would the rest of the Middle East respond? And why could an Israeli strike mean great things for President Obama's political fortunes? We discuss it all with Dr. Mike Evans, longtime Middle East expert and personal friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. |
| Marriage Fight Heads to Senate |
| Wed, 2 Nov 2011 16:03:39 EST The Senate Judiciary Committee is poised to consider a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage for the federal government as the union of one man and one woman. It also codifies that no state will be forced to accept gay marriage or any other definition of marriage that conflicts with its own statutes. So why are Senate Democrats doing this? Are Democrats being honest when they say repeal will only impact those states where gay marriage is already legal? Does this effort matter since the law has virtually no chance of being overturned in the House? We discuss all this and much more as we visit with Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs at Liberty Counsel. |
| Solyndra Just Tip of the Iceberg |
| Wed, 2 Nov 2011 15:08:28 EST Earlier this year, we learned that $535 million in taxpayer-funded energy loans were not enough to keep solar panel-maker Solyndra afloat. In just the past few days, we've learned of three more firms meeting similar fates and discovered evidence of general fraud in the loan program. What do these multiple examples of wasted money tell us? Is the administration just guilty of making poor investments or did it deliberately spend money on failing firms because they fit an ideological agenda? What answers do lawmakers want from Energy Secretary Steven Chu when he testifies later this month? We discuss it all with Colorado. Rep. Cory Gardner, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and it's investigations subcommittee. |
| 'That is Totally Phony' |
| Tue, 1 Nov 2011 15:40:30 EST President Obama has issued a number of new executive orders on issues ranging from student loans to mortgage refinancing to prescription drugs. His argument has been that he must act because Congress refuses to work with him. That's ridiculous according to Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Pitts. Pitts is chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health. He says Obama already had the authority to act and is now trumpeting an order that is completely meaningless. Pitts also says the administration has dragged its feet in cooperating with his subcommittee and this whole sequence is charged with politics. We discuss it all with Rep. Joe Pitts. |
| Obamacare Discourages Marriage |
| Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:43:27 EST Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Manhattan Institute is also a former chief economist for the Department of Labor. She says further scrutiny of the new health care laws show they provide a disincentive for marriage and work. What are the two ways that Obamacare discourages marriage? Why might it convince well-educated people to stop working? And why could Obamacare leave stay-at-home moms and children in a medical no-man's land? |
| Small Fixes Won't Cut It |
| Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:38:02 EST President Obama introduced three initiatives this week that he plans to enact without consent from Congress - tax credits for hiring returning veterans, easier mortgage refinancing and breaks for repaying student loans. So are these concrete ways to inject a bit of life into the economy? Why are Republicans unimpressed? Would these ideas even help in the short term? To what extent are these plans just a means of attracting the demographic groups Obama thinks he needs to win next year? We discuss it all with Indiana Rep. Marlin Stutzman. |
| Start to Love Cain |
| Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:33:34 EST Over the past few weeks, businessman Herman Cain has surged to the front of the Republican presidential field. The Capitol Steps have some fun as they get to know the former pizza executive. Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| Bolton Talks Iraq, Libya |
| Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:16:34 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says President Obama always wanted American troops out of Iraq as soon as possible and likely made no genuine effort to reach a Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqis. He also explains how Iraq is likely to deteriorate quickly despite many years of American blood and treasure spent to secure it. Bolton also details why quick elections are a bad idea throughout North Africa because the most radical elements are usually the best organized. He also tells us what U.S. policy should be in order to influence the most stable possible outcome. And we ask Amb. Bolton whether the "Arab Spring" has been a good thing or a bad thing overall. |
| House Kills Contractor Tax |
| Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:49:01 EST On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to repeal a three percent withholding tax aimed at contractors doing business with the government. Passed several years ago, the tax is currently scheduled to kick in at the start of 2013. What impact would this additional tax have on contractors and job creation? How do Republicans explain this tax being adopted when Congress was under GOP control? What else do Republicans want to see the Senate consider that has passed the House? We discuss it all with Colorado Rep. Scott Tipton, a member of the House Small Business Committee and a longtime small business owner. |
| Forbes Lauds Perry Flat Tax |
| Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:01:03 EST on Tuesday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry unveiled his 20-20 tax plan, which would scrap the existing tax code and install a flat 20 percent income tax rate. It also calls for a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent. Perry's plan has won rave reviews from two-time presidential candidate and Forbes magazine publisher Steve Forbes. Why does he prefer the Perry plan to all the others coming from the GOP hopefuls? Why is he nervous about Herman Cain's call for a national sales tax? What does he think of Mitt Romney's 59-point plan? And what other reasons does he have for backing Gov. Perry. We discuss all these questions with Steve Forbes. |
| Biden's Bogus Crime Numbers |
| Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:33:38 EST For weeks, Vice President Joe Biden has claimed that budget cuts have forced cities to reduce the size of their police force. He says the Obama jobs bill would put more officers on the streets and rape and murder would increase if the plan is defeated. But what do the real statistics show? Is there a connection between crime rates and the number of police on the job? And should the federal government be in the business of hiring local cops? We ask Jim Kouri, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. |
| 'The Constitution Should Matter' |
| Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:02:27 EST Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert is frustrated by what he sees as unconstitutional actions by President Obama and Congressional Democrats. Why does he say the Senate jobs bill would have been nothing but show even if it passed? What does he think of Obama acting unilaterally on mortgage and student loan policies? If this is unconstitutional, what if anything is Congress ready to do to put some checks on the president? We discuss it all with Rep. Gohmert. |
| Perry vs. Cain Tax Plans |
| Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:22:22 EST On Tuesday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry unveiled his 20-20 plan. It's a flat tax rate of 20 percent on income and he would lower corporate tax rates to 20 percent as well. Many other taxes would be eliminated. What should we make of the Perry plan? Is a flat tax the right way to go? What about Herman Cain's Fair Tax approach? Is a national sales tax a good idea? And how should America respond to President Obama's continued push for his economic plan - including higher tax rates for the wealthy? We ask Brian Wesbury, former chief economist for the Joint Economic Committee in Congress. He is now chief economist at First Trust Advisers in Illinois. |
| Rise of the Islamic Radicals |
| Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:58:02 EST The Arab Spring started in Tunisia and most recently led to the death of a dictator in Libya. For the most part, our media have described these movements as driven by those yearning for freedom - not unlike the fall of the Iron Curtain. But now Libya's new rulers are imposing radical Sharia law, Egypt is already killing religious minorities and the incoming leaders of Tunisia are the equivalent of the Muslim Brotherhood. Should we be OK with this trend if it's what the people want or has the United States just facilitated the radicalizing of an already unstable region? Will these new regimes be supporting terrorism? And what should we expect in Syria - where the existing government seems to be increasingly vulnerable? We discuss it all with Brigitte Gabriel, founder of Act for America and author of "They Must Be Stopped: Why We Must Defeat Radical Islam and How We Can Do It". |
| Iran Poised for U.S. to Leave Iraq |
| Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:09:10 EST On Friday, President Obama announced that all U.S. forces would be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of the year. Even limited forces left to train Iraqi troops are on their way home. So is this a good decision? What will happen in Iraq without a considerable U.S. force there? What presence should we maintain in the region? Why could this lead to greater Iranian influence in Iraq and the region? And does President Obama have a coherent Middle East policy? We ask retired U.S. Army General Paul Vallely. |
| Obama's 'Reckless' Health Plan |
| Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:24:11 EST New York Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle is pleased to see the Obama administration admit the CLASS program from the new health care laws is financially unsustainable. She says CLASS was supposed to make Obamacare cost effective for taxpayers so a new evaluation of the entire law will likely show a much more bleak fiscal picture. Buerkle says her constituents are still fired up about the health care debate because business owners are making plans to stop offering health coverage to their workers. Rep. Buerkle is also a member of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee and offers an update on the panel's Fast and Furious investigation. |
| No Capitol Steps Tears for Gaddafi |
| Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:16:49 EST Thursday's killing of longtime Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi brought back memories for the Capitol Steps of how certain members of the Hussein family met a quick and painful demise in Iraq eight years ago. Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| Killing Gaddafi |
| Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:19:28 EST On Thursday, we learned that longtime Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi was captured and killed. How significant is the death of the man who sponsored the killings of scores of Americans? Why might Gaddafi be considered mild compared to what takes his place? Is this the end or just the beginning of the fighting in Libya? We ask retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Tom McInerney, an expert on Libya and Gaddafi. |
| 'Shameful' and 'Out of Touch' |
| Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:10:39 EST Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the private sector is doing just fine in creating jobs but the public sector needs a lot of help. Vice President Joe Biden contends rape and murder rates will rise unless more cities can add police officers. These are the latest arguments in favor of passing the president's jobs agenda. We get reaction from Tennessee Rep. Diane Black and get her ideas for further job creation. |
| Cheney Talks Campaigns, Spending |
| Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:43:02 EST In the second half of our interview with former Vice President Dick Cheney, Mr. Cheney explains how George W. Bush convinced Cheney to join the ticket and how the administration hit the ground running despite an historic election cliffhanger. And he responds to conservative criticism that the Bush administration failed to curb spending or the size of government. |
| Dick Cheney Talks War on Terror |
| Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:56:37 EST Former Vice President Dick Cheney joins us to discuss his new book "In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir". In the first half of our conversation, Cheney explains how the national security mindset and policies of the Bush administration changed quickly after 9-11. He also explains why Iraq was discussed in the wake of 9-11 and what the real story is regarding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Cheney also slams the Valerie Plame investigation as a political charade, Richard Armitage for not publicly admitting he was the one who revealed Plame's name and Colin Powell for keeping quiet while the investigation targeted other people. |
| Regulatory Reform = Good Economics |
| Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:03:22 EST President Obama is now trying to secure passage of his jobs bill piece by piece. Will any of it find approval in the Republican-led House of Representatives? Why does South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy say he's not swayed by Obama's emotional push for money to hire new teachers and first responders? Why does Rep. Gowdy believe regulatory reform will be far more helpful for job creators? How does he respond to Obama's contention that the GOP jobs plan amounts to a push for dirtier air and water and fewer people with health coverage? And why does Gowdy compare Obama's jobs plan to a Brittany Spears outfit? Listen here for the full conversation. |
| Demographic Winter |
| Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:23:19 EST In the third part of our conversation, former presidential candidate, White House aide and author Pat Buchanan discusses the controversial issue of American demographics and why he believes the plummeting birth rate among white Americans is also contributing to the decline of America. Why does the demographic breakdown matter? Why is immigration now different than immigration of generations ago? And is there anything that can be done about it anyway? We discuss it with Buchanan, author of "Suicide of a Superpower". |
| The Death of Christian America |
| Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:17:39 EST In this second installment of our interview with "Suicide of A Superpower" author Pat Buchanan, the three-time presidential candidate explains why he believes America's distancing from God over the past 50 years has resulted in the chaos we see within the American family and will eventually lead to the disintegration of the America has has existed since its Founding. Buchanan discusses what the impact will be of further erosion of our Christian moorings, why secularists despise Christianity but are quite tolerant of Islam and what if anything can be done to reverse the trend. Buchanan also explains the difference between freedom and equality and how the two concepts are very different. |
| Suicide of A Superpower |
| Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:13:06 EST Can America as we've always known it survive until 2025? That the question posited by former presidential candidate, White House aide and columnist Pat Buchanan in his new book "Suicide of A Superpower". In the first of three parts of our interview, Buchanan explains why the next 14 years will be pivotal, how we've shifted from a nation of 'makers' to a nation of 'takers', what it will take to get America out of our current fiscal mess and whether anyone in Washington has the will to deal with the crisis head-on. |
| Obamacare Lacks CLASS |
| Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:50:04 EST On Friday, the Obama administration announced it was shelving the long-term insurance component of Obamacare known as CLASS because it is fiscally unsustainable. How important is this development? What will removing the CLASS program mean for the overall financial footing of Obamacare? And what else could happen before the Supreme Court rules on the individual mandate? We discuss it all with Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute. |
| Prisoner Exchange the Right Call |
| Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:10:57 EST While many Americans may be stunned to learn Israel agreed to release more than 1,000 imprisoned Palestinian militants in exchange for one captured soldier, the overwhelming majority of Israelis support the decision. Why? Why do they believe releasing terrorists is worth the return of one man? What cultural attitudes about the military impact that attitude? We ask retired Israeli Brigadier Gen. Elihu Ben-Onn, who also hopes this episode might even foster further constructive negotiations between Israel and Hamas. |
| The Biggest Regulation Fight Yet |
| Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:20:51 EST House Republicans continued their efforts to repeal what they consider job-killing regulations this week. And one debate may well be the biggest regulation fight to date. Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert says a new clean air rule would essentially wipe out the coal industry, which generates the majority of the nation's electricity. What would that mean for America's energy consumers and American businesses? Will the Senate of President Obama go along with the repeal? We discuss it all with Rep. Gohmert, who also offers his assessment of the Occupy Wall Street movement. |
| Free Trade and Bribes |
| Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:12:50 EST Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert praises the House for approving three free trade agreements. But he blasts President Obama for waiting so long to submit them and Congressional Democrats for demanding Trade Agreement Assistance funds - or what Gohmert calls bribe money for union bosses to stay quiet as the trade deals were passed. Listen here for the full trade dicussion with Rep. Louie Gohmert. |
| Heads Must Roll |
| Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:05:47 EST House Republicans have now subpoenaed Attorney General Eric Holder to appear before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee over Operation Fast and Furious. They also want many new documents for review in trying to determine why and how the government decided to allow American guns to wind up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels - guns later used to kill several people including a U.S. Border Patrol officer. What do Republicans specifically want to know? What does Attorney General Eric Holder need to clear up regarding his previous denials in this case? And what does this say about the Obama administration's handling of border security? We discuss it all with Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole. |
| Subprime Mortgage Holders |
| Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:01:36 EST With protesters refusing to leave Wall Street even though many aren't sure why they're there, The Capitol Steps bring back a recent parody to remind us all about one of the biggest reasons for our economic woes. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| The Protect Life Act |
| Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:31:44 EST Louisiana Rep. John Fleming explains why The Protect Life Act is necessary to prevent taxpayer dollars from paying for abortions. Fleming, who is also a physician, discusses how the president's health care left the door open to taxpayer-funded abortions and how this legislation would close that door. He also reacts to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggesting women would die on the floor of their health care providers if the bill passed. |
| GOP Passes Hundreds of Jobs Bills |
| Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:22:18 EST President Obama and Congressional Democrats are slamming Republicans for opposing the president's jobs plan and for allegedly offering no alternatives of their own. But what are the facts? Are Republicans the only ones who want nothing to do with the Obama bill or are many Democrats also opposed? Why is the bill unacceptable to Republicans? What have House Republicans passed that the Democratic Senate refuses to consider? We discuss this and much more with North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx. |
| More Trade = More Jobs |
| Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:59:37 EST President Obama and Congressional Republicans have found some common ground on how to stimulate job growth. On Wednesday, House Republicans are approving new free trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. Illinois Rep. Randy Hultgren explains why he believes these deals will be good for American job creation, how it directly impacts the residents of his district and whether there are any other areas where the GOP and President Obama can find common ground. |
| Florida and the Four Freedoms |
| Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:49:53 EST Florida is expected to be home of one of the closest U.S. Senate races in 2012. Among the Republicans looking to oust Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is former Senator George LeMieux, who served in 2009-2010. What about his record does he see as evidence that he's the best candidate this year? How does he respond to accusations from fellow Republican Adam Hasner that LeMieux is just a Charlie Crist clone? And what is LeMieux promising to do to spark job growth in a nation and a state saddled by high unemployment? We discuss it all with George LeMieux. |
| Iran Expands Its Terror Reach |
| Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:08:38 EST On Monday, we learned that the Iranian regime was behind a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. in this country. We also discovered that Iran was looking for help within the Mexican drug cartels to carry out this and future plots against targets in the western hemisphere. So how can we be sure this plot went all the way to the top in Iran? What does this tell us about Iran's confidence right now? And what should be the U.S. response? We ask Alireza Jafarzadeh, former spokesman for the Iranian Parliament in Exile and the man who warned the West about Iran's latest nuclear intentions. |
| Killing Christians in Egypt |
| Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:23:07 EST Over the weekend, dozens of Coptic Christians were killed in the streets of Egypt by elements of the military sympathetic to radical Muslims. How did this happen? Will there be persecutions in perpetuity? Does this mean the worst fears of overthrowing President Mubarak have already been realized? What should the Obama administration be doing in response? And how will this impact the upcoming elections? We ask Dr. Walid Phares, Middle East expert and author of "The Coming Revolution". |
| Helping Homeless Vets |
| Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:11:21 EST The problem of homeless veterans is growing once again. Our troops are coming home to a poor economy, some are battling PTSD and other mental health issues and others are struggling with addictions. So what is the Department of Veterans Affairs doing to combat this trend? What can be done to get vets to address their health issues or substance abuse problems? How are families crucial to this effort? And what housing provisions are part of the plan? We discuss it all with Pete Doherty of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Homeless Veteran Initiative Office. |
| Injustice |
| Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:42:38 EST J. Christian Adams served in the voting rights division of the Justice Department and blew the whistle after Attorney General Eric Holder withdrew charges against the New Black Panther Party for intimidating white voters in 2008. Why does Adams say Holder has a 'racialist' agenda? What does that mean and how is it different than racism? What are other examples of the Justice Department not enforcing voting laws? And how does he expect this attitude from the Justice Department to impact the 2012 elections? We discuss it all with J. Christian Adams, author of "Injustice: Exposing the Racial Agenda of the Obama Justice Department". |
| Disingenuous, Deceitful, Shameful |
| Fri, 7 Oct 2011 13:10:55 EST On Friday, the latest jobs report showed the unemployment rate is still 9.1 percent and a net 103,000 jobs were created in September. So is this reason for optimism? Not to Georgia Rep. Tom Price. What does he say is the main reason for the job growth exceeding expectations? How does he respond to President Obama's demands for Congress to pass his jobs bill? What is the Republican approach for stimulating job growth? And how does Rep. Price assess the Occupy Wall Street protesters? We discuss it all with Rep. Tom Price, who is also a member of the House GOP leadership. |
| Boilers and Bad Loans |
| Thu, 6 Oct 2011 15:54:54 EST Virginia Rep. Morgan Griffith is taking aim at regulations on boiler emissions as part of the House GOP effort to remove what it considers burdensome regulations on American businesses. What do the new rules demand? Why does Griffith want them delayed at least 15 months? And will it be passed in the House? Rep. Griffith also reacts to President Obama's claim that investing billions of dollars in 'green energy' is a good plan but there will be some firms that don't work - including Solyndra. |
| The Price of Pesticides |
| Thu, 6 Oct 2011 15:43:46 EST House Republicans are focused on rolling back new government regulations they believe will cost jobs and prevent the creation of new ones. Ohio Rep. Bob Gibbs is sponsoring a bill to postpone new government rules on how farmers, ranchers and anyone else using pesticides must change in order to protect nearby water supplies. What do the regulations demand? What would it cost business owners in time, paperwork, and jobs? Would the rules even result in cleaner water? We ask Gibbs, who also says Democrats who don't see this as a job creation bill are not talking with any small business owners. |
| Steve Jobs: An American Story |
| Thu, 6 Oct 2011 15:34:19 EST On Wednesday, Apple Computer Chairman Steve Jobs died at age 56. He is being hailed as one the greatest innovators in American history and in the same league as Thomas Edison. Guy Sorman of the Manhattan Institute's 'City Journal' says the story of Steve Jobs was only possible in America. Why does he believe that? What is unique about the American marketplace and our institutions that allowed Steve Jobs to be such a success? What did he understand about American consumers that other entrepreneurs did not? And why would it be much tougher for Jobs to start his business today? We discuss it all with Guy Sorman. |
| More Heat on Holder Over Gun Scam |
| Wed, 5 Oct 2011 15:43:01 EST Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar is a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is investigating Operation Fast & Furious. That's the operation that intentionally placed firearms in the hands of Mexican drug cartels. The weapons have been found at numerous murder scenes, including the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent. New documents suggest Attorney General Eric Holder knew far more about the operation than he admitted to Congress in recent testimony. So what does this mean for the investigation? What does it tell us about Holder? How was the operation really about clamping down on gun owners in the U.S.? We discuss it all with Rep. Gosar. |
| Rolling Back Regulations |
| Wed, 5 Oct 2011 15:28:30 EST House Republicans are targeting more new Obama administration regulations that it sees as unnecessarily burdensome of business owners and stifling job creation. Why is there a new rule on cement plant emissions? What impact would it have? Are emissions that bad? How do Republicans react to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson saying it isn't her job to worry about the economic impact of new regulations? Will this legislation actually foster new job creation or just prevent the loss of others? And will this bill get any traction in the Senate? We ask Oklahoma Rep. John Sullivan, vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power. |
| Mullen 'Failed Our Troops' |
| Tue, 4 Oct 2011 14:59:54 EST On Friday, U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Mullen stepped down as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. What were Mullen's most important moments in prosecuting the war on terror? What was his major contribution? How was his approach to the job much more political than any of his predecessors? Why will he be best remembered for his impact on the culture of the military? Why does retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis say Mullen failed our troops? Why was his handling of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" burdensome for commanders and troops? And what does Col. Maginnis expect from Mullen's successor, U.S. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey? |
| Obama's 'Political Gimmick' |
| Mon, 3 Oct 2011 16:28:51 EST Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert joins us as Congress returns to Washington. Gohmert rips the president's jobs bill as nothing more than a political stunt and urges lawmakers to pass his 'American Jobs Act' to lower corporate tax rates. He also urges his House GOP leadership to get going on appropriations bills - even if Senate Democrats will never approve them. But Gohmert aims his strongest criticism for House GOP leaders who agreed to let massive defense cuts be the result if the supercommittee fails to reach a consensus on slashing spending in the years ahead. He accuses the GOP of 'gambling away our national security'. We discuss all these issues with Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert. |
| Obamacare and the Supreme Court |
| Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:04:43 EST This past week, the Obama administration appealed to the Supreme Court to resolve the fight over the constitutionality of the president's health care plan. The biggest issue is the provision mandating that everyone purchase a health plan approved by the government. The Obama team is confident it will win but conservatives are just as confident in their arguments? Indiana Rep. Larry Bucshon was a cardio-thoracic surgeon before winning a seat in Congress last year. He explains why he thinks the law is on his side and against the president, why the plan is stifling job creation across the country and why the 30 million people about to get coverage will not actually get better care. Listen here for our discussion with Rep. Bucshon. |
| Killing Al-Awlaki |
| Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:46:12 EST The American effort to take out top Al Qaeda figures scored another major victory on Friday when a drone strike killed Anwar Al-Awlaki, the leader of the terror network's efforts in the Arabian peninsula. How significant is this killing? Will it be a major disruption to terrorist operations or will someone else fill his shoes pretty easily? Was the killing justified or should Al-Awlaki have been arrested because he is an American citizen? And is his role in inspiring the Ft. Hood shooter being minimized for political reasons? We discuss it all with Catherine Herridge, national correspondent for the FOX News Channel. |
| Midnight Raid to Georgia |
| Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:42:28 EST While most political watchers are focused on the 2012 presidential race here in the U.S., the Capitol Steps are looking at the imminent return to the Russian presidency by Vladimir Putin. And they roll out a recent classic to observe the occasion. |
| Pastor Faces Iranian Execution |
| Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:15:50 EST Yousef Nadarkhani is the Christian pastor of a house church in Iran. He could face execution at any moment for converting to Christianity and refusing to recant. So why does Pastor Yousef face death for his Christian faith? What triggered the charges of apostasy against him? How are Iranian officials responding to Pastor Yousef's claim that he was never a practicing Muslim in the first place? We ask Rev. Paul Estabrooks of Open Doors USA, which assists Christians persecuted around the world. |
| Inside the Solyndra Scandal |
| Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:42:56 EST Florida Rep. Cliff Stearns is chairman of the House subcommittee investigating the $535 million in taxpayer money that the Obama administration granted to solar panel maker Solyndra - despite repeated warnings that the company was doomed to fail. So what has the panel learned? What questions still need to be answered? Are there more green energy firms headed for the same fate? And is there evidence of a political quid pro quo here? We discuss it all with Chairman Stearns. |
| Stearns Probes Planned Parenthood |
| Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:13:29 EST Florida Rep. Cliff Stearns chairs the House subcommittee investigating Planned Parenthood's use of taxpayer dollars. Are they being used to fund abortions? Are recent undercover videos accurate when they depict Planned Parenthood workers advising supposed pimps on how to keep abortions for underage prostitutes under wraps? How does Stearns plan to get to the bottom of these issues? We discuss it all with Florida Rep Cliff Stearns. |
| Taxpayers in the Back Seat |
| Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:40:43 EST Virginia Rep. Morgan Griffith reacts to the Solyndra officials refusing to testify before Congress last week. What does their refusal to testify suggest to him? Have there been any good answers on why taxpayer money kept flowing to Solyndra even after it was the clear the company would fail? Will the key answers come from Solyndra executives or from Obama administration officials? And important is the probe into why the private donors to Solyndra got priority in being paid back over U.S. taxpayers? We discuss it all with Rep. Griffith, a member of the House subcommittee investigating the controversy. |
| It's Time for Congress to Grow Up |
| Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:26:15 EST A dispute between parties over whether to offset additional disaster aid funding with cuts in other areas triggered another showdown in recent days on Capitol Hill. It turns out FEMA was able to find enough money to get through the month, but what did this latest debate show us? Why did Republicans insist on cuts elsewhere in exchange for more disaster recovery assistance? What was the Democratic response to GOP calls to pay for the extra disaster aid? How might the Democrats be compared to a teenager? We discuss it all with Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold, who also urges his own party to get moving on appropriations bills or else risk losing the moral high ground with Democrats on fiscal responsibility. |
| Obama's Problem with Black Voters |
| Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:16:28 EST On Saturday, President Obama told the Congressional Black Caucus to stop complaining and put on their marching shoes for him and his agenda. But how frustrated are black Americans with Obama and the results to date of his agenda? How are many of them reacting to his demand that they stop complaining? Why did such language get such a positive response from the very people he was scolding? And are black voters really ready to look for another candidate or sit out the 2012 campaign? We talk with Deneen Borelli, a fellow with the Project 21 Black Leadership Council. |
| What's Really Fair on Taxes? |
| Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:15:26 EST President Obama says it's time for the rich to pay their fair share in taxes. So, what percentage of income is earned by those targeted in the Obama plan, and how does that compare to the percentage they pay in taxes? What exactly does Obama mean by a "Buffett Tax" and how much would it be? Why will Americans see higher investment and Medicare taxes even if the Obama plan fails? What other taxes does the Obama plan include that could make an upcoming flight very uncomfortable for you? And will any of this make a serious dent in our national debt? We discuss it all with Peter Sepp, executive vice president of the National Taxpayers Union. |
| No Palestinian State |
| Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:55:57 EST South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson says the Obama administration would be wise to veto any resolution trying to advance Palestinian statehood. But Wilson also believes Obama missed a golden opportunity at the United Nations to condemn Iran's terrorist activities and nuclear weapons program. Why is Wilson strongly opposed to Palestinian statehood? Does a peace process even exist right now? What should be our policy toward Israel? And what does Wilson wish Obama would have said about Iran and Syria? We discuss it all with Rep. Joe Wilson. |
| Roemer's Roadmap in 2012 |
| Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:44:31 EST Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer is now the only major Republican presidential candidate to be excluded from the televised GOP debates. What does he make of the networks continuing to ignore him? How are actual voters responding to his message? And how would he have answered some of the most important questions from Thursday's debate? We discuss it all with Buddy Roemer, a former Louisiana congressman and governor who is now seeking the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. |
| Accustomed to My Facebook |
| Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:39:15 EST Despite an economy in crisis, Middle East tension and an intense presidential campaign, millions of Americans were outraged to learn Facebook had changed several of its features this week. The Capitol Steps try to put the Facebook craze in perspective. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| CLASS Clown |
| Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:28:14 EST In the final weeks of the 2010 health care debate, Democrats added a long-term care provision known as the CLASS program. Democrats pitched the program as reducing the cost of the health care overhaul by $70 billion over 10 years. So why do experts on both sides of the aisle now see the CLASS program as a financial time bomb that will saddle taxpayers with another massive entitlement? If that happens, what will it mean for the care that members of the CLASS program receive? What can Congress do about it? And what parallels are there between the CLASS program and Solyndra in terms of what was promised and what taxpayers actually get? We discuss it all with Texas Rep. Mike Burgess, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. |
| Big Government Killing Jobs |
| Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:16:59 EST Tennessee Rep. Diane Black details the federal government's harassment of Gibson Guitars over the past three years. And why? The company has American workers assemble the wooden parts of their guitars but U.S. law mandates that workers from the country where the wood originated do that work. Why does that law exist? What is being done to change it? Why did House Republicans pass a bill designed to keep the National Labor Relations Board in check? We ask Rep. Diane Black, who also explains why the Obama jobs and tax bills are non-starters in the House and how GOP members are beginning the work of fundamental tax reform. |
| A Dilemma of Obama's Making |
| Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:54:03 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says President Obama's United Nations speech was long on evenhanded rhetoric toward Israel and the Palestinians, but he says Obama is largely responsible for this confrontation over Palestinian statehood. He adds that by not decisively stopping it, Obama is giving unspoken approval to the idea. Bolton also says Obama is giving an overly rosy assessment of the international scene in order to justify ignoring national security concerns in favor of his domestic agenda. We discuss this and much more with Amb. John Bolton. |
| Obama Speech Has No Teeth |
| Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:49:48 EST Last week, Republican Bob Turner shocked the political world by scoring a convincing upset win in New York's strongly Democratic 9th Congressional district. One of the reasons for his success was his condemnation of President Obama's approach towards Israel in his Middle East policy. Today, Rep. Turner explains why he was not impressed with Obama's United Nations speech on the Middle East, what the president should have done to ward off a push for a Palestinian state and what Congress may do if the statehood idea advances. We discuss it all with New York Rep. Bob Turner. |
| The Persuader Rule |
| Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:22:35 EST President Obama and the Democratic Congress failed to pass the bill most favored by organized labor and now the idea known as 'card check' is on indefinite hold as Republicans control the House. In response, the Obama administration is seeking to implement the agenda piece by piece through new regulations. The latest is commonly known as the Persuader Rule. What does the rule mandate? What would be the impact on employers and anyone they consult for anything that could possibly be linked to their workforce? Will this mean more or fewer jobs? We discuss it all with Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Manhattan Institute. She is also a former chief economist for the Department of Labor. |
| 'The Emperor Has No Clothes' |
| Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:58:09 EST On Monday, President Obama made yet another push for the wealthiest Americans to pay much more in taxes to help ease the national debt. But how much of a dent would his plan make? What may be the real purpose of the plan? Why would any revenues gained be more than offset by renewed stifling of job creation? What would give business owners incentive to hire? And on the debt front, how would Republicans get serious and specific about entitlement reform? We discuss it all with Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly, a longtime small business owner. |
| Dire Days for Israel |
| Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:23:22 EST Later this week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will formally request the United Nations to declare the recognition of a Palestinian state. How far will this proposal get? Why would the recognition of a Palestinian state almost certainly trigger a war involving Israel against several Arab states and terrorist organizations? How could President Obama stop this from happening? Why won't he? What would Israel do if this war happens? And what is the latest on the Iranian nuclear threat? We discuss it all with Dr. Mike Evans, adviser to many Israeli leaders and author of books such as "Atomic Iran" and "Jimmy Carter, the Liberal Left and World Chaos". |
| Fixing the Michigan Mess |
| Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:25:38 EST Michigan is one of many states where Democratic senators are considered vulnerable in 2012. After 18 years in the House, former Michigan Rep. Pete Hoekstra is considered the leading GOP contender to take on two-term Democrat Debbie Stabenow. Why is Hoekstra seeking the nomination after initially rejecting efforts to get him into the race? Why does he believe it's time for Sen. Stabenow to go? What economic expertise does he bring to the race and what is his plan to spur job creation in his state and around the nation? And how does Hoekstra respond to accusations from other Republican candidates that he is the establishment candidate and not a true conservative? We discuss these and other questions with Michigan GOP Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra. |
| Hole in the Ozone |
| Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:19:31 EST Republicans want President Obama to ease up on the amount of new regulations his administration is imposing. Last week, Obama did rescind one new rule aimed at smog and ozone levels. The Capitol Steps get comedic reaction from Al Gore. |
| The Real Solyndra Story |
| Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:49:14 EST A couple of weeks ago, solar panel maker Solyndra filed for bankruptcy. The news was significant when considering the federal government passed along $535 million in taxpayer dollars to sustain and encourage these new green jobs. But in addition to failing, Solyndra appears to have been a bad bet from the beginning. What do the financial records show about the government continuing to give money long after it was clear the company was headed for disaster? How did the administration possibly violate the law? How significant are administration memos urging restraint before the federal money was ever granted to Solyndra? And where will the investigation of lawmakers go from here? We ask Virginia Rep. Morgan Griffith, a member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. |
| The Lessons from NY-9 |
| Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:35:51 EST On Tuesday, Republicans claimed a House seat in New York City that Democrats have held since 1923. And it wasn't even close. So how much of a rebuke is this to President Obama and his agenda? What can Obama do to win these voters back if the economy doesn't improve? Republicans aren't very popular either, so how should they react to this news? We discuss it all with Richard Benedetto, former longtime White House Correspondent with USA TODAY. |
| What Job Creators Really Need |
| Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:12:26 EST South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney explains why he cannot support much of anything in the president's jobs bill and what he believes would actually spark job creation. What did blue collar workers in South Carolina tell him is needed to help business owners create more jobs? Why is he strongly opposed to the Obama method of paying for a new jobs program? And what does he expect will happen in the end? We discuss it all with Rep. Mulvaney, chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and the Workforce. |
| Why John Bolton Won't Run |
| Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:13:16 EST For months, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton considered a run for the Republican presidential nomination. Over Labor Day, he decided not to enter the race. Why was he seriously considering it and why did he decide not to run? What foreign policy issues does Bolton want front and center? Which Republican candidates does he find particularly good or bad on those issues? What does he expect to happen next week when there is a push for Palestinian statehood at the United Nations? And how concerned is he about the increasingly radical Islamic government in Turkey? We discuss it all with Amb. John Bolton. |
| Inside the Jobs Bill |
| Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:37:26 EST President Obama is submitting his $447 billion jobs plan to Congress today - to be funded almost entirely by tax hikes on the wealthy and on corporations. Is this a sound funding method? Would his programs build incentive for job creation even if funding wasn't an issue? How much hindrance is really coming from new federal regulations? What aspects of the bill might help our economy? And which parts of the bill might actually pass? We break it down with Bill Beach, director of the Center for Data Analysis at the Heritage Foundation. |
| Refined By Fire - Part 2 |
| Fri, 9 Sep 2011 17:53:51 EST In the second half of our discussion with 9-11 Pentagon survivor Brian Birdwell, he discuss the mindset necessary to endure 39 surgeries and countless skin grafts following his horrific burns. He describes his condition 10 years later and how his faith in Christ was strengthened through the ordeal. |
| Refined By Fire - Part 1 |
| Fri, 9 Sep 2011 17:47:02 EST Texas State Senator Brian Birdwell was U.S. Army Lt. Col. Birdwell on September 11, 2001. He was standing just 20 yards from where American Airlines Flight #77 stuck the west front of the Pentagon. What does he remember about those moments? What was happening in the immediate aftermath of the attacks? How well did he understand the severity of his wounds? We discuss all those questions in the first part of our conversation with Brian Birdwell, co-author of "Refined By Fire". |
| Unmeasured Strength - Part 2 |
| Fri, 9 Sep 2011 17:40:34 EST In the second part of our interview with Lauren Manning, the woman who was burned over much of her body on 9-11 explains how she learned to do simple things like walk and hold a utensil. She also describes her emotional reunion with her very young son, how her worldview has changed and how her husband was indispensable during her recovery. |
| Unmeasured Strength - Part 1 |
| Fri, 9 Sep 2011 17:29:03 EST Lauren Manning was running late for work on the morning of September 11, 2001. She had just stepped into the lobby of 1 World Trade Center when fire engulfed her. What went through her mind as she suddenly faced her likely death? What were the extent of her injuries? How did she learn the full scope of what happened to the nation and so many of her co-workers on 9-11? Find out in the first half of our conversation with Lauren Manning, author of "Unmeasured Strength". |
| Gone But Not Forgotten |
| Fri, 9 Sep 2011 17:14:00 EST On September 11, 2001, Fabrizio Bivona was one of hundreds of first responders to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. He is also the author of "Gone But Not Forgotten". Bivona shares how 9-11 unfolded for him, what it was like to work in the eerie silence of the collapsed towers in a desperate search for his colleagues, why he vowed to make sure his friends were properly remembered and how the selflessness of first responders was on display through September 11th as it is every day. |
| Bin Laden's Legacy |
| Fri, 9 Sep 2011 17:02:55 EST The killing of Osama bin Laden as well as other top-ranking Al Qaeda figures and the drawing down of U.S. forces lead many to believe we are on the verge of winning the war against Islamic extremism. Not so, according to Daveed Gartenstein-Ross of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and author of "Bin Laden's Legacy". Why is the conventional wisdom wrong about where the war stands? How does our economic mess diminish our military effort? How has our homeland security response been more big government rather than effective protection? And what else needs to change for us to succeed in this war? We discuss it all with Daveed Gartenstein-Ross. |
| Best Treatment Yet for PTSD |
| Fri, 9 Sep 2011 16:43:01 EST One of the toughest challenges for many returning soldiers has been battling post-traumatic stress disorder. Strong medication has helped some but has also led to deeper depression and suicide among others. Now a simple CD from Patriot Outreach is making a huge difference. It's entitled "Coping Strategies" and is earning rave reviews from military leaders, psychologists and religious leaders. So what is "Coping Strategies" and how is it so effective? We discuss it all with retired Col. Antonio Monaco, the founder of Patriot Outreach. |
| 'The Worst Thing We Could Do' |
| Fri, 9 Sep 2011 16:22:57 EST Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert attended President Obama's speech on jobs Thursday night but was not impressed. Why does Gohmert believe Obama wasted the time and money of Congress with the speech? Why does he believe Obama was dishonest about what his plan would accomplish and that it was fully funded? What did Gohmert realize about Obama while watching the speech? And why is he alarmed over what Obama sees as the proper relationship between business and government? We discuss it all with Rep. Louie Gohmert. |
| Bush-Cloned Cowboy |
| Fri, 9 Sep 2011 16:12:54 EST Rick Perry hopes to become the second man in recent memory to jump from being governor of Texas to the president. The Capitol Steps tell us Perry has the full support of the man who accomplished that first. |
| Sabato Sizes Up GOP Debate |
| Thu, 8 Sep 2011 17:04:29 EST Eight Republican presidential hopefuls took to the debate stage at the Reagan Library on Wednesday night. How did Rick Perry do in his first national debate? Did Mitt Romney gain back any momentum? Is Michele Bachmann still going strong after her straw poll win in Iowa or is she slipping now? And how important was this debate in the race for the nomination? We discuss it all with Larry Sabato, professor of political science at the University of Virginia. |
| Cuccinelli on Obamacare Ruling |
| Thu, 8 Sep 2011 16:51:48 EST On Thursday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Virginia lacks standing to challenge the new health care laws, even though the state passed legislation protecting its residents from being forced to purchase health insurance. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli strongly disagrees. He explains why he believes the decision on standing was wrong, where the legal fight heads next and why today's ruling has a silver lining. |
| Always the Same |
| Thu, 8 Sep 2011 16:04:08 EST John Gizzi of Human Events critiques the latest Republican presidential debate. Who gets high marks and who lost ground? What does Gizzi expect from President Obama in his jobs speech this evening? He also gauges the impact of the incendiary comments on Monday from Teamsters President James Hoffa and explains why the GOP has a good chance to win the House seat in New York's heavily Democratic district once represented by Chuck Schumer and Anthony Weiner. |
| 'Shopping in the Gimmick Aisle' |
| Wed, 7 Sep 2011 16:19:16 EST President Obama's jobs speech will come less than a week after a Labor Department report showing zero net jobs were created in August. How bad is the job creation environment right now and is there any reason to think it will improve soon? Is President Obama on the right track by pushing for trade deals, payroll tax cut extensions and infrastructure spending in addition to more unemployment benefits and aid to the states? What are the Republican priorities in job creation? We discuss it all with Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, co-chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, which critiques the jobs report each month. |
| Remove All Troops from Iraq |
| Tue, 6 Sep 2011 16:37:24 EST Not long after President Obama rejected the recommendations of Gen. David Petraeus on the pace of troop reductions in Afghanistan, the administration is now frustrating the top military brass in Iraq. Commanders there want to keep 27,000 troops into next year while the Obama administration insists on drawing down to 3,000 troops. How does a decision like that complicate plans for the commanders? What does it say about the national security leadership in the administration? Why does retired U.S. Army Gen. Paul Vallely believe all U.S. troops ought to be removed without announcing it as a withdrawal? What does Vallely see as a more effective strategy and who does he believe to be controlling much of Iraq? We discuss it all with Gen. Vallely. |
| Middle East Sees a Weak President |
| Tue, 6 Sep 2011 16:22:08 EST Arieh Eldad is a member of the Israeli Knesset and is very worried about the so-called "Arab Spring". How far does he believe relations between Israel and Egypt have deteriorated in just a few months? Why does he see unrest in Jordan as a possible solution to the Palestinian statehood issue? Why does he oppose the 'two-state solution' and what does he think about Prime Minister Netanyahu's support of it? And why does Eldad see President Obama as a weak leader who is not at all feared by anyone in the Middle East? We discuss it all Israeli MK Arieh Eldad. |
| The NLRB Strikes Again |
| Fri, 2 Sep 2011 17:24:21 EST Fresh off it's demands for Boeing to scrap plans to hire a thousand workers in the right to work state of South Carolina, the National Labor Relations Board is on a new mission. The panel is now mandating that all employers put up large posters reminding workers of their right to unionize. What is the point of this mandate? What problems will this present for employers? What rights has the NLRB conveniently refused to include on the posters? We discuss it all with Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Manhattan Institute. She wrote about this issue at realclearmarkets.com. |
| Organized Labor vs. Right to Work |
| Fri, 2 Sep 2011 17:19:28 EST 2011 has been a huge year in the battle between organized labor and right to work advocates. What did we really learn in the Wisconsin showdown between unions and the GOP? Why did the National Labor Relations Board intervene in Boeing's plans to create jobs in South Carolina? And does the GOP House majority mean card check is dead or is it alive and well? We discuss all of this with Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, Inc. |
| McCotter Makes His Case |
| Fri, 2 Sep 2011 16:25:18 EST Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter says he is the only presidential candidate in either party with a real plan to spark job creation. So what is his plan and how is it different than what's being advocated by his GOP rivals? What is his reaction to being excluded from Republican debates? How will he get out his message without much media attention? What is he hearing most from voters in Iowa and New Hampshire? And what parts of his message are resonating with voters? We discuss it all with Rep. McCotter. |
| No Certainity = No Jobs |
| Fri, 2 Sep 2011 16:18:54 EST On Friday, the Labor Department reported a net gain of zero jobs in August. The unemployment rate remained at 9.1 percent. So why are new jobs so hard to create. What do business owners want? What should Obama focus upon in his jobs speech? We discuss all these questions with Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Manhattan Institute. She is also the former chief economist at the Department of Labor. |
| Gaddafi and Sheen |
| Fri, 2 Sep 2011 16:14:56 EST Despite his messages of defiance, longtime Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi has essentially lost his grip on power. But as he is isolated by the rest of the world, the Capitol Steps discover Gaddafi finding a connection with another figure with questionable sanity. Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| The Politics of the Jobs Speech |
| Thu, 1 Sep 2011 16:21:24 EST John Gizzi of Human Events gives credit to both President Obama and Speaker Boehner for how they handled the disagreement over when Obama would give his speech on jobs. So who does he blame for the controversy? How did the White House briefing room react to the White House effort to schedule the speech the same night as a GOP presidential debate? What does Gizzi look for in the that debate? And how worried is he about the disturbing developments coming from our 'allies' in Libya? |
| Inside the 'Fast & Furious' Probe |
| Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:45:10 EST On Tuesday, acting ATF Director Kenneth Melson was reassigned to a lower position within the Justice Department. What does this say about the Justice Department's approach to the ongoing controversy over Operation Fast and Furious? Where does the investigation stand? How cooperative has the DOJ been in this probe? How did the botched operation impact Arizona? And what was the real purpose of this gun smuggling scheme? We get some surprising answers from Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. |
| Kicking the Can Down the Road |
| Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:39:51 EST President Obama will address a Joint Session of Congress next week to outline his jobs proposal and pressure to Congress to get on board with his agenda. All of the details are not known, but Obama is already making big pushes for extending payroll tax reductions for workers and investing heavily in infrastructure projects. Will this trigger more job creation? Can Republicans embrace any of this? What is their alternative? We ask Georgia Rep. Phil Gingrey. |
| GOP Ready for Regulations Rumble |
| Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:22:45 EST Over the past week, President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner have sparred over the number of new Obama administration regulations and the impact they would have on businesses. So what regulations would Republicans like to roll back? Why are conservatives especially frustrated with the actions of the Environmental Protection Agency? Why could some of the rules 'devastate' West Virginia? We discuss it all with Georgia Rep. Phil Gingrey, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. |
| The Politics of Obamacare Waivers |
| Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:22:02 EST Since the passage of the president's health care plan, scores of businesses have received waivers from key provisions of the new laws - at least until the program takes full effect in 2014. What answers do Republicans want from the Department of Health and Human Services about the granting of waivers? What suspicions do members of Congress and others have about a process that granted a disproportionately high percentage of waivers to businesses in Rep. Nancy Pelosi's California district? What reasonable explanation might there be for it? Radio America's Lauren Scirocco investigates. |
| Melson on the Move |
| Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:02:57 EST On Tuesday, acting Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Director Kenneth Melson was reassigned to a lower position inside the Department of Justice. How significant is this move to the ongoing Congressional probe into the government's Mexican gun-smuggling operation known as "Fast and Furious"? What are the latest casualties connected to the guns the feds allowed to fall into the hands of violent criminals? Do we have any better idea of what Attorney General Eric Holder knew about this operation? How far along is the House probe led by Rep. Darrell Issa? We discuss these questions with Hans von Spakovsky, a former Justice Department official now with the Heritage Foundation. He also writes for Pajamas Media. |
| The Aftermath of Irene |
| Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:28:15 EST Rep. Walter Jones represents nearly all of North Carolina's Atlantic coast. What was the impact of such a huge storm moving through the state so slowly on Saturday? What kind of damage did he witness today on a helicopter tour of his district? How well have the people in his district come together to help one another? What kind of help is coming in federal aid? And why does Rep. Jones see this hurricane as an argument to end the war in Afghanistan? We discuss it all with North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones. |
| The 'Stigma' of Pedophilia |
| Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:17:11 EST Earlier this month, a small group of psychologists met in Baltimore to discuss the importance of removing the 'stigma' from pedophilia. Why do they think the stigma is misplaced? Why do they think some sexual relationships between adults and children are fine? How large or small is the percentage of psychologists holding this position? And will pedophilia be removed from the list of what psychologists consider mental illnesses? We discuss it all with Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council. |
| GOP Aims to 'HALT' Obama Amnesty |
| Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:35:15 EST Earlier this month, President Obama directed Homeland Security officials to hold off on deportation of illegal immigrants unless they have engaged in violent crime since arriving in the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman LaMar Smith anticipated this move by Obama and introduced legislation to prevent such executive action. What does the HALT Act do? What latitude does the president have on matters of immigration law? Can this bill get through Congress? And how does Chairman Smith react to the administration's argument for implementing what he calls 'backdoor amnesty'? We discuss it all with Rep. Smith. |
| Bracing for Irene |
| Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:28:29 EST North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones represents nearly all of his state's Atlantic coast. How well prepared is the state to absorb the hardest punch this storm has to offer. How much storm surge can the coast handle before major flooding problems arise? What resources are in place? And how long does it usually take for the region to recover from a Category Two hurricane. We discuss it all with Rep. Jones. |
| FEMA |
| Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:18:30 EST It's a rough week for the east coast - an earthquake on Tuesday followed by a hurricane roaring towards most of the Atlantic shore. As Irene becomes the first major storm to threaten the U.S. this year, the Capitol Steps hope FEMA performs better than it did following Katrina. Our guest is impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| We Can Bring America Back |
| Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:07:49 EST Former U.S. Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell says more individual citizens need to get involved with the push to return America to greatness. What can individuals do to exert influence on our political system? How much has the Tea Party accomplished along these lines? Why does O'Donnell see the Tea Party at a crossroads? And will she run for office again? We discuss these and other issues with O'Donnell, who is also author of "Trouble Maker: Let's Do What It Takes to Make America Great Again". |
| Fighting the GOP Establishment |
| Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:49:07 EST In 2010, Christine O'Donnell won a shocking victory in Delaware's Republican U.S. Senate primary by defeating longtime liberal Rep. Mike Castle. She says the campaign was not just against Castle but also a GOP establishment bent on preserving party stability over all else. So how did she win the nomination? How did the establishment try to hamstring her campaign? And how much help was the national party once she was the only Republican on the ballot? We discuss it all with Christine O'Donnell, who is also author of the new book "Trouble Maker: Let's Do What It Takes to Make America Great Again". |
| We Must Cut Spending! |
| Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:14:21 EST On Wednesday, the Congressional Budget Office suggested that our deficits would be huge but slightly smaller in the years ahead. And even the CBO now admits those projections were too optimistic. So what's the solution to all this mounting debt? Indiana Rep. Marlin Stutzman says it's simple...cut spending. How much cutting would need to be done to balance the budget and begin chipping away at our debt? How can that be done when entitlement costs will soon explode in spending on baby boomers? And what kind of fight will we see in Congress over the upcoming appropriations bills? We discuss it all with Rep. Stutzman. |
| Vindication for Mr. Buell |
| Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:15:39 EST Social Studies teacher Jerry Buell is now back in the classroom at Mt. Dora High School in Florida. He was suspended earlier this summer over critical comments on his Facebook page over New York's new gay marriage laws, but has now been reinstated after a legal fight. Why was Buell suspended? Why did the school district reverse itself and bring him back to the classroom? And at what point should one's opinions expressed away from the job impact their employment status? We discuss is all with Harry Mihet, senior litigation counsel at Liberty Counsel. He served as the attorney for Mr. Buell. |
| Economy Goes from Bad to Worse |
| Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:16:49 EST The Congressional Budget Office reports that this year's deficit will be less than expected - just $1.28 trillion. It also claims long-term deficits will likely be lower than earlier suggested and the unemployment rate will very slowly decline over the next year. That would have barely qualified for good news, but why is the reality even worse? Why does the CBO say it's own numbers are too rosy? Why is the outlook so bleak? And what would be better policy for Congress to follow this time around? We ask J.D. Foster of the Heritage Foundation, who also served in the Office of Management and Budget in the George W. Bush administration. |
| Good News! Now What? |
| Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:09:50 EST On Tuesday, Libyan rebels stormed the Gaddafi compound in Tripoli and seem to have forced Moammar Gaddafi to flee. How happy should Americans be that this terrorism-sponsoring figure seems to be out of power? How concerned should we be that Islamic radicals are poised to take power? How should we assess reports that Sharia will be at the heart of the new Libyan constitution? And how much influence can the U.S. have in this process? We discuss it all with retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Tom McInerney, a Fox News Channel military analyst. |
| Earthquake Rattles East Coast |
| Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:38:56 EST Americans from Atlanta to New England to Chicago were surprised by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake. The epicenter was in central Virginia and experts believe it to be the strongest quake on record for the region. Why was this quake bigger? Why was it felt so far away from the epicenter? Does this mean bigger quakes will become more common there? How active are the fault lines in the eastern United States? We discuss it all with Daniel McNamara, seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center. |
| The Lessons of Libya |
| Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:38:21 EST California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher has some choice words for Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi as his rule appears to be ending soon. But he also says this mission is further proof that the U.S. cannot fight every battle - and we certainly can't pay for them all. |
| The Amnesty 'Betrayal' |
| Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:28:57 EST Last week, President Obama went forward with new directives to immigration officials to suspend deportations for all illegal immigrants not connected with violent crime. Why does California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher call this 'an incredible betrayal' of our laws and of legal immigrants? Why does he see this as President Obama's deliberate attempt to change America in a drastic way? What options does Congress have in response? We discuss it all with Rep. Rohrabacher. |
| Free Market Charity |
| Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:13:26 EST For over a decade, Five Talents International has sought to alleviate poverty in some of the poorest nations on earth. But the help does not come through traditional aid. Instead the tools are business training and loans for people to create their own budding businesses. How does it work? What has been accomplished thus far? How does the group keep corrupt governments out of the process? We discuss it all with Craig Cole, executive director of Five Talents International. |
| Bye, Bye Big Bird |
| Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:33:47 EST In recent months, federal funding for PBS and renewed speculation over the sexual orientation of muppets Ernie and Bert has put 'Sesame Street' back in the political cross hairs. Our guest is Steps star and co-founder Elaina Newport. |
| Bolton Talks Syria, Israel, 2012 |
| Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:24:19 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says the U.S. call for Syrian President Assad to step down is correct but comes far too late. Why does he say it's the right move? Who would step in to replace Assad? How would this impact the standoff with Iran? Bolton addresses those questions, examines the role of an eroding relationship between Israel and Egypt in this week's terrorist attacks and updates his consideration of joining the 2012 presidential campaign. Listen here for the full interview with John Bolton. |
| The Next Rubio? |
| Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:16:42 EST Three Republicans are running for the chance to take on Democratic Florida Sen. Bill Nelson next year. Former Florida House Majority Leader Adam Hasner says it's time for Nelson to go and adds that he is the conservative choice in the campaign. Why does Hasner believe Nelson's time is up in Washington? What does his record in state politics suggest about what he would do in the U.S. Senate? Why does he believe voters should choose him over his two GOP rivals? And how does Hasner respond to allegations from one of his opponents that his record doesn't match his rhetoric? We discuss it all with Florida GOP Senate hopeful Adam Hasner. |
| Why Al Gore's All the Rage |
| Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:04:17 EST A few days ago, former Vice President Al Gore unleashed an expletive-filled tirade against those he accuses of denying the impending damage triggered by human-caused climate change. So why is Gore lashing out like this? What does the empirical data actually show? And if climate change advocates actually got their wish on higher taxes and emission restrictions, what do they hop would be the result in 40 years? We discuss it all with geologist, author and climate expert Leighton Steward. |
| 'You'll Lose Thousands of Jobs' |
| Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:28:36 EST President Obama is demanding that Congressional Republicans pass his forthcoming jobs plan, so how does the GOP react to the components we know about already? What will be the impact of extending payroll tax cuts? What would happen on the job creation front if Obama gets his way on tax hikes for the wealthy? And what will Republicans be pushing as their plan to kick-start the economy? We ask Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, a member of the House Appropriations and Budget Committees. |
| Obama's 'Darth Vader Bus Tour' |
| Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:21:17 EST Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert has plenty to say about the President Obama's Midwest appearances this week. Why does he call it the 'Darth Vader bus tour'? Why does he accuse Obama of whipping up hatred towards the wealthy? What choice comments does Gohmert have for the regulatory agenda of this administration? And what insight does he have as Texas Gov. Rick Perry enters the 2012 White House race? We discuss it all with Rep. Gohmert. |
| What Really Creates Jobs |
| Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:30:36 EST President Obama wraps up his three-day bus tour of Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois that blamed Republicans for our current economic condition and promised a detailed jobs plan next month. So what does Illinois Rep. Randy Hultgren hope is in the Obama plan and what does he expect to be included? What legislation have Republicans passed that they say will provide more certainty to business owners? What does he say will give business owners the confidence to hire new workers? We discuss these and other questions with Rep. Hultgren. |
| Lugar's Last Stand? |
| Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:21:48 EST In 2010, Republican primary voters shocked a couple of longtime Senate incumbents. Indiana may be the scene of a similar event in 2012, as conservative Richard Mourdock challenges six-term Sen. Richard Lugar. Why is Mourdock running against an incumbent in his own party? What about Lugar's recent record troubles him most? Could he win a statewide race against likely Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly? And how many Indiana Republicans told a recent survey that it's time for Lugar to go? We discuss it all with Indiana Republican Senate candidate Richard Mourdock. |
| Republican Reshuffling |
| Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:21:53 EST Dr. Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia explains what the Iowa straw poll win means for Michele Bachmann, why Tim Pawlenty was right to drop out and why Ron Paul will probably never have much of a chance to win the nomination. He also dissects the impact of Texas Gov. Rick Perry joining the GOP field. |
| The Threat of Al Qaeda 2.0 |
| Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:00:41 EST Al Qaeda is unlikely to repeat an operation of the complexity of 9-11, but it still poses a grave danger to the United States from within our own borders. What's responsible for the rise of radicalism here in the U.S.? How did Anwar al-Awlaki become the de facto leader of Al Qaeda? Is our country getting better at thwarting plots, getting lucky...or both? What is the significance of the Obama administration's reluctance to classify attacks like the Ft. Hood shootings as terrorism? We discuss all these questions and more with Fox News Channel National Correspondent Catherine Herridge. She is also the author of "The Next Wave: On the Hunt for Al Qaeda's American Recruits." |
| Can GOP Win Weiner Seat? |
| Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:22:37 EST On September 13th, voters in New York's ninth Congressional district will choose the successor to disgraced Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner. In a surprise to many, Republican Bob Turner is just six points behind Democrat David Weprin in a left-leaning poll. So why is Turner competitive in such a liberal district? What are his economic priorities? And why could Israel be the critical factor in this race? We discuss it all with GOP Congressional candidate Bob Turner. |
| Can't Stop This Biden Guy |
| Fri, 5 Aug 2011 17:20:05 EST The Capitol Steps focus their good-natured jabs at our gaffe-prone vice president, Joe Biden. |
| Government vs. Small Business |
| Fri, 5 Aug 2011 17:11:01 EST The unemployment rate remains stubbornly high and leaders in both parties agree small businesses are the key to our economic engine moving forward again. So what's the problem? One major issue seems to be the onset of many new government regulations. Radio America's Brittany Brady details the frustration felt by business owners and some lawmakers over the reach of these regulations and their impact on efforts to grow the economy. |
| Rollback |
| Fri, 5 Aug 2011 16:58:00 EST The debt ceiling debate engendered fierce political rhetoric and plenty of disappointment on both sides of the aisle. So how much was accomplished compared to what needs to be done? Why do both parties deserve a lot of the blame? And why should younger workers plan never to retire? We discuss it all with Thomas Woods, scholar at the Ludwig von Mises Institute and author of "Rollback". |
| Shell Oil Eyes Alaska, 50,000 Jobs |
| Fri, 5 Aug 2011 16:55:00 EST Curtis Smith, executive affairs manager for Shell Alaska, explains why Shell wants to expand its exploratory drilling program off Alaska's coast. Smith says the go-ahead to drill off Alaska's shore would create over 50,000 jobs for over 50 years. How did the BP spill impact their plans? What will Shell have to do before they can begin drilling? What have they done to prevent another disaster like the BP oil spill? Find out this and more as we speak with Curtis Smith. |
| Obama Offers Nothing New on Jobs |
| Fri, 5 Aug 2011 16:41:42 EST On Friday, the unemployment rate edged down to 9.1 percent and the Labor Department reported a net gain of 117,000 new jobs in July. However, the number of people giving up on the job search is growing even faster. So how should we read these latest numbers? And what would be the right and wrong ways for President Obama to encourage job creation? We ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, chief economist for the Department of Labor under President George W. Bush. |
| Social Media and Your Identity |
| Fri, 5 Aug 2011 16:21:17 EST A new study from Carnegie Mellon University suggests identity thieves are able to steal your Social Security numbers by using your Facebook profile picture and facial recognition software. How does it work? What should you use for your profile picture? And what other information would you be wise to keep private online? We discuss it all with Forbes writer Kashmir Hill, who wrote the story on this technology. |
| Mubarak's Way |
| Fri, 5 Aug 2011 16:18:18 EST Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is now on trial on multiple charges stemming from his 30 years as leader. The Capitol Steps offer a parody preview of the defense Mubarak just might try. |
| 'No Good Signs' |
| Thu, 4 Aug 2011 17:24:57 EST On Thursday, the Dow Jones plunged more than 500 points. What's behind the steep drop? How much of it is related to the outcome of the debt ceiling debate? And how are voters reacting to all of this? We discuss it with Georgia Rep. Tom Price. |
| The FAA Funding Fight |
| Thu, 4 Aug 2011 17:09:36 EST On the heels of the debt ceiling standoff, partial funding for the Federal Aviation Administration is the latest Congressional fight. What is the major debate over this time? Are unions also a major issue in this battle or is that just an irrelevant talking point? What is the likely framework of the emerging agreement? And why are some worried that the Obama administration may be overstepping its bounds? We discuss it all with Georgia Rep. Tom Price, who represents a district just outside Atlanta - one of the busiest airports in America. |
| The Debt, Virginia & 2012 |
| Thu, 4 Aug 2011 16:29:54 EST Virginia Republican Senate candidate Tim Donner explains why he would not have supported the final debt deal if he were in office. What would he consider real progress on spending and entitlements? What does he want and not want to see from the Congressional super-committee? Why does he say Congress does not need more Republicans but more conservatives? And how did his positions in this race contrast with GOP front-runner George Allen and presumptive Democratic candidate Tim Kaine? We discuss it all with Tim Donner. |
| New District, Tough Race |
| Wed, 3 Aug 2011 16:18:42 EST Iowa Rep. Steve King has been elected to his seat five times, but 2012 could well be his toughest race yet. Iowa is making some major changes to it's Congressional map after losing a seat in the 2012 U.S. Census. How different is King's district? Which party has the edge? How will he focus his campaign in the face of a challenge from former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack, wife of U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack? And what can he already discern about the campaign Vilsack intends to run? We discuss these questions with Rep. King. |
| Obama vs. Radicalism |
| Wed, 3 Aug 2011 13:39:44 EST On Wednesday, the Obama administration is releasing its much-awaited strategy to counter radicalism in the U.S. The primary purpose is to prevent homegrown Islamic radicalism. What is the current strategy? What can we expect from this administration? Will the strategy look similar to the recent Homeland Security Committee hearings on radical Islam or will the White House take a much different tack? And what other groups might be deemed radical in this report? We discuss it all with counter-terrorism and intelligence expert Dr. Michael Levitt of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. |
| Why Lankford Voted Yes |
| Tue, 2 Aug 2011 15:58:00 EST On Monday night, the House of Representatives easily approved the debt ceiling extension and 174 of the 269 'yes' votes came from Republicans. One of them was cast by Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford, who is also a member of the House Budget Committee. Why did Lankford support the plan? What is in there that overcame his disappointment in the size of spending reductions? Will any of this impact future Congresses? Is he worried that the special committee will increase taxes? And how would he describe the House Republican Conference after a week of high tensions? We discuss it all with Rep. Lankford. |
| Debt Plan Not Good Enough |
| Mon, 1 Aug 2011 16:06:46 EST The debt ceiling compromise will likely pass the House and Senate tonight, but that passage will come without the support of Louisiana Sen. David Vitter. Why is Vitter unsatisfied with the spending cuts promised in the bill? What do we need to know about the proposed "cuts"? Why is the approach to defense spending a major concern to Vitter? And does this bill provide a fast track to tax hikes? We discuss it all with Sen. Vitter. |
| Sen. Rand Paul Speaks with WND |
| Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:58:49 EST Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul rejects the Boehner debt ceiling plan as 'fuzzy Washington math' and says adding a balanced budget mandate presents an internal conflict with other parts of the bill. Why does he believe the Boehner plan is fundamentally flawed when it comes to spending? What approach does he see as reasonable while leading the government to a balanced budget in less than a decade? How would he address the entitlement programs about to be swarmed by retired boomers? Why is President Obama's domestic spending freeze very misleading? And what is Sen. Paul's reaction to the war of words this week between the Tea Party and the GOP establishment? We discuss it all with Sen. Rand Paul. |
| Buy, Buy American Pie |
| Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:36:16 EST The Capitol Steps take a look at one the factors behind our economic and debt-related headaches with their classic parody "Buy, Buy American Pie". |
| Why the Boehner Bill is Wrong |
| Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:01:37 EST House Speaker John Boehner seems poised to corral the votes needed to send his debt ceiling extension plan to the Senate. But Dean Clancy of Freedomworks says the Boehner plan is a terrible idea. Why does he suggest House Republicans stand on "Cut, Cap, Balance" and why does he say the Boehner plan would almost certainly result in tax increases? |
| Why I'm Voting Yes |
| Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:45:30 EST Texas Rep. Kevin Brady offers some insight into the tense standoff in Congress over the debt ceiling debate. How will he vote on Speaker Boehner 19s plan? What does he think will happen to the Boehner plan in the Senate? What happens if the Senate rejects it? What is the attitude among members of the House? We discuss it all with Rep. Brady. |
| Only Solution is in 2012 |
| Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:32:19 EST House Speaker John Boehner appears to be close to rounding up the votes he needs to pass the debt ceiling extension plan that is roiling his own party. Louisiana Rep. John Fleming voted against one of the continuing resolutions during the budget fight earlier this year, so how is he going to vote this evening? What were the key factors in his decision? Is he worried the committee proposed in the bill would raise taxes? Would rejecting the Boehner plan give momentum to Harry Reid's plan? We ask Rep. Fleming. |
| An Imaginary Number |
| Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:42:19 EST As debt ceiling debates continue, Americans are waiting nervously to hear what the next step will be to control the issue. Dept held by the public passed $9 trillion dollars with $4.5 trillion dollars held by government accounts at the end of fiscal year 2010. But how did we get here? Years of excessive spending by the government has only worsened our economic standing. What caused the downward spiral of our debt crisis? Does the government play by its own rules? Radio America's Heather Isringhausen reports. |
| On Board with Boehner |
| Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:19:08 EST House Republicans remain divided over Speaker John Boehner's new plan to cut spending in exchange for a hike in the debt ceiling. Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell explains why he decided to support Boehner's plan after careful consideration, what he says to conservatives balking at the plan and why the Reid plan is a non-starter for the GOP. |
| Weasel Words |
| Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:04:26 EST Dr. Betsy McCaughey is the former New York Lieutenant Governor and creator of the website defendyourhealthcare.com She has been a vocal contributor to the debt ceiling debate and says it's time to make the spend-a-holics in Washington cut spending. Dr. McCaughey also points out that any cuts scheduled beyond the current Congress are meaningless. She wants to know how long each of us has to toil everyday and all year long to support government programs instead of supporting our own families. How does she feel about the tax hike approach to the debt crisis? What four words does she give to President Obama's plan to battle the debt ceiling crisis? Learn more about her ideas on debt and how she stands up for grandma in the health care debates in our talk with Dr. Betsy McCaughey. |
| Finding the Founders |
| Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:39:10 EST Millions of Americans yearn for a return to the founding principles of the United States and the values of the Founders themselves. What would that mean, particularly in terms of religious freedom and Judeo-Christian principles? Radio America's Heather Isringhausen investigates. |
| No to Obama, No to Boehner |
| Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:21:08 EST On Monday evening, President Obama made another push for a debt ceiling solution that includes tax increases. Moments later, House Speaker John Boehner rejected the Obama plan and offered a new plan that he says is reasonable and can pass the House. Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert is unimpressed with both ideas. What choice words does he have for Obama's push for more taxes? Why can't he support the Boehner plan? And how does he expect this all to be settled? Listen here for a frank discussion with Rep. Gohmert. |
| Not So Fast, New York |
| Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:19:14 EST In June, after much-closed-door wrangling, the New York State Senate voted to legalize gay marriage. On Sunday, the law went into effect. But was the law approved legally? Mathew Staver of Liberty Counsel says the process was deeply flawed and illegal on multiple fronts - from the public and activists being barred from the Capitol to lawmakers being locked in the Capitol to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg promising to contribute to any Republican supporting the bill. So what are Staver and his clients asking? Why do they believe these actions are worthy of shelving the law? Why did the Republican majority allow all these things to happen? And what happens now? We discuss it all with Mat Staver. |
| Mortgage Deduction Debate |
| Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:56:45 EST As part of the debt ceiling debate, some lawmakers have suggested altering or eliminating the mortgage interest deduction, a deduction that began in 1913. Why shouldn't it be eliminated? What is the case for taking it away? Would its removal harm the housing industry? What does it do for homeowners? Brittany Brady of Radio America has the story. |
| Hole in the Center of the Ozone |
| Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:03:22 EST Temperatures in Washington are well into the triple digits at week's end and much of the nation is sweltering. Can we chalk this up to global warming? The Capitol Steps and Al Gore weigh in as we visit with Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| No Amendment Necessary |
| Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:54:10 EST Congressional Republicans are virtually united in support for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. They see it as the only tool that can keep rampant federal spending in check. But National Review Editor Rich Lowry says passing the amendment would actually be a huge mistake. Why would it be a mistake? What events in American history does Lowry cite to back up that claim? What else would he recommend to enforce spending discipline? And what does he expect Republicans to pursue since the amendment does not have the support needed to advance in Congress? We discuss it all with Rich Lowry. |
| Tax Showdown Over in Minnesota |
| Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:53:24 EST After a three-week government shutdown, Minnesota has resolved its budget impasse. State House Speaker Kurt Zellers tells us how Republicans were able to reach a deal with Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton without giving in to Dayton's demands to raise taxes. How did the GOP win the debate? How did they actually get a tax cut out of the deal? How was the $5 billion impasse resolved? And what advice does Zellers have for his Republican colleagues in Washington? We discuss it all with Speaker Kurt Zellers. |
| Dodging Default |
| Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:35:26 EST President Obama and others in his administration have said they cannot guarantee Social Security checks will be sent after August 2 if a debt limit increase is not achieved. Florida Rep. Daniel Webster is looking to eliminate that uncertainty by offering the 'Prioritize Spending Act' in the event the debt limit is exceeded. What would his bill do? How worried are his older constituents about the Social Security uncertainty? And what must be part of any bill to raise the debt limit before Rep. Webster will support it? |
| If Obama Likes It, I'm Suspicious |
| Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:23:11 EST Indiana Sen. Dan Coats is pushing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to allow a floor vote on the GOP debt reduction plan known as 'Cut, Cap and Balance'. He explains why America needs a balanced budget amendment even more today than when he supported one back in the 1990s. Sen. Coats also explains why he's wary of the Gang of Six and the McConnell backup plan. |
| Phony Spending Reforms |
| Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:21:10 EST Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist explains the recent debt reduction proposals from the Senate do little more than raise taxes while making empty promises on spending cuts. What is the truth about the Coburn plan and the Gang of Six approach that President Obama clearly supports? And how has Norquist's group become such a prominent voice in this debate. We cover all this and more with Grover Norquist. |
| Straightjackets and Gangs |
| Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:12:40 EST Senate Republicans are now pushing hard for the Senate to consider the "Cut, Cap and Balance" approach to debt reduction that passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday. How will Senate Republicans try to force a vote? How optimistic are they that a Senate vote would go their way? We discuss these questions and more with Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, who says if the GOP plan fails he will most likely support the Gang of Six plan, even though many other conservatives contend the plan would mean one to two trillion dollars in new taxes. |
| Where's Obama's Plan? |
| Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:05:01 EST The only debt reduction plan that's actually on paper just passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening. President Obama has made many demands of both parties, but at this point he has failed to offer a specific plan of his own. So New York Rep. Tom Reed led a group of House Republicans to the White House this week to deliver a letter demanding some concrete ideas from Obama. What precipitated this letter and visit to the White House? Just how specific do they want Obama to get? Do these members expect results or do they believe Obama is just posturing for next year's campaign? We discuss it all with Rep. Reed. |
| 'Biggest Problem Facing America' |
| Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:36:47 EST Ohio Rep. Bob Gibbs is one of 87 new GOP members who were elected in part because they promised to address America's debt crisis. So what are they proposing? What will they accept as a solution if the Balanced Budget Amendment is rejected? And what can Congress learn from the congressman's state of Ohio and other states in dealing with all the red ink? We ask Rep. Gibbs. |
| 'The Only Way to Go' |
| Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:30:44 EST On Tuesday evening, the Republican-led House will vote and likely pass what's known as the 'Cut, Cap and Balance Act'. Why does Georgia Rep. Phil Gingrey see this plan as the only one that makes sense in addressing our debt crisis? Why is passing a Balanced Budget Amendment critical to making any spending cuts meaningful? And what does Rep. Gingrey think about the Mitch McConnell back-up plan? |
| Tax Hikes vs. Balanced Budgets |
| Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:11:58 EST North Carolina Rep. Renee Ellmers slams President Obama for suggesting the GOP debt reduction approach of 'Cut, Cap and Balance' is not serious. Ellmers explains what the plan would do while suggesting Obama's only remedy is more taxes. Where would the GOP cut spending? What is their approach to entitlements? And how does she respond to Democratic charges that the Balanced Budget Amendment is simply a vehicle to impose the Republican political agenda? We discuss it all with Rep. Renee Ellmers. |
| Obama 'Reckless' in Afghanistan |
| Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:36:24 EST Gen. John Allen is now in command of U.S. forces in Afghanistan as Gen. David Petraeus transitions to lead the CIA. What will be the most noticeable differences in how they command troops? What are the most pressing military goals? We ask Marine combat veteran, former Pentagon official and frequent embed Bing West. He also explains why the president's reduction plan is 'reckless' and why it's not all that important if the enemy never loses control of the mountains. We discuss it all with Bing West. |
| Debt Ceilings and Default |
| Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:17:22 EST The political drama is escalating in Washington as President Obama and House Republicans continue their debt ceiling standoff over the president's insistence upon raising taxes. What really happens if a deal is not done by August 2? What legislation is California Rep. Tom McClintock proposing to make sure the government does not default if no agreement is reached? And what does the possibility of no Social Security checks tell us about the trust fund that supposedly shores up the program for more than 20 years? We discuss it all with Rep. McClintock, who also explains his efforts to eliminate more than three billion dollars in what he calls wasteful energy subsidies. |
| 'Fun, Fun, Fun' |
| Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:08:21 EST The Capitol Steps wade into the heightening drama over the debt ceiling and some fun with the Tea Party and its impact on the political stage. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| No News is Good News |
| Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:42:35 EST Human Events Political Editor John Gizzi offers his predictions on the current debt ceiling debate. What does Gizzi think about McConnell's alternative budget plan for President Obama? How does he relate Sunday's meeting to Bible verses in Isaiah? What parting words does Gizzi have for former First Lady Betty Ford? It's all here with political editor John Gizzi. |
| The Meaning of Balance |
| Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:21:12 EST Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford says he wants to see a plan to pay off the country's debt. As a part of the House Budget Committee, he says he will not support raising the ceiling without a solution in place. He says there's not a person in America who doesn't want balance in the budget, but that there are very different meanings to that term. What is in the Republican plan for a balanced budget amendment? What will Lankford do if the proposal is rejected? We discuss it all with Rep. Lankford. |
| 'It Would Be Capitulation' |
| Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:07:59 EST Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has created a fierce debate within his own party over his plan to allow the president to raise the debt ceiling and leaving Congress virtually powerless to stop him. Is this the only way to avoid tax hikes and defaulting on debt or would this be unconditional surrender by the GOP? We discuss it with Louisiana Rep. John Fleming, who also explains why a balanced budget amendment is vital to the process and why he thinks House leaders are ready to fight for their agenda all the way to the end. |
| Terrorism Returns to Mumbai |
| Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:37:28 EST On Wednesday, a series of explosions rocked Mumbai, India. At least 21 people were killed and more than 100 injured in what is at least the third major terrorist attack in the city in recent years. What can we learn in the immediate aftermath of this attack? What kind of threat do domestic radicals pose to India? What could India learn from the U.S. about preventing terrorist attacks? And does this suggest that recent predictions of Al Qaeda's imminent demise were premature? We ask Dr. Walid Phares, terrorism expert, adviser to the U.S. House Anti-Terrorism Caucus and author of "The Confrontation: Winning the War Against Future Jihad". |
| Battling the Light Bulb Ban |
| Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:42:11 EST 'Why in the world does the federal government have to tell people what kind of lights to use in their home?' This question was proposed by Texas Rep. Joe Barton. Barton, former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, leads the charge to repeal the ban on incandescent light bulbs. The issue began when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi added stringent standards for light bulbs that traditional incandescent bulbs couldn't meet. Barton's legislation 'vacates the new standard for a very small subset of light bulbs.' Listen here to find out what Barton's intentions were with his Better Use of the Light Bulb Act and what it will take to get the bill passed. |
| 'More Campaigning than Policy' |
| Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:29:07 EST President Obama says the lack of an agreement on a debt ceiling extension means he cannot guarantee Social Security checks and other government checks will have the funds to back them up. Why do Republicans say that kind of talk is just political posturing? Will Republicans demand a balanced budget amendment and mandated spending limits before agreeing to any increase in the debt limit? We discuss it all with Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga. |
| 'Romance of a Soviet Stairwell' |
| Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:59:51 EST Texas Rep. and doctor Michael Burgess expresses how ridiculous he thinks the ban on incandescent light bulbs is. A member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Burgess is a leading advocate for the Better Use of the Light Bulb Act, which would repeal the ban. The Obama administration says it is taking away the choice that lets people waste their own money. Burgess also says the alternative light bulbs have 'all the romance of a Soviet stairwell.' Where did the ban send jobs making light bulbs? Is the federal government picking winners and losers in the marketplace? It's all here in our talk with Rep. Michael Burgess. |
| 'Utterly Unreliable Jellyfish' |
| Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:07:43 EST Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz is running for the Republican nomination for the open U.S. Senate seat in Texas. Cruz believes America has galloped further and faster towards government control of the economy and Americans' lives than any ever before in history. He says he is running because voters are hungry for someone to stand up and stop the Obama agenda, defend free market principles and defend the Constitution. Cruz also believes voters are tired of candidates who talk a good game but then get into office and prove to be 'utterly unreliable jellyfish.' What are some events where Cruz led Texas to defended conservative principles? What three conditions does Cruz believe must be met before the debt ceiling should be raised? Find out this and more from Ted Cruz. |
| Get Out the Infectious Puss |
| Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:06:40 EST Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert reveals President Obama's closed door decision making. He says the House Rules demand negotiations to be made where the public has access in order to keep decisions in check. Gohmert stresses that the man who promised to have the most open administration is creating the most secretive administration. What proposals are Republicans making? What conditions must be met before Gohmert will agree to accept raising the debt ceiling? |
| Get Some Wins Under Our Belts |
| Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:15:39 EST Minnesota State Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch stresses the problems with a continuing shutdown. Going on it's second week, the shutdown in Minnesota is the longest in recent U.S. history. Governor Mark Dayton wants to raise taxes and increase Minnesota's budget ceiling while the Republicans are making a "No New Taxes" pledge. The Republicans agreed to allow more spending as long as it is used on reform that will change how money is spent in the future. Will the governor call the Senate back into session in order to end this shutdown? Who faces the consequences of the shutdown? All this and more with Amy Koch. |
| Debt Eroding U.S. Sovereignty |
| Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:09:27 EST Nevada Republican Congressional candidate Mark Amodei sheds light on his ad regarding the debt ceiling. Amodei is running in the special election to fill the seat left by new Nevada Senator Dean Heller. The ad, which left some people upset, points out how America is ceding its own sovereignty to China. Why was this ad so upsetting to the people? Is everyone else avoiding the subject? What places Amodei above his opponent Kate Marshall? It's all right here in our talk with Mark Amodei. |
| Who Will Blink on Debt? |
| Fri, 8 Jul 2011 16:14:21 EST John Gizzi of Human Events tackles the week's biggest political stories. Will House Republicans stand tall or collapse under pressure in the debt ceiling negotiations? If Republicans do compromise, will the Tea Party cast the GOP aside? Which side will win the very same fight over taxes in Minnesota? And what's next for the IMF? We discuss all of this with John Gizzi. |
| Minnesota GOP: No New Taxes |
| Fri, 8 Jul 2011 15:52:40 EST For a full week now, Minnesota has been experiencing a government shutdown. The sticking point is the same as it is in Washington - Democrats want tax hikes to help restore fiscal order while Republicans are staunchly again higher taxes of any kind. So why does Minnesota even have a budget shortfall? Does former Gov. Tim Pawlenty deserve any of the blame? How do Republicans plan to solve the five billion dollar budget gap? And what should politicians in Washington learn from Minnesota? We ask Minnesota State House Speaker Kurt Zellers. |
| The Budget and the Constitution |
| Thu, 7 Jul 2011 16:28:36 EST Cut, Cap and Balance. That's the mantra of many conservatives in and out of Congress as the debate intensifies over the soon-to-be-breached debt ceiling. Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan is leading the charge on the third phase of that plan, as sponsor of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. So what does his amendment specifically advocate? Does it have the votes to advance? How would the amendment deal with unexpected emergencies or entitlements? We discuss it all with Rep. Buchanan. |
| DOJ Under Fire in Gun Sting |
| Thu, 7 Jul 2011 11:21:29 EST The plot is quickly thickening as Congress continues to investigate a government-run gun smuggling operation that was designed to target criminals but ended up in the gun being used to kill people, including a U.S. Border Patrol agent. What did lawmakers learn in testimony from acting ATF Director Kenneth Melson, which he offered on Monday without informing the Obama administration? Who at the Justice Department may be the next to feel the heat? What do we know for sure about this bungled operation? We ask the man who broke the Melson story, Hans von Spakovsky of Pajamas Media. |
| Bureaucratic Amnesty |
| Wed, 6 Jul 2011 14:58:04 EST Louisiana Senator David Vitter says he sees straight through a memo from Immigrations Custom Enforcement that promotes the ideas of the failed DREAM Act. Sen. Vitter says the move is administrative fiat and plans to fight the policy. He even wants to get rid of the birthright citizenship, which he calls 'crazy.' Listen here for our conversation with Sen. Vitter. |
| A Fruitless Meeting |
| Wed, 6 Jul 2011 13:41:06 EST Tennessee Rep. Diane Black shares her thoughts on the impending debt ceiling deadline on August 2. A member of the House Ways and Means Committee and House Budget Committee, Black believes President Obama's meeting on Thursday will be fruitless unless he agrees to avoid raising taxes. Black wants to know why Obama didn't think tax increases were a good idea in December but now wants one trillion dollars in new taxes. What plans do the Republicans have for reform? What are they demanding in return for a short-term increase in the debt ceiling? We discuss it all with Rep. Black. |
| 'The Leader Needs to Lead' |
| Tue, 5 Jul 2011 16:12:50 EST The Senate cut short its Independence Day recess to focus on reaching a deal over the debt ceiling. But what is the Senate actually doing this week to move the ball forward? Is President Obama right in saying that Republicans are mainly interested in helping the rich or is he just engaging in class warfare and focusing on microscopic portions of the budget? How much would taxes need to be raised to meet our current spending levels? What will it take to get Republicans to support a debt ceiling increase? Are Republicans committed to the type of reforms needed to restore fiscal sanity? We ask Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns, who also explains what he wants to see from President Obama in the next few weeks of this debt debate. |
| Side with People on Debt Ceiling |
| Tue, 5 Jul 2011 15:39:13 EST We are now less than a month away from the August 2 deadline issues by the Department of the Treasury to address the debt ceiling. Despite pressure from President Obama last week, Congressional Republicans are firm in saying they will support no tax increases of any kind. So how will lawmakers get past this impasse on taxes? Will America really go into default if nothing is agreed upon by early next month? Why is President Obama guilty of demagoguery on what will be eliminated if the debt ceiling is not raised? And are the American people really ready to embrace some budgetary upheaval in order to begin real fiscal discipline? We ask Georgia Rep. Tom Price, chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and member of the House Budget Committee. Rep. Price also explains why he is not in favor of a short-term debt ceiling extension in order to buy time for a more comprehensive deal. |
| Declaration of Independence |
| Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:58:25 EST As America celebrates it's 235th birthday, we take the time to reflect on the document declaring our freedom from British rule. Greg Corombos reads the Declaration of Independence |
| Loonies of the Right |
| Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:38:02 EST The Capitol Steps have fun with the new House Republican majority, and especially with House Speaker John Boehner. |
| The Business of Immigration |
| Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:45:44 EST President Obama says he wants to jumpstart the immigration debate and legalize millions of people who have been in the U.S. illegally for a number of years. But as the challenge of dealing with illegals continues, what is the impact on American business - especially for those trying to play by the rules? How do those who hire illegals gain a major financial advantage? Who really pays the bill? And is there already one simple step that could greatly limit the illegal immigration problem? Radio America's Heather Isringhausen reports. |
| Resurgent |
| Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:06:56 EST Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell explains how the path to American recovery can be found through Constitutional conservatism. What aspects of the Constitution are most critical to getting America back on the right track? Why might the Republicans be headed for a party split? What can prevent it? How are we one heartbeat away from a very dangerous Supreme Court? We discuss it all with Ken Blackwell, co-author of "Resurgent". We also ask him about reports that he may soon seek a U.S. Senate seat in Ohio. |
| Targets Down |
| Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:22:44 EST Longtime FBI Special Agent Bob Hamer is with us to discuss his latest reality-based thriller in "Targets Down". Hamer draws from his decades of service in the bureau to take us into the operations of some of the world's most nefarious criminals and show us how our government tries to infiltrate drug gangs. sex trafficking rings and other forms of organized crime. |
| Political Power of Evangelicals |
| Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:48:10 EST In recent elections, the influence of the evangelical vote has been clear -- especially in Republican politics. But in an election cycle when the economy is expected to dominate the conversation, how critical will the evangelical vote be? How actively are they in gearing up for 2012? Will GOP candidates be smart to appeal to Chriatian conservatives or will that message turn off everyone else? Radio America's Brittany Brady has the story. |
| Battle in the Bluegrass |
| Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:26:39 EST Four governor's races highlight a pretty quiet election schedule this year before the mayhem of the 2012 race begins. By nearly all accounts, the tightest race in the nation this November will be in Kentucky, where Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear is facing Republican State Senate resident David Williams. Why is Williams looking to unseat Beshear? What would he do to stimulate job creation? What financial headaches await Kentucky if many more residents are enrolled in Medicaid under the Obama health plan? And how does Williams intend to shrink a double-digit deficit in the polls? We discuss all these issues with David Williams, Kentucky's Republican nominee for governor. |
| Privilege of Persecution |
| Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:34:12 EST Americans enjoy more religious freedom than virtually everyone else in the world. Millions of people suffer repression for their faith and Christians are especially targeted in many nations. But as horrific as their treatment is, what do these persecuted believers know and experience that Christians in safe nations do not? What could American Christians learn from their oppressed brethren? How can these lessons be learned apart from persecution? And how much time and energy should American believers spend on politics? We discuss these questions with Dr. Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA. He is also co-author of "The Privilege of Persecution". |
| If You're in a Hole, Stop Digging |
| Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:03:59 EST Jamie Radtke explains why she is running for the open U.S. Senate seat in Virginia. Why did a wife and homeschooling mother end up seeking office on Capitol Hill? Where does she currently stand in the debt ceiling debate? What is her long-term economic agenda? And how does she plan to defeat a rival as well known as George Allen? We discuss it all with Virginia U.S. Senate candidate Jamie Radtke. |
| More Jobs, Cheaper Gas |
| Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:32:54 EST Colorado Rep. Cory Gardner discusses his plan to increase energy production that just cleared the House of Representatives. Why is he focused on ending appeals on energy exploration permits? What is the government doing to stifle energy production? How many jobs could this plan create? How would it impact fuel prices? And will the bill get through the Senate? We discuss it with Rep. Gardner. |
| Sarah Palin's Midnight Ride |
| Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:29:32 EST The Capitol Steps have some fun with Sarah Palin's recent controversy over Paul Revere's midnight ride. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Obama Taps Emergency Oil |
| Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:58:57 EST On Thursday, President Obama ordered 30 million barrels of oil to be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Is this a good way to provide some relief at the pump or a frivolous use of resources being kept for a dire national emergency? Is President Obama making good on his recent promises to open up U.S. waters for more energy exploration? We ask Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Sen. Vitter also discusses the impasse between the two parties on how to address America's debt. |
| Bowing to Political Pressure |
| Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:21:05 EST On Wednesday, President Obama announced the drawing down of U.S. forces from Afghanistan will start with 10,000 troops this year and 33,000 by next summer. We get reaction from Missouri Rep. Vicky Hartzler, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. How does Hartzler react to Obama removing troops faster than recommended by General Petraeus? How can we really know that the Afghans are capable of sustaining the progress our military has made? What is the greatest challenge in getting Afghan security forces up to the job of defending their own country? And how will she vote on a resolution to end funding for our military mission in Libya? We discuss it all with Rep. Hartzler. |
| 'Stop This Super Speed Train' |
| Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:43:21 EST Georgia Rep. Paul Broun tackles the federal budget by proposing the most amendments to remove spending from various appropriations measures. He says he wants to put the power back into the hands of the people, particularly small businesses to reboot the economy. Of his 12 proposals, only one was approved of by Congress. Why did Congressman Broun make 11 of his 12 cuts in agriculture appropriations? Is Congress living up to Albert Einstein's definition of insanity? Broun believes these fiscal headaches could be resolved if America would return to the ways of the Founding Fathers. Listen hear for our conversation with Rep. Broun. |
| The Politics of Medicare |
| Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:41:04 EST On Wednesday, physicians who now serve in the House and Senate gathered to discuss the political battle over Medicare reform. Republicans are rallying behind the Ryan plan for the most part, but what is the Obama plan? What did Obama actually tell House Republicans about this debate? How can any debt ceiling deal be reached when only one side has an entitlement reform plan? How is Medicare already being changed because of Obamacare? And how suddenly will a fully bankrupt Medicare collapse on America's seniors? We discuss all these questions with Louisiana Rep. John Fleming, a longtime physician. |
| Band-Aid in a Hurricane |
| Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:39:34 EST Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh explains why he was frustrated with today's Congressional testimony from Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. Why is Walsh critical of the Obama administration's approach to small businesses? What does he want to see from the administration? And what is the House Small Business Committee doing to make life easier for the small business owners? |
| Allen's Comeback Blueprint |
| Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:07:22 EST Five years ago, Virginia Sen. George Allen was defeated in his bid for re-election. Now he is looking to win back that seat and has just released a blueprint for what he says is needed for America to make a major economic comeback. So what is the centerpiece of his plan to boost American competitiveness? Why does he call our current energy policy "economic unilateral disarmament"? And how would he even begin chipping away at the size and reach of the federal government? We ask former Sen. Allen and get his response to suggestions from his GOP rivals that his previous term is proof he is not the right man for the job. |
| Economic Suicide |
| Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:57:44 EST A Congressional deadline to address the debt ceiling is looming at the beginning of August. Why is the smart thing to do nothing until Congress and the states pass a new Constitutional amendment establishing restrictions on spending? Why is the administration's claim that we will soon default on our debt an "outright, absolute lie"? We ask George Mason University Economics Professor Thomas Rustici. Rustici explains why raising the debt ceiling only makes things far worse. And while he says Paul Ryan's budget plan is not a perfect plan, he calls those who distort and demagogue the plan "morally obscene". Listen here for expert insight on the urgency of our debt crisis and for Dr. Rustici's analysis of whether the American people are ready to do what is necessary to solve our economic mess. |
| Capitol Steps Commencement |
| Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:53:51 EST As this year's graduates head out into an uncertain world, the Capitol Steps are here with some unconventional wisdom in their commencement address. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Killing People is Hostile |
| Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:16:43 EST Ten members of the House of Representatives have filed suit against President Obama over what they see as his failure to abide by the War Powers Act and seek Congressional authorization to ongoing military action in Libya. We talk about it with the lead Republican in the effort, North Carolina's Walter Jones. Why was the suit brought now? What does Rep. Jones have to say about the Obama administration saying this action does not fall under the War Powers Act? What does he expect to come of Speaker Boehner's ultimatum to the White House? We discuss it all with Rep. Jones. |
| Religious Freedom vs. Jihad |
| Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:43:22 EST On Wednesday, the House Homeland Security Committee held its second round of hearings into the threat posed to national security and the Muslim community by radical Islam. This set of hearings focused primarily on how Islamic radicals are being groomed within America's own prison system. So how big is this problem in our prisons? Who is doing the radicalizing and how do they do it? What can be done to stop them without suppressing first amendment rights to religious expression? And despite all the protests, how helpful have the committee hearings into radical Islam been for members of Congress? We ask California Rep. Dan Lungren, one of the most senior members of the Homeland Security Committee. |
| Seven Musketeers |
| Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:38:54 EST John Gizzi of Human Events unwinds Rep. Anthony Weiner's decision to step down and says there might be a chance for a Republican candidate in the special election that will replace Weiner. Gizzi also gives his thoughts on the recent Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire and the law suit brought against the Obama administration dealing with the War Powers Act. |
| Less Spending, Not More Taxes |
| Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:31:20 EST In just six weeks, the U.S. will pass the August 2 deadline to raise or not raise the debt ceiling. How are negotiations going in the Senate? Will there be a deal? Are Republicans open to some tax hikes if they will trigger Democratic concessions on spending? And what is the GOP line in the sand that it will not cross for the sake of keep the nation solvent? We ask Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso. |
| Twisted Logic & Redefinition |
| Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:22:12 EST The marriage debate is in the headlines in two of America's largest states. In California, a federal judge upheld a previous ruling that struck down the definition of marriage in the state as only one man and one woman. What does this decision mean and why were traditional marriage supporters arguing that the previous judge had a conflict of interest? In New York, lawmakers appear to be very close to legalizing gay marriage. Will it happen or will traditional marriage supporters snatch victory from the jaws of defeat like they have in other blue states this year? We discuss it all with Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs at Liberty Counsel. |
| Long Form Certificate A 'Forgery'? |
| Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:03:56 EST Several weeks ago, the Obama administration released the president's long form birth certificate and seemingly put an end to speculation that the president was not constitutionally eligible to hold his office. But further scrutiny has resulted in renewed doubts about that claim. What about the document raises red flags about its authenticity both in content and in how it was constructed? How credible are the people casting doubt on the certificate? How can we know for sure? Will the FBI get involved? We discuss it all with retired U.S. Army Gen. Paul Vallely, who has recently reported the new doubts about the paperwork. |
| President In Over His Head |
| Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:24:59 EST Republican South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson supports presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty. Wilson stresses how important the election of 2012 is for young Americans and shares why he believes Pawlenty is the best choice. As a member of both the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, Wilson gives insight into issues in Afghanistan and Libya. He says Obama got us involved in a third war when we need to be completing the two we're in. |
| 'Dumb Dumb Dumb' |
| Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:35:11 EST University of Virginia Professor Larry Sabato discusses last night's Republican Presidential debate in New Hampshire. Can Tim Pawlenty recover from a missed opportunity to go after Romney? Will Michele Bachmann's performance scare Sarah Palin out of running? What does he have to say about the 'this or that' questioning? We discuss it all with Larry Sabato. |
| 'Walk and Chew Gum' |
| Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:15:32 EST Former United Nations Ambassador and possible 2012 presidential candidate John Bolton expresses his concerns that foreign policy was not discussed enough in last night's presidential debate. Will his dissatisfaction nudge him closer to running for president? How much attention should foreign affairs get at a time of such economic distress? And how would he have answered the key foreign policy questions asked last night? We discuss it all with Amb. Bolton. |
| 'I Think He Took a Wrong Turn' |
| Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:35:02 EST Retired U.S. Army General Paul Vallely gives his insight on Somali forces recently killing the man behind the 1998 embassy bombings as well as recent developments in Libya. |
| Target: Romney? |
| Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:12:05 EST Associate politics editor at CQ Roll Call Christina Bellantoni discusses what could be expected from the Republican presidential debate tonight. She reveals who's head may be on the criticism chopping block tonight: Pawlenty compares Romney's healthcare plan in Massachusetts to Obamacare and Gingrich may face criticism for the 'mass exodus' his staffers just perpetrated. |
| Inheriting the Bill |
| Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:04:28 EST Brittany Brady of Radio America delves into the effects of the nation's growing debt on today's young Americans and just how big the problem has become. What is the response from those who will be stuck with the bill for today's government spending? |
| The Roemer Agenda |
| Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:23:48 EST Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer lays out his prescriptions for fostering job creation, helping small business owners, reducing America's debt and making us energy independent within a decade. What are the keys to building a strong economy again? What is stifling job creation? And how can we be energy independent? We talk about all these issues with 2012 Republican presidential hopeful Buddy Roemer. |
| Free to Lead |
| Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:18:21 EST Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer is running for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. What prompted him to enter this race? What does he see as the key to really fixing what's wrong in Washington? And what does he have to say about two of President Obama's most prominent legislative successes? We discuss it all with Gov. Roemer. |
| Help Me Fake It to the Right |
| Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:12:55 EST This week, polls show former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leading the Republican field for the 2012 nomination and even leading President Obama in one poll. A strong showing like that will get you attention from the Capitol Steps, who still questions Romney's conservative claims. Our guest is Steps star and co-founder Elaina Newport. |
| Getting Out the Right Way |
| Thu, 9 Jun 2011 16:35:22 EST Retired U.S. Air Force General Tom McInerney says its time to bring home the troops from Afghanistan who were part of the recent surge once their tour duty is finished. He's also still wondering why we are in Libya at all. What are the best policies to pursue in each of those places? We discuss it all with Gen. McInerney. |
| 'This is the Lynchpin' |
| Thu, 9 Jun 2011 10:56:07 EST Galen Institute President Grace Marie Turner assesses the latest court arguments involving Obamacare and whether or not people can be forced to buy health insurance. She also compares the healthcare mandate to a tax and explains what will happen to health insurance prices and employment if Obamacare isn't stopped. |
| Welfare State Fuels Border Problem |
| Wed, 8 Jun 2011 15:00:18 EST In the second part of our talk with 2012 presidential candidate Gary Johnson, he provides his thoughts on how the government is handling medicare and medicaid. He also shares his views of border patrol and immigration. Should immigration be easy? Should we legalize marijuana? Gary Johnson tells it all here along with his adventurous accomplishments. |
| Best Government Rules Least |
| Wed, 8 Jun 2011 14:52:12 EST In the first part of our talk with former New Mexico Governor and 2012 presidential candidate Gary Johnson, he expresses his disappointment that CNN won't allow him to be a part of the upcoming presidential debate in New Hampshire. He also explains how he would approach our struggling economy and spur job creation. |
| Will Weiner Survive? |
| Tue, 7 Jun 2011 16:47:58 EST Longtime Democratic strategist Michael Lewan assesses the political fallout for Rep. Anthony Weiner in Washington and in his Brooklyn district. What will the coming ethics probe conclude? How significant is Nancy Pelosi's acceptance of an investigation? Will Weiner survive? We'll discuss it all with Michael Lewan. |
| Iran Moves Closer to Nukes |
| Tue, 7 Jun 2011 15:19:26 EST New reports suggest Iran maybe only two months away from being able to have enough enriched uranium to build a nuclear weapon. How accurate does this seem to be? What would be the next steps before Iran could deploy a weapon? What should the U.S. position be? We ask Alireza Jafarzadeh, former spokesman for the Iranian Parliament in Exile and the man who first warned the West of Iran's latest nuclear intentions. |
| Government vs. Free Market |
| Mon, 6 Jun 2011 16:26:42 EST Georgia Rep. Tom Price is sponsoring a new effort to repeal part of the new health care laws - specifically provisions related to Medical Loss Ratios. What are those? What would the Price bill do? How could it impact your bottom line? We discuss it all with Rep. Price, who is also a physician. |
| Honoring God and Veterans |
| Mon, 6 Jun 2011 15:11:23 EST Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson is honoring veterans from World War II on today's 67th Anniversary of D-Day. Johnson has also introduced a bill that would require President Roosevelt's D-Day prayer to be added to the World War II Memorial in Washington. Rep. Johnson explains why he wants the text of the prayer included at the memorial and why it's important that Americans know about it. |
| 'Get Government Out of the Way' |
| Fri, 3 Jun 2011 16:25:07 EST On Friday, the new unemployment report showed far less job creation than expected, and the overall unemployment rate fell to 9.1 percent. What does this tell us about any possible recovery that was or is underway? Why are so few jobs being created? What are House Republicans doing to reduce burdensome regulations? Which ones might actually be repealed? What are their goals on business tax rates? And why might President Obama actually go along with some of their agenda? We ask Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh, a member of the House Small Business Committee. |
| Support Wilting for Libya Mission |
| Fri, 3 Jun 2011 16:17:50 EST On Friday, the House of Representatives approved a non-binding resolution demanding that President Obama keep the Congress updated on the mission in Libya and insist that ground troops not be used in the ongoing operations. Louisiana Rep. John Fleming is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He explains what the resolution actually does and what will happen if Obama continues to ignore lawmakers. Will the House block funding? Are they demanding a vote to authorize the mission? What is the mission? Are we succeeding? And how much support is there in Congress for these operations? We discuss it all with Rep. Fleming. |
| 'Banging My Head Against the Wall' |
| Thu, 2 Jun 2011 16:22:10 EST Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold tells us how he and his fellow freshmen are approaching the debt ceiling showdown. We also ask Farenthold what it would take for him to support an increase in the debt ceiling. He also says what he thinks is the bottom line in being able to move forward. |
| Where's Your Plan? |
| Thu, 2 Jun 2011 14:59:28 EST Arkansas Rep. Tim Griffin describes being inside the meeting between President Obama and House Republicans yesterday. He says not much was accomplished during their time together and ultimately puts forth the question to the president, "What's your plan?" |
| Wisconsin Union Fight Rages On |
| Wed, 1 Jun 2011 15:23:05 EST Wisconsin State Senator Glenn Grothman says politics is behind the recent court decision striking down Wisconsin's new collective bargaining law. He offers his prediction on what will happen at the State Supreme Court and explains what lawmakers will do if the law is not upheld. Senator Grothman also discusses recall efforts against lawmakers of both parties and how his constituents are reacting to the whole union debate. |
| "We Don't Need Alligators" |
| Tue, 31 May 2011 16:26:32 EST Pinal County, Arizona Sheriff Paul Babeu says the recent Supreme Court decision on hiring illegals and a future decision on Senate Bill 1070 would help border security but is not the long-term solution. He was happy with the decision to allow Arizona to punish businesses that knowingly hire illegal employees but says there is still more work to be done. He exposes Obama's claim that the border fence is nearly finished to be false and says the ACLU is keeping him and his colleagues from doing their jobs by suing them. |
| Cut, Cap and Balance |
| Tue, 31 May 2011 14:39:15 EST Missouri Rep. Todd Akin says he will not vote to raise the debt ceiling without some major changes in place. He explains why the GOP cannot support President Obama's call for raising the debt ceiling with no conditions and offers his insight into the impact the issue will have on the coming budget debate and the 2012 election. |
| Helping Heroes Pay the Bills |
| Thu, 26 May 2011 14:52:24 EST Bill Nelson of USA Cares talks about the organization, how it started, what they do and how Americans can help. |
| Honoring Those Who Served |
| Thu, 26 May 2011 14:51:48 EST Florida Rep. Jeff Miller is also chairman of the House Veterans affairs Committee. In connection with Memorial Day. Rep. Miller pays tribute those who have given their lives for this country and honors our veterans of wars past and present. |
| Subversion Inc. Part 2 |
| Thu, 26 May 2011 14:42:53 EST "Subversion Inc." author Matthew Vadum explains how Conservatives can fight back against the corrupt nature of ACORN and how the group bears much of the blame for the housing bust. |
| Subversion Inc. Part 1 |
| Thu, 26 May 2011 14:41:44 EST Matthew Vadum of the Capital Research Center joins us to discuss his new book chronicling the radical history of ACORN - the community organizing group brought to its knees in 2009 by a series of undercover videos. So why is ACORN still a threat? What forms does it exist in now? And how much of a link between ACORN and President Obama still exists? We discuss it all in the first half of our discussion with Matthew Vadum, author of "Subversion Inc." |
| The Fondler |
| Thu, 26 May 2011 14:37:29 EST As former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger deals with an imploding family and a very public sex scandal, the Capitol Steps remind us that these stories should not come as much of a shock. This week, the Steps take us back to the groping allegations that dogged Schwarzenegger in the 2003 recall campaign. Out guest is Steps co-founder Elaina Newport. |
| Obama Now in the Corner |
| Thu, 26 May 2011 14:29:50 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says President Obama wanted to put Israel in a corner with his Middle East policy speech last week, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned the tables with his speeches in Washington in recent days. So what does he expect the Obama response to be? Will Obama allow the UN resolution on Palestinian statehood to advance? What should we make of Obama's latest rhetoric on Libya? And is Bolton going to run for president next year? We discuss all of these subjects with Amb. Bolton. |
| Netanyahu Riding High |
| Thu, 26 May 2011 14:19:59 EST John Gizzi of Human Events was happy to see Netanyahu outshine Obama after the president's speech on the Middle East. He says Obama's photo ops are over in Europe and its time for him to start into real business. Gizzi also respects Mitch Daniels' decision not to run in the coming presidential primaries. |
| Obama Throws Israel Under the Bus |
| Wed, 25 May 2011 15:45:32 EST Middle East expert Mike Evans says Obama is acting as a clever attorney by dropping his recommendation for Israel to return to its 1967 borders right before he skipped out of town. Evans calls him out for his actions and claims the President has abandoned Israel to go suck up to his European friends. Evans is the author of "Jimmy Carter The Liberal Left and World Chaos: A Carter/Obama Plan that Will Not Work. |
| Al Qaeda's Oil Obsession |
| Wed, 25 May 2011 15:37:57 EST Osama Bin Laden may be dead but Al Qaeda still has its eyes on many high-value targets. One of those is oil, particularly Saudi facilities and oil that is headed to the United States. Is Al Qaeda still capable of carrying out these type of attacks? Why is oil so high on their list? We ask Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, the Director of the Center for the Study of Terrorist Radicalization at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. |
| Netanyahu's Vision of Peace |
| Tue, 24 May 2011 16:35:44 EST On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a Joint Session of Congress and extolled Israel's longstanding friendship with the U.S. He also laid out his vision for Middle East peace, why it's been elusive and how it can be achieved. Greg Corombos reports. |
| This is a Travesty |
| Tue, 24 May 2011 15:27:16 EST On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tens of thousands of California prison inmates should be released because of overcrowding problems. Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert is outraged, he says the court is greatly overstepping its Constitutional bounds. Why does he think the court went too far? What would be a better solution? We ask Rep. Gohmert, a former judge. |
| Total Devastation |
| Mon, 23 May 2011 16:26:06 EST Missouri Congressman Billy Long describes what he called the "ground zero" of the latest Midwest tornado in Joplin, Mo. What will happen with the rest of Joplin's school year? What does the devastation look like first hand? How is the community reacting to such a terrible storm? We discuss it all with Rep. Long, whose district includes Joplin. |
| $250 Billion in Spending Cuts |
| Mon, 23 May 2011 16:18:02 EST Last November, dozens of new faces were elected to Congress - mainly due to their commitment to tackle America's soaring debt. Well, now that we've officially hit our debt ceiling, it's put up or shut up time for Congress. So will House Republicans vote to raise the debt ceiling? What would it take to get the votes of many of the new GOP freshmen? How much federal spending could be slashed right now and where should we start the cutting? We discuss it all with Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar. |
| Suffocated by Government |
| Fri, 20 May 2011 14:31:28 EST Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh says small business owners across the country are still reluctant to hire in big numbers. But why? What new government regulations do they find stifling? How is tax code also preventing them from hiring and expanding? What can Congress do about all this? How is Walsh's home state of Illinois an example of how not to spur job creation? And how do Walsh's constituents react to his strong support for the Ryan plan for the budget and the future of Medicare? We discuss it all with Rep. Walsh, a member of the House Small Business Committee. |
| 'Can't Hide that Biden Guy' |
| Fri, 20 May 2011 13:09:35 EST Vice President Joe Biden has been pretty quiet lately, but whenever he does speak a blunder is usually not far away. The Capitol Steps have some fun with Biden with some help from other top Democrats. Our guest is Steps star and co-founder Elaina Newport. |
| 'We Stand with Israel' |
| Thu, 19 May 2011 16:43:07 EST On Thursday, President Obama vowed to protect Israel but also said the Jewish state needed to cede all land gained from the 1967 Six-Day War in order to set the stage for meaningful peace talks with the Palestinians. He also chided both our allies and adversaries for being anywhere from resistant to deadly violent against demonstrators. So what should we make of Obama's latest speech on the Middle East? We ask Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh, a member of the House Israel Caucus. |
| Showdown in New York - 26 |
| Thu, 19 May 2011 15:02:28 EST On Tuesday, voters in New York's 26th Congressional district will choose a new representative in Congress. The latest polls show a pretty tight race among Republican Jane Corwin, Democrat Kathy Hochul and Tea Party hopeful Jack Davis. Who has the momentum in this race? Will the resignation of former GOP Rep. Mike Lee impact the outcome? Why are Republicans convinced the Tea Party candidate is actually a Democrat trying to siphon votes from Corwin? And is this race a referendum on the House GOP's economic plan? We discuss it all with Nick Langworthy, chairman of the Erie County, NY, Republican party. |
| 'It's Not True' |
| Wed, 18 May 2011 16:23:58 EST Louisiana Sen. David Vitter is strongly denouncing President Obama's claim that all necessary measures have been implemented to ensure a secure southern border. What is the real state of our borders? What was the real purpose of Obama's speech? And why is Sen. Vitter sponsoring legislation that would remove citizen status for the children of illegals born in the U.S.? We discuss it all with Sen. Vitter. |
| Drilling Proof is in the Permits |
| Wed, 18 May 2011 16:15:37 EST Last weekend, President Obama announced his intentions of expanding domestic energy production with new leases in various offshore drilling areas from the Gulf of Mexico to the waters off Alaska. But does his statement show a real commitment to greater production or is this just a political stunt to give the impression of more drilling when the reality is just the opposite? What will prove whether Obama is serious about more drilling or whether this is just rhetoric? What are Senate Republicans doing to force greater domestic energy production? And would full-scale energy production really just be a drop in the bucket compared to our consumption, or would it put us on the brink of energy independence? We discuss it all with Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. |
| Obamacare Waivers & Stumbles |
| Wed, 18 May 2011 16:05:56 EST The president's health care bill was sure to be a major issue in the 2012 campaign - but not among Republicans. Both Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich have taken heat for their positions on the issue. Romney for backing mandates at the state level Gingrich for attacking the House GOP Medicare reform plan. So what is the impact of their statements on the national debate? We ask Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute. She also weighs in strongly on the political nature by which Obamacare waivers seem to be granted. |
| Conservatives and Health Care |
| Tue, 17 May 2011 16:36:40 EST For the past few days, conservative circles have been buzzing as GOP presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich try to embrace mandates while denouncing the Obama health plan. Gingrich also called the new House Republican Medicare reform plan "right-wing social engineering". So how are Congressional Republicans reacting to all of this? Where do most stand on mandates? And is the Ryan plan radical - especially when compared to Obamacare? We discuss it all with Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy, who is also still a practicing physician. |
| How to Help Small Business |
| Tue, 17 May 2011 16:25:19 EST The unemployment rate is 9.0 percent and the real rate is much higher. Nearly all experts say mall businesses are the key to getting out of this jobs funk. But what do they need to start hiring? How is runaway spending in Washington hurting job creation efforts? And what can Congress do about burdensome bureaucratic regulations? We discuss it all with Tennessee Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, a member of the House Small Business Committee. |
| Louisiana vs. the Mississippi |
| Tue, 17 May 2011 16:16:17 EST The waters of the Mississippi River have severely impacted several states and Louisiana is now next in line. How is a state with such low elevations bracing for the flooding? How many people in rural areas will be impacted by efforts to divert the high waters? Will opening the spillways be guaranteed to save Baton Rouge and New Orleans? And what are the state and federal governments doing to help? We ask Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy, who represents the Baton Rouge area. |
| The Fed, The Debt and Gas Prices |
| Mon, 16 May 2011 16:05:37 EST Texas Rep. Kevin Brady is vice chairman of the Joint Economic Committee and is releasing a new study showing that the Federal Reserve policy of Quantitative Easing is weakening the dollar so much that Americans are paying an extra 56 cents per gallon as a result of our plummeting currency rates. So how does he reach that conclusion? How would he like the Fed to change course and what can Congress do about it? We ask Rep. Brady and get his insights into how Congress will respond to today's announcement that our nation has exceeded our debt limit. |
| GOP Exits and Gaffes |
| Mon, 16 May 2011 15:58:32 EST It's been an eventful few days in the 2012 Republican presidential race. Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump are taking a pass on the race while Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are taking on water over their health care positions. So who benefits from the Huckabee exit? Should we be at all surprised that Trump isn't running after all? And how badly damaged are Romney and Gingrich for their embrace of health care mandates? We discuss it all with Dr. Larry Sabato, professor of political science at the University of Virginia and director of UVA's Center for Politics. |
| Israel in the Crosshairs |
| Mon, 16 May 2011 15:07:55 EST Over the weekend, Syrian demonstrators tried to illegally cross the border into Israel. Israeli Defense Forces repelled the effort, leaving a few of the demonstrators dead and others injured. Why is Syria sudden;y provoking Israel? How is Iran involved? And how worried are Israelis about the greater bonds between Hamas and Fatah? We ask retired Israeli Brigadier Gen. Elihu Ben-Onn, who is now a radio talk show host in Jerusalem. Ben-Onn also weighs in on this week's meeting between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netahyahu. |
| The Fight for Guantanamo |
| Fri, 13 May 2011 15:40:02 EST Recent policy decisions on military tribunals means the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay will stay open for awhile. But Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe is advancing legislation that would block the president from ever closing the facility. Why does Inhofe believe this bill is necessary? Why does he want more inmates at Gitmo? And what does he make of the International Red Cross push to allow family members to visit Guantanamo detainees? We discuss these and other questions with Sen. Inhofe. |
| The bin Laden Death Photos |
| Fri, 13 May 2011 15:31:18 EST Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe is one of the very few public officials who have seen the death photos of Osama bin Laden. What do the pictures taken just after the kill shots look like? What can be seen in the photos taken aboard the USS Vinson? What is Inhofe's position on the debate over releasing the photos? Does he think the president will ever change his mind? We discuss it all with Sen. Inhofe. |
| Under the Sea |
| Fri, 13 May 2011 14:25:12 EST Nearly two weeks after the U.S. military took out Osama bin Laden, the Capitol Steps are here to provide President Obama's real reaction to this major achievement. Our guest is Steps star and co-founder Elaina Newport. |
| The Myth of Oil Subsidies |
| Thu, 12 May 2011 16:19:50 EST The big oil companies all get billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies each year, right? Wrong! They don't get a dime, according to Louisiana Rep. John Fleming. He says the companies do enjoy certain tax breaks and credits - benefits available to virtually every business in America. So what is this Democratic effort really all about? What are both parties offering to bring down gas prices? How would long-term energy production projects bring down energy prices almost immediately? We discuss it all with Rep. Fleming, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee. |
| Why There Can't Be a Truce |
| Wed, 11 May 2011 16:30:43 EST On Wednesday, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels signed legislation barring state taxpayer dollars from funding Planned Parenthood in way. Is this an isolated incident or will other states soon follow suit? And does this show social conservatives that Daniels can be trusted even though he wants to call a truce on these issues? We ask Tom McCluskey, vice president of government affairs at the Family Research Council. We also ask McCluskey about this week's firestorm over Navy chaplains being permitted to perform gay weddings in states where such unions are legal - and the subsequent order to block such ceremonies. |
| Pakistan and Terror Threats |
| Wed, 11 May 2011 16:08:21 EST How much has partial Pakistani loyalty compromised our military efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan? Is it possible much of the Pakistani may not have know what other government elements could have been doing to aid bin Laden? What is the smartest U.S. response? How real should we consider threats of Al Qaeda reprisals and possible train bombings? We discuss it all with Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, director of the Center for the Study of Terrorist Radicalization. He is also the author of the forthcoming book, "Why Al Qaeda Is Winning". |
| Obamacare Hits Appeals Court |
| Tue, 10 May 2011 16:38:25 EST The huge legal fight over the legality of the individual and employer mandates within the new health care laws was hotly debated before the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday. The state of Virginia is seeking to defend a state law forbidding the federal government from forcing its residents to purchase health insurance - or force them to buy anything for that matter. So how did the oral arguments go on Tuesday? What did the questions suggest about how the judges are approaching this critical case? And how did Virginia improve its standing in the case? We discuss it all with Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who is leading the effort to prevent the health care mandates from being applied in his state. |
| GOP and the Debt Limit |
| Tue, 10 May 2011 16:33:03 EST On Monday night, House Speaker John Boehner gave a speech in which he vowed to block any extension of the debt ceiling unless trillions of dollars in guaranteed spending cuts are part of the deal. So where is the House GOP on this critical question? What conditions are non-negotiable for Republicans? And what else is part of the GOP economic agenda? We ask Wisconsin Rep. Reid Ribble, a member of the House Budget Committee. |
| Immigration Laws Head to Supremes |
| Tue, 10 May 2011 16:21:32 EST On Monday, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer announced she would appeal an appellate court decision against the Arizona immigration laws to the Supreme Court. Cochise County Arizona Sheriff Larry Dever is strongly supportive of the laws. He says allowing the full implementation of SB 1070 would end sanctuary cities for illegals and make life much safer for people throughout his state. Dever also fires back against critics who suggest the laws amount to racial profiling. And we get his thoughts on President Obama's latest push for "comprehensive immigration reform". Listen here for our conversation with Sheriff Dever, who is also co-chair of bordersheriffs.com. |
| Want Jobs? Clear the Red Tape! |
| Tue, 10 May 2011 16:12:09 EST The latest jobs data shows more jobs being created by the unemployment rate still rising. So what would unleash massive job creation? According to Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford, a big part of the answer is doing away with many of countless, burdensome government regulations. So what type of regulations create the most problems? How much are they stifling job growth? What are House Republicans prepared to do on this front? And how is the GOP preparing for the debt ceiling debate? What is acceptable and what is not? And why is there some hope for consensus on taking on spending and runaway entitlements? We discuss it all with Rep. Lankford, a member of the House Budget Committee. |
| Processing Pakistan |
| Mon, 9 May 2011 16:15:36 EST Over the past week, America has applied a great deal of pressure to Pakistan - trying to determine whether Pakistan aided Osama bin Laden's years of hiding in Abbotabad. So what should we make of the defiant Pakistani response? How will Pakistan try to look tough for its people and appease the U.S. at the same time? Could the U.S. overplay this hand against Pakistan? And will all that's happened in the past week help us to crush the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the months ahead? We ask Dr. Walid Phares, author most recently of "The Coming Revolution" and an adviser to the Anti-Terrorism Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. |
| The Truth About Jobs |
| Mon, 9 May 2011 16:08:22 EST On Friday, the Department of Labor announced a net gain of 244,000 jobs in the month of April. But it also reported the overall unemployment rate is back up to 9.0 percent. So why the disconnect? Which number is more likely to be inaccurate? What's the real jobless rate when factoring in part-time and discouraged job seekers? Is the job situation getting markedly better as President Obama claims? How bad is the housing market and how much is that impacting the overall economy? We ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor. She was also chief of staff of President George W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers. She is now director of the Center for Employment Policy at the Hudson Institute. |
| Righteous Indignation |
| Fri, 6 May 2011 15:47:14 EST Is the liberal media something that just sort of happened or is their existence and bent something that's carefully choreographed. What's the most effective way for conservatives to fight back? And what are the key rules for combating the mainstream media? We ask Andrew Breitbart of biggovernment.com, brietbart.tv and several other conservative sites. His websites broke the ACORN video scandal in 2009. |
| Obama vs. Osama |
| Fri, 6 May 2011 15:43:19 EST President Obama is enjoying a mild surge in popularity after ordering the mission that killed Osama bin Laden. But even after all these years, people keep confusing the names of Osama and Obama. So as bin Laden gets back in the headlines briefly, the Capitol Steps dust off a favorite from the 2008 campaign to help you avoid a verbal stumble. |
| Bin Laden and the Ballot Box |
| Fri, 6 May 2011 15:37:53 EST John Gizzi of Human Events discusses the significance of Osama bin Laden's demise and it's impact on President Obama's short and long-term political future. Gizzi also comments on Rep. Mike Pence's decision to run for governor of Indiana and makes a guarantee on which Republican will definitely run for president. |
| Fighting the TSA Scanners |
| Thu, 5 May 2011 16:06:59 EST Late last year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implemented new, enhanced screening procedures that included scans that see beneath clothing and invasive pat-downs. Many people lashed out at the new measures but the protest seems to have faded. But Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz continues to fight. He is sponsoring legislation that would ban all Advanced Imaging Technology machines from the nation's airports. Why does he want them banned? Which recent stories highlight how ill-conceived these procedures are? What system does Chaffetz prefer? Why is the government unlikely to move away from the scanners? We discuss these and other questions with Rep. Chaffetz. |
| The Politics of Disaster |
| Thu, 5 May 2011 15:17:14 EST After more than two weeks of indecision, the Obama administration has denied a request for fire-ravaged areas of Texas to receive federal disaster declarations. How bad have the wildfires been? What type of damage is normally necessary to trigger a disaster declaration? Why is the FEMA assistance being offered by the government insufficient for the scope of damage caused by the fires? And what are Texas officials doing now to get FEMA to change its decision? We discuss it all with Texas Rep. Mike Conaway. |
| Pakistan Must Prove Innocence |
| Wed, 4 May 2011 15:55:56 EST The discovery of Osama bin Laden near the Pakistani capital and near a military academy has many experts concluding the Al Qaeda leader must have had help from the Pakistani government in eluding the U.S. Now Texas Rep. Ted Poe is bringing forth legislation that would freeze U.S. aid to Pakistan until that government can prove it did not assist bin Laden in any way. How can it prove it didn't help bin Laden? Would the aid return if Pakistan was found to be incompetent rather than complicit in helping bin Laden? Do we risk alienating a nuclear-armed nation by threatening to withhold aid? We discuss it all with Rep. Poe, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade subcommittee. |
| Pedal to the Metal in Terror War |
| Wed, 4 May 2011 15:25:59 EST Until his retirement earlier this year, former Michigan Rep. Pete Hoekstra was the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee. What does he make of President Obama's decision not to release any photos of a dead Osama bin Laden? Is the administration being overly concerned about offending people in the Muslim world? What does he see as the best U.S. strategy in prosecuting the war now that bin Laden is gone? And what does he have to say to those wanting to cut off foreign aid to Pakistan over its willingness to work with us and against us at the same time? We discuss it all with Mr. Hoekstra, who is now with the Washington firm of Dickstein Shapiro. |
| Donner Launches Senate Bid |
| Wed, 4 May 2011 13:08:34 EST Virginia businessman Tim Donner is running for the Republican nomination in Virginia's U.S. Senate race. Why is Donner putting a successful career on hold to run for the Senate? What are his answers for solving America's greatest fiscal challenges? What would be his approach to foreign affairs? And why does he believe George Allen is an unacceptable standard bearer for the GOP in this race? Click here to watch Tim Donner discuss these and other major questions with Radio America's Greg Corombos. |
| Bolton Talks Bin Laden, Pakistan |
| Tue, 3 May 2011 15:26:11 EST Former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton says it's pretty clear that some elements of the Pakistani government were aware of Osama bin Laden's location and were actively helping him stay hidden. So what is the right way to deal with a nuclear nation that does provide critical assistance but is also helping our enemies? How will Al Qaeda be impacted by bin Laden's death? Who is now the greatest radical threat in the region if Al Qaeda has been seriously diminished? And is there any hope for Mideast peace when Hamas and Fatah are finding common ground and Hamas is publicly condemning the death of bin Laden? We discuss it all with Amb. John Bolton. |
| After Bin Laden |
| Mon, 2 May 2011 16:34:03 EST After nearly 10 years of hunting, American forces killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan this past weekend. What should we make of the surgical strike that took out bin Laden? What about the time line doesn't quite add up? And where should the focus of our anti-terrorism efforts be aimed from here? We ask retired U.S. Army Major General Paul Vallely, who served as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army in the Pacific. |
| Intelligence, the Military and Pakistan |
| Mon, 2 May 2011 15:39:35 EST Former CIA Officer Larry Johnson weighs in on the U.S. killing of Osama bin Laden. Why does he say this should have happened much sooner? Why does he give more credit to the military than the CIA for compiling the intelligence behind Sunday's mission? And what is his response to learning that bin Laden was hiding in plain sight in Pakistan. We discuss it all with Mr. Johnson, who also worked for the State Department's Office of Counterterrorism. |
| Justice Delivered to Bin Laden |
| Mon, 2 May 2011 15:32:03 EST How much safer is the Umited States now that Bin Laden is dead? Will Al Qaeda lash out in response or be greatly diminished with Bin Laden gone? Will Americans see this as a victory in the War on Terror? What does this mean for the War on Terror? And what is Congress doing to keep this nation as safe as possible? We ask Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee. |
| In the Midst of Destruction |
| Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:32:28 EST Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks gives us a clear description of the carnage left behind by Wednesday's horrific twisters that left over 200 people dead in his state and more than 300 dead throughout the South. What has he seen on the ground in his district? How are the people holding up? What does he say to those who have lost everything? What are the greatest concerns right now? What kind of rebuilding challenges lie ahead? And what is the most important help Washington can provide? We discuss it all with Rep. Mo Brooks. |
| Is Petraeus Right for the CIA? |
| Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:24:13 EST Late this week, President Obama nominated CIA Director Leon Panetta to replace retiring Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He also nominated Gen. David Petraeus to succeed Panetta at the CIA. What kind of marks does he give Panetta? How has the CIA changed under his watch? Is that change for the better? What does he expect - and fear - from Petraeus? We ask Herb Meyer, former special assistant to then-CIA Director Bill Casey and former vice-chairman of the National Intelligence Council. Meyer also offers some personal advice to Petraeus as he heads to Langley. |
| Accustomed to Facebook |
| Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:19:28 EST As social media becomes an ever larger presence in our society, the Capitol Steps offer their satirical take on the biggest site of them all. Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| Horror in Alabama |
| Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:35:18 EST Nearly 300 people were killed late Wednesday and early Thursday as massive storms spawned deadly tornadoes throughout the South. Alabama suffered the most deaths and damage as a result of the twisters. How many deaths have been recorded there to date? Why was the death toll so high? How are state officials prioritizing needs across the state? What kind of help will Alabama need from the federal government? And how will a cash-strapped state deal with this kind of devastation? We discuss it all with Yasamie August, public information officer with the Alabama Emergency Agency. |
| Obama Stifling Energy Progress |
| Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:26:15 EST As gas prices fly north of $4.00 per gallon, plenty of political blame is being thrown around, but what are the facts? Texas Rep. Joe Barton is a former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and answers our questions. Why are gas prices rising so quickly? Is President Obama suppressing energy production in the Gulf of Mexico or is he allowing the highest output of energy in eight years as he claims? What would be the impact of opening up the Gulf, our oceans, Alaska and major reserves on land on our quest for energy independence? What can Congress do about lifting burdensome EPA regulations on energy exploration? And what should we make of Obama's plan to end subsidies for major energy companies? We discuss it all with Rep. Barton. |
| Debt Crisis Is That Bad |
| Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:19:00 EST Freshman South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney says he and other Republicans have spoken with concerned citizens about the GOP's plan to enact major reforms to Medicare. Why are older Americans most supportive of the Ryan plan? Is it because their benefits are guaranteed or because they know there are huge problems? How do skeptical voters respond after hearing the details of the plan and the scope of our debt crisis? Will the House GOP compromise on the debt ceiling and 2012 appropriations bills or toe the line on major changes? And what major changes would be required for the GOP to agree on raising the debt ceiling? We discuss it all with Rep. Mulvaney, a member of the House Budget Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. |
| Free Speech and the Bible |
| Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:26:58 EST Two pastors and an elder from a Hemet, California, church were arrested by the California Highway Patrol earlier this year for reading the Bible near the entrance to a local DMV prior to the office opening for business. How did the arrest take place? What was the reason for the arrests? And where does this stand legally? We discuss this free speech case with Jennifer Monk of Advocates for Faith and Freedom, which is representing the three defendants. |
| DC Law Firm Won't Defend DOMA |
| Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:40:36 EST On Monday we learned that Washington-based law firm King & Spaulding is withdrawing as the legal team defending the Defense of Marriage Act on behalf of House Republicans. Why did the firm back out of the agreement? Who will lead the defense of DOMA? How strong are the cases for and against DOMA? And how long will it take to sort this out in the courts? We discuss it all with Mathew Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel. Staver has defended traditional marriage in many states around the nation. |
| Obamacare & Debt Ceiling |
| Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:08:56 EST Georgia Rep. Tom Price is a longtime physician, a member of the House Budget Committee and a member of the House GOP leadership as Policy Committee chairman. Price explains why the Supreme Court's decision not to fast-track the Obamacare case is unfortunate but not likely to harm efforts to strike down the individual mandate as unconstitutional. Price also says GOP House members are getting far more grief from voters about not being tough enough on spending than they are for allegedly going too far in their efforts to reduce the size and scope of government. Price also reveals what type of conditions he will demand before voting for any hike in the debt limit. |
| Virginia Dealt Obamacare Setback |
| Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:36:15 EST On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that it would not expedite its hearing of a constitutional challenge to the new health care laws - and in particular the legality of the individual mandate. Is this a major setback? What's the silver lining in the timing of all this? When could the high court hear this case? And what is the cost of implementing the health care plan while this legal fight plays out? We ask Brian Gottstein, director of communications for Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. |
| Duffy Talks Debt, Budget Battle |
| Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:48:54 EST Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy was one of the stars of the freshman class of 2010 and won a Democratic seat by emphasizing fiscal responsibility. So how does his understanding of our debt problem now compare to what he knew in November? What is his position on raising the debt ceiling? What does the budget fight in Wisconsin tell us about whether the American people are really ready for this fight? Why does he support the Ryan budget? And what does he think of President Obama's plan to raise taxes on the rich? We discuss it all with Rep. Sean Duffy, a member of the House Financial Services Committee. |
| Under BP |
| Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:47:34 EST This week marks the one-year anniversary of the BP disaster that gushed oil into the Gulf of Mexico for months before the deepwater well was finally plugged. In commemoration, the Capitol Steps roll out "Under BP" from their brand new CD "Desperate House Members". Our guest is Steps co-founder and star Elaina Newport. |
| Obama's Lingering BP Disaster |
| Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:01:37 EST Wednesday marks one year since the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. What lessons have been learned and which ones should have been learned? Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy says lax oversight allowed the tragedy to take place and the Obama administration is making a terrible situation even worse by preventing many firms from returning to work in the Gulf. How much activity would he like to see? How much is there right now? How many jobs are being lost because of the inaction? And how long would it take to ramp up production levels to the levels they were at prior to the disaster? We discuss it all with Rep. Cassidy. |
| Spending Wars |
| Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:56:44 EST Fresh off a battle to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year, Republicans and Democrats are now gearing up for a much bigger fight - the 2012 budget and two very different visions of where the country ought to head in efforts to slash the deficits. How united are Republicans behind the Ryan plan to reform entitlements and reform the tax code? Is there anything in the Obama plan Republicans can get behind? How will this likely impasse be resolved? And what sort of concessions on spending will be necessary before the GOP agrees to raise the debt ceiling? We ask Indiana Rep. Marlin Stutzman, a member of the House Budget Committee. |
| Prop. 8 Ruling Should be Nixed |
| Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:48:14 EST A few months ago, Federal Judge Vaughn Walker ruled California's constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman was unconstitutional. Since then we've learned that the now retired Judge Walker is a practicing homosexual and Liberty Counsel contends that should be reason enough to vacate Walker's decision. Why does Liberty Counsel believe there is a clear conflict of interest that should have led Walker to recuse himself? How is that different than Christian judges ruling on the Ten Commandments or a pro-second amendment judge taking on a gun case? Why didn't defenders of the traditional marriage law raise the issue of Walker's fitness to rule on this case? And what happens now? We discuss it all with J. Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel. |
| The Food Police |
| Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:42:02 EST In just the past few weeks, the mayor of Boston has banned sugary sodas from being available at schools, a Chicago school has banned parents from making school lunches for their kids and Washington, DC public schools are planning to ban chocolate milk. Why are we seeing so many edicts telling kids and everyone else what they can and cannot eat? Why is the government even leaving parents out of the equation? Do these tactics really help anyone make better decisions? What is the result of previous efforts to tell us all what to eat? And where does this big government intend to go next? We ask Jeff Stier of the National Center for Public Policy Research. |
| Obama and Religious Freedom |
| Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:35:54 EST For the first time since President Obama took office, America now has an ambassador-at-large on the issue of international religious freedom. Who or what is responsible for this delay? What do we know about new ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook? What should be her highest priorities? And how serious is the Obama administration about promoting international religious freedom? We ask Lindsay Vessey, advocacy director at Open Doors USA, one of the leading groups assisting the persecuted Christian church. |
| When IRS Guys Are Smilin' |
| Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:59:45 EST The Capitol Steps bring back one of their greatest parodies to mark the depressing occasion of the federal income tax deadline. Our guest is Steps star and co-founder Elaina Newport. |
| The Truth About Medicare |
| Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:46:30 EST Over the past several days, Rep. Paul Ryan and President Obama offered very different plans to address our nation's soaring debt. Both identified Medicare reform as a major part of cutting costs, but they disagree strongly on tactics. So what's the truth about Ryan's plan to allow seniors into the health coverage marketplace and what difference would Obama's efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse really have? Are Republicans trying to sock it to seniors in order to give breaks to the rich? And will middle-aged Americans embrace the changes Ryan is suggesting or will any talk of major reforms cause them to keep the status quo? We discuss it all with Louisiana Rep. John Fleming, who served as a physician for many years before coming to Congress. |
| Not Good Enough |
| Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:42:14 EST On Thursday, the House of Representatives approved a resolution to fund the federal government through September. But 59 Republicans voted against the plan, making Democratic support necessary for passage. Louisiana Rep. John Fleming joins Greg to explain why he opposed the bill, how much it really saves and how he approaches the upcoming vote on raising the debt ceiling. |
| The Same Promises and Platitudes |
| Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:18:31 EST On Wednesday, President Obama delivered his highly touted speech outlining his plan for reining in deficits over the long term. He calls for higher taxes on wealthy Americans, cuts in military spending and generally tighter purse strings elsewhere in the budget. So how are House Republicans reacting to Obama's plans? How does the GOP react to Obama suggesting the House GOP budget would reward the rich and punish seniors and students? What is the GOP plan? We ask Michigan Rep. Tim Walberg. We also ask Rep. Walberg where he stands on an increasingly controversial budget resolution to fund the government through September. |
| The Problem is Spending |
| Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:12:41 EST For years as U.S. Comptroller General, David Walker was among the loudest voices calling for Congress to get serious about controlling our spending and bringing our deficits and debt under control. What does he think of the Ryan plan for long-term fiscal solvency? What does he expect to hear from President Obama tomorrow? How urgent is the need for social security reform? Why does he believe raising the debt ceiling is imperative? What kind of spending restrictions would he like to see attached? We discuss it all with David Walker, who is now president of the Comeback America Initiative. |
| Silly Argument Wins in 9th Circuit |
| Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:27:33 EST On Monday, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Justice Department's challenge to the new Arizona immigration laws. Iowa Rep. Steve King, one of the leading voices for border security in the Congress, explains where he thinks this case is headed and why he believes the Obama administration has no legal grounds for this lawsuit. |
| An Historic Opportunity Wasted |
| Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:19:37 EST Late Friday, House and Senate leaders agreed on a deal to cut spending and keep the government operating. So why was the deal not good enough for Iowa Rep. Steve King? What does he think of the separate vote agreed to on Obamacare? Does he see any chance of defeating the budget deal this week? And how does he react to President Obama demanding a 'clean' bill to raise the debt ceiling without any concessions on spending or entitlements? We discuss it all with Rep. King. |
| Rubio Rips Dems on Budget Impasse |
| Fri, 8 Apr 2011 15:36:41 EST As the clock ticks closer to a government shutdown, Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio tells us why he does not believe Democrats have been serious in trying to reduce spending. If there is a deal, what will it take to win Rubio's vote? What does he believe are the true motives of Senate Democrats and how does he assess President Obama's role in this fight? How does he respond to allegations from Democrats that Republicans are denying health care to women because they want to deny funding for Planned Parenthood? What is he hearing from his constituents? And what does he think about Democrats refusing to back a one-week budget resolution that would make sure our troops are paid through the end of the fiscal year? We discuss these questions and more with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. |
| Myths and Benefits of A Shutdown |
| Fri, 8 Apr 2011 14:44:22 EST Both parties on Capitol Hill are publicly demanding the passage of a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown and fund government operations for the next six months. But would a government shutdown really be the calamity that so many people seem to believe? What would be the worst aspects of shutdown? How do previous shutdowns suggest this one might end? And what could some major benefits of a shutdown be? We ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, former chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor and former chief of staff for the President's Council of Economic Advisers. She is now an adjunct scholar with the Manhattan Institute. |
| Cut! Cut! Cut! |
| Thu, 7 Apr 2011 15:33:09 EST We're just over 24 hours away from an increasingly likely government shutdown. Will we see an 11th hour deal to keep Uncle Sam fully operational or are we headed to a shutdown? Is it more important for Republicans to keep the government open or to stick to their commitments to reduce the size of government? And will the GOP's efforts to pass a one-week resolution have any chance of passage? We ask Tennessee Rep. Diane Black, a member of the House Budget Committee. |
| The GOP's Fiscal Vision |
| Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:55:35 EST Earlier this week, House Republicans outlined their ambitious plan to reform Medicare and Medicaid and reduce spending by about six trillion dollars over the next ten years. So how exactly would these plans work? How would block granting Medicaid money to the states be better than what we have now? How would the GOP inject competition and better service into health care options for seniors? And can something this big ever get approved in a Congress that can't agree on $61 billion in cuts? We discuss it all with |
| 'A Despicable Posture' |
| Wed, 6 Apr 2011 16:21:36 EST Georgia Rep. Tom Price, chairman of the House GOP POlicy Committee and a member of the House Budget and Ways and Means Committee, rips Democrats for trying to cause a government shutdown, for leaving our military out in the cold if a shutdown occurs and for blatantly deceiving the public about its version of spending cuts. Price explains the differences between the party positions and predicts whether a shutdown will happen. |
| The Republican Message Has Won |
| Wed, 6 Apr 2011 15:10:12 EST Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns says he is not sure if there will be a government shutdown but he knows there is a bipartisan desire to prevent one. What does he believe Congressional Democrats are ready to do? What does he make of efforts to demonize the Republican position on spending cuts? |
| Why Tribunals are the Best Choice |
| Wed, 6 Apr 2011 15:03:59 EST On Monday, the Obama administration grudgingly allowed 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators to be tried in a military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay rather than in civilian courts as the president first advocated. Was Holder right to blame politics for the reversal in policy? Was Congress right to assert its leverage in pushing for the tribunals? And how exactly are tribunals different than a typical criminal trial in civilian courts? We discuss it all with Kyndra Rotunda, former U.S. Army prosecutor at Guantanamo and author of "Honor Bound: Inside the Guantanamo Trials". |
| Small Business vs. Obamacare |
| Tue, 5 Apr 2011 16:25:50 EST Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns is lead sponsor of the effort to repeal an Obamacare provision that would have added a huge paperwork burden for small business owners. Why would this have been so onerous? How did 87 senators agree on this when it was such a polarizing issue last year? What part of Obamacare might be next on the chopping block? And how does reducing paperwork lead to more jobs? We ask Sen. Johanns. |
| Answering Obama |
| Tue, 5 Apr 2011 16:22:22 EST Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford is a member of the House Budget Committee. He reacts to the growing possibility of a government shutdown and responds to President Obama's claims that Democrats want to cut just as much spending as House Republicans. |
| Budget Battles Near and Far |
| Tue, 5 Apr 2011 16:11:21 EST A government shutdown looms Friday night unless Congress can agree on a bill to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year. Will it happen? What's the real reason for the impasse? Are Democrats really rooting for a shutdown? And what should we make of Rep. Paul Ryan's long-term fiscal reform plans. |
| 9-11 Trials to be Held at Gitmo |
| Mon, 4 Apr 2011 16:24:21 EST On Monday, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that he is reversing policy and will allow Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his alleged co-conspirators to be tried before military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay. How important is this change? Why is Gitmo a better location and system than in federal court? What has the U.S. lost by debating this policy for the past few years? And does this mean the debate over closing Guantanamo is over for the foreseeable future? We ask retired U.S. Army Gen. Paul Vallely. We also get his thoughts on the mission in Afghanistan as riots and tough fighting continue there almost 10 years after 9-11. |
| Bolton Talks Libya, 2012 Campaign |
| Fri, 1 Apr 2011 16:11:05 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton offers his thoughts on the latest developments in Libya and President Obama's handling of the crisis. What should be America's goals in Libya going forward? How should we respond to unrest in other Arab countries? Are we fostering freedom or paving the way for extremists to take control throughout the region? Why does Bolton see Obama's Libya policy as 'incoherent'? And how does all of this impact Bolton's decision on whether to run for president in 2012? We discuss it all with Amb. John Bolton. |
| Boycotts and Court Battles |
| Fri, 1 Apr 2011 16:00:24 EST The controversial Wisconsin plan to save money by targeting collective bargaining power for government workers is on hold while a judge in Madison decides if it's legal. Are politics, incompetence or both involved in this court case? That's the opinion of Wisconsin GOP State Sen. Glenn Grothman. Why is he annoyed at this legal fight? Will Republicans just pass the bill again to clear up any legal issues? Grothman also lashes out at the increasingly 'totalitarian' atmosphere in Wisconsin as unions tell businesses they will be boycotted unless they actively support the political position of the labor unions. Will this tactic engender sympathy for the unions or cast them as thugs in the midst of this pivotal debate? We ask Sen. Grothman. |
| A 3-D Energy Plan |
| Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:37:04 EST Louisiana Sen. David Vitter says President Obama's speech on energy was just restating the same policy he's always been pushing. He also says Obama has been painfully slow in approving new drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico and that is hurting our economy. But what is Vitter's long-term plan? What would his 3-D approach to energy production include? Where would new offshore exploration take place? What about on land? How would he address the endless legal challenges that try to block any new exploration? What does his plan contain for alternative energies? And does it have a chance of becoming law? We discuss all these questions with Louisiana Sen. David Vitter. |
| Planned Parenthood Busted Again |
| Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:44:18 EST Earlier this year, undercover videos from the group Live Action showed Planned Parenthood workers working to help a purported pimp hide his work in sex trafficking and girls as young as 14-years-old from authorities. In response, the House of Representatives voted to defund Planned Parenthood of taxpayer dollars. The group has since launched a multi-million ad campaign claiming that many women rely on Planned Parenthood for basic medical care - specifically mammograms. So Live Action called dozens of Planned Parenthood clinics around the country to see if mammograms were offered or whether the idea was just part of a major PR effort. Live Action President Lila Rose joins us to expose Planned Parenthood for not offering mammograms anywhere in the country and where this fierce debate goes from here. |
| Don't Arm Future Enemies |
| Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:09:24 EST In the past two days, forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi have pushed back a great deal against the rebels. Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Tom McInerney says this mission was a mistake and it's time to get out since the alleged massacre has been averted. Why is he staunchly opposed to the U.S. and our allies arming the rebels? Why does he foresee a U.S. presence in Libya for years if we're there when Gaddafi falls? And what's the best American response to brutal crackdowns in Syria and other unfriendly Arab nations? We discuss it all with Gen. McInerney. |
| 'A Failure of Leadership' |
| Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:03:13 EST On Monday, President Obama gave his first extensive statement on the mission in Libya that is now more than a week old. Did the president make a convincing case? Did he he explain why this mission is in our national interest? Was he honest when saying Congress was consulted before the mission began? Are we really dialing back our role in this conflict? We discuss all these questions and more with South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel. He received no notice of the military action in Libya prior to its launch. |
| Many Questions for Obama |
| Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:57:19 EST This evening, President Obama will give his first presidential address regarding our involvement in military action in Libya. What are the key questions Obama needs to answer? Do we know how long this mission will realistically take? How much will it cost in a time of great fiscal distress? And will Gaddafi have to be removed or not? We discuss it all with retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis, who is now a senior strategist with the U.S. Army. |
| Obamacare vs. Freedom |
| Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:30:18 EST The fight against implementation of the president's health care plan continues. Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers is leading a bipartisan effort to strip the plan of mandates that insurance companies spend at least 80 percent of all income on claim payments. Why is that a problem? Why could that be a huge hit to small businesses? What's the real reason for the provision? And how does Rogers respond to accusations that he's doing the bidding of big insurance companies. Rep. Rogers also discusses another bill that would give every American the opportunity to received a waiver to exempt themselves from the provisions of the health care plan - just like many big corporations and labor unions have already done. Listen here for a great discussion with Rep. Rogers. |
| 'The Theater of the Absurd' |
| Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:17:28 EST From international military action in Libya to unrest through the Middle East to a terrorist attack in Israel, what are we watching unfold in real time in the world's most volatile region? How does the rest of the region view Obama's performance on Libya? How should we assess the unrest in other Muslim and Arab nations? What can we predict about Egypt's future from the actions of its military leaders in recent weeks? What should the U.S. be doing differently? And where does Israel fit into all of this? We ask Dr. Mike Evans, longtime Middle East expert and author of "Jimmy Carter, the Liberal Left and World Chaos: A Carter/Obama Plan that Will Not Work". |
| Texas Beefing Up Voter ID Laws |
| Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:53:21 EST Texas legislators are moving closer to implementing stronger voter identification requirements. How likely is this to pass? What will be required of Texans at the polls? What evidence is there of irregularities in the current system? How do supporters of stronger ID requirements react to accusations of racism and discrimination? And does all of this connect to the simultaneous debate over enforcement of immigration laws? We ask Texas State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, chairman of the committee which drafted the voter ID legislation. |
| Target: TSA |
| Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:51:14 EST The Capitol Steps roll out their brand new CD, "Desperate House Members", by taking comedic aim at the TSA's intrusive new security procedures. Our guest is Steps co-founder and star Elaina Newport. |
| Who Are We Helping in Libya? |
| Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:24:42 EST The U.S. is going to great effort to assist the Libyan rebels against Col. Gaddafi and his forces. But who exactly are the rebels? Would they be better than Gaddafi? What kind of power struggle would occur among the various factions? We ask Dr. Walid Phares, author of "The Coming Revolution" and a professor of global strategies here in Washington. He also dissects the unrest in Yemen and analyzes today's terrorist attack in Jerusalem. |
| Pull Our Troops Out of Libya Now |
| Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:05:20 EST Michigan Rep. Candice Miller says there is no clear national security interest for the United States in Libya and President Obama should remove our forces from this operation immediately. Why does she say that? How does she respond to the Obama rationale that there is a significant humanitarian threat posed by Gaddafi's forces? What does she think of arguments that Gaddafi (like Saddam Hussein) sponsors terrorism and has U.S. blood on his hands so he must be removed? And what does she make of Obama going to the United Nations but not to Congress to authorize military action? We discuss it all with Rep. Miller, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee. |
| Traditional Marriage Wins Again |
| Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:56:01 EST A few weeks ago, even the most ardent defenders of traditional marriage in Maryland didn't see how they could stop the enactment of gay marriage legislation in their state. But just when passage seemed inevitable, concerned citizens of all political stripes banded together and convinced enough lawmakers to remove their support that the bill has been shelved for at least a year. So what brought these activists together? What message got the attention of lawmakers? And where does the debate go from here? We ask Maryland Delegate Donald Dwyer, the leading opponent of the gay marriage bill in the Maryland legislature. |
| Superior Power, Flawed Mission |
| Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:31:26 EST The United States is grudgingly leading a coalition of nations determined to stop Libya's brutal crackdown on a rebels there. Just how impressive is the firepower we have at our disposal? How easily should we be able to dominate the skies? We ask retired U.S. Air Force General Tom McInerney, former deputy commander-in-chief for U.S. Air Forces Europe and an expert on Libya. But McInerney says despite our obvious military advantage, this mission is a very bad idea. What are his three major concerns and how are they already being realized? We discuss it all with Gen. McInerney. |
| 'I Don't Think It's Been Explained' |
| Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:23:06 EST Should the United States be involving our military in Libya? What is the mission? Will Congress and the public be consulted as the mission continues? We ask Texas Rep. Mike Conaway, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. We also talk with Rep. Conaway about his strong opposition to last week's resolution calling for an expedited withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. The Congressman explains why he believes the mission there continues to be essential and what he learned from the testimony of General David Petraeus last week. |
| The Real Way to Reform Health Care |
| Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:36:44 EST In the second half of our conversation, Texas Rep. Michael Burgess draws upon his experience in Congress and as a doctor to lay out the biggest challenges facing our existing health care system and the most efficient and practical ways to improve the system - from changing medical liability laws to giving young people more incentive to take on the years and financial burden of becoming a physician. |
| We Must Go After Obamacare Funding |
| Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:27:19 EST In this excerpt of a larger interview, Texas Rep. Michael Burgess expresses frustration that the latest GOP budget resolution did not target mandatory Obamacare spending as the fiscal year rolls along. Why didn't GOP leaders go after that spending? What does Burgess reveal about Republican leaders in explaining why he voted for the continuing resolution despite his great disappointment in it? Listen to this revealing answer by Rep. Burgess. |
| 'There Was Not the Will to Fight' |
| Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:11:05 EST Texas Rep. Michael Burgess is also a longtime physician. One year after passage of the Obama health care bill explains how the plan is quickly being implemented by the Obama administration, why House Republicans have yet to push for defunding the mandatory spending called for in last year's bill and what we've learned about the new laws in the year since approval. We discuss it all with Rep. Burgess, author of "Doctor in the House". |
| Republican Budget Revolt Grows |
| Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:05:00 EST Earlier this week, Congress approved another short-term budget resolution, but this time GOP leaders watched dozens of their own members vote no and demand sweeping changes on the spending front. Iowa Rep. Steve King says something even more important is at stake - stopping Obamacare. How are the two issues related? What could be done to block funding in these budget debates? We discuss it all with Rep. King. |
| You Don't Send Me Twitters |
| Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:29:47 EST Over the past week, some of the most outrageous and incoherent public statements have come from actor Charlie Sheen and Libyan madman Muammar Ghaddafi. So the Capitol Steps bring them together in this week's selection. Our guest is the Steps' Brian Ash. |
| Nuclear Power Paranoia |
| Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:25:02 EST In the days following the Japanese earthquake and onset of the nuclear crisis, several Democrats in Congress have advocated a temporary freeze on future construction of nuclear power plants. Is the drama in Japan reason for us to further delay the need for more domestic energy? What are the facts on nuclear energy? Where would Democrats get our energy if oil drilling and now nuclear energy are deemed unsafe? We ask Texas Rep. Michael Burgess, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. |
| Defunding and Rebuking NPR |
| Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:19:35 EST On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to defund National Public Radio. The idea is likely to be killed in the Senate or by President Obama, but what should we know about the recent comments that put NPR on the defensive? Are liberals more intellectual than conservatives? Are universities a bastion of liberalism or is that just a right-wing talking point? How does all of this play into what happens at NPR? We ask Dr. Rich Brake, co-chair of the National Civic Literacy Project at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. |
| 'Insane and Pathetic' |
| Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:27:15 EST On Tuesday, the House of Representatives approved a second short-term budget resolution that will keep the government funded for another three weeks and cut another six billion dollars in spending. Will we see these short-term measures for the rest of the fiscal year? Why is the GOP furious at Senate Democrats? How do supporters of yesterday's bill answer conservative critics who claim the GOP is failing to stop funding of Obamacare and Planned Parenthood? And what can we expect from Republicans in their 2012 budget resolution? We discuss it all with Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford. |
| Inside the NPR Sting |
| Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:18:16 EST Last week, hidden videos were released showing National Public Radio executives disparaging conservatives and getting cozy with people purporting to be in league with the Muslim Brotherhood. So why did James O'Keefe focus on NPR? How did he come up with the complex premise? Why does he do these hidden videos? How does he answer critics who slam his tactics? And what videos are coming next? We discuss it all with James O'Keefe of Project Veritas. |
| Nuclear Power Very Safe |
| Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:23:59 EST As Japan fights to prevent disaster at a nuclear power plant following the earthquake and tsunami, many here at home are debating whether our energy future should include nuclear power as a major component. So what can actually tell about what's happening in Japan? Do our nuclear plants have better containment provisions than Japan? Will this country move forward with additional nuclear facilities or will we freeze in place as we did after Three Mile Island? We ask former Michigan Rep. Vernon Ehlers, the first nuclear physicist ever elected to Congress. |
| Christians Targeted, Media Silent |
| Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:55:23 EST Many cheered the regime change in Iraq in 2003 as well as the recent upheaval in Egypt. But along with some positives comes major persecution for Christians in these Islamic countries once ruled by secular leaders. How bad has it become for Christians in Iraq in the past eight years? How much worse have just the past few weeks been for Christians in Egypt? Why doesn't the media report this brutality? What could democracy really mean in these countries? What could and should the U.S. be doing (especially in Iraq) that we have neglected to do? We discuss it all with Dr. Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA. |
| Massive Quake Nothing New |
| Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:28:45 EST Massive earthquakes have struck Japan, New Zealand, Sumatra, Chile and Haiti in recent years. Does this suggest the earth's crust is getting more volatile or do the numbers largely suggest consistency? Is there or is there not a significant threat posed by tsunamis if they have to travel the entire length of the Pacific Ocean? Can this only happen along major fault lines? We discuss all this and much more with Professor Michael Wysession, seismologist at Washington University in St. Louis. |
| Dem Budget Efforts 'Pathetic' |
| Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:29:30 EST This week, the Senate rejected the House plan for funding the government through the remainder of the fiscal year. It also spiked the plan offered by Democrats. So what happens next and why does Arizona Rep. David Schweikert describe the performance of President Obama and other Democrats as 'pathetic'? Will we get nothing but short continuing resolutions for the rest of the fiscal year? Are conservatives OK with that? And what does Schweikert have to say about President Obama's call for more drilling to ease energy prices until his clean energy agenda can fully come on line? We discuss it all with Rep. Schweikert. |
| Wisconsin Republicans Win |
| Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:25:20 EST In the past couple of days, Republicans in the Wisconsin legislature succeeded in passing legislation ending collective bargaining for public sector employees. Why did the GOP finally decide not to wait for the Democrats to return? How serious are the threats to recall some members of the state senate? What else is on the GOP agenda to reduce debt and grow the economy? We ask Wisconsin State Senator Glenn Grothman. |
| The Big One Hits Japan |
| Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:20:31 EST An 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan today, triggering a massive tsunami that has killed hundreds and rolled all the way to the west coast of the United States. What happened in the earth's crust? Why did this quake trigger such a major tsunami? Was this along a major fault line? Is there a connection to the recent earthquake in New Zealand? We ask Linda Lastowka, geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center. |
| Fun, Fun, Fun |
| Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:18:04 EST As Congress fails to find a long-term budget solution, the Capitol Steps have some fun with the Tea Party and its expectations of Republicans in the budget debate. Our guest is the Steps' Elaina Newport. |
| Setting the Record Straight |
| Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:16:40 EST The House Homeland Security Committee finally held it's much-debated hearings on the radicalization of Muslims and the link to terrorist plots. Why did the hearings generate so much protest? Why do the criticisms ring hollow? What did the committee learn today? And what is the best way to fight radicalization? We ask California Rep. Dan Lungren, a member of the Homeland Security Committee. |
| The Future of Gitmo |
| Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:21:34 EST Earlier this week, President Obama quietly shifted course on his policy towards the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Now he is in favor of indefinite detention of prisoners as well as the use of military tribunals. Louisiana Rep. John Fleming led a Congressional delegation to Gitmo earlier this week and tells us what is fact and fiction there. He also details pending legislation that would continue tribunals, current detention policies and forbidding the transfer of detainees to American soil. Listen here for our conversation with Rep. Fleming. |
| Obamacare's Double-Counting 'Lie' |
| Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:29:20 EST Illinois Rep. John Shimkus joins us to explain how the Obama administration is using financial sleight of hand when it comes to the budgeting for Medicare and the new health care plan. Specifically, he says Obama is trying to claim the same $500 billion for shoring up Medicare and for funding the new health care plan. So how did the administration get into this fiscal pinch? And what is the main GOP strategy for stopping the implementation of Obamacare? We discuss it all with Rep. Shimkus. |
| Outreach to All the Wrong Groups |
| Wed, 9 Mar 2011 15:21:23 EST On Thursday, the House Homeland Security Committee will probe the connection between radical Islam and terrorism. But rather than investigate the obvious link, many have loudly protested the hearings as discriminating against Islam. So why are these prominent Muslim groups really bent out of shape? Why has the Obama administration actively tried to court these questionable groups? Why are many Democrats equally vocal in denouncing the hearings before they even take place? And how much tougher is it to win a war when many don't want to identify or discuss the motivation for many of our enemies? We discuss all these questions with Andy McCarthy, who served on the team of federal prosecutors that secured convictions for the blind sheik and others responsible for the 1993 World Trade Center attack. |
| Obama Finally Gets Gitmo Right |
| Tue, 8 Mar 2011 16:27:50 EST After several years of condemning the Bush administration policy of indefinitely holding terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay, President Obama has largely reversed his plans to close Gitmo, bring detainees to U.S. soil and charge them in civilian courts instead of military tribunals. So why the change of heart? How important is this reversal of policy? Why is Guantanamo Bay such an important piece of the anti-terrorism strategy? And does this mean President Obama is getting better in this arena? We ask former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Peter Hoekstra. We also get his thoughts on the uproar leading up to the Congressional hearings on Islamic radicalism. |
| Let Us Drill! |
| Mon, 7 Mar 2011 16:06:27 EST Gas prices are rising rapidly in the wake of Middle East turmoil. And while the Obama administration is considering the tapping of emergency reserves, there has not even been a whisper of opening more of America's natural resources to domestic production. What impact could opening access to pre-BP disaster levels have on energy prices? How are other countries reacting to our refusal to make use of our own resources? Why is President Obama more than happy to see gas prices rise to as high as seven dollars per gallon? We discuss it all with Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. |
| Seize Freedom! |
| Mon, 7 Mar 2011 16:01:53 EST Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter brings his refreshing personality to some the biggest challenges facing our nation. In his new book "Seize Freedom!", McCotter explains how heavily-bureaucratic government is a national albatross, why the War on Terror is really a War for Freedom and why moral relativism is very harmful for America. |
| Obama and the Energy Crunch |
| Fri, 4 Mar 2011 15:53:40 EST The unrest in the Middle East has led to sharply higher fuel prices, and Louisiana Rep. John Fleming says President Obama is in no rush to see them come down again. Why would Obama welcome painfully high prices? What is the economic impact of these higher energy prices? What is the administration doing and not doing to encourage domestic energy production? Is Obama really in favor of domestic energy or are his policies really just window dressing? We discuss it all with Rep. Fleming, who grilled Interior Secretary Ken Salazar over these issues this week in the House Natural Resources Committee. |
| Justice Department vs. the Law |
| Fri, 4 Mar 2011 15:45:39 EST This week, Attorney General Eric Holder was criticized for failing to fully prosecute members of the New Black Panther Party for intimidating voters in 2008. In response, Holder said the details in the case did not come close to the discrimination suffered in the Civil Rights era and any such suggestion was a disservice to "my people". What did we learn about Holder's view of the law and how race factors into that view? What can we glean from his handling of the voter intimidation case and his advice to President Obama to stop enforcing the Defense of Marriage Act? Is there a racial bias at the Justice Department? Is there evidence to back up that claim? We discuss it all with J. Christian Adams, a former lawyer in the Justice Department's civil rights division. He is now with Pajamas Media. |
| Berlusconi Amore |
| Fri, 4 Mar 2011 15:33:51 EST While it's been overshadowed by huge stories at home and abroad, the sex scandal surrounding Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi still threatens his grip on power. This week, the Capitol Steps have some fun with Berlusconi and his scandal. Our guest is Steps co-founder and star Elaina Newport. |
| House Repeals 1099 Biz Burden |
| Thu, 3 Mar 2011 16:25:44 EST California Rep. Dan Lungren is lead sponsor of HR 4, the bill to repeal a major expansion of the number of 1099 IRS forms small business would have had to complete to comply with the new health care laws. The plan easily passed the House on Thursday afternoon. So what happens now to the legislation? Why did many Democrats agree to repeal of this provision? Why do Republicans see this repeal as a major boost to job creation? And will this lower the number of new IRS agents ordered by the health care bill? We ask Rep. Lungren. |
| Obama Falls Short on Libya Policy |
| Thu, 3 Mar 2011 15:08:19 EST South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson talks about the ongoing bloodshed in Libya and the U.S. posture towards efforts to oust longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. What does Wilson believe should have been our posture since the start if rebellion? What are we doing diplomatically and militarily to facilitate the ouster of Gadhafi? Why were Democrats and Republicans so quiet about the Libya crisis for days before finally demanding a change in leadership? How can the U.S. best navigate a region full of unrest while our national security interests suggest some current regimes should stay and we;d really like to see others fall? We ask South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, a member of both the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. Wilson is just back from a Congressional delegation to the Middle East and offers updates on Iraq and Afghanistan as well. |
| House GOP Will Defend Marriage |
| Wed, 2 Mar 2011 16:05:34 EST Last week, President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder declared they would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act in federal court. That likely leaves Congress as the only possible defender of the law in court. But will House Republicans defend the law? How could Justice Department funding be connected? And what do GOP members make of Obama's decision to just stop enforcing a law? We discuss it all with Iowa Rep. Steve King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee. |
| Why Rep. King Voted 'No' |
| Wed, 2 Mar 2011 15:45:43 EST On Tuesday, the House of Representatives easily approved a continuing budget resolution that keeps the government funded for the next two weeks. Republicans demanded and got four billion dollars in spending cuts, and only a few GOP members opposed the bill. One was Iowa Rep. Steve King. What was in the bill that made it impossible for him to support it? Why were the contents of the bill so different from what the House Republicans approved just two weeks ago? Are Republicans more committed to keeping the government running or to making the the tough spending cuts necessary to put our fiscal house back in order? We discuss it all with Rep. King. |
| 'We Need to Cut Spending Now' |
| Tue, 1 Mar 2011 15:56:10 EST On Tuesday, the House of Representatives easily approved a continuing resolution to fund the federal government for another two weeks while also trimming about four billion dollars in spending. So why are House Republicans doing this after passing a continuing resolution for the rest of this fiscal year just a couple of weeks ago? Will we see a funding debate every two weeks for the next seven months? Are Republicans ready to embrace smaller cuts if Democrats demand it? How is this funding vote key to job creation? And what can we expect in the debate over the debt ceiling in just a few weeks? We discuss it all with Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, vice chairman of the Joint Economic Committee and member of the House Ways and Means Committee. |
| Obamacare Still Just as Bad |
| Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:29:08 EST Louisiana Rep. John Fleming is also a practicing physician. He says President Obama's offer to allow states to opt out of some provisions of the new health care laws is just proof that this major new entitlement program cannot sustain itself. Why does he say that? Why does he think Obama made this pitch now? What will states have to do to comply with the laws? What can House Republicans realistically do to remove funding for the plan? We discuss these and other questions with Rep. John Fleming. |
| Obamacare's 'Flexibility' Charade |
| Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:22:42 EST President Obama told the nation's governors on Monday that he will allow states to opt out of some of the major provisions of the new health care laws in 2014 as long as they find ways to cover the same number of people. So is this a small or even a major concession? Or is Obama just trying to put a better face on a very unpopular plan? And is this move a sign that the administration knows that it is losing the public relations campaign over health care in a major way? We ask Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute. |
| Farewell to the Last Doughboy |
| Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:21:24 EST On Sunday, Frank Buckles died at the age of 110. And his death breaks the final link America had with more than 4.7 million man and women who served the nation during World War I. In 2007, Greg Corombos interviewed Buckles and learned about his service in 'the war to end all wars', his brutal experience in World War II and how Buckles viewed his service 90 years after the fact. Here is our tribute to America's last Doughboy, Frank Woodruff Buckles, and the many heroes of his generation. |
| Will Boehner Defend Marriage? |
| Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:09:48 EST Now that President Obama and his Justice Department refuse to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in federal court, an expert on the legal fights to preserve traditional marriage says it's up to Congress to pick up the baton and defend the law it passed 15 years ago. So will the GOP House do that? Why would Congress have a very good chance of winning in court if it did take up the defense of DOMA? What should we make of the executive branch simply deciding not to defend a law anymore? And how could Obama deciding to abandon DOMA actually be a good thing for traditional marriage? We ask Jim Campbell, litigation staff counsel at the Alliance Defense Fund. |
| Fatally Flawed Afghan Strategy |
| Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:09:58 EST Nearly a decade into U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan, the U.S. military is performing at amazing levels but our strategy can't succeed. That's the conclusion of Marine combat veteran and frequent embed reporter Bing West, author of "The Wrong War: Grit, Strategy, and the Way Out of Afghanistan". Why does West say the counterinsurgency strategy can't succeed? How bad are Afghan security forces? Are there hopes they can come around like the Iraqi security forces? What should we be doing instead of counterinsurgency? How dominant are U.S. forces when they're actually allowed to fight? And would Afghanistan become a terrorism haven again if U.S. forces were to begin leaving according to the Obama timetable? We discuss it all with Bing West. |
| Collective Bargaining is Expensive |
| Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:10:33 EST While Democratic lawmakers remain on the lam, Wisconsin legislators are moving forward with plans to implement Gov. Scott Walker's budget plan that demands greater worker contributions to pensions and benefits and less collective bargaining power. What have Republicans been able to do without Democrats on the job? Why do Republicans insist on the collective bargaining provision even when union members are agreeing to demands to pay for more of their pensions and benefits? How steep will the political price be for Democrats from competitive districts? And which side are voters on after two weeks of fierce debate? We discuss it all with Wisconsin State Sen. Glenn Grothman. |
| Maryland's Marriage Battle |
| Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:01:14 EST Thursday night, the Maryland State Senate is expected to pass legislation to legalize gay marriage. Why will the legislation do far more than redefine what marriage is? How will it remove religious freedoms for faith-based organizations, pastors and business owners? How will legalizing gay marriage lead to children being indoctrinated in our schools? And how will defenders of traditional marriage try to fight back against this impending law through a 2012 referendum? We discuss it all with Maryland Delegate Donald Dwyer, a leading supporter of traditional marriage and vocal opponent of the gay marriage bill. |
| Libya: Obama's Missed Opportunity |
| Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:00:38 EST Former UN Ambassador John Bolton joins us from the Middle East to explain why the Obama administration has missed an opportunity to say and do more to condemn Moammar Ghaddafi and his heinous tactics in Libya. Why does Bolton think the U.S. going to the United Nations sends a message to Ghaddafi that he has nothing to worry about from the international community? How does Bolton assess the Obama administration's pattern of being much tougher on our allies in the Middle East than on our enemies? And what does he make of most Republicans keeping silent on the unrest in Libya and beyond? We discuss it all with Ambassador Bolton. |
| 'This is Tyranny' |
| Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:42:12 EST On Wednesday, the Obama Justice Department announced it considers the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and will simply stop enforcing it. How significant is this step in the larger debate over the definition of marriage? Can anyone else step in for the government to defend traditional marriage? Does this mean gay marriage will soon be legal in the eyes of the federal government? How will this play out in states that have traditional marriage enshrined in their constitutions? And why would legalizing gay marriage have repercussions in areas of life far beyond what most people realize? We discuss it all with Mathew Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel. Staver has argued in many state courts in defense of traditional marriage. |
| 'Sitting On Our Hands' |
| Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:46:51 EST Even as Libyan dictator Moammar Ghaddafi mercilessly slaughters his own people, the Obama administration has said surprisingly little to condemn the regime or demand changes. Why such a different response than we saw to the unrest in Egypt? What should be the U.S. response? We discuss it all with K.T. McFarland, a Pentagon official in the Reagan administration. She is now a national security analyst with the Fox News Channel. |
| Somali Pirates Strike Again |
| Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:40:51 EST On Tuesday, we learned that Somali pirates killed four Americans aboard a yacht the pirates seized from the two couples. So what is being done about the piracy problem? How bad is the problem? What would work? And what won't work? We discuss it all with Martin Murphy, author of "Somalia, the New Barbary?: Piracy and Islam in the Horn of Africa". He is also a visiting fellow at the Corbett Centre for Maritime Policy Studies at King's College in London. |
| Ohio's Heartbeat Bill |
| Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:56:51 EST The abortion debate is front and center once again - this time in Ohio. State Rep. Lynn Watchtmann is sponsoring what has become known as the heartbeat bill. Wachtmann's legislation would ban abortions once a heartbeat is detected in an unborn child. Why did Wachtmann decide to make the heartbeat the dividing line between legal and illegal abortions? How early is a heartbeat detected in an unborn child? Why are some pro-life forces saying this bill could be a setback for the unborn? And how far will this legislation get in an Ohio legislature controlled by Republicans. |
| 'Absolute Necessity' |
| Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:09:55 EST Wisconsin State Senator Glenn Grothman joins us from the center of the Wisconsin pensions debate to explain exactly what is being proposed. He also responds to Democratic allegations of Republicans getting tough on unions while giving tax breaks to the rich and demands that unions get to negotiate how much its members contribute to pensions and health benefits. What choice comments does Grothman have for Senate Democrats who fled to Illinois? Why does he call striking teachers terrible role models for children? And why does he call Barack Obama the most divisive president of his lifetime? We discuss it all in a lively conversation with Wisconsin State Sen. Glenn Grothman. |
| 'Wisconsin's Broke' |
| Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:54:16 EST Madison, Wisconsin, is home to major political strife this week as Republicans try to trim the state's deficit by making public sector workers contribute more to their pensions and to their health care benefits. Democrats say this is a political vendetta by the new GOP governor against the unions. What is the real financial state of Wisconsin? What might really be behind these raucous protests? What kind of shell games did the previous Democratic governor play to balance the budget? We ask former Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman and current Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, and ask Priebus how he is dealing with his own massive deficit at the RNC. |
| House Defunds Planned Parenthood |
| Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:25:24 EST On Friday, the House of Representatives voted 240-185 to defund the nation's largest abortion providers for the remaining seven months of Fiscal Year 2011. Indiana Rep. Mike Pence tells us why he has led this charge for the past several years? Will is pass the Senate? How does he respond to Democratic contentions that taxpayer dollars fund Planned Parenthood programs other than abortions? How does he counter assertions that Republicans are coldly depriving women of a legal procedure? And what will House Republicans do if this plan gets blocked in the Senate or by President Obama? We discuss it all with Rep. Mike Pence. |
| 'A Much Better Work Product' |
| Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:03:16 EST The House of Representatives is plowing through dozens of proposed amendments to the bill aimed at cutting $100 billion from the federal budget for the remaining months of Fiscal Year 2011. Why is this 'open rule' allowing unlimited amendments so significant? Are the proposed amendments mostly legitimate or are some lawmakers just trying to stall the process? We ask Georgia Rep. and House GOP Policy Committee Chairman Tom Price. Rep. Price will also explain his three amendments, including calls for the end of funding for the National Labor Relations Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. |
| 'Much Worse Than I Thought' |
| Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:59:44 EST The battle of the budget is underway in the House of Representatives as Republicans push major spending cuts in an effort to restore some fiscal sanity and Democrats accuse the GOP of abandoning women and children in the process. Texas Rep. Bill Flores unseated an incumbent Democrat last year due in large part to concern over our debt and expansion of government. So now that he's finally in the fight, what does he hope to achieve? What does he hope to bring from his days as a chief financial officer in the private sector to his work on Capitol Hill? Why is he underwhelmed at the Obama budget? What can we expect from the GOP budget proposal? And is either side really ready to take on the thorny issue of entitlement reform? We discuss it all with Rep. Flores, a member of the House Budget Committee. |
| Obamacare Officially A Job-Killer |
| Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:19:37 EST At a recent House hearing, Congressional Budget Office Director Doug Elmendorf admitted to California Rep. John Campbell that the president's health care plan will cost the nation 800,000 jobs over the next decade. Why will it cost that many jobs? What portions of the law are to blame? How does this impact the ongoing debate over Obamacare? Will House Republicans succeed in defunding the health plan? And are they ready to stand their ground in removing funding no matter what Democrats and the president do in response? We discuss it all with Rep. Campbell, a member of the House Budget Committee. |
| Conservatives Pushing Big Cuts |
| Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:03:21 EST Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan is chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the coalition of House conservatives which boasts record membership this year. As House Republicans target spending cuts for the current fiscal year, what are conservatives demanding and how does it compare with what GOP leaders are willing to cut? Will conservatives go along with a hike in the debt ceiling? What concessions would they demand for even a tiny increase? And are conservatives and GOP House leaders working well together or is there a battle within the party over what the agenda ought to be? We discuss it all with Rep. Jordan. |
| 'That Was Then, This Is Now' |
| Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:43:14 EST On Monday, President Obama unveiled his $3.73 trillion budget for Fiscal Year 2012. The budget projects a record $1.65 trillion deficit for the coming year but vows to freeze discretionary spending and reduce the deficit to $627 billion by 2017. So what does this tell us about the president's commitment to fiscal responsibility? How does the president plan to reduce the deficit over the next few years? Why doesn't he address entitlements? And are Republicans in the House prepared to offer something better? We discuss it all with New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett, vice chairman of the House Budget Committee. |
| 'This Is Not A Good Day for Us' |
| Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:15:41 EST While most of the Middle East and the western world celebrate the fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Middle East expert and World Net Daily contributor Dr. Mike Evans says this change will most likely result in the rise of a a radical Islamic regime in Egypt because the population is far more radical than the media and our own government are willing to admit. Why does he see the worst case scenario as the most likely scenario? How will radicals get into power? How likely is it that Jordan could be the next government to fall? Why will Obama deserve much of the blame if radicals surround and threaten Israel? What's the best way for the U.S. to prevent this from happening? And how is Israel likely to react to all of this? We discuss it all with Dr. Mike Evans, author of "Jimmy Carter: The Liberal Left and World Chaos". |
| Fighting Two Terrorist Threats |
| Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:06:47 EST Iowa Rep. Steve King discusses the end of Hosni Mubarak's reign in Egypt. What does he expect to happen next? What can the U.S. do to attempt facilitating the best possible outcome? Why does King say it's hard for Obama to say anything that the people can trust? We also ask Rep. King about this week's surprising House vote that rejected the extension of certain Patriot Act provisions. How did he vote and how concerned is he that the government is or could infringe on our rights through the powers granted through the Patriot Act. We discuss it all with Rep. King. |
| Egypt, Human Rights and Freedom |
| Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:55:40 EST Now that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has stepped down from power, how should the U.S. react and what do we want to happen next? We ask Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, who also explains his new Freedom Trade Act, which would make strong human rights records a requirement for trade with the U.S. Would such a policy actually force changes or just limit markets for U.S. goods? Is this policy mainly aimed at China? We ask Rep. McCotter and also discuss his new book, "Seize Freedom!". |
| March Like An Egyptian |
| Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:47:24 EST The Capitol Steps offer two parodies chronicling the crisis in Egypt, one from the perspective of the demonstrators and one from Mubarak himself. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Muslim Brotherhood is Secular? |
| Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:31:24 EST Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak defied media reports of his imminent resignation and once again vows to complete his term in office. How did the media get this so wrong? Is Mubarak staying in power good or bad for the United States? Why does a former Reagan Pentagon official say President Obama's intelligence director needs to resign or be impeached? And what is the best way to keep the Muslim Brotherhood out of power? We ask Frank Gaffney, former assistant secretary of defense and president of the Center for Security Policy. |
| Full Faith and Credit |
| Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:49:05 EST In a few weeks, lawmakers will decide whether to raise the debt ceiling. Conservatives are resisting the idea, but Democrats say the ceiling must be raised or else defaulting on our debt payments will damage our credit rating. Now, California Rep. Tom McClintock says he has a solution through his "Full Faith and Credit Act". How would it protect our credit rating even if the debt ceiling is not raised? How has it been used successfully in the past? Why does he believe Democrats oppose the legislation even though it doesn't impact the vote on the debt ceiling? Is our credit rating going to plummet anyway because of our bulging debt? What does McClintock want done with the debt ceiling? And are the two parties heading for a game of political chicken over this issue? We discuss it all with Rep. McClintock. |
| 'The Elephant in the Tent' |
| Wed, 9 Feb 2011 15:00:32 EST The House Budget Committee heard testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday, but even more telling are the two approaches to our massive debt that were revealed in questions from each side of the aisle. Will Republicans be able to implement many of their proposed spending cuts? Why is entitlement reform essential? What specifics are Republicans offering on entitlement reform? Why does the GOP see Democratic priorities of investment and taxes as a dead end economically? And how committed is the House Budget Committee to really tackling the deficits compared to the last Congress? We ask Missouri Rep. Todd Akin, a member of the House Budget Committee. |
| Feds A 'Detriment' for Business |
| Tue, 8 Feb 2011 16:31:50 EST The most recent job numbers showed a falling unemployment rate but very few new jobs being created in January. So why is our recovery so sluggish? What do small business owners want more than anything else from Congress? What does Congress need to overturn? What does it need to pass? And what can we expect this Congress to accomplish? We ask Tennessee Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, a longtime small business owner and member of the House Small Business Committee. |
| 'Unconstitutional Arrogance' |
| Mon, 7 Feb 2011 16:12:20 EST Last week, Federal Judge Martin Feldman found the Obama administration in contempt of court for still refusing to left a de facto drilling moratorium imposed in the wake of the BP disaster. Today, we ask Texas Rep. Joe Barton, former chairman and current ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, what impact this decision might have. Is Obama likely to adhere to this ruling when he ignored the others? How can a new Republican House push the administration to open up coastal waters for more energy exploration? What is the economic impact to his district, his state and the nation from this ongoing moratorium? And what will the Energy & Commerce Committee do to pressure the Obama administration on its many new EPA regulations that Republicans consider harmful to our economy and our freedom? We ask Rep. Joe Barton. |
| A 'Conservative' Energy Solution? |
| Mon, 7 Feb 2011 15:14:31 EST Former South Carolina Rep. Bob Inglis is pushing what he calls a conservative approach to our nation's energy challenges. Why does he reject the president's recent call for more investment in green technologies? Why does he want to slap major oil companies with higher taxes and fees? How would he prevent those companies from passing the costs along to us? Why does he believe that global warming does exist and is largely caused by human activity? And why does he consider the energy policies advocated by other self-proclaimed conservatives as 'populist poppycock'. We ask Rep. Bob Inglis, a six-term member of Congress, who was defeated for re-election by a Tea Party primary challenger in 2010. |
| Meese's Memories of Reagan |
| Fri, 4 Feb 2011 16:13:42 EST As the nation commemorates 100 years since the birth of Ronald Reagan, we look back at the late president's legacy with Edwin Meese III, who served alongside Reagan for most of Reagan's political life. Meese was chief of staff to Reagan during their days in the California governor's office. Meese later served as senior counselor to President Reagan and later as U.S. Attorney General. How did Reagan convince a reluctant Meese to work for him back in 1966? What did Meese see in the early years to suggest Reagan would be a strong presidential candidate? How did Reagan beat the odds to win the 1980 election? What convinced Reagan that he would find economic success through tax cuts? How did he determine the Cold War was winnable and not just manageable? How did he inspire America to believe in itself again? And how should Reagan be remembered? We discuss it all in a great conversation with Ed Meese, who is now a Distinguished Fellow at the Heritage Foundation. |
| Michael Reagan Remembers His Dad |
| Fri, 4 Feb 2011 16:04:39 EST As the nation marks 100 years since the birth of President Reagan, Michael Reagan offers us an intimate look at the Gipper's political and personal life. How did Reagan transition from acting to political heavyweight? How did Robert F. Kennedy inadvertently trigger Reagan's political rise? When did Reagan see himself as a legitimate White House contender? And what are Michael Reagan's favorite father-son moments with his dad? Listen here to the first half of my discussion with Michael Reagan, author of "The New Reagan Revolution: How Ronald Reagan's Principles Can Restore America's Greatness." |
| GOP Can Win with Reagan Again |
| Fri, 4 Feb 2011 15:56:16 EST In the second half of our interview, Michael Reagan discusses his new book, "The New Reagan Revolution: How Ronald Reagan's Principles Can Restore America's Greatness." How did Reagan's impromptu 1976 GOP convention speech crystallize what conservatism is all about? How did a conservative like Reagan succeed when conventional wisdom says politicians need to appeal to moderates? What would Reagan think of the Tea Party? What would he tell those activists to do next? How did Reagan show himself to be a strong leader? And why does Obama fail to measure up as a leader despite many efforts to draw comparisons between him and Reagan? We discuss it all with Michael Reagan. |
| 'Massive Financial Implications' |
| Fri, 4 Feb 2011 13:04:30 EST Just days after a federal judge in Florida struck down the new health care laws and declared the individual mandate unconstitutional, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is leading an effort to have this legal fight skip the appellate phase and head straight to the Supreme Court. Why does he believe it should be fast-tracked? Why could an expedited hearing at the Supreme Court save states a lot of money? Will he be able to overcome Obama administration opposition towards this request? And how does he respond to the suggestion that the longer the court fight plays out, the more Americans will warm up to the laws? We ask Attorney General Cuccinelli and ask him what response his office will have to recent videos suggesting Planned Parenthood workers in his state are willing to aid sex traffickers in obtaining secret and illegal abortions for girls as young as 14 years old. |
| Cash for Codgers |
| Fri, 4 Feb 2011 13:01:15 EST This past week, a second judge has ruled individual health care mandate unconstitutional in the president's new health care laws. So as the legal fight continues, the Capitol Steps take a comedic look at what the Democrats may try next. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Planned Parenthood Exposed Again |
| Thu, 3 Feb 2011 15:46:59 EST In recent days, the pro-life student organization Live Action has released undercover videos showing activists at Planned Parenthood clinics while posing as a pimp and prostitute in the sex trafficking business. The videos reveal Planned Parenthood workers in New Jersey and Virginia offering advice to the "sex workers" on how to get birth control for girls as young as 14 and avoid parental consent laws for abortions for girls of the same age. What else did the videos show? What is Live Action asking officials in Virginia, New Jersey and in the U.S. Congress to do? What does Planned Parenthood say in response? What does Live Action say in reply to those explanations? And will more undercover videos be released? We discuss it all with Lila Rose, president of Live Action.. You can watch the undercover videos at liveaction.org. |
| First Obamacare Brick to Fall |
| Thu, 3 Feb 2011 15:37:08 EST On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate failed to repeal the entire health care plan that Democrats in Congress approved last year. But in a separate vote, 81 senators voted to repeal a provision in the laws that force small business owners to fill out much more paperwork for the IRS than they ever did before. Why did this pass so easily now since Democrats killed efforts to repeal it late last year? Will it pass easily in the House or get hung up on procedural issues? What other provisions of the health plan might be ripe for bipartisan repeal? We ask Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns, sponsor of the effort to repeal the 1099 provision in the U.S. Senate. |
| 'We Did Everything Wrong' |
| Wed, 2 Feb 2011 15:44:22 EST Tonight, the Senate will vote on a proposed repeal of the President's health care plan. It likely won't pass since Democrats still have the majority, so why is having the vote still very significant? Why does Dr. Tom Coburn, a Republican senator from Oklahoma, say that we are staring at much higher costs and much lower quality of care if Congress or the courts don't scrap the Obama plan soon? What ideas does Coburn have for addressing the pre-existing problems with the health care system? And how confident is he that this week's overturning of the health care laws in court will pass muster at the Supreme Court? We discuss it all with Dr. Coburn. |
| Muslim Brotherhood: The Truth |
| Wed, 2 Feb 2011 14:28:02 EST Over the past several days, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has been depicted in the press as embracing peace and possibly being a reputable partner in a new Egyptian government. But after decades of spawning other radical and violent groups, are current descriptions of the Brotherhood based on anything close to reality? What is the Muslim Brotherhood all about? What are their goals? How much power do they already have in Egypt? And what is the extent of their contact with the Obama administration? We ask Andy McCarthy, prosecutor of the blind sheikh and others following the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. |
| Radicals Boosted by U.S. Weakness |
| Wed, 2 Feb 2011 11:01:59 EST Just a couple of hours after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced he would not seek re-election, President Obama declared that a new government was the right course. But will America like what comes next in Egypt? Will the toppled governments stop with Tunisia and Egypt or will radicals be emboldened throughout the region? How are these protests a sign of a lack of respect for the U.S. around the world? And what will happen with Israel? We discuss it all with South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. |
| Bolton Dissects Mideast Crisis |
| Tue, 1 Feb 2011 14:08:40 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says trying to predict what happens next in Egypt is nearly impossible. But what does he consider the best possible scenario? How worried should we be about growing chaos in Jordan? What can the U.S. do to facilitate the best possible outcome in Egypt and prevent a domino effect among other moderate Arab states? And what else, if anything, should President Obama be saying publicly? We discuss these and other issues with Ambassador John Bolton. |
| Obamacare Unconstitutional...Again |
| Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:09:55 EST On Monday, Federal Judge Roger Vinson declared the individual mandate portion of the president's new health care law unconstitutional. He also says without the mandate, the entire law is void. His verdict is a victory for 26 states that challenged the mandate in this case. So how significant is this decision? How much weight does this carry against decisions from other judges who have upheld the mandate and the law? What will Congressional Republicans try to do next in repealing the law? And how encouraged are they by news that 58 percent of Americans still favor repeal? We talk with Georgia Rep. Tom Price, a former physician and member of the House Republican Leadership. |
| 'This is Awful' |
| Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:03:20 EST For over 30 years, Israel and Egypt have remained at peace. So what is the best resolution to the current Egyptian crisis from Israel's perspective? What is likely to happen if Hosni Mubarak is forced out of power? Why are many Israelis outraged by President Obama's reaction to the crisis? How worried are Israelis about additional instability in Lebanon and Jordan? We discuss it all with retired Israeli Brigadier General Elihu Ben-Onn, who commanded troops against Egypt in the Yom Kippur War back in the 1970s. |
| Remembering the Challenger Heroes |
| Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:43:30 EST Twenty-five years ago Friday, America was stunned and saddened by the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Greg Corombos looks back at the tragic events of that day and how President Reagan's brief address honored our heroes and comforted the nation. |
| Return to Spenders |
| Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:39:37 EST As President Obama somehow promises to attack the deficit while 'investing' more in green energy, education and more, the Capitol Steps feel like they've heard this song and dance before. And they did...just last year. Mark Eaton is our guest from the Steps as they perform "Return to Spenders". |
| Obamacare Facts vs. Rhetoric |
| Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:22:17 EST In his State of the Union message, President Obama said he would consider minor adjustments to the new health care laws but rejected repeal. He says it's not the time to fight old battles. But Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso says it's not up to Obama - or any other public official - to determine when a debate is over. So who will decide? Why does Barrasso say that actual data continually shows that Obama's health care promises are not true? Will the Senate vote on a repeal in this Congress? We ask Sen. Barrasso, and get his reaction to Obama claiming that he has fully restored America's standing in the world. |
| No Plan for Fiscal Sanity |
| Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:50:28 EST Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann delivered a response to the president's State of the Union address for the Tea Party. Today, she tells us why today's deficit news proves we are are on a very dangerous fiscal course. Why was President Obama 'shameless' in his remarks about deficits? How will Republicans fight back against the criticism that will inevitably follow their proposed spending cuts? Why does Bachmann think Republicans can make some major spending cuts despite Democratic control of the Senate and White House? And how exactly will Republicans reform entitlements that eat up so much of the budget? We discuss it all with Rep. Bachmann, chairwoman of the House Tea Party Caucus. |
| GOP Freshman Not Impressed |
| Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:09:03 EST Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford was among the many GOP freshmen attending their first State of the Union address, but he was not very impressed. Why does Lankford say he was expecting steak and got leftovers instead? Why does he believe President Obama has the wrong approach to job creation and isn't very serious about debt reduction? What did his experience as director of America's largest Christian camp teach him about running a business and how jobs get created? And why does he say the scope of our debt problem is far worse than he ever realized even when running for Congress? We ask Rep. Lankford, a member of the House Budget Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. |
| Obama's Missed Opportunity |
| Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:35:00 EST President Obama and Rep. Paul Ryan both highlighted the need to attack our mounting debt. Did the president show he was ready to do what is necessary to get our fiscal house back in order? How about Rep. Ryan? What should we make of Obama not moving forward on the proposals offered by his own debt commission? And what should we look for in the president's new budget to see how serious his reform efforts really are? We discuss it all with David Walker, former Comptroller General of the United States and founder of the Comeback America Initiative. |
| More Spending Not the Answer |
| Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:19:09 EST As President Obama prepares to deliver his State of the Union message, Louisiana Rep. John Fleming says it's time for Obama and all of Congress to commit to spending cuts and smaller government. What will that actually look like? Should Congress go along with any sort of additional stimulus plan designed to spur job creation? And what kind of showdown can we expect over funding of the president's health care plan? We discuss it all with Rep. Fleming, who is also a longtime physician. |
| Murderous Child Bigotry |
| Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:37:19 EST New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith is leading the fight against taxpayer-funded abortions. But as pro-life groups mark the Roe v. Wade anniversary and the grim reality of the lives taken over the past 38 years, Smith says the pro-choice side of the debate has skilfully kept Americans in the dark about the horrors that take place every day in U.S. abortion clinics - not just in the criminal practice of Dr. Kermit Gosnell. We discuss the Gosnell case and Monday's March for Life with Rep. Smith. |
| The Pro-Abortion President |
| Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:33:07 EST New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith is one of the leading pro-life voices among House Republicans and is man leading the fight to ban taxpayer-funded abortions. Are there taxpayer-funded abortions right now? What will happen when the Obama health plan is fully operational? What other fights are coming down the pike over abortion - including over Planned Parenthood? We discuss it all with Rep. Smith. |
| First Repeal, Now Replace |
| Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:40:34 EST Last week, the House of Representatives voted to repeal the president's health care plan. Now the GOP is moving forward on its ideas to reform the health care system for the better. So what are its big ideas? What are the four major components of the plan sponsored by Georgia Rep. Paul Broun, who is also a longtime physician. How would Republicans expand consumer choice and keep health care costs down? Would they incorporate some of the components of the Democratic plan - like removing caps on coverage and rejecting patients with pre-existing conditions? How would Republicans use tax breaks to tax breaks to greatly ease the cost of health care? We discuss it all with Rep. Broun. |
| The GOP's Small Business Strategy |
| Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:51:03 EST Missouri Rep. Sam Graves is the new chairman of the House Small Business Committee. What does he see as the key to sparking more job creation in the private sector? How aggressive has the Obama administration been in adding regulations through bureaucracy that it could not do through legislation? How does government factor into all this? And what do small business owners tell Graves would be the best thing Congress can do for them? We discuss all these questions with Chairman Graves. |
| Furry with a Singe on Top |
| Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:05:20 EST In the wake of Sarah Palin's television series and as we wait for her to decide on a possible White House bid, the Capitol Steps have some fun with the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee. |
| No More Anchor Babies |
| Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:10:06 EST Iowa Rep. Steve King is starting the new Congress with a bill to end birthright citizenship - the practice of conveying U.S. citizenship to anyone born in America regardless of their parents' immigration status. So why is he proposing this change? Will it require changing the Constitution? How much of a difference will ending birthright citizenship make in stemming the tide of illegals flowing into the country? And how does Rep. King respond to allegations that his legislation lacks compassion and is even discriminatory? We discuss it all with Rep. Steve King. |
| Reflecting the Will of the People |
| Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:21:22 EST Today, the House of Representatives will vote to repeal the president's health care laws. And even though it won't pass the Senate, Republicans are intent on doing what the voters told them to do - scrap the Obama health plan. Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy is also a longtime physician and says the current plan will kill jobs, reduce the quality of care and make our national debt much bigger. Hear his explanations about why Obamacare must be repealed. |
| China Now A 'Frankenstein Monster' |
| Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:39:03 EST As President Obama rolls out the red carpet for Chinese leader Hu Jintao, California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher has a much more critical view of our fastest-growingcompetitor. Rohrabacher says China was a third-world entity until America decided to engage it economically. So how did we get into this very unfavorable economic posture with the Chinese? How do we reverse our horrible positions on trade and with respect our our massive debt? And Rohrabacher saves his strongest comments to describe China's human rights record. Listen to the full conversation, as we discuss all this with Rep. Rohrabacher. |
| Obamacare and Jobs |
| Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:08:34 EST The House of Representatives has begun debate on repealing the Obama health care laws passed last year. What are the strongest arguments for scrapping the new laws? How will Republicans proceed on repealing individual parts of the law if the full repeal doesn't get enacted? What answers will the Energy & Commerce Committee demand from Obama officials like HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius? We ask Illinois Rep. John Shimkus, a member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health. |
| Fear God, Love Each Other |
| Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:54:29 EST As America pauses to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., what motivated him to work tirelessly for civil rights? How did he and his family endure truly hateful speech from those who opposed him? What was he like as a family man? Where did he stand on the key social issues of abortion, premarital sex and homosexuality? What would he think of the state of the black family today? We discuss all these questions with Alveda King, niece of Dr. King and director of of outreach at Priests for Life, a pro-life organization. |
| 'I'm A Problem-Solver' |
| Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:20:57 EST Former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain is the first Republican to announce the formation of a presidential exploratory committee. What will determine whether he officially gets in the race? How would his great private sector successes help him tackle some of the nation's most pressing economic problems? How is he different from most of the other Republicans likely to be in this campaign? And will Cain be acceptable to national security conservatives and social conservatives? We ask possible 2012 Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain. |
| Schoolbook Shame |
| Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:17:17 EST In recent weeks, proposed history textbooks in Virginia have been found to contain many careless errors in facts and grammar. In response, the Capitol Steps bring back their parody on a major textbook fight in Texas. Guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Conceal-and-Carry Congressman |
| Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:46:58 EST While some members of Congress from both parties are calling for tougher gun restrictions in the wake of the Tuscon killings, Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz has a very different outlook. Chaffetz carries his own firearm at many of his public event - and so do many of his constituents. What type of atmosphere does he encounter at his town meetings? What type of security is available in addition to his own firearm? And what does he think about the specific gun control bills being suggested on Capitol Hill? We ask Rep. Chaffetz. |
| Disagreement Is A Good Thing |
| Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:13:44 EST In the wake of the horrific killings in Arizona, several members of Congress have suggested new gun control legislation and others are advocating a crackdown on any speech or symbols that might be construed as encouraging violence. But Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert strongly rejects both ideas. Why does he think more federal laws on guns are exactly the wrong approach? How does he respond to the call for a ban on political speech and symbols? Why does he say fierce political speech reduces outbreaks of violence? We discuss this and much more with Rep. Louie Gohmert, vice chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. |
| No Need to Hike Spending |
| Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:05:59 EST Georgia Rep. Jack Kingston says he is opposed to Democratic calls for higher spending in order to provide more security for members of Congress back in their districts. Why does he say more money is unnecessary and wouldn't make anyone safer? What precautions are already available for members? We discuss all of this and more with Georgia Rep. Jack Kingston, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. |
| The Senate Fights to Come |
| Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:51:42 EST Republicans now control the House of Representatives and will likely pass most of their agenda. But what will happen in the Senate? Will Republican initiatives like repealing the health care laws even get to the Senate floor? Can Republicans do anything to free up U.S. waters for energy exploration? And how fierce will the fight be to roll back government regulations on the environment that have been imposed by the Obama administration? We ask Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, who will also tell us what his personal legislative priorities are in the new session. |
| Reviewing Security from A-Z |
| Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:19:19 EST Even before the horrific shootings in Arizona on Saturday, new House Administration Committee Chairman Dan Lungren was planning to conduct a thorough review of Congressional security procedures. So what changes might come and what how will such decisions be made? How does Lungren characterize his meetings with Rep. Giffords? And how does he react to suggestions that rhetoric from Tea Party activists and conservative radio hosts may have played an indirect role in sparking the kind of violence we saw in Tucson? We ask Rep. Lungren. |
| Back to the Battlefield |
| Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:16:32 EST Pete Hegseth served with the U.S. Army 19s 101st Airborne Division in Iraq in 2005 and 2006 and was awarded the bronze star. For the past few years, he has led and been chief spokesman at Vets for Freedom. Now, Hegseth is returning to active duty for the Army in Afghanistan. What prompted him to return to combat? How optimistic or pessimistic is he about the mission in Afghanistan? What does he want to see from the Obama administration as we get closer to the July deadline to begin removing U.S. troops? And what areas of the war does he see as reason to praise the Obama strategy? We ask U.S. Army Captain Pete Hegseth. |
| Repeal Obamacare, Reduce Spending |
| Fri, 7 Jan 2011 16:06:03 EST The job numbers from December show a drop in the unemployment rate to 9.4 percent and an addition of 113,000 new private sector jobs. But the growth numbers are still less than expected. So what are the keys to unleash job growth? What must Washington stop doing and what policies need to be pursued? How would repealing the health care laws make a big difference? How serious are Republicans about slashing spending? Where do they specifically want to cut? We discuss all of this with Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, vice chairman of the Joint Economic Committee and sponsor of the CUTS Act to reduce government spending. |
| Are Republicans Breaking Pledges? |
| Fri, 7 Jan 2011 15:58:03 EST As Republicans take over the House of Representatives with promises of transparency and openness, Maryland Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen says the GOP is not practicing what they preach. What new rules does he say show an even greater level of partisanship and behind-closed-doors decision-making? How does this fit into the debate over repealing the new health care laws? How does he respond to Republican explanations for not using numbers besides the ones generated by the Congressional Budget Office? We discuss it all with Rep. Van Hollen. |
| New Congress, Same Fight |
| Fri, 7 Jan 2011 15:54:01 EST The Capitol Steps welcome in the new Congress and the renewed debate over the new health care laws. As House Republicans get ready to repeal the laws, the Capitol Steps look back to the summer of 2009, when opposition hit a fevered pitch. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Mr. Webster Comes to Washington |
| Thu, 6 Jan 2011 14:53:47 EST What is it like to be sworn into Congress for the first time? How ready are freshman Republicans to tackle spending, job creation and the repeal of Obamacare? We ask Florida Rep. Dan Webster, who is also a member of the House Rules and Transportation Committees. We ask Webster to discuss the fierce debate over House rules for the new Congress and how the Transportation Committee will try to avoid becoming a haven for pork barrel spending once again. |
| Let the Spending Cuts Begin |
| Thu, 6 Jan 2011 14:39:54 EST It's just the second day of the new Congress, but Republicans seem ready to cut spending. But after all the campaign rhetoric, what can we actually expect from the House Appropriations Committee when it comes to spending? Just how much do they hope to slash? Why might these aggressive cuts have a chance of making it through the Senate? What are the keys to job growth in the new Congress? Why is confronting bureaucratic regulators essential to saving and growing jobs? We ask these and other questions to Texas Rep. John Carter, a member of the GOP House leadership and the House Appropriations Committee. |
| Republicans Ready to Roll |
| Wed, 5 Jan 2011 16:25:46 EST Republicans took control of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, and the GOP is ready to jump into several major debates right away. What will be the strategy in trying to repeal Obamacare? How do Republicans respond to Democratic arguments that the repeal debate is covering old ground and a waste of time? What do Republicans mean by 'repeal and replace'? Will the GOP go along with raising the debt ceiling? What would they demand in return? And what other legislation can we expect sooner rather than later? We ask Georgia Rep. Tom Price, a new member of the GOP House leadership as Republican Policy Committee Chairman. |
| Major Cancer Breakthrough? |
| Wed, 5 Jan 2011 16:12:36 EST This week, Massachusetts General Hospital discussed the very early but very successful tests of a new cancer screening system that could detect cancer much earlier than current methods. It could also give doctors much better information in determining treatment and much quicker results in determining the effectiveness of treatment. We discuss the early promise of this technology with Dr. Licia Sequist, a thoracic oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was also lead principal investigator for the hospital's clinical trials of this new cancer screening technology. |
| A Two-Year Immigration Stalemate |
| Tue, 4 Jan 2011 16:14:45 EST As Republicans prepare to to assume the majority in the House of Representatives, former Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo says the changes on Capitol Hill will likely stop Democratic efforts to push amnesty on the nation. However, he says Democratic control in the Senate and a Democrat in the White House mean no progress will be made in border security either. So are Republicans getting tougher or softer on border security? Is the GOP right to try eliminating birthright citizenship? And what will be the price tag for taxpayers over the next two years for doing nothing to stop the flow of illegals? We ask these questions and more to former Rep. Tom Tancredo, the leading voice for tough immigration enforcement. |
| Is Congress Serious About Debt? |
| Tue, 4 Jan 2011 14:22:25 EST On Wednesday, Republicans will take over the House of Representatives and drastically narrow their deficit in the U.S. Senate. After two years of outrage over endless deficit spending in Washington, what would be the smartest steps for Congress to take to begin putting our nation's fiscal house back in order? Is raising the debt ceiling a necessary step or a telltale sign of business as usual? And how will we know if Congress is serious about reducing our national debt or just going through the motions? We ask former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker, who is also founder and CEO of the Comeback America Initiative. |
| Prominent Passings in 2010 |
| Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:50:29 EST We look back at the famous figures who passed away in 2010. In the first half of our special feature, we examine the legendary figures in politics, media, sports and business who left us in the past year. |
| Entertainment Legends Lost in 2010 |
| Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:46:33 EST From television to the movies and from authors to music legends, we remember the famous names and faces from the world of entertainment who passed away in 2010. |
| You Fill Out Your Census |
| Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:46:04 EST The Capitol Steps have some fun in the wake of the 2010 U.S. Census results. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Christmas vs. ACLU |
| Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:41:37 EST The Capitol Steps use a Christmas carol parody to highlight the ridiculous lengths some groups will go to disrupt the celebration of Christmas. They also highlight the advantages and disadvantages of Twitter during the holiday season. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| A Changing of the House |
| Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:32:30 EST Republicans remain frustrated at how Democrats pushed an aggressive agenda into law, despite a resounding rebuke from voters in November. So how do Republicans react to President Obama and Speaker Pelosi saying this was the most productive Congress in generations? Could Republicans have done more to slow a big government agenda? How will Republicans lead differently when it comes to spending? And how optimistic is the GOP that it can starve funding for Obamacare? We talk with Louisiana Rep. John Fleming. |
| Special Operations Heroes |
| Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:28:33 EST They do their work without any attention and often in complete anonymity, but now the soldiers involved in Special Operations are getting some long overdue recognition. In his new book, retired U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North profiles many of our nation's military heroes and the incredible work they are doing in defense of our nation. |
| The Beast Is Off the Chain |
| Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:23:42 EST Democrats have achieved several legislative victories in the lame duck session of Congress. But what do Republicans, who will take over the House majority in January, think about how this agenda has been handled in the waning days of 2010? How will things run differently with Republicans in charge? And where will the GOP start cutting spending next year? We ask Kansas Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a member of the House Financial Services Committee. |
| Clarity is Critical |
| Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:51:02 EST The Senate is poised to approve the new START agreement negotiated with Russia. Why are so many Republicans lining up behind the treaty? Why is the distinction between offensive and defensive weapons so critical? And should this debate even be happening in a lame duck session? We discuss all of these issues with Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of multiple proposed amendments to START. |
| The Government's Internet Grab |
| Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:02:36 EST Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns reacts strongly to the Federal Communications Commission imposing new regulations on internet service providers. The approach is called net neutrality. Are these new regulations a good idea? What could some new regulations now lead to down the road? Why is Sen. Johanns confident the new rules will be struck down by the courts or Congress - or both? And how does he react to the leading argument for government intervention in the online world? We ask Sen. Johanns, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee. |
| The Problem Is North Korea |
| Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:55:37 EST The world breathed a sigh of relief on Monday when North Korea announced it would not retaliate in response to military exercises by the South Koreans over the weekend. Why did Pyongyang back down? Where does that leave the Korean peninsula now? What should the Obama administration be pursuing with respect to its Korea policy? And can the United Nations be counted upon to have any leverage against North Korea? We ask former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton. |
| An Excuse to Scrap Missile Defense |
| Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:46:17 EST Senate Democrats are working feverishly to ratify the START agreement on nuclear weapons hammered out between the Obama administration and Russia. Republicans are trying to change the deal in order to strengthen America's missile defense posture and modernize our nuclear arsenal. So far, those efforts have been rejected. Are these badly needed changes or are Republicans just trying to kill this treaty by any means possible? Why do conservatives see this treaty as badly flawed? What kind of final vote can we expect? And how solid or weak is the Obama argument that this treaty is vital to verifying what Russia is and is not doing on the nuclear front? We ask former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton. |
| The Defense Bill's Trojan Horse |
| Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:03:43 EST Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk says Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats are trying to change U.S. policy on Guantanamo Bay detainees by sneaking a provision into the current Defense Authorization Bill. The provision would give President Obama the authority to transfer detainees to the U.S. to get them ready for prosecution or if moving them enhances our national security. So why is Kirk outraged? Why does he say this process lacks transparency and integrity on the part of the Democratic leadership? Why does he believe the transfer of detainees to the mainland would be bad for the nation and for Illinois? What is Kirk prepared to do to slow down this plan? And can he find enough support to block the provision if it is not removed? We discuss it all with Senator Kirk. |
| If You Earn Money, It's Your Money |
| Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:39:29 EST On Thursday night, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan tax compromise and sent it to President Obama's desk to be signed into law. Several prominent conservatives balked at the plan to keep tax rates in place because they worry about additional deficits. So how do Republican supporters of the plan answer those concerns? How is this huge bill very different from the stimulus plan that passed early last year? How will a two-year tax rate extension impact the decisions of small businesses? What will a Republican majority do next year to make this deal work even better? We ask California Rep. Dan Lungren, who calls the entire lame duck session "an insult to the American people" and also discusses the 'huge' significance of Republicans scuttling a $1.1 trillion spending bill put forth by Democrats. |
| A Disservice to Our Troops |
| Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:34:38 EST Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe says supporters of ending the ban on gays in the military may or may not have the votes to pass the bill, but he the impact of passing it would be extremely negative. Why would a repeal complicate and hamper training and combat missions? How much could it dent the military's recruiting and retention numbers? And why didn't the strong opposition of the U.S. Marines and others at least trigger a pause in the Democratic march to repeal this policy during wartime? We discuss it all with Sen. Inhofe, a military veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. |
| Cuccinelli vs. Obamacare |
| Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:30:14 EST On Monday, a federal judge ruled the individual mandate in the new health care laws is unconstitutional. It's a victory for the Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and the Virginia law forbidding the federal government from ordering residents to purchase health insurance. So why did Cuccinelli have a stronger case than other groups and states challenging the mandate? How does he respond to Obama administration officials who say the mandate is necessary to provide health care access to everyone while keeping costs down? What does he say to their claim that everyone will need health care at some point so forcing us to buy insurance now is legitimate? What power will the government have if Virginia does not win this case? And what does Cuccinelli make of the voter backlash against the health plan? We discuss it all with Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. |
| Republicans Ready to Fight |
| Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:42:23 EST Two major fiscal debates are playing out in Congress - over the tax rate compromise and the proposed $1.1 trillion omnibus spending package. Why are more and more House Republicans souring on the tax compromise? What earmark-type clutter is now part of the package? We ask Georgia Rep. Jack Kingston, a key member of the House Appropriations Committee. Kingston also rails against the omnibus bill, calling it a pork-laden monstrosity. He also explains how the Appropriations Committee will act differently when the GOP controls it next year. |
| Politics and the Gulag |
| Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:51:14 EST Just one week after a political prisoner in China was named the Nobel Peace Prize recipient, the most prominent political prisoner in Russia faces another trumped up sentence. Energy company executive Mikhail Khodorkovsky is wrapping up an eight-year prison sentence in Siberia but is about to be kept there another 12 years as a sham trial in Russia plays out. So how did this happen? Why is Khodorkovsky being treated like a character out of a Solzhenitsyn novel? What does this case tell us about Vladimir Putin's Russia? What do the Russian people think about this? Will pressure from Sen. John McCain and others make any difference at this latest trial? We ask Sandy Saunders, the lead U.S. attorney for Khodorkovsky. |
| Obamacare, Taxes and Spending |
| Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:08:25 EST Georgia Rep. Tom Price, who is also a practicing physician, will be part of the Republican House leadership in the next Congress. What is his assessment of Monday's federal court ruling of the individual health care mandate as unconstitutional? How will this legal fight impact doctors? Which side will likely win at the Supreme Court? Rep. Price also discusses the tax debate and explains why there will be no further compromise to accommodate frustrated liberals. And he addresses the massive, pork-laden omnibus spending bill Democrats have introduced to fund the government for the coming weeks. |
| Obama Timetable Stunts Progress |
| Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:56:53 EST Retired U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North says the best strategy change for the U.S. in Afghanistan would be for President Obama to renounce his goal of bringing troops home as early as next summer and vowing to have all of them home by 2014. What impact would that have? How successful have our troops been in Afghanistan in recent months? Are Afghan forces ready to provide their own security? We ask Col. North, who also skewers the Obama administration for trying to lift the ban on gays in the military and pushing to "legalize consensual sodomy on military bases". North explains why lifting the ban would be devastating for recruiting and retention. |
| Obamacare Mandate Unconstitutional |
| Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:20:12 EST A federal judge in Virginia says the government cannot force someone to buy health insurance or anything else. The decision moves this fight one step closer to a Supreme Court showdown over whether we all have to buy a government-approved health insurance policy. So how significant is this decision? Why was this the right decision compared with two other judges, who have ruled the mandate is legal? And what is Congress ready to do to repeal and gut Obamacare next year? We ask Texas Rep. Ted Poe, a former judge and sponsor of a House resolution to prevent such legislation form being considered in the future. |
| GOP Freshman Slams Tax Deal |
| Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:09:41 EST Republicans are generally perceived as getting the better end of the deal on their tax cut compromise with President Obama. But Arizona Congressman-Elect Dave Schweikert says the plan stinks. Why is he not impressed with the two-year extension of the Bush tax cuts? What would be a better plan? How will the huge freshman class in the new Congress approach the massive deficits? And what issue will Schweikert personally be focused upon after taking office in January? We ask all these questions to Congressman-Elect Schweikert. |
| VIDEO - Busy Lame Duck Congress |
| Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:22:40 EST Greg Corombos discusses the latest developments in the lame duck Congress, as Senate Republicans poured cold water on the DREAM Act and also blocked repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. We get insights on the DREAM Act from Iowa Rep. Steve King and California Congressman Dana Rohrabacher. Sen. Roger Wicker explains why he is opposed to the repeal on Don't Ask Don't Tell. |
| 'I'm Inclined to Vote for It' |
| Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:53:34 EST While not liking all aspects of the tax cut compromise hammered out between President Obama and Republican leaders, Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker says he is inclined to vote for the deal when it comes to the Senate floor. Why does he believe this package is worth supporting even though he's not 'overly delighted' with it? Why does he say it needs to pass before the end of the year? Will it spark the kind of small business growth needed to jump-start the economy? How does he sum up the Democratic strategy on the economy? And does he think it actually will pass in the coming days? We discuss it all with Sen. Wicker, a member of the Senate Commerce and Small Business committees. |
| Muzzle Joe |
| Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:49:19 EST The Capitol Steps use Christmas carol parodies to take aim at Vice President Biden and his many verbal gaffes. They also lament the still-weak economy in the midst of the Christmas shopping season. Guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Pelosi Jackhammers the Rule of Law |
| Thu, 9 Dec 2010 16:23:57 EST Iowa Rep. Steve King rips the House passage of the DREAM Act and Democratic leaders for what he considers subversion of the rule of law and defying the will of the American electorate in November. Why does he feel this is wrong to take up in a lame duck session? Why does he believe children who are illegals should not be allowed to move on a smooth path to legalization? And how will a Republican majority in the House take a different approach to immigration. We ask Rep. King, who is also the top Republican on the House Judiciary subcommittee on immigration |
| DREAM Act Jeopardizes Freedom |
| Wed, 8 Dec 2010 15:50:35 EST On Wednesday, the House and Senate are scheduled to vote on the highly controversial DREAM Act, which would use taxpayer dollars to help fund the higher education of young illegal immigrants and expedite their path to legalization. So are supporters correct when saying this is a great way to help these young people become great contributors to society? How much would this legislation encourage further illegal immigration? How much would this cost taxpayers? Will the bill really put illegals with criminal records on the path to legal status? And does opposing this plan put Republicans at risk of a permanent backlash from Hispanic voters or will legal Hispanic residents be harmed the most from this legislation? We ask California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, who is strongly opposed to the DREAM Act. |
| Joe Miller Fights On |
| Tue, 7 Dec 2010 16:08:33 EST It's been 35 days since Election Day, but the Alaska Senate race is still officially undecided. Where does the legal challenge currently stand? What are the two issues that Joe Miller is contesting in court? What other irregularities could impact the final tally? And why is Miller unimpressed with the tax cut compromise hammered out between President Obama and Congressional Republicans? We discuss it all with Alaska GOP Senate hopeful Joe Miller. |
| Jobs, Unemployment and Drilling |
| Tue, 7 Dec 2010 11:32:53 EST Greg Corombos reports on a lousy jobs report for November and the Obama administration imposing a seven-year ban on new drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico and off the east coast. Guests are Texas Rep. Kevin Brady and Louisiana Sen. David Vitter. |
| Washington Keeps Discouraging Jobs |
| Fri, 3 Dec 2010 13:41:55 EST On Friday, the Labor Department reported a disappointing addition of 39,000 jobs in November. Worse, the national unemployment rate is now 9.8 percent. So why were the numbers so much worse than expected? What worries small business owners most? Why is making the tax cuts permanent the best way to give business owners some certainty? We discuss all of these key questions with Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, the top House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee. Brady also offers his thoughts on the recommendations of the president's bipartisan debt commission. |
| Obama Cripples Energy Exploration |
| Fri, 3 Dec 2010 13:28:35 EST This week, the Obama administration announced no new drilling permits would be issued until 2017 for the Gulf of Mexico and off the East Coast. Has any good reason been given for this decision? What will be the economic impact? How much will this increase our reliance upon foreign energy? And is there anything Congress or the states do to limit the scope of this ban? We discuss all these questions with Louisiana Sen. David Vitter. |
| Spend More, Tax More |
| Thu, 2 Dec 2010 16:43:06 EST On Thursday, the House of Representatives approved the Democratic plan to permanently extend the Bush tax cuts - but only for the middle class. So why do Republicans find this so 'frustrating'? Will there be a deal by the end of the lame duck session to allow at least a temporary extension of all income tax cuts? Would the GOP be willing to give the Democrats what they want on unemployment benefits in exchange for an extension of all tax cuts? What are small business owners saying about this debate? Is there any effort to extend the elimination of the estate tax? And what else would give business owners more certainty? We discuss it all with Missouri Rep. Sam Graves, soon to be the chairman of the House Small Business Committee. |
| Shut Down Wikileaks Now! |
| Thu, 2 Dec 2010 10:21:49 EST In a passionate floor speech, Michigan Rep. and House Homeland Security Committee Member Candice Miller demanded that Attorney General Eric Holder take the steps necessary to shut down the Wikileaks website. Why does she believe this step is necessary? How does she react to claims that the government may not have the authority to do it? What is the Democratic-led Homeland Security doing about this and how will Republicans act differently when they take control of the committee next year? And why is Miller critical of President Obama's silence on this entire issue? We discuss all these questions with Rep. Candice Miller. |
| In Defense of Earmarks |
| Wed, 1 Dec 2010 15:25:15 EST Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe tells us why Senate Republican leaders are right to vow a filibuster against any legislation that distracts lawmakers from the critical issues of taxes and spending. How does he react to Democrats vowing to do everything possible to let tax rates rise for the wealthiest Americans? What about the Democratic claim that renewed unemployment benefits create more jobs than tax cuts? We also ask Inhofe to explain why he opposes an earmark ban favored by most of his GOP colleagues. |
| Gays, Nukes and National Security |
| Wed, 1 Dec 2010 15:16:20 EST Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and is passionately opposed to lifting the ban on gays serving in the military. He is also staunchly against the proposed START agreement designed to limit the nuclear stockpiles in the U.S. and Russia. So how does Inhofe counter the arguments made by those pushing to end 'Don't Ask Don't Tell"? Why does he believe changing the policy would weaken our military? And why does he believe START is fatally flawed and ought to be rejected by the Senate? We ask Sen. Inhofe. |
| A Threat to American Security |
| Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:23:06 EST South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson tells us why America's national security has been weakened as a result of the latest Wikileaks document dump exposing our classified diplomatic tactics. Why are we less safe? And how can these documents be better secured? Wilson also reacts to the Pentagon's recommendation to repeal the ban on gays in the military and the terrorism plot against a Christmas tree lighting in Oregon. We discuss it all with Rep. Joe Wilson. |
| Liddy - 80 Years and Going Strong |
| Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:12:47 EST A household name for nearly 40 years, G. Gordon Liddy celebrates his 80th birthday today. How does Liddy view his many years in public service? What does he have to say about his silence in the Watergate era? What does he see as his role and the role of talk radio in today's political climate? And what keeps him fired up and engaging in the political arena at age 80? We discuss all of this with the legendary G. Gordon Liddy. |
| The News |
| Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:55:21 EST The Obama administration is firing back at Wikileaks with both barrels after a third dump of previously classified documents - and this release may well be the most damaging of the three. President Obama orders a freeze on wages for federal civilian employees and the lame duck session is underway as Democrats keep control of the House for a few more weeks. |
| No Profiling, It's 'Politically Toxic' |
| Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:26:08 EST Michigan Rep. Peter Hoekstra is the top Republican on the House Select Intelligence Committee. What is his assessment of the new TSA security measures designed to address the security threats to our nation? What does he see as TSA's greatest mistake? Why hasn't our government embraced terrorist profiling? And when do our liberties get to trump the effort to convince us that airport security is effective? We ask Rep. Hoekstra. |
| Don't Count on It |
| Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:06:28 EST Vanguard founder John Bogle explains why capitalism failed in the recent Wall Street crisis that still afflicts our economy. Was it proof that free markets don't work or that they can't work unless people of integrity are running the system? How can we shrink the 'character deficit' in the financial world? How should investors navigate their way through misleading and needlessly complex financial data? Does Bogle believe mutual funds are still the wisest investment? And what does he think of the recent financial reforms approved in Washington? We ask John Bogle, author of the new book "Don't Count on It". |
| The DREAM Act Nightmare |
| Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:25:35 EST Democratic Congressional leaders are vowing to push for passage of the DREAM Act in the final weeks of this Congress. The proposed law would allow taxpayer dollars to be spent on college scholarships for the kids of illegal immigrants. Is this a good idea or just another way to encourage more illegal immigration? Why did Democrats wait until now to pursue this legislation? What would this be the 'largest earmark in the history of the country'? Will it pass? We ask California Rep. Brian Bilbray, chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus. Bilbray also discusses what House Republicans will advocate in immigration policy when they take the majority in January. |
| Strangers on My Flight |
| Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:17:20 EST The Capitol Steps lampoon Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and the government's bureaucratic and reactionary policies on airline security. Guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Obamacare in the Crosshairs |
| Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:56:52 EST Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns is once again sponsoring legislation to repeal the provision in the new health care law that would require businesses to file a 1099 form with the IRS every time it piles up $600 in spending with a vendor. It's the one provision, President Obama has suggested he would allow to be scrapped. So will it happen in the lame duck Congress or anytime soon? How has Johanns amended the bill to make it more fiscally friendly? How ready are Senate Republicans to begin trying to repeal the entire Obama health law? And why does Johanns call the repeal effort a 'defining moment' in American history? We discuss it all with Sen. Mike Johanns. |
| America's 'False Choice' |
| Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:48:30 EST Defenders of the controversial new TSA security screenings and pat-downs say the new intrusive measures are necessary to preserve the security of the traveling public. But Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, the sponsor of legislation against the new TSA policies that has passed the House, says that is a 'false choice'. What does he mean by that? What security strategy does he believe would be more effective? And will Congress actually do anything about all of this? We ask Rep. Chaffetz. |
| Bolton on START, Terror Verdict |
| Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:20:27 EST President Obama is pressing the U.S. Senate to ratify a new START agreement concerning the levels of the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals. But former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says this is a 'poorly negotiated treaty across a wide range of issues'. So what are his main objections? Why does he see an agreement premised upon fairness as much worse for us than the Russians? And why does he think this deal would only encourage Iran's nuclear ambitions? Bolton also reacts to Guantanamo detainee and terrorism suspect Ahmed Ghailani being acquitted in civilian court of all but one of 284 charges related to the bombings of U.S. embassies in 1998. Why does Bolton see this as a 'catastrophe' for those favoring civilian trials for terror suspects? And what does he think of the Obama administration saying the one conviction shows civilian courts was the right venue? We discuss these two major issues with former Ambassador John Bolton. |
| DeMint Talks GOP Goals, Lame Duck |
| Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:25:11 EST Fresh off a resounding win within Republican ranks over earmarks, South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint tells us what we can expect from the larger GOP numbers in the new Congress. Can we really expect major differences in Washington when both parties in both the House and Senate re-elected the same leadership? How will Republicans try to rein in spending? What will they do on health care? What does the Tea Party expect from all of these new members? And how Congress deal with lame duck issues like taxes, immigration, gays in the military and more. Greg Corombos discusses all of these issues and more with Sen. Jim DeMint. |
| Joe Miller Updates Senate Fight |
| Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:08:02 EST The vote counting continues in Alaska, with Lisa Murkowski and Joe Miller locked in a very tight race. What does state law say about what qualifies as a valid write-in vote? What standard did Murkowski allies in the elections division adopt AFTER Election Day? Which side will win in court? Can Miller win if the existing state law is the standard? And how does Miller react to Sen. Murkowski now saying America succeeds if President Obama succeeds? We discuss all of these questions and more with GOP Alaska Senate nominee Joe Miller. |
| 'It Absolutely Has to Stop' |
| Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:49:16 EST Airline passengers are vehemently opposed to new TSA screening methods - including very revealing body scans and very invasive pat-downs. But New Jersey State Senator Michael Doherty is among the first to bring forth legislation demanding that Congress rescind tactics that many believe amounts to government-sanctioned groping. What can his legislation accomplish? Can states take action apart from the federal government? What is his advice for passengers? And where does he draw the line between security and privacy? We discuss it all with State Senator Michael Doherty. |
| A New Political Reality |
| Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:27:40 EST For months, we heard Democrats were planning an aggressive lame duck session of Congress to tackle spending bills, tax cut extensions and possibly even major bills on energy, immigration and organized labor. But after the big GOP gains two weeks ago, will Democrats remain as ambitious as they were before? Will all of the Bush income tax cuts be extended or will the highest tax bracket see their rates increase? How different is the incoming Republican majority compared to the GOP majority that lost power in 2006? And how aggressive will the Republicans be in overturning the unpopular health care laws? We ask Arizona Rep. John Shadegg, who is retiring after eight terms in Congress. |
| WND News - Debt Reduction & Airline Safety |
| Sat, 13 Nov 2010 18:02:16 EST Greg Corombos discusses the initial recommendations on reducing the debt and the fate of the Bush tax cuts with excerpts of his conversation with New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett, a member of the House Budget Committee. He also addresses the firestorm of controversy over the new, invasive TSA screening prcedures - with commentary from California Rep. Dan Lungren, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee. |
| Getting Tough on Spending , Taxes |
| Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:41:48 EST This week, fierce congressional reaction followed the release of some initial recommendations from the bipartisan debt commission. At the same time, the Obama administration offered mixed signals on whether it will fight to let tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire or allow them to be extended for another year or two. So what should we make of the early suggestions for reducing our national debt? Where should the new Republican majority begin hacking away at spending next year? How can real entitlement reform happen when any suggestion of change triggers a fierce backlash? What will happen in the tax cut debate? And how does President Obama impact small businesses when he gives differing messages on whether to extend some or all of the tax cuts? We ask New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett, one of the top Republicans on the House Budget Committee. |
| Buy, Buy American Pie |
| Fri, 12 Nov 2010 13:29:27 EST President Obama spent part of this week trying to force China to properly value its currency - to no avail. But the Capitol Steps are worried about the growing economic power of the Chinese and how their low-cost production could mean trouble for our health and safety down the road. Guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| The News |
| Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:27:49 EST Passionate reaction from both parties to recommendations from the bipartisan debt commission, Obama urges patience before denouncing specific ideas, America honors its veterans and Gen. McCaffrey wades into the debate over gays in the military. |
| 'Just A Guy Not Willing to Go' |
| Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:31:03 EST All the votes have been counted in the 27th Congressional district in Texas, and Republican challenger Blake Farenthold holds a 787 vote lead over longtime Democratic Rep. Solomon Ortiz. Since Election Day, a bag of votes was discovered - with all votes backing Ortiz. Now Ortiz is demanding a hand recount of all ballots in the race and the final verdict could be weeks away. Why is this delay extremely harmful to the people of the 27th district? What pitfalls could await us in the recount? What is the reaction to the refusal of Ortiz to exit the race graciously? And how was a Republican able to make such a successful run against an entrenched Democratic incumbent? We ask Blake Farenthold. |
| Wilson Re-Elected, Focuses on Jobs |
| Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:52:04 EST After his 'You Lie' outburst towards President Obama in last year's health care address of Congress, South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson was one of the top Republicans targeted for defeat by Democrats. After a $3 million onslaught, Wilson was re-elected last week - by the same margin he won by in 2008. So what was it like to be campaign with a political target on his back? Why did voters decide not to punish him for his outburst? What will he and Republicans be doing to encourage more hiring in the new Congress? What besides preserving tax cuts is key to a healthy economy? How aggressively should Republicans fight to repeal Obamacare? And should they try to do it all at once or piece by piece? We discuss all of this with Rep. Joe Wilson. |
| The Homeland Security Strategy |
| Tue, 9 Nov 2010 14:51:36 EST This week, reacting in part to the attempted terrorist attacks via airline cargo, the Department of Homeland Security unveiled new rules designed to protect the U.S. So what impact will be see as a result of the new bans on cargo from Yemen and Somalia? How about the crackdowns on toner and ink cartridges? We ask California Rep. Dan Lungren, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and chairman of the panel's Emerging Threats subcommittee. We also get Lungren's thoughts on whether the Yemeni government is powerless to stop the growing terrorist presence there or just unwilling to do it. And he addresses concerns over the revealing and sometimes invasive security upgrades at American airports. |
| A Recount Helps A Republican? |
| Mon, 8 Nov 2010 16:03:32 EST On Election Night, the vote count suggested New York Democratic Rep. Tim Bishop narrowly won re-election by just over 3,400 votes. But a recanvassing of the state's first congressional district showed a massive swing in favor of Republican challenger Randy Altschuler, who now leads by just under 400 votes. So how did we get such different results in two separate vote counts? How will a likely hand recount proceed? Are we headed for a process that resembles the chaos in Florida back in 2000? How costly is it for candidates to go through a recount? And when will we finally have a winner? We ask Republican candidate Randy Altschuler. |
| More Jobs and Less Spending |
| Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:50:29 EST The new jobs report shows greater job creation but also greater discouragement and a stagnant 9.6 percent unemployment rate. So will current conditions yield the type of job growth that we need or will very different policies be necessary? Is the Federal Reserve helping or hurting our economy by injecting another $600 billion of new money into the economy? How will the new Republican majority deal with taxes, spending and the Fed? We ask Georgia Rep. Tom Price, chairman of the Republican Study Committee. |
| What Kind of Cool Am I? |
| Fri, 5 Nov 2010 14:46:39 EST Election Night was a very big night for Republicans around the country. And despite feverish campaigning, President Obama took a 'shellacking'. The Capitol Steps take a look at what went wrong for the president and his party. |
| Good and Bad News in Job Numbers |
| Fri, 5 Nov 2010 13:40:40 EST The Labor Department reported the creation of 159,000 private sector jobs in October. But the overall unemployment rate remains at 9.6 percent and more people are giving up the search for work. So should we see the glass as half full or half empty? How much of a difference would extending the Bush tax cuts make in spurring job growth? What else should the new Congress pursue? And how much do the huge deficits indirectly impact job creation? We ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Hudson Institute, who served as chief economist at the Department of Labor for President George W. Bush. |
| 'Clean Energy' Would Enrich China |
| Fri, 5 Nov 2010 11:20:32 EST Following the midterm elections, President Obama admitted his 'cap and trade' energy legislation was dead for the next two years. Does that mean Obama plans to wait for a second term to try again or will he just have the EPA push through new regulations without the input of Congress? Why would Obama's proposed shift to new clean energies greatly enrich China and make the U.S. dependent upon Beijing instead of the Middle East? And what would actually be the smartest energy policy moving forward? We ask Robert Bryce, energy expert at the Manhattan Institute. |
| What Will the GOP Majority Do? |
| Thu, 4 Nov 2010 16:39:46 EST Is President Obama really ready to extend all of the Bush tax cuts? What will the lame duck Congress or the coming GOP_led Congress do about the expiring capital gains, dividend and estate tax breaks? Where will Republicans begin slashing spending? Will they try to repeal the health care bill all at once or piece by piece? And what will they do to foster job creation? We discuss it all with Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the top House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee. |
| The Blueprint for Beating Obama |
| Thu, 4 Nov 2010 16:31:46 EST Why could John Kasich's victory in the Ohio governor's race be a blueprint for Republicans in their effort to defeat President Obama in 2012? What message worked for Kasich? Why does Kasich's personality come across as so appealing? How did he withstand 12 Obama visits to the state just to defeat him? And what do Republicans need to show in the next two years to show the American people they should elect a GOP president again? We ask Van Hipp, former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. |
| Message of the Midterms |
| Thu, 4 Nov 2010 15:47:38 EST John Gizzi is back to reflect on very accurate midterm election predictions on the fight for the House of Representatives but several incorrect calls on the Senate side. Why did the GOP do so well on the House? What prevented a very good night from being an incredible night on the Senate side? And does Gizzi think President Obama understands the message delivered by voters on Tuesday? |
| Let the Fiscal Discipline Begin |
| Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:46:20 EST Republicans were bounced from power in 2006 due in large part to a lack of spending restraint. On Tuesday, House Democrats were fired for the same reason. So how can the new Congress start to deal with our massive debt and unmanageable entitlement programs? How will meaningful spending cuts happen when every proposed reduction will meet with great resistance? How can lawmakers get the budget process off of an auto-pilot system that leads to higher deficits? And what meaningful changes could realistically be made to shore up Medicare, Social Security and the entire health care system? We ask David Walker, former Comptroller General of the United States and founder of the Comeback America Initiative. |
| Lesson Learned? |
| Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:41:14 EST President Obama will now be dealing with a Republican majority in the House of Representatives and a much smaller majority in the U.S. Senate. So does today's press conference show the president has learned a lesson and will adjust course? Is he ready to move towards the center or stand firm on a more liberal course? We ask former longtime USA TODAY White House Correspondent Richard Benedetto. |
| A 'Well-Deserved' Shellacking |
| Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:32:28 EST Republicans amassed historic gains in TUesday's midterm election - picking up over 60 House seats and at least six Senate seats. Is President Obama right that this is just voter frustration with the economy or is it voter rejection of Obama policies? How will a divided Congress work with Obama? We ask Michael Lewan, a longtime Democratic strategist and former chief of staff for Sen. Joe Lieberman. |
| Big Night for Pro-Life Movement |
| Wed, 3 Nov 2010 16:25:25 EST The health care issue was a big loser for incumbent Democrats on Tuesday, particularly for self-proclaimed pro-life Democrats who backed the bill despite components that would require taxpayer funding of abortion. So who did the Susan B. Anthony List target? How many of their targeted incumbents went down to defeat? Did the group support any Democrats? We discuss all these questions with Marilyn Musgrave, director of the SBA List's Votes Have Consequences project. |
| The Enthusiasm Gap is Real |
| Tue, 2 Nov 2010 15:56:37 EST For weeks we heard about the 'enthusiasm gap' that favors Republicans in the midterm elections. Democrats claim that gap has closed in the final weeks of the campaign. But has it? Why does Gallup see Republican intensity at a higher point than anytime in the past few decades? How is enthusiasm measured? And does GOP enthusiasm reflect great support for the Republicans or tremendous dissatisfaction with Democrats? We ask Frank Newport, editor-in-chief at Gallup. |
| What Next for the Tea Party? |
| Tue, 2 Nov 2010 15:50:52 EST The Tea Party movement has been growing for almost two years, but where will its focus be once the midterms are over? What does it want to see from lawmakers it helped to get elected? How much can be expected while Obama is president? And why will the Tea Party be targeting corporations much more in the months ahead? We ask Tom Borelli, director of the Free Enterprise Project at the National Center for Public Policy Research. |
| How to Really Reform the UN |
| Mon, 1 Nov 2010 16:21:01 EST Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton says the United States is paying a huge share of the United Nations' budget only to watch that money be spent in ways that run contrary to U.S. interests. How would voluntary funding work? How would it drastically change the way the U.N. does business? Can we do such a thing unilaterally? We ask Bolton, who also rips the lack of any meaningful national security debate in this election season and why he believes President Obama is emboldening our enemies on a regular basis. |
| Christians Slaughtered in Iraq |
| Mon, 1 Nov 2010 16:13:33 EST Islamic terrorists are responsible for the massacre of more than 50 Christians at a Catholic church in Baghdad Sunday night. So why did the radicals target the Christians? How brutal has the persecution of Christians been during the course of the current war? How does the new Iraqi constitution foreshadow ongoing persecution? Would Christians find more safety if Iraq had a government in place? We ask Dr. Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA. |
| Voters Still Hate Obamacare |
| Mon, 1 Nov 2010 16:05:57 EST As voters head to the polls on Tuesday, how much is the ongoing health care debate playing into voter intentions. Will the implementation of some popular new provisions help Democrats? What do voters in the closest races think about the new health laws? If given the majority, should Republicans try to repeal the laws one piece at a time or all at once? We ask Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute. |
| How to Spot Voter Fraud |
| Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:33:16 EST There have already been allegations of voting irregularities in early voting this year, but what should you be aware of when heading to the polls on Tuesday? How do poll workers and those 'assisting' voters break the law? Where is this most common? We discuss these and many other illegal Election Day activities with J. Christian Adams, former attorney with the Justice Department's voting rights division. |
| Massive Spending Not Working |
| Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:28:31 EST On Friday we learned that economic growth in the third quarter of this year was two percent. Positive growth is always welcome but what does this tell us about the health of the economy? What are the key numbers and why do they seem to tell conflicting stories? And as voters head to the polls, what can we say for sure about the results we've seen from the past two years of economic policy? We ask Bill Beach, director of the Center for Data Analysis at the Heritage Foundation. |
| Terror In A Package |
| Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:27:55 EST Authorities in London and in several places here in the U.S. are investigating a series of suspicious packages arriving from Yemen. At least two of the packages were addressed to a Chicago synagogue, but none of the packages were actually explosives. So was this a dry run for a real terrorist strike down the road or could there be plans for an actual attack this weekend? How surprised should we be that this story come just four days before major elections in the U.S.? What does the Yemeni link tell us and how much can the Yemeni government do to stop attacks originating from its country? We ask Dr. Walid Phares from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and find out why he's investigating a possible link between these packages and the recent shootings at military sites in Virginia. |
| Accustomed to My Facebook |
| Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:22:34 EST Americans of all ages are fascinated, and often addicted, to Facebook. So that means the social media giant is a perfect target for ridicule from the Capitol Steps. Our guest is Steps performer Mark Eaton. |
| Why Isn't Victory the Goal? |
| Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:23:55 EST As the casualties in Afghanistan increase and popular support for the war wanes, what should be our goals in this nine-year-old war? Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely says the goal should be victory - the only goal anyone should ever have in war. So what are the current goals and why won't the counterinsurgency strategy work? What would work? And how big of an issue should the war be in the midterm elections? We discuss it all with Gen. Vallely. |
| Gizzi's Final Midterm Predictions |
| Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:57:58 EST Voters to the polls on Tuesday to decide races for the House, Senate and most governorships. After weeks of individual predictions, John Gizzi of Human Events explains just how many seats he expects Republicans to gain in the House and Senate and offers his picks on the key Senate races in Nevada, California and West Virginia plus the governor's contests in Ohio and Texas. |
| Americans Duped in 2008 |
| Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:46:04 EST Republicans are expected to make sizable gains in Tuesday's midterm elections. Grove City College Professor Paul Kengor says it's because millions of voters were duped in 2008 and are ready to make a correction. But why does Dr. Kengor believe voters were fooled two years ago rather than concluding they just chose a different course? How did Obama portray himself as a moderate when his agenda is considered for more liberal? And why hasn't Obama returned to the rhetoric of the political center in this midterm campaign? We ask Dr Kengor, author of "Dupes: How America's Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for A Century". |
| GOP's Midterm Message |
| Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:23:01 EST Republicans are anticipating major gains in the House and Senate in next week's elections. What economic message are the GOP candidates espousing? What are they saying about the record of their opponents? Who is the figure most Republican candidates try to link to their rivals? And what strategy are embattled Democrats using to hold on against these challengers? Greg Corombos examines all these questions and gets answers from Republican Congressional hopefuls Keith Fimian, Sean Bielat, Ilario Pantano and Jesse Kelly. |
| Attacking Terrorism in Washington |
| Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:24:59 EST On Wednesday, the FBI arrested 34-year-old Farooque Ahmed on charges that he was plotting to bomb a number of different stops along Washington's metro rail system. The arrest was made after the government was able to infiltrate his plans and gain Ahmed's confidence. So how do authorities spot potential terrorists and gain their trust? How difficult is to know when to make the arrest? And just how big of a problem is the threat of terrorists rising from within the U.S.? We ask retired FBI Special Agent Bob Hamer, a veteran of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. |
| More Voting Fraud Fears |
| Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:17:32 EST On Tuesday, we reported on the voting machines in Nevada that already checked the name of Harry Reid before voters even entered the booths. Now we learn that voting machines in that county and elsewhere are maintained by members of the SEIU, a labor organization closely tied to Democrats. In addition, Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy is under fire for deceptively trying to sign up new absentee voters. So is this just smoke or is there some fire to all of this? Will there be legal action? And are there any glitches that are randomly favoring Republicans? We ask Mark Hemingway of the Washington Examiner. |
| People Are Ready For A Change |
| Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:40:11 EST Democratic Virginia Rep. Jim Moran has represented his state's eighth Congressional district for 20 years, and he has never been seriously challenged - until this year. Moran holds just a slight lead over Republican challenger Patrick Murray. How is a Republican running so strong in a very Democratic district? Why is Moran taking a beating over saying Murray has no public service in his background? How would Murray tackle the huge deficits facing this country? We discuss all these questions with GOP Congressional candidate Patrick Murray. |
| Fraud or Incompetence? |
| Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:26:06 EST Reports from Nevada indicate several voters in Clark County went to early voting sites intending to vote for Sharron Angle but were surprised to see the electronic voting machines already had Harry Reid's name checked. In North Carolina, a voter trying to vote for a straight Republican ticket watched the machine log his votes as a straight Democratic ticket. Even a poll worker had to try several times to record the man's vote. So is this a sign of election chicanery already rearing its head? Or are we saddled with cheap, unreliable voting machines in many areas? We ask John Fund, Wall Street Journal columnist and author of "Stealing Elections". |
| States and Taxes |
| Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:16:28 EST Which states are the most inviting and hospitable to businesses and which states have the most oppressive tax burdens? Are states generally raising or lowering taxes in this recession? And why is it much better for states to have consistently low tax rates than to sporadically offer specific tax credits and incentives to businesses? We ask Dr. Kail Padgitt, author of The Tax Foundation's annual State Business Tax Climate Index. |
| Can Bielat Beat Barney? |
| Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:53:12 EST For the first time in 28 years, Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank is facing a competitive Republican challenger. So why is Sean Bielat taking on this uphill climb? How has he made the race competitive? How is Frank's handling of the Wall Street mess and the mortgage crisis impacting this race? How much of an issue is Frank's abrasive personality? We discuss it all with Republican Congressional candidate Sean Bielat. |
| Time to Make Iran Pay |
| Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:15:05 EST New reports detail how Afghanistan is getting bags of cash worth millions of dollars from the Iranian government. President Karzai says there is no need for alarm, but what is Iran trying to achieve and how much is it undermining U.S. efforts in Afghanistan? Given Iran's boldness, what strategy would actually be effective at keeping it in check? We ask former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Jed Babbin. We also get Babbin's opinion on the latest Wikileaks massive release of Iraq war documents. |
| Fimian Focused on Jobs |
| Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:38:02 EST In 2008 Democrat Gerry Connolly won an open House seat in Virginia over Republican Keith Fimian. Fimian is running for the seat again this year, in a campaign that many observers see as a toss-up. So why is Fimian back for a second campaign? What does he say Connolly has 'no idea how to create a job'? What is Fimian's plan to foster job growth? How does he respond to Connolly's ad campaign describing himself as a fiscal moderate? And why is Fimian very confident of victory next week? We have a wide-ranging conversation with Keith Fimian, the Republican nominee in Virginia's 11th Congressional district. |
| Should Non-Citizens Vote? |
| Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:24:45 EST Voters in Portland, Maine, and San Francisco, California, will vote on ballot initiatives that would allow non-citizens to vote on local issues. Supporters say all parents should have a voice in school board elections and other matters of immediate importance to them. But critics say the right to vote is one of the great incentives to become a citizen and lowering the standard cheapens citizenship and paves the way for millions of illegals influencing the political process. So which side is right? We ask Bob Dane of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). |
| Small Business vs. Obamacare |
| Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:27:35 EST Last week, a federal judge in Florida allowed a challenge to the new health care laws to proceed to trial. The case was brought by the attorneys general of 20 states and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). So why is the NFIB getting involved? What concerns is it already hearing from many businesses about the cost of health care in the future? And how will the new mandates impact the pace of hiring at small businesses whenever job creation picks up again? We ask Karen Harned, executive director of the NFIB's Small Business Legal Center. |
| 'Clearly It's A Horserace' |
| Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:56:04 EST In most election years, Republicans have little hop of winning in Massachusetts. But this is not most election years. A number of races are competitive, including in the third Congressional district where incumbent Democrat Jim McGovern faces GOP challenger Marty Lamb. Which way is the momentum headed in this race? What are the differences between McGovern and Lamb when it comes to the economy? And is Lamb too conservative for the district? We ask Republican Congressional candidate Marty Lamb. |
| Runaway Balloon |
| Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:36:21 EST The Capitol Steps are feeling nostalgic this week - thinking all the way back to this time in 2009, when America was transfixed by 'balloon boy' and a major development in the fight over health care legislation. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| The Real Stimulus Story |
| Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:31:44 EST President Obama and other Democrats contend the stimulus package is responsible for creating or saving more than three million jobs and prevented a second Great Depression. But what do the facts show? How have the job numbers changed in the nation's biggest cities in the past couple of years? What's the only sector of the economy that is seeing job growth? Did the stimulus save us from a much bigger economic collapse? And how will all of this impact the midterm elections? We ask Texas Rep. Kevin Brady. |
| More Gizzi Midterm Predictions |
| Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:25:33 EST Human Events Political Editor John Gizzi is back with a new batch of midterm election predictions, including his picks on key Senate races in Kentucky, Illinois and Wisconsin and tough governor's races in Oregon, Rhode Island and Florida. Gizzi also evaluates the impact President Obama's campaign efforts will have on the midterms. |
| Dems Demagoguing Entitlements |
| Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:50:52 EST A number of key Senate races have tightened in recent days and one reason may be Democrats attacking Republicans calling for reforms to social security and Medicare. But what are the facts about what these candidates are proposing, what the Democrats have already done or not done and why voters are still hesitant to embrace changes to the major entitlement programs? We ask Peter Ferrara, general counsel at the American Civil Rights Union. |
| The News |
| Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:44:11 EST The Obama administration is on the record as wanting to repeal 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' but is now fighting a judge's order to repeal it immediately. A new slate of polls show Republicans doing better in the West Virginia, Illinois and Missouri senate races but slipping in Pennsylvania. And Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas are back in the headlines - with the FBI getting involved. |
| 'It's A Matter of Freedom' |
| Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:55:09 EST The tightest Congressional race in California is in the state's 11th district, where Democratic Rep. Jerry McNerney is locked in a tough fight against Republican challenger David Harmer. The district has an unemployment rate of almost 20 percent, so what is Harmer's strategy to get job creation going again? How would he specifically slash deficit spending? Why does he believe Rep. McNerney should be fired? And why does he see this campaign as critical to preserving America as a free nation? We discuss it all with David Harmer. |
| The Trouble With Ending DADT |
| Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:33:05 EST Even though the Obama administration is appealing a federal judge's decision striking down "Don't Ask Don't Tell", the Pentagon has ordered recruiters to begin accepting openly gay applicants. Are Pentagon officials just doing what the court is demanding or are they rushing into a policy change they don't need to implement yet? Why is this controversy more about a social experiment than improving our military? How do military leaders really feel about all this? And will the government win this case on appeal? We ask Van Hipp, former deputy secretary of the Army for reserve forces and mobilization. |
| Obama's 'Elitist' Message |
| Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:25:06 EST President Obama is cranking up the rhetoric in his efforts to keep the Congress in Democratic control. But will suggesting that voters are scared and aren't thinking clearly really win them back? Why might Obama's handlers be giving him very bad advice? We ask former longtime USA TODAY White House Correspondent Richard Benedetto, who also says the mass exodus of White House advisers is not typical, despite what the administration says. |
| Buckeye State Brawl |
| Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:49:02 EST As Republicans eye a possible return to the majority in the House of Representatives, some of their biggest targets are in Ohio. In the sixth district, Republican Bill Johnson is locked in a tight race with Democratic Rep. Charlie Wilson. So why did Johnson get in the race? What policies would he pursue to help spur job growth? Why does he say small business owners are 'afraid to make a move' that would result in more jobs? And what vote of Wilson's in Congress was 'the straw that broke the camel's back'? We ask GOP congressional candidate Bill Johnson. |
| The Gay Debate and the Midterms |
| Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:25:15 EST While the economy remains the dominant issue in the midterm campaign, the debate over homosexuality has become a more frequent topic of debate - from the military's policy of 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' to various comments made by candidates, Democrats and much of the media have been quick to shine attention on the issue. So are these key issues for voters or do Democrats see an opening by highlighting them? Why are liberals so reluctant to allow an open debate on these issues? We ask Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs at Liberty Counsel. Barber also explains why Colorado senate candidate Ken Buck was right on target in his recent comments on homosexuality on 'Meet the Press'. |
| Printing Money Solves Nothing |
| Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:30:34 EST Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is suggesting more tools need to be used to boost the economy - including the intentional creation of new inflation. But Georgia Rep. Tom Price says the Fed needs to pull back. Why is he concerned about these possible actions by the Fed? What does he think would work much better? And how does he react to the Fiscal 2010 deficit coming in at nearly $1.3 trillion? We have a wide-ranging economic discussion with Rep. Price. |
| 'Not An Ounce of Truth' |
| Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:02:41 EST Retired U.S. Marine Jesse Kelly is locked in a very tight battle with Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a district along the Mexico border. Why does Kelly believe if voters know Giffords' record, he will win and if they don't know about her votes he will lose? Is Giffords running on her record or running away from her votes for stimulus and the Obama health plan? How do the two candidates differ on immigration? And which side has the money advantage in the home stretch? We discuss all of this with Jesse Kelly. |
| 'When I'm 84' |
| Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:28:23 EST This week, the government announced there would be no Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for social security recipients for the second straight year. So as the checks stay the same and the system loses money, the Capitol Steps wonder how the elderly will get by if the system runs out of money. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| 'Cuts to the Core of Obamacare' |
| Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:21:53 EST Just days after a federal judge in Michigan dismissed Constitutional challenges to the individual mandate component of the new health care laws, a judge in Florida has allowed a similar challenge from 20 states to move forward. The judge also permitted a challenge to the mandated expansion of Medicare to go forward as well. How critical is this to the ongoing fight against the new health care plan? Does this give Obamacare opponents a leg up when the case goes to trial? Why did the Obama administration lose credibility in defending the individual mandate? And why could the mandate be seen as a human rights violation? We ask Matt Kibbe, president of FreedomWorks and co-author of "Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto". |
| 'This Is the Military's Business' |
| Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:53:26 EST The American Legion is joining the chorus of criticism aimed at federal Judge Virginia Phillips, who not only struck down 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' but refused to stay her decision while the appeals process plays out. The Legion says its concern is not about the merits of the case but one judge deciding what's best for the military. So how should this issue be decided? Will politics end up deciding this issue rather than what's best for the military? How much should the opinions of active duty personnel matter in the Pentagon's evaluation of the policy? We ask Craig Roberts of the American Legion. |
| 'I Want Your Money' |
| Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:46:47 EST The fragile economy and America's exploding debt are front and center in the minds of most voters this year. Both parties deserve blame, but something needs to change quickly. That's the thesis of "I Want Your Money", the new documentary from filmmaker Ray Griggs that includes interviews with policy experts as well as some creative animation featuring presidents Reagan and Obama. |
| 'Moratorium Has Been Devastating' |
| Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:27:32 EST Earlier this week, the Obama administration announced it was lifting the moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. But what has been the damage from the months the moratorium was in place? Did the moratorium accomplish anything positive? We ask Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, who also anticipates strong GOP midterm gains and warns Democrats against trying to cram controversial bills down America's throat in a lame duck session of Congress. |
| Dems 'Have No Leg to Stand On' |
| Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:13:52 EST Have President Obama and his allies found a good wedge issue by questioning the source of funding behind special interest group political ads? Or is this proof positive that Democrats are desperate as they see a possible tidal wave of voter anger next month? We ask John Gizzi of Human Events and also get his midterm predictions on several key races for the Senate and House as well as two key governor's races. |
| 'The Worst Kind of Hypocrite' |
| Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:26:13 EST Ilario Pantano is a two-time Marine Corps veteran and is now challenging Democratic North Carolina Rep. Mike McIntyre. Why is Pantano running for Congress? Why does he believe McIntyre needs to be fired? How would he work to grow the economy? And what is his closing argument to North Carolina voters? We discuss all of this with Ilario Pantano. |
| 'Breathtaking Abuse of Authority' |
| Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:06:11 EST Federal judge Virginia Phillips overturned the longstanding "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy concerning gays in the military, and now she says the law should be eliminated immediately. How should we view this decision from a legal perspective? Does a judge have the right to strike this law from the books? Will the decision be stayed until appeals are heard? What would happen if the case did get to the Supreme Court? We ask Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs at Liberty Counsel. |
| Dems Brace for Huge Losses |
| Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:53:08 EST With 20 days left before the midterm elections, Democrats are trying to paint the rosiest possible picture despite many signs of a big Republican year. But what do Democrats honestly expect to happen? Why do they think voters appear ready to back the GOP? Is the Obama strategy of targeting the financing of outside conservative interest groups a good tactic? And how would President Obama and a new Republican majority be wise to act if the election projections are correct? We ask longtime Democratic strategist and former Lieberman chief of staff Michael Lewan. |
| GOP Change Coming to Oregon? |
| Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:41:05 EST Democrats have controlled the Oregon governorship since 1987, but Republicans see their best chance at winning the office in a generation. How is the anti-incumbent mood impacting this race when no incumbent is on the ballot? Why does former Gov. John Kitzhaber want the job again? Is he running on the past or what he would do in the future? What platform is former NBA player Chris Dudley running on and what experience does he bring to the job? We discuss all these questions with Ryan Brown, news director at KFLS in Klamath Falls, Oregon. |
| Moratorium Lifted; Now What? |
| Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:17:29 EST On Tuesday, the Obama administration announced the deepwater drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico is over - seven weeks ahead of schedule. So why aren't opponents of the moratorium celebrating? What bureaucracy has the administration added before exploration can begin again? How are energy companies reacting to all of this? And how many jobs have been lost over the past few months? We ask Texas Rep. Ted Poe. |
| Can Carly Win in California? |
| Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:58:45 EST With three weeks remaining until the midterm elections, we examine one of the highest profile senate races in the country - Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer against Republican Carly Fiorina. Why should Boxer be worried despite showing consistent but small leads in major polls? What is the case for Fiorina? Will the issue of outsourcing jobs haunt Fiorina? And would she be a different kind of Republican than Arnold Schwarzenegger? We ask California-based political consultant Reed Galen, who is working informally with the Fiorina campaign. |
| Abortion and the Midterms |
| Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:43:23 EST How big of an issue will abortion be in the midterm elections? It may be a very important factor in the fate of some self-proclaimed pro-life Democrats who also voted for the health care bill. That's because the new laws allow for taxpayer dollars to be used to pay for abortions. So which Democrats are playing defense on the abortion issue? How big of an impact will the abortion debate have in a year dominated by the economy? And are the GOP candidates any better on the abortion issue? We ask Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, which strives to elect pro-life lawmakers. |
| Soldiers Deprived of Right to Vote |
| Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:12:47 EST Last year, Congress passed legislation mandating that states mail out military ballots to soldiers with plenty of time allowed to mail the ballots back to the U.S. But several states have badly and deliberately missed the deadlines and the Justice Department seems to be doing nothing to correct the problem. So why won't the states obey the law and mail the ballots on time? What explanation do the Feds have for failing to crack down on states that are breaking the law? Is it too late to fix the problem this year? We get analysis from J. Christian Adams, former Justice Department attorney and contributor to Pajamas Media. |
| The Moratorium and the Campaign |
| Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:53:50 EST Louisiana Sen. David Vitter says he expects the formal moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico to be lifted sooner than scheduled. But he says a de facto moratorium will likely stay in place much longer as a result of oppressive regulations. What does Vitter think of a new report alleging the Obama administration blocked public discussion of a worst-case scenario of this year's oil spill crisis? How is Vitter's record different on this issue from the positions taken by his opponent? How does he expect the lackluster jobs picture to impact the midterm elections? And why should he be re-elected? We discuss it all with Sen. David Vitter. |
| 'They Are Totally Confused' |
| Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:57:11 EST Just days after McDonald's suggested the new health care laws would force it to end coverage for hourly employees, the Obama administration has issued an exemption to the golden arches and dozens of other firms that were poised to eliminate health coverage over prohibitive costs. Why were the exemptions granted? What happens to small business owners who don't have enough clout to earn a federal exemption? And how significant is a federal judge's decision upholding the Constitutionality of the individual mandate? We ask Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute and find out why she likens the stream of revelations about the new plan to an 'army of centipedes'. |
| Honoring Columbus' Courage, Vision |
| Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:19:53 EST As America observes Columbus Day, what should America appreciate about the man whose exploration triggered the great European migration to the New World? Why has Columbus been diminished in our culture over the past generation? Why do most of the people who do speak out on Columbus seem to be obsessed with his perceived flaws in dealing with the indigenous people? We ask Frank Donatelli, former deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee who also served as chairman of the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Commission from 1990-1992. |
| Baked, Cooled and Iced |
| Fri, 8 Oct 2010 15:18:38 EST With just over three weeks remaining until the midterm elections, University of Virginia political science Professor Larry Sabato says huge Republicans gains are already a certainty. But how big will the gains be? Will Republicans control the House, or the Senate or both? How surprising is it for voters to reject a party so quickly after putting it into power? And will a lackluster final jobs report before Election Day remove Democratic hopes of minimizing the losses? We discuss it all with Dr. Larry Sabato. |
| Jobs and the Midterms |
| Fri, 8 Oct 2010 15:09:15 EST Texas Rep. Kevin Brady says the new jobs report is the latest evidence that the Obama economic agenda is not working. So what would Republicans do if returned to the majority, and how quickly would we see significant economic growth if the GOP were able to pass its agenda? And how does Brady respond to the Democratic contention that going back to Republican control would only bring back the policies that led to this crisis in the first place? Listen here for a wide-ranging economic discussion with Rep. Kevin Brady. |
| Economy Not on Right Track |
| Fri, 8 Oct 2010 14:21:48 EST On Friday, the final jobs report before the midterm elections showed the national unemployment rate staying at 9.6 percent, 95,000 jobs being lost in September and 64,000 private sector jobs added to the rolls. So is this proof of a failed Obama economic agenda, or do nine months of modest private sector job growth show the job market is slowly coming back? What is the unemployment rate when factoring in workers who have quit looking for jobs or have settled for part-time positions? We ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, former chief economist at the Department of Labor and current director of the Center for Employment Policy at the Hudson Institute. |
| Changing of the Guard |
| Fri, 8 Oct 2010 13:44:57 EST On Friday, President Obama announced National Security Adviser Gen. James Jones is resigning in the coming days. What kind of job has Jones done? What can we expect from incoming adviser Tom Donilon? Why should we be expecting Afghan efforts to reach a peace deal with elements of the Taliban? And why should we be skeptical that such a thing would ever work? We discuss all these questions with retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis, now a senior strategist with the Army. |
| Record Food Stamps Good for U.S.? |
| Thu, 7 Oct 2010 15:53:41 EST Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich suggested this week that record levels of Americans on food stamps show that Democrats are party of food stamps and Republicans are the party of paychecks. Nancy Pelosi shot back by saying that until the job market picks up, food stamps and unemployment insurance provide the "biggest bang for the buck". So who is right and what does this debate tell us about the very different economic philosophies of the parties? What does the rhetoric suggest both parties fail to comprehend? We ask Bill Beach of the Heritage Foundation. He also explains why he considers a possible Federal Reserve plan to intentionally allow inflation to rise the most "hare-brained" idea to come from the Fed in the past 20 years. |
| Let the Midterm Predictions Begin |
| Thu, 7 Oct 2010 14:44:37 EST John Gizzi is here with his first batch of predictions on competitive races in this midterm election cycle. Who does he see emerging in key Senate contests in Alaska, Washington and Colorado? Will Republicans or Democrats gain ground after Nancy Pelosi suggests record numbers of food stamp recipients is the right way to address the rough economy? We discuss that and more in our weekly chat with John Gizzi, political editor at Human Events. |
| Peace Talks & Convoy Attacks |
| Wed, 6 Oct 2010 16:06:34 EST Afghan President Hamid Karzai is reportedly ready to engage in peace talks with some war-weary elements of the Taliban. Is this promising or just a ploy? Can the most radical Taliban factions ever accept a political compromise? What would be signs that such a truce might actually happen? We ask K.T. McFarland, former Pentagon official in the Reagan administration and national security analyst for the Fox News Channel. She also weighs in on the series of terrorist attacks in Pakistan on convoys bringing critical supplies to our troops in Afghanistan. |
| Battleground California |
| Wed, 6 Oct 2010 15:54:31 EST California is home to two of the most contentious statewide races in the country. Can Republicans actually win in a state that leans so heavily to the left? Will the story of Meg Whitman's relationship with her illegal immigrant housekeeper cost her the governor's race? Why is this such a major issue? Are Californians likely to trust Democratic career politicians more than former corporate CEO's? We ask Carol Liebau, longtime political analyst based in California. |
| Detestable But Legal |
| Wed, 6 Oct 2010 15:29:13 EST On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard the case of a grieving father against a group that protests and celebrates the funerals of U.S. soldiers as God's punishment of America's tolerance for homosexuality. So does the Westboro Baptist Church have this right or are their tactics going beyond the protections of free speech? Will the court come down somewhere in the middle? And do Americans and even the media understand that the Westboro group is not reflective of how the vast majority of Christians think? We ask Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. |
| Do Higher Taxes Hurt Blacks Most? |
| Tue, 5 Oct 2010 16:22:00 EST The debate continues over whether the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans should be left in place or extended along with middle class tax rates. So why does former Congressional economist Dr. Larry Hunter say the greatest victims of higher upper class taxes are black Americans, especially young black workers? What other prescriptions does Hunter have for healing our economy when it comes to spending and entitlements? We ask Dr. Hunter, president of the Alliance for Retirement Prosperity. |
| GOP Poised for Huge Senate Gains |
| Tue, 5 Oct 2010 16:15:54 EST Virtually every Republican senate seat is safe and Democrats are furiously playing defense in more than a dozen others. Is the Obama agenda the main reason or have Republicans recruited a better-than-average crop of challengers? How will the key races in Nevada, Florida and Illinois play out? We discuss it all with Brian Walsh of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. |
| Meet Daniel Webster |
| Tue, 5 Oct 2010 15:10:15 EST Dozens of House Democrats are in trouble this election season, but Florida's Alan Grayson may be the one Republicans are most intent to bring down. Grayson is best known for suggesting the Republican health plan was for people to not get sick, and then die quickly if they do. Now he's under fire from all sides for a clearly misleading attack ad against GOP challenger Daniel Webster. So why is Webster running for Congress? What would he do if he gets elected? What is it like to be smeared unfairly in the midst of a heated campaign? And what is he hearing from the people in his district? We ask former Florida House Speaker and Republican Congressional candidate Daniel Webster. |
| Discovery As Big As Penicillin |
| Mon, 4 Oct 2010 15:12:28 EST Last week, researchers at Harvard University successfully tested a new stem cell approach that shows adult and pluripotent stem cells can be used even more effectively and may end the need for any further stem cell research involving the destruction of human embryos. So what is this amazing development that rivals the discovery of penicillin? What kind of difference could it make in the fight against many debilitating diseases? Why have embryonic stem cells proven unsuccessful in developing treatments - especially when compared to adult stem cell therapies? And why do scientists and politicians continue to stress embryonic stem cells despite evidence of where the major progress has been seen? We ask Dr. David Stevens, CEO of the Christian Medical Association. |
| Hunting Terrorists |
| Mon, 4 Oct 2010 15:05:59 EST Authorities in the U.S. and Europe are now aware of major terrorist plots overseas. But where do they go from here? What steps will investigators take to zero in on the terrorists before they strike? Will uncovering a few members of these radical cells lead to the capture of many more? And how well do the FBI and CIA communicate with each other and our European counterparts? We ask Bob Hamer, a 26-year veteran of the FBI and a member of the bureau's Joint Terrorism Task Force. |
| The Rise of Radical Cells |
| Mon, 4 Oct 2010 14:53:21 EST Authorities in the U.S. and throughout Europe are on alert and Americans are being warned about travel anywhere in Europe right now - especially in Britain, France and Germany. So how vigilant are western European nations more than nine years after 9-11? How big of a problem are radical Islamic cells in places like the UK? And how much has a tolerance for Sharia law helped to fuel the growth of radical elements in Europe? We ask Amanda Bowman, CEO of Atlantic Bridge, a group founded by British Defense Minister Liam Fox. |
| Let States Call the Shots |
| Fri, 1 Oct 2010 15:08:19 EST Texas Rep. Ted Poe is sponsoring the National Guard Border Enforcement Act, calling for border state governors to have the power to order up to 10,000 troops to help secure the border. How would this law be different than existing policy? How much difference could those troops make in the fight against illegal immigration? How has the Obama administration reacted to the plan? And do supporters have the votes to pass this bill? We ask Rep. Poe. |
| The State of the Border |
| Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:59:44 EST What are the latest developments in the legal fight over Arizona's new immigration laws and what are some of the latest challenges for law enforcement along an increasingly chaotic border with Mexico? We ask Cochise County, Arizona Sheriff Larry Dever, who is also honorary chairman of bordersheriffs.com. Sheriff Dever also explains why he does not accept the federal government's excuses for not providing the funding necessary to secure our borders. |
| Throwing Stones |
| Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:50:23 EST The Middle East peace process has begun again, with the goal of a comprehensive solution within one year. So as the talks proceed, the Capitol Steps sum up the lingering disputes through a parody of several Rolling Stones hits. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Dems Hand GOP 'Silver Bullet' |
| Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:27:38 EST On Wednesday, Congressional Democrats successfully voted to adjourn until after the midterm elections - without passing a budget or addressing the Bush tax cuts which are set to expire at year's end. How much will Dems suffer for pushing off this vote? Will moderate Dems avoid a backlash for opposing the effort to adjourn? We ask John Gizzi of Human Events, who will also offer his thoughts on the Pennsylvania Senate race and major political changes in Britain and North Korea. |
| Tip of the Obamcare Iceberg |
| Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:22:53 EST This week, Harvard Pilgrim announced it would be dropping its Medicare Advantage program and McDonald's is reportedly considering dropping coverage for hourly workers because of burdensome mandates on insurance carriers. So is this the tip of the iceberg that critics of the new laws warned about or just a couple of isolated incidents? Is this what the sponsors of the new laws expected or even wanted to happen? What do these stories tell us about the infusion of bureaucracy the health plan is bringing in? And are President Obama's recent efforts to boost support for his reforms doing any good? We ask Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute. |
| Could the Bluest State Turn Red? |
| Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:11:41 EST Rhode Island is one of the most solidly Democratic states in America, but voter frustration with the status quo is impacting the Ocean State as well this year. Republican John Loughlin is surprising a lot of experts by making a strong run for the seat held by retiring Rep. Patrick Kennedy. So why is he doing better than expected? Can he really win? And how is Loughlin distinguishing himself from his Democratic opponent? We ask John Loughlin. |
| Dems 'Duck and Cover' on Taxes |
| Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:25:01 EST On Wednesday, House Democrats barely fought off an effort by Republicans and three dozen embattled Democrats to force a vote on extending the Bush tax cuts for all Americans. So how did this play out on the House floor? Why didn't Democrats try to extend the middle class tax cuts as proposed by President Obama? How will this impact the midterm elections? And how will it impact small businesses? We ask Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole. |
| The Biggest Terrorist Threat |
| Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:11:35 EST Authorities in the U.S. and Europe have apparently thwarted plans for highly coordinated terrorist attacks in Britain, France and Germany that would have resembles the massacre in Mumbai, India, from a couple of years ago. Why are attacks using waves of gunmen in public places considered more sophisticated than attacks aimed at airplanes or trains? Why is the real story the explosive growth of Jihadist networks in the urban centers of Europe? How hard is it to blow up these sects and how can western nations improve cooperation in trying to stop future attacks? We ask Dr. Walid Phares, terrorism expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. |
| Karzai's Corruption |
| Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:57:27 EST The Justice Department may soon file a series of corruption charges against Mahmood Karzai, brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. So what has Karzai done? How significant would an indictment be against a sibling of the Afghan president? How does the rampant corruption in Afghanistan imperil our military efforts? We ask Ann Marlowe, visiting fellow at the Hudson Institute and frequent embed with U.S. troops in Afghanistan. |
| 'Republican Issues' Drive Midterms |
| Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:41:37 EST The Republican establishment has been frustrated by the Tea Party movement in many primary races, but former Mitt Romney campaign manager Ben Coes says the rift won't hurt the party in November. Why not? What will determine how much progress Republicans make in November? If Republicans do win a majority, are they more likely to stay true to their promises now that the Tea Party is watching their every move? We discuss all these questions with Ben Coes, who is also author of the new novel "Power Down". |
| What Would Really Help Small Biz? |
| Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:18:08 EST On Monday, President Obama signed the small business bill he has been championing for months. So why is the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) saying the bill does very little to help businesses and create jobs? Why is certainty in the tax code and government regulations much more important? What else do business owners want from Washington? And how well do politicians in Washington understand small business? We ask Dan Danner, president and CEO of NFIB. |
| Bigger Than '94 |
| Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:10:16 EST The polls suggest Republicans will gain seats this year, but why does one GOP pollster suggest the shift could be anywhere from 60-100 seats? Are voters returning to the Republican Party or are they just furious at the Democrats? How big is the enthusiasm gap between supporters of the two parties? How certain are voters about whom they will support more than five weeks before the elections? And will a barrage of negative ads help the Democrats? We ask David Johnson, CEO of of the polling firm Strategic Vision. |
| Obama's 'Missed Opportunity' |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:59:34 EST On Thursday, President Obama addressed the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly. But why does former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton say the president said almost nothing new and basically 'phoned in' his speech? What should Obama have said that would have made a greater impact? Should he get high marks for his defense of Israel? And is the U.S. perfectly content to let Iran run out the clock and acquire nuclear program? We ask Ambassador Bolton. |
| Tax Cuts Delayed |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:51:54 EST Congressional leaders have made it known that a vote to extend some or all of the Bush income tax cuts will likely be postponed until after the midterm elections. How is the economy impacted as this issue remains in limbo? Which tax cuts are also set to expire that could have a much bigger impact on the economy than the income tax rates? And are Republicans right to insist that all or none of the tax cuts be extended? We ask Peter Sepp, executive vice president at the National Taxpayers Union. |
| What Kind of Cool Am I? |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:46:49 EST Most polls show Democrats are headed for a bruising round of midterm elections, but how does President Obama view this campaign and what's going on beneath that calm exterior? The Capitol Steps offer their take in "What Kind of Cool Am I". Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Would GOP Really Be Different? |
| Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:25:31 EST The Republicans are outlining priorities for the next Congress if voters return them to the majority. But how will the GOP show they really are different from the free-spending bunch that voters ran out of power just four years ago? And how will they avoid the slide from principled to complacent that afflicted them over 12 years in the majority the last time around? What's the biggest message the party wants voters to hear? And do Republicans think they'll be back in power next year? We ask Texas Rep. Randy Neugebauer. |
| Pledges, Speeches and Write-ins |
| Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:15:23 EST House Republicans are unveiling their promises if returned to the majority this year, one defeated Republican is mounting a write-in campaign and another is considering it and President Obama made the Middle East peace process the centerpiece of his speech to the United Nations General Assembly. We discuss all these topics and more with John Gizzi of Human Events. |
| GOP's 'Pledge to America' |
| Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:33:01 EST With just 40 days remaining before the midterm elections, Republican House members and Congressional hopefuls are listing their goals and priorities for the coming Congress in a plan called "Pledge to America". What is the national message the GOP is trying to communicate to voters? What is their plan to control federal spending? Can voters trust them just four years after firing Republicans in part over excessive spending? What would the GOP pursue after repealing the Obama health care laws? Would any aspects of the new law be part of a replacement plan? And could a Republican majority find any common ground with President Obama? We discuss it all with Georgia Rep. Tom Price, chairman of the Republican Study Committee. |
| The Media's Midterm Agenda |
| Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:29:06 EST Why is the mainstream press talking non-stop about a Delaware senate candidate they hadn't heard of two weeks ago? Why do the media see Republican women as a threat? What are the key narratives the networks and newspaper are trying to craft in the minds of voters? How blatant is the media activism in this campaign? And does media bias make a big difference in the outcome of elections? We ask Richard Benedetto, former White House Correspondent for USA TODAY and current professor of politics and journalism at American University and Georgetown University. |
| Dupes |
| Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:17:02 EST In a new book, author and professor Paul Kengor says American adversaries have cleverly exploited American progressives for a century. But how did this exploitation begin and how did Communists gain the trust of liberals? Which Democrats fiercely resisted this pressure and became heroes because of it? How id Communists use the biggest names in Hollywood to their advantage? And how do the early years of stealth Communist activity have a direct impact on America today? We ask, Dr. Paul Kengor, author of "Dupes: How America's Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century". |
| WND VIDEO - Sept 22-Economy |
| Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:43:38 EST Greg Corombos finds out why Republicans are so insistent on extending all Bush tax cuts that they would rather extend none than just some of them. He also discusses GOP attempts to repeal a massive paperwork requirement contained within the new health care laws. Guests are Texas Rep. Kevin Brady and Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns. |
| Don't Change It |
| Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:13:57 EST President Obama, Democratic leaders in Congress and even some of the top figures at the Pentagon are all pushing for a repeal of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy banning gays in the military. But many of the military brass believe allowing gays to serve openly would be a big mistake. What is the case against gays in the military? What should we think of how lawmakers are trying to include this as part of a must-pass defense spending bill? How would members of the military react to the policy being repealed? Would it impact recruiting and retention? We ask retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Tom McInerney, who also has some choice words for Defense Secretary Bob Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen. We also get Gen. McInerney's thoughts on the latest developments in Afghanistan. |
| Marriage, Kids and Poverty |
| Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:05:37 EST Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau reported the highest increase in poverty in recorded history. The down economy is partly to blame for the increase, but Heritage Foundation expert Robert Rector says one factor dwarfs all others in explaining why the poverty rate continues to rise despite almost 50 years of government efforts. Why is getting married before having kids the key to fighting poverty? Why do single parents make up the bulk of those living in poverty? How many would escape poverty simply by getting married? What can the government do to encourage people to be married before having kids? We ask Robert Rector, senior fellow in domestic policy at the Heritage Foundation. |
| Restore the Republic |
| Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:59:58 EST The public seems to be in the mood to give Democrats the boot in November, but if Republicans do reclaim the majority, what will their agenda look like? How will they address rampant federal spending? What drives the vast majority of our spending and debt? How would they change the tax code? What would a GOP energy plan look like? And are Republicans going to look markedly different than the Republicans who lost the majority four years ago? We ask California Rep. Devin Nunes, author of "Restoring the Republic: A Clear, Concise and Colorful Blueprint for America's Future". |
| 'Global Climate Disruption' |
| Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:55:01 EST Obama administration science czar John Holdren says 'global warming' should now be referred to as 'global climate disruption'. Is this just a semantic change or is it a strategic move designed to give cover to those in the climate change movement - no matter what the climactic evidence shows? What should we know about Holdren's many years of involvement in this movement? Why is the terminology changing now? And how can anyone not schooled in climatology determine which side is right in this debate? We ask Dr. Tim Ball, former professor of climatology at the University of Winnepeg. |
| 'The Concrete Is Already Set' |
| Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:24:00 EST President Obama and his fellow Democrats are getting more aggressive in their criticism of the Republican economic agenda and are hoping to gain ground over differences in how to address the expiring Bush tax cuts. But are the Democrats making progress or are most voters already convinced Obama is leading us on the wrong course? Is Obama's push to extend most of the Bush tax cust an admission that most of those tax cuts were not for the rich? And why have the Democrats failed to put forth a budget or any major spending bills just 10 days before the start of a new fiscal year? We ask Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, a member of the House Appropriations Committee and former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. |
| More Taxpayer-Funded Abortions? |
| Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:09:24 EST The Defense Authorization bill is supposed to focus on the needs of the military, but this year's version is becoming the repository for a number of divisive social issues as well. Already included is language to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy banning gays in the military and a provision providing college scholarships for illegal immigrants. Now Illinois Sen. Roland Burris is trying to lift a ban on abortions performed at military hospitals. Why would lifting this ban be a terrible precedent? How is this proposal part of a much larger agenda? And how has the military become the testing ground for major shifts in social policy? We ask Denise Burke, vice president of legal affairs at Americans United for Life. |
| More Customers, Not More Loans |
| Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:29:37 EST For weeks, President Obama implored Senate Republicans to allow a final vote on his small business bill. He got his wish, but will his plan be of much help? Why does Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns believe more access to credit is not what small business owners need? What very basic things do businesses need that are not provided in this legislation? We ask Sen. Johanns and get his thoughts on the tax cut debate. He also shares what concerns his constituents shared during the summer recess. |
| Constitution Day |
| Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:21:04 EST On Friday, the U.S. Constitution turned 223 years old. But how many Americans have actually read it or even know what it says? How do adults of all ages and levels of education do when quizzed on basic elements of the Constitution? Why is it important for us to know the Constitution thoroughly? How is the Constitution impacted by some recent political debates here in Washington? And how would the framers react to what their founding document has created? We discuss all these questions with Rich Brake, co-chair of the National Civic Literacy Board at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. |
| New York, New York |
| Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:11:34 EST The proposed construction of an Islamic Center and mosque at Ground Zero has prompted a firestorm of debate. The Capitol Steps now have their own unique take on the story, including the real reason why this complex will never be built. Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| 'Big, Noisy GOP' Is A Good Thing |
| Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:05:27 EST Some Republican leaders are publicly worried that surprising wins by Tea Party candidates are threatening the big gains the party could be making in November. But many conservatives believe this new blood is just the shake-up the GOP needs. So is the party in the midst of a self-destructing fight just weeks before Election Day or is this actually a healthy exercise? We ask former Republican National Committee Deputy Chairman Frank Donatelli and find out why he's confident Tea Party and traditional Republicans will be embraced by voters as they run against the Obama agenda. |
| Civil War or Healthy Debate? |
| Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:48:02 EST After a couple more Republican 'establishment' candidates lose to Tea Party-backed challengers, is there really a bitter divide within the GOP or just some healthy disagreement? Can Christine O'Donnell really win the Delaware senate seat? How did scandal-tarred Charlie Rangel win another campaign in New York? And is the rejuvenated Middle East peace process already grinding to a halt? We discuss it all with John Gizzi of Human Events. |
| They've Lost Control of the Party |
| Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:11:25 EST Many prominent Republicans are lamenting the win of Tea Party favorite Christine O'Donnell in Delaware's U.S. Senate primary. But longtime conservative activist Richard Viguerie says real conservatives should be happy. Why does he disagree that O'Donnell can't win in November? Why does he say Delaware Republicans did the right thing even if she loses the general election? Also the chairman of conservativehq.com, Viguerie explains why he sees this movement as much bigger than any specific election and why he believes we could be on the brink of conservative leadership that even eclipses the Reagan years. |
| Unions and Taxes |
| Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:57:32 EST Congressional Republicans are hoping to add to their ranks in the midterm elections, but they are also fearful of what Democrats will try to pass in a lame duck session after the voting is done. In addition to possible fights over immigration and massive spending bills, South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson says the majority will try to force card check legislation through as well. So what is card check, and why does Wilson think it will be a major job-killer? Wilson also explains why Republicans are so determined to make all of the Bush income tax cuts permanent and why he thinks they won't add to the deficit in the long term. We also ask Rep. Wilson whether recent primaries show a deeply fractured GOP or a party ready to chart a new course. |
| Assessing the Housing Slump |
| Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:27:09 EST The most recent housing sales figures are among the worst we've ever seen. Is this all because the $8000 tax credits are gone or are there other key reasons why potential buyers are staying away? Have we hit the bottom of the housing market yet? How worried are prospective homeowners about the overall economy? How much should low mortgage rates be a factor in deciding to buy? We ask Dr. Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors. |
| Tax Cuts for All |
| Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:13:22 EST Congressional Republicans are presenting a united front in demanding that all of the Bush era income tax cuts be made permanent. In fact, they appear ready to vote against extending tax cuts for some if all tax brackets are not included. Why would no tax relief be better than tax cuts for some? How much would the rich pay in taxes if they really paid their 'fair share'? And what will be the fate of the Bush tax cuts on capital gains, dividends and estates? We discuss it all with Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, the top House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee. |
| Senate Dems Protect Obamacare |
| Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:14:28 EST The Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate rejected a Republican attempt to repeal one provision from the health care plan approved earlier this year. What will this provision require from business owners? How will it impact their bottom line? Why did the repeal effort fail? And when would this provision take effect? We ask Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns, sponsor of the effort to repeal the language requiring much more reporting to the IRS. |
| Obama Sets Tax 'Trap' for GOP |
| Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:26:40 EST Last week, the Obama administration went on the offensive against against Republicans, as the president argued for making middle class tax cuts permanent but arguing for higher taxes on the top wage earners. So what political calculation is behind this strategy? How much is complicated by some Democrats calling for all the tax cuts to be made permanent? How do Democrats define 'rich' and determine how much those people ought to pay in taxes? What will actually happen in Congress and how will this fight impact the midterm elections? We ask Michael Lewan, former chief of staff to Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman. |
| Massive Obama Power Grab |
| Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:25:50 EST Without any consent from Congress, President Obama issued an executive order giving the federal government the power to regulate coastal waters - which includes the Great Lakes, all major rivers and their tributaries in addition to nearby oceans. So how will this impact most of us? How will this give the government the power to control most of America's major industries? And how did this happen without any approval from Congress? We ask Bonner Cohen of the National Center for Public Policy Research. |
| Court-Imposed 'Sexual Anarchy' |
| Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:53:24 EST On Thursday, a federal judge in California ruled the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy was unconstitutional because it violated the first and fifth amendments of the Constitution. Is that a sound legal decision? Why should the courts uphold the current policy? Would it make any difference to opponents if the policy were to be slowly reversed at the Pentagon rather than overturned by a federal judge? We ask Mathew Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel. |
| Lessons of Nine Years Since 9/11 |
| Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:32:04 EST What has the U.S. learned since the horrific 9/11 attacks? What is the U.S. doing better than it was in 2001? Why is President Obama wrong to say the war in Afghanistan is not open-ended? How is getting tough with Iran essential to any progress in this struggle? And is America now Islamophobic or just more aware of the threats to our nation? We ask Clifford May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. |
| 9/11 Remembered |
| Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:05:21 EST Saturday marks nine years since the horrific terrorist attacks against the United States. But as the distance from 9-11 grows longer, it is also to vital to remember what happened and what it was like to be in the midst of the attack. In 2002, Greg Corombos interviewed U.S. Navy Captain Tom Joyce, who was working in the Pentagon on 9-11 - very near the location where the hijacked airplane slammed into the building. Here is an encore presentation of Captain Joyce's memories of the attack, how he and his colleagues reacted and how his faith in God sustained him and comforted many in the wake of so much death and destruction. |
| Fun, Fun, Fun! |
| Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:29:36 EST Without some major developments, Democrats could be looking at huge losses in the midterm elections. One reason for that is the enthusiasm of Tea Party members, who are furious over the Obama agenda. This week, the Capitol Steps have some fun with the Tea Party. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Huge Costs, Eroding Privacy |
| Thu, 9 Sep 2010 15:18:35 EST Another report from the actuary's office at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services shows the price tag of the forthcoming health care policy changes coming in much higher than was promised by advocates of the new laws. So how much will these changes cost us and why were the original estimates off base? We ask Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute. She also warns of an encroaching Big Brother mentality in government, as officials in North Carolina demand to know the names of all patients with prescriptions for painkillers. |
| U.S. Military's Double Standard |
| Thu, 9 Sep 2010 10:48:52 EST Gen. David Petraeus and other military leaders have urged a Florida church not to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of 9-11, suggesting that such a spectacle would inflame many people in the Muslim world and possibly endanger our troops. Yet the military saw no problem burning boxes of Bibles written in local Afghan dialects that a soldier received from his home church. Does the military apply a clear double standard in how it treats Islam compared to Christianity? How is this manifested in everyday military life? Is the military increasingly hostile towards Christianity? And if so, how could that impact recruiting and retention? We discuss all this with retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis, who is now a senior strategist with the Army. |
| 'He's Got It Wrong' |
| Wed, 8 Sep 2010 16:12:29 EST President Obama says a Republican majority in Congress would return America to the leadership that led our economy into decline. He also says Republicans are being hypocritical in pushing for extended tax cuts that he claims would add to the deficit. Not true, according to Missouri Rep. Blaine Leutkemeyer. He says Obama clearly fails to see that excessive spending - not lower taxes - created huge deficits despite record revenues. He also says the GOP economic strategy is pretty simple - slash spending and freeze the tax cuts. We discuss the president's economic approach, the Republican alternative and much more with Rep. Leutkemeyer. |
| BP, Drilling and Obamanomics |
| Wed, 8 Sep 2010 15:47:16 EST In a new report, BP takes some responsibility for the Deepwater Horizon explosion that triggered a three-month gushing of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. However, the energy giant is also quick to blame Halliburton and Transocean for their alleged negligence as well. How is the report playing along the Gulf coast? Will a second explosion on an oil rig in recent days damage efforts to lift a drilling moratorium in the Gulf? We ask Louisiana Sen. David Vitter and get his reaction to President Obama's latest economic proposals and the president's plan to allow some Bush tax cuts to expire. |
| Debate the Koran - Don't Burn It |
| Wed, 8 Sep 2010 15:31:34 EST Pressure continues to build from every direction against a Florida pastor's plans to burn a Koran on Saturday - the anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. Act for America founder and terrorism survivor Brigitte Gabriel says burning the Koran may well incite Muslims but will also deprive Americans of a genuine debate on the Koran - a debate she says will reveal the radical ideology that is driving our enemies in Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond. So what does the Koran say to back up her claims? How was it interpreted by Mohammed and his early followers? And why does outrage in the Muslim world manifest itself so much more violently than protests from Christians, Jews and adherents to other faiths? We ask Brigitte Gabriel. |
| Call Off the Koran Burning! |
| Tue, 7 Sep 2010 16:24:04 EST The pastor of a small 'renegade' church in Florida plans to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. But Open Doors USA is part of a growing Christian chorus urging Terry Jones and his congregation to cancel the event. So what do we know about Jones and his church? Why does Open Doors USA believe publicly burning the Koran would violate the commands of Christ and also endanger Christian believers in Muslim-dominated countries? We ask Jerry Dykstra, media relations director at Open Doors USA. |
| Obama's New Economic Plan |
| Tue, 7 Sep 2010 13:05:20 EST President Obama is unveiling a new economic agenda, including $50 billion in new spending and tax breaks designed to spur growth and expansion for small businesses. But will any of it do any good? Will the tax breaks accomplish much if the Bush tax cuts are allowed to expire? And should be be bearish or bullish on where the economy is headed over the next couple of years? We ask Brian Wesbury, former chief economist for the Joint Economic Committee of Congress. |
| Another Massachusetts Miracle? |
| Tue, 7 Sep 2010 12:08:51 EST In January, Republican Scott Brown shocked the political world by winning the U.S. Senate seat once held by Ted Kennedy in deeply Democratic Massachusetts. Could it happen again? Could a Republican Congressional hopeful knock off a longtime Democrat who has won all re-election attempts by landslides? What issue is driving this campaign? And why does GOP hopeful Marty Lamb believe he can emerge from a crowded Republican field and defeat Rep. Jim McGovern in November? We discuss all these questions with Marty Lamb. |
| WND VIDEO-Middle East Peace & Economy |
| Sat, 4 Sep 2010 16:29:58 EST Greg Corombos updates the week's biggest stories, as he gets reaction to the Middle East peace talks with former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton and discusses the partisan divide over economic strategy with Colorado Rep. Doug Lamborn. |
| Wind Power=More Pollution? |
| Fri, 3 Sep 2010 16:48:02 EST Shifting to wind and solar energy is a major plank in the green energy movement. But would an emphasis on wind power actually lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions? How is that possible? Why is wind not a feasible alternative to the fossil fuels? What development would make wind power work for our economy? We ask Robert Bryce of the Manhattan Institute. |
| We Need A New Economic Tack |
| Fri, 3 Sep 2010 16:41:16 EST On this Labor Day weekend, America is looking at a 9.6 percent unemployment rate. Should we be encouraged by the positive growth in private sector jobs or that more people are now looking for work? If the present strategy is not working, what should we be doing? And will the job search be any easier by next Labor Day? We ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, former chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor and current director of the Center for Employment Policy at the Hudson Institute. |
| Saving Leonardo |
| Fri, 3 Sep 2010 16:35:43 EST Is rampant secularism in our culture a new phenomenon, or has it been around for generations and even throughout western civilization? How does it seep into our thinking through avenues such as art and music? What are the best ways to discern a secular message in our popular culture? We discuss all of these questions with Nancy Pearcey, author of "Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals and Meaning. |
| Short Term vs. Long Term |
| Fri, 3 Sep 2010 15:49:58 EST As another underwhelming jobs report is released, many experts are anticipating that President Obama will propose tax cuts for small businesses, even while he hopes to allow some of the Bush tax cuts to expire. So is this smart policy or a major contradiction? Will higher taxes on consumers hurt any economic rebound? And what would be accomplished if the president's current small business bill passes Congress? We ask Larry Haas, spokesman for the Clinton White House Budget Office. |
| A Very Slow Comeback |
| Fri, 3 Sep 2010 12:33:46 EST The latest numbers from the Labor Department show the overall unemployment rate rising to 9.6 percent, an overall loss of jobs in August but a gain in private sector positions. So is this good news or bad news? Does this feed into theories that our economy is stalling? What could greatly accelerate job growth? And what will happen if even some of the Bush tax cuts are allowed to expire? We ask Rea Hederman, assistant director of the Center for Data Analysis at the Heritage Foundation. |
| No Substantive Progress |
| Thu, 2 Sep 2010 15:34:22 EST The Obama administration is trumpeting the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. But as Netanyahu and Abbas meet face-to-face, was anything accomplished? What reaction from the State Department tells the real story of this summit? How will settlements and Iranian nukes impact this process? We ask these questions and more to John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. |
| More Certainty, Lower Taxes |
| Thu, 2 Sep 2010 15:23:49 EST The economy may be entering a stall and the outlook isn't any better for the small business community. Colorado Rep. Doug Lamborn says his constituents are holding off on expansion and development due to high taxes and burdensome regulations. So which government policies are creating the biggest problems and what solutions are business owners advocating? We ask Rep. Lamborn. |
| Jobs, Jobs, Jobs |
| Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:41:08 EST Thousands of Texans rallied at multiple sites today to urge President Obama to lift the moratorium on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and restore tens of thousands of jobs for energy workers in the region. How has this effort become a bipartisan crusade? Why is Obama persisting with this moratorium when the leaders of his own commission say it's unnecessary? And how should we characterize the current state of the economy? We talk with Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, the top House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee. |
| Troops Being Robbed of Votes |
| Wed, 1 Sep 2010 14:45:04 EST Last year, Congress passed legislation mandating that states make sure ballots are mailed to our overseas service members with plenty of time for them to be returned before Election Day. But since then, some states have refused to comply, while others have asked for exemptions for this year's elections. In response, the Department of Justice has done virtually nothing to enforce the new laws. So what reason do these states have for not taking steps to protect the votes of our troops? Why isn't the Justice Department doing more? Is this about politics or about bureaucratic incompetence? And what can you do to help protect the voting rights of our military? We ask J. Christian Adams, former attorney for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. He is also a contributor to Pajamas Media. |
| Obama's Iraq Decision Political |
| Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:57:56 EST On Tuesday night, President Obama declared combat operations in Iraq to be completed and that Iraq was officially was now in charge of its security and its future. But how much combat will our remaining troops still see? Why might the timing of this decision be more political than strategic? And what was obviously missing from the speech that indicates how the Obama administration approaches the ongoing threat posed by Islamic extremists? We ask retired USMC Gen. Geoffrey Higginbotham. |
| Magnificent Work |
| Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:33:47 EST Retired U.S. Army Lt. General Jerry Boykin describes what U.S. troops have accomplished in Iraq, what military leaders learned and what key mistakes were made. Above all, he explain just how amazingly the men and women of our military have performed over the past seven-plus years. |
| Sacrifice and Success |
| Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:54:03 EST As combat operations in Iraq come to an official close today, just how stable are conditions there thanks to our troops and their incredible work? Are Iraqis ready to take over? And what does Iraq veteran Pete Hegseth think about at such a major milestone? We ask Hegseth, who is executive director of Vets for Freedom. |
| Setting the Story Straight |
| Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:33:16 EST President Obama will address the nation this evening to declare the end of combat operations in Iraq and a transfer of control to the Iraqi government. So what should be the Obama strategy in Iraq moving forward? Should all troops be out by the end of next year or will Obama let conditions on the ground be his guide? Does he need to acknowledge the surge he opposed was the right thing to do? And what should he say about the fight in Afghanistan? We ask Georgia Rep. Tom Price, chairman of the Republican Study Committee. |
| 'Killing the Entrepreneur' |
| Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:29:24 EST President Obama made another push for his small business agenda on Monday, blaming Senate Republicans for blocking the legislation. So why are Republicans so opposed to the Obama plan? What will be their economic program if voters return them to a majority? And what are voters saying they want from Washington when it comes to jobs? We ask Ohio Rep. Bob Latta. |
| Christianity and Our Founding |
| Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:07:14 EST Glenn Beck drew a large crowd to the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday to deliver an address on what he called restoring honor and turning again to God, who gave us our freedoms. Were there obvious political overtones to a seemingly nonpolitical event? What is the real story concerning Christianity and the founding of our nation? And what should we make of a Mormon delivering a call for a Christian revival? We ask Robert Knight of the American Civil Rights Union and Coral Ridge Ministries. |
| Tea Party Furious at Race Charge |
| Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:04:53 EST A former colleague of Martin Luther King has labeled the Tea Party as racist for using the date and site of King's 'I Have A Dream" speech to hold a rally for its goals and demands for our government. So is there a streak of racism within the Tea Party? Can anyone prove they're not a racist? And how are the media taking sides in this story? We talk with Bob Parks, a member of the Project 21 Black Leadership Council and video producer at the Media Research Center. |
| Obama's Unilateral Disarmament |
| Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:35:12 EST President Obama has set the vision for a world free of nuclear weapons. But, former Pentagon official Frank Gaffney warns the Obama strategy seems to be to dismantle our own nuclear arsenal while no other nation follows suit. Why does Gaffney see the updated START treaty with Russia as a troubling step towards unilateral disarmament? Why is the U.S. nuclear stockpile on the brink of elimination even without the reductions contained within the treaty? Why does Gaffney believe Iran has a more modern and productive nuclear program than we do? And what would it take to maintain a nuclear program that serves as an effective deterrent? We discuss it all with Frank Gaffney, who is now president of the Center for Security Policy. |
| The Lessons of the Primaries |
| Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:22:29 EST John Gizzi of Human Events offers his analysis of the shocking primary results in Alaska and Florida and how the unlikely nominees are likely to fare in November. He also explains why John McCain won easily and why Ben Quayle seems headed to Congress. Gizzi also offers his thoughts on the Republican prospects in two big statewide races in California. |
| The Ongoing Damage of Katrina |
| Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:36:11 EST Dr. Rebecca Thomley was a Red Cross first responder who was among the earliest entrants into the Lower Ninth War of New Orleans following the devastating floods triggered by Hurricane Katrina. What are her most vivid memories of the disaster five years ago? What vow did she make in 2005 that she continues today? How much progress has been made in rebuilding the Lower Ninth Ward and in rehabilitating the people impacted by Katrina? We discuss all this and more with Dr. Thomley. |
| On to November |
| Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:19:52 EST Tuesday's primaries witnessed the survival of John McCain and the Tea Party striking major blows against the GOP establishment in Florida and Alaska. So how did McCain coast while other party favorites encountered big trouble? Will the Tea Party hopefuls actually win in November or just make it easier for Democrats to keep power? And is the economy officially an albatross for Democrats or could some good news in the next couple of months help Democrats? We ask Richard Benedetto, longtime White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. |
| On the Economic Brink Again |
| Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:08:42 EST Horrific housing numbers, persistently high unemployment and a pessimistic streak on Wall Street have many people bracing for another economic downturn. And some even believe the U.S. could begin defaulting on government bonds. So is this a bump in the road or is another major fiscal crisis just around the corner? Why is the recently passed financial reform bill largely to blame? How will the government respond to another downturn? And what should you do with your money? We ask Ty Young, CEO of Ty J. Young, Inc., a leading wealth management company. |
| Lessons of the Housing Plunge |
| Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:51:24 EST Sales of existing homes plunged more than 27 percent in July. Why the huge decline? Is it an indicator of a worsening economy or is it too soon to to predict a deeper recession? Should President Obama's small business plan be approved by Congress? Should Obama fire his top economic advisers as GOP House Leader John Boehner suggests? And what will trigger an economic turnaround? We ask Heritage Foundation economist J.D. Foster. |
| Obama's 'Post-American Presidency' |
| Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:18:43 EST President Obama poured gasoline on an already raging fire when he offered his support for the new Islamic center adjacent to Ground Zero. But is it an isolated controversy or part of a dangerous Obama world view that seeks to diminish America and subject us to the whims of the international community? We ask Pamela Geller, co-author of "The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America". Geller also explains why she sees the fight against the mosque at Ground Zero as vital for America and why Obama's failure to see America as exceptional is a major concern. |
| Regulations May Force Single Payer |
| Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:02:14 EST The new health care laws do not include a single payer system, but rules being implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services could put burdens on private insurance companies that could force them out of business. How could this happen? How would it impact the cost of your premium and the quality of the care you receive? We ask Galen Institute President Grace-Marie Turner, and get her reaction to the government spending five billion dollars of your money for health programs in New Jersey and Connecticut - even though only three people have signed up for them. |
| The News |
| Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:18:40 EST New statements from Ground Zero imam Feisel Abdul Rauf suggest he blames the U.S. for problems between Islam and the West, Biden vows U.S. will remain committed to Iraq, federal judge blocks new stem cell rules. |
| The Stop Iran Summit |
| Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:16:33 EST Why would a Middle East peace summit make sense right now? Dr. Walid Phares of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies says the reason is probably less about major progress towards a two-state solution and more about building a large Mideast consensus against a nuclear-armed Iran. So which Arab states could be counted on and which ones actually want Iran to get nukes? What leverage do the more reasonable Arab states have in deterring Iranian nukes? We ask Dr. Phares and get his analysis of how well prepared Iraq is to govern and secure itself. |
| Ground Zero Mosque Protest |
| Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:20:36 EST On Sunday, opponents of the proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero will hold a protest designed to increase public opposition to the plan at its current site. So are these protesters opposing the site, the agenda of the head imam or both? Where would they like to see the mosque built? And which side is really the intolerant one? We speak with Hudson Institute President Herb London, a New York City resident and scheduled speaker at Sunday's rally. |
| Unsustainable |
| Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:14:09 EST How much is the U.S. federal debt? Would you believe it's well over $100 trillion? Why is the real number so much bigger than the official number? How will this impact the fiscal future of our nation? And how much is the very same thing happening at the state and local levels? We discuss it all with James MacDougald, founder of Free Enterprise Nation and author of "Unsustainable: How Big Government, Taxes and Debt are Wrecking America". |
| Liberal vs. 'Real Conservative' |
| Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:59:55 EST Republicans have a steep hill to climb to take control of the U.S. Senate this November. But one of the GOP's brightest chances to win a Democratic seat is in Delaware. But will Republican voters nominate moderate-to-liberal Rep. Michael Castle or conservative challenger Christine O'Donnell? Why is O'Donnell challenging the establishment favorite? Why does she say Castle is a reliable liberal vote? And how does she respond to the contention that Castle is the only Republican who can win the general election? We talk with Christine O'Donnell. |
| The New Greatest Generation |
| Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:52:13 EST The last combat brigades have left Iraq, more than seven years after the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. So can we say the U.S. won in Iraq? If so, why did we win? How much confidence should we have in Iraqi security forces to maintain order? Will U.S. forces ever have to return to combat? When will we see a stable Iraqi government in place? We discuss all these questions with South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. |
| Mosque A Losing Issue for Obama |
| Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:44:02 EST Does the Obama administration regret that the president got entangled in the debate over a new Islamic cultural center/mosque to be built near Ground Zero? Are Republicans going too far in criticizing Obama's support for the mosque? We ask John Gizzi of Human Events, and we get his thoughts on the possibility of an Israeli strike against Iran and key races in California and Washington. |
| VIDEO Dateline Washington - Spending, Hillary and Iran |
| Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:51:39 EST Greg Corombos examines the real impact of the latest $26 billion spending bill from Congress, Hillary Clinton's contention that "terrorism has no religion" and Iran getting closer and closer to nuclear weapons - thanks to Russia. |
| The Real Agenda of the NYC Imam |
| Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:52:59 EST The imam of the proposed Cordoba Center near Ground Zero says his primary goal is to build understanding between Muslims and the West. But translation of his speeches overseas paint a very different vision. What does Feisel Abdul Rauf really hope to accomplish? Why won't he denounce terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah? How do he and his allies hope to implement their plans in the U.S.? We get answers from former PLO terrorist Walid Shoebat, now a Christian and supporter of the U.S. and Israel. |
| Key Win for Traditional Marriage |
| Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:22:53 EST Two weeks ago, a federal judge in California declared a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man and one woman as unconstitutional. Last week, the same judge announced gay 'marriages' would resume in California on August 18. Now, an appeals court says they will not resume until this case runs its course. So how significant is this? Is this an indication of how the court may decide the actual appeal? How would life change badly for everyone if gay marriage were legalized? And why is it wrong to call the traditional definition of marriage as a ban on gay marriage? We ask Robert Knight, senior fellow at the American Civil Rights Union and Washington correspondent for Coral Ridge Ministries. |
| Decision Time for Israel? |
| Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:38:41 EST Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says Israel has just four days remaining to launch a military strike against the Iranian nuclear facilities at Bushehr, because a subsequent attack would release large amounts of radiation. So will Israel strike? What other options does it have? Are the U.S. and others resigned to a nuclear-armed Iran? And why are the Russians so intent on helping Iran destabilize the Middle East even further? We discuss it all with Ambassador Bolton. |
| The California Mess |
| Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:30:56 EST One of the complaints with the $26 billion plan to fund teaching jobs and first responders around the country was that fiscally responsible states were now paying the bills of the irresponsible states. Perhaps the most irresponsible of all is California, which is once again in the midst of a financial crisis. Why is there a financial dilemma there all the time? What is the real issue and what has been done to address it? What would actually work? We ask Carol Liebau, longtime political activist and strategist based in California. |
| Obama, Jobs and the Gulf |
| Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:13:36 EST Louisiana shrimpers are getting a very late start on their busy season in the wake of the BP spill. What kind of season do they expect and how confident can we be that what they catch will be safe? Why is the ongoing deepwater drilling moratorium threatening far more jobs than the oil spill? How many energy companies have already left? And what will determine how quickly the industry recovers once the moratorium is lifted? We ask Louisiana Sen. David Vitter. |
| Gates to Leave Pentagon in 2011 |
| Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:08:48 EST Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he will step down sometime in 2011, possibly as early as the Spring. Why would he announce this so far in advance? Is next year a good time for a transition at the Pentagon? What track record has Gates compiled in more than three years at the Pentagon? We ask retired U.S. Air Force General Tom McInerney and get his thoughts on the mission in Afghanistan. |
| Learning What Works on the Border |
| Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:42:10 EST On Friday, President Obama signed legislation sending more manpower and technology to secure the Southern border. So why does Pinal County, Arizona Sheriff Paul Babeu say it's not nearly enough? What has Babeu proven to be an effective model for border enforcement? Why does he believe President Obama and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano fail to understand this is not a political isssue? And what type of legal defense is Babeu forced to mount now that he is the target of an ACLU lawsuit? We discuss it all with Sheriff Babeu. |
| Iran On Verge of Nuclear Weapons |
| Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:30:57 EST Next week, Russia plans to start fueling a key Iranian nuclear reactor despite strong U.S. opposition. So why is Russia moving forward? Doesn't it fear nukes in the hands of Islamic radicals? Should President Obama meet with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in an effort to stop nukes from being produced? And why has the U.S. blown it when it comes to stopping Iran's nuclear ambitions? We ask retired U.S. Navy Captain Chuck Nash. |
| Help Me, Honda |
| Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:27:17 EST Despite owing taxpayers many billions of dollars, General Motors turned a profit for the first time in a long time in the last quarter. Now it's the Japanese automakers who are suffering lower sales totals. The Capitol Steps add their lighthearted insight to the challenges of the auto industry. |
| 'Absolutely Outrageous' |
| Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:10:55 EST On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker announced he would not stay last week's decision declaring marriage limited only to one man and one woman to be unconstitutional - overturning the will of the voters in the 2008 elections. Why do traditional marriage advocates find this decision 'outrageous'? Why do they believe this decision should be put on hold until the case makes its way through the judicial system? How long could it take to run this case through the system? And what could stop gay marriages from starting again in California next week? We ask Mathew Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel. |
| Gays in Military = Return of Draft |
| Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:47:30 EST A new poll commissioned by the Military Culture Coalition shows a plurality of Americans oppose gays serving openly in the military. But among Democrats, a majority endorse members of the armed forces to be punished just for opposing a new policy or homosexuality in general and they believe the gay agenda should trump the recommendations of our nation's top commanders in deciding what the policy ought to be. And could allowing gays in the military reduce the number of recruits to the point the government will have to bring back the draft? We ask Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness. |
| The Conservatives Win Again |
| Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:17:29 EST Fierce Republican primaries played out in multiple states on Tuesday, but did the most conservative candidates really win? While the results for Tea Party candidates were mixed, John Gizzi of Human Events says the more conservative candidates actually did very well. Gizzi explains how the GOP primary winners are likely to fare in November and also offers his thoughts on the deaths of former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens and former Illinois Rep. Dan Rostenkowski. |
| The Unions and the Jobs Bill |
| Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:30:19 EST Many Republicans opposed the $26 billion Democratic jobs bill, partly because it was a giveaway to the unions - particularly teachers' unions. So is that true? What are the demands and expectations of the unions from the government? What simple steps could have saved just as many jobs without soaking the taxpayers yet again? We ask Steve Malanga, senior editor at the Manhattan Institute's City Journal. |
| Best Chance to Save America |
| Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:06:07 EST Again on Tuesday, insurgent Republican candidates defeated establishment favorites in key primaries. This continues a trend we've seen throughout the primary season. So why does a longtime conservative leader see this as the movement's greatest time? Why does he think the public is embracing conservatives after two election cycles dominated by Democrats? How are these Tea Party candidates different than other Republicans in Washington? And can they actually win in November? We ask Richard Viguerie, chairman of conservativehq.com and a key member of the conservative movement for the past 50 years. |
| Primary Previews, Stevens Dies |
| Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:28:36 EST University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato dissects today's key primaries in Colorado, Connecticut and Minnesota. Are Republicans poised to gain or keep seats in these states, or are Democrats holding on strong? Can the GOP really win in Connecticut? And how might the problems of Republicans in the Colorado governor's race spill over into the U.S. Senate race? Sabato also discusses the legacy of former longtime Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, who died in a plane crash in his home state. |
| Islam Must be Defeated |
| Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:17:40 EST In condemning the murders of 10 medical missionaries in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said "terrorism has no religion". Is she right or is the Obama administration badly damaging the war effort by failing to properly understand and identify our enemy? What do we need to understand about what Islam really aims to achieve? And how must it be confronted? We ask Jed Babbin, deputy undersecretary of defense under President George H.W. Bush. |
| Much Activity, Little Impact |
| Mon, 9 Aug 2010 16:03:31 EST The government will be back in action on the economy this week. Democrats in Congress are pushing their latest version of a jobs bill - this one with a $26 billion price tag. And the Federal Reserve appears poised to declare a more negative condition of the economy. But what if anything should it do to help spur economic growth? We discuss it all with Rea Hederman, assistant director of the Center for Data Analysis at the Heritage Foundation here in Washington. |
| New Ethical Mess for House Dems |
| Mon, 9 Aug 2010 14:41:35 EST Just days after New York Rep. Charlie Rangel was slapped with 13 ethics charges, another longtime House Democrat is facing charges from her own colleagues. What are the accusations against California Rep. Maxine Waters? What is her defense? How could this become another midterm campaign headache? And are House Democratic leaders looking to avoid a public trial for Waters as much as they're hoping to strike a deal for Rangel? We ask Susan Ferrechio, chief Congressional correspondent for The Examiner. |
| Health Care Votes in Crosshairs |
| Mon, 9 Aug 2010 12:55:17 EST In March, several supposedly pro-life Democrats voted for the health care bill, which includes the use of tax dollars to pay for abortions. Now the Susan B. Anthony List is reminding the constituents of six of those members in a 23-city tour over six days. So what is their message to voters in these key states and districts? How big of a difference will abortion be in this year's midterm elections? We ask former Colorado Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, who is now program director of the SBA List's "Votes Have Consequences" tour. |
| Haitian Horrors and Hope |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:42:30 EST Six months ago, a devastating earthquake leveled much of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. And while the television cameras have left, how well or how poorly is the recovery process going? What are current living conditions like for most people? What are the greatest priorities? How are the people dealing emotionally and spiritually with the destruction? We ask John Boyd, president of Mission Aviation Fellowship, a Christian missions group with more than two decades of service to the people of Haiti. |
| Quiet Hero |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:36:21 EST Until the past couple of years, former Fox News and MSNBC reporter Rita Cosby never knew the story of her father's difficult youth in Poland. But in discovering some family possessions, she finally prompted her dad to discuss his service in the Polish resistance to Nazi Germany, his time as a POW and his unforgettable encounter with U.S. forces. Rita Cosby joins us to share the incredible story and to highlight the work the USO does for our troops. It's work you can support at quiethero.org. |
| The Fight Over Net Neutrality |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:30:53 EST Washington continues to be a battleground between the government and the private sector in many areas of the economy - and the internet is no different. So will one side or the other win, or is the answer somewhere in the middle? Radio America's Jasen Sokol has the story in a segment produced by Tienyue Wu. |
| Kelly's Campaign |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:26:55 EST U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran Jesse Kelly is running for Congress in Arizona. In addition to his passion for secure borders, how would Kelly vote on key issues related to our economy, the war on terrorism and health care. We catch up with Kelly just three weeks before a tough GOP primary. |
| Electoral College Chaos |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:20:03 EST Many Democrats were very upset with the 2000 presidential election, after Al Gore won the popular vote but George W. Bush captured the electoral college vote and the White House. Now, several left-leaning states are hoping to avoid another such episode by awarding their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. What do Democratic state leaders believe this will achieve? Is it remotely Constitutional? Does the electoral college need and improvement? We ask Larry Sabato, professor of political science at the University of Virginia and author of "A More Perfect Constitution". |
| Confronting North Korea |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:14:27 EST Tensions along the Korean Peninsula are higher than usual in the wake of North Korea sinking a South Korean vessel. What is the U.S. policy on North Korea and how much of it depends on Chinese involvement? And is China inclined to force North Korea back into line? Radio America's Jasen Sokol has the story in a report produced by Tienyue Wu. |
| Attacking the Debt |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:08:03 EST Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist recently testified before the bipartisan panel tasked with recommending ways to reduce the national debt. What approach does he expect to come from the committee? What are some of his ideas to bring down federal spending? Why is dealing with the cost of the federal workforce a major key to spending restraint? We discuss it all with Grover Norquist. |
| Spending Revolt |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:59:56 EST From record deficits and massive spending in Washington to states awash in red ink to local governments wasting money, many voters and activists have had enough. Spending Revolt is a coalition of groups such as Citizens Against Government Waste and Americans for Prosperity. AFP Vice President for Policy Phil Kerpen explains what triggered this movement more than anything else and what it is asking from voters more than anything else. |
| The Perils of the Climate Bill |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:50:27 EST Senate Democrats are having a very tough time finding the votes to pass the cap-and-trade climate change bill sponsored by Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman. And that's a good thing, according to scientist and author Dr. Leighton Steward. Why does he believe the bill would greatly damage our economy and our environment? Why are activists targeting carbon dioxide in their agenda when it doesn't harm us or warm the planet? How much of our energy needs could really be supplied through alternative sources like solar and wind power? We discuss it all with Dr. Steward. |
| What's in the Gulf Cleanup Bill? |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:38:42 EST Congressional Democrats and President Obama are pushing a bill they say will spearhead the restoration of the Gulf coast after the BP spill. But what's really in the bill? A major provision is ending a major tax break for domestic energy producers - but it would not apply to foreign oil and gas producers. What would the impact of these new taxes have on the energy industry and on jobs? We ask Peter Sepp, executive vice president at the National Taxpayers Union. |
| Obama's Amnesty Scheme? |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:39:02 EST A memo on Obama administration immigration policy suggests unilaterally delaying and reducing punishment for those apprehended for being in the U.S. illegally. Several Republicans in Congress see this as a potential move by Obama to enact an amnesty agenda without the consent of the legislative branch. What does this tell us about the Obama agenda? Is it possible to make the case Obama has that kind of authority on his own? We ask California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, who says such a move by Obama would be 'declaring war on the American people'. |
| Being Green |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:33:43 EST As the Congress battles over climate change legislation and the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the Capitol Steps meet some of the true believers in the green movement. Our guest is Steps star and co-founder Elaina Newport. |
| Want Jobs? Keep the Tax Cuts! |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:35:07 EST In just five months, the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts will expire unless Congress votes to extend them. President Obama and many Congressional Democrats say they will allow the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans to end. But what impact would that have? Why would that be a major hit on small businesses? Why could it be bad news for an already dismal job market? We ask Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte, who also reacts to Democratic accusations that the tax cuts greatly add to the national deficit. |
| Time for an Intelligence Audit |
| Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:23:32 EST Last week, The Washington Post reported on the bloated bureaucracies within our intelligence agencies in the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks. Now Texas Rep. Mike Conaway says it is vital for Congress to do a comprehensive audit of the intelligence community, an audit which is required by law. So why are intelligence leaders leery of such an audit? How should it be done? And how well has our intelligence community adapted to its mission since 9-11? We ask Rep. Conaway. |
| Danger for Democrats |
| Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:53:24 EST John Gizzi of Human Events says the ethics charges against Democratic New York Rep. Charlie Rangel are worse than expected, and he says the scandal could tar Democrats in races all over the country. Gizzi also discusses the political fallout over the federal court striking down key parts of the new Arizona immigration laws, the Wikileaks controversy and next week's Michigan primary. |
| Border Sheriff Rips Arizona Ruling |
| Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:38:40 EST A federal judge temporarily struck down the most significant provisions within Arizona's new immigration enforcement laws. Many law enforcement leaders are outraged, including Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever, whose county borders Mexico. Why does he strongly support the new laws and what does he see as the flaws in Judge Bolton's decision? Which provisions of the new law does he see as most important? How does he characterize the federal government's commitment to border security? We discuss it all with Sheriff Dever, who is also affiliated with www.bordersheriffs.com. |
| Staggering Obamacare Bureaucracy |
| Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:26:38 EST Earlier this year, Congress approved a new health care system that took more than 2,000 pages to describe. So how simple or complicated will the new system be? Texas Rep. Kevin Brady says the layers of government bureaucracy are exploding and those bureaucrats will be getting between us and our doctors. Which person will gain immense new powers in this bureaucracy? How much will it cost you? And how are Congressional Republicans trying to stop the health plan without repealing it? We talk with Rep. Brady. To see the levels of bureaucracy in the new health plan, visit http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/tx08_brady/pr_100728_hc_chart.html |
| Unemployment and Taxes |
| Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:21:15 EST Greg Corombos covers the latest fiscal debates over deficits, unemployment benefits and whether the Bush tax cuts should expire. Guests include Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, Clinton White House budget spokesman Larry Haas and Tax Foundation President Scott Hodge. |
| It's Constitutional |
| Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:14:45 EST A federal judge has imposed a temporary injunction on several key provisions of the new Arizona immigration enforcement laws. Is this the right legal decision? Should the states have the right to do the federal government's job if the feds don't do it? We ask Texas Rep. Ted Poe, who is also a former judge. And we'll find out why Poe thinks the government is intentionally failing to secure our borders. |
| Still Frustrated with the Feds |
| Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:57:21 EST It's now been 100 days since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig began gushing crude into the Gulf of Mexico. The rig has been capped, but major challenges remain. What help is needed in protecting sensitive marshlands? Has there been any improvement in the bureaucracy that has bogged down response efforts? And how is the drilling moratorium doing more damage than the oil spill itself? We ask Louisiana Sen. David Vitter. |
| Dems Restless Over Rangel |
| Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:58:02 EST Democratic House leaders are desperately urging New York Rep. Charlie Rangel to strike a plea deal with the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct in order to avoid a public airing of major ethics charges and a Congressional trial that could take place just before the midterm elections. So how close are we to a plea deal? Why are Republicans reluctant to allow such a deal? And will we hear anything definitive on Thursday? We ask Susan Ferrechio, chief Congressional correspondent for The Examiner. |
| How Military Leaks Hurt Our Troops |
| Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:04:30 EST The massive document leak on the Afghan war may not yield much vital new information, but how does it give our enemies help in their fight against our troops and our allies in Afghanistan? How much more vulnerable are U.S. forces now that the enemy knows how we uncover IED's and react to moves by the Taliban? How fierce should the punishment be for leaking these documents? And how much public outrage should the Obama team be showing? We ask James Robbins, former special assistant to then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and senior editorial writer for The Washington Times. |
| A Gag Order on the American People |
| Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:41:48 EST On Tuesday afternoon, Senate Democrats are hoping to approve the DISCLOSE Act, which they claim is only a minor adjustment to the current laws on campaign speech. But what is the bill really aimed at stopping? Is it even Constitutional? Why are some groups on the right and the left exempt from the new stringent rules? And will it pass the Senate? We ask Bill Wilson, president of Americans for Limited Government. |
| Illegals and Arizona |
| Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:19:27 EST Unless a federal court intervenes, Arizona's new immigration enforcement laws will take effect on Wednesday. So what difference will the people of Arizona see if the laws are allowed to proceed? How will it impact the economy in Arizona? And will it impact the number of people trying to cross illegally into Arizona? We ask Marine Corps veteran Jesse Kelly, who is also a candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress in Arizona's 8th congressional district. He also explains why he believes the Obama approach to immigration is dead wrong. |
| Inside the DISCLOSE Act |
| Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:26:19 EST President Obama is pushing hard for the Senate to pass the DISCLOSE Act, the Democratic campaign finance bill designed to reverse the Supreme Court decision from earlier this year. So what does the bill really do? How would it impact political speech? And why would some groups be exempt from the tough new rules? We ask Heritage Foundation legal expert Hans von Spakovsky. |
| The U.S. and the Lockerbie Bomber |
| Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:55:07 EST After months of insisting the U.S. consistently objected to the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, newly discovered memos show the U.S. did oppose the move but also pushed for Megrahi's outright release as opposed to moving him to a Libyan prison when British and Scottish officials were weighing those options. So what does this tell us about what role the Obama administration really played in this saga? What does it tell us about our approach to the war on terrorism? And how do our enemies interpret Megrahi's release? We ask Clifford May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. |
| This Could Change Warfare |
| Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:28:51 EST The Wikileaks website has done it again - releasing classified national security information. This time it's almost 100,000 documents related to the war in Afghanistan. So how will the Pentagon react to this? Is there anything in these documents that we didn't already know? And why could persistent leaks of classified information change the way war is done? We ask K.T. McFarland, deputy assistant secretary of defense for President Reagan and a national security analyst for the Fox News Channel. |
| For the Good of Congress |
| Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:38:31 EST Next week, the House Ethics Committee will reveal the ethics charges facing embattled New York Rep. Charlie Rangel. Texas Rep. John Carter has been the leading voice in urging Congress to investigate Rangel. So what can we expect as this investigation moves forward? Why did Carter speak up so much on this issue? And how soon cold we see a verdict? We ask Rep. John Carter. |
| Rangel's Reckoning |
| Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:16:56 EST The House Ethics Committee is bringing formal charges against longtime New York Rep. Charlie Rangel. What will the charges likely include? Just how many financial irregularities have been uncovered? How will the House deal with the charges? And how will this scandal impact the 2010 midterm elections - for Rangel and everybody else? We ask Susan Ferrechio, chief Congressional correspondent for The Examiner. |
| Avoiding Deficits A Silly Argument |
| Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:06:09 EST Senate Republicans opposed passage of additional jobless benefits unless they were offset with spending cuts somewhere else. Why does President Clinton's former budget office spokesman say that is a 'silly argument' and that paying for these benefits was not that important? And why does he believe letting the Bush tax cuts expire for the wealthiest Americans will be of great help to the economy? We ask Larry Haas, who also served as communications director for former Vice President Al Gore. |
| The Palin Family Wedding |
| Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:49:51 EST Last week, we learned that Sarah Palins' daughter, Bristol, is planning to marry Levi Johnston after two years of hostility between him and her family. Reports suggest Sarah Palin didn't know about the engagement until the announcement went public. So what does the former VP candidate really think about this wedding? The Capitol Steps find out. |
| Obama's Media Allies |
| Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:22:44 EST In recent days, reports from the Daily Caller website reveal a large network of left-leaning reporters, activists and academics who collaborated on ways to help President Obama during the 2008 campaign - from trying to minimize Jeremiah Wright story to the immediate targeting of Sarah Palin once she was announced as John McCain's running mate. How was this effort organized? How did they plot to go after Palin and what does this tell us about present-day journalism? We ask Jamie Weinstein, deputy editor at The Daily Caller. |
| The Fate of the Bush Tax Cuts |
| Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:10:51 EST Without action by the Congress and President Obama, the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts will expire at the end of the year. Why are they expiring? Would extending the cuts really add trillions to the deficit? Why could small businesses suffer the most? What will happen to the middle class? And how brutal will the estate tax be next year if nothing changes? We ask Scott Hodge, president of The Tax Foundation. |
| Summer Outrage |
| Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:38:41 EST The temperatures have been sweltering this summer in Washington, and tempers have reached the boiling point as well. John Gizzi of Human Events joins us to discuss how the White House and conservative bloggers will fare after the Shirley Sherrod race fiasco from this week. He also weighs in on the political fallout for GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham following his vote in favor of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. In addition, Gizzi offers his thoughts on his conversation with RNC Chairman Michael Steele and the Washington visit of British Prime Minister David Cameron. |
| Obama's 'Irresponsible' Economy |
| Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:51:45 EST Senate Democrats got their way on extended aid for the unemployed, but why didn't they want to take money from somewhere else to balance the books? Where would Republicans have found the money to pay the $34 billion tab? We ask Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso. The senator also discusses where he stands on the Elena Kagan nomination to the Supreme Court and reacts to the Obama administration admitting the individual health care mandate is a tax on the American people. |
| Obama Should 'Shut Up' About Race |
| Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:25:49 EST Racial tensions are rising in the wake of the NAACP labeling elements within the Tea Party as racist and an Agriculture Department official fired over racial comments that didn't include the full context. So how damaged are race relations right now? What are the best ways to calm things down? We ask U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Co-Chair Abigail Thernstrom and get her reaction to allegations of a racial bias at the Justice Department in voting rights cases. |
| America's Fiscal Future |
| Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:31:12 EST Senate Democrats got just enough help from Republicans to approve $34 billion in jobless benefits - $34 billion that adds to the deficit because lawmakers decided not to cut other spending to pay for the benefits. Why would Democrats fight against spending cuts? What kind of tax hikes are around the corner? We ask Heritage Foundation economist J.D. Foster. We also get his reaction to a new poll showing 60 percent of working Americans do not expect to receive Social Security benefits and ask what changes could help to sustain the system for future generations. |
| VIDEO World Net Daily Newscast July 20 |
| Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:58:15 EST Posted on 07/20/10 |
| Kagan: Obama's Rubber Stamp |
| Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:03:21 EST As the Senate Judiciary votes to confirm Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan today, is she worthy of a spot on the highest court in the land? Does she have anywhere near enough experience for the job? What does her record show about how she approaches the law - particularly laws she disagrees with? How have we seen an activist approach to the law in Kagan's current job as solicitor general? We ask Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. |
| Endless Intelligence Bureaucracy |
| Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:45:45 EST A new series of reports from The Washington Post suggests the intelligence community has added incredibly complicated and redundant layers of bureaucracy in the years since 9-11. So why and how did this happen? What would have been a better approach? Are we any safer than we were on 9-11? And will these reports lead to any substantive changes? We ask former CIA officer Larry Johnson, who also served as deputy director of the State Department's office of counter-terrorism. |
| Taxpayers Paying for Abortions |
| Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:34:46 EST In March, President Obama signed an executive order banning taxpayer funding of any abortions through the new health care laws. However, your tax dollars have already been used to pay for abortions in at least three states. So how were abortions funded by taxpayers if that is supposed to be illegal? How much transparency are we getting from the Obama administration as this massive plan gets implemented? How credible is the administration when it promises to fix this problem? And what will happen when the vast majority of this bill takes effect in 2014? We ask Douglas Johnson, legislative director at the National Right to Life Committee. |
| Immigration Fight in the Heartland |
| Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:28:10 EST The center of of the national immigration debate is Arizona, but a small city in Nebraska is also divided over whether to enforce federal immigration laws. Radio America's Jasen Sokol examines the politics, passion and lawsuits surrounding a new law in Fremont, Nebraska. |
| Is the Stimulus Working? |
| Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:23:27 EST President Obama went to western Michigan on Thursday to tout what he sees as evidence of his stimulus plan working to rescue the U.S. economy. But is the plan really sparking the long-struggling Michigan economy? What would really kick-start the state's economic agenda? We ask Michigan Rep. Pete Hoekstra, who is also running for governor. We hear his economic agenda, how it differs from the plans of his GOP rivals and how ready Michigan voters are for some change. |
| Tests for the Tea Party |
| Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:01:07 EST The Tea Party is dealing with several major stories this week. One-time Tea Party darling Scott Brown voted for the Democratic version of financial reforms - the latest in a string of votes that do not please the conservative base. The NAACP says the Tea Party contains "racist elements". And a new poll shows Harry Reid leading Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle in Nevada. So how is the grassroots movement responding to all of these developments? We ask Richard Viguerie, chairman of conservativehq.com and a longtime fixture in the conservative movement. |
| Latest Obamacare Nightmares |
| Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:38:38 EST Late this week, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that by 2014, all of our federal electronic medical records will include our Body Mass Index, which calculates obesity. Why is that significant? And what does it say about government getting involved in our lives and how health care resources may be prioritized or rationed based on overall health? We ask Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute, who also explains how the massive new entitlements contained within the new health care package will financially cripple younger Americans. |
| Democratic Infighting Deepens |
| Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:05:13 EST Human Events Political Editor John Gizzi says House Democrats and the Obama administration are still furious with one another. Why are House Dems upset with how Obama is treating them after taking so many votes that could cost them their jobs? What is Obama's campaign plan for the midterm election season? Will Democrats be running on their voting record or away from it? And how will the Tea Party be impacted by the NAACP calling it 'racist'? We ask John Gizzi. |
| Obama's Oil Moratorium Arrogance |
| Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:05:04 EST After having his first deep water drilling moratorium shot down twice in federal courts, President Obama has already imposed a new one that may be even more sweeping. Why does Arizona Rep. John Shadegg call the president's move "arrogant" and a job-killer? What do the experts say about whether drilling or not drilling is better for the environment? And does Shadegg agree that Obama is more interested in advancing his energy agenda than cleaning up the mess? We ask Rep. Shadegg. |
| Obama's Hidden Medicare Mess |
| Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:44:29 EST The Obama administration is months overdue in issuing the annual report of the Social Security Board of Trustees. Why is the report so late? What alarming news would it contain about the solvency of social security? What stunning news would it report about the near and long-term future of Medicare? What elements of the new health care laws are putting health care for senior citizens in great danger? We ask Peter Ferrara, general counsel at the American Civil Rights Union. |
| Obamacare's Mountain of Paperwork |
| Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:08:09 EST Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns tells us why he is proposing legislation to repeal Section 9006 of the recently passed health care laws. What does Section 9006 do? What would be the impact on many Americans? And why would the government have this in the bill to begin with? We ask Sen. Johanns, who also reacts to the latest White House report on job creation due to the stimulus bill. |
| NAACP Desperation |
| Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:02:57 EST On Tuesday, the NAACP approved a resolution calling on the Tea Party movement to condemn "racist elements" within its leadership. Is there a racist element to the Tea Party? Is racism a factor in the fierce opposition to the Obama agenda? What is the reason for the Tea Party outrage? How influential is the NAACP? And what does a black conservative deal with as a result of their political beliefs? We ask Deneen Borelli of Project 21, a coalition of black conservatives affiliated with the National Center for Public Policy Research. |
| The Boss Bows Out |
| Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:42:17 EST Longtime New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died Tuesday, after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 80. How did Steinbrenner become even bigger than the game? How did his ego and temper hold back the team for years? Why did he suddenly lighten up in the 1990s? And what are the most significant ways he changed the game? We ask Phil Wood, baseball contributor to the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and co-host of 'Talkin' Baseball' on the Radio America network. |
| No One Should Support This Bill |
| Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:34:38 EST On Tuesday, Senate Democrats secured the three Republican votes necessary to give them the the 60 votes needed to pass financial regulatory reform. But is this a bill worth supporting? How will it impact your access to credit? How much power will the government have over businesses? And why did Democrats refuse to address Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the causes of the mortgage meltdown in this legislation? We ask New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett, a member of the House Financial Services Committee and a conferee on the revised financial regulatory reform bill. |
| Obama Issues New Moratorium |
| Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:08:03 EST After two firm federal court rejections of his offshore drilling moratorium, President Obama is issuing a new six-month restriction that will likely start the court fight all over again. How is this moratorium different, if at all? How are energy producers reacting to this forced work stoppage? We ask Dan Kish of the Institute for Energy Research. We also get his insight into whether Senate Democrats really do need to pass their version of cap and trade legislation or give up on the issue for the rest of this Congress. |
| Gibbs is Right, Dems in Trouble |
| Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:26:13 EST White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs surprised many politicos by admitting that Republicans could win back the House of Representatives. Is that true? Why is the GOP surging? Can Dems do anything about it? What do Republicans need to do to make the most of this opportunity? Will Tea Party nominees help or hurt? We ask Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. |
| Another Economic Collapse? |
| Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:44:04 EST Several news reports and economic experts have suggested the economy might be headed for another major downturn - perhaps even a depression. Do the current conditions really forecast something so dire? What will the coming months and years bring to our economy? What is the Obama administration doing to help or hinder economic growth? We ask Heritage Foundation economist Rea Hederman. |
| Obama's Gay Marriage Agenda |
| Fri, 9 Jul 2010 15:07:44 EST A federal judge in Boston has ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional, saying Congress has no legitimate interest in addressing the issue and just wanted to act against people they disapproved of back in 1996. Are those solid arguments? Is the Obama administration earnest in its efforts to defend the law? Will this be a major issue in this year's elections? We discuss it all with Iowa Rep. Steve King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee. |
| Court Rules Against Obama Again |
| Fri, 9 Jul 2010 14:53:41 EST A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has upheld a lower court decision striking down the Obama administration's six-month moratorium on deep water oil drilling. But will companies return to drilling anytime soon? How will Obama try to keep the moratorium in place regardless of what the courts say? We ask Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, who also updates the impact of the oil on his state and his ongoing frustrations with the federal response. |
| Dems Plot Lame Duck Strategy |
| Fri, 9 Jul 2010 14:13:33 EST Congressional Democrats have already passed controversial legislation on the economy and health care and Wall Street reforms appear to be next. But what about cap and trade, immigration policy and pro-union legislation? Congressional Republicans say Democrats know they can't pass them now without getting mauled at the polls in November so the plan is to pass them after the midterms and before the new Congress is sworn in. Will that happen? What is the evidence that Democrats are planning to do that? And what can Democrats do about it? We ask Georgia Rep. Tom Price, chairman of the Republican Study Committee. |
| Russia, the U.S. and Espionage |
| Thu, 8 Jul 2010 15:38:18 EST Many reports suggest a multi-spy exchange between the U.S. and Russia is on the brink of being finalized. What is behind this kind of deal? What does it say about current U.S.-Russian relations? How should we interpret Russia getting more spies back than the U.S. seems to be getting? How good are U.S. intelligence efforts in Russia? And what needs to happen for our intel efforts to reach their full potential? We ask retired CIA officer Larry Johnson. |
| Window Dressing and Race Politics |
| Thu, 8 Jul 2010 13:08:09 EST Are the U.S. and Israel suddenly on the same page after a much friendlier meeting at the White House this week? John Gizzi of Human Events explains why he's not convinced. He also discusses the government's lawsuit against Arizona's new immigration laws and how much the Obama administration might suffer after a former Justice Department lawyer accuses the DOJ of a racial bias in enforcing voting rights laws. And we'll get his thoughts on West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin trying to change the system in order to get himself into the U.S. Senate. |
| What Next in Debt Crisis? |
| Thu, 8 Jul 2010 12:49:38 EST The debt crisis has already afflicted some European countries, more are on the brink and every member of the European Union is feeling the pain. So how bad could it get? Will it mean the end of the EU? And will the U.S. soon be facing the same dilemma? Radio America's Devo'n Williams has the story. |
| The Climategate Cover-up |
| Thu, 8 Jul 2010 10:46:09 EST An independent panel in Britain has largely cleared climate change scientists in connection with last year's scandal that called into question much of the case suggesting man-made climate change. But does this show the science is valid or is the panel just covering up this scandal in an effort to push a political agenda based on the premise of climate change? Will this conclusion change the public's shift away from the climate change movement? We ask Dr. Tim Ball, one of the leading scientific voices doubting the evidence behind the alarming climate change projections. We also ask him if the blistering heat wave in the eastern U.S. is evidence of global warming or just part of the climate cycle. |
| Obama Triggers New Health Fight |
| Wed, 7 Jul 2010 16:11:37 EST President Obama is using a recess appointment to elevate Donald Berwick to head the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Studies (CMS). Why are Republicans outraged about Obama's use of the recess appointment in this case? Why are they vigorously opposed to Berwick in particular? What has Berwick said about the role of government in health care? We ask Georgia Rep. Tom Price, chairman of the Republican Study Committee and a practicing physician. |
| Voter Intimidation, Voter Fraud |
| Wed, 7 Jul 2010 16:01:05 EST On Tuesday, former Justice Department attorney J. Christian Adams told the U.S. Civil Rights Commission that Obama administration officials told him and others that the department had no interest in prosecuting black Americans who infringed the voting rights of white Americans. He further testified that the DOJ had no intention of cleaning up voter rolls to help eliminate voter fraud. Why were these decisions made? How did the debates play out? What evidence had been accumulated in a major voter intimidation case? Who were DOJ officials trying to protect by not enforcing the updating of voter rolls? And are these accusations based upon fact or are these bombshells politically motivated? We speak with Mr. Adams, who brought all of this to light on Tuesday. |
| Obama Allied with Illegals |
| Wed, 7 Jul 2010 13:47:45 EST On Tuesday, the Obama Justice Department filed suit against Arizona over the state's new immigration enforcement laws. Why does California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher believe this action puts all law-abiding Americans in danger? Why does he say President Obama is actually in alliance with illegals? How does he respond to the government's reasons for filing this case? And why does he fear legislative tricks will allow the Democrats to pass a major amnesty bill later this year? We ask Rep. Rohrabacher. |
| Obama, Netanyahu Play Nice |
| Tue, 6 Jul 2010 16:10:52 EST A few months after what many consider a snub of Israel by the Obama administration, Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke glowingly of each other before the television cameras. How important is this change in hospitality? Will it lead to any real breakthrough on the Middle East or Iran? We ask former Reagan administration Pentagon official K.T McFarland. |
| Iraqi Success, Afghan Challenges |
| Tue, 6 Jul 2010 15:56:56 EST The U.S. is preparing for a major downsizing of forces in Iraq next month. Are we ready? Is Iraq ready to take much responsibility upon itself? And what needs to change to give us a better chance of winning in Afghanistan? How important could a change in the rules of engagement be? We ask retired U.S. Navy Captain Chuck Nash. |
| Obama Reneges on Tax Vows |
| Tue, 6 Jul 2010 14:58:58 EST With a new tanning bed tax in place and Bush tax cuts set to expire at the end of the year, Americans for Tax Reform is calling President Obama to account for breaking his pledge not to raise any kind of tax on families making less than $250,000 per year. So what is the Obama record on taxes and spending? How much does that contribute to his sliding poll numbers? And should Obama get some slack because of the difficult economic conditions facing our nation? We ask Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. |
| Repeal and Replace |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:34:53 EST Over the past three months, more and more gloomy realities are emerging about the real impact of the recently passed health care laws - from the true cost of the plan to whether you can keep your coverage. Rep. Paul Broun, who is also a doctor, says the plan needs to be repealed as soon as possible. He also says the Congress needs to adopt a more conservative approach to health reform, including his plan to make all health care expenses for Americans tax-deductible. |
| Not as Bad as You Think |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:30:57 EST The economy took a beating in 2008 and we are still feeling the impact. Capitalism also took a beating, as the free markets were assigned blame for the meltdown from politicians here in Washington and by many people around the country. So as government tries to severely regulate Wall Street, should we be worried about the future of capitalism, or will the system thrive despite these additional hurdles? We ask Brian Wesbury, former chief economist for the Joint Economic Committee. He is also the author of "It's Not as Bad as You Think". |
| The Battle for America's Future |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:26:50 EST The vast majority of Americans favor small government and a free-market system, but increasingly the big government agenda wins the day. How have liberals managed to accomplish their goals despite being in a distinct minority? How have liberals built a much more effective alliance to achieve their goals? We ask Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute and author of "The Battle". |
| Can Government Growth Be Slowed? |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:20:32 EST Government has been been growing by leaps and bounds in the past couple of years, and it just continues a pattern that dates back almost 80 years. What were the big triggers for the onslaught of federal spending and regulation leading up to the efforts we are seeing today? How did big government advocates get the upper hand after Republicans and Democrats successfully ran as small-government supporters in the 1980s and 1990s? And can conservatives really change the big government agenda that's been implemented to this point? We ask William Voegeli, author of "Never Enough: America's Limitless Welfare State". |
| Threats to Freedom |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:00:38 EST Are Americans lazy when it comes to protecting our freedoms? Are we too willing to cede liberties to an aggressive government? How pervasive is the effort to control how we think about a variety of key issues? How is it that Americans have become afraid to fail and therefore don't even try difficult things as much? A new collection of essays addresses these issues and many others. And we talk with Adam Bellow, the editor of "New Threats to Freedom". |
| The Beijing Consensus |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:52:02 EST For decades, developing nations looked to American democracy and capitalism as the basis on which to build their societies. But now rising nations think they've found a better role model - China. What about the Chinese system appeals to aspiring governments? What lessons from the Soviet collapse have China taken to heart? And why is China very vulnerable to internal failure despite its incredible growth in recent years? We ask Stefan Halper, a veteran of the Nixon, Ford and Reagan administrations and author of "The Beijing Consensus". |
| Captured by the Taliban |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:46:21 EST The Taliban is a radical group that used to control much of Afghanistan. After being routed early in the war, its forces remain a major obstacle to long-term security in the country. Jere Van Dyk of CBS News got an inside glimpse of this group the hard way - as a Taliban prisoner for more than 40 days. How was he abducted? What did he learn about the Taliban? And why did his captors let him go? Jere Van Dyk is here to tell his story, which is chronicled in the new book "Captive". |
| Student Loan Crisis, Part 3 |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:34:50 EST Exploding tuition rates are forcing college students to take out massive student loans that leave young adults deep in debt upon graduation. But with no tuition relief in sight, what are some ways to lower the cost of college? Radio America's Jasen Sokol gets some advice. |
| Student Loan Crisis, Part 2 |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:29:12 EST Earlier this year, Congress gave the government authority over the student loan industry as part of the "fixes" to the health care bill. But will the surging debt, greater government spending and plans to forgive greater portions of student loan debt combine to burst an already existing bubble in student loans? Radio America's Jasen Sokol has the story. |
| Student Loan Crisis, Part 1 |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:26:10 EST The cost of four years in college has exploded in recent years, and the amount of student loan debt has jumped up as a result. Radio America's Jasen Sokol examines the predicament this places on college students now and for many years to come. |
| Blatantly Unconstitutional |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:10:35 EST Congressional Democrats have agreed on new campaign speech restrictions that go even further than the laws overturned by the Supreme Court earlier this year. What will advocacy groups be forced to do in order to air their messages? Why is organized labor exempt from these restrictions? Which organizations are banned from political messages ever again? Will this get struck down by the Supreme Court? And will it pass Congress in the first place? We ask Mattie Carrao,government affairs manager at Americans for Tax Reform. |
| Obama Just Wants a Liberal |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:07:31 EST Conservative activist and political adviser Ralph Reed joins us to discuss the Elena Kagan Supreme Court nomination. How should Republican senators target their questions? What issues could cause the most controversy? Will Kagan actually say anything? What type of justice does President Obama really want? We also get the scoop on Reed's upcoming political novel which centers on a contentious Supreme Court nomination. |
| Poorly Qualified, Very Liberal |
| Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:58:25 EST Monday marks the start of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. After weeks of reviewing her legal and political record, what will lawmakers focus upon when they question her? What does her record show about the type of justice she would be? And why did the American Bar Association describe her as "well qualified" for the Supreme Court? We ask Robert Alt, senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation. |
| Health Care Rationing Underway |
| Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:40:07 EST During the health care debate, President Obama and Congressional Democrats bristled at the idea their reform plans would trigger health care rationing. We are nearly four years away from full implementation of the plan, but rationing has already begun. Why are doctors refusing to see more Medicare patients than ever? And why will this problem also cripple the rest of the system very soon? And what if anything is Congress doing about this? We ask Tennessee Rep. Phil Roe, who is also a practicing physician. |
| War and Politics |
| Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:27:22 EST John Gizzi of Human Events shares the reaction he heard on Capitol Hill to the dismissal of Gen. Stanley McChrystal and the return of Gen. David Petraeus to lead our military operations in the most intense theater of the war on terror. We also get Gizzi's evaluation of the big primary wins for Tea Party figures in Tuesday's primaries and how they are likely to fare in November. |
| Good Change, Bad Policy |
| Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:51:57 EST Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis says President Obama had little choice but to give Gen. Stanley McChrystal the boot, and he applauds the choice of Gen. David Petraeus to succeed McChrystal. But what about the current policy in Afghanistan? What does Maginnis see as major problems? And when we will we know whether our current strategy is working? We ask Col. Maginnis. |
| Still the Right Mission |
| Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:42:06 EST President Obama accepted the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal on Wednesday and replaced him with Gen. David Petraeus. How significant is this move? How much is our mission helped by putting Petraeus on the job? Are we following the right policy in Afghanistan? And how vital is victory there? We ask South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. |
| Thank God for the Rule of Law |
| Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:30:51 EST Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy is praising a federal court ruling overturning President Obama's offshore drilling ban and determining the economic impact of a drilling ban could be greater than the oil leak itself. How significant is this decision for workers in Louisiana? Has the the federal response to the oil crisis improved much in the past couple of weeks? What's his assessment of BP's response to the disaster? We ask Rep. Cassidy. |
| Irresponsible and Arrogant |
| Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:17:20 EST House Democrats say they will not pass a formal budget resolution but will deem one to have passed? Where have we heard that before? Dem leaders also say a formal budget should not be passed until a presidential commission makes its recommendations. Will this shield Democrats from election year accusations of fiscal irresponsibility or just prove they aren't even trying to cut spending? We ask Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, member of the House Ways & Means Committee and top House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee. |
| Judge Shoots Down Moratorium |
| Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:15:55 EST On Tuesday, a federal judge ruled against the Obama administration and ordered an end to the moratorium on deep offshore drilling. Why did the judge side with the plaintiffs in this case? What will happen when the administration appeals the decision? How soon does the drilling need to start again if the oil companies are going to stay in the gulf? And will workers be OK during the moratorium because of the money Obama is ordering from BP to compensate workers? We ask Texas Rep. Ted Poe, a strong opponent of the moratorium. |
| It's All True |
| Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:56:40 EST The senior commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is on his way to Washington to face the music after ripping President Obama's national security team in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine. Retired U.S. Air Force General Tom McInerney says Gen. Stanley McChrystal severely breached protocol but his negative assessments of members on the Obama national security team were completely accurate. Listen here for McInerney's evaluation of what went wrong on the Obama approach to Afghanistan and why his national security team has underperformed. |
| New Plan to Kill Political Speech |
| Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:41:09 EST Democrats in Congress are working feverishly to impose new campaign finance restrictions before the midterm election season hits full stride. So what new rules would the new legislation impose before interest groups could get their ads on the air? Why could this bill make people think twice about getting involved in a political effort in any way? And why would it discourage new organizations from trying to buy airtime? We ask John Samples, director of the Center for Representative Government at the Cato Institute. |
| Supremes OK Ban on Terrorist Aid |
| Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:28:53 EST On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold a federal banning any type of assistance for terrorist organizations - even humanitarian aid or efforts to peacefully resolve differences. Why was this an important decision? Why is it important to include humanitarian aid in this ban? Should we be surprised Justice Stevens sided with the majority? And what should we make of the U.S. giving $400 million to Hamas-controlled Gaza in light of this law? We ask Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, vice president of research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. |
| Obama Dumbing Down Fatherhood |
| Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:10:32 EST President Obama is drawing blistering criticism Monday over what is usually an innocuous Father's Day proclamation. But in his 2010 edition, Obama said nurturing families can be raised by "a father and mother, a single father, two fathers...". What message is Obama trying to send by listing gay men in the same list as a traditional married couple? What is the reality for children raised in a homosexual environment - especially one with two men? What is Obama's larger agenda? And how big should this and other social issues be in an election year that seems to be pushing cultural concerns to the backburner? We ask Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality. |
| Who Really Pays Taxes? |
| Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:38:48 EST A new study from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) shows the middle class is paying a majority of federal tax revenues. In addition, the wealthies one-fifth of Americans are paying 69 percent of taxes. How does that compare to the percentage of income generated in the U.S. each year? How is it that the poor are actually making money from the current tax system? Who will get hit the most by the tax policy changes that will kick in at the end of the year? We ask these and other questions to Pete Sepp, vice president for communications at the National Taxpayers Union. |
| Global Warming, Marital Cooling |
| Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:05:39 EST The political world and much of America was shocked by the news Al and Tipper Gore were ending their marriage after 40 years. The Capitol Steps catch up with them and discover what really went wrong. |
| Another Step Towards Socialism |
| Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:55:39 EST Texas Rep. Joe Barton is in hot water from Republicans and Democrats over describing the Obama administration as engaging in a 'shakedown' of BP by forcing the firm to fork over at least $20 billion to an independent fund through which an independent commission will issue compensation payments to those impacted by the oil spill. But Dr. Jerry Newcombe of Coral Ridge Ministries, and co-producer of the documentary "Socialism: A Clear and Present Danger", says this is another brazen step toward socialism by this president. Newcombe says BP should be on the hook, but explains why the Obama tactics ought to frighten us all. |
| Was Barton Right? |
| Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:13:00 EST Texas Rep. Joe Barton triggered a firestorm today when he accused the White House of launching a "shakedown" of BP by forcing the firm to put up $20 billion for Gulf restoration and having no control over where the money goes. Democrats have fired back in a major way, saying Republicans are defending BP over the residents of the Gulf coast. Who is right? What's the political impact of Barton's assertion? We ask John Gizzi of Human Events, who will also offer his thoughts on a bad week for North Carolina Rep. Bob Etheridge and the strange case of South Carolina senate nominee Alvin Greene. |
| VIDEO - Gulf Oil Spill Reaction |
| Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:54:27 EST Greg Corombos updates GOP frustrations with the federal government's handling of the Gulf of Mexico oil leak. Louisiana Sen. David Vitter expresses his greatest frustration with Uncle Sam's efforts and Elizabeth Ames Jones, a key oil policy official in Texas, explains why Obama's offshore drilling moratorium is a really bad idea for the Gulf coast economy. |
| Obama's Absurd Offshore Moratorium |
| Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:14:21 EST Texas Rep. Ted Poe is imploring Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and President Obama to lift the six-month moratorium on deep water oil drilling. Why does he believe shutting down every oil rig because of one disaster is 'absurd'? Why does he say this decision will cost countless jobs that will not come back in six months? What does Poe think of the government forcing BP to put up at least $20 billion to make compensation payments through a third party? We ask these and other questions to Rep. Poe. |
| Etheridge Opponent Speaks Out |
| Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:05:44 EST Earlier this week, North Carolina Rep. Bob Etheridge apologized for scolding and grabbing a college student who asked if the congressman supported the Obama agenda. So how is this impacting the campaign of his GOP opponent, Renee Ellmers? What is her reaction to Etheridge's embarrassing incident? What has she heard from the voters? What is her background and why is she running? And what would be her biggest priorities if elected in November? Listen here to find out. |
| Obama's 'Lack of Leadership' |
| Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:55:19 EST Louisiana Rep. John Fleming reacts to the president's speech on the oil spill response and the ongoing debate over energy policy. Why does he think Obama is showing a lack of leadership? Is it because of the bureaucracy involved in the response or Obama's personal handling of it? How does he respond to Obama's claim that there's no more oil to drill for on land or in shallow waters? What is the economic impact of the moratorium? We ask Rep. Fleming. |
| Minerals Distract from Afghan War |
| Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:44:01 EST In recent days, reports from Afghanistan reveal massive deposits of minerals that could be a trillion dollar windfall. Is this a chance to revolutionize the Afghan economy or is this not as significant as some believe? And how might it be distracting us from an already difficult fight against our enemies? We ask Ann Marlowe of the Hudson Institute, who just returned from sixth embed with American forces in Afghanistan. |
| Obama Says Nothing New |
| Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:06:29 EST Reaction to President Obama's speech to the nation on the oil leak and energy policy has been mostly negative. Why are observers of all stripes underwhelmed? What did people want and need to hear that was missing from the address? Is the political fallout from this disaster fair? We ask Richard Benedetto, former longtime White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. |
| 'Get Government Out of the Way' |
| Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:06:53 EST House Democrats are pushing their latest jobs bill - a $30 billion plan to help extend credit to small businesses through well-grounded banks. But is this paid for or will it just add to the debt? Will it create jobs or are employers too spooked to add new positions? What might be a better way to proceed? We ask Missouri Rep. Sam Graves, the top Republican on the House Small Business Committee. |
| Obama Needs 'Believable Empathy' |
| Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:53:18 EST President Obama will address the nation tonight on the oil spill and why America needs to pursue his energy policy agenda. But what does Obama need to convey after weeks of being perceived as being behind the curve? Is it more important to show compassion or competence? And what will be the political fallout if the spill continues late into the summer? We ask Larry Haas, former communications director for then-Vice President Al Gore. |
| Shades of Carter in Oil Response |
| Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:46:50 EST Sen. John Barrasso says he has witnessed a 'helpless' administration deal with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill which is now in its ninth week. What does he think Obama should have done differently? What should be his first priority right now? Should the government mandate the creation of a fund paid for by BP but doled out by the government? And is this the time to pursue the president's energy agenda or precisely the wrong time? We ask Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, a member of the Senate Energy Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee. |
| Obama's Uphill Climb |
| Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:12:12 EST President Obama is on a two-day trip to the Gulf coast, and will address the nation on the oil spill and energy policy on Tuesday night. Is Obama showing the nation that he is on top of all this or has the public already declared his efforts a failure? How tough is it to reverse public perception? We ask Rich Galen, former press secretary to Dan Quayle and Newt Gingrich and author of the online column mullings.com. |
| Etheridge Tape Puts Seat in Doubt |
| Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:14:31 EST North Carolina Rep. Bob Etheridge was not supposed to be in political danger this year, but now the seven-term Democrat is in serious damage control mode after being seen yelling at student journalists and even grabbing them angrily. So how will this impact his re-election effort? Will his apology make this embarrassment go away? We ask National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Paul Lindsay. We also get his thoughts on the impact of the Tea Party. |
| Gaza, Money and the Blockade |
| Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:02:51 EST After two weeks of withering international condemnation, Israel has agreed to ease its blockade on Gaza with respect to food. Why did Israel allow this? How do we know Hamas will allow the food to get to the people? Does this compromise Israeli national security? We ask Dr. Walid Phares of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. We also get his reaction to the U.S. sending $400 million in aid to Gaza. |
| Grave Threat to Energy Security |
| Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:50:54 EST President Obama has ordered a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling leases in the wake of the massive BP oil spill. But what economic impact will this moratorium have on the U.S. economy and on jobs along the Gulf coast? Just how much energy is beneath the Gulf of Mexico? Why is the Obama response short on substance? We ask Elizabeth Ames Jones, head of the Texas Railroad Commission, which is the state agency which oversees energy production. |
| George W. Bush's History |
| Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:26:41 EST Liberals allege that conservatives are pushing an agenda through changes they've approved to Texas history books. So the Capitol Steps call on the most famous Texan of all to verify the accuracy of the changes. |
| Honoring Conservatism |
| Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:25:59 EST On Wednesday, four major figures in the conservative movement will be honored as the seventh annual Bradley Prizes are awarded at the Kennedy Center in Washington. What is the Bradley Foundation and why does it give these awards? What ideas and work is honored by the awards? And who are this year's winners? We ask Mike Grebe, president and CEO of the Bradley Foundation. |
| EPA on Brink of Huge Power Grab |
| Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:14:09 EST On Thursday, the U.S. Senate is taking up a bill from Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski that would forbid the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Why is this imperative? Why should the idea of expanded EPA power scare every small business owner in America? We ask William O'Keefe, CEO of the Marshall Institute and former CEO of the American Petroleum Institute. He will also discuss President Obama's moratorium on new offshore oil leases. |
| Empire State Embarassment |
| Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:33:06 EST Last year the Empire State Building honored the 60th anniversary of Communist China by lighting up in red and yellow. Yet the building managers have now twice refused to shine blue and white lights later this summer to honor what would have been the 100th birthday of Mother Teresa. What reasons are being given for this decision? Why is the 'angel of Calcutta' not worthy of a tribute while a nation founded by murdering at least 60 million people gets such an honor? And why should anyone care? We ask Dr. Paul Kengor, professor at Grove City College and author of the forthcoming book "Dupes: How America's Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for A Century". |
| Gizzi Talks Midterms, Helen Thomas |
| Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:23:05 EST John Gizzi of Human Events got half of his predictions right in Tuesday's primaries. Why did the Republican CEO's in California romp to victory? How did Tea Party darlings Sharron Angle and Nikki Haley easily defeat better known and better funded challengers? Gizzi also takes us inside the White House Press Corps reaction to the Helen Thomas controversy. And he also offers his own mixed review of her final years in the press room. |
| Vitter: Oil Response Still Lacking |
| Wed, 9 Jun 2010 15:23:37 EST More than seven weeks into the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, some of the oil spewing from the ruptured rig is being contained. But more oil is still flowing into the Gulf and shorelines, marshes and wildlife are increasingly threatened. So what needs to be done to minimize the impact of this disaster? Is the federal government doing any better at responding to the needs of the Gulf states? And what is the impact of so many government agencies on the scene? We ask Louisiana Sen. David Vitter. |
| GOP Voters Reject RINOs |
| Wed, 9 Jun 2010 13:47:07 EST Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle easily won the GOP senate nomination in Nevada and will take on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in November. Democrats think they caught a big break break with Angle winning the nomination. Are they right or are they still misreading voter sentiment? How will her positions on education and social security impact the race? We ask Peter Ferrara, general counsel at the American Civil Rights Union. |
| Women Win Big Primary Fights |
| Wed, 9 Jun 2010 13:11:08 EST On Tuesday, four Republican women won major senate and gubernatorial primaries. And Democrat Blanche Lincoln surprised many by winning the senate runoff in Arkansas. So why are we seeing this female surge in politics - especially in the GOP? Is the party late in embracing women as candidates? Are they winning because voters want women to shake things up politically or because voters want conservatives and the most conservative candidates in many races happen to be women? And how will they do in November? We discuss it all with Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn. |
| More Government, Less Freedom |
| Tue, 8 Jun 2010 16:08:51 EST Congressional Democrats are trying to merge House and Senate versions of financial reform legislation, but some major differences remain. Will there be a massive fund that some say perpetuates the "too big to fail" mentality? Will there be a serious audit of the Federal Reserve? Will Americans have more or less freedom when this process is over? And will businesses have more or less access to credit? We ask Brian Johnson, federal affairs manager at Americans for Tax Reform. |
| Palmetto State Politics |
| Tue, 8 Jun 2010 14:47:26 EST A year ago, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford shocked the people of his state by admitting an affair with a woman in Argentina. Today, voters get their first crack at picking his replacement. Who will likely emerge from a very crowded Republican primary? How will allegations of extramarital affairs impact the GOP front-runner? Will she survive a likely run-off? Which candidates are faring best on their economic plans? Which Republicans are locked in tough primaries in U.S. House races? We ask Van Hipp, former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. |
| Obama's Rationer-in-Chief |
| Tue, 8 Jun 2010 14:27:59 EST During the health care debate, President Obama promised everyone could keep their current doctor or plan if they wished. He also dismissed allegations that his plan would usher in health care rationing. Nonetheless, Obama's nominee to head the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Studies (CMS) is on the record advocating rationing and has been knighted in Britain for his support of the UK's government-run system. So what kind of power will Donald Berwick have? Could he actually order rationing or denial of care? What other developments in recent days suggest more flaws in the new health care laws? Why has an innovative firm in Virginia been forced out of business? And what is the significance of President Obama touting $250 rebates to some Medicare patients? We ask Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute. |
| Democratic Budget Gimmicks |
| Mon, 7 Jun 2010 15:59:41 EST It's now June, and Democrats in Congress have yet to put forth a budget - a move Republicans claim is designed to prevent voters from seeing just how much red ink Dems have planned for the next fiscal year. How significant is that when our debt is about to exceed our GDP? How endangered is our credit rating as the debt soars? What can realistically be done to stop it? We ask New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett. |
| Embracing Obama with One Arm |
| Mon, 7 Jun 2010 15:54:38 EST As several states hold critical primaries, will Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln be denied her own party's nomination? Which candidate has a better chance of winning in November? How worried are Democrats about holding on to key House seats in Virginia? Which party has the edge in the two big California races? Are Dems embracing Obama or running away from him? And do Democrats fear another 1994? We ask Michael Lewan, former chief of staff for Sen. Joe Lieberman and partner in the Washington office of Brown Rudnick. |
| 'We're Still Not Creating Jobs' |
| Fri, 4 Jun 2010 13:20:33 EST The U.S. economy added 431,000 jobs in May, but just 41,000 in the private sector. 411,000 jobs are for U.S. census workers, who will only have jobs for a few months. Should we cheer positive numbers or be concerned that the private sector gains are far less than last month? How does the oil spill make these numbers even more sobering? What is the real unemployment number when factoring in those who have given up the job search or are forced to take part-time work? Why are private employers reluctant to hire? What would give them more incentive? We Ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, chief economist for the Department of Labor under President George W. Bush. |
| Behind the BP Boycotts |
| Fri, 4 Jun 2010 13:07:52 EST Many Americans are looking to hurt BP in the pocketbook by boycotting BP gas stations across the country. How are these boycotts being organized? Who will actually get hurt by this effort? What would it take to really hurt BP's bottom line? Correspondent Jasen Sokol reports. |
| Solving the Kagan Crisis |
| Fri, 4 Jun 2010 13:02:02 EST Later this month, confirmation hearings will begin for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. Republicans fear she will be another left-winger, and the Capitol Steps have discovered who the GOP thinks would be an ideal choice to replace John Paul Stevens. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| Gulf Spill 'Not Obama's Katrina' |
| Thu, 3 Jun 2010 16:42:00 EST How well has the Obama administration handled the oil spill response and how well has it handled the criticism? How significant is the Israeli storming of the boat headed for Gaza? What did we learn in this week's primaries? And who will emerge in next week's onslaught of political primaries? We ask John Gizzi, political editor at Human Events. |
| Tarkanian Talks Reid, Primary |
| Thu, 3 Jun 2010 16:12:36 EST On Tuesday, Nevada Republicans will choose their nominee to square off against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid come November. Danny Tarkanian joins us to explain why he is the better choice to be the nominee than his opponents Sharron Angle and Sue Lowden. Why did he get into this race? Why should Reid be given the boot by voters? What would be his priorities if elected? We ask Tarkanian, just days before voters make their decision. |
| Previewing Super Tuesday |
| Thu, 3 Jun 2010 15:51:37 EST Several states are holding critical primaries that will set the stage for critical November elections for the House and Senate and a number of governor's races. Who will emerge as the nominees for the GOP in critical Senate races in California and Nevada? Can Blanche Lincoln hang on to the Democratic nomination in Arkansas? Which House races should we watch carefully? Are any incumbents in danger in their own primaries? And how is the fight between the Tea Party and the GOP establishment likely to impact some of these races? We ask Reid Wilson of National Journal's Hotline-On Call. |
| The Obama Blueprint |
| Wed, 2 Jun 2010 16:43:25 EST President Obama is not a tyrant but he is trying to weaken the separation of powers and add tremendous amounts of power to the executive branch. How is he trying to do that? How has he already done this? And what is the only thing standing in his way? We ask former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, co-author of the new book "The Blueprint". |
| U.S. Debt Crisis Three Years Away |
| Wed, 2 Jun 2010 16:06:16 EST While the western world tries to pull Greece back from the brink of economic calamity, author and U.S. budget expert Martin Gross explains why the U.S. is just three years away from an economic disaster that will make Greece pale by comparison. Just how dire is our national debt? Why are we so close to an economic free fall? How much spending needs to be cut? And where can it be cut? We ask Mr. Gross, author most recently of "National Suicide: How Washington is Destroying the American Dream". |
| 'Hypocrisy, Hypocrisy, Hypocrisy' |
| Wed, 2 Jun 2010 12:25:32 EST As expected, most of the world is condemning Israel's storming of a 'humanitarian' vessel attempting to get to Gaza. What basic facts are Israeli critics failing to consider? What kind of people were actually on the ship in question? Why are the Israelis screening ships headed to Gaza? What will happen when the next ships arrive? And what role can the U.S. play in reducing this latest tension? We ask retired Israeli Brigadier Gen. Elihu Ben-Onn, who is now a radio talk show host in Jerusalem. |
| Blockade is Legal, Flotilla is Not |
| Tue, 1 Jun 2010 16:14:26 EST Israel is once again enduring the scorn of the international community after Israeli forces stormed a 'humanitarian' ship off the coast of Gaza. But what are the facts? Why is Israel conducting a blockade? Is it legal? What ships should be allowed through for humanitarian purposes? Does this ship qualify? We ask Dr. Walid Phares, senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and author of "The Confrontation". |
| Clinton, Emanuel Broke the Law |
| Tue, 1 Jun 2010 15:28:35 EST The White House tried to make the Joe Sestak controversy go away last Friday by saying Sestak was offered a non-paying job by someone not currently in the Obama administration. But what does the law say? Does it matter if the job didn't pay? Does is make any difference if Bill Clinton made the offer instead of someone within the Obama administration? What else might be worth investigating? What would have happened if a Republican administration did something like this? We ask Hans von Spakovsky, legal expert at the Heritage Foundation. |
| Obama's Oil Nightmare |
| Tue, 1 Jun 2010 15:22:17 EST President Obama has taken a verbal beating from Republicans, Democrats and even the media as the failure to stop the Gulf of Mexico oil spill continues. What's the biggest reason for the president taking so many hits? How tough is it to claim he is in charge while saying BP is responsible? Does this really pose a major threat to the rest of his presidency? We ask these questions and more to longtime USA TODAY White House Correspondent Richard Benedetto, who now teaches politics and journalism at American University and Georgetown University. |
| The Last Doughboy |
| Fri, 28 May 2010 16:15:10 EST World War I ended more than 90 years ago, and only one veteran of 'The War to End All Wars' is still with us. How did 109-year-old Frank Buckles get involved in World War I? What are his memories of the fighting and of the war coming to a close? Why was World War II far worse for him even though he was no longer in uniform? And what are his reflections on such a lengthy life? Listen here as Greg Corombos profiles Frank Buckles. |
| A Measureless Peril |
| Fri, 28 May 2010 16:06:14 EST Author Richard Snow explains why the six-year-long Battle of the Atlantic is one of the most important and under-appreciated conflicts in World War II. How did the U.S. build up our Atlantic Fleet so quickly after two decades of isolation. Who was the commander who led our naval efforts so well before being virtually forgotten by history? And what turned the tide against a very tough German navy? We discuss it all with Richard Snow. |
| The History of Memorial Day |
| Fri, 28 May 2010 15:57:27 EST Memorial Day is not about grilling food and getting good bargains at the store, it's about honoring those who have given their lives in service to our nation and to preserve our freedoms. Author Kenneth C. Davis joins us to explain the real history of Memorial Day and discuss his new book "A Nation Rising". |
| 'So Much Dishonesty' |
| Fri, 28 May 2010 15:35:47 EST Late Thursday, the full House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee both voted to repeal the longstanding ban on gays serving openly in the military. But while the Left tries to engender sympathy for the cause while they still have the votes in Congress to pass it, how are they distorting the true nature of this bill? Just how much would change if the law is changed? Why were the leaders of all branches of the military ignored in their efforts to stop the repeal? How would this change in law impact military education? And is there any reason to think the repeal will not pass in the Senate? We ask Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness. |
| Obama Rewards Government Failure |
| Fri, 28 May 2010 12:40:15 EST President Obama wants a six-month moratorium on pending and future offshore drilling leases. And he wants a lot more oversight of drilling practices. But Arizona Rep. John Shadegg wants to know why the failure of the government to provide proper oversight is being rewarded by an even bigger bureaucracy. Listen here as Rep. Shadegg discusses the Obama approach to the oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico and how he's using it to push his unrelated climate change agenda. |
| Small Business Nightmare |
| Fri, 28 May 2010 11:45:27 EST Congressional Democrats are working to merge House and Senate versions of financial reform legislation. What does the bill accomplish? What does it fail to do? And why are small business owners the biggest losers in this legislation? We ask Kansas Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a member of the House Financial Services Committee. |
| Obama's Oil Charade |
| Thu, 27 May 2010 15:37:40 EST On Thursday, President Obama ordered a six-month moratorium on any new offshore drilling leases. He also used the oil mess in the Gulf of Mexico to push for climate change legislation. Will the moratorium ever be lifted? What does Obama really think about drilling and our current energy system? Is he any more receptive to land-based exploration for oil and natural gas? What would Democratic energy legislation actually do? We ask Chris Horner, senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and author of "Power Grab". He also updates CEI's lawsuit against NASA to force the space agency to divulge the data that supposedly backs the case of significant man-made climate change. |
| House GOP Wants Your Ideas |
| Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:30 EST House Republicans are asking for your input on the issues facing Congress right now and what the Congressional agenda ought to be in the months ahead. So what is this new program all about? Is this a new version of the Contract with America? Why should voters believe a Republican majority would be different than the one that lost power four years ago? And why is the Greek debt crisis a stark wake-up call for the U.S.? We ask Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who is also vice-chair of the House Republican Conference. |
| Dems Push Gays in Military |
| Wed, 26 May 2010 13:30:06 EST President Obama and Congressional Democrats are fast-tracking their efforts to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy for enforcing the ban on homosexuals serving in the U.S. military. Why is this happening so quickly just weeks after the Pentagon promised a lengthy review? What would be the impact of openly gay service members on recruiting, retention and performance? And are there enough votes to change the current laws? We ask retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis, who worked as an adviser to a key member of the 1993 commission that adopted Don't Ask, Don't Tell. |
| Feds Forbid Border Security |
| Wed, 26 May 2010 12:21:46 EST The Arizona immigration laws are still sparking controversy along the border and here in Washington. Now President Obama is ordering 1,200 National Guard troops to the border to enhance enforcement. But is Obama serious about border security? What reality do border patrol agents encounter every day when it comes to illegals coming to the U.S. on government-owned land? We ask Utah Rep. Rob Bishop, who also offers his thoughts on the new laws in Arizona. |
| The Finger-Pointer-in-Chief |
| Wed, 26 May 2010 10:46:50 EST The Obama administration says it is responding to the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico at an unprecedented level in terms of personnel and resources. But Gov. Jindal and others say the feds have been far too slow in providing help. So who is right? What else could the government be doing? Why is President Obama's reaction typical and tiresome? How is the spill impacting people miles away from the Louisiana coast? We ask Louisiana Rep. John Fleming, who also updates his effort to deny funding to the president's new health care program. Rep. Fleming is also a practicing physician. |
| Stop the Spending! |
| Tue, 25 May 2010 11:58:36 EST President Obama says he will pursue whatever suggestions are issued by the bipartisan commission on fiscal responsibility. But who is on this commission and what ideas are they likely to advocate? Will there be substantial spending cuts proposed or will the commission try to balance the books through tax increases? In what form would those taxes come? And how long can the government sustain record-low income for Americans coming from the private sector while income from the government is at an all-time high? We ask Betsy McCaughey, for lieutenant governor of New York. |
| VIDEO: Border Fight Boils Again |
| Tue, 25 May 2010 08:47:57 EST The immigrations debate reached a new level of intensity after Mexican President Felipe Calderon strongly condemned Arizona's new immigration enforcement laws during his visit to Washington. We get strong reaction from California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher. We also talk with former UN Ambassador John Bolton about the latest round of sanctions aimed at Iran. He explains how the proposed sanctions would actually strengthen Iran. |
| Korean Tensions Building |
| Mon, 24 May 2010 15:17:26 EST According to a number of experts, tensions between North and South Korea are at one of the highest levels since the Korean War since North Korea allegedly torpedoed a South Korean vessel and killed 46 sailors. Why did North Korea do this? What should be the response from South Korea and the U.S.? How much military support could the U.S. provide South Korea in the event of a conflict? And what is the real role of China in all of this? We ask retired U.S. Army Major General Paul Vallely. |
| Financial 'Reform' Falls Way Short |
| Mon, 24 May 2010 13:44:03 EST South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint says the Democratic version of financial reform legislation fails to address the main causes of the 2008 Wall Street crisis. Why does he think the current bill is insufficient? What does he think the bill needs to fix? Why is he worried about government intervention in struggling firms? We ask Sen. DeMint all of those questions and get his thoughts on the performance of Tea Party candidates in last week's elections. |
| Blair Resignation Hurts Security |
| Fri, 21 May 2010 15:49:52 EST Admiral Dennis Blair announced he would resign next week as Director of National Intelligence. Michigan Rep. Peter Hoekstra is the top Republican on the House Intellgence Committee. Why is he disappointed that Blair has been forced out of his job? How concerned is he about the rest of Obama's national security team? And how disturbed is he that the Obama team will not admit radical Islam is a major motivator behind most terrorist attacks? We ask Rep. Hoekstra. |
| The Illusion of Doing Something |
| Fri, 21 May 2010 12:11:32 EST The Obama administration is backing supposedly tough new sanctions aimed at Iran. But former UN Ambassador John Bolton says the new approach only makes the old sanctions slightly tougher while allowing Russia to help Iran defend itself from a potential Israeli air strike. So what do the sanctions do? How will Russia help to protect Iran's nukes? Is President Obama really OK with Russian nukes? What reality will we face if the Iranian nukes are fully operational. We ask Ambassador Bolton. |
| Great Threat to Our Well-Being |
| Thu, 20 May 2010 15:00:53 EST President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon have spent the past couple of days savaging Arizona's enforcement of federal laws against illegal immigration. How does California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher react to President Calderon's comments. What is his opinion of President Obama's approach to border security and immigration reform? How does he compare it to President Bush's performance? What is the simplest way to address the problem of illegal immigration? Why does Rohrabacher see illegal immigration as one of the greatest threats to the well-being of all Americans? And how is his own district reacting to the immigration problem? We ask Rep. Rohrabacher. |
| United GOP, Fractured Dems |
| Thu, 20 May 2010 12:38:33 EST Both parties have reason to celebrate and cause for concern following Tuesday's primaries in a number of key states. Will Joe Sestak's win over Arlen Specter propel him to victory in November? Does Blanche Lincoln's lackluster performance give the GOP an edge even if she makes it to the general election? How should the Tea Party feel after a big win in Kentucky but a difficult loss in a special House race? We ask John Gizzi of Human Events, and get his reaction to the Mark Souder sex scandal and the Richard Blumenthal truth scandal. |
| Obama Forfeiting the Middle East |
| Thu, 20 May 2010 11:05:02 EST The Obama administration is touting new sanctions aimed at Iran for its continued nuclear defiance. But former Pentagon official Jed Babbin says the new effort has no teeth. Why does he believe they will be ineffective? Why does he contend the Obama administration is perfectly content to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons? And what blueprint has Iran given to other radical governments to develop nuclear weapons while thwarting international efforts to stop it? |
| Dishonest, Deceptive, Un-American |
| Wed, 19 May 2010 14:48:20 EST On Wednesday, both President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon slammed the new Arizona laws designed to enforce federal laws against illegal immigration. What should we make of a foreign head of state ripping laws passed in the U.S.? What has been the real Obama record on border security? Even if we did secure the border, what would we do about the illegals already here? We ask Iowa Rep. Steve King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, who says critics of the Arizona laws are guilty of deliberate deceiving the American people. |
| Voters Rip Political Establishment |
| Wed, 19 May 2010 14:07:41 EST Sen. Arlen Specter was soundly defeated in Pennsylvania, Sen. Blanche Lincoln may not survive a runoff in Arkansas and the establishment GOP candidate in Kentucky was routed. What do these results tell us about the mood of voters in 2010? What role is the Tea Party having? Why should Republicans be very sobered by Democrats hanging on to an open House seat in Pennsylvania? We get insight from Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. |
| The Trouble with the Karzais |
| Tue, 18 May 2010 15:53:28 EST Ann Marlowe of the Hudson Institute has just returned from her sixth embed assignment with U.S. troops in Afghanistan. What has she learned about Hamid Karzai's brother secretly - and legally - helping our terrorist enemies build improvised explosive devices (IED). How is this happening? What connection is there to President Karzai? What can the U.S. really do about any of this? And what other challenges are facing our troops? We ask Ann Marlowe. |
| Permanent Lockup |
| Tue, 18 May 2010 15:39:22 EST On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that 'sexually dangerous' prisoners can be incarcerated beyond the terms of their prison sentence. Is this a good decision? Can the worst sex offenders be rehabilitated? Are there other ways to 'fix' them? What is most responsible for the apparent rise in sexual predators? And are further laws necessary? We ask Marc Klaas, founder of The Klaas Kids Foundation in honor of his daughter, Polly, who was abducted and killed in 1993. |
| Primary Drama in Pennsylvania |
| Mon, 17 May 2010 14:30:15 EST Tuesday is primary day in Pennsylvania...Will Arlen Specter win a Democratic primary after serving as a Republican in the U.S. Senate for nearly 30 years? Do Republicans want him as their opponent or would they rather see Rep. Joe Sestak as the Democratic nominee? Why does the GOP look like the favorite in the special House race to replace the late Rep. John Murtha? How dissatisfied are voters with the leadership of Gov. Ed Rendell for the past eight years? We ask Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason. |
| The Politics of the Oil Spill |
| Mon, 17 May 2010 13:27:18 EST BP is finally able to capture some of the oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico, but when will the problem really be under control? How can the sensitive coastline be protected? What is the ongoing impact on the economy? What blame does the federal government deserve in this whole mess - beyond President Obama's latest explanation? We ask Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise. |
| EPA Pushes New Climate Mandate |
| Mon, 17 May 2010 10:10:31 EST As climate change legislation lands with a thud in the U.S. Senate, the Obama administration remains undeterred in its pursuit of new restrictions on carbon emissions. So how can the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) do this without Congressional authorization? What does the EPA actually want to do? What would the new regulations mean for your bottom line? We ask Georgia Rep. Tom Price, who is also chairman of the Republican Study Committee - the coalition of House conservatives. |
| Holder, Obama and Radical Islam |
| Fri, 14 May 2010 16:50:48 EST This week in Congressional testimony, Attorney General Eric Holder dodged every attempt to have him confirm that radical Islam is a motivating factor for the likes of the Times Square bomber, the Christmas Day bomber and Maj. Malik Hasan, who carried out the FT. Hood massacre. Why is this significant? Why is the Obama administration so reluctant to admit that radical Islam is a component of the terrorist threat? What is the danger of lacking clarity in explaining who we're fighting? We ask former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense K.T. McFarland, who is now a national security analyst for the Fox News Channel. |
| Inside Terrorist Financing |
| Fri, 14 May 2010 15:04:36 EST On Thursday, the FBI arrested three people in the Northeast connected to the failed Times Square bomb plot. Their main role seems to have been in financing the exploits of Faisal Shahzad through what's known as the Hawala system. What is Hawala? How does it work? Is there a way to stop it effectively? How much money changes hands like this? We ask Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld, author of "Funding Evil: How Terrorism is Financed and How to Stop It". |
| Huge Bureaucracy Just Like Greece |
| Fri, 14 May 2010 11:43:10 EST One of the biggest reasons for the Greek financial crisis was the massive growth in government - and the money need to pay salaries and benefits of the ever-expanding government workforce. So how bad did it get in Greece? How bad is it here? How much bigger does President Obama want the federal bureaucracy to get? How much could our federal workforce be reduced while still performing all essential functions? And can this trend be reversed? We ask Lurita Doan, administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) for President George W. Bush. |
| Kagan Key to Radical Obama Agenda |
| Fri, 14 May 2010 10:54:38 EST While senators try to figure out what type of Supreme Court justice Elena Kagan would be, former Cincinnati mayor and Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell says he already knows. Blackwell says the court and the Constitution are the only remaining hurdles for Obama to overcome in his march to European-style socialism. Why does he believe that? What kind of rulings does Obama expect from his nominees to the high court? What issue coming before the court will have a major impact on where our country heads in the years to come? We ask Blackwell, who is also co-author of a new book entitled "The Blueprint". |
| Climate Bill An Act of Desperation |
| Thu, 13 May 2010 15:42:03 EST Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman are pushing the latest Senate version of climate change legislation. But is it really any different from the controversial bill that passed the House last year? How could it impact your bottom line? What would the bill accomplish even if humans do contribute to climate change? And how much has the massive oil spill hurt the effort to increase domestic energy exploration? We ask Arizona Rep. John Shadegg,a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. |
| More Incumbents in Crosshairs |
| Thu, 13 May 2010 15:29:47 EST It's been a rough week for longtime Congressional incumbents in both parties, and it may continue next week. John Gizzi of Human Events examines the Democratic Senate primaries in Pennsylvania and Arkansas and the GOP fight in Kentucky. We'll also get his insights on the Supreme Court nomination of Elena Kagan and the unusual new coalition formed to rule in Great Britain. |
| 'Great Faith in the Marines' |
| Thu, 13 May 2010 12:02:45 EST South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson serves on two House committees closely connected with the war in Afghanistan. How much progress does he think the U.S. and our allies are making against the Taliban? What kind of fight for Kandahar does he anticipate? Why does he believe Hamid Karzai is the right leader for Afghanistan? And will there be a fierce fight or smooth sailing in the debate over war funding? We ask Rep. Wilson. |
| VIDEO: Obama and Terrorism |
| Thu, 13 May 2010 10:57:19 EST After the close call on the attempted Christmas Day bomber and the near detonation of a car bomb in New York City, is the homeland security system working or have we just been very fortunate? We get insight on the Obama administration's approach to terrorism from California Rep. Dan Lungren. We'll also examine the sudden retirement of Wisconsin Rep. David Obey. |
| Obama Refuses to Identify Enemy |
| Wed, 12 May 2010 15:50:03 EST President Obama says we are making considerable progress in our efforts to crush the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. He also insists there has been no major rift between him and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. But retired U.S. Air Force General Tom McInerney says Obama still won't explain who the enemy is in this war - which is radical Islam. McInerney also discusses the coming fight over Kandahar and whether the Afghans are capable of holding the military successes the U.S. achieves. |
| Congressional Incumbents Beware |
| Wed, 12 May 2010 12:27:17 EST In Tuesday's primary, West Virginia Democrats booted 14-term Rep. Alan Mollohan by a wide margin. That follows Utah Republicans denying Sen. Robert Bennett a spot on their primary ballot for a fourth term. How endangered are incumbents in both parties? Are Senators Arlen Specter and Blanche Lincoln in big trouble in next week's primaries? Could booting the incumbents now actually improve the parties' chances of holding those seats? We ask Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. |
| Inside the New UK Coalition |
| Wed, 12 May 2010 12:09:42 EST Great Britain has a new prime minister in David Cameron, but only after Cameron's Conservative Party forged a coalition with the Liberal Democrats. How will this partnership impact the Conservative agenda? What issues could spark major fights within the coalition? What LibDem ideas will get traction in Parliament? And how will this change in government impact Britain's relationship with the U.S.? We ask former British diplomat Jonathan Clark. |
| Congressional Battle on the Border |
| Wed, 12 May 2010 11:36:43 EST Congressional incumbents are bracing for the wrath of the voters, and Marine Corps combat veteran Jesse Kelly hopes that works to his advantage against Democratic Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. How big of an issue will immigration policy be in this campaign? Why did Kelly enter the race long before the immigration debate erupted again? How does his combat experience impact his approach to national security? And where does he stand on hot-button social issues? We ask the candidate. |
| Christians and Immigration |
| Tue, 11 May 2010 14:58:22 EST While most conservatives are staunch advocates of clamping down on the borders and rejecting any form of amnesty, a group of prominent evangelical leaders say a balanced approach is the way to go. What are the two pillars of their approach to reform? What biblical passages do they cite as the premise for their solutions? And what do they make of the recently approved laws in Arizona? We ask Mathew Staver, chairman and founder of Liberty Counsel and dean of the Liberty University School of Law. |
| Root of Recession Gets Worse |
| Tue, 11 May 2010 14:01:08 EST While Congress works on financial reform legislation, one the leading causes of the ongoing financial crisis remains unaddressed and is getting worse. In recent days, government-subsidized mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac posted massive first quarter losses and are requesting billions more in additional taxpayer bailouts. So why won't Congress and the president demand changes in Fannie and Freddie? Will this change the current financial reform debate? How slow is President Obama in addressing the mortgage crisis? We ask New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett, a member of the House Financial Services Committee. |
| More Warriors in Congress? |
| Tue, 11 May 2010 11:21:54 EST Would an influx of battle-tested veterans bring some badly needed sanity to Congress? That's the view of of the new Warriors for Congress political action committee. Why are veterans the best strategy for reforming Washington, reducing the debt and keeping our nation secure? How many veterans are already running? Who are some of the potential stars in the next freshman class on Capitol Hill? We discuss these questions and more with Melanie Morgan, founder of the Warriors for Congress PAC. |
| No Experience Is Not A Virtue |
| Mon, 10 May 2010 15:32:38 EST On Monday, President Obama nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan as his nominee to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. Kagan is the first nominee in 38 years to have no experience as a judge. Democrats say it is good to have different experiences on the bench but is lack of judicial experience a good thing on the Supreme Court? What can we glean about her judicial philosophy from her time as solicitor general or as dean of the Harvard University Law School? Is it true that Obama had much more radical options for the vacancy on the court? And how should the U.S. Senate proceed on this nomination? We ask Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. He also served as a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. |
| Thousands Homeless in Nashville |
| Mon, 10 May 2010 13:29:57 EST More than a week after record floods devastated countless homes and left some of Nashville's most famous landmarks badly damaged, a massive cleanup effort is in full swing. What are the biggest needs right now? To what extent has the water receded? How has this tragedy galvanized the community? Are folks there frustrated with the lack of media attention? We ask Jeremy Heidt of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. |
| Wall Street, Greece and Chaos |
| Fri, 7 May 2010 14:58:25 EST A bad stretch on Wall Street briefly descended into sheer chaos on Thursday as the Dow Jones Industrial average plummeted nearly 1,000 points before gaining much of it back. So why were investors on edge to begin with? How will Thursday's problems be resolved? How will the Greek debt crisis impact the markets? And will the jobs report have much of an impact in the days ahead? We ask Forbes magazine executive editor Neil Weinberg. |
| Conservatives on the Brink in UK |
| Fri, 7 May 2010 14:42:26 EST British voters delivered a strong rebuke to the ruling Labour Party on Thursday, but while the Conservatives won the most seats, they did not win a majority. How big of a disappointment is this for the Tories? Will the party be able to find help in taking control of parliament? When will all of this get sorted out? And what role will Queen Elizabeth II have in this process? We ask Amanda Bowman, CEO of Atlantic Bridge and close ally of MP Liam Fox, who may be the next secretary of defense. |
| Taking on FEMA and Korea |
| Fri, 7 May 2010 14:31:30 EST The Capitol Steps provide a double feature today as they wonder how Gulf Coast residents feel about the return of FEMA and speculate about why North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il visits China. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| More Jobs, Higher Unemployment |
| Fri, 7 May 2010 11:21:27 EST The Department of Labor reports 290,000 jobs were created in April but the overall unemployment rate actually rose to 9.9 percent. So how encouraging are the additional jobs? What should the numbers look like now that the economy has grown substantially for the past two quarters? What is the 'real' unemployment rate when factoring in part-time workers who would like to be full-time and those who have given hopes of finding work? How will the new health care laws stifle job creation? And how does the immigration debate influence the jobs picture? We ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, former chief economist at the Department of Labor and former chief of staff for the President's Council of Economic Advisers. |
| More Dem Retirements to Come |
| Thu, 6 May 2010 16:36:19 EST John Gizzi of Human events tackles the week's biggest issues. Why does he see the latest terror threat more as luck than good government prevention? How will the politics of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill play out? How will the Greek debt crisis impact the U.S.? Which party will win the British parliamentary elections? Did David Obey retire from Congress on his own terms or because he thought he would lose? And which veteran Dems might follow his lead? |
| The Founders and Faith |
| Thu, 6 May 2010 15:03:07 EST Thursday is the National Day of Prayer, an event proclaimed by the government for generations. But as hostility towards people of faith intensifies and a federal judge even declares the day unconstitutional, what should we really know about the founding fathers and their beliefs? How important was faith in the public square to the likes of George Washington and John Adams? What about supposed deists like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson? What have presidents had to say about faith throughout our history? How did the movement to stifle religious expression gain momentum? And how vital is it for the American people to pray for our nation? We ask Mathew Staver, chairman and founder of Liberty Counsel, a leading defender of religious freedom. |
| Left Pushes Puerto Rico Statehood |
| Thu, 6 May 2010 12:19:08 EST Last week, the House of Representatives approved legislation calling for a non-binding vote of Puerto Ricans on the issue of statehood. Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz is leading the fight against the bill. Why is he concerned? Why would voters on the mainland be allowed to vote on Puerto Rican statehood? How have Puerto Ricans voted in the past? What's the real reason for this push? How are supporters using a convoluted process to accomplish their goals? And what happens next? We ask Rep. Chaffetz. |
| A British Election Nailbiter |
| Thu, 6 May 2010 11:49:51 EST Election Day has arrived in the United Kingdom. The majority Labour party is fighting furiously to keep control of parliament, Conservatives are confident they will return to power for the first time in 13 years and the upstart Liberal Democrats threaten to throw everything into chaos. So which party has the momentum? Why is the public so upset with Labour? Will any party win a majority or will it take a coalition to rule? We ask former British diplomat Jonathan Clark, now a senior fellow with the Carnegie Council. |
| 'Enough is Enough' |
| Wed, 5 May 2010 15:31:33 EST On Wednesday, Wisconsin Rep. David Obey announced he will not seek a 22nd term in the House of Representatives. So why might Obey be leaving Congress? What issues were working against him? What kind of candidate do Republicans have in that district? And just how many seats could the GOP gain this year? We ask Tom Erickson of the National Republican Congressional Committee. |
| 'It Makes No Sense Whatsoever' |
| Wed, 5 May 2010 14:06:08 EST California Rep. Dan Lungren is a member of both the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees. He explains why government officials should not be quick to mirandize terrorism suspects whether they are citizens are not. What should be the policy? Where should terrorism trials be held? Are we getting really good at thwarting attacks or are we just lucky? And what lessons should we learn from this and other recent attempts to strike the U.S.? We ask Rep. Lungren. |
| The Race to Shut Down the Oil Rig |
| Tue, 4 May 2010 16:02:18 EST Louisiana Sen. David Vitter says many efforts have been made to shut off the flow of oil from the offshore rig that exploded last week - but none of them have worked. So what might work? How can the existing oil slick be contained? What is the extent of damage to the Louisiana economy? And how does Vitter react to the political controversies concerning BP, offshore drilling and more? |
| The Terror Case to Come |
| Tue, 4 May 2010 15:40:55 EST On Tuesday, Attorney General Eric Holder announced five criminal charges against Faisal Shahzad, the man accused of trying to detonate a massive car bomb in New York City over the weekend. How much does this case change because Shahzad is a U.S. citizen? How much sensitive intelligence will be revealed in civilian court? What does this attempted attack teach us about the Pakistani Taliban? We ask Jonathan Schanzer, vice president of research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. |
| 'It Will Take Months to Recover' |
| Tue, 4 May 2010 14:26:23 EST This past weekend, multiple states were hammered by fierce thunderstorms than dumped record amounts of rain in many areas - including downtown Nashville, Tennessee. What are the flood waters doing now? How have some of Nashville's famous landmarks been impacted? Why are severe water restrictions now in place and how are people responding to them? We ask Meg Buenting, longtime Radio America producer, who is now based in Nashville. |
| Iran Rattles the Nuke Sabre Again |
| Mon, 3 May 2010 16:46:41 EST Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was back at the United Nations on Monday, defending his own nation's nuclear program and accusing the United states and Israel of using their nuclear programs to bully the international community. But why did he draw the spotlight at a time when the most of the world is perfectly content to ignore the threat posed by his regime? Will the U.S. sell out Israel in an effort to stop Iranian nukes? Or has the U.S. run out of patience with the radicals in Tehran? We ask retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis. |
| We Need to Shut Off the Oil Rig |
| Mon, 3 May 2010 15:03:48 EST Oil giant BP and government officials at every level are working feverishly to minimize the devastation caused by the growing oil slick spawned by the the oil rig that exploded almost two weeks ago. Can the oil flow be stopped? How effective are efforts to contain the mess? How much of the coastline has been impacted? What is the economic toll? And how strong has the federal response been to this disaster? We ask Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise. |
| Finding the Times Square Bomber |
| Mon, 3 May 2010 14:22:14 EST Over the weekend, a crude but massive bomb was found in the back of an SUV in New York City's Times Square. So where do authorities start the hunt for the attacker and possibly others who are part of the plot? How do they separate solid leads from the flimsy ones? And what lessons have been learned by the way police responded to the threat? We ask retired FBI agent Bob Hamer, a former member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. |
| Politics as Usual on Oil Spill |
| Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:47:48 EST As state, federal and industry officials race to clean up a major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, some lawmakers in Washington say this disaster is proof that offshore exploration should not be part of our nation's energy solutions. Do they have a point or are they just grandstanding? How will this impact the energy debate? And how safe is offshore drilling? We ask Patrick Creighton of the American Energy Alliance. |
| Crist's Desperate Measures |
| Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:55:00 EST On Thursday, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist announced he would leave the Republican Party and continue his campaign for U.S. Senate as an independent. But how will this switch be viewed by voters? Will Crist have to run to the left to have a chance? What message does this campaign send to national Republicans as base voters and independents reject their hand-picked candidates in Florida and other places? Will the rise of grass roots GOP candidates make life easier or harder for Democrats in November? What will be the Democratic strategy? We ask Richard Benedetto, former longtime White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. |
| Obama, Ft. Hood and Terrorism |
| Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:23:20 EST It's been nearly six months since Maj. Nidal Hasan carried out his massacre of fellow Army service members at Ft. Hood, Texas. Investigations have failed to conclude that radical Islamic motives were behind the attack despite volumes of evidence and the testimony of eyewitnesses at the scene of the killings. So why won't the government admit what fueled the killings? Why is it vital for the government to do so? How has this added to the anguish of the families of those killed and wounded? We ask Rep. John Carter, whose Congressional district contains Ft. Hood. |
| 'It's Still A Bailout Bill' |
| Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:26:11 EST New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett says Senate Republicans agreed to move forward on a financial reform bill that is still nothing more than a bailout plan. Why does he believe that even after the controversial $50 billion fund appears to be off the table? What does the plan do about Fannie and Freddie? What insight does he have on the process for this bill in the House and Senate? What needs to be included in meaningful reform and what needs to be left out of it? We ask Rep. Garrett. |
| Crist Switch Won't Work |
| Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:37:46 EST As Florida Gov. Charlie Crist leaves the GOP to run for U.S. Senate as an independent, John Gizzi of Human Events says the tactic will not work. Why does he see Crist fading down the stretch and why won't the Democrat take advantage of the three-man race? Who does Gizzi see emerging from the Indiana GOP senate primary? Have Republicans caved on financial reform or are there many more twists and turns to come in this debate? And which party will win the British parliamentary elections? We'll discuss all of this with John Gizzi. |
| Reform Bill is Fannie Mae 2.0 |
| Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:49:35 EST The mortgage crisis was a major factor in the Wall Street crisis, but the new financial reform bill once again demands that banks give mortgages to low-income people who can't afford them. What else does the bill provide? Why is this a great deal for banks but not the taxpayers? Why is the president's choice to lead the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency another red flag? And should the Senate Republicans have allowed debate to begin? We ask Brian Johnson, federal affairs manager at Americans for Tax Reform. |
| VIDEO: Immigration and Israel |
| Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:19:35 EST Posted on 04/28/10 |
| Police and Immigration |
| Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:34:37 EST Police in Arizona will soon be tasked with cracking down on illegal immigrants. What will that look like? What is profiling and how is it different than racial profiling? How has Janet Napolitano made enforcement of the new laws much more difficult? Will police really use reasonable cause or will they just randomly target Hispanics? We ask Jim Kouri, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. |
| Supreme Court Backs Desert Cross |
| Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:24:43 EST The Supreme Court made it clear that a cross on public land does not violate the establishment clause in the first amendment to the Constitution. However, the high court also left it up to lower courts to finally resolve a dispute over a Mojave Desert memorial to veterans which is in the form of a cross. So what happens now? Is this decision a precedent for future cases about religious symbols and expression on public grounds? Why is the other side really trying to remove any notion of religion from the public square? We ask Joe Infranco, senior counsel at the Alliance Defense Fund. |
| Obama Ruins Financial Reform |
| Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:40:50 EST On Wednesday, Senate Republicans blocked Democratic financial reform legislation for the third consecutive day. A growing number of GOP senators say a good, bipartisan deal was on the verge of completion. So what happened? What common ground was the committee finding? Why is the Democratic leadership pushing the original, disputed bill? What responsibility does President Obama bear for all of this? How does it fly in the face of of public statements blaming Republicans for the partisan deadlock? And what does Obama really think of the American people? We ask South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint. We also get his thoughts on the immigration debate and why conservative upstarts are thriving in this election year while the establishment candidates are struggling. |
| Cutting Off Obamacare at the IRS |
| Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:44:37 EST The new health care laws will soon force virtually all Americans to purchase government-approved coverage. Compliance will be verified through your tax returns. So Louisiana Rep. John Fleming is pushing legislation to block funding for the IRS to hire more than 16,000 new agents who would be tasked with enforcing the mandate. What does his bill say? Does it have any chance of passage? How would this stop the government from mandating coverage? We ask Rep. Fleming. |
| Candidate Obama vs. Pres. Obama |
| Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:28:29 EST President Obama went to Iowa again on Tuesday to push his agenda on jobs and energy. Why does Obama keep going to Iowa to campaign for his legislative goals? How does the state that vaulted him ahead of Hillary Clinton and into the White House feel about his job as president? What is the state of the economy in Iowa? And will Iowa Republicans embrace to clash with the Tea Party movement? We ask Matt Strawn, chairman of the Iowa Republican Party. |
| Dems Want Bailout Fund |
| Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:32:35 EST Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the Democratic version of financial reform legislation, saying is creates a permanent bailout culture. Democrats say the vote shows Republicans are defending the status quo on Wall Street by opposing the bill. California Rep. Tom McClintock explains why he believes there is no doubt that Democrats plan to soak taxpayers again with this bailout fund. We'll ask him how people should decide which party is telling the truth, and we'll get his thoughts on President Obama considering a Value Added Tax to help pay down the deficit and the dismal report on the new health care laws from the president's own Department of Health and Human Services. |
| Arizona Won't Be Any Safer |
| Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:23:52 EST The national immigration debate is raging again, following the new laws passed in Arizona. Supporters say the federal government is failing to secure this nation and stop the flood of illegals, but critics like Ali Noorani of the National Immigration Forum say this law won't help Arizona. He says it will only encourage immigrants to hide from police and not report crimes committed against them. Why does he say any law passed by the state government is a bad idea? What does he want from Congress? Does he like the Bush version of immigration reform? And would a crackdown on illegals be OK if there were more specific guidelines on when people could be confronted by police. |
| Pirates Back With a Vengeance |
| Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:36:44 EST Last year, Somali pirates captured an American vessel and took the captain prisoner. Navy SEALs then rescued the captain and killed the pirates. But the pirates are back and causing more havoc than ever over a wider area than ever. How have they done this? Where is their money coming from? What strategy would work best against the pirates? And where does the piracy problem rank on the list of international problems? We get insights from retired U.S. Navy Captain Chuck Nash. |
| An Insidious Invasion |
| Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:18:12 EST Protests continue in Arizona against new immigration enforcement laws. Critics say the laws codify racial profiling and push illegal immigrants deeper into the shadows of society. But Al Garza of the Patriots Coalition strongly disagrees. He explains why profiling happens all the time but is now being demonized and why he's not worried about lowering cooperation of illegals with the police. He also discusses why neither party is serious about border security. |
| You're Paying for Financial Reform |
| Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:28:53 EST Senate Democrats will try to pass their version of financial regulatory reform today. At the center of this debate is a fund of more than $50 billion designed to prevent taxpayers from having to bail out another Wall Street failure. So why will taxpayers end up on the hook for this fund instead of the banks that will be ordered to pay into the fund? What should be the course of action for teetering financial institutions? Just how much government intervention is headed to the financial industry? And what will be the impact on businesses around the country? We ask James Gattuso, senior fellow in regulatory studies at the Heritage Foundation. |
| Going Green |
| Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:05:50 EST The Capitol Steps celebrate Earth Day by taking us all to a singles mixer for the environmentally conscious. |
| HHS Uncovers Obamacare Horrors |
| Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:42:23 EST Just one month after President Obama signed health care reform legislation, the government's own Department of Health and Human Services is pointing out some major flaws in the bill. Why are projected cost savings now turning into bigger deficits? Why could millions be cut from their current plans? Why will many face higher health care costs despite promises to the contrary? Why is the new CLASS Act for long term care doomed to failure before it even starts? And what does the future hold for Medicare patients? We ask Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute. |
| 'Pro-Life' Dems on Defense |
| Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:24:31 EST Last month several Democratic members of Congress decided to support the Democratic health bill despite failing to insert language to ban taxpayer-funded abortions. Now several of these lawmakers who label themselves as pro-life are the targets of a $1 million ad campaign to boot them from office. So why do pro-life groups see this vote as the true measure of where these members stand on abortion? Which members will be targeted? Should the president's executive order on abortion earn them some slack? And what should we expect from President Obama's upcoming Supreme Court nomination when it comes to abortion? We ask Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List. |
| Iran Invades Latin America |
| Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:50:32 EST As if the pursuit of nuclear weapons and efforts to kill American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan weren't enough, Iran is now strengthening it's foothold in Latin America through increasingly close ties with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. What does Venezuela have that Iran badly needs? What aspect of authoritarian control is Iran exporting to Venezuela? How quickly is the Chavez ideology spreading? And what should be the U.S. policy to contain it? We ask Jaime Daremblum, former U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica and director of the Center for Latin American Studies at the Hudson Institute. |
| This Won't Stop Another Crisis |
| Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:41:03 EST President Obama says Democratic financial reform legislation is the best way to avoid a repeat of the economic crisis of 2008 that is still hurting America today. Not true according to former Joint Economic Committee chief economist Brian Wesbury. He explains why this legislation won't stop another financial crisis, why opponents are not lying when they point out that Democrats are establishing a permanent bailout approach, what really caused the crisis and what strategy would actually do some good. |
| The Truth About Carbon Dioxide |
| Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:55:47 EST As the climate change movement pushes Cap and Trade legislation and carbon emission regulations on Earth Day 2010, what are the facts about carbon dioxide and its impact on the earth? Are levels rising? Is that actually a bad thing? What impact would Cap and Trade have on the environment? What does it mean that global temperatures are falling even as carbon dioxide levels are rising? We ask Leighton Steward, author of "Fire, Ice and Paradise". |
| Iran Targets U.S. in Afghanistan |
| Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:16:33 EST In addition to developing nuclear weapons, one of the worst kept Iranian secrets is its fervent support of America's radical enemies inside Iraq. But now that same effort to kill our soldiers and destabilize a key ally is happening to a greater and greater degree in Afghanistan. How big of an impact are Iranian weapons and money having on the Taliban's efforts to retake the country? How much is Iran cranking up its involvement? Should this shred any hopes of Iran being talked out of its nuclear ambitions? And now that the military is admitting Iranian meddling, what should President Obama do? We get the latest from Stephen Hayes of The Weekly Standard. |
| Ex-Gays Slam GOP, Steele |
| Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:18:34 EST Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele repeatedly refuses to meet with ex-gays, who wish to correct Steele's public statement that he doesn't think ex-gays exist. Why won't the RNC agree to these meetings? What would ex-gays tell Steele in response to his contention that gays are like black people and their status can't change? Why is there so much hostility aimed at ex-gays? And what does the RNC risk in ignoring and alienating such groups? We ask Christopher Doyle, who serves on the board of directors at Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX). |
| 'A Massive Flow of Illegals' |
| Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:20:34 EST The immigration debate is heating up again as Arizona lawmakers approve legislation giving authorities more power to apprehend suspected illegal immigrants. Critics call the bill everything from racial profiling to Nazi-like. California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher tells us in plain language why he likes the bill and explains what he sees as the real agenda of those who are soft on immigration policy. Rohrabacher also goes after Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham for being "aggressively wrong" on immigration and says voters need to hold them to account. |
| 'A Relationship in Crisis' |
| Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:03:16 EST As Israel marks 62 years of independence, how much is the relationship between our nations deteriorating? Why? What is Obama overlooking on the part of the Palestinians while he scolds Israel for new construction? How much leverage does the U.S. have against Israel? And how does Israel plan against a nuclear Iran when no one seems to know how soon Iran will have nuclear weapons? We ask Clifford May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. |
| A Tale of Two Countries |
| Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:53:18 EST Retired U.S. Navy Captain Chuck Nash says things are looking good in Iraq - not only because the top two Al Qaeda leaders were killed in the same mission but because Iraqis led and succeeded in carrying out a very tough operation. So how far have the Iraqis come and how degraded is Al Qaeda in Iraq? But Nash says the admission that the U.S. does not have a real plan for a nuclear Iran shows just how much we've dropped the ball on that issue. How have we done so little to prepare for a nuclear Iran? What will deter them? Listen here... |
| Airlines Suffering Huge Losses |
| Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:53:13 EST Airline industry expert and veteran airline reporter David Field explains how much money the airlines are losing as the Icelandic volcano continues to ground tens of thousands of flights. Why is this ground halt so expensive? How long will it take to get the flight schedule back to normal once the skies are clear? We'll also get David's thoughts on the debate over charging fees for carry-on bags. |
| Squelching Religious Freedom |
| Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:00:06 EST Now that health care legislation has passed, openly gay Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank is pushing the latest element in the homosexual agenda - the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. What does this bill supposedly do? What would it really force employers to accept in the workplace? Why do many believe it will take important rights away from Christian and non-Christian employers around the country? What it the outlook for this bill in Congress? We ask Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel. |
| Pataki Launches Obamacare Repeal |
| Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:12:45 EST Former New York Gov. George Pataki is starting a new organization called Revere America, and it's first goal is to repeal the recently passed health care legislation. So why is health care repeal the first goal? How will the repeal effort work? What other issues will the group highlight? And why does Pataki believe leading this group will be more effective than running for the U.S. Senate or some other public office? We ask Gov. Pataki. |
| Judge Garland on the High Court? |
| Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:06:03 EST Who will be the next Supreme Court justice? President Obama has yet to announce his nominee, but John Gizzi of Human Events believes Obama will stay close to Washington and choose a more moderate judge than many on the Left or Right anticipate. Gizzi also evaluates the president's public push on nuclear weapons, the state of the RNC and what impact the Tea Party will have on the midterm elections. |
| Scrap the Tax Code |
| Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:27:32 EST As Americans face today's federal income tax deadline, how fair is the current code? How are big government supporters engaging in blatant class warfare? What are the best ways to reform the tax code? What will be the impact of ending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans? And how big of an issue will taxes and spending be in this year's campaign? |
| Obamacare Flaws Even Hurt Congress |
| Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:14:58 EST Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso says Nancy Pelosi was right about one thing...we are learning more every day what was in the health bill. But he says each additional revelation is evidence of why the bill should have been rejected and should be repealed. Barrasso also explains why the U.S. got the short end of the stick in the latest START agreement with Russia over nuclear weapons. The senator also explains why Republicans continue to demand that Democrats find money to pay for the extension of unemployment benefits. Finally, Sen. Barrasso details what America needs - and doesn't need - in our next Supreme Court justice. |
| Big Labor Losing Top Dog |
| Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:06:04 EST Reports suggest Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern will be stepping down after many years on the job. What is his real legacy? How has his leadership impacted the lives of union and non-union workers? Why is he leaving now? and just how much influence does he have on President Obama and Congressional Democrats? We ask Katie Packer of the Workforce Fairness Institute. |
| Obamacare to Trigger More Fraud |
| Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:07:12 EST One of the promises behind the new health care laws was that it would drastically reduce the amount of waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system. But the new plan will probably make things even worse, according to former Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Tevi Troy. So why will fraud increase? Why is President Obama misleading us when he talks about the amount of money that will be saved in the next 10 years? What would really slash waste, fraud and abuse? |
| Wrong on Nukes, Wrong on Iran |
| Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:22:27 EST Retired U.S. Army Gen. Paul Vallely says we shouldn't expect China to help us deter Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Why is it not in China's interest to help us? Why does Vallely see Obama's nuclear policy leading us down a dangerous road? Why does Vallely believe Iran is much closer to a nuclear weapon than the Obama team estimates? And what new venture is Vallely promoting to defend the homeland? |
| Dems Drop Ball on Spending...Again |
| Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:05:24 EST A familiar fight has returned to the U.S. Senate. Democrats say unemployment assistance is so vital, it does not need to be offset by spending cuts. Republicans also say the aid is vital but MUST not be adding to our already monstrous debt. So who is right? How hard is it to find the money to pay for these benefits? And how often will we see this fight? We ask James Sherk, Bradley Fellow in Labor Policy at the Heritage Foundation. |
| SWAP Out Obamacare |
| Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:04:01 EST South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson says Congress needs to change course immediately on health care as more unsavory components of the new laws come to light. Wilson says many parts should be taken out, other provisions should be preserved and new patient-centered policies should be implemented. Listen to our discussion with Rep. Wilson to learn what his SWAP plan would do. |
| Time Running Short on Iran |
| Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:22:03 EST President Obama is hosting a major nuclear summit Monday and Tuesday in Washington. What are the goals of the summit? What will determine whether the conference is a success? How much of the talk will be about Iran's nuclear ambitions? And how will the handling of the Iranian threat impact U.S.-Israeli relations? We ask retired U.S. Army Col. Bob Maginnis. |
| Sun Sets for Dawn Johnsen |
| Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:44:57 EST After months of vocal opposition and no Senate confirmation, Dawn Johnsen has withdrawn her name from consideration to head the Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department. So what's the problem with Johnsen? What she have been doing in this job? Why is this controversy still not over even as Johnsen departs? We ask Wendy Wright, president at Concerned Women for America. We also ask her about the coming Supreme Court confirmation process and an apparent Obama litmus test in his eventual nominee. |
| Democrats Perpetuating Racism |
| Fri, 9 Apr 2010 14:52:15 EST Just as lawmakers prepared to take the final votes on health care reform, Democrats accused opponents of the overhaul plan of being racists and exaggerated stories from that weekend's confrontations as evidence. Pajamas CEO Roger Simon says this latest episode just proved that Democrats are the party trying to win votes by dividing America along racial lines. Why does he say the charge of racism is just a distraction from the fact Democrats can't win a debate on the merits? Why don't Democrats get in trouble for lobbing allegations of racism? Will this tactic persist or is wearing thin in the public? |
| Wasted Tax Dollars |
| Fri, 9 Apr 2010 13:53:47 EST Citizens Against Government Waste has spent years exposing rampant government waste and pork barrel spending. Now you can help to chronicle misuse of your tax dollars. CAGW President Tom Schatz explains how you can assist the effort, and he discusses some of the most egregious components of the $787 billion stimulus package. |
| States Prove Big Government Fails |
| Fri, 9 Apr 2010 11:24:17 EST The entire country is suffering through a difficult economy, but some states are still doing well while others are hopelessly in debt and driving businesses and residents to other states. What's the biggest difference between these states? Why is additional federal money actually a bad thing for the states? And why is the state income tax one of the worst ideas for raising revenue? We ask Jonathan Williams, co-author of "Rich States, Poor States", a report from the American Legislative Exchange Council. |
| Freedom Finally Comes to Kyrgzstan |
| Thu, 8 Apr 2010 15:12:31 EST For the second time in five years, the people of Kyrgyzstan have toppled the government in pursuit of much greater freedoms. What will this development mean for the key military base we have there as part of the mission in Afghanistan? Will Russia be meddling with the new government? We ask Ilan Berman of the American Foreign Policy Council, and we also find out why he thinks it's a mistake for the president to make more nuclear concessions by signing a new treaty with Russia today. |
| Just Say No to VAT |
| Thu, 8 Apr 2010 13:53:52 EST Earlier this week, presidential economic adviser Paul Volcker said a value-added tax may be necessary if the U.S. hopes to reduce deficits and reform entitlements. We get reaction from New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett. What is a value-added tax? Is it a good idea? Would it simplify the tax code or just pile on to our tax bill? We also get Garrett's thoughts on the debate to reform regulation for the banks and Wall Street. |
| More Obamacare Headaches |
| Wed, 7 Apr 2010 15:21:49 EST Two weeks after President Obama signed the health care reform bill into law, more components of the plan are coming to light. What additional demands is the federal government putting on states to provide coverage to more people, and how much will it cost? Why are many people calling up doctors and insurers to demand free health care? And how will health care supporters defend the provision giving taxpayer-funded erectile dysfunction medication to convicted sex offenders - especially when the Senate had the chance to remove the language? We ask all these questions to Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute. |
| Middle Ground or Smokescreen? |
| Wed, 7 Apr 2010 14:26:48 EST President Obama says he will allow expanded offshore oil and natural gas exploration. But is this proof that he is open to all ideas or is it a clever ploy that actually limits access further while scoring him political points? We'll hear why Louisiana Sen. David Vitter and Arizona Rep. John Shadegg see this move as deceptive and why they think it will actually lead to less exploration. |
| Karzai Incompetence = Shaky Future |
| Wed, 7 Apr 2010 14:21:23 EST The U.S. military is defeating our enemies in Afghanistan and will keep defeating them. But what will happen when we hand over a secure Afghanistan to the Karzai government? What's the best way to prepare for a successful future in Afghanistan? Should Obama disinvite Karzai to Washington over recent comments about joining the Taliban? And why is the Obama administration once again banning certain terminology in the war against radical Islamists. |
| A Time to Betray |
| Wed, 7 Apr 2010 11:38:50 EST Iranian Revolutionary Guard member Reza Kahlili was appalled by what he saw from the radical Muslim leadership in his nation nearly 30 years ago. So he kept his job but began spying for the CIA. Over the years, Kahlili (not his real name) funneled critical intelligence to the West - only to see it largely ignored. So what can he tell us about the extremists running Iran? What brutality have they committed? What is their relationship to terrorist groups and even the Lockerbie bombing? And what does he envision if Iran fully develops nuclear weapons? Listen here for his insider analysis of this major threat. |
| Nuke Plan Weakens U.S., Allies |
| Tue, 6 Apr 2010 15:10:30 EST On Tuesday, President Obama unveiled a revised nuclear policy - one focused on nuclear prevention and deterrence, vowing not to develop additional nukes and promising not to use a nuke on a non-nuclear nation. Is this tangible progress toward a nuke-free world or is Obama willingly weakening the U.S. and our allies? We ask Arizona Rep. Trent Franks, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. |
| Big Elections Before the Midterms |
| Tue, 6 Apr 2010 14:16:23 EST Both Republicans and Democrats are getting ready for critical midterm elections coming up in November. Long before American voters head to the polls, Britain will hold key parliamentary elections - exactly one month from today. What are the key issues in the campaign? How important is the U.S.-British relationship as an issue? And where would President Obama and British Conservative Party leader David Cameron find common ground? We ask Amanda Bowman, CEO of Atlantic Bridge, which was founded by a Conservative member of parliament who may be the UK's next defense secretary. |
| Dems Pushing 'Permanent Bailout' |
| Tue, 6 Apr 2010 12:54:06 EST While the health care debate continues until the midterm elections and beyond, the next big issue on the Congressional agenda is reforming the nation's financial regulatory system - an effort designed to prevent a Wall Street meltdown like we suffered in 2008. Democrats are pushing two different versions of this reform. What is the basic approach in these bills? How are they similar and how are they different? Why would the government be taking over bailing out more firms than ever? And why would a plan supposedly designed to benefit the consumer actually hurt us badly? We ask Georgia Rep. Tom Price, who also leads the coalition of House conservatives. |
| Karzai Threatens Taliban Alliance |
| Mon, 5 Apr 2010 15:32:48 EST Dr. Walid Phares of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies discusses the suggestion by Afghan President Hamid Karzai that he might align with the Taliban. Why is Karzai saying this? And what does Dr. Phares believe is behind Iran's increasingly defiant attitude regarding its nuclear program? |
| The Next Confirmation Fight |
| Mon, 5 Apr 2010 13:56:17 EST Over the weekend, we learned that longtime Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens (who is almost 90 years old) plans to retire as soon as this summer. What should we make of his public desire to have President Obama name his successor? What is the legacy of Stevens on the high court? And what kind of fight can we expect over the next Obama nominee? We ask Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. |
| Drilling Plan Masks Bad Agenda |
| Thu, 1 Apr 2010 15:53:53 EST Louisiana Sen. David Vitter is very skeptical about the president's plan to allow more offshore drilling. Why does he think we will see little to no new drilling? What does he think the president is trying to accomplish through this? What can we expect from the Senate on energy legislation? |
| Campaign Won't Help Obamacare |
| Thu, 1 Apr 2010 15:40:17 EST John Gizzi of Human Events reviews the week in politics. Why does he believe Obama's effort to sell the health plan won't dent the entrenched opposition to this massive plan? What major power does the government take away from states in the health plan? Are President Obama and French President Nicholas Sarkozy making any real progress on Iran? What has Obama really negotiated in the new START treaty with Russia? And who will win the rematch in this year's Maryland governor's race? |
| You Fill Out Your Census |
| Thu, 1 Apr 2010 15:33:21 EST The Capitol Steps examine the U.S. Census, which is dominated by questions about race. |
| Obama Has 'No Credibility' on Iran |
| Thu, 1 Apr 2010 12:43:47 EST This week, President Obama and French President Nicholas Sarkozy emphasized their commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons through tough sanctions. But former Assistant Secretary of Defense Frank Gaffney says that is just wishful thinking. Why does Gaffney say the sanctions strategy only helps Iran to complete nuclear weapons? What should Obama be doing? Is there any realistic option remaining besides an Israeli strike? |
| Obama Restricting Drilling |
| Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:42:21 EST On Wednesday, President Obama announced he would allow expanded offshore drilling for oil and natural gas. So how is this 'expansion' really a reduction in areas where exploration is allowed? What is Obama really trying to accomplish? What will be the signs that he's really serious about offshore exploration? We ask Patrick Creighton of the Institute for Energy Research. |
| Maryland Dems Protect Gansler |
| Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:32:56 EST On Wednesday, Maryland Del. Don Dwyer introduced articles of impeachment against state attorney general Doug Gansler after Gansler unilaterally overturned the definition of marriage. Gansler also declared himself unimpeachable. So how did the Democratic majority in the legislature respond? What will happen to the impeachment effort now? How are the people of Maryland reacting to this whole debate? We ask Del. Dwyer. |
| Congress vs. Business on Obamacare |
| Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:20:24 EST Texas Rep. Michael Burgess is very critical of House Democrats, who plan to haul business executives before the Energy and Commerce Committee if they claim the new health care laws will cost them tens of millions of dollars due to the removal of certain tax exemptions. What is the real point of such hearings and what is the real impact on businesses from the legislation? Rep. Burgess also explains why he's not overly impressed with President Obama's plan to allow additional offshore oil and gas drilling. |
| Troops Winning, Karzai Failing |
| Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:40:07 EST Marine Corps veteran Bing West recently returned from yet another embed mission with American forces in Afghanistan. What has he observed first-hand about the fight? How do the troops feel about the restrictive rules of engagement? What is the greatest hindrance to long-term stability in Afghanistan? Is President Obama doing enough to demand change in the Afghan government? |
| Obamacare Drowning in Red Ink |
| Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:17:18 EST Former Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin explains just how contrived the accounting is in the new health care law. Holtz-Eakin explains what the cost will be over the first 10 years of the program actually being in effect. He also explains how Congress is raiding money from Social Security and Medicare to help cover this new entitlement - and how money is being stolen from a another program just created by the same bill! So how much debt will we see? How will Congress try to cover the massive shortfall? And how much will premiums go up on top of everything else? |
| Dems Make College More Expensive |
| Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:08:18 EST On Tuesday, President Obama signed the 'fixes' bill for the major health care bill he signed a week ago. Included in the legislation is a government takeover of the student loan industry. So what will be the immediate and long term impacts of this move? Why will this make college tuitions go even higher? Will this allow the government to play favorites and make more demands on colleges and universities? We ask Rich Brake of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. |
| Radical Islam on Two Fronts |
| Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:22:11 EST Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Tom McInerney discusses Monday's terrorist attacks against subway passengers in Moscow. He says we can be sure it was radical Muslims - most likely from Chechnya. He says Russia will issue an overwhelming response and he hopes it will convince Russia to work earnestly to stop Iran's nuclear weapons program. In the wake of President Obama's surprise trip over the weekend, Gen. McInerney also explains how the fight is going well in Afghanistan and why our own rules of engagement hinder even more progress. |
| Taxes Galore |
| Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:54:28 EST Peter Sepp of the National Taxpayers Union explains why the recently passed health care plan has many major firms looking at hundreds of millions in additional costs if they hope to comply with the new guidelines on prescription drug coverage. He also describes many more tax provisions that will hurt large and small businesses, impose a marriage penalty and clearly break his campaign pledge to raise taxes only on the very rich. And you'll learn about a dirty little trick inserted into the bill that may tax you soon if not right away. |
| VIDEO: Health 'Fixes', Israel Mess |
| Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:33:42 EST News Director Greg Corombos discusses health care 'fixes' and the intense backlash to health care passage. He also examines President Obama's frosty relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Guests include South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint and former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani. |
| Nuke Deal OK, No Help on Iran |
| Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:41:15 EST Hudson Institute expert Richard Weitz says the U.S. and Russia were wise to reach a new agreement on nuclear weapons, but not much has really changed in terms of policy because of this deal. So what does it do? How tough are the verification measures? Will Russia actually help us stop Iran from gaining nukes? And which side is calling the shots in this relationship? |
| 'This Is A Job-Killing Bill' |
| Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:01:36 EST California Rep. Dan Lungren says realities of the health bill and the follow-up bill of fixes is already crippling major companies and forcing others overseas. Lungren says companies with retiree benefits will take a huge hit and so will anyone who invests money in private sector job growth. Lungren also discusses the charged atmosphere on Capitol Hill - a tension he says the Democratic majority could have easily avoided. |
| Obamacare Damage Already Seen |
| Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:22:55 EST Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute explains what's in the so-called 'fixes' to the new health care laws. Why will major companies be hurt? Why are many doctors ready to quit? Why are seniors getting the shaft? And why will Democrats still be short on revenue despite massive tax increases? |
| Cash for Codgers |
| Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:43:46 EST Passions on both sides of the health care debate remain very intense, even after passage of the Democratic legislation. So the Capitol Steps are considering another option to reform the system that might appeal to both parties. |
| 'It Needs to Be Thrown Out' |
| Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:07:10 EST South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint says the second health bill only makes a horrible bill worse. Whose taxes will be going higher and how will college students be impacted by a government takeover of the student loan industry? What does DeMint say to moderates who warn repealing the health bill a few years from now would kill a few popular programs? And what does he have to say about the allegations of Democrats that Tea Party members are threatening and cursing at Democrats who supported the bill? |
| Rudy Rips Obama Over Israel |
| Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:23:40 EST Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani says President Obama is sending a terrible message to the world by scolding Israel over new settlements and being far more harsh on one of strongest allies than on the Palestinians who refuse to renounce terrorism. Giuliani says Obama is trying to curry favor with the Muslim world but is only making us seem weaker. He says there is only one way to deal with Islamic radicals. Giuliani also offers his thoughts on the current political climate. |
| 'A Repeat of 1994' |
| Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:02:08 EST John Gizzi predicted for months that health legislation would never become law. Now that is has, why does he believe his prediction was wrong? Will the reconciliation process hit any snags as Congress works on the 'fixes' bill? How will this issue impact the November elections? What does he think about the threats issued against lawmakers who supported the health care bill? In other news...How frayed are U.S.-Israeli relations? And which acting great and friend of Gizzi's passed away in recent days? |
| From Obamacare to Cap & Trade? |
| Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:02:44 EST Reports suggest Democratic leaders may follow up a divisive debate on health care with an equally polarizing fight over cap and trade energy legislation. Arizona Rep. John Shadegg says the Democratic plan is a guaranteed job-killer and cripples our ability to safely extract abundant quantities of our own energy. Shadegg also explains how this health care 'fixes' bill demolishes the private sector student loan industry. |
| Marriage Enters Health Debate |
| Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:28:15 EST This week, the Senate is taking up the bill of health care 'fixes' through the reconciliation process. Republicans are bringing forth all sorts of proposed amendments and Democrats will do their best to make sure the bill passed by the House does not change at all. Republicans plan to offer an amendment that would suspend the legalization of gay marriage in Washington, DC, until voters of the nation's capital have their way. So how will the vote likely go? Can Democrats wiggle out of a costly political vote by claiming the issue is just designed to disrupt the health bill? And what's the latest on the court fight over marriage in DC? We ask Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage. |
| Obama to Iowa, GOP Ready |
| Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:02:13 EST President Obama will launch an effort on Thursday to convince America that passing the health reform bill was the right thing to do - despite sustained public opposition. So what response will the Iowa Republican Party have waiting for him? Why do Iowans have a much different impression of Obama than they did two years ago? How will the health care vote impact three Democratic House members in November? We ask Iowa Republican Party Chairman Matthew Strawn. |
| States Rally Against Obamacare |
| Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:09:43 EST Christie Herrera of the American Legislative Exchange Council says the passage of the Democratic health bill is triggering a feverish effort in 39 states to pass laws protecting residents from having to comply with the bill's requirement for all adults to purchase government-approved health insurance. How does this work in conjunction with the efforts of 13 states today to sue the government over the mandate? Is this debate partisan or bipartisan at the state level? Why are many state lawmakers worried about going broke over the new laws in addition to the loss of freedom for their constituents? How strong is the Constitutional ground for these proposed state laws? |
| Obama's Israel Problem |
| Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:15:52 EST Today, President Obama is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in what will likely be an intense meeting over settlements, the peace process and Iranian nuclear ambitions. Why is Obama being so tough on Israel over settlements? Are the new settlements even in disputed territory? Does Obama see Israel as a bigger problem than Hamas? What can Obama really do about the Iranian nuclear threat? And what message is being sent when Obama will not allow any photos or video of his meeting with Netanyahu? We ask retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis, now a senior strategist with the U.S. Army. |
| Obamacare Unconstitutional |
| Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:24:28 EST Texas Rep. Ted Poe was also a judge for many years before coming to Washington. Why does he think the individual mandate fails to meet Constitutional standards? How would his legislation stop the mandate from being enforced? How confident is he that state challenges to the new law will be upheld? |
| Dems on Obamacare Defensive |
| Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:05:29 EST On Sunday, many House Democrats cast votes that could come back to haunt them in November. One of those key races is in Florida's 22nd Congressional district where Democrat Ron Klein is trying to keep his job. We talk with GOP challenger Allen West, who says this bill will badly hurt the many Medicare recipients in the district. He also says instead of punishing insurance companies, this plan will make them richer than ever. So how big will this issue be in the midterm campaign? How did Klein duck the issue inside the district? What will determine who wins in November? |
| 'We Can Declare Victory' |
| Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:44:28 EST Even as the Senate prepares for it's latest role in the health care fight, Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe is also preparing for other major legislative battles. He says the momentum in the debate over so-called 'climate change' is now working against President Obama. He calls the cap and trade agenda the 'greatest single tax increase in the history of America' and slams senators of both parties for trying to bring back the same bill in new packaging. Inhofe also rips the proposed deal that would close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay while trying more terrorists before military commissions - saying he 'can't imagine anything worse' than closing Gitmo. |
| 'It Will Tear Our Country Apart' |
| Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:18:56 EST Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute gives her closing arguments on why the House should reject the Senate health plan on Sunday. What would be the real cost to you and to the nation? How much power would the government really have over your health care? How would your medical experience change forever? What would happen to seniors living on Medicare? How quickly would we notice the effects of this plan? |
| Ten Pills and You're Fine |
| Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:16:25 EST The Capitol Steps recommend a few prescription drugs to help you cope with the latest twists and turns in the health care debate...actually they recommend all of them! Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport. |
| We'll See What Deals Are Made |
| Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:07:21 EST The Senate side of Capitol Hill has been quiet this week - at least compared to the House. But if Democrats get the votes to pass the main bill, the so-called fixes head to the Senate for consideration. Those are the changes promised to House members for their votes on the main bill. So what kind of product would the Senate be dealing with? And just how big of a tax bill are Americans looking at? We ask Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, who also explains why killing earmarks would only give President Obama more power. |
| CBO Health Estimate 'Laughable' |
| Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:45:01 EST New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett, a member of the House Budget Committee, discusses the new CBO estimate claiming the Democratic health plan will reduce deficits over the next 10 years. Garrett says accounting gimmicks are leading to very misleading numbers, and Democrats have no concern over huge deficits. Garrett also says the 'deem and pass' strategy is unconstitutional. |
| Docs to Quit if Obamacare Passes |
| Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:32:20 EST If the president gets his way on Democratic health care legislation, many of America's doctors will close up shop. A new survey shows that 46 percent of practicing physicians will either quit or seriously consider it. Why? What new policies will make practicing medicine too costly and burdensome to continue? What will that mean for access to care with millions more looking for doctors? We ask Matt Patterson of the National Center for Public Policy Research. His latest report is entitled "Obamacare Would Drive Doctors Out of Business". |
| Iran, Al Qaeda Alliance Growing |
| Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:21:57 EST In testimony this week, Gen. David Petraeus discussed the growing bond between Iran and Al Qaeda. How significant is this? Why are radical Shia and Sunni forces working together? How much urgency does this bring to the Iranian nuclear question? How close are the Iranians to having nukes? And what is really the best way to stop them? We ask retired U.S. Navy Capt. Chuck Nash. |
| Obamacare Will Not Pass |
| Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:27:42 EST The final House vote on health care legislation - or what will be the closest thing to a final vote - is apparently set for Sunday afternoon. What will happen? Will a favorable CBO score push Democrats over the finish line? Will pro-life Democrats kill the bill? We ask John Gizzi of Human Events and get his thoughts on the souring U.S. relations with Israel. |
| Dems Can't Make Numbers Work |
| Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:27:39 EST Louisiana Rep. John Fleming says Democrats keep pushing back the health care vote because they can't get a favorable score from the Congressional Budget Office. Fleming, who is also a doctor, explains why the health plan would devastate his business and many more. He also discusses the impact of Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich flip-flopping on his vote after being pressured by President Obama. And Fleming highlights his plan to force all members of Congress to be subjected to the new health care laws if the plan is approved. |
| Huge Ad Buy Targets Pro-Life Dems |
| Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:08:01 EST Americans United for Life are taking out full-page ads in the hometown newspapers of pro-life Democrats. What is the message for the lawmakers and their constituents? What is the truth about the abortion language in the bill? Will her organization refuse to label any member who votes 'yes' as pro-life? And what happened to bipartisan efforts to make sure taxpayer-funded abortions are not part of the Senate bill? |
| Final March to Obamacare Begins |
| Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:06:12 EST A final vote (if there is a vote) may not happen for days or even weeks, but Democrats are about to set the stage for an extremely controversial showdown. The Budget Committee has approved reconciliation language for the package to fix the flawed Senate bill. What happened in that hearing and what does it tell us about the next stages in this debate? We ask Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, a member of the Budget Committee. He discusses what would happen on abortion, the public option and whether avoiding a direct vote would protect and members of Congress from the potential wrath of voters. |
| The Deteriorating Alliance |
| Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:25:18 EST Clifford May of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies discusses the strained relations between Israel and the Obama administration. Are new settlements the heart of the issue or just a symptom of a bigger problem? What is the truth on the new settlements? What might be a bigger issue? How does the Iranian nuclear threat factor into all of this? And is there any reason to think peace progress is possible? |
| American People Can Kill the Bill |
| Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:22:17 EST As Democrats struggle to pass health care legislation and consider extraordinary measures to push the bill over the finish line, Republicans can do very little to impact the outcome. But the American people can. So says South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson. He says public opposition stopped passage of the bill for months and massive public opposition is the key to killing the bill once and for all. |
| New Standards, Less Choice |
| Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:44:34 EST President Obama says he wants to overhaul No Child Left Behind, the landmark education plan approved under President Bush. The changes include new standards, new classifications for schools and new remedies for those that are lagging behind. Are these good changes? And what has been the track record of the original Bush plan? We ask Lindsey Burke of the Heritage Foundation. |
| 'They Don't Trust the Senate' |
| Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:30:08 EST As President Obama and Democratic leaders try to twist enough Democratic arms to pass the health care bill, Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute explains what will determine the votes of the final, undecided House Democrats and whether more special deals will be added to put the Dems over the top. She also gives a vote count update and explains why House Democrats don't trust their Senate counterparts to make the changes they want. |
| Video: Obamacare, GOP and Truth |
| Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:18:26 EST The Health Care Debate is front and center once again. Radio America News Director Greg Corombos gets reaction to President Obama's latest pitch on health care from Pennsylvania GOP Congressman Joe Pitts. |
| 'Greatest Expansion of Abortion' |
| Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:09:29 EST Abortion remains one of the major sticking points as Nancy Pelosi tries to round up 216 votes. But now Nancy Pelosi is giving up on trying to reach common ground and hoping pro-life Dems won't be necessary. What should we make of that decision? What does the bill really say? and how motivated are grassroots activists against this bill? We ask Penny Nance, CEO at Concerned Women for America. |
| Obama Shows True Colors on Energy |
| Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:03:13 EST Pat Creighton of the Institute for Energy Research explains why the Obama push towards using wind for energy is a proven failure and how environmentalists had far too much influence in shaping energy policy. Creighton also reacts to Obama's decision to forbid expanded offshore energy exploration throughout his four-year term. |
| 'A Woeful Lack of Leadership' |
| Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:17:58 EST Georgia Rep. Tom Price - also a practicing physician - sounds off on the latest developments in the health care debate. How does he analyze Nancy Pelosi's decision to give up trying to win back as many as 12 pro-life Democrats? What about yet another awkward rule strategy to get the bill passed? |
| 'Doesn't that Sound Tortured?' |
| Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:22:24 EST House Democrats consider a new strategy that would pass the Senate health bill without actually voting on it. Is that possible? Would a vote on the strategy be the same as a vote on the bill? Is President Obama right when he says the GOP did nothing on health care for the past decade? And what's the most important thing you can do to influence this debate? We ask Texas Rep. Michael Burgess, who is also a practicing physician. |
| Numbers Aren't There for Obamacare |
| Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:09:18 EST John Gizzi continues his assurances that the Obama health plan will never become law. Gizzi explains how the numbers and the momentum are both in favor of the opposition. He also discusses why House Democrats don't trust their counterparts in the Senate. We also get Gizzi's take on the Eric Massa soap opera, the futures of two other New York Democrats and whether we will really see a major push on immigration reform. |
| Amnesty Push Coming Next |
| Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:13:34 EST Even as President Obama and Democratic leaders make a final push on health care legislation, plans are already underway to launch the next huge policy debate - immigration reform. What does President Obama want in terms of reform? Will this issue divide Republicans like it did a few years ago? What policies would work? And why is passage less likely than ever - even with huge Democratic majorities? We ask Peter Brimelow, former senior editor with Forbes and National Review. He is also the author of 'Alien Nation'. |
| More Jobs, Less Socialism |
| Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:12:32 EST Today, President Obama brings his push for health care legislation to St. Louis. Rep. Todd Akin represents that district and held a town hall meeting that drew nearly three times the capacity of the venue. What did the people say? What concerns them most about this plan? Will it pass? Is Obama right when he says something needs to be done about the premium increases imposed by insurance companies? |
| Nigerian Christians Slaughtered |
| Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:01:25 EST Radical Muslims looking to impose Sharia law on all of Nigeria are killing Christians in large numbers. How long has this been going on under the radar for many Americans? What is the Nigerian government doing about this? How is this affecting the Nigerian believers? And just how barbaric are the tactics of those spreading radical Islam? We ask Dr. Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, an organization devoted to assisting the persecuted Christian church. |
| Obama Targets 'Evil Boogeyman' |
| Tue, 9 Mar 2010 15:33:49 EST Utah Rep. Rob Bishop says he doesn't know what's being done by Democrats to secure votes for the health bill, but he expects several arms in slings by the end of the week from being twisted so much. Bishop also says President Obama is resorting to attacking phantoms and evil boogeymen to build urgency for his plan. Bishop also points out that the abortion debate is a big deal, despite how much Democrats try to minimize the dispute. |
| Who Got it Right on Iraq? |
| Tue, 9 Mar 2010 14:23:59 EST Parliamentary elections went off successfully in Iraq this past weekend, as Iraq conducted and secured a democratic vote on it's own for the first time. President Obama and Vice President Biden are couching Iraq as a major success - of their administration. Is Obama failing to give credit to Bush? Can we declare the policy a success at this point? And is it time Obama starts using the word victory? We ask Washington Times senior editorial writer James Robbins, a special assistant to Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld. |
| Video: Obama vs. Facts |
| Tue, 9 Mar 2010 10:10:37 EST Marathon Health Care Debates continue in Washington DC. Greg Corombos discusses the latest developments, including excerpts from his interviews with Texas Congressman Kevin Brady, Health Care Policy Expert Grace Marie Turner, and Phil Kerpen of Americans for Prosperity. |
| Dems vs. Facts on Abortion |
| Mon, 8 Mar 2010 14:41:18 EST The biggest hurdle for Congressional Democrats on the health care front is convincing 12 pro-life Democrats to get on board. The lawmakers are demanding that no taxpayer dollars be used to fund abortions, either directly or indirectly. So what does the bill specifically say? Why are some pro-life Democrats OK with the current language? How could HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius expand the federal role in abortion even more? And will pro-life Dems stand strong or cave to immense pressure from Obama and Pelosi? We ask Susan Muskett, senior legislative counsel for the National Right to Life Committee. |
| Pitts Rebuts Obama Rally |
| Mon, 8 Mar 2010 12:39:30 EST On Monday, President Obama went to Pennsylvania to campaign for a final vote on his version of health care reform. As Obama claims the GOP position is to loosen the rules on insurance companies, we talk with Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Pitts about what the real Republican plan involves, how Obama really pays for his massive government plan, why House Democrats don't trust Senate Democrats and what the facts really are in the abortion component of this debate. Pitts co-sponsored the strong pro-life language offered by Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak. |
| Virginia Rejects Obamacare Mandate |
| Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:37:45 EST One of the most controversial components of the president's health care agenda is the individual mandate, which requires all adults to purchase health coverage or face a $750. Not paying the fine would result in huge additional fines or a year in prison. Virginia Del. Bob Marshall is leading the effort in his state to protect residents who decide not to purchase coverage. So how did Marshall take the lead on this issue? How would his plan work? And why is he confident his plan would survive a court challenge from the federal government? |
| More Proof Stimulus Failed |
| Fri, 5 Mar 2010 14:52:05 EST Texas Rep. Pete Olson says the latest jobless numbers are further proof that President Obama's economic agenda has not worked. Olson also explains why he voted against the Democratic jobs bill in the House this week, what his plan for job creation would be and how the jobs debate is impacting this year's midterm elections. |
| No Reason to Cheer Job Numbers |
| Fri, 5 Mar 2010 14:19:18 EST The Labor Department reports 36,000 additional job losses in February while the overall unemployment rate stands at 9.7 percent. Are we still in the economic dumps or is this a sign we are stabilizing and about to grow? What is the unemployment rate when factoring in those who have stopped looking? Why does the current GDP growth suggest the job numbers should be much better? We ask Diana Furchgott-Roth, former chief economist at the Department of Labor. |
| 'A Horrible Precedent' |
| Fri, 5 Mar 2010 13:52:58 EST Maryland Del. Donald Dwyer is launching an effort to impeach state attorney general Doug Gansler after Gansler unilaterally overturned Maryland law defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Gansler now says Maryland will recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere. So what precedent does this set? What is Dwyer's plan? How are Democrats protecting Gansler and thwarting Dwyer at every turn? We ask Del. Dwyer. |
| The Reconciliation Distraction |
| Fri, 5 Mar 2010 10:53:19 EST With so many people worried about what might get passed through the Senate via reconciliation, Phil Kerpen of Americans for Prosperity says the real fight has nothing to do with that parliamentary tactic. Why is an up-or-down vote in the House the real event that will determine the fate of our health care system? Why would pro-life Democrats be wise not to believe promises their concerns will be dealt with after the House vote? And are we seeing more backroom deals in an effort to win votes? |
| Obama 'Just Doesn't Get This' |
| Thu, 4 Mar 2010 15:14:50 EST Texas Rep. Kevin Brady says Democrats don't have the votes to pass the Senate health plan right now, or they would have passed it already. Brady says President Obama doesn't understand the reasons the GOP and the public are rejecting his plan and will try to twist as many Democratic arms as possible to finish this debate. Brady also offer his thoughts on Rep. Charlie Rangel's decision to step down as chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee and on the shuffle to replace Rangel. Brady also explains who has really been running the committee and why that concerns him greatly. |
| 'Simple Math' Dooms Obamacare |
| Thu, 4 Mar 2010 14:56:49 EST John Gizzi says despite a final push from President Obama, the Democratic health plan will die in the House of Representatives. He says the abortion language and other flaws will doom the bill. Gizzi also discusses the chaos at the top of the House Ways & Means Committee, and the scandals surrounding two New York Democrats besides Charlie Rangel. |
| Another Scandal for NY Dems? |
| Thu, 4 Mar 2010 14:49:37 EST While New York Gov. David Paterson watches his grip on power crumble and Rep. Charlie Rangel is forced to step down as Ways & Means Committee chairman over multiple ethics issues, freshman Rep. Eric Massa is also calling it quits. Massa says he has suffered a recurrence of cancer, but a male staffer has alleged that the congressman made unwanted advances toward him. So what do we know for sure? What happens now? And which party - if either - has the ethical high ground in Congress? We talk about it with Susan Ferrechio, Chief Congressional Correspondent for The Washington Examiner. |
| The Devastation is Immense |
| Thu, 4 Mar 2010 12:12:55 EST Michael Black of World Vision joins us from the Chilean capital of Santiago. How does he describe the damage from Saturday's massive earthquake? How many people are displaced and in need of the very basics? What is World Vision doing to meet the needs of those impacted by this disaster? And how can you help the relief effort? |
| Stark Raving Mad |
| Thu, 4 Mar 2010 11:40:55 EST On Thursday, House Democrats chose Michigan Rep. Sander Levin as the new chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee. In doing so, they passed over the man next in line - California Rep. Pete Stark. So what cost Stark the chair? A career of boorish, belligerent behavior. Learn all about it here. |
| The News |
| Wed, 3 Mar 2010 17:04:01 EST President Obama says the time for debating health care is over and it's time for Congress to approve his plan on an up or down vote, analysts explain why Obama's talking points are proven wrong by the facts, Rep. Charlie Rangel steps down as Ways & Means chairman, Lieberman pushes repeal on ban of gays in the military. |
| Facts Trump Obama Rhetoric |
| Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:33:02 EST As President Obama makes a final push for his version of health care reform, Galen Institute President Grace-Marie Turner says Obama has a problem with the facts. Turner says every independent study shows Americans will not be guaranteed their same health plan and doctor...and many will certainly lose their current coverage. She also says the president misstates the Republican objections and the push to start the reform effort all over. |
| The Politics of Charlie Rangel |
| Wed, 3 Mar 2010 13:49:24 EST Wednesday morning, House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel announced he would be temporarily stepping down as leader of the panel. What changed since last week, when Nancy Pelosi and Rangel downplayed the allegations. We talk with Texas Rep. John Carter, who has led the GOP effort to strip Rangel of his role as chairman. Why did Carter take the lead in this effort? Was this a move based on principle or politics? And why does Carter worry that stories like this sully all members of Congress in the eyes of the public? |
| Obama's Land Grab |
| Wed, 3 Mar 2010 12:15:13 EST South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint discusses the revelation that Obama administration is planning to take another 10 million acres of western lands under federal control. Why does Demint believe this move will cost us jobs, hurt energy independence and result in lower revenues for the federal and state governments? And what reason did Senate Democrats give for opposing DeMint's effort to block Obama's agenda? |
| Guns and the Supreme Court |
| Tue, 2 Mar 2010 15:09:06 EST On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of McDonald v. Chicago, a challenge to the Windy City's gun control laws. What key Constitutional issues are being argued? How is this case different than the ruling on the Washington, D.C., gun law in 2008? What clues did the justices give into how this case will be decided? |
| Obamacare Still A 'Toxic Stew' |
| Tue, 2 Mar 2010 13:24:40 EST Iowa Rep. Steve King says he can't imagine any Republicans supporting the new Obama health plan just because he might add a good idea or two. King says this is still the same bill the American people rejected under Bill Clinton and again in polls and in the Massachusetts senate race. |
| Intentional Assault on Values |
| Tue, 2 Mar 2010 13:15:48 EST Iowa Rep. Steve King discusses the fight over the definition of marriage here in Washington. King says courts and politics are conspiring against efforts to allow voters to determine the law. King says Republicans in Congress have a full agenda, but should have done more to suspend gay marriage in D.C. until voters have their say. He says Democratic leaders had no intention of bringing this up because they enjoy attacking and dismantling traditional values like marriage and respect for the sanctity of life. |
| Democracy Denied in D.C. |
| Tue, 2 Mar 2010 13:08:40 EST Barring an 11th hour intervention from the courts, gay marriage licenses will be issued in Washington, D.C., as early as Wednesday. Why do traditional marriage supporters say voters in the nation's capital have been deprived of their right to decide this issue on their own? What is the argument for denying the vote? Why have Congressional Republican leaders done nothing to intervene? We ask Brian Brown, executive director at the National Organization for Marriage. Mr. Brown also explains why Maryland's attorney general is violating the law by saying his state should recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere. |
| 'Not Surprised At All' |
| Mon, 1 Mar 2010 11:13:50 EST Over the weekend, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile, killing over 700 people. How is it that an 8.8 earthquake is 500 times more powerful than the 7.0 quake that devastated Haiti? How important is the depth of the earthquake below the earth's surface? What determines the size and severity of a tsunami? Is the U.S. in danger of suffering a major quake? We ask Paul Caruso, geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center. |
| Dems Play Favorites with Parcels |
| Mon, 1 Mar 2010 11:07:34 EST We've seen the bailouts for Wall Street, AIG and the auto industry, but now there are allegations that Congress is about to stack the rules in the parcel delivery industry in the favor of UPS over Fed Ex. What kind of changes are in the pending FAA bill? How would they impact the delivery companies and consumers? What should we know about the lawmakers pushing these changes? We discuss it all with Maury Lane, spokesman for Fed Ex. |
| Dateline Washington Feb 27 |
| Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:46:02 EST Greg Corombos analyzes the Health Care Summit. Interviews with Georgia Congressman Tom Price, Texas Congressman Kevin Brady and Minnesota Rep. John Kline, who took part in the summit. |
| The News |
| Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:59:32 EST Obama pushes reconciliation on health care, GOP says one bill should not overhaul one-sixth of the economy, Rep. Charlie Rangel commits another ethics violation and New York Gov. David Paterson ends his campaign as another scandal erupts. |
| Jobs Yes, Obamacare No |
| Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:12:59 EST Ohio Rep. Bob Latta says his constituents want to see job creation, not a huge expansion of government in the health care sector of the economy. Latta explains how the Democratic health plan would hurt the people in his district and strain state resources. He also explains why he thinks the latest ethical mess for Rep. Charlie Rangel makes him unfit to keep serving as chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee. |
| View from Inside the Summit |
| Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:46:56 EST Minnesota Rep. John Kline, the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee, gives us his reflections on Thursday's health care summit. Did this event accomplish anything or just showcase the various talking points? What were the key points the GOP wanted to convey? Why did the president dismiss all criticism of backroom deals and possible use of reconciliation? What happens next as President Obama imposes a six-week deadline to get this done? |
| Scandal Strikes NY Dems |
| Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:09:40 EST Life has gotten even tougher for two embattled New York Democrats. Rep. Charlie Rangel is facing another round of alleged ethics violations - violations Rangel says were made by his staff and not by him. New York Gov. David Paterson is bowing out of his campaign to remain in office after allegations he tried to help a key staffer who reportedly battered his girlfriend. We discuss both stories and their fallout with Richard Benedetto, former White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. He also reported for Gannett in New York, including six years in the state capital of Albany. |
| Huge Costs, No Choice |
| Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:43:25 EST Texas Rep. Kevin Brady says Republicans were right at Thursday's summit to point out that the real assessment of the Democratic health plan shows huge deficits that only get larger over time. He also says reforming a complex system one step at a time is far better then one massive plan. He also explains why the government will determine your health plan, even without a public option. |
| The Talking Points and the Truth |
| Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:41:07 EST Georgia Rep. Tom Price, also a practicing physician, says today's health summit has only shown that Democrats want government to make key health care decisions and Republicans want to empower people with those decisions. He says more attention needs to be paid to the impact of government mandates on health coverage. He says that fundamental disagreement means the two parties are not as close as Democrats would like to suggest. And we get his thoughts on Democrats possibly using reconciliation to get the bill done. |
| Online Tax Revolt |
| Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:32:05 EST Jim Hoagland, chairman of the Online Tax Revolt campaign, explains what tax message tens of thousands of Americans are sending to Washington. What about the current tax code has people outraged? What kind of changes do they want to see? And how can you join? |
| Zazi Plea 'Fortuity', Not Victory |
| Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:10:01 EST Attorney General Eric Holder says bringing terrorism suspects into civilian courts was vindicated by the guilty plea and cooperation this week by Najibullah Zazi. But Kyndra Rotunda disagrees. She is a former U.S. Army prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay. She says a guilty plea is not proof that a guilty verdict would have come. She also says the Bush administration was wrong to try Zacarias Moussaoui and Richard Reid in civilian courts. Rotunda also says the Obama administration was out of bounds in stopping the military tribunal against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed - and even removing the judge when he refused to halt the proceedings. |
| We Don't Need A Performance |
| Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:07:02 EST Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert says it's obvious the White House has no interest in a real bipartisan discussion on health care reform legislation, when it's final version of the bill came out three days before Thursday's 'summit'. Gohmert fears the Democrats will ignore the will of the people and ram this major expansion of government down the throats of the Republicans and the public. |
| Radical Rulers |
| Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:01:20 EST President Obama's ties with radicals like Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright have been known for some time, and several of his key advisers have also become very controversial. But in his new book, 'Radical Rulers', Robert Knight shows how powerful, unconfirmed Obama advisers are pushing for radical change across the board - from encouraging pedophilia to giving animals the right to sue humans. And he explains how Christianity, traditional institutions like marriage and the voice of the people are the major obstacles for this radical agenda. |
| Health Divide 'Cannot Be Bridged' |
| Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:55:25 EST Democrats say they want Republicans to get on board with health reform. The GOP says the Obama plan is hardly different than the Senate bill approved in December. So is there any hope for common ground? No, according to Lousiana Rep. Bill Cassidy. Also a practicing physician, Cassidy says there is a fundamental divide between the parties as to whether the government or patients will control their health care. He also discusses health care deals for labor unions and what to expect at this week's health care summit. |
| Obamacare=Huge Tax Hikes for You |
| Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:30:49 EST President Obama says his health plan will cost a trillion dollars over the next ten years - but remain deficit neutral. But Ryan Ellis, director of tax policy at Americans for Tax Reform, says that still breeds bigger government because of all the new taxes and spending. He also explains why this bill could have more new taxes than either the House or Senate versions. Ellis explains how you could get saddled with a Cadillac plan and the huge taxes that go along with it - and how this plan is very harmful to those with Health Savings Accounts. |
| Obama 'Devoid of Ideas' |
| Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:18:17 EST As President Obama unveils his health reform plan, Galen Institute President Grace-Marie Turner is considerably underwhelmed. She wants to know how an even more expensive and more egregious government power grab is supposed to be a call to bipartisanship. She explains why government controls on the cost of premiums would mean lower quality care and why the Democrats are missing the the most basic components of effective reform. |
| Obamacare Satisfies Nobody in GOP |
| Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:57:58 EST On Monday, the Obama administration released its long-awaited health care plan. The proposal would impose new taxes but delay their implementation, forces everyone to purchase coverage and gives the government power to keep health premiums artificially low. We get reaction from Colorado Rep. Doug Lamborn, who says this is nothing more than the same liberal plans pushed by Congressional Democrats for months. He does not expect any Republicans to be swayed by this plan. |
| Strangers on My Flight |
| Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:57:04 EST With each attempted terrorist attack, the government has changed the rules for airline passengers - from taking off our shoes to limiting liquids. Now in the wake of the Christmas Day underwear bomber, The Capitol Steps take a comedic look at what new restrictions are coming soon. |
| Returning America to Her Moorings |
| Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:23:24 EST This past week, approximately 80 prominent conservative leaders gathered near Washington to sign the Mount Vernon Statement, which is designed to bring America back to our founding virtues. What is the significance of this document? What exactly does it say? How does the Democratic agenda match up against the ideals that made our country great? And are Republicans any better? |
| Fighting Back Against Evil |
| Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:37:07 EST Author David Kupelian describes how using new media and allowing people to see evil for what it is will be the best antidote to the cultural destruction we are now enduring. |
| Evil Close to Home |
| Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:19:07 EST Author David Kupelian discusses how evil is not only infecting our national debates, but our morals are also in the sewer as evidenced by a coarsening attitude toward sex and the importance of fathers. |
| Small Planes and the Austin Attack |
| Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:09:22 EST Longtime airline reporter David Field takes us inside the bizarre flight that Joseph Stack flew into an Austin, Texas, building that apparently targeted the IRS. Why wasn't Stack required to file a flight plan? Was there any mental evaluation before he got his pilot's license? And will this incident trigger and major changes in the law? |
| Bayh's Shattered VP Dream |
| Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:55:35 EST John Gizzi of Human Events says Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh was deeply disappointed that he was not picked as President Obama's running mate two years ago - and that contributed to his retirement decision. Gizzi also gives the stimulus plan a 'generous D-' after one year. He also previews this year's Conservative Political Action Conference. |
| Bush Aide on Jobs, Obamacare |
| Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:25:22 EST Tevi Troy was deputy secretary of HHS under President George W. Bush, and also a senior White House aide. He says the stimulus plan has not worked and a new bipartisan jobs bill was killed to satisfy the liberal Democratic base. Troy also discusses the future of health care reform legislation. |
| Dateline Washington |
| Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:14:39 EST Republicans give their prescription for recovery in response to Pres. Obama's claim that the stimulus is a success. |
| Why McCain Must Go |
| Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:08:26 EST Former Arizona Rep. J.D. Hayworth is challenging John McCain for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. Why does Hayworth consider McCain unsuitable for conservatives? What issues show the biggest difference between them? How does Hayworth respond to McCain's assertion that Hayworth was part of the GOP Congress that let spending get out of control? And since Hayworth lost his re-election bid to the House in 2006, could he win a statewide race in November? We discuss all these issues and more with J.D. Hayworth. |
| A Real Job Creation Plan |
| Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:52:51 EST Missouri Rep. Todd Akin explains why the stimulus plan is still a mistake - despite President Obama's claim that it saved our economy. Akin describes some of dubious programs within the stimulus package and outlines the principles of real, sustained job creation. He also discusses the proposals for a new stimulus bill and explains why it's not hypocritical for Republicans to vote against the stimulus bill and show up for ceremonies highlighting the money coming into their states and districts. |
| Stimulus Makes Economy Worse |
| Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:09:16 EST The stimulus package is having an impact on the economy - a negative one. Brian Wesbury, former chief economist for the Joint Economic Committee in Congress, explains why he thinks the government intervention has stifled the economy's natural corrective course. He also discusses the hidden costs of the stimulus plan, which he says vastly outweigh the visible benefits. He also discusses why the second stimulus plan being proposed in Congress is also a bad idea. |
| The Indiana Senate Shake-up |
| Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:00:22 EST On Monday, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh announced he would not seek re-election. Republican hopeful and former GOP Rep. John Hostettler says he is running to make sure government shrinks back to its appropriate size and to ensure the people have a government that listens to them. He also foreshadows a bruising Republican primary against former Sen. Dan Coats. |
| Tax Holiday = Job Creation |
| Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:31:51 EST Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert says the real key to job creation is to cut taxes for everyone that pays taxes, saying rebates should only go to those who use their own bait. Gohmert says we need health reform, but not the version pushed by Democrats. He says small business owners do not want Obamacare or the current energy bill, which he dubs "crap and trade". |
| Clinton's Heart Lessons |
| Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:12:50 EST On Thursday, former President Bill Clinton underwent surgery to have a stent placed inside one of his coronary arteries. What are the warning signs that you may be having cardiac problems - maybe even a full-blown heart attack. How quickly should you act if you start to feel some of these symptoms? And what are the best ways to stay heart-healthy? We ask Peter Moore of Men's Health magazine. |
| Government v. Civil Liberties |
| Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:52:31 EST For years now, courts have been deciding where government power ends and the privacy of citizens begins. Now the government wants access to your cell phone records without getting a warrant. Opponents say this would put a chill in 21st century privacy. Which side is right? What's the government's argument? And which side do the courts usually take on these issues? We ask Prof. Robert Pugsley of the Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. |
| Anti-Democrat or Anti-Incumbent? |
| Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:19:58 EST So are voters ready to vote out dozens of Democrats or are they gunning for every incumbent in a remotely competitive district, regardless of party? Longtime USA TODAY White House Correspondent Richard Benedetto says the public is very anti-Washington right now. He says they are tired of the gridlock and many of the proposed solutions to serious problems. So how will incumbents campaign? Will Democrats be able to keep seats in districts where an unpopular incumbent is retiring? Will we see many more retirements before the primary season arrives? |
| Snow, Jobs and Retirements |
| Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:14:56 EST John Gizzi of Human Events describes how record snow has paralyzed Washington. He also explains why Congress will not pass a second jobs bill, remembers John Murtha and Charlie Wilson and discusses more retirements on both sides of the aisle. |
| Real Science vs. Climate Panic |
| Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:33:30 EST In the wake of the snowiest winter in Washington history, climate change alarmists say this is actually proof the planet is warming. Really? Dr. Tim Ball takes us through the actual science behind the massive snowfall we've seen in recent days and explains why those activists are wrong - and why they get more desperate by the day to win over an increasingly skeptical public. Dr. Ball is a former professor of climatology at the University of Winnepeg. |
| Iranian Protesters Need U.S. Voice |
| Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:56:51 EST The Iranian government continues its brutal crackdown against pro-democracy demonstrators. The increasing repression comes as the regime announced it is enriching uranium at higher levels. Why would clear, public U.S. support for the demonstrators be a huge boost towards regime change? What should that support NOT include? And how close is Iran to having a nuclear weapon? We ask Larry Haas, former communications director to former Vice President Al Gore and former spokesman for the Clinton White House budget office. |
| The Crisis Is Here |
| Tue, 9 Feb 2010 15:39:07 EST Alireza Jafarzadeh first warned the West about Iran's latest nuclear ambitions. Why does he believe the nuclear crisis with Iran has already begun? Why could vocal U.S. defiance towards Iran not only rally the Iranian people in their dissent but also bring Russia and China on board with crippling sanctions? And what does he expect on Thursday's anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. |
| Recall in the Garden State? |
| Tue, 9 Feb 2010 14:45:21 EST Members of the Tea Party movement in New Jersey helped to oust Gov. Jon Corzine in November. They aren't done yet. Now they are hoping to recall Sen. Bob Menendez on the November ballot. On what grounds? Why not wait until Menendez is up for re-election in 2012? Are any other members of Congress in their crosshairs? We ask Peter Ferrara, general counsel with the American Civil Rights Union, which is supporting the recall effort. |
| Suicide Bombers Heading to U.S.? |
| Tue, 9 Feb 2010 13:55:13 EST Iran is upping the enrichment of uranium to a point where their ambition for nuclear weapons will soon be unmistakable. What will the international community do then? Can sanctions still work? What impact would U.S. support for Iranian demonstrators have? When would Israel strike if it ever happens? And what would be the Iranian response. We talk with Middle East expert Mike Evans. |
| We Need A Climate Service? |
| Tue, 9 Feb 2010 13:49:43 EST The Obama administration is announcing the formation of a new Climate Service that will offer projections on what we can expect from climate change. Is this a valuable government program or a drain of tax dollars that does nothing more than promote a political ideology? We ask Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity. |
| Real Health Reform |
| Tue, 9 Feb 2010 13:23:38 EST Dr. Donald Palmisano is former president of the American Medical Association. Why does he think a simple health care bill could improve the health care system far better than the current 2700-page monstrosity? Will there be a bipartisan consensus on anything? And why did the current AMA leadership endorse the Democratic plan? |
| Murtha Seat Up for Grabs |
| Tue, 9 Feb 2010 12:50:45 EST University of Virginia Professor Larry Sabato discusses the dual legacy of the late Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha - as the King of Pork and as a fierce critic of the Iraq War. Sabato explains why Murtha's seat is very much in play for Republicans and why predicting special elections is always tricky. He also discusses whether the upcoming health care summit is more about talking points or finding compromise. |
| Meeting Yes, Posturing No |
| Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:03:27 EST Arizona Rep. John Shadegg talks about the upcoming meeting between Congressional Republicans and President Obama. Shadegg says he doesn't want a repeat of Obama's filibustering that happened at the House GOP retreat. He also explains how Obama's rhetoric is carefully couched to seemingly agree with Republican priorities, but there is actually very little agreement. |
| Solutions Not Showmanship |
| Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:17:57 EST Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute discusses the common ground President Obama and Republicans could find if they start over and take small steps to improve health care. But she says his unwillingness to scrap the current bill means we're probably headed for more gridlock. |
| No Reason to Cheer Jobless Rate |
| Mon, 8 Feb 2010 12:29:29 EST On Friday, we learned the economy lost 20,000 jobs in January and a million more than previously thought throughout the current downturn. However, the overall jobless rate fell to 9.7 percent. Are we on the right track? Will we see sustainable job growth in the months ahead? What are employers worried about? And what is the key to long-term job growth? We ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, chief economist for the Department of Labor in the George W. Bush administration. She is now director of the Center for Employment Policy at the Hudson Institute. |
| Buy American Pie |
| Fri, 5 Feb 2010 11:01:12 EST The Capitol Steps roll out a recent favorite lamenting the loss of American jobs to China. Guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton. |
| States vs. Health Mandates |
| Thu, 4 Feb 2010 17:20:41 EST Health care legislation is on life support in Congress, but some states are taking no chances. Virginia is the latest to pursue legislation making it illegal for the federal government to force residents to buy health insurance. How does it work? How many states are doing this? and will it survive a court challenge? We ask Christie Herrera, director of the Health and Human Services Task Force at the American Legislative Exchange Council. |
| Cap and Trade Hurts Environment |
| Thu, 4 Feb 2010 17:05:56 EST You've heard the debate about what cap and trade legislation might do to the economy. What about the environmental impact. Why could legislation designed to save the planet actually do it great ecological harm? What's the truth about carbon dioxide and what levels are ideal? We ask Leighton Steward, author of 'Fire, Ice and Paradise'. |
| A Mixed Bag on Education for Obama |
| Thu, 4 Feb 2010 16:54:22 EST President Obama says he wants to overhaul the 'No Child Left Behind' law, by changing the system away from the pass/fail mark for schools to a more graded process. He is also pushing changes to the testing policy by which schools are judged. Are these good ideas? What's encouraging and what's discouraging about the Obama agenda? Will he really push to have bad teachers fired? And why is Obama's decision to let the DC vouchers program expire a sign that he's not committed to doing what's necessary to give every kid the best possible education? We ask Dr. Jay Greene, professor of education reform at the University of Arkansas and a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. |
| More Fiscal Irresponsibility |
| Thu, 4 Feb 2010 16:07:04 EST On Thursday, the House of Representatives approved the largest-ever increase in the federal debt ceiling - to the tune of $1.9 trillion. The ceiling now stands at $14.3 trillion. South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson calls this a sad day for the American people as President Obama proposes the largest annual deficit in history. Wilson says the added PAYGO provisions are just a ruse and are littered with loopholes for a free-spending Congress. He also addresses the health care debate and the controversy over where to hold the 9-11 terror trials. |
| Obamacare, Immigration Both Dead |
| Thu, 4 Feb 2010 14:25:55 EST Scott Brown will be sworn in today as the new U.S. senator from Massachusetts. John Gizzi of Human Events says this one vote kills any hopes of the Democrats passing their preferred version of health care legislation. He says we won't even see a pared-down version. Gizzi also predicts immigration reform is dead before it really even starts. He says Republicans are poised to win President Obama's former senate seat in Illinois and also make a run at the Indiana seat held by Democrat Evan Bayh. |
| Climate House of Cards Crumbling |
| Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:18:29 EST More revelations this week cast further doubt on the veracity of the science behind the 'climate change' movement. What do these stories mean for the future of this debate? What have we learned about how the scientific community has worked to black dissenting views? And does this mean climate-related policies are less likely to approved? We ask Dr. Tim Ball, former professor of climatology at the University of Winnepeg. |
| What's Best for the Military? |
| Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:24:21 EST This week, Pentagon officials began the process which may lead to gays serving openly in the military. But is this good for military cohesion and readiness? What will it do for recruiting and retention? We ask retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis. He also explains his concerns over President Obama increasingly assigning the military to handle climate change projects - at the likely expense of distracting us from real threats. |
| Dateline Washington |
| Wed, 3 Feb 2010 08:12:17 EST VIDEO REPORT: Greg Corombos reports on the decision to change the venue of the Terrorism trial in New York City. Greg's analysis and quotes from prominent guests. |
| Secure America or Appease Critics? |
| Tue, 2 Feb 2010 15:08:38 EST Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso is part of a bipartisan group calling for federal funding to be withheld for the 9-11 trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators. Why are they taking this step? Will it pass Congress? Why does he see a civilian trial as a big mistake? And how does he react to President Obama's claim that the trial shows we can secure America and uphold our values at the same time? |
| Ford is Back in the Black |
| Tue, 2 Feb 2010 15:03:04 EST Ford Motor Company is reporting a profit for the past year, the latest sign that the automaker is bouncing back from a brutal stretch for domestic companies. Ford Global Communications Director Mark Truby explains what Ford got right and why it is seems to be turning the corner. |
| Illinois Dems 'Abject Failure' |
| Tue, 2 Feb 2010 12:36:12 EST Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady says voters in his state are ready to throw out Democrats who have ruined the state over the past decade. He says the Blagojevich scandal and the big government agenda in Washington will result in big gains for Republicans - even in the governor's race and the campaign to replace President Obama in the U.S. Senate. |
| Keep KSM at Gitmo |
| Mon, 1 Feb 2010 16:25:32 EST Retired U.S. Navy Captain Chuck Nash says the government should not spend hundreds of millions of dollars and risk American lives just to give Khalid Sheikh Mohammed a trial in civilian court. He also says the security risk is very real at a trial of this magnitude on American soil. Nash says the military tribunal is perfect for this trial. He also discusses the beefed up presence of the U.S. military in the Persian Gulf and what surprise Iran may have for the world in just 10 days. |
| More of the Same on Budget |
| Mon, 1 Feb 2010 14:50:57 EST North Carolina Rep. Patrick McHenry says President Obama's new budget proposal is just more of the same big government agenda and does nothing to reduce deficits or create jobs. McHenry says there are proven ways to radically reduce the size of government without soaking everyone with higher taxes. |
| Bipartisanship and Terrorism |
| Mon, 1 Feb 2010 14:27:25 EST Arizona Rep. Trent Franks says he hopes last week's meeting between President Obama and House Republicans will foster some genuine dialogue and allow Republican ideas to be part of the Congressional debates. And while Franks says he opposes Obama's domestic agenda, he says the president's fundamental misunderstanding of the war on terror is even more concerning. |
| A No-Cost Job Creation Bill |
| Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:21:26 EST Louisiana Sen. David Vitter is re-introducing the No-Cost Stimulus for Jobs plan. How would expanded energy exploration lead to a jobs boom and tremendous economic expansion? Why would it require no cost to taxpayers? Does he expect any Democratic attention to his proposal? Did Vitter hear anything new from President Obama in the State of the Union message? And why won't Democrats seat Scott Brown for another two weeks? |
| Economy Grows, Wages Stagnant |
| Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:47:25 EST Heritage Foundation economist Rea Hederman says economic growth of 5.7 percent in the final quarter of 2009 is a good sign and a signal of increasing confidence among business owners and consumers. He does not foresee a double-dip recession, but says stagnant wages and benefits are concerning because it shows the private sector is not yet adding jobs are giving raises. |
| I'm So Pretty |
| Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:43:09 EST The Capitol Steps bring back their John Edwards parody from the 2008 campaign - a tune that was disturbingly prophetic about Edwards' current predicament. They also bring back a Barack Obama song from 2008, in which he tries to end the confusion between his name and that of the world's worst terrorist. |
| Reconciliation Plan 'Dangerous' |
| Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:57:54 EST Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson says he is surprised that President Obama recommitted himself to a health reform plan that America rejects. He says it would be dangerous for Democrats to ram through Obamacare through the budgetary move known as reconciliation. Isakson says his constituents want Congress to focus on the economy in a way that promotes stability and predictability. |
| Impolite and 'Dead Wrong' |
| Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:40:25 EST Gary Marx of the Judicial Confirmation Network was shocked by President Obama's scolding of the Supreme Court in his State of the Union address. He says it was not only a lack of respect for the separation of powers but his argument was completely wrong on the facts. Marx says perhaps the justices should not be invited to the State of the Union any longer. |
| Obama Failed to 'Learn Anything' |
| Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:44:44 EST Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole says President Obama's State of the Union message shows he hasn't learned anything in the past year. Cole says Obama is still pushing a health plan America has already rejected, is not willing to address the tough issues needed to 'restore fiscal sanity' and he's disappointed that Obama never gave credit to the troops for accomplishing their mission in Iraq. Cole also says Obama's track record does not back up his claim of being open to all ideas. |
| 'Blatantly Untrue' |
| Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:30:53 EST John Gizzi of Human Events says President Obama failed to re-connect with independent voters and the middle class. He says the president was not telling the truth when he claimed there was overwhelming evidence to prove the existence of climate change. Gizzi suggests Obama missed the message of voters by pushing the same rejected health care bill. He also says Justice Alito had every right to object to Obama's scolding of the Supreme Court. |
| New Message, Same Agenda |
| Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:20:45 EST Texas Rep. Kevin Brady says President Obama's spending freeze impacts less than 20% of the budget. Brady's plan calls for an immediate freeze and an aggressive study of which spending programs are wasteful, repetitive or ineffective. Brady also says Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has a problem telling the truth and predicts Geithner will be forced out of the Obama administration sonner rather than later. |
| U.S. Must 'Live Within Its Means' |
| Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:14:04 EST New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett says President Obama's proposed spending freeze should be implemented immediately. He says Dems are still flailing on health care strategy, and President Obama has not been at all welcoming of Republican ideas on health reform and the economy. |
| Obama's Security Blunders |
| Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:08:24 EST Former Pentagon official K.T. McFarland says President Obama needs to chart a new course on keeping us safe in tonight's State of the Union address. McFarland says treating terrorists like bank robbers is endangering everyone because we're not getting any good intel from the enemies we have in custody. She also says Obama has never defined the objective in Afghanistan and has achieved nothing in terms of stopping Iran's nuclear ambitions. She also explains what would change Iran's dangerous agenda. |
| A WMD Failure |
| Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:18:24 EST On Tuesday, the special commission on weapons of mass destruction concluded the government is failing at understanding and preparing for a bioterror attack. Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Randy Larsen is executive director of the commission. He says the government's woeful preparation for and response to the H1N1 flu shows how unprepared we are for a massive attack that catches us by surprise. Larsen outlines what Congress and President Obama must do - starting tomorrow at the State of the Union address. |
| Bernanke Yes, 'Silly' Reforms No |
| Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:44:49 EST David John of the Heritage Foundation says Ben Bernanke has been far from perfect as Fed chairman but is far better for the free market than any other possible Obama choice. Mr. John also says Obama's proposed banking reforms are 'silly' and don't stand up to scrutiny. He also offers his prescription for improving the financial sector. |
| Obama Still Doesn't Get It |
| Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:47:57 EST Iowa Rep. Steve King says President Obama has not learned the lessons of the Massachusetts Senate race. Kings says Americans don't like big government, especially when it comes to 'nationalizing our bodies' in the current health care plan. He also says Obama's efforts to change the subject to banking reforms are hollow and will hurt job creation. He also discusses last week's March for Life and his ongoing efforts to let voters in Washington, DC, determine the definition of marriage in the nation's capital. |
| Return to Spenders |
| Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:34:55 EST As the voters of Massachusetts send a message to rein in the size and scope of government, The Capitol Steps look back to one reason the Obama administration is in so much hot water. Here's their look at the stimulus plan in "Return to Spenders". |
| Is Security Really First? |
| Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:04:35 EST South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint says he has to wonder how high national security is on President Obama's priority list when his biggest desire in a TSA nominee was someone who would allow TSA workers to unionize. DeMint says the GOP win in Massachusetts shows voters are unhappy with Democrats but Republicans need to make sure they offer promises they will keep and are approved by the public. He says health care legislation is on the rocks and the best path is for Democrats to work with Republicans. |
| Youth Invigorate Pro-Life Effort |
| Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:34:23 EST Bill Wirkus is a student at the Ave Maria School of Law in Florida and is organizing his school's participation in Friday's annual March for Life. Wirkus explains why he comes every year, what message the protesters are trying to spread, what they've already accomplished in recent months and why young people are flocking to the pro-life movement. |
| 'We're on the Side of Science' |
| Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:54:12 EST Dr. Charmaine Yoest, president of Americans United for Life, joins us from the March for Life on the Washington Mall. What is the atmosphere on the Mall? Which activists have the most compelling stories? Why are young people surging to the pro-life side? Yoest also explains why she thinks the pro-life movement is at a high watermark and why science increasingly supports the pro-life cause. |
| Obamacare Is Dead |
| Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:45:54 EST John Gizzi of Human Events says Scott Brown won in Massachusetts because of voter frustration with Washington and an out-of-touch Democratic opponent. He also says the GOP win means Obamacare is dead, regardless of the last-ditch efforts Democrats may try. Gizzi also discusses the significance of the Supreme Court decision on campaign financing and John Edwards finally admitting he is the father of his former mistress' child. |
| Campaign Finance Shakeup |
| Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:21:37 EST On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that restrictions on corporations in campaign advertising and advocacy violated first amendment rights to free speech. What sparked this case before the court? How big is this decision? Why did the dissenting justices say this undermines American self-government? And how much of a difference will we notice in ads during this year's election season? We ask the man who won at the high court today - Citizens United President David Bossie. |
| Panic on Health, Demonizing Banks |
| Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:25:51 EST Texas Rep. Kevin Brady says voters have made it clear they don't want the Democratic version of health reform. He explains how Democrats may try to pass a much smaller bill through reconciliation and why the two parties could find some common ground if the GOP were just allowed at the table. Brady also slams President Obama's targeting of the banks for national scorn. Why does he think Obama is off base and what will be the real impact of his new policies? |
| Seat Scott Brown Now! |
| Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:45:30 EST Louisiana Sen. David Vitter is launching seatscottnow.com, an effort to make sure Massachusetts Senator-Elect Scott Brown is sworn as quickly as possible. Vitter says winners of special elections are regularly seated a day or two after the election. Vitter says Democrats would love to ram their version of health care through Congress before Brown is sworn in and the only thing stopping them is likely public outrage. He says recent elections show Democrats need to stop their agenda on health care and energy reform and begin again. He also comments on his own re-election effort this election cycle. |
| Change We Didn't Want |
| Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:15:26 EST Conservative Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio says people in his state, Massachusetts and everywhere else in America are opposed to the Obama big government agenda. Rubio says Democrats should avoid 'procedural trickery' on health care unless they really want to get whipped at the polls. He also rips what he sees as Obama's duplicitous and disingenuous campaign against Wall Street banks. We also ask Mr. Rubio whether the GOP will have trouble keeping the party establishment and the grassroots activists on the same page heading into the midterm elections. |
| Walk Away from Obama Agenda |
| Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:58:35 EST The Republican win in Massachusetts is sending shock waves throughout Washington - especially among Democrats. How are Democrats processing what happened in the race to replace Ted Kennedy? How will it impact health care legislation? How will Democratic members shift gears in hopes of saving their political careers? Will the voters accept such a change or just see it as a calculated political move? We ask longtime Democratic strategist and former Lieberman chief of staff Michael Lewan. |
| Let the Desperation Begin |
| Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:54:15 EST Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn says the Democrats nationalized the Massachusetts Senate race and it blew up in their faces. She says Martha Coakley was tasked with supporting the Obama agenda and that's what the people rejected. Blackburn says Obama is risking huge losses in November by planning to push his current agenda even harder. She says House Democratic leaders are feverishly trying to twist enough arms in their caucus to pass the Senate version of the bill. |
| Full Steam Ahead? |
| Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:06:22 EST The Politico reports today that President Obama plans to be even more aggressive with his agenda if Republicans win the Senate race in Massachusetts. Is that a good plan? What would Democrats do on health care? Will they really end the filibuster rule? And just how big of a GOP win would this be? We ask former longtime USA TODAY White House reporter Richard Benedetto. |
| A Major Breach |
| Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:04:31 EST Professor Robert Pugsley of the Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles says the FBI greatly overstepped its bounds in failing to provide proper justification for obtaining more than 2,000 phone records. Is this an egregious act or just what had to happen for the sake of national security? Are liberty and security naturally at odds or can they work together? |
| Rejection of the Democratic Agenda |
| Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:10:44 EST Republican pollster and strategist David Johnson says even a narrow Democratic win in the Massachusetts Senate race is proof that America is rejecting the Democratic agenda. He says this race is proof that Democrats are in trouble everywhere this year. He says we could see an avalanche of retirements if the GOP wins on Tuesday, and moderate Democrats may abandon the Obama agenda. He also says Obama's political capital is gone if Scott Brown wins. |
| Ft. Hood and Radical Islam |
| Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:23:20 EST Texas Rep. John Carter wants to know why the Pentagon's report on November's attack at Ft. Hood makes no mention of radical Islam and how it clearly motivated the heinous actions of Maj. Nidal Hassan. Carter says the obvious desire to avoid offending someone is harming our national security. He says political correctness has to go. |
| Coakley vs. Conscience |
| Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:17:04 EST On Friday, we learned that Massachusetts Attorney General and Democratic Senate candidate Martha Coakley does not believe medical professionals who oppose abortion belong in an emergency room. She says the separation of church and state overrides any moral or religious objection doctors might have to killing the unborn. We get reaction from Dr. Donna Harrison, president of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. |
| Big Labor's Big Gift |
| Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:21:17 EST Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute explains why Congressional Democrats are once again guilty of the worst kind of raw politics - imposing huge excise taxes on 'Cadillac' health plans but not imposing the burden on organized labor. Guess who pays the tab? |
| Coakley's Apparent Collapse |
| Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:01:09 EST Massachusetts Democrats are in full-blown panic mode now that Republican Senate candidate Scott Brown leads Democrat Martha Coakley. What's behind the GOP surge? What's wrong with the Coakley campaign? And how are the national figures impacting the race? We ask Washington Examiner Chief Congressional Correspondent Susan Ferrechio. |
| U.S. Military Heads to Haiti |
| Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:07:38 EST Retired U.S. Air Force General Tom McInerney discusses how U.S. troops are shifting gears to aid earthquake victims in Haiti. McInerney shares his experience leading the Exxon Valdez cleanup and the Hurricane Andrew recovery and discusses what work U.S. troops will be doing to facilitate the delivery of desperately needed relief supplies. McInerney also explains how our forces face a greater challenge with Haiti's government literally lying in ruins and what tasks the troops should not be forced to do. |
| Obama's War on the Banks |
| Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:46:16 EST President Obama says he will impose fees on America's banks until the government has recouped every dime of taxpayer money spent to shore up the financial sector. New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett says there's just one problem with that. Obama will be imposing these taxes on firms that have already paid back their debts - with interest. He discusses what's really happening here and reacts to Obama's contention that the banks and Republicans are trying to go back to business as usual. |
| Obama's Fuzzy Jobs Math |
| Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:28:55 EST Georgia Rep. Jack Kingston discusses President Obama's claim that the stimulus plan has "funded" two million jobs. But did you know the White House counts every job at every company that receives any stimulus money as being "funded"? What is Kingston's view on what the stimulus has accomplished? And does he see passage of the health care bill as inevitable? What could stop it? |
| Forcing Sunshine in Health Debate |
| Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:56:44 EST Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan is leading an effort to force Congressional Democrats to open all remaining health care deliberations to the public. How are they planning to do that? Are many Democrats supportive of this effort? Why are Democratic leaders opposed to this transparency? And what do the many seniors in his Tampa-area district think about the health plan? We ask Rep. Buchanan. |
| The Science of the Haiti Quake |
| Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:32:57 EST A magnitude 7.0 earthquake ravaged Haiti Tuesday night. Millions of people are impacted and thousands may be dead. It's the most severe quake in that area since the 18th century. So how devastating was this quake? Was it expected after all these years or is it a major shock? How deep was it? What kind of aftershocks are we seeing? How much seismic activity really goes on in North America? |
| Planned Parenthood Abortion Mill |
| Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:59:31 EST Planned Parenthood is about the break ground in Houston on the world's largest abortion clinic - 78,000 square feet and an entire floor devoted to late-term abortions. So what message is being sent with the size of this clinic? Why dirty secret of Planned Parenthood is exposed by this clinic being built in a poor section of the city? What type of protests are emerging to bring attention to what critics are calling 'a modern-day death chamber'. We talk with Ann Hettinger, Texas state director for Concerned Women for America. |
| Can GOP Win in Massachusetts? |
| Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:34:31 EST No one thought Republicans had a chance of winning Ted Kennedy's old seat in the U.S. Senate. How did the most liberal state in the nation suddenly get competitive? What issues are driving voter unrest with the Democratic majority? What impact are the actual candidates having on the election? Would Republicans be encouraged even if they lose a close race? |
| Marriage Fight in Federal Court |
| Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:26:17 EST Liberty Counsel Chairman Mathew Staver discusses the push by gay marriages forces and their high-profile lawyers to have the federal courts declare bans on gay marriage unconstitutional. What is likely to happen in this case? Is it a lock to end up at the Supreme Court? What argument is being made to force the legalization of gay marriage? Why does Staver believe the law and court precedent suggest traditional marriage forces will win this fight too? |
| Double Standards and Victimhood |
| Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:15:10 EST Bob Parks of Project 21 and blackandright.com rips Harry Reid for suggesting President Obama was electable because he is light-skinned and has no Negro dialect. Parks says this will probably go away because Democrats never hold their own accountable. He also says this won't impact black support for Democrats because they enjoy being victims and having the government take care of them. |
| Dems Rally Around Sinking Reid |
| Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:21:46 EST Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is under fire from Republicans after being quoted in a new book as saying Barack Obama was a presidential candidate mainstream America would like because he was light-skinned and didn't have a Negro dialect - unless he wanted to have one. How will this impact Reid in his job as leader and how will it affect his already endangered re-election bid? We ask Rich Galen, former press secretary for Dan Quayle and Newt Gingrich. He is now the author of the blog mullings.com. |
| Dateline Washington |
| Sat, 9 Jan 2010 14:16:41 EST Pres. Obama went before the Washington Press Corps this week to discuss the intelligence community's failure to stop the Christmas Day "Crotch Bomber" |
| Capitol Steps on National Security |
| Fri, 8 Jan 2010 14:05:55 EST The Capitol Steps, Washington's #1 political parody troupe,take us inside the terrorist training program. Guest is Mark Eaton. |
| Not One Republican in the Room |
| Fri, 8 Jan 2010 13:37:03 EST Arizona Rep. John Shadegg rips House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's contention that the current health care debate has been among the most open debates in recent memory. Shadegg calls that "laughable". He explains what the process has really been like, why this is not a done deal and what he thinks of the latest job numbers. |
| A Three-State Blue Streak |
| Fri, 8 Jan 2010 13:23:00 EST On Thursday, the New Jersey State Senate rejected legislation to legalize 'gay marriage'. This follows a similar win in New York and among the people of Maine. How did traditional marriage forced turn the tide in this debate? Why do a majority of voters side with traditional marriage once they hear all the facts? And where does the fight go from here? |
| Stimulus Spent in Fake ZIP Codes |
| Fri, 8 Jan 2010 11:14:20 EST Just weeks after billions of your tax dollars were supposedly spent in non-existent Congressional districts, we are now learning of $375 million spent in fake ZIP codes. What should we make of this? Is this not as important given the size of the overall stimulus? What kind of fraud could be at work here? Will we see a second "stimulus" plan? We ask Peter Sepp, vice president at the National Taxpayers Union. |
| Obama's Security Risk |
| Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:28:01 EST John Gizzi of Human Events says President Obama will not fire anyone over the latest security and intelligence lapse. But he says a future attack or close call will trigger public rage if nothing changes. Gizzi also discusses Sen. Chris Dodd ending his Senate career with a whimper and other Democrats choosing not to go before the voters again in 2010. |
| Obama Policy Loses Key Intel |
| Thu, 7 Jan 2010 10:16:36 EST Former Pentagon official K.T. McFarland says federal officials were getting good intelligence from the attempted Christmas Day bomber until they were forced to read his Miranda Rights. She also says intelligently profiling passengers and making sure foreigners have a visa would be good steps. |
| Fight Terrorism or Climate Change? |
| Thu, 7 Jan 2010 10:00:44 EST President Obama has reversed a Bush administration policy and ordered the diversion of CIA resources away from intelligence-gathering efforts for the sake of studying climate change. The Clinton administration did this too, but Bush stopped it for eight years. Why is this happening? We ask Deneen Borelli of Project 21, a group of black conservatives affiliated with the National Center for Public Policy Research. |