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.
Archives for June 15, 2010
Obama Needs ‘Believable Empathy’
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
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.