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.
Archives for January 20, 2012
The Payroll Tax Fight Returns
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
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.
Three Martini Lunch 1/20/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are optimistic that a year from today we will have a new president and they see Barack Obama’s indifference toward the economy as an asset for the GOP this year. They also wince as Mitt Romney struggles to handle requests to release his tax returns. And they dissect Newt Gingrich’s fierce retaliation over allegations he asked his former wife for an open marriage.