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?

 

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Georgia Rep. Tom Price says Republicans are not just critical of Democrats for piling on the pork barrel spending but are willing to show their commitment to open and thrifty government by not adding a single earmark to this year’s appropriations process.  Why now?  Is this principled, political or both?  Will this be just about the transparency issue or will the GOP also look to drastically reduce spending?  Can Republicans convince voters they are the party of fiscal discipline just four years after losing the majority in part because of excessive spending?

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy says President Obama is wrong when suggesting that more government regulation of health care will empower patients and doctors.  The proof?  Just look at government-run programs like Medicaid right now!  Cassidy also explains why the expanded coverage in the Democratic plan is a raw deal for patients and doctors.  And Cassidy says a reliable Democratic source tells him only 150 Democrats are on board for the Senate bill at this point.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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’.

 

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President Obama takes health care message to Missouri, but GOP lawmakers from the state say people there know the bill is a loser.  GOP Rep. Paul Ryan says the Democratic bill is less about specific policy and more about advancing an ideology.  President Obama promises long-term aid to Haiti.  Homegrown terrorist uncovered while Rep. Kennedy rips policy in Afghanistan.

 

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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?

 

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