Archives for May 2010

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is frustrated with the lackluster federal response to the massive oil flow off the coast of his state.  Obama officials repeat the mantra of BP is to blame.  Tensions heighten in North Korea, and Senate Republicans say they may push for a delay into the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Capitol Steps lighten the mood in the midst of a tense debate over immigration policy.  Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.

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