Archives for June 2010

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”.

Standard Podcast [ 7:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

Standard Podcast [ 7:34 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Republican women dominate biggest primary day of the midterm election cycle.  Blanche Lincoln survives in Arkansas.  The UN Security Council approves tougher sanctions against Iran.  Louisiana Sen. Vitter and Rep. Scalise demand clear chain-of-command in oil response.

Standard Podcast [ 8:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

Standard Podcast [ 7:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

Standard Podcast [ 8:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

Standard Podcast [ 8:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

Standard Podcast [ 7:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

Standard Podcast [ 7:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

Standard Podcast [ 8:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.

Standard Podcast [ 4:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download