Archives for April 2011

In the days leading up to Thursday’s budget resolution, more and more House Republicans were convinced that the compromise widely hailed on Friday was far less than promised.  In the end 59, GOP House members voted against the plan and Democratic votes were needed to put the vote total over the top.  So is this a success or a failure for Speaker John Boehner?  What will he have to do to prove to the Tea Party that there really is no daylight between them as he’s suggested?  We discuss that and the growing 2012 budget battle with John Gizzi of Human Events.

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Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review discuss focus on the dreaded event known as Tax Day 2011.  They explain what they like about it (not much), what they don’t like (plenty) and what they find most bizarre about the tax code.

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On Thursday, the House of Representatives approved a resolution to fund the federal government through September.  But 59 Republicans voted against the plan, making Democratic support necessary for passage.  Louisiana Rep. John Fleming joins Greg to explain why he opposed the bill, how much it really saves and how he approaches the upcoming vote on raising the debt ceiling.

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Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review unload on President Obama for his petulant, dishonest speech on the debt that relies on the same old liberal arguments.  We also cheer Rep. Paul Ryan for describing the speech as an unserious partisan broadside that does nothing to seriously address our debt crisis.  And we tear into the House Republican leadership for agreeing to a budget resolution that looks increasingly lame.

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On Wednesday, President Obama delivered his highly touted speech outlining his plan for reining in deficits over the long term.  He calls for higher taxes on wealthy Americans, cuts in military spending and generally tighter purse strings elsewhere in the budget.  So how are House Republicans reacting to Obama’s plans?  How does the GOP react to Obama suggesting the House GOP budget would reward the rich and punish seniors and students?  What is the GOP plan?  We ask Michigan Rep. Tim Walberg.  We also ask Rep. Walberg where he stands on an increasingly controversial budget resolution to fund the government through September.

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Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of Radio America are encouraged by House Republicans slamming the door on Obama’s tax hike plans.  We also rip the House GOP for agreeing to a budget resolution that looks more pathetic by the day.  And we tear the United Nations to shreds over its proposal to give human rights to the earth, trees and animals.

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For years as U.S. Comptroller General, David Walker was among the loudest voices calling for Congress to get serious about controlling our spending and bringing our deficits and debt under control.  What does he think of the Ryan plan for long-term fiscal solvency?  What does he expect to hear from President Obama tomorrow?  How urgent is the need for social security reform?  Why does he believe raising the debt ceiling is imperative?  What kind of spending restrictions would he like to see attached?  We discuss it all with David Walker, who is now president of the Comeback America Initiative.

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Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are lukewarm on another Romney candidacy but we like his tactic of going after Obama on jobs.  We’re very worried about Pakistan ordering many of our covert personnel out of the country.  And we skewer Chicago schools for banning homemade lunches.

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On Monday, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Justice Department’s challenge to the new Arizona immigration laws.  Iowa Rep. Steve King, one of the leading voices for border security in the Congress, explains where he thinks this case is headed and why he believes the Obama administration has no legal grounds for this lawsuit.

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Late Friday, House and Senate leaders agreed on a deal to cut spending and keep the government operating.  So why was the deal not good enough for Iowa Rep. Steve King?  What does he think of the separate vote agreed to on Obamacare?  Does he see any chance of defeating the budget deal this week?  And how does he react to President Obama demanding a ‘clean’ bill to raise the debt ceiling without any concessions on spending or entitlements?  We discuss it all with Rep. King.

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