As this year’s graduates head out into an uncertain world, the Capitol Steps are here with some unconventional wisdom in their commencement address. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.
Capitol Steps Commencement
Archives for June 2011
Three Martini Lunch 6/17/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are encouraged by a new Gallup poll showing President Obama losing to a generic Republican. We cringe as Mitt Romney tells jobless people in Florida that he’s unemployed too. And we we chronicle the final twisted chapter of the Anthony Weiner saga.
Killing People is Hostile
Ten members of the House of Representatives have filed suit against President Obama over what they see as his failure to abide by the War Powers Act and seek Congressional authorization to ongoing military action in Libya. We talk about it with the lead Republican in the effort, North Carolina’s Walter Jones. Why was the suit brought now? What does Rep. Jones have to say about the Obama administration saying this action does not fall under the War Powers Act? What does he expect to come of Speaker Boehner’s ultimatum to the White House? We discuss it all with Rep. Jones.
Religious Freedom vs. Jihad
On Wednesday, the House Homeland Security Committee held its second round of hearings into the threat posed to national security and the Muslim community by radical Islam. This set of hearings focused primarily on how Islamic radicals are being groomed within America’s own prison system. So how big is this problem in our prisons? Who is doing the radicalizing and how do they do it? What can be done to stop them without suppressing first amendment rights to religious expression? And despite all the protests, how helpful have the committee hearings into radical Islam been for members of Congress? We ask California Rep. Dan Lungren, one of the most senior members of the Homeland Security Committee.
Seven Musketeers
John Gizzi of Human Events unwinds Rep. Anthony Weiner’s decision to step down and says there might be a chance for a Republican candidate in the special election that will replace Weiner. Gizzi also gives his thoughts on the recent Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire and the law suit brought against the Obama administration dealing with the War Powers Act.
Three Martini Lunch 06/16/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review joke about the predictability of Congressman Anthony Weiner resigning from office, challenge Obama’s definition of war, and discuss John Edwards’ conflicting court cases.
Less Spending, Not More Taxes
In just six weeks, the U.S. will pass the August 2 deadline to raise or not raise the debt ceiling. How are negotiations going in the Senate? Will there be a deal? Are Republicans open to some tax hikes if they will trigger Democratic concessions on spending? And what is the GOP line in the sand that it will not cross for the sake of keep the nation solvent? We ask Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso.
Twisted Logic & Redefinition
The marriage debate is in the headlines in two of America’s largest states. In California, a federal judge upheld a previous ruling that struck down the definition of marriage in the state as only one man and one woman. What does this decision mean and why were traditional marriage supporters arguing that the previous judge had a conflict of interest? In New York, lawmakers appear to be very close to legalizing gay marriage. Will it happen or will traditional marriage supporters snatch victory from the jaws of defeat like they have in other blue states this year? We discuss it all with Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs at Liberty Counsel.
Three Martini Lunch 6/15/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review see a lot to like if Texas Gov. Rick Perry enters the 2012 campaign. We also slam a very misleading DNC video suggesting the GOP presidential debate was all about divisive social issues. And we shake our heads as President Obama partly blames ATMs and airport kiosks for high unemployment rate.
Three Martini Lunch 6/14/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review applaud the GOP presidential hopefuls for keeping their focus on President Obama and not slamming each other. We also rip CNN for a terrible format and several ridiculous questions and marvel at Michelle Obama saying that her husband knows more than the people who brief him.