Greg Corombos of Radio America and Dan Foster of National Review like the new Republican National Committee web ad reminding everyone of Obama’s economic promises and his failure to keep them. They also sigh as Gingrich and Romney throw mud at each other and take their eyes off Obama. And they’re disgusted to learn Warren Buffett’s secretary – the poster child for Obama’s class warfare strategy – will be an honored guest at the State of the Union address tonight.
One day after the 39th anniversary of the Supreme Court legalizing abortion in the United States, thousands of pro-life activists marched from the White House to the steps of the Supreme Court. Priests for Life National Director Father Frank Pavone was among them. Fr. Pavone explains what the march is all about and what the immediate goals of the pro-life movement are. He also describes the powerful ‘Silent No More’ campaign that his group is sponsoring and how pro-life activists are working to elect like minded lawmakers later this year.
The 2010 Census showed enough population growth in Utah to create a new Congressional district in the state. Among the candidates in the Republican-leaning district is Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love. She tells us why her economic performance in office proves she is exactly the type of person we need in Congress. Love tells us how she would approach America’s huge spending problem and where she believes we need to cut back. She also addresses military spending, the impact of energy on the economy and how she would approach efforts to repeal Obamacare.
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are trying to be optimistic that a very competitive Republican race will produce a battle-tested nominee. They’re also sad to see Rep. Gabrielle Giffords stepping down as she continues to recover from her horrific shooting. And they have some fun with Sen. Rand Paul’s Monday encounter with the TSA.
While most eyes are on the race for the White House, a tight House race in Oregon is also grabbing some attention. The state’s first Congressional district has been without a representative since Democrat David Wu resigned last summer over repeated bizarre behavior. The district trends Democratic but recent polls show Republican Rob Cornilles surprisingly close to Democratic nominee Suzanne Bonamici. Mr. Cornilles explains what issue is paramount in this race and where he and Bonamici differ most strongly. He also tells us why Obamacare is a major issue in the contest and how Oregon’s mail-in balloting system impacts the race.
Just before Christmas, House Republicans and Senate Democrats were at a stalemate over extending the existing payroll tax rates. Republicans demanded a year-long extension and approved that plan in the House. Senate Democrats refused to go along and passed the two-month extension. GOP House leaders demanded a conference committee to hammer out a compromise but Senate leaders adjourned and left the House to approve its version or allow payroll tax rates to rise. After several days, House Republicans relented but promised a vigorous fight weeks later. That moment has now arrived. Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford is a member of the House Budget Committee. He explains what Republicans want in a deal to extend the rates until the end of the year and how tough it will be to reach a compromise with the Senate this time around. Rep. Lankford also explains what happened back in December when Senate Republicans ended up backing the two-month deal and assuming the House would support it as well.
As the fight continues among the Republican candidates to stand out as the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney, many influential evangelicals are throwing their support behind Rick Santorum. In response, the Capitol Steps are putting this trend into their own unique perspective. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are optimistic that a year from today we will have a new president and they see Barack Obama’s indifference toward the economy as an asset for the GOP this year. They also wince as Mitt Romney struggles to handle requests to release his tax returns. And they dissect Newt Gingrich’s fierce retaliation over allegations he asked his former wife for an open marriage.
Energy policy is emerging as a key issue in the 2012 campaign as gas prices stand twice as high as they did three years ago. President Obama has taken a great deal of heat for directing billions of taxpayer dollars towards failed clean energy firms and now for rejecting the Keystone pipeline that supporters say would create tens of thousands of good jobs. Former Virginia Sen. George Allen is running for his old seat again this year and says excuses that there hasn’t been enough time to evaluate the project is “absurd political posturing”. Allen explains how Obama’s energy policies have handcuffed his state’s efforts to explore offshore and what priorities he would pursue if returned to the Senate. He also rips likely Democratic opponent Tim Kaine for parroting the White House explanation for the rejection. Allen also tells us why he does not buy the argument that Obama may approve the project after the election and how important energy policy and energy prices will be in this year’s campaign.
Thursday witnessed major developments in the 2012 presidential campaign. Texas Gov. Rick Perry suspended his campaign and endorsed Newt Gingrich. John Gizzi of Human Events explains whet went wrong with the Perry campaign after a meteoric start and assesses how much of an impact the Perry endorsement might have on Gingrich’s fortunes. Gizzi also reacts to an ABC News interview in which Gingrich’s second wife alleges the former Speaker of the House wanted an ‘open marriage’ so he could carry on an affair with the woman who is now his third wife. Gizzi explains why the sordid tale could cut both ways on the campaign trail. He also tells us why the Jon Huntsman campaign never managed to get off the ground.
