Radio America Online News Bureau

How significant is the apparent naming of a successor to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il? What can we expect from President Obama on his Middle East visit? Is Obama showing his bipartisan outreach by nominating a GOP congressman to be Secretary of the Army, or is this a plan to get Democrats another House seat? How surprisining is Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s decision not to seek a third term? And what political fate awaits Illinois Sen. Roland Burris? We ask John Gizzi, political editor at Human Events.

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Just a couple of weeks ago, President Obama reiterated his intent to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility by January of 2010.  But a new Gallup survey shows Americans opposed to that plan by a 2-1 margin.  They oppose bringing the terrorist detainees to a prison near them by a 3-1 margin.  So why can’t Obama seal the deal with the public on this issue?  Why are Americans siding with the Bush administration on this?  And how much will these poll numbers entrench Congressional opposition to the Obama plan?  We ask Susan Page of USA TODAY, who reported the poll results in Tuesday’s paper.

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President Obama begins his highly anticipated Middle East trip Tuesday night.  What will he say to Arab leaders and to the entire region in his address on Thursday?  Will we see more apologizing for previous American actions?  Will Obama get tough on Iran for its nuclear program?  Or will he be tougher on Israel to make land concessions in hopes of Middle East peace?  We ask Frank Gaffney, President of the Center for Security Policy and a former Assistant Secretary of Defense.

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We have Monday’s top news…What is the Obama plan for General Motors – besides starting the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process? What U.S. cities will soon see plant closings and job losses as the auto industry continues to take a pounding? How is GM reacting to these developments? What is the latest on the Air France disaster? How did Wall Street do on Monday? And what historical figure died on Sunday at the age of 97? We have the answers as we bring you the biggest stories for Monday, June 1, 2009.

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Why could today’s announcement of bankruptcy and government control by General Motors mean very bad news for Chrysler and Ford?  How could the government show great favoritism towards GM?  Will the government ever give up control?  What other areas of the economy could the government be grasping for next?  We ask Dan Ikenson of the Cato Institute.

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On Monday, President Obama announced that General Motors would be following Chrysler into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  How is being received at GM, which was once the dominant player in the auto industry?  Are GM leaders worried about heavy-handed government oversight?  When will the loss of jobs and plants finally end?  And can Chevrolet and Cadillac save GM?  We ask John Smith, Vice President for Global Product Planning at General Motors.

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President Obama wants Congress to pass universal health care reform and the get the legislation to his desk in less than two months.  But a new coalition of groups concerned about this plan is unveiling a new ad campaign explaining why government-run health care should be the last thing Americans want.  Why?  What is happening in other countries that should concern us during this debate?  What is happening in Canada that is forcing patients to the U.S. for urgent, timely care?  Is Obama telling the truth when he says you can keep your current plan if you are satisfied?  We ask Amy Menefee, policy adviser and spokeswoman for Patients United Now.

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Early Monday, reports surfaced of an Iar France flight from Brazil to Paris that simply disappeared from radar.  What could have happened?  Is a lightning strike enough to doom a jetliner?  How will an investigation proceed when experts don’t know where the wreckage is?  And what is the safety record of Air France?  We ask independent airline analyst David Field.

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We have Friday’s top news… What is the next U.S. step in response to the North Korea nuclear test and missile launches?  How are Americans viewing President Obama’s choice of Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court?  What is Obama doing to beef up cyber-security for the nation’s infrastructure?  What is the union boss saying about the new UAW contract workers ratified with General Motors?  What happened to GM stock and the rest of Wall Street on Friday?  We have the answers as we bring you you the biggest stories for Friday, May 29, 2009.

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President Obama says his stimulus plan has already created or saved 150,000 jobs.  Is that true?  Is there any way to verify that?  Why is it unlikely that the stimulus plan will be responsible for any job growth down the line?  Why is the administration reportedly considering a Value Added Tax?  What is it?  How much could it cost you?  What kind of tax burden does Obama have in store for most Americans?  We ask J.D. Foster of the Heritage Foundation.

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