Congress is now mulling over the Treasury Department’s $700 billion. President Bush wants the plan passed into law this week, but Democratic leaders are pushing a number of alternatives before giving bush what he wants. So what kind of haggling is going on? Is this a good thing at all for the taxpayers? And what would be the best and worst possible provisions? We ask New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett.
Ahmadinejad Is Back in the U.S.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is back in America for another opening session of the United Nations General Assembly. Will he be outrageous and defiant or will he once again try to work the charm offensive? And what did we learn about the Iranian nuclear program from the latest UN report that is very critical of the terrorist-sponsoring regime? We ask Alireza Jafarzadeh, the man who first warned the world of Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions.
Pakistani Leaders Avoid Deadly Terrorist Blast
Nearly 60 people were killed in Islamabad, Pakistan, over the weekend after a terrorist strike against the Marriott hotel in the capital city. The president and prime minister of Pakistan were not among the dead, due largely to a last minute change in plans for the two leaders as they ended the Ramadan fast. So how was this attack carried out? Does it show the terrorists are afraid of the new government? Or that terrorists have infiltrated the government? We ask all these questions to Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, Vice President of Research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
Friday’s Top News
Start your weekend by taking a quick listen to the biggest news! Listen here to learn how the government is moving in an effort to shore up the nation’s financial institutions and how the markets are reacting to the strategy. You’ll also learn how John McCain and Barack Obama are reacting to these major developments.
The Wall Street Mess and Your Tax Dollars
Hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars are being spent to stabilize Wall Street after one of the most chaotic stretches in recent history. And so far investors like what the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department are doing.
But what exactly is the plan and why do so many people think this is a good idea? Listen to Greg’s interview with economist Bill Beach of the Heritage Foundation.
Even if this is the right plan, should the Fed Chairman and the Treasury Secretary have the power to just announce half a trillion dollars in federal assistance? Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann talked with Greg about her efforts to give Congress a pivotal voice on the government’s response to this crisis.
Which Candidate Won This Week?
The mess on Wall Street dominated the headlines and the presidential campaign this week. Both John McCain and Barack Obama said they would make sure such collapses and breaches of the public trust would never happen on their watch. So which candidate gained traction this week and which one is playing catch-up?
Listen to Greg’s interview with Professor Larry Sabato from the University of Virginia.
The New Israeli Prime Minister
On Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won the ruling party primary and is poised to become the next prime minister. What should be her top priorities? What kind of partnership would she want with the United States? And how far is she willing to negotiate with the Palestinians?
Listen to Greg’s interview with Middle East expert Josh Goodman for the answers to these and other critical questions.
The Economy and the Campaign
Barack Obama and John McCain are both using the recent Wall Street mess to argue they are the only candidate capable of sorting out the mess and charting a better course for our economy. McCain says he would have fired SEC Chairman Christopher Cox while Obama insists McCain is appealing to our fears in an effort to win votes. So which one is right? And which candidate do you trust to handle the economy?
Listen to Greg’s interview on the economy’s impact on the campaign with Don Lambro of The Washington Times.
Will Wall Street Recover?
The U.S. economy has a proven ability to bounce back – from the Savings and Loans scandal to the bursting of the tech bubble. So why might it be a lot harder to pick up the pieces after the mortgage meltdown? Check out the piece by Steve Malanga of Real Clear Markets and the Manhattan Institute and share your thoughts with us!
Listen to Greg’s interview with Malanga on the tough road back for Wall Street.
Obama Back in the Lead
The latest national survey from Zogby International shows Democratic nominee Barack Obama slightly ahead of Republican John McCain. What’s responsible for the minor shift? Is there a momentum swing or just a slight lessening of the McCain bounce? What do you think?
Listen to Greg’s interview with Fritz Wenzel of Zogby International.