After a week of withering criticism, BP CEO has been removed as the leader of the firm’s day-to-day efforts to address the massive oil leak. Rep. Joe Barton’s apology over accusing the White House of a shakedown against BP came only after a major threat from GOP leaders. And President Obama touts the results of his stimulus package.
The political world and much of America was shocked by the news Al and Tipper Gore were ending their marriage after 40 years. The Capitol Steps catch up with them and discover what really went wrong.
Texas Rep. Joe Barton is in hot water from Republicans and Democrats over describing the Obama administration as engaging in a ‘shakedown’ of BP by forcing the firm to fork over at least $20 billion to an independent fund through which an independent commission will issue compensation payments to those impacted by the oil spill. But Dr. Jerry Newcombe of Coral Ridge Ministries, and co-producer of the documentary “Socialism: A Clear and Present Danger”, says this is another brazen step toward socialism by this president. Newcombe says BP should be on the hook, but explains why the Obama tactics ought to frighten us all.
BP CEO Tony Hayward offered little new information on the oil spill to members of Congress on Thursday, which left both parties frustrated. But the biggest event was Texas Rep. Joe Barton accusing the White House of a ‘shakedown’ against BP to create a ‘slush fund’ – a statement that sent Democrats into a rage. We’ll also tell you what Hayward was willing to say.
Texas Rep. Joe Barton triggered a firestorm today when he accused the White House of launching a “shakedown” of BP by forcing the firm to put up $20 billion for Gulf restoration and having no control over where the money goes. Democrats have fired back in a major way, saying Republicans are defending BP over the residents of the Gulf coast. Who is right? What’s the political impact of Barton’s assertion? We ask John Gizzi of Human Events, who will also offer his thoughts on a bad week for North Carolina Rep. Bob Etheridge and the strange case of South Carolina senate nominee Alvin Greene.
Texas Rep. Ted Poe is imploring Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and President Obama to lift the six-month moratorium on deep water oil drilling. Why does he believe shutting down every oil rig because of one disaster is ‘absurd’? Why does he say this decision will cost countless jobs that will not come back in six months? What does Poe think of the government forcing BP to put up at least $20 billion to make compensation payments through a third party? We ask these and other questions to Rep. Poe.
Earlier this week, North Carolina Rep. Bob Etheridge apologized for scolding and grabbing a college student who asked if the congressman supported the Obama agenda. So how is this impacting the campaign of his GOP opponent, Renee Ellmers? What is her reaction to Etheridge’s embarrassing incident? What has she heard from the voters? What is her background and why is she running? And what would be her biggest priorities if elected in November? Listen here to find out.
President Obama’s address to the nation on Tuesday night is getting poor reviews, and some of his statements are being called into serious question. Obama and BP officials agree that BP will contribute huge sums of money for a recovery fund. BP leaders promise to make things right along the Gulf coast.
Louisiana Rep. John Fleming reacts to the president’s speech on the oil spill response and the ongoing debate over energy policy. Why does he think Obama is showing a lack of leadership? Is it because of the bureaucracy involved in the response or Obama’s personal handling of it? How does he respond to Obama’s claim that there’s no more oil to drill for on land or in shallow waters? What is the economic impact of the moratorium? We ask Rep. Fleming.
In recent days, reports from Afghanistan reveal massive deposits of minerals that could be a trillion dollar windfall. Is this a chance to revolutionize the Afghan economy or is this not as significant as some believe? And how might it be distracting us from an already difficult fight against our enemies? We ask Ann Marlowe of the Hudson Institute, who just returned from sixth embed with American forces in Afghanistan.
