Radio America Online News Bureau

During the health care debate, President Obama promised everyone could keep their current doctor or plan if they wished. He also dismissed allegations that his plan would usher in health care rationing.  Nonetheless, Obama’s nominee to head the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Studies (CMS) is on the record advocating rationing and has been knighted in Britain for his support of the UK’s government-run system.  So what kind of power will Donald Berwick have?  Could he actually order rationing or denial of care?  What other developments in recent days suggest more flaws in the new health care laws?  Why has an innovative firm in Virginia been forced out of business?  And what is the significance of President Obama touting $250 rebates to some Medicare patients?  We ask Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute.

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It’s now June, and Democrats in Congress have yet to put forth a budget – a move Republicans claim is designed to prevent voters from seeing just how much red ink Dems have planned for the next fiscal year.  How significant is that when our debt is about to exceed our GDP?  How endangered is our credit rating as the debt soars?  What can realistically be done to stop it?  We ask New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett.

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As several states hold critical primaries, will Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln be denied her own party’s nomination?  Which candidate has a better chance of winning in November?  How worried are Democrats about holding on to key House seats in Virginia?  Which party has the edge in the two big California races?  Are Dems embracing Obama or running away from him?  And do Democrats fear another 1994?  We ask Michael Lewan, former chief of staff for Sen. Joe Lieberman and partner in the Washington office of Brown Rudnick.

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Iran has threatened to use it’s own ships to act as a convoy bringing materials through an Israeli blockade into Gaza.  Is this a real threat and what would happen if the convoy meets the blockade?  We ask Dr. Mike Evans, adviser to many Israeli officials and longtime friend of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  He is also the author of “Atomic Iran”.  Dr. Evans also explains why the controversy erupted when it did and how the Obama administration’s actions played a major role.  He discusses why U.S.-Israeli relations are the worst since the modern state of Israel was created, and why he thinks another proxy war and Iran nukes may just be six months away.

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The U.S. economy added 431,000 jobs in May, but just 41,000 in the private sector.  411,000 jobs are for U.S. census workers, who will only have jobs for a few months.  Should we cheer positive numbers or be concerned that the private sector gains are far less than last month?  How does the oil spill make these numbers even more sobering?  What is the real unemployment number when factoring in those who have given up the job search or are forced to take part-time work?  Why are private employers reluctant to hire?  What would give them more incentive?  We Ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, chief economist for the Department of Labor under President George W. Bush.

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Many Americans are looking to hurt BP in the pocketbook by boycotting BP gas stations across the country.  How are these boycotts being organized?  Who will actually get hurt by this effort?  What would it take to really hurt BP’s bottom line?  Correspondent Jasen Sokol reports.

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Later this month, confirmation hearings will begin for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan.  Republicans fear she will be another left-winger, and the Capitol Steps have discovered who the GOP thinks would be an ideal choice to replace John Paul Stevens.  Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.

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On Tuesday, Nevada Republicans will choose their nominee to square off against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid come November.  Danny Tarkanian joins us to explain why he is the better choice to be the nominee than his opponents Sharron Angle and Sue Lowden.  Why did he get into this race?  Why should Reid be given the boot by voters?  What would be his priorities if elected?  We ask Tarkanian, just days before voters make their decision.

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How well has the Obama administration handled the oil spill response and how well has it handled the criticism?  How significant is the Israeli storming of the boat headed for Gaza?  What did we learn in this week’s primaries?  And who will emerge in next week’s onslaught of political primaries?  We ask John Gizzi, political editor at Human Events.

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Several states are holding critical primaries that will set the stage for critical November elections for the House and Senate and a number of governor’s races.  Who will emerge as the nominees for the GOP in critical Senate races in California and Nevada?  Can Blanche Lincoln hang on to the Democratic nomination in Arkansas?  Which House races should we watch carefully?  Are any incumbents in danger in their own primaries?  And how is the fight between the Tea Party and the GOP establishment likely to impact some of these races?  We ask Reid Wilson of National Journal’s Hotline-On Call.

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