The Obama administration says it is responding to the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico at an unprecedented level in terms of personnel and resources. But Gov. Jindal and others say the feds have been far too slow in providing help. So who is right? What else could the government be doing? Why is President Obama’s reaction typical and tiresome? How is the spill impacting people miles away from the Louisiana coast? We ask Louisiana Rep. John Fleming, who also updates his effort to deny funding to the president’s new health care program. Rep. Fleming is also a practicing physician.
Stop the Spending!
President Obama says he will pursue whatever suggestions are issued by the bipartisan commission on fiscal responsibility. But who is on this commission and what ideas are they likely to advocate? Will there be substantial spending cuts proposed or will the commission try to balance the books through tax increases? In what form would those taxes come? And how long can the government sustain record-low income for Americans coming from the private sector while income from the government is at an all-time high? We ask Betsy McCaughey, for lieutenant governor of New York.
The News
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is frustrated with the lackluster federal response to the massive oil flow off the coast of his state. Obama officials repeat the mantra of BP is to blame. Tensions heighten in North Korea, and Senate Republicans say they may push for a delay into the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings.
Korean Tensions Building
According to a number of experts, tensions between North and South Korea are at one of the highest levels since the Korean War since North Korea allegedly torpedoed a South Korean vessel and killed 46 sailors. Why did North Korea do this? What should be the response from South Korea and the U.S.? How much military support could the U.S. provide South Korea in the event of a conflict? And what is the real role of China in all of this? We ask retired U.S. Army Major General Paul Vallely.
Financial ‘Reform’ Falls Way Short
South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint says the Democratic version of financial reform legislation fails to address the main causes of the 2008 Wall Street crisis. Why does he think the current bill is insufficient? What does he think the bill needs to fix? Why is he worried about government intervention in struggling firms? We ask Sen. DeMint all of those questions and get his thoughts on the performance of Tea Party candidates in last week’s elections.
Kagan’s Sexuality Does Matter
With the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings scheduled for late June, a number of controversial issues have arisen. But while no senators have suggested they will inquire about Kagan’s rumored homosexuality, Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel says it is a legitimate topic. Why does Barber believe Kagan’s morality should be evaluated? What could we learn about her potential time on the court based on her lifestyle? How would it impact her decisions? Why would that aspect of her life be different than how personal beliefs may impact other justices? And what issue outside of her personal life should disqualify Kagan from the high court? We talk with Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel.
Blair Resignation Hurts Security
Admiral Dennis Blair announced he would resign next week as Director of National Intelligence. Michigan Rep. Peter Hoekstra is the top Republican on the House Intellgence Committee. Why is he disappointed that Blair has been forced out of his job? How concerned is he about the rest of Obama’s national security team? And how disturbed is he that the Obama team will not admit radical Islam is a major motivator behind most terrorist attacks? We ask Rep. Hoekstra.
Juan Nation
The Capitol Steps lighten the mood in the midst of a tense debate over immigration policy. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.
The Illusion of Doing Something
The Obama administration is backing supposedly tough new sanctions aimed at Iran. But former UN Ambassador John Bolton says the new approach only makes the old sanctions slightly tougher while allowing Russia to help Iran defend itself from a potential Israeli air strike. So what do the sanctions do? How will Russia help to protect Iran’s nukes? Is President Obama really OK with Russian nukes? What reality will we face if the Iranian nukes are fully operational. We ask Ambassador Bolton.
Barrasso’s Second Opinion
It’s been two months since the president signed the new health care laws. And ever since, government reports, business leaders and policy experts have revealed that the promised benefits in the massive bill are largely smoke and mirrors. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso is also a longtime physician and is launching an effort called “Second Opinion” in which he compares Obama’s promises to what the laws actually do. What has just been discovered about the supposed tax breaks for small businesses? How worried are states about the additional health costs the plan forces upon them? And what is the next problem coming down the pike? We talk with Sen. Barrasso.