On Tuesday, Republicans in Missouri will choose their nominee to face Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. The tight, three-way race features six-term U.S. Rep Todd Akin, former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and businessman John Brunner. Rep. Akin joins us to discuss the impact of his time in Congress, as he points to his record as evidence he is a true conservative while his opponents claim 12 years in Washington makes Akin part of the problem. Akin explains why he believes he will win the primary and why he decided not to engage in any negative campaigning. He also describes the fight for the conservative voters, as several Tea Party groups have endorsed Akin while Sarah Palin and others are backing Steelman.
Bloomberg’s Latest Crusade
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has targeted tobacco, salt and large sodas in his pursuit of a healthier population. Now the mayor is targeting a new alleged threat to public health – baby formula. Mayor Bloomberg has decided that breastfeeding is far preferable to formula, so unless new mothers have a medical reason they cannot breastfeed, he wants hospitals to hide the formula and send experts to explain to moms why they need to breastfeed. And dozens of hospitals in the Big Apple are already complying with Bloomberg’s wishes. Cherlyn Harley Lebon of the Project 21 Black Leadership Council says Bloomberg is going way too far this time. She tells us that how to feed a newborn baby is a very personal choice that should be left to the mother. Lebon says this type of push will force women who have just delivered babies to justify their choice of food for their babies and have to negotiate with nurses to get their hands on some formula. She says this is just the latest example of Bloomberg’s “nanny state” approach to his job.
Three Martini Lunch 8/6/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are encouraged that Mitt Romney has easily raised more money than President Obama for the third straight month. They also lament the latest spike in gas prices as the average price for regular unleaded reaches $3.60 per gallon. And they comment on Obama political guru David Plouffe reportedly giving speeches for a firm with ties to Iran.
Senate Sinks Law of the Sea Treaty
Adam Ulbricht of Radio America reports on the Republican opposition to the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty. Thirty four Republican Senators have pledged to oppose the treaty that could add new regulations to American businesses. Critics say the treaty is similar to other cap and trade, redistribution policies. Utah Senator Mike Lee and Jeremy Carl of the hoover Institute weigh in on the issue.
‘That’s Just Not Acceptable’
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that a net 163,000 jobs were created in July. That number beat the meager expectations, but the report also says the official unemployment rate is up to 8.3 percent and 195,000 fewer people were working than there were the month before. If seems contradictory, some 150,000 people left the labor force and are not counted in the official unemployment number. Texas Rep. Kevin Brady is chairman of the Joint Economic Committee. He says the numbers are better than the really weak figures we saw in May and June but show no sign of significant growth. Brady also criticizes President Obama for having no new ideas to spur job growth and for bringing back his call for higher taxes on wealthier Americans. Brady says business owners cite federal spending, a weak economy and burdensome regulations as the real reasons they are not hiring. He also worries some that America may accept this sluggish economy as the “new normal”, but Brady says the American people will not accept Obama’s “You lose your job, I keep mine” job plan.
Jobs, Chick-fil-A and Politics
John Gizzi of Human Events analyzes the biggest stories of the week, including Friday’s jobs report showing the national unemployment rate increasing to 8.3 percent. He also weighs in on America’s “secret” support of Syrian rebels, On the political front, Gizzi explains the fallout of the Obama administration suing Ohio over a law granting additional flexibility to military voters. And he offers new predictions on the tight Republican Senate primaries coming up in Missouri and Michigan.
‘Can’t Get to A Church’
The Capitol Steps caught Olympic fever this week and greatly enjoyed the royal family attending the opening ceremonies. In that spirit, the Steps bring back their parody from the time of Prince Charles’ marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles. Our guest is Steps star and co-founder Elaina Newport.
Three Martini Lunch 8/3/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are glad the House of Representatives has shed much more light on the Solyndra scandal, even though what we’ve learned is very troubling. They also sigh as the July jobs report shows another lackluster month when it comes to hiring. And they explain why a new poll showing a healthy Obama lead is because the pollsters included far for Democrats than Republicans.
Obama, Ohio & Energy
On Wednesday, President Obama traveled to eastern Ohio to campaign in one of the most critical states of the 2012 race. But in the very same region where Obama asked for another four years in office, Rep. Bill Johnson says anti-coal regulations just resulted in scores of layoffs at a coal-fired power plant. Johnson tells us what regulations triggered this downsizing and why he believes we may soon be looking an an 800 percent increase in utility rates. Johnson also recounts his confrontation with Environmental Protection Agency representatives in his district.
Connie Lawn on Jerusalem Flap
Last week, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney evaded a direct answer on which city the U.S. recognizes as the capital of Israel. Connie Lawn of IRN USA Radio News asked Carney whether it was Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and Carney simply replied that the policy had not changed. That led to a back-and-forth involving multiple reporters. Lawn tells us why she asked the question in the first place and what a real answer to the question would have revealed. She also explains why it was a politically sensitive issue and how she will pursue the matter since her question was never answered. She also offers some fascinating insights on the culture of the White House press room.