Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review believe the prominent role of Bill Clinton at the upcoming Democratic convention means Obama doesn’t have much to highlight. They also caution conservatives not to make too big a deal of news that President Obama called off the Bin Laden raid three times on the advice of Valerie Jarrett. And they comment on the Olympics, including the astonishing number of empty seats at many venues.
‘Facing An Intolerant Movement’
When Chick-Fil-A President Dan Cathy told a radio show that he endorsed traditional marriage and not gay marriage, liberal activists unloaded on the business famous for its Christian roots. Boycotts were called, gay people threatened to hold kiss-ins at Chick-Fil-A restaurants and at least two big city mayors announced they planned to forbid Chick-Fil-A from opening any new franchises in their cities. Liberty Counsel President Mathew Staver says this reaction proves that pro-gay marriage activists are militantly intolerant and are interested in intimidating and silencing critics rather than engaging in an actual debate. Staver says the statements by Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel are irresponsible and blocking a business from opening because of the personal beliefs of its leader is discriminatory and unconstitutional. We’ll also hear why Staver calls this debate a zero-sum game where there can be no compromise.
Sound the Trumpet
Human right promotion has been an important factor in U.S. foreign policy for generations – and especially in the years following World War II. But what is meant by “human rights” and how do we decide which situations warrant intervention and which ones do not? What are shining examples of successful policies based on the promotion of human rights and how should we view policies couched in human rights that resulted in worse regimes coming to power? We discuss this all with former Clinton administration official and columnist Larry Haas, author of “Sound the Trumpet: The United States and Human Rights Promotion”. Haas also answers concerns that our active foreign policy is responsible for some of our descent into debt and that the rest of the world does not view human rights the same way we do. Listen here for the full interview.
Three Martini Lunch 7/27/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review applaud Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly for his passionate defense of American business and his rant against excessive government regulation. They also groan as the economy grew by a paltry 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2012. And they discuss the British furor over Mitt Romney suggesting their were some concerns over whether London was ready for the Olympic Games.
Rolling Back the Red Tape
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed its second major bill of the week designed to spur greater job creation. This one takes aim at a myriad of Obama administration regulations that Republicans contend is a massive burden on small business owners, farmers, energy producers and others. Texas Rep. Mike Conaway serves on the House Agriculture Committee and is pushing rollbacks to new rules on commodities enforced through the Dodd-Frank law. He explains how those restrictions impacted business owners and job creation. He also explains some of the other key components of the plan, which now faces a very bleak future in the Democratically-controlled Senate.
Three Martini Lunch 7/26/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are thrilled that President Obama is now campaigning on the idea that his economic plan worked – especially as Obama’s own Treasury Secretary says the economy stinks. They also discuss the liberal outrage at a Romney adviser hailing the shared Anglo-Saxon heritage of the U.S. and the United Kingdom. And they react to the ridiculous cultural and political outrage over Chick-Fil-A’s president defending traditional marriage.
The Muslim Brotherhood Threat
Five House Republicans got a fierce rebuke from Democrats and many fellow GOP lawmakers for denouncing the Obama administration’s increasing acceptance of the Muslim Brotherhood and questioning the ties of some administration figures to the radical organization. In particular, the five House members want to know more about the connections of Huma Abedin to the Muslim Brotherhood. Three of her immediate family members have had some ties to the group and she has personally been connected to some of its personnel. The question is what all of this means. Andy McCarthy prosecuted the terrorists behind the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and is now with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. He says Americans should not be fooled by the presentation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a peaceful, secular organization. He says it is just as radical and just as much of a terrorist organization as ever. McCarthy explains the ties that Abedin has to the Brotherhood and how U.S. acceptance of the group is a stain on both political parties. He also comments on how the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt will likely approach Israel and why the reaction to the five House members has been so severe on both sides of the aisle.
Three Martini Lunch 7/25/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review like Scott Walker’s tough love for Mitt Romney – advising him to get tougher and explain why he would be better. Greg and Jim also scold Alaska Rep. Don Young for publicly endorsing the Democrat in the Hawaii U.S. Senate race. And they comment on David Axelrod’s contention that Obama is seen as more negative than Romney because Romney’s ads have been so negative.
House GOP Targets Domestic Energy
House Republicans are focused on job creation this week through two primary avenues. Later in the week, the GOP will look to roll back what it sees as far too much bureaucratic red tape that stifles businesses and hiring. But first, the House will take up energy legislation – a bill to roll back Obama administration restrictions on exploration and greatly expand the amount of coastal waters available for energy exploration. Texas Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco says ending our huge dependence upon foreign energy should be a major goal and it will easily create tens of thousands of jobs in the process. Canseco says President Obama’s claims of greatly expanding exploration is stunningly deceptive and he explains the big difference between the administration approving drilling permits and drilling leases. He also details how the House bill will expedite the process for companies wishing to explore for energy. He also responds to criticisms that this bill does nothing to advocate renewable energies and explains how embracing the GOP House agenda could lead to a considerable drop in gas prices before too long.
Three Martini Lunch 7/24/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review cheer a new poll showing that despite weeks of Obama attack ads, voters overwhelmingly see Romney’s time at Bain as a good thing. Jim and Greg also react to Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein saying that the Obama White House is clearly responsible for some national security leaks. And they get a good laugh as MSNBC tries to equate Romney telling Olympians to thank their families to Obama saying business owners aren’t responsible for their own success.