After failing to get President Obama to agree to construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and an unsuccessful effort to force the issue, House Republicans are trying again. Lawmakers attached the pipeline to a major transportation bill in an effort to move the pipeline closer to reality. Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole tells us why the latest strategy is adding Keystone to a transportation bill and whether he thinks President Obama will ever relent on the issue. He also answers critics who say that Nebraska is the real hold-up in this process and he explains why the Keystone debate is symbolic of a larger fundamental divide between the priorities of the two parties.
Ban All Cell Phone Use by Drivers?
Earlier this year, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended urged state and local governments to ban all cell phone use by drivers. Now, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is urging Congress to do the same. Horace Cooper of the Project 21 Black Leadership Council says this is a bad solution in search of a problem. Cooper says there is no evidence that cell phone use adds to the likelihood of accidents and he says states that have banned texting while driving or insisted upon hands-free devices have seen no drop in accident frequency. He suggests this is much more about revenue generation than safety and only hurts our economy. And Cooper explains why LaHood’s push for Congressional action is even worse than the NTSB recommendation.
Three Martini Lunch 4/27/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review enjoy a new American Crossroads web ad showing America hasn’t gotten much in return for electing a ‘celebrity president’. They also sigh as the economic growth in the first quarter of 2012 comes in below expectations. And they discuss Michelle Obama’s desire to walk out of the White House and ‘just keep walking’.
‘That’s The Big Liberal Lie’
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has been in office for almost 20 years. She’s held public office almost non-stop for 42 years and is considered a heavy favorite for re-election this year. But polls in the Golden State show 44 percent of Californians are ready for someone new. Former IBM executive and autism activist Elizabeth Emken hopes to be that someone new and is considered the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in a very crowded field. Emken tells us why she’s running for the Senate and why her efforts will find different results than the GOP got with business leaders Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina in the state’s big races back in 2010. Emken offers her approach to spending and job creation and explains why the president’s health care plan plan was the issue that really got her moving. Emken addresses Feinstein’s huge financial advantage and makes her case for why Republican voters ought to nominate her to battle Feinstein in November.
Three Martini Lunch 4/24/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review cheer a reduction in illegal immigration from Mexico – although it’s due to Mexicans going back home because they see better job opportunities there. They also weigh in on worsening consumer confidence numbers. And they have plenty to say in response to an Obama administration official declaring the War on Terror is over.
Rohrabacher Rejected by Karzai
Late last week, California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher was a late addition to a congressional delegation to Afghanistan. But when the group landed in Dubai in preparation for the final leg of the trip to Afghanistan, word came that Rohrabacher was not to enter Afghanistan. If he stayed with the delegation, all lawmakers would be denied entry. Rohrabacher Communications Director Tara Setmayer explains why Rep. Rohrabacher was singled out by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and why Rohrabacher’s criticism of Karzai is unique. Setmayer also discusses why there was little surprise that Obama administration officials (including Hillary Clinton) urged Rohrabacher to abide by Karzai’s demand.
The Real Unemployment Rate
The national unemployment rate officially stands at 8.2 percent. But if the government factored in Americans who have given up trying to find work, the rate would be 9.6 percent. California Rep. Duncan Hunter says that should be the real unemployment rate because it gives a far more accurate picture into how many Americans would like to be working but cannot find a job. Hunter says the change would be easy because the monthly jobless reports already calculate that rate but it is not the official unemployment number. He adds that people leaving the labor market after their jobless benefits expire actually make the traditional unemployment go down – which is exactly the wrong way to look at ‘discouraged’ workers. Hunter tells us why this change is needed after so many years of most people accepting the current calculation for unemployment without any problems. He also explains why he does not want to count the “underemployed” in the jobless rate. Those are people who want to be working full-time but have to settle for part-time jobs. Hunter also discusses how policy decisions might be made differently if lawmakers had the real unemployment rate in mind.
Three Martini Lunch 4/23/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review like Mitt Romney’s assertiveness by saying he’ll build the Keystone Pipeline himself if that’s what it takes. They also groan as another provision in Obamacare is exposed that wastes billions and does not improve care. And they discuss the Sunday morning appearance of Keith Olbermann on ABC’s “This Week”.
Secret Service Chaos
The Secret Service is getting an abundance of unwanted media attention, but the author of a book on the group charged with protecting the president says this scandal doesn’t come as a surprise to him and may actually help to spark some much need changes in the organization. Ron Kessler is author of “In the President’s Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents they Protect”. Kessler says Secret Service management has become increasingly sloppy over the years so it’s to be expected that attitude would trickle down to agents in the field. Kessler describes how basic security procedures are overlooked, critical tests are falsified and weapons standards are well behind the FBI and others. He also reports that agents are afraid to reject requests outside their job descriptions because Secret Service leaders routinely side with egotistical leaders and their family members and against agents who don’t want to be treated like hired help. Kessler explains what changes are needed to improve the agency and he tells us why outside oversight is necessary to make the changes stick.
Amazing Race
The Capitol Steps bid a tearful but inspirational farewell to the presidential candidacy of Rick Santorum.