Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review applaud Mitt Romney for being on message during his victory speech and conclude that Santorum’s efforts to win Democratic votes with a liberal argument was a flop. They also aren’t mourning the retirement of moderate Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe but they are unhappy that a safe Republican seat is almost sure to be picked up by Democrats. And they question the math of a Georgetown student who told lawmakers that contraception costs $3,000 over the course of law school.
‘The Answer Isn’t Rationed Care’
On Wednesday, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will consider a plan to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). It’s a creation of the new health care laws that would be tasked with determining which procedures would be covered by Medicare. Critics say the board of unelected officials would be engaging in nothing less than health care rationing. Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Pitts is chairman of the subcommittee. He explains what will happen on Wednesday when the panel takes part in a “mark-up” of the bill and he tells us why he is strongly in favor of repealing IPAB. Pitts also explains why he rejects Democratic arguments that the board is an important tool in keeping health care costs from spiraling our of control.
Three Martini Lunch 2/28/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are pleased that Republicans have an intelligent energy strategy while Democrats are pushing bad ideas or no ideas at all. They slam Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney for their pathetic attacks on the eve of the Michigan primary. And they have fun with the odd combination of Romney and his latest supporter, Kid Rock.
Gas Prices and the Free Market
Last week, President Obama said there was no silver bullet to solving the problem of rapidly rising gas prices and he mocked the idea that anyone has a plan to get us back to prices around $2.00 per gallon. Diana Furchtgott-Roth isn’t promising two dollar gas but she she categorically rejects the idea that there is no way to bring costs down in short order. Furchtgott-Roth is a former chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor and is putting forth a six-point plan for bringing oil and gas prices down quickly. Furchtgott-Roth explains we’re in this mess and why she believes aggressively increasing our supply of domestic energy should be at the top of the agenda. She discusses specific and general policy goals to achieve it. She also explains why we ought to wean ourselves off ethanol mandates, why greater flexibility with fuel blends is a must and why forcing oil companies to pay higher taxes is a prescription for disaster.
Bracing for A Nuclear Iran
Experts disagree on how close Iran is to a nuclear weapon, but most agree such weapons and a competent missile delivery system would be a horrific combination. Assuming diplomatic efforts fail to prevent the Iranians from developing nukes, retired U.S. Navy Captain Randy Duncan says effective missile defense is our best option. Captain Duncan says President Obama is not doing what’s needed to protect us and our allies and is actually degrading our missile defense capabilities. Duncan explains what steps are needed to keep us one step ahead of the Iranians and what the future of the program ought to look like.
Three Martini Lunch 2/27/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review like new polling numbers showing President Obama’s approval numbers in decline. They lecture Chris Christie on making statements about being recruited to join the presidential race. And they discuss the politics of the Oscars and the waning influence and popularity of Hollywood.
‘Devil Is Gonna Be In the Details’
President Obama rolled out a new tax reform plan earlier this week. And while the plan has been kicked off the front page thanks to international turmoil and skyrocketing gas prices, there is still plenty of reaction. South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney sits on the House Budget Committee and the House Small Business Committee. He says any cut in the corporate tax rate is welcome but he’s bewildered as to why Obama wants to significantly raise taxes on overseas corporate profits. Mulvaney says some companies want to bring that money home to invest in the U.S. but won’t because the government will take a huge bite out of it. Rep. Mulvaney is also no fan of higher taxes on small businesses but he’s pleased the president finally seems to be defining what he means by ‘fair share’ in that small businesses and the wealthiest individuals will be paying around 40 percent to the federal government. The congressman believes that percentage is far too high and he’s also disturbed by new reports showing that almost 50 percent of Americans pay nothing in federal income taxes.
‘War Against Fossil Fuels’
Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson is mincing no words in expressing his frustration with President Obama and his energy agenda. Johnson says Obama is pursuing energy policies that frustrate businesses rather than partner with them to grow the economy. Johnson rips Obama for ignoring our own vast natural resources while pumping billions into failed ‘green energy’ firms like Solyndra. Johnson is particularly incensed at what he considers a crippling regulatory burden coming from the federal government – regulations that that have already closed multiple coal-fired power plants. Rep. Johnson also highlights what House Republicans are doing to increase domestic energy and bring soaring fuel costs back under control.
Three Martini Lunch 2/24/12
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are encouraged that the Republican nominee should have no problem explaining how President Obama is clueless on energy policy. They also chide Jeb Bush for saying Republican presidential candidates are appealing to emotions and fears of the voters. And they discuss how the very same liberals who preach tolerance are usually very intolerant themselves, as evidenced by New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow telling Mitt Romney to “stick it in your magic underwear”.
GOP Showdown
The four remaining Republican presidential candidates locked horns in the final debate before next week’s contests in Michigan and Arizona and the Super Tuesday races to follow. Former USA TODAY White House Correspondent Richard Benedetto says many Americans got their first good look at Rick Santorum. Benedetto says Santorum did pretty well in the spotlight but didn’t have the lights out performance he may have needed. He explains how Santorum has a tough time separating himself from the Bush administration. Benedetto also assesses new polling numbers showing Romney leading Obama and Santorum within one point. He says despite the competitive numbers, the best news in the poll belongs to Obama. Benedetto explains how Obama could be hampered by high gas prices and why the recent fight over contraception and religious liberty may have been the intent of the Obama White House. And he offers some very tentative predictions on next week’s Republican primaries.