President Obama has issued a number of new executive orders on issues ranging from student loans to mortgage refinancing to prescription drugs. His argument has been that he must act because Congress refuses to work with him. That’s ridiculous according to Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Pitts. Pitts is chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health. He says Obama already had the authority to act and is now trumpeting an order that is completely meaningless. Pitts also says the administration has dragged its feet in cooperating with his subcommittee and this whole sequence is charged with politics. We discuss it all with Rep. Joe Pitts.
Three Martini Lunch 12/1/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are encouraged to see Democratic Rep. Dennis Cardoza articulating an ever-growing disappointment in President Obama. They’re also alarmed that the U.S. economy is exhibiting more and more signs of what crippled the economies of several European nations. And they scold Mitt Romney for whining that his interview with Bret Baier of Fox News was ‘overly aggressive’ and ‘unfair’.
Three Martini Lunch 11/1/11
Greg Corombos and Jim Geraghty slam Politico for pushing Cain story with almost no facts but Jim also has some choice words for Cain supporters. They also groan as two more Solyndra-like failures emerge with taxpayers again on the hook. And they comment on Greece deciding to gamble temporary financial stability on a nationwide vote.
Obamacare Discourages Marriage
Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Manhattan Institute is also a former chief economist for the Department of Labor. She says further scrutiny of the new health care laws show they provide a disincentive for marriage and work. What are the two ways that Obamacare discourages marriage? Why might it convince well-educated people to stop working? And why could Obamacare leave stay-at-home moms and children in a medical no-man’s land?
Three Martini Lunch 10/31/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review enjoy reports of the Iranian parliament investigating Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for fraud. They also fear allegations of sexual harassment may mean trouble for the Cain campaign. And they’re amused by the free-wheeling performance by Rick Perry in New Hampshire this past weekend.
Gizzi on Politics
John Gizzi of Human Events weighs in on the president’s battle with Congress and whether he’s swaying voters by enacting policies without Congressional authorization. Gizzi also assesses the rising popularity of Herman Cain and how Rick Perry’s tax plan could inject some life into his campaign. We also get Gizzi’s thoughts on the Occupy Wall Street protests and the financial chaos in Europe.
Small Fixes Won’t Cut It
President Obama introduced three initiatives this week that he plans to enact without consent from Congress – tax credits for hiring returning veterans, easier mortgage refinancing and breaks for repaying student loans. So are these concrete ways to inject a bit of life into the economy? Why are Republicans unimpressed? Would these ideas even help in the short term? To what extent are these plans just a means of attracting the demographic groups Obama thinks he needs to win next year? We discuss it all with Indiana Rep. Marlin Stutzman.
Start to Love Cain
Over the past few weeks, businessman Herman Cain has surged to the front of the Republican presidential field. The Capitol Steps have some fun as they get to know the former pizza executive. Our guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton.
Three Martini Lunch 10/28/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review offer their Halloween martinis. What “scary” news may have a strong silver lining? Which political stories scare them in the usual bad way? And what headlines are just scary crazy?
Bolton Talks Iraq, Libya
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton says President Obama always wanted American troops out of Iraq as soon as possible and likely made no genuine effort to reach a Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqis. He also explains how Iraq is likely to deteriorate quickly despite many years of American blood and treasure spent to secure it. Bolton also details why quick elections are a bad idea throughout North Africa because the most radical elements are usually the best organized. He also tells us what U.S. policy should be in order to influence the most stable possible outcome. And we ask Amb. Bolton whether the “Arab Spring” has been a good thing or a bad thing overall.