The official unemployment rate is 9.2 percent. However, when factoring in part-time workers and those who have given up the job search for now, the rate is more than 16 percent. What’s behind these differing statistics? Why are so many unemployed workers out of work for so long? What impact does that have on prospective employers? And what efforts are underway to make sure the unemployed are not discriminated against for being unemployed? Radio America’s Jordan Ecarma has the story.
Three Martini Lunch 8/3/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are cautiously pleased to see lower than expected fundraising numbers for President Obama. We also sigh as Obama continues his class warfare rhetoric – even after the debt deal is signed. And we offer some thoughts on why Harry Reid was waxing eloquently about his pomegranates just before the debt ceiling vote on the Senate floor.
Why Lankford Voted Yes
On Monday night, the House of Representatives easily approved the debt ceiling extension and 174 of the 269 ‘yes’ votes came from Republicans. One of them was cast by Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford, who is also a member of the House Budget Committee. Why did Lankford support the plan? What is in there that overcame his disappointment in the size of spending reductions? Will any of this impact future Congresses? Is he worried that the special committee will increase taxes? And how would he describe the House Republican Conference after a week of high tensions? We discuss it all with Rep. Lankford.
Three Martini Lunch 8/2/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are thrilled to see Rep. Gabby Giffords back on the House floor. We are disgusted by what Joe Biden may have said and what he definitely said about House Republicans. And we shake our heads as Tim Geithner proves a major Obama talking point in the debt debate was pure fiction.
Debt Plan Not Good Enough
The debt ceiling compromise will likely pass the House and Senate tonight, but that passage will come without the support of Louisiana Sen. David Vitter. Why is Vitter unsatisfied with the spending cuts promised in the bill? What do we need to know about the proposed “cuts”? Why is the approach to defense spending a major concern to Vitter? And does this bill provide a fast track to tax hikes? We discuss it all with Sen. Vitter.
The PTA Political Game
Core Strategy Group Vice President David Morey has advised 12 different presidents on economics. What are his thoughts on the super-committee proposed by Majority Leader Reid? Is it really important for this issue not to be brought up in an election year? Is there an end to the cycle? Or will the issues be forever inherited by future Congresses? We discuss it all with David Morey.
Three Martini Lunch 9/1/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are pleasantly surprised that new polls show a strong majority of women disapproving of President Obama’s performance. We also dissect Obama’s pathetic attempt to upstage the GOP presidential debate with his jobs speech. And we discuss how the bankruptcy of a ‘green jobs’ darling is the latest proof Obama’s economic agenda is impractical and very political.
Three Martini Lunch 8/1/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are always happy when a voice of reason comes from the other side. This time, Jim Cramer of CNBC nailed the President for creating uncertainty in the economy. That fact doubles as the bad martini as they rip the latest debt ceiling compromise. Also, Joe Biden tries on a new hat– landlord.
Sen. Rand Paul Speaks with Radio America
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul rejects the Boehner debt ceiling plan as ‘fuzzy Washington math’ and says adding a balanced budget mandate presents an internal conflict with other parts of the bill. Why does he believe the Boehner plan is fundamentally flawed when it comes to spending? What approach does he see as reasonable while leading the government to a balanced budget in less than a decade? How would he address the entitlement programs about to be swarmed by retired boomers? Why is President Obama’s domestic spending freeze very misleading? And what is Sen. Paul’s reaction to the war of words this week between the Tea Party and the GOP establishment? We discuss it all with Sen. Rand Paul.
Buy, Buy American Pie
The Capitol Steps take a look at one the factors behind our economic and debt-related headaches with their classic parody “Buy, Buy American Pie”.