We are now less than a month away from the August 2 deadline issues by the Department of the Treasury to address the debt ceiling. Despite pressure from President Obama last week, Congressional Republicans are firm in saying they will support no tax increases of any kind. So how will lawmakers get past this impasse on taxes? Will America really go into default if nothing is agreed upon by early next month? Why is President Obama guilty of demagoguery on what will be eliminated if the debt ceiling is not raised? And are the American people really ready to embrace some budgetary upheaval in order to begin real fiscal discipline? We ask Georgia Rep. Tom Price, chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and member of the House Budget Committee. Rep. Price also explains why he is not in favor of a short-term debt ceiling extension in order to buy time for a more comprehensive deal.
‘The Leader Needs to Lead’
The Senate cut short its Independence Day recess to focus on reaching a deal over the debt ceiling. But what is the Senate actually doing this week to move the ball forward? Is President Obama right in saying that Republicans are mainly interested in helping the rich or is he just engaging in class warfare and focusing on microscopic portions of the budget? How much would taxes need to be raised to meet our current spending levels? What will it take to get Republicans to support a debt ceiling increase? Are Republicans committed to the type of reforms needed to restore fiscal sanity? We ask Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns, who also explains what he wants to see from President Obama in the next few weeks of this debt debate.
Three Martini Lunch 7/5/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review confirm that President Obama’s stimulus plan was a bad idea, but the results should make for a good argument for the GOP nominee. They aren’t surprised when Obama is endorsed by the National Education Association, but they are surprised the endorsement came before the Republican nominee is determined. And, they question whether or not Joe Biden will make the cut and appear on the ballot as Obama’s running mate in the 2012 presidential elections.
Declaration of Independence
As America celebrates it’s 235th birthday, we take the time to reflect on the document declaring our freedom from British rule. Greg Corombos reads the Declaration of Independence
Loonies of the Right
The Capitol Steps have fun with the new House Republican majority, and especially with House Speaker John Boehner.
Three Martini Lunch 6/30/11
Bret Winterble of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are happily surprised to hear someone from the main-stream media take a shot at President Obama. They weren’t as excited to hear the president go after corporate jets but think the conservative movement might have found their version of John Stewart.
The Business of Immigration
President Obama says he wants to jumpstart the immigration debate and legalize millions of people who have been in the U.S. illegally for a number of years. But as the challenge of dealing with illegals continues, what is the impact on American business – especially for those trying to play by the rules? How do those who hire illegals gain a major financial advantage? Who really pays the bill? And is there already one simple step that could greatly limit the illegal immigration problem? Radio America’s Heather Isringhausen reports.
Resurgent
Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell explains how the path to American recovery can be found through Constitutional conservatism. What aspects of the Constitution are most critical to getting America back on the right track? Why might the Republicans be headed for a party split? What can prevent it? How are we one heartbeat away from a very dangerous Supreme Court? We discuss it all with Ken Blackwell, co-author of “Resurgent”. We also ask him about reports that he may soon seek a U.S. Senate seat in Ohio.
Three Martini Lunch 6/29/11
Brett Winterble of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are excited about republicans possibly gaining two more seats in the House, giving them a cushion. They rip Damascus Dennis Kucinich for traveling to Syria and saying President Assad was loved and appreciated by his people. And they mock a commercial trying to link Al Qaeda and gun control.
Targets Down
Longtime FBI Special Agent Bob Hamer is with us to discuss his latest reality-based thriller in “Targets Down”. Hamer draws from his decades of service in the bureau to take us into the operations of some of the world’s most nefarious criminals and show us how our government tries to infiltrate drug gangs. sex trafficking rings and other forms of organized crime.