On Thursday, President Obama ordered 30 million barrels of oil to be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Is this a good way to provide some relief at the pump or a frivolous use of resources being kept for a dire national emergency? Is President Obama making good on his recent promises to open up U.S. waters for more energy exploration? We ask Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Sen. Vitter also discusses the impasse between the two parties on how to address America’s debt.
Bowing to Political Pressure
On Wednesday, President Obama announced the drawing down of U.S. forces from Afghanistan will start with 10,000 troops this year and 33,000 by next summer. We get reaction from Missouri Rep. Vicky Hartzler, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. How does Hartzler react to Obama removing troops faster than recommended by General Petraeus? How can we really know that the Afghans are capable of sustaining the progress our military has made? What is the greatest challenge in getting Afghan security forces up to the job of defending their own country? And how will she vote on a resolution to end funding for our military mission in Libya? We discuss it all with Rep. Hartzler.
‘Stop This Super Speed Train’
Georgia Rep. Paul Broun tackles the federal budget by proposing the most amendments to remove spending from various appropriations measures. He says he wants to put the power back into the hands of the people, particularly small businesses to reboot the economy. Of his 12 proposals, only one was approved of by Congress. Why did Congressman Broun make 11 of his 12 cuts in agriculture appropriations? Is Congress living up to Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity? Broun believes these fiscal headaches could be resolved if America would return to the ways of the Founding Fathers. Listen hear for our conversation with Rep. Broun.
Three Martini Lunch 6/23/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Kevin Williamson of National Review are pleased that Dutch politician Geert Wilders was acquitted on hate speech charges for raising concerns about rapid Muslim immigration to his country. We also dismiss Obama’s rosy predictions for Afghanistan as he announces that the surge troops are coming home and we slam Obama for making another purely political decision as he taps into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
The Politics of Medicare
On Wednesday, physicians who now serve in the House and Senate gathered to discuss the political battle over Medicare reform. Republicans are rallying behind the Ryan plan for the most part, but what is the Obama plan? What did Obama actually tell House Republicans about this debate? How can any debt ceiling deal be reached when only one side has an entitlement reform plan? How is Medicare already being changed because of Obamacare? And how suddenly will a fully bankrupt Medicare collapse on America’s seniors? We discuss all these questions with Louisiana Rep. John Fleming, a longtime physician.
Band-Aid in a Hurricane
Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh explains why he was frustrated with today’s Congressional testimony from Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. Why is Walsh critical of the Obama administration’s approach to small businesses? What does he want to see from the administration? And what is the House Small Business Committee doing to make life easier for the small business owners?
Three Martini Lunch 6/22/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Dan Foster of National Review are feeling some confidence after a recent poll has only 30 percent of voters ready to re-elect President Obama. They also question Obama’s reasoning for removing troops from Afghanistan and can’t believe the person who people in Egypt prefer to Obama, even though he’s dead.
GOP Leaders Ineffective on Debt
Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert unloads on both parties as the Congress moves closer to a possible showdown over the debt ceiling. Why does he say Democrats are still clueless about our spending problem? How does he respond to Democratic claims that President Obama has turned the economy around? What is the job creation plan from House Republicans? How does Rep. Gohmert react to the possibility of a short-term debt ceiling hike while a long-term deal gets worked out? And what is his assessment of John Boehner and Mitch McConnell as the chief negotiators in the spending fight? We discuss it all with Rep. Gohmert.
Three Martini Lunch 6/21/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Kevin Williamson of National Review applaud Chris Christie for making good on his efforts to get a Democratic legislature to require concessions from union members. We also discuss the merits and drawbacks of a Jon Huntsman presidential campaign. And we try to figure out why service members are getting ‘imminent danger’ pay when we are supposedly not engaged in hostilities.
Three Martini Lunch 6/20/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Dan Foster of National Review like Rick Perry’s call for conservatives to stop being ashamed of what they believe. We also cringe as Mitch McConnell suggests a short-term extension of the debt ceiling while a long-term deal can be put together. And we rip NBC for leaving “under God” on the cutting room floor during a U.S. Open segment featuring the Pledge of Allegiance.