Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review cheer Marco Rubio for pointing out that without major changes America is headed for financial doom even if we do raise the debt ceiling. We also rip GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham for suggesting that free speech should have its limits during times of military action. And we pick apart the web video announcing President Obama’s 2012 re-election efforts.
Bolton Talks Libya, 2012 Campaign
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton offers his thoughts on the latest developments in Libya and President Obama’s handling of the crisis. What should be America’s goals in Libya going forward? How should we respond to unrest in other Arab countries? Are we fostering freedom or paving the way for extremists to take control throughout the region? Why does Bolton see Obama’s Libya policy as ‘incoherent’? And how does all of this impact Bolton’s decision on whether to run for president in 2012? We discuss it all with Amb. John Bolton.
Doubts on Libya, Impasse on Budget
John Gizzi of Human Events says Obama did the best he could on his Libya speech, but America will not accept a third military mission in the Middle East. He also sizes up the budget fight and says both sides will end up agreeing to a plan that will not please the base of either party.
Boycotts and Court Battles
The controversial Wisconsin plan to save money by targeting collective bargaining power for government workers is on hold while a judge in Madison decides if it’s legal. Are politics, incompetence or both involved in this court case? That’s the opinion of Wisconsin GOP State Sen. Glenn Grothman. Why is he annoyed at this legal fight? Will Republicans just pass the bill again to clear up any legal issues? Grothman also lashes out at the increasingly ‘totalitarian’ atmosphere in Wisconsin as unions tell businesses they will be boycotted unless they actively support the political position of the labor unions. Will this tactic engender sympathy for the unions or cast them as thugs in the midst of this pivotal debate? We ask Sen. Grothman.
Three Martini Lunch 4/1/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are slightly pleased by the new job numbers but more upset that things aren’t much better. We also worry that the Libyan rebels are falling apart, and we endorse Barack Obama’s re-election…sort of.
A 3-D Energy Plan
Louisiana Sen. David Vitter says President Obama’s speech on energy was just restating the same policy he’s always been pushing. He also says Obama has been painfully slow in approving new drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico and that is hurting our economy. But what is Vitter’s long-term plan? What would his 3-D approach to energy production include? Where would new offshore exploration take place? What about on land? How would he address the endless legal challenges that try to block any new exploration? What does his plan contain for alternative energies? And does it have a chance of becoming law? We discuss all these questions with Louisiana Sen. David Vitter.
Planned Parenthood Busted Again
Earlier this year, undercover videos from the group Live Action showed Planned Parenthood workers working to help a purported pimp hide his work in sex trafficking and girls as young as 14-years-old from authorities. In response, the House of Representatives voted to defund Planned Parenthood of taxpayer dollars. The group has since launched a multi-million ad campaign claiming that many women rely on Planned Parenthood for basic medical care – specifically mammograms. So Live Action called dozens of Planned Parenthood clinics around the country to see if mammograms were offered or whether the idea was just part of a major PR effort. Live Action President Lila Rose joins us to expose Planned Parenthood for not offering mammograms anywhere in the country and discuss where this fierce debate goes from here.
Three Martini Lunch 3/31/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are pleasantly surprised to see great approval rating for Massachusetts GOP Sen. Scott Brown. They’re not happy to hear about Obama’s secret orders in Libya or how bad and small the group of rebel fighters seems to be. And we enjoy the comedy routine of new Arizona Rep. Ben Quayle.
Don’t Arm Future Enemies
In the past two days, forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi have pushed back a great deal against the rebels. Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Tom McInerney says this mission was a mistake and it’s time to get out since the alleged massacre has been averted. Why is he staunchly opposed to the U.S. and our allies arming the rebels? Why does he foresee a U.S. presence in Libya for years if we’re there when Gaddafi falls? And what’s the best American response to brutal crackdowns in Syria and other unfriendly Arab nations? We discuss it all with Gen. McInerney.
Three Martini Lunch 3/30/11
Greg Corombos of Radio America and Jim Geraghty of National Review are encouraged by plunging Quinnipiac Poll numbers for President Obama. We also worry that the public may not have the stomach for spending cuts we thought they had in November. And we rip members of Congress for piling up $15,000 in parking tickets.