Greg Corombos and National Review’s Jim Geraghty breathe a sigh of relief that the disastrous 111th Congress is finally over. They lament the failure of Republicans to stop the Democrats’ lame duck agenda and wonder why Le Monde named Julian Assange its “Person of the Year”.
The Beast Is Off the Chain
Democrats have achieved several legislative victories in the lame duck session of Congress. But what do Republicans, who will take over the House majority in January, think about how this agenda has been handled in the waning days of 2010? How will things run differently with Republicans in charge? And where will the GOP start cutting spending next year? We ask Kansas Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a member of the House Financial Services Committee.
Three Martini Lunch 12/22/10
Greg Corombos and Jim Geraghty of National Review smile about the news that many defeated House Democrats are already planning to run again in 2012. They also grimace a President Obama’s improving poll numbers and shake their heads at Arlen Specter’s graceless farewell speech.
Clarity is Critical
The Senate is poised to approve the new START agreement negotiated with Russia. Why are so many Republicans lining up behind the treaty? Why is the distinction between offensive and defensive weapons so critical? And should this debate even be happening in a lame duck session? We discuss all of these issues with Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of multiple proposed amendments to START.
The Government’s Internet Grab
Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns reacts strongly to the Federal Communications Commission imposing new regulations on internet service providers. The approach is called net neutrality. Are these new regulations a good idea? What could some new regulations now lead to down the road? Why is Sen. Johanns confident the new rules will be struck down by the courts or Congress – or both? And how does he react to the leading argument for government intervention in the online world? We ask Sen. Johanns, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee.
Three Martini Lunch 12/21/10
Greg Corombos and National Review’s Jim Geraghty are cautiously optimistic about how the new census numbers will impact the makeup of Congress and the Electoral College. They also lament the likely passage of START and poke fun at the latest confidence-inspiring statement from Janet Napolitano.
The Problem Is North Korea
The world breathed a sigh of relief on Monday when North Korea announced it would not retaliate in response to military exercises by the South Koreans over the weekend. Why did Pyongyang back down? Where does that leave the Korean peninsula now? What should the Obama administration be pursuing with respect to its Korea policy? And can the United Nations be counted upon to have any leverage against North Korea? We ask former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton.
An Excuse to Scrap Missile Defense
Senate Democrats are working feverishly to ratify the START agreement on nuclear weapons hammered out between the Obama administration and Russia. Republicans are trying to change the deal in order to strengthen America’s missile defense posture and modernize our nuclear arsenal. So far, those efforts have been rejected. Are these badly needed changes or are Republicans just trying to kill this treaty by any means possible? Why do conservatives see this treaty as badly flawed? What kind of final vote can we expect? And how solid or weak is the Obama argument that this treaty is vital to verifying what Russia is and is not doing on the nuclear front? We ask former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton.
Three Martini Lunch 12/20/10
Greg Corombos and National Review’s Jim Geraghty breathe a sigh of relief that North Korea did not strike South Korea today. Greg vents his frustration over the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, while Jim finds a couple of silver linings. And they express their dread at the Christmas travel season after a computer monitor in a checked bag shuts down an entire terminal in Newark.
Three Martini Lunch 12/17/10
Greg Corombos and National Review’s Dan Foster celebrate the victory of the American people over big government Democrats AND Republicans as the omnibus bill collapses. But they also dread the terrible votes the Senate may soon make on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the DREAM Act. And they have some fun with John Kerry’s mocking of those who want bills to be read by lawmakers before they vote on them.