On Thursday, the House of Representatives approved the Democratic plan to permanently extend the Bush tax cuts – but only for the middle class. So why do Republicans find this so ‘frustrating’? Will there be a deal by the end of the lame duck session to allow at least a temporary extension of all income tax cuts? Would the GOP be willing to give the Democrats what they want on unemployment benefits in exchange for an extension of all tax cuts? What are small business owners saying about this debate? Is there any effort to extend the elimination of the estate tax? And what else would give business owners more certainty? We discuss it all with Missouri Rep. Sam Graves, soon to be the chairman of the House Small Business Committee.
Why Republicans Will Win the Lame Duck Standoff
Republicans insist that all of the Bush income tax cuts should be made permanent while Democrats say the wealthiest Americans should not get their tax cuts extended. So which side will blink first? Will Republicans succeed in blocking all other legislation besides tax cuts and spending reductions? And how will the Wikileaks fiasco play out here in Washington and around the world? We discuss all those questions with John Gizzi of Human Events.
Three Martini Lunch 12/2/10
Greg Corombos and National Review’s Jim Geraghty discuss the strong crop of candidates running for chairman of the Republican party, the absurdity of Obama sending Attorney General Eric Holder to Zurich to lobby for America to host the World Cup and liberals going nuts over the Smithsonian agreeing to remove an extremely offensive depiction of Christ from the National Portrait Gallery.
Shut Down Wikileaks Now!
In a passionate floor speech, Michigan Rep. and House Homeland Security Committee Member Candice Miller demanded that Attorney General Eric Holder take the steps necessary to shut down the Wikileaks website. Why does she believe this step is necessary? How does she react to claims that the government may not have the authority to do it? What is the Democratic-led Homeland Security doing about this and how will Republicans act differently when they take control of the committee next year? And why is Miller critical of President Obama’s silence on this entire issue? We discuss all these questions with Rep. Candice Miller.
In Defense of Earmarks
Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe tells us why Senate Republican leaders are right to vow a filibuster against any legislation that distracts lawmakers from the critical issues of taxes and spending. How does he react to Democrats vowing to do everything possible to let tax rates rise for the wealthiest Americans? What about the Democratic claim that renewed unemployment benefits create more jobs than tax cuts? We also ask Inhofe to explain why he opposes an earmark ban favored by most of his GOP colleagues.
Gays, Nukes and National Security
Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and is passionately opposed to lifting the ban on gays serving in the military. He is also staunchly against the proposed START agreement designed to limit the nuclear stockpiles in the U.S. and Russia. So how does Inhofe counter the arguments made by those pushing to end ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”? Why does he believe changing the policy would weaken our military? And why does he believe START is fatally flawed and ought to be rejected by the Senate? We ask Sen. Inhofe.
Inside the Lame Duck Senate
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso joins us to discuss what we can expect in the lame duck session of Congress. Why did he vote for the earmark ban? Will Republicans have to give ground on unemployment benefits in order to get all of the Bush tax cuts extended? And how aggressive will Republicans be in trying to dismantle Obamacare in the new Congress? We discuss it all with Sen. Barrasso.
A Threat to American Security
South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson tells us why America’s national security has been weakened as a result of the latest Wikileaks document dump exposing our classified diplomatic tactics. Why are we less safe? And how can these documents be better secured? Wilson also reacts to the Pentagon’s recommendation to repeal the ban on gays in the military and the terrorism plot against a Christmas tree lighting in Oregon. We discuss it all with Rep. Joe Wilson.
Liddy – 80 Years and Going Strong
A household name for nearly 40 years, G. Gordon Liddy celebrates his 80th birthday today. How does Liddy view his many years in public service? What does he have to say about his silence in the Watergate era? What does he see as his role and the role of talk radio in today’s political climate? And what keeps him fired up and engaging in the political arena at age 80? We discuss all of this with the legendary G. Gordon Liddy.
Three Martini Lunch 11/30/10
Greg Corombos and National Review’s Jim Geraghty discuss Obama’s decision to freeze the pay of federal employees, the president’s claim that there was no ideological message delivered in the midterm elections and Harry Reid kicking off a busy lame duck session of Congress with a long-winded speech on college football.