In 2008 Democrat Gerry Connolly won an open House seat in Virginia over Republican Keith Fimian. Fimian is running for the seat again this year, in a campaign that many observers see as a toss-up. So why is Fimian back for a second campaign? What does he say Connolly has ‘no idea how to create a job’? What is Fimian’s plan to foster job growth? How does he respond to Connolly’s ad campaign describing himself as a fiscal moderate? And why is Fimian very confident of victory next week? We have a wide-ranging conversation with Keith Fimian, the Republican nominee in Virginia’s 11th Congressional district.
Should Non-Citizens Vote?
Voters in Portland, Maine, and San Francisco, California, will vote on ballot initiatives that would allow non-citizens to vote on local issues. Supporters say all parents should have a voice in school board elections and other matters of immediate importance to them. But critics say the right to vote is one of the great incentives to become a citizen and lowering the standard cheapens citizenship and paves the way for millions of illegals influencing the political process. So which side is right? We ask Bob Dane of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).
Small Business vs. Obamacare
Last week, a federal judge in Florida allowed a challenge to the new health care laws to proceed to trial. The case was brought by the attorneys general of 20 states and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). So why is the NFIB getting involved? What concerns is it already hearing from many businesses about the cost of health care in the future? And how will the new mandates impact the pace of hiring at small businesses whenever job creation picks up again? We ask Karen Harned, executive director of the NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center.
‘Clearly It’s A Horserace’
In most election years, Republicans have little hop of winning in Massachusetts. But this is not most election years. A number of races are competitive, including in the third Congressional district where incumbent Democrat Jim McGovern faces GOP challenger Marty Lamb. Which way is the momentum headed in this race? What are the differences between McGovern and Lamb when it comes to the economy? And is Lamb too conservative for the district? We ask Republican Congressional candidate Marty Lamb.
Runaway Balloon
The Capitol Steps are feeling nostalgic this week – thinking all the way back to this time in 2009, when America was transfixed by ‘balloon boy’ and a major development in the fight over health care legislation. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.
The Real Stimulus Story
President Obama and other Democrats contend the stimulus package is responsible for creating or saving more than three million jobs and prevented a second Great Depression. But what do the facts show? How have the job numbers changed in the nation’s biggest cities in the past couple of years? What’s the only sector of the economy that is seeing job growth? Did the stimulus save us from a much bigger economic collapse? And how will all of this impact the midterm elections? We ask Texas Rep. Kevin Brady.
More Gizzi Midterm Predictions
Human Events Political Editor John Gizzi is back with a new batch of midterm election predictions, including his picks on key Senate races in Kentucky, Illinois and Wisconsin and tough governor’s races in Oregon, Rhode Island and Florida. Gizzi also evaluates the impact President Obama’s campaign efforts will have on the midterms.
Dems Demagoguing Entitlements
A number of key Senate races have tightened in recent days and one reason may be Democrats attacking Republicans calling for reforms to social security and Medicare. But what are the facts about what these candidates are proposing, what the Democrats have already done or not done and why voters are still hesitant to embrace changes to the major entitlement programs? We ask Peter Ferrara, general counsel at the American Civil Rights Union.
The News
The Obama administration is on the record as wanting to repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ but is now fighting a judge’s order to repeal it immediately. A new slate of polls show Republicans doing better in the West Virginia, Illinois and Missouri senate races but slipping in Pennsylvania. And Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas are back in the headlines – with the FBI getting involved.
‘It’s A Matter of Freedom’
The tightest Congressional race in California is in the state’s 11th district, where Democratic Rep. Jerry McNerney is locked in a tough fight against Republican challenger David Harmer. The district has an unemployment rate of almost 20 percent, so what is Harmer’s strategy to get job creation going again? How would he specifically slash deficit spending? Why does he believe Rep. McNerney should be fired? And why does he see this campaign as critical to preserving America as a free nation? We discuss it all with David Harmer.