Even though the Obama administration is appealing a federal judge’s decision striking down “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, the Pentagon has ordered recruiters to begin accepting openly gay applicants. Are Pentagon officials just doing what the court is demanding or are they rushing into a policy change they don’t need to implement yet? Why is this controversy more about a social experiment than improving our military? How do military leaders really feel about all this? And will the government win this case on appeal? We ask Van Hipp, former deputy secretary of the Army for reserve forces and mobilization.
Obama’s ‘Elitist’ Message
President Obama is cranking up the rhetoric in his efforts to keep the Congress in Democratic control. But will suggesting that voters are scared and aren’t thinking clearly really win them back? Why might Obama’s handlers be giving him very bad advice? We ask former longtime USA TODAY White House Correspondent Richard Benedetto, who also says the mass exodus of White House advisers is not typical, despite what the administration says.
Buckeye State Brawl
As Republicans eye a possible return to the majority in the House of Representatives, some of their biggest targets are in Ohio. In the sixth district, Republican Bill Johnson is locked in a tight race with Democratic Rep. Charlie Wilson. So why did Johnson get in the race? What policies would he pursue to help spur job growth? Why does he say small business owners are ‘afraid to make a move’ that would result in more jobs? And what vote of Wilson’s in Congress was ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’? We ask GOP congressional candidate Bill Johnson.
The Gay Debate and the Midterms
While the economy remains the dominant issue in the midterm campaign, the debate over homosexuality has become a more frequent topic of debate – from the military’s policy of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ to various comments made by candidates, Democrats and much of the media have been quick to shine attention on the issue. So are these key issues for voters or do Democrats see an opening by highlighting them? Why are liberals so reluctant to allow an open debate on these issues? We ask Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs at Liberty Counsel. Barber also explains why Colorado senate candidate Ken Buck was right on target in his recent comments on homosexuality on ‘Meet the Press’.
Printing Money Solves Nothing
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is suggesting more tools need to be used to boost the economy – including the intentional creation of new inflation. But Georgia Rep. Tom Price says the Fed needs to pull back. Why is he concerned about these possible actions by the Fed? What does he think would work much better? And how does he react to the Fiscal 2010 deficit coming in at nearly $1.3 trillion? We have a wide-ranging economic discussion with Rep. Price.
‘Not An Ounce of Truth’
Retired U.S. Marine Jesse Kelly is locked in a very tight battle with Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a district along the Mexico border. Why does Kelly believe if voters know Giffords’ record, he will win and if they don’t know about her votes he will lose? Is Giffords running on her record or running away from her votes for stimulus and the Obama health plan? How do the two candidates differ on immigration? And which side has the money advantage in the home stretch? We discuss all of this with Jesse Kelly.
‘When I’m 84’
This week, the government announced there would be no Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for social security recipients for the second straight year. So as the checks stay the same and the system loses money, the Capitol Steps wonder how the elderly will get by if the system runs out of money. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.
‘Cuts to the Core of Obamacare’
Just days after a federal judge in Michigan dismissed Constitutional challenges to the individual mandate component of the new health care laws, a judge in Florida has allowed a similar challenge from 20 states to move forward. The judge also permitted a challenge to the mandated expansion of Medicare to go forward as well. How critical is this to the ongoing fight against the new health care plan? Does this give Obamacare opponents a leg up when the case goes to trial? Why did the Obama administration lose credibility in defending the individual mandate? And why could the mandate be seen as a human rights violation? We ask Matt Kibbe, president of FreedomWorks and co-author of “Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto”.
‘This Is the Military’s Business’
The American Legion is joining the chorus of criticism aimed at federal Judge Virginia Phillips, who not only struck down ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ but refused to stay her decision while the appeals process plays out. The Legion says its concern is not about the merits of the case but one judge deciding what’s best for the military. So how should this issue be decided? Will politics end up deciding this issue rather than what’s best for the military? How much should the opinions of active duty personnel matter in the Pentagon’s evaluation of the policy? We ask Craig Roberts of the American Legion.
‘I Want Your Money’
The fragile economy and America’s exploding debt are front and center in the minds of most voters this year. Both parties deserve blame, but something needs to change quickly. That’s the thesis of “I Want Your Money”, the new documentary from filmmaker Ray Griggs that includes interviews with policy experts as well as some creative animation featuring presidents Reagan and Obama.