California is home to two of the most contentious statewide races in the country. Can Republicans actually win in a state that leans so heavily to the left? Will the story of Meg Whitman’s relationship with her illegal immigrant housekeeper cost her the governor’s race? Why is this such a major issue? Are Californians likely to trust Democratic career politicians more than former corporate CEO’s? We ask Carol Liebau, longtime political analyst based in California.
Detestable But Legal
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard the case of a grieving father against a group that protests and celebrates the funerals of U.S. soldiers as God’s punishment of America’s tolerance for homosexuality. So does the Westboro Baptist Church have this right or are their tactics going beyond the protections of free speech? Will the court come down somewhere in the middle? And do Americans and even the media understand that the Westboro group is not reflective of how the vast majority of Christians think? We ask Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel.
Do Higher Taxes Hurt Blacks Most?
The debate continues over whether the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans should be left in place or extended along with middle class tax rates. So why does former Congressional economist Dr. Larry Hunter say the greatest victims of higher upper class taxes are black Americans, especially young black workers? What other prescriptions does Hunter have for healing our economy when it comes to spending and entitlements? We ask Dr. Hunter, president of the Alliance for Retirement Prosperity.
GOP Poised for Huge Senate Gains
Virtually every Republican senate seat is safe and Democrats are furiously playing defense in more than a dozen others. Is the Obama agenda the main reason or have Republicans recruited a better-than-average crop of challengers? How will the key races in Nevada, Florida and Illinois play out? We discuss it all with Brian Walsh of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Meet Daniel Webster
Dozens of House Democrats are in trouble this election season, but Florida’s Alan Grayson may be the one Republicans are most intent to bring down. Grayson is best known for suggesting the Republican health plan was for people to not get sick, and then die quickly if they do. Now he’s under fire from all sides for a clearly misleading attack ad against GOP challenger Daniel Webster. So why is Webster running for Congress? What would he do if he gets elected? What is it like to be smeared unfairly in the midst of a heated campaign? And what is he hearing from the people in his district? We ask former Florida House Speaker and Republican Congressional candidate Daniel Webster.
Discovery As Big As Penicillin
Last week, researchers at Harvard University successfully tested a new stem cell approach that shows adult and pluripotent stem cells can be used even more effectively and may end the need for any further stem cell research involving the destruction of human embryos. So what is this amazing development that rivals the discovery of penicillin? What kind of difference could it make in the fight against many debilitating diseases? Why have embryonic stem cells proven unsuccessful in developing treatments – especially when compared to adult stem cell therapies? And why do scientists and politicians continue to stress embryonic stem cells despite evidence of where the major progress has been seen? We ask Dr. David Stevens, CEO of the Christian Medical Association.
Hunting Terrorists
Authorities in the U.S. and Europe are now aware of major terrorist plots overseas. But where do they go from here? What steps will investigators take to zero in on the terrorists before they strike? Will uncovering a few members of these radical cells lead to the capture of many more? And how well do the FBI and CIA communicate with each other and our European counterparts? We ask Bob Hamer, a 26-year veteran of the FBI and a member of the bureau’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The Rise of Radical Cells
Authorities in the U.S. and throughout Europe are on alert and Americans are being warned about travel anywhere in Europe right now – especially in Britain, France and Germany. So how vigilant are western European nations more than nine years after 9-11? How big of a problem are radical Islamic cells in places like the UK? And how much has a tolerance for Sharia law helped to fuel the growth of radical elements in Europe? We ask Amanda Bowman, CEO of Atlantic Bridge, a group founded by British Defense Minister Liam Fox.
Let States Call the Shots
Texas Rep. Ted Poe is sponsoring the National Guard Border Enforcement Act, calling for border state governors to have the power to order up to 10,000 troops to help secure the border. How would this law be different than existing policy? How much difference could those troops make in the fight against illegal immigration? How has the Obama administration reacted to the plan? And do supporters have the votes to pass this bill? We ask Rep. Poe.
The State of the Border
What are the latest developments in the legal fight over Arizona’s new immigration laws and what are some of the latest challenges for law enforcement along an increasingly chaotic border with Mexico? We ask Cochise County, Arizona Sheriff Larry Dever, who is also honorary chairman of bordersheriffs.com. Sheriff Dever also explains why he does not accept the federal government’s excuses for not providing the funding necessary to secure our borders.