Admiral Dennis Blair announced he would resign next week as Director of National Intelligence. Michigan Rep. Peter Hoekstra is the top Republican on the House Intellgence Committee. Why is he disappointed that Blair has been forced out of his job? How concerned is he about the rest of Obama’s national security team? And how disturbed is he that the Obama team will not admit radical Islam is a major motivator behind most terrorist attacks? We ask Rep. Hoekstra.
Juan Nation
The Capitol Steps lighten the mood in the midst of a tense debate over immigration policy. Our guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.
The Illusion of Doing Something
The Obama administration is backing supposedly tough new sanctions aimed at Iran. But former UN Ambassador John Bolton says the new approach only makes the old sanctions slightly tougher while allowing Russia to help Iran defend itself from a potential Israeli air strike. So what do the sanctions do? How will Russia help to protect Iran’s nukes? Is President Obama really OK with Russian nukes? What reality will we face if the Iranian nukes are fully operational. We ask Ambassador Bolton.
Barrasso’s Second Opinion
It’s been two months since the president signed the new health care laws. And ever since, government reports, business leaders and policy experts have revealed that the promised benefits in the massive bill are largely smoke and mirrors. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso is also a longtime physician and is launching an effort called “Second Opinion” in which he compares Obama’s promises to what the laws actually do. What has just been discovered about the supposed tax breaks for small businesses? How worried are states about the additional health costs the plan forces upon them? And what is the next problem coming down the pike? We talk with Sen. Barrasso.
The News
The immigration debate remains heated in Washington as Mexico’s president tells lawmakers to reform the system again – a request that many say amounts to amnesty. More critics are dubious of the new draft of sanctions against Iran having any real impact. And the Senate overcomes what may be the last major hurdle to the Democratic version of financial industry reform.
Great Threat to Our Well-Being
President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon have spent the past couple of days savaging Arizona’s enforcement of federal laws against illegal immigration. How does California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher react to President Calderon’s comments. What is his opinion of President Obama’s approach to border security and immigration reform? How does he compare it to President Bush’s performance? What is the simplest way to address the problem of illegal immigration? Why does Rohrabacher see illegal immigration as one of the greatest threats to the well-being of all Americans? And how is his own district reacting to the immigration problem? We ask Rep. Rohrabacher.
United GOP, Fractured Dems
Both parties have reason to celebrate and cause for concern following Tuesday’s primaries in a number of key states. Will Joe Sestak’s win over Arlen Specter propel him to victory in November? Does Blanche Lincoln’s lackluster performance give the GOP an edge even if she makes it to the general election? How should the Tea Party feel after a big win in Kentucky but a difficult loss in a special House race? We ask John Gizzi of Human Events, and get his reaction to the Mark Souder sex scandal and the Richard Blumenthal truth scandal.
Obama Forfeiting the Middle East
The Obama administration is touting new sanctions aimed at Iran for its continued nuclear defiance. But former Pentagon official Jed Babbin says the new effort has no teeth. Why does he believe they will be ineffective? Why does he contend the Obama administration is perfectly content to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons? And what blueprint has Iran given to other radical governments to develop nuclear weapons while thwarting international efforts to stop it?
The News
We review the biggest political races from Tuesday’s primaries in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Arkansas. We also examine a key House race. And we’ll dive back into the immigration debate as the visit of Mexican president throws the issue back into the headlines.
Dishonest, Deceptive, Un-American
On Wednesday, both President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon slammed the new Arizona laws designed to enforce federal laws against illegal immigration. What should we make of a foreign head of state ripping laws passed in the U.S.? What has been the real Obama record on border security? Even if we did secure the border, what would we do about the illegals already here? We ask Iowa Rep. Steve King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, who says critics of the Arizona laws are guilty of deliberate deceiving the American people.