As if the pursuit of nuclear weapons and efforts to kill American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan weren’t enough, Iran is now strengthening it’s foothold in Latin America through increasingly close ties with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. What does Venezuela have that Iran badly needs? What aspect of authoritarian control is Iran exporting to Venezuela? How quickly is the Chavez ideology spreading? And what should be the U.S. policy to contain it? We ask Jaime Daremblum, former U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica and director of the Center for Latin American Studies at the Hudson Institute.
The News
President Obama makes an impassioned plea for Democratic financial reforms in New York City, but a former Congressional economist disputes Obama on the facts and the impact this bill will have. A Navy SEAL is acquitted in a court martial on charges he helped to cover up an alleged asault on a notorious terrorist. The Pentagon disinvites Rev. Franklin Graham from a National Day of Prayer event because some fear comments from 2001 might offend Muslims.
This Won’t Stop Another Crisis
President Obama says Democratic financial reform legislation is the best way to avoid a repeat of the economic crisis of 2008 that is still hurting America today. Not true according to former Joint Economic Committee chief economist Brian Wesbury. He explains why this legislation won’t stop another financial crisis, why opponents are not lying when they point out that Democrats are establishing a permanent bailout approach, what really caused the crisis and what strategy would actually do some good.
The Truth About Carbon Dioxide
As the climate change movement pushes Cap and Trade legislation and carbon emission regulations on Earth Day 2010, what are the facts about carbon dioxide and its impact on the earth? Are levels rising? Is that actually a bad thing? What impact would Cap and Trade have on the environment? What does it mean that global temperatures are falling even as carbon dioxide levels are rising? We ask Leighton Steward, author of “Fire, Ice and Paradise”.
Obama Didn’t Seal the Deal
President Obama took his financial regulatory reform pitch to Wall St. on Thursday, in an effort push Democratic legislation over the finish line. How did he do? Why could the momentum behind this bill easily be reversed? Is Obama credible when he says he supports the free market? We ask John Gizzi of Human Events and get his thoughts on the Florida U.S. Senate race, the budget fight in New Jersey and more.
Iran Targets U.S. in Afghanistan
In addition to developing nuclear weapons, one of the worst kept Iranian secrets is its fervent support of America’s radical enemies inside Iraq. But now that same effort to kill our soldiers and destabilize a key ally is happening to a greater and greater degree in Afghanistan. How big of an impact are Iranian weapons and money having on the Taliban’s efforts to retake the country? How much is Iran cranking up its involvement? Should this shred any hopes of Iran being talked out of its nuclear ambitions? And now that the military is admitting Iranian meddling, what should President Obama do? We get the latest from Stephen Hayes of The Weekly Standard.
The News
Members are Congress are going toe-to-toe over immigration reform in Arizona before the debate even begins in Congress. Will it come up for a vote this year on the national stage? Dems are close to lining up votes on financial regulation overhaul and President Obama promises no litmus test on Supreme Court nominee but says the person will be pro-choice.
Ex-Gays Slam GOP, Steele
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele repeatedly refuses to meet with ex-gays, who wish to correct Steele’s public statement that he doesn’t think ex-gays exist. Why won’t the RNC agree to these meetings? What would ex-gays tell Steele in response to his contention that gays are like black people and their status can’t change? Why is there so much hostility aimed at ex-gays? And what does the RNC risk in ignoring and alienating such groups? We ask Christopher Doyle, who serves on the board of directors at Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX).
‘A Massive Flow of Illegals’
The immigration debate is heating up again as Arizona lawmakers approve legislation giving authorities more power to apprehend suspected illegal immigrants. Critics call the bill everything from racial profiling to Nazi-like. California Rep. Dana Rohrabacher tells us in plain language why he likes the bill and explains what he sees as the real agenda of those who are soft on immigration policy. Rohrabacher also goes after Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham for being “aggressively wrong” on immigration and says voters need to hold them to account.
The Collapse of Charlie Crist
One year ago, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist was considered a lock to win a U.S. Senate seat in 2010. Now it’s pretty clear he has no chance to win the Republican nomination. How did this happen and will Crist run as an Independent instead? What lesson does this race and several others around the country teach us about the mood of the voters? And what should the national Republican party learn after establishment favorites like Crist get rejected by their own party? We discuss it all with political expert Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia.