Iran is upping the enrichment of uranium to a point where their ambition for nuclear weapons will soon be unmistakable. What will the international community do then? Can sanctions still work? What impact would U.S. support for Iranian demonstrators have? When would Israel strike if it ever happens? And what would be the Iranian response. We talk with Middle East expert Mike Evans.
Murtha Seat Up for Grabs
University of Virginia Professor Larry Sabato discusses the dual legacy of the late Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha – as the King of Pork and as a fierce critic of the Iraq War. Sabato explains why Murtha’s seat is very much in play for Republicans and why predicting special elections is always tricky. He also discusses whether the upcoming health care summit is more about talking points or finding compromise.
Real Health Reform
Dr. Donald Palmisano is former president of the American Medical Association. Why does he think a simple health care bill could improve the health care system far better than the current 2700-page monstrosity? Will there be a bipartisan consensus on anything? And why did the current AMA leadership endorse the Democratic plan?
We Need A Climate Service?
The Obama administration is announcing the formation of a new Climate Service that will offer projections on what we can expect from climate change. Is this a valuable government program or a drain of tax dollars that does nothing more than promote a political ideology? We ask Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity.
The News
President Obama calls for another televised bipartisan summit on health care, Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha dies, federal government closed after snowstorm and Iran rattles is nuclear saber again.
Meeting Yes, Posturing No
Arizona Rep. John Shadegg talks about the upcoming meeting between Congressional Republicans and President Obama. Shadegg says he doesn’t want a repeat of Obama’s filibustering that happened at the House GOP retreat. He also explains how Obama’s rhetoric is carefully couched to seemingly agree with Republican priorities, but there is actually very little agreement.
Solutions Not Showmanship
Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute discusses the common ground President Obama and Republicans could find if they start over and take small steps to improve health care. But she says his unwillingness to scrap the current bill means we’re probably headed for more gridlock.
No Reason to Cheer Jobless Rate
On Friday, we learned the economy lost 20,000 jobs in January and a million more than previously thought throughout the current downturn. However, the overall jobless rate fell to 9.7 percent. Are we on the right track? Will we see sustainable job growth in the months ahead? What are employers worried about? And what is the key to long-term job growth? We ask Diana Furchtgott-Roth, chief economist for the Department of Labor in the George W. Bush administration. She is now director of the Center for Employment Policy at the Hudson Institute.
Buy American Pie
The Capitol Steps roll out a recent favorite lamenting the loss of American jobs to China. Guest is Steps impressionist Mark Eaton.
States vs. Health Mandates
Health care legislation is on life support in Congress, but some states are taking no chances. Virginia is the latest to pursue legislation making it illegal for the federal government to force residents to buy health insurance. How does it work? How many states are doing this? and will it survive a court challenge? We ask Christie Herrera, director of the Health and Human Services Task Force at the American Legislative Exchange Council.