A bipartisan panel on weapons of mass destruction says the U.S. government gets an ‘F’ on preparedness for a bioterror attack. And the rest of the grades aren’t much better. President Obama proposes a three-year freeze on discretionary spending. The Senate rejects the creation of a bipartisan panel aimed at reducing the deficit.
Will A Spending Freeze Work?
President Obama wants to impose a freeze on all federal spending not related to defense, homeland security or foreign affairs. How much good could that do? Has the government ever actually honored a spending freeze? Why did the Senate kill a bipartisan debt panel? And how much additional debt is Congress about to allow? We ask Pete Sepp of the National Taxpayers Union.
A WMD Failure
On Tuesday, the special commission on weapons of mass destruction concluded the government is failing at understanding and preparing for a bioterror attack. Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Randy Larsen is executive director of the commission. He says the government’s woeful preparation for and response to the H1N1 flu shows how unprepared we are for a massive attack that catches us by surprise. Larsen outlines what Congress and President Obama must do – starting tomorrow at the State of the Union address.
The Brink of Fiscal Calamity
Former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker says America must start dealing with our debt problem now. He says we are facing $56 trillion in debt right now and it’s quickly getting worse. So what is his prescription? What can Congress do right now? What entitlement reforms are needed? How can we raise more revenue? And what kind of grade does he give President Obama?
A WMD Failure
On Tuesday, the special commission on weapons of mass destruction concluded the government is failing at understanding and preparing for a bioterror attack. Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Randy Larsen is executive director of the commission. He says the government’s woeful preparation for and response to the H1N1 flu shows how unprepared we are for a massive attack that catches us by surprise. Larsen outlines what Congress and President Obama must do – starting tomorrow at the State of the Union address.
The News
Obama continues populist effort on the economy, experts rail on Obama banking reforms but reluctantly endorse Bernanke confirmation, Biden’s son won’t run for re-election, Hayworth likely to challenge McCain, Chemical Ali executed.
Bernanke Yes, ‘Silly’ Reforms No
David John of the Heritage Foundation says Ben Bernanke has been far from perfect as Fed chairman but is far better for the free market than any other possible Obama choice. Mr. John also says Obama’s proposed banking reforms are ‘silly’ and don’t stand up to scrutiny. He also offers his prescription for improving the financial sector.
Obama Still Doesn’t Get It
Iowa Rep. Steve King says President Obama has not learned the lessons of the Massachusetts Senate race. Kings says Americans don’t like big government, especially when it comes to ‘nationalizing our bodies’ in the current health care plan. He also says Obama’s efforts to change the subject to banking reforms are hollow and will hurt job creation. He also discusses last week’s March for Life and his ongoing efforts to let voters in Washington, DC, determine the definition of marriage in the nation’s capital.
Don’t Count Out Obama Yet
Larry Sabato, professor of political science at the University of Virginia, says Democrats are on the ropes after the GOP win in Massachusetts. He also says Republicans could pick up as many as seven Senate seats. But Sabato says anyone who thinks Obama is down and out doesn’t know much about electoral history. He says Obama needs to balance reality with optimism in his State of the Union message.
Is Security Really First?
South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint says he has to wonder how high national security is on President Obama’s priority list when his biggest desire in a TSA nominee was someone who would allow TSA workers to unionize. DeMint says the GOP win in Massachusetts shows voters are unhappy with Democrats but Republicans need to make sure they offer promises they will keep and are approved by the public. He says health care legislation is on the rocks and the best path is for Democrats to work with Republicans.