Radio America Online News Bureau

The vote counting continues in Alaska, with Lisa Murkowski and Joe Miller locked in a very tight race.  What does state law say about what qualifies as a valid write-in vote?  What standard did Murkowski allies in the elections division adopt AFTER Election Day?  Which side will win in court?  Can Miller win if the existing state law is the standard?  And how does Miller react to Sen. Murkowski now saying America succeeds if President Obama succeeds?  We discuss all of these questions and more with GOP Alaska Senate nominee Joe Miller.

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Here is Monday’s edition of ‘The Three Martini Lunch’ with Greg Corombos and National Review’s Dan Foster filling in for Jim Geraghty.  The martinis today include Charlie Rangel dominating the start of the lame-duck Congress, Republicans sparring over whether to ban earmarks and the intense fight over the new TSA screening methods at America’s airports.

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Airline passengers are vehemently opposed to new TSA screening methods – including very revealing body scans and very invasive pat-downs.  But New Jersey State Senator Michael Doherty is among the first to bring forth legislation demanding that Congress rescind tactics that many believe amounts to government-sanctioned groping.  What can his legislation accomplish?  Can states take action apart from the federal government?  What is his advice for passengers?  And where does he draw the line between security and privacy?  We discuss it all with State Senator Michael Doherty.

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For months, we heard Democrats were planning an aggressive lame duck session of Congress to tackle spending bills, tax cut extensions and possibly even major bills on energy, immigration and organized labor.  But after the big GOP gains two weeks ago, will Democrats remain as ambitious as they were before?  Will all of the Bush income tax cuts be extended or will the highest tax bracket see their rates increase?  How different is the incoming Republican majority compared to the GOP majority that lost power in 2006?  And how aggressive will the Republicans be in overturning the unpopular health care laws?  We ask Arizona Rep. John Shadegg, who is retiring after eight terms in Congress.

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In Friday’s edition of The Three Martini Lunch, Greg Corombos and National Review’s Jim Geraghty discuss the infighting among House Democrats, including the stunning lack of any credible challenger to Nancy Pelosi as party leader.  They also discuss the anti-Bush propaganda masquerading as the Valerie Plame story in the new movie “Fair Game”.  And Greg and Jim discuss Jim’s upcoming participation in the National Review cruise in the Caribbean – just days after the cruise ship nightmare in the Pacific.

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This week, fierce congressional reaction followed the release of some initial recommendations from the bipartisan debt commission.  At the same time, the Obama administration offered mixed signals on whether it will fight to let tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire or allow them to be extended for another year or two.  So what should we make of the early suggestions for reducing our national debt?  Where should the new Republican majority begin hacking away at spending next year?  How can real entitlement reform happen when any suggestion of change triggers a fierce backlash?  What will happen in the tax cut debate?  And how does President Obama impact small businesses when he gives differing messages on whether to extend some or all of the tax cuts?  We ask New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett, one of the top Republicans on the House Budget Committee.

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President Obama spent part of this week trying to force China to properly value its currency – to no avail.  But the Capitol Steps are worried about the growing economic power of the Chinese and how their low-cost production could mean trouble for our health and safety down the road.  Guest is Steps star Elaina Newport.

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Passionate reaction from both parties to recommendations from the bipartisan debt commission, Obama urges patience before denouncing specific ideas, America honors its veterans and Gen. McCaffrey wades into the debate over gays in the military.

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How has President Obama performed in his Asian trip?  Did he succeed in strengthening ties with India or did he alienate Pakistan in the process?  Should the bipartisan debt commission be praised or blasted for its recommendations to bring the nation’s red ink under control?  How has Nancy Pelosi created chaos in the the House Democratic leadership elections?  And did the Tea Party get beat when Michele Bachmann decided to bow out of a race to be in the House GOP leadership?  We ask John Gizzi of Human Events.

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In late October, Radio America and National Review launched a new joint venture – a weekday podcast entitled “The Three Martini Lunch”.  Each day, the discussion between Greg Corombos and NR’s Jim Geraghty covers one story that brings good news to conservatives, another that is potentially bad news for the right and a third that is just plain outrageous or crazy.  Starting today, we are posting each podcast on this blog.  In today’s installment, we actually have four martinis, as we discuss the recommendations of the deficit reduction commission, upcoming GOP investigations of the Obama administration, Jesse Jackson’s comments on Republican plans to repeal Obamacare – and a special tribute to America’s veterans.

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