Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he will step down sometime in 2011, possibly as early as the Spring. Why would he announce this so far in advance? Is next year a good time for a transition at the Pentagon? What track record has Gates compiled in more than three years at the Pentagon? We ask retired U.S. Air Force General Tom McInerney and get his thoughts on the mission in Afghanistan.
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the so-called “week after” pill. But is it contraception or an abortion pill? What does it do? Why does labeling it a contraceptive impact your tax dollars? What impact does this pill have on women and future pregnancies? We ask Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America.
President Obama signs a $600 million border security bill, so why do critics say it’s not nearly enough? Why is Russia so eager to help Iran build nuclear weapons? What’s the latest on the Gulf oil mess? And how is Rep. Maxine Waters reacting to three ethics charges against her?
On Friday, President Obama signed legislation sending more manpower and technology to secure the Southern border. So why does Pinal County, Arizona Sheriff Paul Babeu say it’s not nearly enough? What has Babeu proven to be an effective model for border enforcement? Why does he believe President Obama and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano fail to understand this is not a political isssue? And what type of legal defense is Babeu forced to mount now that he is the target of an ACLU lawsuit? We discuss it all with Sheriff Babeu.
Next week, Russia plans to start fueling a key Iranian nuclear reactor despite strong U.S. opposition. So why is Russia moving forward? Doesn’t it fear nukes in the hands of Islamic radicals? Should President Obama meet with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in an effort to stop nukes from being produced? And why has the U.S. blown it when it comes to stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions? We ask retired U.S. Navy Captain Chuck Nash.
Despite owing taxpayers many billions of dollars, General Motors turned a profit for the first time in a long time in the last quarter. Now it’s the Japanese automakers who are suffering lower sales totals. The Capitol Steps add their lighthearted insight to the challenges of the auto industry.
On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker announced he would not stay last week’s decision declaring marriage limited only to one man and one woman to be unconstitutional – overturning the will of the voters in the 2008 elections. Why do traditional marriage advocates find this decision ‘outrageous’? Why do they believe this decision should be put on hold until the case makes its way through the judicial system? How long could it take to run this case through the system? And what could stop gay marriages from starting again in California next week? We ask Mathew Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel.
A new poll commissioned by the Military Culture Coalition shows a plurality of Americans oppose gays serving openly in the military. But among Democrats, a majority endorse members of the armed forces to be punished just for opposing a new policy or homosexuality in general and they believe the gay agenda should trump the recommendations of our nation’s top commanders in deciding what the policy ought to be. And could allowing gays in the military reduce the number of recruits to the point the government will have to bring back the draft? We ask Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness.
Fierce Republican primaries played out in multiple states on Tuesday, but did the most conservative candidates really win? While the results for Tea Party candidates were mixed, John Gizzi of Human Events says the more conservative candidates actually did very well. Gizzi explains how the GOP primary winners are likely to fare in November and also offers his thoughts on the deaths of former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens and former Illinois Rep. Dan Rostenkowski.
Many Republicans opposed the $26 billion Democratic jobs bill, partly because it was a giveaway to the unions – particularly teachers’ unions. So is that true? What are the demands and expectations of the unions from the government? What simple steps could have saved just as many jobs without soaking the taxpayers yet again? We ask Steve Malanga, senior editor at the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal.
