Radio America Online News Bureau

Texas Rep. Joe Barton triggered a firestorm today when he accused the White House of launching a “shakedown” of BP by forcing the firm to put up $20 billion for Gulf restoration and having no control over where the money goes.  Democrats have fired back in a major way, saying Republicans are defending BP over the residents of the Gulf coast.  Who is right?  What’s the political impact of Barton’s assertion?  We ask John Gizzi of Human Events, who will also offer his thoughts on a bad week for North Carolina Rep. Bob Etheridge and the strange case of South Carolina senate nominee Alvin Greene.

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Texas Rep. Ted Poe is imploring Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and President Obama to lift the six-month moratorium on deep water oil drilling.  Why does he believe shutting down every oil rig because of one disaster is ‘absurd’?  Why does he say this decision will cost countless jobs that will not come back in six months?  What does Poe think of the government forcing BP to put up at least $20 billion to make compensation payments through a third party?  We ask these and other questions to Rep. Poe.

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Earlier this week, North Carolina Rep. Bob Etheridge apologized for scolding and grabbing a college student who asked if the congressman supported the Obama agenda.  So how is this impacting the campaign of his GOP opponent, Renee Ellmers?  What is her reaction to Etheridge’s embarrassing incident?  What has she heard from the voters?  What is her background and why is she running?  And what would be her biggest priorities if elected in November?  Listen here to find out.

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President Obama’s address to the nation on Tuesday night is getting poor reviews, and some of his statements are being called into serious question.  Obama and BP officials agree that BP will contribute huge sums of money for a recovery fund.  BP leaders promise to make things right along the Gulf coast.

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Louisiana Rep. John Fleming reacts to the president’s speech on the oil spill response and the ongoing debate over energy policy.  Why does he think Obama is showing a lack of leadership?  Is it because of the bureaucracy involved in the response or Obama’s personal handling of it?  How does he respond to Obama’s claim that there’s no more oil to drill for on land or in shallow waters?  What is the economic impact of the moratorium?  We ask Rep. Fleming.

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In recent days, reports from Afghanistan reveal massive deposits of minerals that could be a trillion dollar windfall.  Is this a chance to revolutionize the Afghan economy or is this not as significant as some believe?  And how might it be distracting us from an already difficult fight against our enemies?  We ask Ann Marlowe of the Hudson Institute, who just returned from sixth embed with American forces in Afghanistan.

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Reaction to President Obama’s speech to the nation on the oil leak and energy policy has been mostly negative.  Why are observers of all stripes underwhelmed?  What did people want and need to hear that was missing from the address?  Is the political fallout from this disaster fair?  We ask Richard Benedetto, former longtime White House Correspondent for USA TODAY.

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House Democrats are pushing their latest jobs bill – a $30 billion plan to help extend credit to small businesses through well-grounded banks.  But is this paid for or will it just add to the debt?  Will it create jobs or are employers too spooked to add new positions?  What might be a better way to proceed?  We ask Missouri Rep. Sam Graves, the top Republican on the House Small Business Committee.

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President Obama will address the nation tonight on the oil spill and why America needs to pursue his energy policy agenda.  But what does Obama need to convey after weeks of being perceived as being behind the curve?  Is it more important to show compassion or competence?  And what will be the political fallout if the spill continues late into the summer?  We ask Larry Haas, former communications director for then-Vice President Al Gore.

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Sen. John Barrasso says he has witnessed a ‘helpless’ administration deal with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill which is now in its ninth week.  What does he think Obama should have done differently?  What should be his first priority right now?  Should the government mandate the creation of a fund paid for by BP but doled out by the government?  And is this the time to pursue the president’s energy agenda or precisely the wrong time?  We ask Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, a member of the Senate Energy Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee.

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