President Obama held talks with Congressional leaders of both parties on Tuesday. He says he’s hopeful that a bipartisan approach can get a second jobs bill through Congress and foster greater fiscal discipline. Obama also promised to consider Republican health reform ideas but also said the GOP had to stop being obstinate. Also, Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter criticizes the decision to mirandize the Christmas Day bomber.
Alireza Jafarzadeh first warned the West about Iran’s latest nuclear ambitions. Why does he believe the nuclear crisis with Iran has already begun? Why could vocal U.S. defiance towards Iran not only rally the Iranian people in their dissent but also bring Russia and China on board with crippling sanctions? And what does he expect on Thursday’s anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Members of the Tea Party movement in New Jersey helped to oust Gov. Jon Corzine in November. They aren’t done yet. Now they are hoping to recall Sen. Bob Menendez on the November ballot. On what grounds? Why not wait until Menendez is up for re-election in 2012? Are any other members of Congress in their crosshairs? We ask Peter Ferrara, general counsel with the American Civil Rights Union, which is supporting the recall effort.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
