The Democrats and Prospects for Change

Making News

President Bush Lays Out Plans for Lame Duck Session ()

President Bush lunched at the White House today with Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi.  They pledged mutual cooperation when the Democrats take over.  Earlier, with his cabinet standing behind him, the President outlined what he wants from the old, Republican Congress when it convenes its lame duck session next week.

Guests:

• Ron Hutcheson: White House Correspondent, McClatchy Newspapers

Links:

• Terrorist Surveillance Act (S 2455)

Main Topic

The Democrats and Prospects for Change ()

While Democratic victories are creating a host of expectations about the next Congress, especially when it comes to Iraq, President Bush says his replacement for Donald Rumsfeld will bring a "new perspective" on Iraq. Meantime, the old, Republican Congress still has work to do, not least of which is the passage of spending bills to keep the government going.  President Bush also wants warrantless wiretaps, an energy bill and nuclear technology for India.  We hear about his chances and look at the options for changing the course in Iraq, including "regional diplomacy" with Syria and Iran.  We look at the options and what might be expected from the Secretary of Defense-designate, Robert Gates.  What about diplomacy with Syria and Iran? 

Guests:

• Gail Russell Chaddock: Congressional Reporter for the Christian Science Monitor
• James Dobbins: Director of International Security and Defense Policy Center at the RAND Corp
• Reuel Marc Gerecht: Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, @followFDD
• Richard Shenkman: Presidential Historian at George Mason University

Links:

• Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) concedes defeat, Reuters on
• Senator Senator Allen (R-VA) concedes defeat, AP on
• Iraq Study Group
• Chaddock's article on GOP reassessment after election loss
• Chaddock's article on Speaker Pelosi's agenda

Reporter's Notebook

Arnold's Landslide Reelection Victory, New Model for the GOP? ()

Democrats picked up six governorships from Republicans this week, including Ohio, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York, giving them a majority of governors for the first time since 1994.  But they did not take California, even though the biggest state in the union is increasingly blue. A year ago, Arnold Schwarzenegger took a political bath when a series of propositions lost big with voters. This week he won re-election with almost 60% of the vote.  In addition, a package of public works bonds worth more than $40 billion also passed, despite the fact that California is running a multi-billion-dollar deficit.

Guests:

• Joe Matthews: Staff writer for the Los Angeles Times