To the Point
Britain Loves PMQ's, Is It Time for a US Version?
Britain’s Prime Minister must take public questions from opponents in Parliament once a week. After President Obama wowed Washington with his Q&A with Republicans, a bipartisan group asked him to do the same thing here, but the White House said no. Can Congress demand a “President’s Questions?” Guest host Matt Miller asks whether direct dialogue would reduce the political polarization in the US. Is there an audience for nuance? Also, a slow recovery despite decreasing unemployment, and it's not just ads for products at this year's Super Bowl.
By Matt Miller • • 50m ListenBritain’s Prime Minister has to take public questions from opponents in Parliament once a week. After President Obama wowed Washington with his Q&A with Republicans, a bipartisan group is asking him to do the same kind of thing here. But the White House has said no. Can Congress demand a “President’s Questions?” Guest host Matt Miller explores whether direct dialogue would reduce the political polarization in this country. Is there an audience for nuance? Also, recovery remains slow despite a drop in the unemployment rate, and advocacy ads reach the Super Bowl, one of America’s favorite pastimes.
In this episode
3 storiesDespite Drop in Unemployment Rate, Recovery Remains Slow
The Labor Department reports that the unemployment rate dropped to 9.7 percent last month, in an encouraging sign for economic recovery. But the economy still lost 20,000 jobs and market reaction today has been mixed.
Read the story8 minQuestions for the President?
President Barack Obama made political theater last week when he fielded questions from Republicans. Politics watchers on both sides of the aisle loved the sparkling Q&A, and now a coalition of Democrats and Republicans is demanding he repeat the process , in regular debates akin to Britain’s Questions for the Prime Minister .
Read the story34 minAdvocacy Ads Reach the Super Bowl
The Saints-Colts match-up is not the only draw on Sunday's Super Bowl. Millions also tune in to see the clever ads. But CBS is stirring up controversy by airing the first-ever advocacy ad on one of the most divisive issues.
Read the story9 min
