Healthcare: Policy and Partisan Politics
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With Barack Obama presiding, Democrats and Republicans hashed out the details of healthcare reform for several hours across the street from the White House. We look at the possible impact of today's televised "summit." Also, the Afghan flag is raised over Marjah, and an Orca at Sea World in Florida has now been involved in he deaths of two trainers. Should he and other whales be released from captivity?
Banner image: President Obama hosts today's televised bipartisan meeting on healthcare. White House photo: Chuck Kennedy
Main Topic
Afghan Flag Raised over Marjah ()
The government of Afghanistan took official control of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah today, raising the national flag and installing an official administrator. US-led troops are reportedly working to root out the pockets of remaining resistance. Anand Gopal has been reporting from Afghanistan for two years.
Guests:
- Anand Gopal: freelance reporter
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Main Topic
Healthcare: Policy and Partisan Politics ()
Some 40 Democrats and Republicans joined the televised healthcare summit today, with President Obama asking not where they differed but where they agreed. In an exercise in political theater designed by the White House to build public support for the Democrats' massive overhaul, the President began the summit claiming that politics has trumped common sense. The Republicans pleaded their case: that restructuring 17% of the economy is too ambitious for a single 2400-page bill. Will a rare chance for voters to see elected officials tackle the details of substantive issues make any difference on Capitol Hill or in this year's elections?
Guests:
- Janet Hook: Congressional Correspondent, Los Angeles Times
- Ruth Marcus: Columnist, Washington Post
- Gary Langer: Director of Polling, ABC News, @LangerResearch
- John Feehery: Republican Strategist, Feehery Group, @JohnFeehery
Reporter's Notebook
The Plight of the Orca Held in Captivity ()
At SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida yesterday, a killer whale snatched a trainer in its jaws and thrashed her around under water. She was drowned in front of a horrified audience. That's led to new demands to free the orcas. The same creature also killed another trainer, when she fell off a platform in Victoria, British Columbia in 1995. Ralph Munro, former Secretary of State in Washington State, is a long-time opponent of allowing orcas in captivity.
Guests:
- Ralph Munro: long-time whale advocate
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