Barack Obama and the Perils of Populism

Making News

Supreme Court Upholds Anti-Terror Law ()

Human rights advocates can be prosecuted for advising members of government-designated "terrorist groups," even if the advice consists of urging them to settle disputes using peaceful means rather than violence. That's according to the US Supreme Court in a 6-to-3 decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts. David Savage covers the court for the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.

Guests:

• David Savage: Reporter, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, @latimes

Main Topic

Barack Obama and the Perils of Populism ()

Tony Hayward spent this weekend watching his yacht race off the Isle of Wight, another black eye for the CEO of what used to be called British Petroleum. But while BP is British owned, it employs 20,000 Americans, twice its payroll in England. Some 40% of its shares are held in the United States. As President Obama and the Democrats bash BP — along with Toyota, health insurers and Wall Street, do many Americans see a threat to pensions and jobs? Do they distrust government as much as they do corporations? While Obama's populism might have short-term political value, what about the long-term? Is it time for him to cool his rhetoric or turn up the heat?

Guests:

• Michael White: Associate Editor of the Guardian
• Matt Bai: Political Writer, New York Times Magazine, @mattbai
• David Corn: Washington Bureau Chief, Mother Jones magazine, @DavidCornDC
• Wayne Slater: Senior Political Writer, Dallas Morning News, @WayneSlater
• Tom Donlan: Editorial Page Editor, Barron's National Business and Financial Weekly, @barronsonline

Links:

• Pew Research Center on BP's handling of the oil spill
• Interior Department's Inspector General's report on ID's 'culture of substance abuse and promiscuity'
• White's commentary on Obama 'Playing Dirty' over BP
• Bai's column on the new populism

Reporter's Notebook

Tea Parties and the Religious Right in America ()

The Tea Party movement may sound new and different to a lot of Americans, especially since the religious right has dominated conservative American politics in recent years. But, writes E.J. Dionne, "the rise of the Tea Party movement is a throwback to an old form of libertarianism." Dionne, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and syndicated columnist for the Washington Post looks at the movement in the light of political history.

Guests:

• E.J. Dionne: Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution, @EJDionne