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Cook Political Report
National Editor of the Cook Political Report; former Political Director for ABC News
PROFILE
Amy Walter
Guest/Host
FROM Amy Walter
To the Point
The Donald Gets "Presidential," Hillary Spreads the Love After yesterday's sweeping primary victories, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are both acting like they're not just front-runners any more. This morning, Trump delivered his first prepared address on foreign policy, telling voters, "America first will be the major and over-riding theme of my administration." And Hillary Clinton is focused on holding the Democratic Party together by reminding voters, "There's much more that unites us than divides us." Bernie Sanders is already talking about influencing the party platform. Ted Cruz and John Kasich still won't concede that the "Never Trump" movement may never happen.
To the Point
Clinton and Sanders Square Off before New Hampshire With just two Democrats still contesting the presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders went one-on-one last night in New Hampshire. Sanders continued to charge that Clinton’s too close to Wall Street. Clinton virtually exploded, "I think it's time to end the very artful smear that you and your campaign have been carrying out... in recent weeks, and let's talk about the issues." Sanders is gathering support from millennial voters who share idealistic hopes for the future. He was reminded of Barry Goldwater in 1964 and George McGovern in 1972 — a Republican who got too far to the Right and a Democrat who got too far to the Left. Both were swamped in the general election.
Left, Right & Center
Clean Debt Limit, Obamacare's Numbers, Gay Marriage, Cable Wars A clean debt limit with housebroken Republicans, Obamacare's new numbers, gay marriage in Virginia
Which Way, L.A.?
Debt Ceiling Negotiations and the Fear of Default With Democrats angry at him for offering spending cuts and Republicans adamant about higher taxes, President Obama is trying to look like the only adult in Washington. Three different options have been proposed for breaking the political deadlock over the debt ceiling. Republicans call theirs' " Cut, Cap and Balance ." The President wants a " Grand Bargain ." The Democratic and Republican Senate leaders have a compromise that would let the President increase the ceiling even while Congress says, "No." On Friday, that compromise seemed the most likely but today, ABC News reported that the "Grand Bargain" might be back on the table . We look at the politics behind increasing the debt ceiling to avoid another recession. <!-- function showBH(url){ myWin = window.open(url, 'BudgetHero', 'height=630,width=705,top=0,left=0,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,location=no,menubar=no,toolbar=no'); if (window.focus) {myWin.focus()} return false; } --> Play Budget Hero , produced by American Public Media
To the Point
Politics and the Debt Ceiling As the debt ceiling deadline looms, veteran Republican leaders reportedly are telling Tea Party members not to mess with America's full faith and credit. But some 40 House members say they won't vote to increase the ceiling, so Democrats will be needed, and their price is new revenues to save entitlements. Three different options have been proposed to break the deadlock. Republicans call their option " Cut, Cap and Balance ." Democratic and Republican Senate leaders have a compromise that would let President Obama increase the ceiling while Congress says "no." The President is trying to split the difference, proposing cuts that will take domestic spending to historic lows and repealing tax breaks for the wealthy. On Friday, this "Grand Bargain" seemed the most likely but today, ABC News reported that it might be back on the table . We hear about an upcoming week of political theater with each side trying to avoid another recession while developing issues for next year's elections.
Recommended
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.