Littleton and Associates
Owner of Littleton and Associates, a libertarian consulting firm, and State Director for Ohio at American Majority Action; Co-founder and former President of the Ohio Liberty Council, a statewide coalition of 61 Tea Party groups
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures by Unhappy Republicans Big money is finally being spent by Republicans desperate to prevent Donald Trump from winning their party's presidential nomination. Mitt Romney's voice is featured in robo-calls on behalf of alternative prospects. And if Rubio, Kasich and Ted Cruz together could stop Trump's nomination, Romney says he would accept the choice of a so-called "brokered convention." We hear more about that scheme and others as time is running out for moderate, conservative and Tea-Party Republicans.
Does the Government Shutdown Matter Outside the Beltway? The government shutdown is having ripple effects beyond the furloughing of hundreds of thousands of federal workers. The CDC has delayed this year’s flu program; food-safety operations have been curtailed; so have some Head Start programs . Direct benefits to veterans and the disabled could be disrupted. If the debt ceiling’s not lifted, the world’s most powerful nation won’t pay its bills. But, despite the endless debate in Washington, that’s not what most people are talking about in New York City. In New York City and rural Kentucky, it’s hard to find people directly feeling the loss of government services. Elsewhere, it’s a different story.
The Obama Administration and the Shadow of Scandal Attorney General Eric Holder is being grilled by a Congressional committee today about possible scandals in two agencies with investigative powers. The Obama Administration stands accused of abusing its powers to uncover leaks to reporters and make sure that taxes are being paid. In both cases, the devil is in the details. Was a terrorist threat really bad enough to justify the FBI's massive seizure of phone records from the Associated Press? Did the IRS target right-wing groups for partisan reasons or because they were more likely than liberal groups to be looking for tax exemptions? With the White House on the defensive against Republicans — and the national press corps — we update both stories.
Will the Tea Party Find a Second Act? In the 2010 midterm elections, members of the Tea Party swept into Congress with the fervor of true believers, vowing to cut spending and government regulation. But this year, voters sent some of them packing. Representatives Allen West and Joe Walsh -- two leading Tea Party figures -- lost re-election bids. Jim DeMint , a Tea Party leader, is resigning his Senate seat to take a job as the head of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank. Several who remain in Congress have been kicked off coveted committees after not going along with Republican leaders on key votes. The movement is still a force within the GOP, but the 2012 election has weakened their position. According to polls, the Tea Party is experiencing record lows in public opinion. We look at what’s next for the Tea Party. Can it remain an influential force in American politics?
Will the Tea Party Find a Second Act? In the 2010 midterm elections, members of the Tea Party swept into Congress with the fervor of true believers, vowing to cut spending and government regulation. But this year, voters sent some of them packing. Representatives Allen West and Joe Walsh -- two leading Tea Party figures -- lost re-election bids. Jim DeMint , a Tea Party leader, is resigning his Senate seat to take a job as the head of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank. Several who remain in Congress have been kicked off coveted committees after not going along with Republican leaders on key votes. The movement is still a force within the GOP, but the 2012 election has weakened their position. According to polls, the Tea Party is experiencing record lows in public opinion. We look at what’s next for the Tea Party. Can it remain an influential force in American politics?
The Gathering Storm and the Campaign for the White House After briefing reporters on efforts to prepare an upcoming disaster, President Obama answered just one question today at the White House: what about the ongoing campaign for the White House? As Hurricane Sandy makes landfall, and with only a week left to go until the election, we look at what days of devastation could mean for early voting and the crucial "ground games" of the presidential campaigns.
The Gathering Storm and the Campaign for the White House Disaster response is already underway as tens of millions of Americans are hunkered down for the full impact of Hurricane Sandy late this evening. From the White House, President Obama said federal agencies are coordinating with states and localities to cope with winds, floods and power outages. Both he and Mitt Romney have reduced their campaign schedules in a race pollsters and pundits say is still too close to call. With just eight days remaining, what's the potential impact on the "ground game" so crucial in Ohio and other swing states that could decide the election?
Who's to Blame if the US Government Shuts Down? As Washington moved toward a federal government shutdown starting at midnight tomorrow, politicians of both parties assumed their competing postures. From Capitol Hill to distant battlefields, the shutdown would be felt by millions of Americans, most of all by 800,000 federal employees who won't be paid for as long as it lasts. We look at last-minute efforts to stave it off.
Democrats and Republicans on the Brink in Washington For the third time in three days, Congressional leaders went back to the White House early this afternoon to try to avoid a government shutdown starting at midnight tomorrow. Both sides agree it's not just about money, but also Republican demands to eliminate healthcare reform, Planned Parenthood, EPA regulations and NPR. They got their chance after Democrats lost the Congress without passing a budget for this year. After two stop-gap measures, there's still no deal. We update the last-minute negotiating and look at the so-called "non-essential" federal services that could stop at midnight tomorrow.
What Next for Efforts to Repeal Healthcare? Three Democrats joined all 242 Republicans yesterday to pass what's officially called the Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act . Democrats who control the Senate have said they won't even allow a vote on the measure. If it did pass in the Upper House, it would face a presidential veto. So, is it just a symbolic action and nothing more?
Healthcare, the Congress and Presidential Politics As promised during last year's campaign, House Republicans have voted unanimously to repeal the President's healthcare reform . Three Democrats joined the 242 Republicans yesterday to pass what's officially called the Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act . Democrats, who control the Senate, have said they won't even allow a vote on the measure, trumpeting the benefits they say would be lost. If it did pass in the Upper House, it would face a presidential veto. As both parties strategize for next year's presidential campaign, attorneys general in 26 states have taken the matter to federal court. What are the political risks for both sides? What's at stake for the federal deficit, job growth and business, and coverage for 30 million uninsured Americans?
The New Congress, the Deficit and the Pentagon In his farewell speech warning about the "military-industrial" complex, President (and former Army General) Dwight Eisenhower said that defense spending has to be weighed in the balance along with every other national program. The new House majority wants to cut $100 billion from next year's budget, but the Pentagon won't be subject to major reductions.
The New Congress, the Deficit and the Pentagon In his farewell speech warning about the "military-industrial" complex, President (and former Army General) Dwight Eisenhower said that defense spending has to be weighed in the balance along with every other national program. The new House majority, led by newly sworn in speaker, Republican John Boehner , wants to cut $100 billion from next year's budget. The Pentagon makes up more than half the spending that could be reduced, but cuts in the Defense Department are off the table. Even the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says the deficit is a threat to national security, and the Pentagon is a paradigm of government waste. Why is it immune from the cost-cutting voters have asked for? Will the Tea Party make a difference? We look at the prospects.
The Election's Over: What Happened? What's Next? Just as predicted, Republicans have swept into control of the Congress, while Democrats hold a somewhat reduced majority in the Senate. Harry Reid held on in Nevada, but the Illinois seat once held by President Obama was lost. Was the election a referendum on White House leadership? Some prominent favorites of Sarah Palin were defeated. How much influence will the Tea Parties have on a Congress led by Speaker John Boehner ? President Obama conceded that yesterday’s election results were " humbling " and that very difficult issues lie ahead. Despite their differences, he also called for cooperation—and possibly compromise. We assess the results from different political perspectives. Congressman John Boehner addresses "the trust that the American people have placed in us"
The Tea Parties and the Consequences in Congress A recent study by the New York Times estimates that about 30 Tea Party candidates have a chance of getting to Congress and eight or so to the Senate. We talk with Tea Partiers and others about where they're coming from and how even a small contingent could have a big influence on Capitol Hill.
The Tea Parties and the Consequences in Congress The New York Times says about 30 Tea Party candidates could get to the House, while eight have a chance at the Senate. There is no official platform, but all want "smaller government," and their constituents' demands range from repealing healthcare reform to abolishing Medicare and Social Security. Many long for what they see as the Good Old Days -- before 1900 -- and they regard the Constitution as a form of holy writ. We talk with Tea Partiers and others about where they're coming from and how even a small contingent could have a big influence on Capitol Hill.
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
