American Spectator
Contributing Editor to the American Spectator, writer for the Conservative Review and NewsBusters, and political commentator for CNN; political director for the Reagan White House and aide to the late Jack Kemp; author of What America Needs: The Case for Trump
Is Trump Winning the Nomination by Beating the System? New Jersey Governor Chris Christie endorsed former opponent Donald Trump last week. Christie's own national finance co-chair called that "an astonishing display of political opportunism." This weekend in Birmingham, Alabama, US Senator Jeff Sessions said Donald Trump is leading "a movement." Trump boasted, "I hate to say it. I'm becoming main stream. All these people are now endorsing me." But the Republican "mainstream" is divided. South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley calls Trump's nomination, "something we don't want to see happen." There are reports of "frantic" efforts to stop Trump in his tracks — even down to a "brokered" GOP convention in Cleveland this summer. So far, he's beating the Party, the Big Money and the Establishment Media.
After Iowa: the GOP Survival Test in New Hampshire Donald Trump took a major hit in Iowa, where he wasn't "the winner" as he predicted. He needs a comeback, and insults are flying. Ted Cruz scored an upset but, in New England, he's on shakier ground, while Marco Rubio is trying to make third place look like a victory. Bush, Christie and Kasich aren't giving up, but a poor showing on Tuesday could put any one of their campaigns on life support. New Hampshire will play a major role in shaping what could be a long nomination contest to come.
Muslim Americans and the Politics of Fear In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush said that all Muslims should not be judged by the acts of a radical few. Nevertheless, the attacks in Paris have made Muslims the latest targets of hate mail, online vitriol, personal insults—and calls for outright religious discrimination on the presidential campaign trail. Donald Trump and fellow Republican presidential candidates are making calls for outright religious discrimination. Muslim Americans report that Islamophobia is on the increase — and they're being asked to apologize for terrorists they despise. It's not the first time an identifiable minority has been targeted for abuse. What are the lessons about American values?
Insiders and Outsiders in the Race to the White House Ten candidates – the amateurs versus the pros -- made it to the main stage last night for the third Republican presidential debate hosted by CNBC in Boulder, Colorado. Dr. Ben Carson, Donald Trump and Carly Fiorina have never held public office, but they've led — and she has surged — in public opinion polls. Governors and Senators — past and present — are scrambling with new urgency for support of the rank and file—and political funders. We hear some of last night's points of conflict and identify issues that could make a difference. With not a single vote to be cast for 90 days, what do we really know about a race still crowded with horses?
The Grand Old Party Takes Charge on Capitol Hill Republicans now control both houses of Congress for the first time since 2006 — with their biggest Congressional majority since the end of World War II. They might try for some compromises with the Obama White House — to prove they really can govern, or they might choose continued gridlock — assuming that voters will blame the President when things inevitably go wrong. Guaranteed points of contention are the Keystone XL Pipeline, Obamacare and executive actions on immigration and climate change. Many new members have their own agendas, and today we begin to learn what they’ll demand of their more experienced leaders.
Day Three of the Government Shutdown On Day Three of the government shutdown, moderate Republicans are showing signs of anger at Tea-Party colleagues who are adamant about using the government shutdown to accomplish their goals. We’ll hear where they come from and what they want.
The Republican Party Struggles to Define Its Identity As President Obama goes through the motions of reaching out to Republicans on Capitol Hill, Republicans themselves are going in different directions. Paul Ryan is fighting Obamacare — but accepting its Medicare cuts. Rand Paul wants an end to George W. Bush's wars and limits on executive power. At the Conservative Political Action Conference , a party pep-rally, Mitt Romney will defend his losing campaign. But rising star Chris Christie's not even invited. Is there any path toward a future consensus? Can President Obama take advantage of the current confusion?
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 High Cost of Going Negative in the GOP Campaign Mitt Romney out spent Newt Gingirch by five to one in Florida, with an unprecedented avalanche of personal attack ads. Romney says Gingrich can't "whine" [his word] after going negative in South Carolina, and he promises that the campaign will have a happy ending for Republicans. Romney's big win in Florida earned him Secret Service protection, but Gingrich, Santorum and Paul are not conceding anything yet. We look at a nasty campaign and a divided Republican party.
The High Cost of Going Negative in the GOP Campaign Newt Gingrich didn't make the traditional courtesy call to Mitt Romney after last night's defeat in Florida, and the message is clear: Romney's massive onslaught of TV attack ads has left the Republican Party more divided than ever, with Gingrich still leading in the national polls. As the battle heats up, Rick Santorum has hope of being the last candidate standing, and Ron Paul shows no signs of quitting. They're all on their way to Nevada, a state staggered by unemployment and home foreclosures, where Republicans will caucus on Saturday. Can they all go on until the August convention? Are they damaging the Republican cause or honing the ultimate challenge to President Obama ?
Will Big Money Save a Divided Republican Party? In Alaska, Utah, Nevada and now New Hampshire, Tea Party-backed candidates for the US Senate have defeated party stalwarts in this year's Republican primaries. But the poster child may be Christine O'Donnell , who defeated former governor and incumbent Congressman Mike Castle this week in Delaware. Even Karl Rove calls her too “nutty” to beat Democrat Chris Coons in November, in a race that could decide which party controls the Senate.
Will Big Money Save a Divided Republican Party? In Alaska, Utah, Nevada and now New Hampshire, Tea Party-backed candidates for the US Senate have defeated party stalwarts in this year's Republican primaries. But the poster child may be Christine O'Donnell . The right-winger, who's made an issue of masturbation , defeated former governor and incumbent Congressman Mike Castle this week in Delaware. Democrats may think the Republicans are shooting themselves in the foot, but veteran GOP operatives, including Karl Rove, are not lying down. We hear about massive, coordinated spending plans, backed by the very mainstream establishment Tea Partiers love to hate. Karl Rove discusses O'Donnell on Fox News
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
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.
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.