Washington Post
Jennifer Rubin writes the Right Turn column at the Washington Post. She formerly served as contributing editor to Commentary magazine, a contributor to the New York Observer, a columnist for the conservative American Spectator and the Washington DC Editor for Pajamas Media.
What's next for the FBI… and the GOP? President Trump says he might appoint a new FBI Director before his first overseas trip starts on Friday. Potential nominees were interviewed over the weekend — including at least two Republicans serving in the House and the Senate. But the President's own explanation of why he fired James Comey has been called "obstruction of justice." Some conservatives are outraged at the Republicans who dominate Congress, but aren't exercising the separation of powers by considering impeachment. Trump might stem the controversy by his choice of a new FBI leader — but Democrats still want an independent investigation of Russia's campaign hacking.
What does it mean to be conservative? Donald Trump’s budget blueprint and the Obamacare replacement have revealed deep divisions among Republicans. What is the party’s philosophy now? And what does it mean to be a conservative?
Administration defends travel ban, despite havoc President Trump's sweeping executive order banning refugees and barring immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries is just three days old, but has already upended hundreds of lives, drawn tens of thousands of protesters to airports around the nation, and spawned five federal lawsuits, as well as global outcry from across the political spectrum. Why is a defining campaign promise causing such confusion? Is it constitutional? Guest host Barbara Bogaev explores the fallout from the President's travel ban.
Trump names Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate In light of the terrorist attack, Donald Trump postponed today’s news conference about his vice presidential selection. Then he tweeted it anyway. We’ll hear how Indiana Governor Mike Pence might affect next week’s convention and the November election. Photo: Gage Skidmore
The Republicans Are Sending a Message: Never Say "Never" Republican Senator Lindsay Graham branded Donald Trump "a race baiting, xenophobic religious bigot," but that was before Trump nailed down his party's nomination. Now Graham is reportedly telling fundraisers in private to get behind Trump's campaign for the White House. Some other former critics who are now public supporters are being compared to hostages making videos to earn release from their kidnappers. But hardliners are still insisting that Trump's not just unacceptable — he's unelectable. Will he unify the GOP or destroy it?
Is Paul Ryan the Right Choice for Mitt Romney? Mitt Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan as his running mate has invigorated both Republicans and Democrats. It brings their differences about the role of government into sharper focus—which carries risks as well as benefits for both presidential campaigns. Will Romney have to defend the most radical elements of Ryan’s budget? Will Obama appear even more as if he’s defending an unsatisfactory status quo? Last night on “60 Minutes,” Mitt Romney said his choice of Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate was nothing sudden - but the result of a process that’s taken some time. We’ll learn more about Paul Ryan and what he’ll bring to the campaign trail. What’s his likely impact on close contests for the Senate and Congress?
Is Paul Ryan the Right Choice for Mitt Romney? Mitt Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan as his running mate has invigorated both Republicans and Democrats. It brings their differences about the role of government into sharper focus—which carries risks as well as benefits for both presidential campaigns. Will Romney have to defend the most radical elements of Ryan’s budget? Will Obama appear even more as if he’s defending an unsatisfactory status quo? Last night on “60 Minutes,” Mitt Romney said his choice of Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate was nothing sudden - but the result of a process that’s taken some time. We’ll learn more about Paul Ryan and what he’ll bring to the campaign trail. What’s his likely impact on close contests for the Senate and Congress?
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney Start Squaring Off After yesterday's wins in Wisconsin, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, Mitt Romney is acting like he's the Republican nominee to challenge President Obama . Today, as the President did yesterday, Romney addressed the convention of news executives, and accused Obama of running a "hide and seek" campaign. He referred to the President's accidentally recorded comment to Russian President Dimitri Medvedev—that he'd have more "flexibility" after his re-election. Romney called that a "defining event." But Rick Santorum is not conceding the GOP nomination yet.
The Race for the White House Is Finally On...or Is It? After yesterday's wins in Wisconsin, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, Mitt Romney is acting like he's the Republican nominee to challenge President Obama . Today, as the President did yesterday, Romney addressed the convention of news executives, and accused Obama of running a "hide and seek" campaign, referring to the President's accidentally recorded comment to Russian President Dimitri Medvedev that he'd have more "flexibility" after his re-election. Meanwhile, Rick Santorum insists that it's not over yet. Does Santorum have a chance in Pennsylvania, the state that rejected his Senate re-election bid by 18 percent, or will that be his last stand? Will he and Newt Gingrich create uncertainty all the way to the party convention, or have they become a political sideshow?
Is Mitt Romney a Winner or a Survivor? Mitt Romney won Arizona big time in yesterday's voting, but he took his home state by only three points — and the final count may show that Rick Santorum won an equal number of delegates. Now it's on to caucuses in Washington State on Sunday -- and 10 states on Super Tuesday next week — with more delegates at stake than the total number in contests so far.
Is Mitt Romney a Winner or a Survivor? The Detroit News says, Romney's front-runner status has been "restored." The American Spectator says, "The front runner is bleeding." Mitt Romney won Arizona big time in yesterday's voting, but he took his home state by only three points and the final count may show that Rick Santorum won an equal number of delegates. Now it's on to caucuses in Washington State on Sunday -- and 10 states on Super Tuesday next week -- with more delegates at stake than the total number in contests so far. Did Romney win or did he escape a home-state defeat that could have meant curtains? Does he have the momentum to get by Santorum in Ohio and Newt Gingrich in Georgia? As the process drags on, will it lead to a winner, as it did for the Democrats four years ago, or is the GOP flirting with political disaster?
The GOP Debate and the Republican Party Agenda In his first debate with other Republican hopefuls, Rick Perry got right into the mix, dominating today's news coverage along with Mitt Romney . The next debate is scheduled for Monday. But, aside from the horse race, what is the Republican agenda beginning to look like? Do these very conservative candidates agree more than they disagree on major issues? Are they driven by ideology? What's the role of special interests? We hear excerpts from last night and get different opinions on what's in store for the party, President Obama and the country as a whole. Websites of Republican presidential candidates: Newt Gingrich Michele Bachmann Mitt Romney Rick Perry Ron Paul Herman Cain Jon Huntsman, Jr Rick Santorum
The GOP Debate and the Republican Party Agenda In his first debate with other Republican hopefuls, Rick Perry got right into the mix, dominating today's news coverage along with Mitt Romney . The next debate is scheduled for Monday. But, aside from the horse race, what is the Republican agenda beginning to look like? Do these very conservative candidates agree more than they disagree on major issues? Are they driven by ideology? What's the role of special interests? We hear excerpts from last night and get different opinions on what's in store for the party, President Obama and the country as a whole. Websites of Republican presidential candidates: Newt Gingrich Michele Bachmann Mitt Romney Rick Perry Ron Paul Herman Cain Jon Huntsman, Jr Rick Santorum
Romney Makes It Official, but Will Palin Steal the Spotlight? At the Bittersweet Farm in Strathum, New Hampshire today, Mitt Romney made official what everyone's known for years: he's running for the Republican nomination for President. His ultimate target, of course, is the incumbent Democrat, Barack Obama . We hear what he said and why he said it in New Hampshire, with Sarah Palin just down the road, and look at the rest of a sprawling Republican presidential field.
Can the Republicans Find a Road to the White House? Mitt Romney 's second campaign for President is old news, so today's "official" announcement at Bittersweet Farm in Strathum, New Hampshire was supposed to show the media it's time to get serious. But Sarah Palin gets massive news coverage just by riding a Harley or eating pizza with Donald Trump on a trip she insists is not really political. In Iowa, Tim Pawlenty does it the old fashioned way — meeting with small groups of voters — while candidates who aren't even running get the attention. Can Romney maintain his Republican front-runner status? Can the GOP agree on a message against incumbent Democrat, Barack Obama ?
Osama bin Laden: Targeted Killings and Torture The killing of Osama bin Laden was an act of finality, but international debate about its legality and morality has just begun, and the discovery of his hideout in Pakistan has renewed arguments in this country over what some call "enhanced interrogation" and others call "torture."
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.
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.
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
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.