National Memo
Editor-in-chief of the National Memo, a political newsletter, and author of Big Lies: The Right-Wing Propaganda Machine and How It Distorts the Truth and It Can Happen Here: Authoritarian Peril in the Age of Bush; former syndicated columnist and editor at the Investigative Fund, a project of the progressive Nation Institute; former contributor to the New York Observer and Salon.com;
Clinton Cash: Corruption or Conspiracy? President Bill Clinton survived potential scandals, including "Whitewater," "Travelgate" and "Filegate" because no wrongdoing was ever proven. Now, as Hillary Clinton runs for the White House on her own, the family's Global Foundation is making news of a similar kind. It's accused of selling influence for tens of millions of dollars under the cover of doing "good works" all over the world. The latest potential scandal facing the Clinton family originates in a book called Clinton Cash: The Untold Story of How and Why Foreign Governments and Businesses Helped Make Bill and Hillary Rich . Even before its recent publication, stories based on it have been running in newspapers, including the New York Times and the Washington Post . Once again, the attackers admit that no wrongdoing's been proven. Will the smell of scandal be enough damage the latest Clinton campaign?
The Random Nature of Political Scandal New York Democrat Anthony Weiner resigned without any evidence he ever committed a crime. Was it because fellow Democrats didn't back him up, even though there's no evidence he was anything more than an Internet exhibitionist . Was it because he lied about tweeting those pictures? Louisiana's Republican Senator David Vitter was re-elected, despite being well known to patronize prostitutes. Was it because he never tweeted at all? Why is one public figure run out of town while another one rides out the storm? Is the private morality of public figures subject to double standards? Should Americans, their leaders and the media be less obsessed with the sex-life of politicians or are they just being human?
'Socialism' and Political Rhetoric, Past and Present Barack Obama wants to raise taxes on incomes over $250,000 and use part of the money for tax credits on all workers, even those who don't earn enough to pay income tax. John McCain says that borders on "socialism" and crowds cheer. In 2001, McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts he now wants to extend, saying the benefits went the "the most fortunate among us at the expense of middle-class Americans." But the progressive income tax has been redistributing income for almost 100 years. The Bush Administration, proudly conservative, is nationalizing banks; the auto and nuclear industries want guaranteed government loans. Meantime, Communist Russia and China are looking like free-marketeers. Does the word "socialism" still have the political force it did during the Cold War? Are McCain's charges likely to stick?
Troop Withdrawal and Campaign Promises John McCain 's been consistent in claiming he won't draw down troops in Iraq until "victory" is guaranteed, whenever that might happen. Barack Obama says he's been consistent too, but Republicans claim it's a flip-flop when he says his sixteen-month timeline depends on Iraqi stability. With reports that violence is decreasing, is Obama revising his plan? Was McCain right about the surge? Is Iraq's Shiite-dominated government making peace with Sunni insurgents, or could violence resume and upset the strategies of both candidates?
Updating the Presidential Campaigns after Nevada, South Carolina After South Carolina , the New York Times says John McCain is the Republican front-runner, whether he likes it or not. On the Democratic side, after Nevada , Barack Obama is running against two Clintons, rather than just one. Is former "maverick" John McCain now the Republican front-runner? Can Rudy Giuliani finally get underway in Florida ? After Nevada, is Bill doing Hillary more harm than good? Is Obama right to challenge both Clintons at the same time? Will John Edwards turn out to be the king—or queen—maker at the Democratic National Convention ? Last weekend's results produced new challenges for the candidates of both political parties. We hear what's next on the campaign trails.
Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal Will the Wall Street Journal fall into the hands of a " power-mad, rapacious right-wing vulgarian? " That's how The Atlantic magazine says many people view Rupert Murdoch , whose bid for Dow Jones , including the Wall Street Journal, was a shot heard around the worlds of American business, international finance and journalism. After what Murdoch's done with Fox News , the New York Post and other properties, at least some conservatives are rubbing their hands. The Journal's own reporters are among those pleading with other billionaires to make a competing offer. What does Murdoch want? What would his takeover mean for coverage of corporate America and stories like the rising power of China?
New Book Chronicles Rising Authoritarian Peril in the US "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross." That's from the 70 year-old satirical novel, It Can't Happen Here , written by Sinclair Lewis to dramatize the dangers to American democracy prior to World War II. Now, contemporary writer Joe Conason has a new book. It Can Happen Here : Authoritarian Peril in the Age of Bush provides a litany of what Conason calls constitutional abuses by the Bush Administration, allowed by a Republican Congress which failed to exercise its responsibility to oversee the executive branch. Now, the Democrats are in charge on Capitol Hill, and the engine of oversight is shifting into high gear.
State of the Union Strategy? With his own polls at historic lows because of Iraq, the White House says George W. Bush will act "boldly" for the remaining two years of his presidency. Tonight, as required by the Constitution, he'll deliver his annual message on the State of the Union . Can he change the subject to a domestic agenda? We hear from political observer Joe Conason and former presidential speechwriter Mark Davis.
Nancy Pelosi Wins One Battle and Loses Another San Francisco Democrat Nancy Pelosi will be the first female House Speaker, and third in line to the President. But her Majority Leader won’t be the Pentagon stalwart who changed the debate on Iraq. Fellow Democrats rejected Pelosi's choice of John Murtha of Pennsylvania by the whopping margin of 60%. Stenny Hoyer of Maryland, Pelosi's long-time rival, was elected instead. Will House Democrats be unified on Iraq, ethics and what they call the "new direction" demanded by voters? What message will the Republicans send when they choose the new minority leaders tomorrow?
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.
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
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.
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?