MSNBC's 'The Last Word'
Political columnist and senior political analyst for MSNBC, and host of it's program, The Last Word; political columnist for New York Magazine; writer/producer of The West Wing; former Democratic chief of staff to the US Senate Committee on Finance, then-chaired by Sen. Patrick Moynihan
After Days of Speeches, It's Time for the Main Event Tonight it's Mitt Romney 's turn at last after a convention that's pushed increasingly toward a Tea-Party version of limited government. Republican delegates and the voters at large will learn if their nominee will still present himself as the pragmatic Mr. Fixit or more of a conservative ideologue. Last night, Romney's chosen running mate, Paul Ryan, debuted on the national stage with a speech that the delegates wanted to hear, including red-meat attacks on four years of Barack Obama 's presidency, at the expense of being called "factually challenged." We compare the rhetoric with the reality, and hear how Condoleezza Rice wowed a convention with a talk about foreign policy. To the Point is broadcasting live from the Republican convention all week. You can find all our coverage at KCRW.org/election2012 .
Close Encounters with James 'Whitey' Bulger The notorious gangster James "Whitey" Bulger grew up and became a mob boss in Boston. This week, after fifteen years on the lam, he turned up in Santa Monica, California. Lawrence O'Donnell anchors The Last Word nightly on MSNBC and has sat in occasionally as the host of this program. This week, when Bulger was arrested , O'Donnell found out the two had been neighbors — twice!
Can the Obama White House Win Back the 'Professional Left?' The "professional left…will be satisfied when we have Canadian heathcare and we've eliminated the Pentagon." "Those people ought to be drug tested." Those remarks come not from the political right, but from Presidential Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, speaking to The Hill , a newspaper in Washington. The paper says the Obama White House is in a state of "frustration," "bafflement" and "furious disbelief" at the left's "lack of appreciation or recognition" of the President's accomplishments in less than two years. That interview has liberal Democrats outraged. We hear a lively debate about the role of cable-TV in America's political process. Is MSNBC the antidote to Fox News ?
The Professional Left and the 'Enthusiasm Gap' Left wing Democrats reportedly have the Obama White House in a state of " furious disbelief ," frustrated by a lack of appreciation. What the President and his aides call accomplishments are derided by liberals as capitulations on healthcare, finance reform, gay rights and the economy. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says the critics are watching "too much Cable" TV, a reference to MSNBC , which some call the antidote to the Fox News Channel . In the run-up to the November elections, Republicans are eager to take advantage, and this could be more than a disagreement between friends. Will disputes between Democrats widen what's called the "enthusiasm gap?"
2010 Primary Wrap Up What do the primaries tell us about the state of politics today, and what do they portend for the November mid-term elections? A wide-ranging roundup with our panel of pundits. (Lawrence O'Donnell sits in for a vacationing Matt Miller, David Frum for Tony Blankley.)
Healthcare Reform: Will a Milestone Turn Into a Millstone? Two months ago, healthcare reform seemed all but dead, and there was talk that, despite Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress, President Obama might be unable to govern. Late last night, he proclaimed that his party had overcome partisanship, special interests, cynicism and fear in passing the healthcare overhaul .
Healthcare Reform: Will a Milestone Turn Into a Millstone? Two months ago, healthcare reform seemed all but dead, and there was talk that, despite Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress, President Obama might be unable to govern. Late last night, after House Democrats passed massive healthcare reform , he proclaimed that his party had overcome partisanship, special interests, cynicism and fear. While nobody disagrees that House Democrats made history, Republicans are already talking " repeal " and predicting they'll take back the Congress in the November elections. Will they be the ultimate winners, or can Democrats persuade the voters that specific provisions are in their best interests after all?
Healthcare Reform, Up or Down? Deeming or Redeeming? What does it mean to the left if the healthcare reform bill passes the House this weekend? (Bob likens the bill to losing his virginity.) And what is this "deeming" procedure anyway? Is it worth risking a Constitutional challenge? A little bit about financial reform and what is a principled position – plus the contention that liberals will always pass a Democratic bill, no matter what. (Lawrence O'Donnell sits in for Matt Miller.)
Obama Takes the Healthcare Debate Public Is it just bravado or is President Obama really as confident as he seems about next week's bipartisan White House summit on healthcare reform? In this rebroadcast of To the Point, guest host Lawrence O'Donnell talks about what advantages Republican leaders will have in the unprecedented televised negotiating session. Also, Toyota considers another recall, and the judge who changed the face of Little League Baseball.
Obama Takes the Healthcare Debate Public Is it just bravado or is President Obama really as confident as he seems about next week's bipartisan White House summit on healthcare reform? Guest host Lawrence O'Donnell talks about what advantages Republican leaders will have in the unprecedented televised negotiating session. Will it be the President's final meeting on healthcare reform or the beginning of a new bipartisan strategy to pass a bill? Also, Toyota considers another recall, and the judge who changed the face of Little League Baseball.
Ted Kennedy; Afghanistan, Obama's Vietnam?; CIA under Fire Ted Kennedy, the "Lion of the Senate" has been laid to rest. Is Obama the next LBJ? Plus, a special prosecutor for the CIA. And, our WEB EXCLUSIVE Left, Right & Center rants! Lawrence O'Donnell sits in for a vacationing Matt Miller.
Tough-on-Crime Policies Overwhelm Shrinking State Budgets State prison budgets have quadrupled in the last 20 years, out-pacing every state government spending category except healthcare. Guest host Lawrence O'Donnell considers the price of being tough on crime and what changes states are making to run corrections systems that they can afford. Also, President Obama unveils his strategy for Afghanistan. On Reporter's Notebook, who is taking advantage of rock-bottom home prices?
Does Obama Have a Strategy for Victory in Afghanistan? President Obama wants to dial down in Iraq and up the ante in Afghanistan. His plan to send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan is meeting increasing resistance from his liberal supporters at home and skepticism from some allies. Is there a better strategy? What alternatives has the President considered? Does history prove that Afghanistan cannot be tamed? Lawrence O'Donnell guest hosts. Also, the administration calls for expanded oversight power of financial system, and the spread of new Hoovervilles as the recession deepens.
Does Obama Have a Strategy for Victory in Afghanistan? President Obama wants to dial down in Iraq and up the ante in Afghanistan . His plan to send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan is meeting increasing resistance from his liberal supporters at home and skepticism from some allies. Is there a better strategy? What alternatives has the President considered? Does history prove that Afghanistan cannot be tamed? Lawrence O'Donnell guest hosts. Also, the administration calls for expanded oversight power of financial system, and the spread of new Hoovervilles as the recession deepens.
Obama Administration's Delicate Balance with Mexico In last night's press conference, President Obama got no questions about Iraq or Afghanistan, but was asked if the raging violence of drug cartels in Mexico is “a national security threat.” On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, guest host Lawrence O’Donnell explores the new tensions in US-Mexico relations and what the administration hopes to achieve with today's meeting between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Mexican President Felipe Calderón. Also, Obama meets with Senate Democrats on the budget, and Hillary: The Movie confuses the Supreme Court.
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?
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?
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
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.