Co-Director, Campaign for America's Future
Co-Director of the Campaign for America's Future, an organization of liberal and progressive Democrats, and Chair of ProgressiveCongress.org
PROFILE
Robert Borosage
Guest
FROM Robert Borosage
Which Way, L.A.?
Obama and the GOP Republicans and the Obama White House draw the battle lines for a political war over domestic spending. In his State of the Union speech and his address to the US Chamber of Commerce, President Obama has reached out to conservatives—at the same time he promotes what he calls “investments” in a “new economy.” Republicans now control the House of Representatives—where all financial legislation has to originate. They are divided over how many billions of dollars they’ll try to cut from the spending plan the President will unveil next week.
To the Point
Obama and the GOP Republicans and the Obama White House draw the battle lines for a political war over domestic spending. In his State of the Union speech and his address to the US Chamber of Commerce, President Obama has reached out to conservatives—at the same time he promotes what he calls “investments” in a “new economy.” Republicans now control the House of Representatives—where all financial legislation has to originate. They are divided over how many billions of dollars they’ll try to cut from the spending plan the President will unveil next week.
Which Way, L.A.?
Can the Lame Duck Congress Get Anything Done? Democrats postponed some of their most important business until after the mid-term elections. Now, they’re facing a lame-duck session with no appropriations bills passed and the Bush tax cuts about to expire before the end of the year.
To the Point
Can the Lame Duck Congress Get Anything Done? Democrats are still in the majority with hopes of completing unfinished business. Republicans want to wait until next year. But the federal government could shut down unless there's compromise on appropriations bills. Even defense spending has yet to be passed. The 800-pound gorilla is the Bush tax cuts, with Republicans demanding all or nothing and liberal Democrats pushing the President not to compromise. What are the prospects of making order out of impending chaos?
Which Way, L.A.?
Healthcare Reform 2.0: Obama Prepares to Re-charge the Debate The White House has announced that President Obama will make a major speech to a joint session of Congress next week, the day after lawmakers return from their August recess. Polls show a drop in support for the President's healthcare plan , with Republicans increasingly going on the attack. The speech is a dramatic move which observers say indicates Obama's intention to re-focus the debate. What does Obama need to do to regain control of the debate? Is it time for the President to give up on a bi-partisan approach? Should he listen to liberals and make a public option for healthcare a non-negotiable item? What does he need to do to rally slipping public opinion?
To the Point
Healthcare Reform 2.0: Obama Prepares to Re-charge the Debate The White House has announced that President Obama will make a major speech to a joint session of Congress next week, the day after lawmakers return from their August recess. Polls show a drop in support for the President's healthcare plan , with Republicans increasingly going on the attack. The speech is a dramatic move which observers say indicates Obama's intention to re-focus the debate. What does Obama need to do to regain control of the debate? Is it time for the President to give up on a bi-partisan approach? Should he listen to liberals and make a public option for healthcare a non-negotiable item? What does he need to do to rally slipping public opinion?
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To the Point
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?
To the Point
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.
To the Point
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?
To the Point
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?