- Social:
journalist and author
Former senior political writer for the Dallas Morning News and co-author of Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential and The Architect: Karl Rove and the Dream of Absolute Power
PROFILE
Wayne Slater
Guest
FROM Wayne Slater
To the Point
Will Harvey bring Texas' 'rugged individualism' to an end? School's open today in parts of Houston, and it's the beginning of another work week for many people. But recovery from Harvey's death and destruction is expected to take many years, and that means many years of reliance on federal assistance.
To the Point
Ted Cruz: Obstruction as Opportunity The Senator from Texas is proud of antagonizing even Republican colleagues -- whatever they might call him. Ted Cruz has filibustered and even shut down the government to demonstrate his refusal to compromise what he calls conservative ideals. We hear about his record in Washington and how he got there.
To the Point
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.
To the Point
From High School to the Campaign Trail: Islamophobia in America Social media exploded this week when a Muslim-American kid who brought a home-made clock to school was arrested on suspicion of building a bomb . Ahmed Mohamed was interrogated by five police officers, handcuffed, arrested and taken away. The hashtag I Stand with Ahmed went viral, and the 14-year old was invited to Silicon Valley, MIT and the White House . But Muslim-Americans say it's nothing new, and yesterday Donald Trump failed to repudiate a questioner who called Muslims America's "problem." Fourteen years after September 11, are Muslim citizens still the victims of an "us versus them" mentality that's all too familiar?
To the Point
Will Donald Trump Inspire Other Rebel Billionaires? For decades, politicians have said that government should be "run like a business," but business leaders don't often run for office. Now, here comes Donald Trump, who has captured the nation's attention with comments like "How stupid are our leaders…how stupid are these politicians." Trump's astonishing success -- the billionaire businessman is leading in all the polls in the race for the Republican presidential nomination -- may have other billionaire CEO's giving a second thought to public service. That's according to Ben Schreckinger of Politico , who's in Dallas for today's Trump rally. Is Mark Cuban considering a run for the presidency? Photo: JD Lasica
To the Point
Border Crisis Scrambles the Politics of Immigration House Speaker John Boehner said today that Republicans will introduce legislation making it easer to deport Central American children. The goal is to pass it before leaving Washington for the August recess. Meantime, the Obama White House is hinting that the President plans some kind of executive action. Laura Meckler writes about politics and immigration for the Wall Street Journal…
Which Way, L.A.?
He's baack…Texas Governor Rick Perry's Latest Trip to California Texas Governor Rick Perry is visiting California this week, touting a TV ad campaign he claims cost $300,000. Calling California the worst state in the country to do business, he faults California's "tax and spend policies in the liberal leadership" for jobs "fleeing" to Texas, with its lower taxes, fair legal system and affordable energy.
To the Point
Attorney General Eric Holder on Collision Course with Texas On Voting Rights Civil Rights leaders and Attorney General Eric Holder are scheduled for White House meetings later today. In the aftermath of the Court’s divided ruling on the Voting Rights Act, they’ll be discussing another case, which has led Holder’s intervention in Texas.
To the Point
Abortion: The Law Is Clear but the War Rages On Same-sex marriage may be off the front burner, but abortion is hotter than ever in many legislatures and on Capitol Hill. Roe v. Wade is "settled law" in the United States, and polls show widespread support for a woman's right to choose an abortion. But the anti-abortion movement is gaining momentum. Republicans in Congress have passed strict new limits. In Ohio, mandatory ultrasounds are part of the budget so they'll be harder to overturn. Despite the last-minute Democratic filibuster in Texas, Republicans are likely to get tough new measures as soon as next week. Democrats call it a "war against women," and predict a backlash. We look at the political fallout and the medical consequences for women and their doctors.
To the Point
Another President, Another Presidential Library America's 43rd President now has the country's 13th presidential library. The George W. Bush Presidential Center houses the bullhorn from Ground Zero, the pistol from Saddam Hussein's spider hole and a statue of two favorite dogs. How much is there on missing weapons of mass destruction or Wall Street bailouts? Do Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld or Karl Rove get much attention? Every president since FDR has a similar mix of historical fact and self-serving propaganda assembled on his behalf. We look at the contents, the architecture and the symbolism of Bush's Center in Dallas and at the role of presidential libraries in our political life.
To the Point
Campaign Wizard Karl Rove’s Epic Failure Karl Rove raised hundreds of millions of dollars this year, mostly from rich Republicans, promising to take back the White House and Senate. It didn't work, and Rove had a hard time facing reality on election night. When Fox News called Ohio for President Obama, Rove — on set as a commentator — refused to believe it. A camera followed Anchorwoman Megyn Kelly into a room full of number crunchers who said there was not doubt. In the conversation that followed, Rove cautioned that "It's just in terms of public perception, it looks a little odd to be making a call." Wayne Slater is senior political writer for the Dallas Morning News and co-author of Bush's Brain : How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential.
Which Way, L.A.?
Romney's Campaign Strategy Takes a Turn The Romney campaign has been subject to regular sniping from Republican insiders, but new reports have very tangible personnel shakeups being considered . We hear more from our regular Red State-Blue State guests, Wayne Slater of the Dallas Morning News and Carla Marinucci of the San Francisco Chronicle.
To the Point
Romney's Campaign Strategy Takes a Turn The Romney campaign has been subject to regular sniping from Republican insiders, but new reports have very tangible personnel shakeups being considered . We hear more from our regular Red State-Blue State guests, Wayne Slater of the Dallas Morning News and Carla Marinucci of the San Francisco Chronicle.
To the Point
The Democrats Get Down to Business Mitt Romney has taken heat for not being specific about proposals for turning the country around. Now it's the President's turn. Barack Obama has not laid out a specific second-term agenda, and Democrats have fumbled the ball when Paul Ryan asks, “Are you better off than four years ago?" With so many people still hurting, it's hard to run on the record. What can the President do to bring disappointed voters back into the fold? On Day One in Charlotte , we hear from reporters, Democrats and conservative columnist David Brooks of the New York Times. We also look at the Democrats' focus on the Latino vote, including tonight's Keynote Address and efforts at mobilization. (We also heard KCRW's Saul Gonzalez speaking with Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of NALEO, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.) To the Point is broadcasting live from the Democratic convention all week. You can find all our coverage at KCRW.org/election2012 . DNC image: Chris Keane/Reuters
Which Way, L.A.?
Can the Republicans Weather More than One Storm? To the Point is in Tampa this week, where Tropical Storm Isaac has forced the Republican National Convention to wait a day before getting down to business tomorrow. Yesterday, former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee addressed the Faith and Freedom Coalition with other religious conservatives. Today the Convention will be gaveled to order by Party Chairman Reince Priebus and then immediately recessed until tomorrow. The GOP faces some heavy political weather, with Ron Paul refusing to get on board and social issues clouding the focus on the economy. As the carefully choreographed TV show has now shrunk to just three days, convention planers are struggling to coordinate their messages. With polls still showing a virtual dead heat, this is the last major chance for the Republicans to get a leg up on President Obama before the televised debates. We hear from outside the arena and from inside the Convention Center. Can Mitt Romney heal his party's divisions? Is Paul Ryan making a difference? (In addition to our guests, we hear the voices of Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, Chathryn Walters and others.)
Recommended
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
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?
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?