Left, Right & Center

Federal and State Budget Showdowns; Libya; Newt in 2012?

Capitol Hill lawmakers prevent a government shutdown -- for now. Also, a new poll on opposition to broad cuts in Medicare and Social Security, the budget standoff in Wisconsin and Ohio, Defense Secretary Gates on Libya, and speculation over Gingrich’s presidential ambitions.

By Matt Miller • Mar 4, 2011 • 29m Listen

This week on Capitol Hill, lawmakers passed a continuing budget resolution and prevented a government shutdown -- for now. The budget battle continues with a deadline of March 18 to reach a deal. Meanwhile a new poll shows most Americans remain opposed to broad cuts in Medicare and Social Security. The budget standoff continues in Wisconsin, and now in Ohio. What protections do our nation's public-sector workers deserve? Also, Defense Secretary Robert Gates warns that imposing a no-fly zone over Libya would be "unwise." What should the US do about the violence in Libya? Finally, this week brings heavy speculation over the presidential ambitions of Newt Gingrich.

Note: Sitting in for Tony Blankley today is Jennifer Rubin, who writes the "Right Turn" blog at the Washington Post. Ed Kilgore, managing editor of the Democratic Strategist and columnist for The New Republic, sits in for Arianna Huffington.

Banner image: Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), walks on stage before speaking at the Conservative Political Action conference (CPAC), on February 10, 2011 in Washington, DC. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images