To the Point
The Debt Ceiling and the 2012 Presidential Playing Field
The debt-ceiling debate is over, but tax increases and defense spending will be back on Washington's agenda as soon as Thanksgiving. We hear what past and future debates...
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenThe debt-ceiling debate is over, but tax increases and defense spending will be back on Washington's agenda as soon as Thanksgiving. We hear what past and future debates could mean for next year's presidential campaign. Also, the Dow is headed for longest losing streak since 1978. On Reporter's Notebook, six months ago, Hosni Mubarak was the ruler of the Arab world’s biggest country. Today, while millions watched the proceedings on TV, he went on trial for his life in a Cairo courtroom.
Banner image: Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (L) and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman (R) are two of the leading Republicans vying for the 2012 presidential nomination against incumbent Barack Obama
In this episode
3 storiesDow Jones Average Headed for Longest Losing Streak since 1978
Despite reassurance that the US will pay its bills, the stock markets dropped yesterday and they're down again today. That could mean nine days of declines, the longest since February, 1978. Todd Wallack is business reporter for the Boston Globe .
Read the story8 minThe Debt Ceiling, the President and Next Year's Campaign
Republicans claim they made deficit reduction the price the President had to pay for increasing the debt ceiling so the US could pay its bills. Does that make Barack Obama look like a weak leader? Did he give up too much to hold on to his base or the right amount to appeal to centrist voters?
Read the story37 minEgypt's President Goes on Trial
Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak was last seen in public when he appeared on television in February, vowing not to step down after three decades in power. Today, during another televised proceeding, he was wheeled on a gurney into a Cairo courtroom, healthy enough to firmly deny charges that could lead to his execution.
Read the story6 min
