To the Point
The Lame Duck Congress and the Republican Agenda
Republicans claim a mandate to cut spending, but which programs do this week's voters want sacrificed? The GOP will be in control of the House, and the Senate Minority Leader wants Barack Obama to be a one-term president. Will the White House be looking for compromise? Also, stock investors love the Fed's big bond buy, and Florida's rising Republican star.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenRepublicans claim a mandate to cut spending, but which programs do this week's voters want sacrificed? The GOP will be in control of the House, and the Senate Minority Leader wants Barack Obama to be a one-term president. Will the White House be looking for compromise? Also, stock investors love the Fed's big bond buy, and now that he's been elected to the US Senate, supporters are calling Republican Marco Rubio, "our Cuban Barack Obama."
Banner image: House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) (C) answers questions from reporters at the US Capitol with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (L) and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) November 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesFed Announces Big Bond Buy, Stocks Soar despite Jobless Numbers
The Federal Reserve plans to buy $600 billion in US government bonds -- $75 billion a month — to drive down interest rates and encourage the borrowing that stimulates growth. Stock market investors love it, but some call it a "Hail Mary" pass by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke. That's according to today's Wall Street Journal .
Read the story8 minThe New Congress and the Old One's Unfinished Business
Republicans claim a voter mandate to cut federal spending, but what programs do they have in mind? The big gorillas are Medicare and Social Security . President Bush's prescription drug plan will cost more over 10 years than Obama's stimulus and health plans combined. Will they reduce defense spending or cut back on the war in Afghanistan?
Read the story36 minFlorida's Marco Rubio Is Suddenly a GOP Rising Star
When Governor Charlie Crist hugged President Obama and supported the federal stimulus plan, Florida politics changed forever. In his US Senate run, Republican Crist had to turn Independent, and proceeded to lose big Tuesday to a rising GOP star. Today's New York Times quotes a supporter calling Marco Rubio , "our Cuban Barack Obama."
Read the story8 min
