Which Way, L.A.?
Are Centrist Politics Gaining Momentum in Congress?
Earlier this week, literally hours before potential disaster in the Senate, seven Democrats and seven Republicans moved toward each other, away from their hard-core party lines. Then 50 Republicans in the House crossed party lines to approve expanded guidelines for stem-cell research. After months of polarization, has Congress rediscovered its center? With the vote for UN nominee John Bolton, federal judicial nominees, and Social Security on the political landscape, could the "Gang of 14" control much of the Senate-s immediate future? Guest host Diana Nyad explores these new power brokers with pollsters, historians, progressive Democrats, and conservative and centrist Republicans. (An extended version of this discussion was broadcast earlier today on To the Point.)
Diana Nyad, who was inducted into the
International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2002 as the world record-holder for the longest swim without the aid of a cage -- from Bimini to Florida, 102.5 miles! -- is a business sports columnist for
Marketplace, has served as senior sports correspondent for
Fox News, and has hosted her own show on
CNBC. She's also the author of three books,
Basic Training and
Howard Fineman's Newsweek article on possible turning point in politics
Senator McCain on nomination of UN Ambassador-designate John Bolton
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (HR 810)
Washington Post article on GOP tilting balance of power to the right