TBD News and Blogs for Category -- Politics

GOP VP candidate Paul Ryan, a profile

George Jackson — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EST

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), the GOP's pick for vice president, was dispatched to court voters and donors in Colorado and Nevada on Tuesday.

Ryan is well known in Washington, but not so famous outside the beltway.

Washington Post Congressional Reporter Ben Pershing profiled Ryan on Capital Insider.

Gandhi takes on the Post; Dems go after Ryan; Ambulance fee agreement; Regulate Uber?

Bruce DePuyt — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:09:00 EST

Today on NewsTalk, DC’s Chief Financial Officer rejected the Washington Post claim that his office is “giving up the store” in the way it grants property tax assessment appeals. The paper says the city is losing billions because of the CFO’s actions, a claim Gandhi and deputy Stephen Cordi strongly reject.

Politico’s White House editor, Rachel Smolkin, talked about why Democrats view Mitt Romney’s new running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) as a ripe target for attack.

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett talked about his settlement with volunteer firefighters over the proposed ambulance fee – and we discussed a pointed letter from Gov. Martin O’Malley, who takes Leggett and the school board to task over the future of a Potomac farm.

And David Alpert of Greater Greater Washington discussed Uber, the app-activated car service that has legions of fans but about whom many regulatory questions have been raised.

Watch the rest of today's show after the jump.

Wednesday at 10a: Maryland’s special session on gambling; Councilman Michael Brown

That was the week that was

George Jackson — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:45:00 EST

During a speech in Iowa on Monday, President Obama linked Mitt Romney and his running mate to congressional gridlock. Obama said Congressman Paul Ryan and other GOP leaders blocked a bill designed to help farmers cope with the historic U.S. drought.

It's part of a multi-pronged Democratic attack on Romney's newly-named running mate.

Republican Strategist Jack Burkman and Democratic Strategist Richard Fowler discussed Ryan's strengths and weaknesses as a vice-presidential candidate on Capital Insider.

Romney picks Ryan; DC Lottery probe; The Olympics

Quanicia Alston — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:18:00 EST

Today on NewsTalk, ABC 7 Senior Political Reporter Scott Thuman and Adam Tragone of Human Events talked about Mitt Romney's selection of Rep. Paul Ryan for VP.

Washington Examiner reporter Liz Farmer discussed the DC Lottery contract that is now the center of a probe by federal prosecutors.

And, NewsChannel 8's Dave Lucas and Natasha Barrett shared their thoughts on the Olympic Games and last night's closing cermony.

Watch the rest of today's show after the jump.

Iran takes central role in Syrian conflict

George Jackson — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 14:30:00 EST

In Syria, battles continue between government troops and rebels in the city of Aleppo. Meanwhile, Iran hosted a meeting of Assad regime allies to discuss an end to the conflict.

Iran's foreign minister accuses rebels of kidnapping foreign nationals and using civilians as human shields. Last week, rebels seized a bus carrying nearly 50 Iranians including members of the Revolutionary Guard.

Col. Douglas MacGregor (U.S. Army, retired) offered analysis of Iran's growing role in the Syrian conflict on Capital Insider.

Redundant job training programs still in place despite GAO report

George Jackson — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EST

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) released a report on job training programs in Oklahoma. He titled it, "What works and what doesn't: The good, bad and ugly of federal job training in Oklahoma."

Coburn's findings echo those made by the Government Accountability Office, specifically that taxpayers are spending $18 billion on 47 redundant job training programs.

Dave Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, discussed that and other issues on Capital Insider.

Md lawmakers consider casino bill

Quanicia Alston — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:34:00 EST

Today on NewsTalk, we previewed the special session of the Maryland legislature that begins today. Our show, which originated from Annapolis, featured state Sen. Jim Rosapepe, Dels. Brian Feldman and Lou Simmons, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Baltimore Sun reporter Annie Linskey and former State Sen. David Harrington.

Watch the rest of today's show after the jump.

Friday at 10am: Robert Griffin III makes his pro debut.

Taxing times for Romney; Exploring Mars; DC Olympians?

Bruce DePuyt — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:01:00 EST

Today on NewsTalk, Georgetown Univ. political analyst Christopher Metzler talked about Mitt Romney’s refusal to release more than two years worth of his tax returns. We also talked about his selection of a running mate, the upcoming conventions and the Chick-fil-A controversy.

NASA scientist Mitch Schulte talked about the landing of the Mars rover Curiosity.

And, if Puerto Rico and Guam can send athletes to the Olympics, why can’t DC? We asked Mike Panetta, who tried to organize a curling team in time for the 2006 Games.

Watch the rest of today's show after the jump.

Wednesday at 10am: AAA’s Lon Anderson talks transportation

Is defense funded medical research worth the cost?

George Jackson — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST

Lawmakers are back in their home districts this week after an unproductive late summer session. They left several major items on the table -- including the defense spending bill.

Medical research is one expense in the defense budget.

CQ Roll Call's John Donnelly discussed the cost of such research, and whether or not that cost is justified in an era of austerity.

Here's his interview on Capital Insider.

That was the week that was

George Jackson — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EST

The Labor Department released July jobs numbers last week. The figures were better than analysts predicted.

The U.S. added 163,000 jobs in July, even though the unemployment rate ticked up to 8.3 percent.

President Obama focused on the bright spots of that report during a campaign event in Washington on Friday. Mitt Romney heaped more blame on the president for the grindingly slow pace of our economic recovery.

Republican Strategist Jack Burkman and Democratic Strategist Richard Fowler discussed that and other topics on Capital Insider.

Rep. Frank Wolf; The PG casino debate

Bruce DePuyt — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EST

Today on NewsTalk, Rep. Frank Wolf talked about the possibility that deep cuts in federal spending – so called “sequestration” – will be triggered by Congress’s failure to pass a budget. We also discussed gridlock in Washington, violence in Syria and climate change. We then talked with two Maryland lawmakers – Delegates Justin Ross and Heather Mizeur – about this week’s session of the General Assembly. Ross, a Prince George’s Democrat, supports the proposed casino at National Harbor while Mizeur, a Montgomery Democrat, opposes it.

Watch the rest of today's show after the jump.

Tuesday at 10am: Christopher Metzler talks about the 2012 campaign. Also: Should the District be allowed to have its own Olympic team?

Annan steps down as Syrian envoy

George Jackson — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST

Special envoy to Syria Kofi Annan says he will quit the high profile job at the end of August.

"You have to understand as an envoy, I can't want peace more than the protagonists, more than the Security Council, or the international community for that matter," he said.

Annan also reasserted his belief that Syrian President Bashar Assad must leave office for the good of his country.

Fmr. Defense Department Spokesman J.D. Gordon discussed the developments in Syria with Capital Insider.

Woolsey critical of Obama's handling of Syria

George Jackson — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 17:00:00 EST

On Thursday, the U.N. General Assembly dropped a demand that Syrian President Bashar Assad resign, because it faced resistance from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The watered-down resolution faces a Friday vote in New York.

Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey, Jr. spoke with Capital Insider about rising tensions in the Middle East. The second part of this interview will air on Wednesday, August 8th.

Fighting in Syria continues as Tlass tours region

George Jackson — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST

Syrian forces pounded the city of Aleppo for the second straight week. Humanitarian conditions keep getting worse. Now, Turkey is prepared to house as many as 100,000 refugees.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says Syrian President Bashar Assad's days are numbered. Until then, his country's civil war continues.

Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer (U.S. Army Reserve) discussed the conflict on Capital Insider.

Opaque future for House Democrats, Pelosi

George Jackson — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST

In 2009, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) sent the Affordable Care Act to President Obama's desk. One year later, Democrats lost control of the House.

This fall, they want to gain it back -- a tall order.

CQ Roll Call's Jonathan Strong discussed the Democrats' chances and Pelosi's opaque future on Capital Insider.

County-run electricity; "You didn't build that;" New food bank facility

Quanicia Alston — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:48:00 EST

A new poll in today's Washington Post underscores the level of frustration being experienced by Pepco customers. A new website created by our first guest, Eric Hensal encourages Montgomery County leaders to think outside the box when it comes to supplying electricity to its residents.

And, Dan Bongino the republican running against Maryland Senator Ben Cardin weighed in on President Obama's "you didn't build that" remarks.

Then, Jodi Balis of the Capital Area Food Bank talked about their new facility and ways to get more bang for your buck when preparing meals.

Watch the rest of today's show after the jump.

The 2012 campaign; A Kwame comeback; If DC had gotten the Games

Bruce DePuyt — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:23:00 EST

Today on NewsTalk, we looked at the 2012 campaign – Mitt Romney’s foreign trip, the campaigns’ willingness to distort their opponents’ words and the upcoming debates. Joining us: Politico Chief Political Columnist Roger Simon.

Washington Examiner reporter Alan Blinder talked about whether former DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown’s upcoming speech is a sign he may be considering comeback. (And we regret calling him Alan Binder on the air!)

In our second half hour, we looked at the Summer Games, which DC bid on seven years ago. Should we be glad we lost, or would hosting the games have been a worthwhile experience for the region? That’s the question we put to Joe Madison, Mary Abbajay and Mike Madden.

Watch the rest of today's show after the jump.

Wednesday at 10am: MoCoPublicPower founder Eric Hensal and Md. Senate hopeful Dan Bongino

NTI: Iran sanctions are the right approach

George Jackson — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST

Concerns over nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons continue to be a focus on the campaign trail and a priority for the U.S. State Department.

On Sunday, Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney told an audience in Israel that the threat of a nuclear Iran, "has only become worse" over the past five years.

Has it?

Deepti Choubey, with the Nuclear Threat Initiative, offered analysis on Capital Insider.

Federal workers bristle at some STOCK Act provisions

George Jackson — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST

In April, President Obama signed the STOCK Act into law. STOCK, or Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge, is a bipartisan measure designed to prevent members of Congress from using non-public information to help them make money on Wall Street.

Now, some top federal workers are concerned an expansion of the original measure will compromise their financial security.

Joe Davidson, Federal Diary columnist for the Washington Post, discussed the issue on Capital Insider.

That was the week that was

George Jackson — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST

Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney met with Jewish donors in Jerusalem on Monday. He told them their culture is part of what allowed them to be more economically successful than the Palestinians.

The comments outraged Palestinian leaders. They called Romney "racist" and out of touch with the realities of the Middle East.

Republican Strategist Jack Burkman and Democratic Strategist Richard Fowler discussed Romney's overseas trip, the political importance of Israel, and other issues on Capital Insider.

Bulgarian bus bombing latest incident in covert war

George Jackson — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST

On Wednesday, Israel's U.N. Ambassador Haim Waxman repeated the accusation that Iran and Hezbollah carried out a suicide bomb attack in Bulgaria last week. It killed five Israeli tourists and the Bulgarian bus driver.

Iran called that claim baseless. For their part, Tehran claims Israel's Mossad spy agency killed five of their nuclear scientists since 2010. They also accuse Israel of other clandestine operations -- like planting computer viruses.

WTOP National Security Correspondent J.J. Green offered analysis on Capital Insider.

O?Malley summons lawmakers; Fracking concerns; Kastles keep winning

Bruce DePuyt — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST

Today on NewsTalk, live coverage of the press conference at which Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley announced a special session for the legislature. That session, to commence August 9, will focus on the proposal to allow a casino in Prince George’s County. Del. Jay Walker, who represents the Oxon Hill area, joined us live to provide reaction to the governor’s announcement.

One day before an anti-fracking rally in the District, we looked at the environmental concerns that have been raised about the methods used to drill for natural gas. With us: Calvin Tillman, the former mayor of Dish, TX, and Chris Faulkner, CEO of Dallas-based Breitling Oil & Gas.

And Washington Kastles owner Mark Ein talked about his team’s bid to complete a second straight season without losing a match.

Political theater presents Bush-era tax cuts

George Jackson — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST

On Wednesday, Senate leaders voted on rival plans for extending the Bush-era tax cuts.

The Republican plan (to extend all rates for one year) failed on a 45-54 vote.

The Democratic plan (to extend rates for households making less than $250,000) passed on a 51-48 vote. That said, it stands no chance of passage in the Republican-controlled House.

Taxpayers Protection Alliance President Dave Williams discussed that and other issues on Capital Insider.

Md. lawmakers to debate new casino; Region braces for cuts; Voter ID Laws

Quanicia Alston — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:14:00 EST

Today on NewsTalk, Maryland state Del. Luiz Simmons discussed the news that Gov. O'Malley is poised to call the General Assembly back into session to consider casino gambling. Simmons, a Montgomery County Democrat, opposes the legalization of Vegas-style gambling at National Harbor.

Jim Dinegar, head of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, talked about the impact deep cuts in federal spending would have on the local economy. He also weighed in on Mitt Romney's criticism of President Obama.

And Talking Points Memo reporter Ryan Reilly discussed the wave of voter ID laws, which some fear could disenfranchise some voters.

Watch the rest of today's show after the jump.

Friday at 10am: Washington Kastles' owner Mark Ein

Marketplace Equity Act, defense spending, and "zombie" earmarks

George Jackson — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST

On Tuesday, a House committee held a hearing on the "Marketplace Equity Act." It's a bipartisan proposal that would let states require online merchants to collect sales tax.

Taxpayers for Common Sense President Ryan Alexander offered analysis on that and other top tax topics.