Left, Right, and Center (Politics)
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- Host: Matt Miller, Bob Scheer, Arianna Huffington, Tony Blankley
- Provocative, up-to-the-minute, alive and witty, this weekly confrontation over politics, policy and popular culture proves those with impeccable credentials needn't lack personality. Featuring four of the most insightful news analysts anywhere, this weekly "love-hate relationship of the air" reaches about 50,000 of the most influential radio listeners in Southern California.
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McCain Comes Out Swinging; Palin as Rorschach Test
Fri, Sep 5
Todays show is likely to engender a good deal of discussion because we get into the question of the liberal media and how Republicans have been able to use that accusation so successfully for so long. Tony says its been extraordinary week, and an election campaign without precedent, but we dont know yet whether Palin will be gold dust or Kryptonite to McCain. Assuming that there is nothing completely shocking in her background, its clear a new star was born"...
The Dems’ Denver Surge; McCain’s Palin Surprise
Fri, Aug 29
John McCain exploded the news agenda today with the announcement of his surprising choice of running mate, Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska. And it nearly blew Obamas speech and the Democratic Convention right out of the headlines. Is she, as Bob said, Hillarys worst nightmare a young Phyllis Schlafley breaking through the cracks in her glass ceiling? Or was a brilliant move to wrest those alienated blue-collar women away from Hillary and over to the Republicans? But first: the Democrats!
Pulling out of Georgia; Pulling out of Iraq; How many houses?
Fri, Aug 22
Is Russia honoring its deadline to pull out of Georgia? A very substantive and fascinating discussion of how to deal with Russia ensues with Tony insisting that Russia be punished and temporarily banned from the G8, and that the country must be dealt with firmly but reasonably and Bob disagreeing quite vehemently, wondering about the double standard in effect between Russia’s Georgia venture and the US venture in Iraq...
Russia, Georgia; DemoCon-Hill, Bill; Dems and Oil; SwiftBoat2
Fri, Aug 15
Russia continues to occupy Georgia and doesn't appear to be backing down. Is this Georgia's fault? Instead of windsurfing in Hawaii, should Obama have been making daily press statements, in a suit, with flags waving behind him? Also, the big debate about the Clintons at the Convention. (Bob Scheer and Matt Miller are away. Marc Cooper moderates.)
Campaign Energy Wars; Are Dems Doomed? China’s CloseUp
Fri, Aug 8
The fight over US energy policy has been the dominant message on the Presidential campaign trail this week: who’s got it right, who’s pandering and who’s been a demagogue? Tony’s for any plan that doesn’t involve tax subsidies, and prefers the multi-pronged approach. Bob and Arianna think Obama’s trying to...
Anthrax; The Race Card; Trade Talks; Globalization & US
Fri, Aug 1
The presumed suicide of the biochemical researcher whom the FBI was set to indict has set off alarm bells: after all the money spent going after terrorists overseas, is the enemy really within - and will we ever know at this point? This week’s Presidential campaign raised the issue of the race card: is Obama to blame by saying he doesn’t look like the other presidents on the dollar bills? Or is Rick Davis, of McCain’s campaign exploiting this, saying Obama dealt the race card from the bottom...
Obama Overseas, McCain, The Poll Truth, Mortgage Bill
Fri, Jul 25
Obama’s obvious overseas success may be a triumph of visuals over substance; will it come back to haunt him? The panelists agree that this campaign should be a walk for a Democratic candidate, so why are the polls on McCain and Obama so close? McCain’s week has been as bad as Obama’s has been good – by anyone’s standards...
Iraq Troops; Is Al Gore Serious? VPstakes; Blog question
Fri, Jul 18
The White House announced it’s agreed on a “general time horizon” for possible troop reductions in Iraq. Tony says we’ve succeeded; Arianna says we’ve failed; and Bob says we never should’ve gone in the first place. An interesting conversation about Left-Right divisions ensues, wherein Tony tells the left what it thinks and Bob corrects him; Arianna defies these obsolete political labels, including the “archaic name of our show!”...
Oil’s Up, Market’s Down; Iran’s Missiles; Iraq’s Timetable
Fri, Jul 11
Today’s show raised the issue of the Presidential candidates’ response to the extreme dive in the Dow Jones and the announcement that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are in freefall. Plus, Iran shot some missiles and shot their credibility in the foot by doctoring photos. But that doesn’t mean the threat of Israel versus Iran isn’t scary and dangerous. Plus, Iraq appears to be calling for a timetable for a US departure. Is that serious?
Patriotism; Obama Shifting Right? McCain Campaign Shake Up
Fri, Jul 4
A substantive discussion amongst the panelists about what patriotism means. Bob expounds on George Washington’s farewell speech; Tony talks about how the theme plays out politically; Matt shares thoughts by Peter Beinart of The New Republic that the right says “America’s great,” the left says, “Here’s what would make America great;” and Arianna mentions the USA Today poll that says 2/3 of Americans think that protesting is patriotic. Are Obama’s moves toward swing voters going to win him...
SCOTUS on Guns/N. Korea/Oil/Dem Unity/Obamacons
Fri, Jun 27
The decision on gun control will raise many issues at the level of local regulation. Now that W has taken North Korea off the “black list” (against the will of Cheney and Bolton), what will this lead to, will it become the new Vietnam, the new South Korea? The oil market is skyrocketing, the stock market has the jitters: what’s to become of the American economy? So now that Obama and Hillary have kissed and made up, will Bill’s legacy get scrubbed up? And a unique phenomenon worth exploring:...
Obama/Public Finance; Offshore Drilling; China Economy
Fri, Jun 20
Obama announces he won’t take public funding--is campaign finance reform dead? Is it good news or bad news when more Americans add their dollars to elections? Would offering every voter a voucher to apply to whatever they support make Goldman Sachs’ money less influential? Should we start offshore drilling to offset the increase in oil prices? Or is that just more backward thinking, promoting further environmental ruin for not much of a difference in supply or demand? And finally, does...
SCOTUS Bombshell; Economy: Obama/McCain; Media and Democracy
Fri, Jun 13
The Supreme Court delivers a blow to Bush policy on Guantanamo detainees; Obama and McCain square off on the economy, plus a dissertation on why Obama’s Social Security plan isn’t good; and is the media helping to destroy democracy?Amity Shlaes guest hosts.
The New New Deal and the New Center
Fri, Jun 6
Amity proposes that we need a new center….not a new New Deal that is narcissistic; Bob says it should be a center that doesn’t eliminate Free trade but stands for protections for workers, child labor and the environment – matt says the left should be open to more market friendly ideas, and Arianna says, this is just exactly the kind of discussion the country needs as we turn a new page in our history.Amity Shlaes sits in for Tony Blankley.
McClellan’s Revelations; Hillary’s Last Stand
Fri, May 30
Is Scott McClellan “an inconsequential cipher” as Tony describes him? Can his new memoir’s revelations about the Bush White House’s deceptions be trusted? Why, if he knew, didn’t he tell the nation the truth about what the White House was doing in the lead up to the Iraq War? And are we seeing Hillary’s last stand? After the last primaries this Tuesday, and tomorrow’s rules committee meeting, does she have any defense left for staying in the race?
Hill’s endgame; McCain VP BBQ; Obama’s Talking Tyrant Gaffe; Oil
Fri, May 23
Whose fault is it: sexist Americans, the media or…a messy campaign? Hillary’s endgame – when will she bow out, and should she? Why won’t super-delegates declare? McCain’s grilling up some VP options, or is it just a friendly barbeque? Obama made a gaffe when he declared he’d meet unconditionally with tyrants, and McCain’s making hay with the statement. But can Obama turn it around with the right argument, and what is that argument? Lastly, just a little commentary about the rising price of...
Gay Marriage; Obama-Appeaser? Is GOP toast? Hill still here.
Fri, May 16
Will CA decision re: gay marriage matter in the election? Is Barack an appeaser? Pres. Bush, not naming names in Israel, says talking to our enemies is like appeasing Hitler and the Nazis— and Barack strikes back as Dems are outraged. Is the GOP suffering a nervous breakdown in view of recent election losses? And after all is said and done, Hillary is still here…and taking it to end game.
Is Hillary Finished? Did McCain Vote for Bush?
Fri, May 9
There’s a sense in the Democratic Party that Hillary has to get out of the race. But as even Obama acknowledges, she’s likely to win at least two more primaries. So who’s really electable? And Arianna has gotten into a tiff with McCain: she heard him say at a dinner in LA, and others have confirmed, that he said he didn’t vote for Bush…a fact he strenuously denies. Arianna contends that there are two McCains, and that the one you see now isn’t riding the Straight Talk Express anymore.
Pastor disaster; Dems divided; Gas Tax, McCain and Economy
Fri, May 2
The Democrats are divided, as today’s show will clearly prove. The focus on the Reverend Wright may be news but is it important, or just a distraction to fueling Republican strategists’ dreams? Is a gas tax amnesty a gimmick or a legitimate cost-savings plan for Americans? John McCain proposes a tax break voucher for individuals to buy their own health insurance, but would he even be covered under such a plan given his pre-existing condition? And despite the gloom, is the economy doing better?
Democrat Meltdown; McCain Policy; Race/Nuclear; News
Sat, Apr 26
Wall-to-wall breakdown on the Democrats, as well as the flaws of both Democrats and McCain. The quickfire news rant continued the debate on race, nuclear policies and questioned whether McCain had abandoned his original values.
Obama slipup; McCain/Economy; Food riots; Pope; News
Sat, Apr 19
Obama's 'bitter' fall out dominated Democratic debate was he misunderstood or is he plain elitist, the debate continued ferociously with our panel. Economic discussion includes McCain's recent proposals on military spending, support for homeowners and student loaners, Wall street hedge fund managers earning billions while the global economy is sinking and food riots; are Bio fuels contributing to the food crisis. Plus quick fire news rant.
Iraq; Free Trade; McCain/Mortgage; Clinton $; News
Sat, Apr 12
Petraeus and Crocker testified before Congress this week about progress in Iraq, Bush signs onto the Petraeus plan, the candidates give it their own spin, and so do our panelists. The free trade debate: Mark Penn loses all the way round, strangely all panelists agree on this topic. Greenspan says ---don---t blame me--- for the mortgage debate and McCain changes his tune, now says, don---t blame borrowers either. The Clintons tax return shows exactly how well they---ve been doing --- is it...
US Job Losses; Dr King---s Dream; Primary News
Sat, Apr 5
On the economic front, 80,000 jobs have been lost; 5.1% unemployment is higher than ever. Are we in recession. Whose fault is it. There---s bipartisan blame all around. And a NY Times poll says most Americans believe we are on the wrong track---Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated 40 years ago (today as we go to air). Is his dream for equality still alive. Has socioeconomics trumped race. And the world---s speediest lightning round on the latest primary news.
Iraq Split; Candidates on Economy; Primary Roundup
Sat, Mar 29
Iraqi forces are battling rebel elements from Shi---ite cleric Sadr---s army. Is Iran behind the mayhem. Will the US decide to align with Sadr in taming Iraq. Is McCain---s response to the mortgage crisis his Herbert Hoover moment. How does his economic plan stack up against Clinton---s and Obama---s. Howard Dean wants the nomination wrapped up by July; who should drop out. Will Gore step in.
Obama on Race; Iraq Five Years Later; Osama speaks
Sat, Mar 22
Barack Obama gives his speech in reaction to the Reverend Wright controversy. Will it help him or hurt him. Five years after US-led coalition forces invaded Iraq, is it Mission Accomplished yet. And a very brief word on Osama bin Laden---s latest threat tape to Europe.
The Economy; Ferraro; Obama's Pastor; Spitzer-Men in Power
Sat, Mar 15
The Fed's bailing out Bear Stearns but Pres Bush gives upbeat economic assessment. Are we in recession yet. After diminishing Obama, Geraldine Ferraro steps down from the Clinton campaign. After Obama renounces his Pastor's controversial comments, the Pastor steps down from his Chicago church. Plus, Spitzer's resignation: what's the trouble with men in power.
The Democratic Death Match
Sat, Mar 8
Does Hillary have the edge; Can Barack be tough enough. Will Michigan and Florida get do-overs. Will it be the economy stupid. Or national security issues. Plus, Samantha Power calls Hillary a monster --- she---s off Barack---s team. It---s an all-Dem show this week, and all four are in studio to talk about it.
3am Ad; NAFTA; Russia election; US Prison Crisis; WFB
Sat, Mar 1
Hillary---s ---It---s 3 am --- who do you want to answer the phone--- ad: Is this the Democratic endgame at play. Bob loses patience; Tony defends her --- sort of. Is NAFTA really evil. Or are the Dems using trade to pander for votes. Russia---s having an election --- sort of. The designated winner is Putin---s proxy. A new Pew Survey says blacks and Hispanics are imprisoned more than whites. Is it crime or racism. And remember William F. Buckley, the founding father of modern conservatism.
McCain vs the New York Times; Demo Debate; Foreign News Round-up
Sat, Feb 23
Will another shoe drop in the New York Times' story on McCain and the blond lobbyist. The CNN Debate between Hillary and Obama once again demonstrates there's very little substantive difference between their policy positions. Lightning round on the news from abroad: Bush supports Kosovo; in Pakistan, the people win; and Fidel's farewell.
Obama and Hillary race; Dems v. McCain; The Economy
Sat, Feb 16
Obama's movement - is he unstoppable. Wife Michelle Obama an authentic voice and campaign asset. The new Hillary/Bill campaign strategy, negative ads and claims of injustice over Michigan and Florida delegates. How will McCain's strength (foreign policy) and weakness (domestic policy) compete with the Dems in a national debate. The alarming Economy; can more rate cuts really cut the mustard.
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