In His First Briefing, Carney Calls On TRNS

New White House press secretary Jay Carney fields a pair of questions from TRNS Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner regarding House Speaker John Boehner’s recent “so be it” comment and Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott’s refusal to accept federal funds for high-speed rail projects.

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U.S. Cannot Win War In Afghanistan, Says Filmmaker

Journalist and documentary filmmaker Ben Anderson tells TRNS that the U.S. cannot win the war in Afghanistan. Anderson spent two months with American forces during a major offensive launched against the Taliban last year in Marjah.

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TRNS Interviews: "Battle Of Marjah" Filmmaker

TRNS Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner interviews journalist and filmmaker Ben Anderson about a new HBO Documentary he helped produce called “Battle of Marjah.” The film provides an in-depth on-the-ground look at a major offensive the U.S. launched against the Taliban in February, 2010. The film premiers on HBO on Thursday night at 9pm Eastern. (7:20)

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TRNS Interviews: Author Kevin Baker

TRNS Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner interviews Kevin Baker, the author of The Story Of Us, which is the companion book to the History Channel series by the same name. Baker, who earned a degree in political science from Columbia University, has written several other books and is a frequent contributor to the New York Times. (6:50)

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Bob Woodward: Obama Faces Crucial Decisions In Next Nine Months

Journalist and author Bob Woodward tells TRNS that President Obama will be faced with crucial decisions pertaining to the war in Afghanistan during the next nine months. (0:15)

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Wikileaks Acting Irresponsibly, Says Bob Woodward

Author and journalist Bob Woodward says during an interview with TRNS that the whistle-blower site Wikileaks is acting irresponsibly. Woodward contrasts his style with that of the controversial webpage. (0:34)

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Bob Woodward: Obama Hopes To Avoid LBJ's Mistakes

During a discussion with Bob Woodward on his new book “Obama’s Wars,” the author and journalist says that Obama is attempting to avoid followin in Lyndon Johnson’s footsteps through his approach to Afghanistan. (0:20)

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TRNS Discusses Oil Spill Coverage With EarthEcho Founder Philippe Cousteau

Speaking from the Clinton Global Initiative Summit, EarthEcho founder Philippe Cousteau discusses his nonprofit’s STREAM program for young journalists and coverage of the Gulf Coast oil disaster with TRNS.

Cousteau, the grandson of famed explore Jaques Costeau and the Chief Ocean Correspondent on Animal Planet, tells TRNS that it is “premature” to downplay the effects of the massive spill. (5:06)

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TRNS Interviews: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson

Talk Radio News Service Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner interviews Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson about a new program designed to improve the health and safety of men and women worldwide who cook. Listen to the full interview, then click here for more information about the clean cookstoves initiative.

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TRNS Discusses Jewish Acheivement With Author And CEO Steven L. Pease

Talk Radio News Service discusses the book "The Golden Age of Jewish Achievement" with author and CEO Steven L. Pease. Pease's book details the effects of Jewish culture on politics, art and the world at large. (9:51)
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TRNS Discusses Nuclear Issues With Former Military Official And Non-Proliferation Advocate

Talk Radio News Service discussed the START treaty, the Obama administration's Nuclear Posture Review and other important issues related to nuclear arms with Lt. General Robert Gard, a chairman at The Center for Arms Control And Non-Proliferation and former Executive Assistant to two Secretaries of Defense. (11:29)
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Former Secretary of Education Dr. Ron Paige Talks About Achievement Gap As A Civil Rights Issue

Dr. Rod Paige discusses his new book, " The Black - White Achievement Gap: Why Closing It Is The Greatest Civil Rights Issue of Our Time.” (8:00)


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Democrat Levin Talks Healthcare With TRNS

TRNS Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner speaks with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) about where things stand with the senate healthcare bill. Levin says he is hopeful that a final bill in the Senate will come to the floor by the end of the week. Calling it a "long, complicated bill," Levin explains that folks have some time to read the full legislation online. Finally, Levin, one of the more liberal members of the Senate, says it is essential for the Senate's version to contain a public option plan. Click on the audio icon below to listen to the entire conversation. (5:02)
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Oregon Democrat Shares Latest On Senate Health Reform Bill

TRNS Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner speaks with Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) about the status of healthcare reform legislation in the Senate. Merkley tells Ratner that he expects Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to release a merged bill later today, but adds that Republicans will attempt to block a vote on the bill, which he hopes will take place by this weekend at the latest. The Democrat from Oregon says he doesn't think the bill will come out of conference until January. Merkley describes the whole process as being "painfully slow." Click the audio icon below to listen to the full interview. (7:44)
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Singapore Opposition Leader Wants Obama To Address Human Rights Abuses During Upcoming Visit

Talk Radio News Service Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner speaks with Mr. Soon Ju-An Chee, the opposition leader in Singapore. Soon Ju-An tells Ms. Ratner that he and his supporters would like U.S. President Barack Obama to address the serious human rights abuses taking place in Singapore when he visits that nation later this week. Soon Ju-An adds that Obama must hold political leaders in Singapore accountable for various violations involving the country's legal system and crackdown on the press. Click the audio icon below to listen to the full conversation. (8:16)
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First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Having Huge Effect Says Economist

Talk Radio News Service Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner speaks with Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist with the National Association of Realtors. Yun discusses the first-time home buyer tax credit which was part of the stimulus plan, and how it has positively impacted home sales of late. Yun says that there has never been a better time than now to buy a home, but adds that the time to take advantage of the tax credit is running out. Says Yun, unless his organization can successfully lobby Congress to extend the deadline, home buyers will need to close by the end of November. (4:11)
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Female Blogger Describes Healthcare Conversation With Valerie Jarrett

TRNS Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner interviews Loralee Choate with BlogHer.com. Choate says that the Obama administration has really opened itself up to the blogosphere, and cites a conversation with White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett regarding healthcare reform as an example. (10:18)
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Female Blogger Explains How Current Administration Has Embraced New Media

TRNS Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner interviews Elisa Camahort Page of BlogHer.com about the role the blogosphere has played in covering the Obama administration. (6:42)
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Interview With Author Helene Cooper

Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner talks to Helene Cooper about her new book, The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood. Cooper discusses spirituality and her father's death, her childhood in Liberia, her escape with her family during the coup in 1980, and her return to Liberia in 2003. (6:09)
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T. Boone Pickens: We can replace foreign oil

Ellen Ratner speaks with T. Boone Pickens on his energy plan. Pickens advocates switching to natural gas for many current oil consumers. (5:28)
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