Congressman's fury at economic crisis

Congressman Michael Capuano (D-MA) expresses his concerns to a representative from the FDIC about the current economic situation at a House Financial Services Committee hearing to discuss the "Hope for Homeowners" program. February 3, 2009.

Conservatives say border security is sound policy, not racism

On Thursday afternoon at the National Press Club, a panel met to discuss the role that immigration played in the Republican defeat of 2008. Marcus Epstein, executive director of the American Cause and Team America PAC, coordinated the event and sat on the panel. He said that immigration policy should be based not on hate, but on sound policy, a sentiment echoed by the rest of the panel. Panelist Jim Pinkerton, senior fellow of the Free Market Fund and New American Foundation, said that border security is the same thing as homeland security. Pinkerton highlighted the threat of terrorism, and insisted that securing the borders (in particular the one with Mexico) was a high propriety in ensuring that America's threats were minimized and managed. Pinkerton insisted that a border fence would help us maintain our national identity, and said this kind of cultural struggle is an issue "in every sovereign country". Pinkerton went on to say that a border fence would help the economy by creating jobs to construct it, as well as protecting Amerian jobs which may otherwise be taken by immigrants.

Peter Brimelow, columnist at CBS Marketwatch and former senior editor of Forbes and The National Review, stated that demographic shifts are "steadily weakening the GOP". He said that the influx of immigrants, both legal and illegal, is helping the Democratic Party. He continued that the number of people in these growing demographic groups turning out simply overwhelmed the Republicans white base in 2008. In the context of future elections in which Republicans are competing, Brimelow said that, "the projections are quite grim" for a Republican victory.

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

Senate leadership comments on stimulus bill

Senator Reid began the press conference saying that this Sunday is the Superbowl and the stadium holds 75,000 people, however in one day 85,000 people got laid off in America. He is confident that they are going to get support for the bill and that they will take up the package on Monday and there will be no recess until the President has a bill to sign.

Then Senator Durbin (D- IL) said that Caterpillar has laid off 18% of its workforce which is approximately 20,000 employees. The stimulus bill contains 140 billion dollars in infrastructure which will translate into 1.5 million jobs and that there will be 51 billion dollars in energy infrastructure, translating into 350,000 to 500,00 jobs.

Senator Schumer (D- NY) pledged to work with his Republican colleagues. He said a third of the bill is tax cuts, and that whether alternative minimum tax (AMT) is part of this bill or not, it will get done.

Senator Reid, in response to a question about non stimulus type money in the bill, said this is a very large package. “Is everything perfect? Of course not. But it is a good package.” He also said if we did nothing else but energy, it would be good for America, and that what stimulus really is is in the eye of the beholder.

Senator Schumer concluded with the fact that they have bent over backwards to be bipartisan.

Republican Party Needs To Roll Forward Not Back

By Kayleigh Harvey - Talk Radio News Service

Former Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin, senior policy adviser for the 2008 McCain Presidential Campaign; Jim Pinkerton, senior adviser for the 2009 Huckabee Presidential Campaign, former domestic policy aide to Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and contributor to Fox News; Reihan Salam, fellow at NAF and author of "Grand New Party: How Conservatives Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream"; and David Gray, director at the Workforce and Family Program at NAF met today to discuss how the Republican Party can move on from their 2008, Presidential, election defeat.

David Gray opened the debate by asking the panel how the Republican Party needed to reflect on their 2008 performance. There was mixed consensus amongst the panel as Douglas Holtz-Eakin focused on the economy as being the downfall for the Party in the election campaign.

Holtz-Eakin said, "Right after the convention we were leading in the polls and then the wall street breakdown occurred. Then people started to look backwards." He claimed that in the election the Republican's lost every age group except the 85 and over, every minority group, working woman and college students.

Jim Pinkerton also blamed the economy, stating he felt the "recovery plan was a bad move," adding that "on competence the Republican Party deserved to lose." Describing how he felt , he said the party should "move forward" from their defeat. Adding, "I would advise the Republicans to fight global warming and fight tax increases to the death." Pinkerton also claimed that national security would have to be an key issue for the Republicans.

Reihan Salam said that concentrating on global issues would hep the Republican Party progress. He said: "the Republicans need to think outside the box purely in carbon price."

Holtz-Eakin further said that the Republican defeat had led some conservatives to believe that a return to the "Reagan handbook" would help the party. "I think the party is at a significant moment and replaying the 1980's handbook would not be useful." Holtz-Eakin insists that the party should move forward instead if looking back. He said, "we need to be more appealing to a wider demographic. We need to have a message for urban areas. We have to restore the integrity."

Holtz-Eakin also blamed mixed messages among the electorate for creating a downturn in Republican support in the election. In order for the Republican party to move forward Holtz-Eakin suggested, "we need to be for education reform...we need to send the message that we are here for the kids of America." He concluded saying, "you have to have a role for government, you have to be proud if it and the Republicans need to define that role."

Republicans counting down to American energy independence

"This is America, we know how to do this job ourselves," said former Congressman Bob Schaffer today at a Republican energy independence rally, counting down the days to Americas energy independence. All agreed that Congress' legislation last night was a mistake and will only bring America further away from being energy independent. The Republicans agreed on this issue is being created by Congress through energy limitation bills.

According to the Republican America should stop seeking foreign sources of energy and instead use natural resources on American grounds, saying Americans should use more of their own fuels. They also said that even if the Democrats agrees on drilling on American soil it's still not on the 85% where American reserves are located. "We're giving jobs to Saudi Arabians and Russians and Venezuelans, and those ought to be here," said Sen. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.)