Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor braces for her Confirmation Hearing. President Obama’s first nominee to the Supreme Court has not come without controversy. From her “wise Latina woman” remark, to the court’s recent decision to overturn one of her more controversial cases, opportunities are available for Republicans to question her qualifications to sit on the highest court in the land. However, after taking into account Sotomayor’s compelling life story, and the President’s own political capital, some members of the GOP believe this might be a fight best left for another day. This week Chris Wallace gets a preview of what the confirmation process will bring when he’s joined by two key members of the committee destined to decide her fate.
Segment 1 Guests: Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California / Judiciary Committee
Sen. John Cornyn, (R) Texas / Judiciary Committee
“Right Now” our series on the future of the Republican Party returns. This week Republicans gained a significant political foothold, as President Obama experienced some serious push back against the implementation of his domestic agenda. Calls for a second economic stimulus, and charges that the first stimulus has been ineffective, seem to have increased public skepticism of just how large a role the government should play in the economic recovery. Congressman Eric Cantor has been one of the President’s most vocal opponents, he joins us this week to discuss what new ideas Republicans have for righting the US’s financial ship.
Segment 2 Guest: Rep. Eric Cantor, (R) Virginia / House Minority Whip
Plus our panel:
Laura Ingraham – Radio Talk Show Host & Fox News
Mara Liasson – National Public Radio & Fox News
Bill Kristol – Weekly Standard & Fox News
Juan Williams – National Public Radio & Fox News
And we’ll take a look back at a “Classic Power Player”, who shows us the new “front door” to our nation’s capitol.
Power Player: Terrie Rouse, Capitol Visitor Center
I just was watching you piece on Lee Greenwood,and the song God Bless America. Our rodeo is in September and that song is played in the complete dark with the spotlight on the rodeo queen riding her horse carrying the American flag. She starts out slow and then builds up to a full gallop. The whole stadium is silent until the full gallop then every one is standing and hollering with tears in their eyes. I have witnessed this many times and I still cry when this happens. It is something to wittness. I live in a small town, Othello Washington. I would like to see you some time here so you could wittness this. Septenmber 18 and 19 2009. Thank you and Good Bless you and yours. Dorothy
Chris,
Why in the panel discussions regarding healthcare, does the issue of personal responsibility never come up? Health insurance as we know it today is so far removed from the concept of insurance and has become the bloated bureaucracy we all know it to be today. We have the best and most advanced healthcare system in the world and there are those in power willing to stand it on its head in order to obtain more power. True health insurance reform should be to return insurance to its more basic and purist form allowing everyone to purchase true insurance at a reasonable cost. Those who chose not to purchase at that point do so at their own financial risk but it is a decision they made of their own choosing. We could lower the costs of healthcare and insurance by getting government and insurance out of the way of some of the basic healthcare we receive by making it easier to pay out of pocket through medical savings accounts. I have car insurance but would never think it necessary to involve them for something as simple as an oil change. Apply the same thinking of health insurance today and you would see how a simple, quick, in and out oil change for $20 would become a paperwork laden and time consuming $2000 expense complete with billing statements from the facility, from the person who changed the oil and from the company that disposed of the oil. Exactly what part of this whole situation makes any sense or delivers a better product for the money?
Anyone who thinks that an insurance company puts your health care above their bottom line is an infant. Given a choice between some ivory tower fat cat whose next Rolex depends on whether or not they cover a procedure or some mother of three working in government, I'll roll my dice with the lady any day.
I agree. If you have x number of doctors, x number of nurses and x number of hospital beds, adding 40 million new "customers" means less care for the other people. My question is if health care becomes free, what's to keep people from going to get free care for every little ache and pain rather than dealing with or paying for it themselves. How do I know my tax dollars won't go to someone who could afford their own care if they did without the Ipod and the Hi def t.v.? How much of our own health care should we be responsible for paying for? We don't give everyone free food. Where does the idea come from that everyone should have free health care?
Chris,
During your entire discussion with the panel on health care, no one mentioned the simple fact that; number one, government is attempting to change an entire industry to satisfy 30 % of those that may not have health care.
Secondly I know of friends that are not rich and in the $40 - 60 K earnings, have chosen not to have health care because they would rather spend their money on other things. They know in a pinch they can get treatment by going into emergency.They will worry about paying for it later.
One solution or thought is to make it mandatory that every adult be required to pay something for some type of health care. Make health care costs a percentage taken from their income. Be it 1,2,3,4 percent. The industry should have some idea of what the percentage of a person's income, just like owning a home, should be set aside to pay for the costs.
Don't change an entire industry for 30 percent of those that don't have it or those that do not want to pay for it.
Here's a way to create jobs. Open up drilling for petroleum that the radical environmentalists have put the screws to. I live in one of the poorest states in the Union (Arkansas). Our employment is low and people in my county are prospering because there is aggressive drilling for natural gas in the Fayetteville Shale. New drilling techniques has made this possible. So, our state government ended the year with a surplus, while California, who has vast reserves of petroleum and refuses to access them, is billions in debt!
If we need additional taxes of about 500 billion to implement the health care plan, our health care will represent about 20% of our economy-about twice that of any other country. That implies that all our goods and services will have a huge cost disadvantage and jobs will move to other more competitive countries. Or put another way, our economic output per unit of input will be 10% less than that of other economies. Is this something we want? The health care system needs to be reformed and its costs reduced. Any reform that does not reduce cost will have consequences that we will not like.
The addition of Laura Ingram on your show today was a beath of fresh air. She should be a regular. A little tired of Bill's tired old sing song voice, Laura is a great new addition.
I am 75 years old. I have Medicare and MediCal. The state of California just announced that many medical services have been cut (dental, optics, etc.) for persons over the age of 21.
It seems selection of who gets services based solely on age has begun, as has been predicted.
Just think about selective care under Obaba's plan.
Chris, thank you for your show. I enjoy it every sunday. This sunday was good as always, but I really think our government spending is off base. I am a construction worker that is effected by our economy, like most people. I sit back and listen to you all talk about the stimulus package and bail out money helping people, when really it is not getting to the blue collar worker. The banks and AIG have been helped, but the common worker is not getting helped. We're given a $1,000 stimulus check and our senators and congressmen act like it is a big deal, while the banks are given billions of dollars and it is not passed down it is just made harder for us to get money to make our businesses work. We should let the banks that can't survive go broke, the way many of us have. If we get the money to the blue collar worker, the economy will take care of itself. I also feel that if the housing issue is not addressed our economy will stay in distress. As a small business owner myself, I do feel that everyone should have healthcare insurance but if this is put on a small business, it is not likely to survive. We don't need more taxes. Thank you for your time.
Just wanted to say thanks for remembering Tony Snow today. Seeing Tony again brought a tear to my eye. I was one of the first Fox News Sunday viewers and have been adicted since, I followed Tony's career to Fox News, the radio and the White House. Here is someone who should be remembered for all the kindess, compassion and intelligent he displayed each and every day. After all the Michael Jackson hoopla, he is someone that honestly will be missed.
I used to get upset with all the personal attacks on Sarah Palin, then it occurred to me, "Why so much vicious attention towards her?" Good question. I believe that people generally attack those they don't understand, or are threatened by. With this perspective in mind, I say, "Way to go Sarah!" She has something to say and Americans ARE listening. To stifle her,the news media have dug up all of Sarah's "dirt," but she has not cowed down or rationalized her way to defense. she has, instead, stood her ground like a true leader. So, without any more dirt to sling, the news media have been reduced to meaningless opinions, because the facts about Sarah Palin's character stand strong and true.
Lynne Martin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I believe that the Bush tax cuts brought the country out of a recession started in Clinton's term. And I'm pretty sure the Republicans had similiar ideas instead of the stimulus that was passed. So to keep saying that the Republicans aren't offering alternatives is disengenuous and not to mention the benefits of the Bush tax cuts is negligent. The media has perpetuated the old "tax cuts for the rich" myth, which doesn't help the situation. Everybody benefited from the tax cuts.
And to blame President Bush for the whole housing debacle is equally disengenous. It has a long history and I think to put the blame on President Bush takes the heat off of the real culprits.
If we are required to have patience for the "stimulus" package to work, why wasn't patience required to read before passing the package in the first place. Looks like the house is heading in the same direction as before, "cramming their proposals down our throats". Wait until the number of physicians stop participating in the already undermarket fee schedule of Medicare. Who wants to be a provider for yet another government health care plan that pays less than it costs to deliver the healthcare. Laura Ingram was right on. The elderly will have less options/less participating physicians to provide their care.
I cannot make much sense out of the uninsured numbers that are the basis for this great health care plan. I hear that there are 47 million americans without health care insurance.How many of this number chose not to pay for health care since they are young and think they are immortal. I have even heard that illegals would be given health care insurance. In short how many citizens in this country really cannot afford some level of insurance.
Go Laura! Finally there is some life on the show. I can't tell you how many times I have sreamed at the republicans on the show to fight back. Laura fights back. Keep laura on the show!
Laura Ingraham, in the spirit of "Power to the People," I have an idea for you to suggest to your listeners. Since not everyone listens to talk radio, why not ask your listeners around the country to write a letter to the editor to reach the folks who don't. As an example, my elderly aunt doesn't listen to talk radio or use a computer, but she always reads those letters to the editor. It's a good way to reach these people, and many good people just don't know what's going on, and even a short letter could give them the other side.
For instance, in a letter to the editor about healthcare, we could mention rationing, and the government will have more control of our health care, and individual and families will have less control. This will hurt senior citizens the most. Tom Daschle, who anticipated being the Secretary of Health and Human Services head at the time, helped write the health care restrictions and said health care reform: “will not be pain free and seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them."
It seems obvious to anyone watching today that supporters of the current Democratic President and Congress are very worried about poll numbers stating to come out. It was predicted that Democrats would over reach and they have, with 'borrowed money'. To the average small buisness like my self this tax climate, and the threat of high higher costs do to employee health care will preclude me from making any new hires in the near future. I am not the only one who feels this way and this is why unemployment will continue to rise. Are you listening Mr. President and Congress?
Chris Wallace is the host of FOX News Sunday, which airs on the FOX News Channel on Sundays at 6 p.m. ET and on your local FOX affiliate. Check here for listings.
This blog is a place for our viewers to interact with us, go behind the scenes with our guests, and get to know our host. You can also follow us on Twitter and on Facebook!
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Dorothy Hoots
I just was watching you piece on Lee Greenwood,and the song God Bless America. Our rodeo is in September and that song is played in the complete dark with the spotlight on the rodeo queen riding her horse carrying the American flag. She starts out slow and then builds up to a full gallop. The whole stadium is silent until the full gallop then every one is standing and hollering with tears in their eyes. I have witnessed this many times and I still cry when this happens. It is something to wittness. I live in a small town, Othello Washington. I would like to see you some time here so you could wittness this. Septenmber 18 and 19 2009. Thank you and Good Bless you and yours. Dorothy
Dan Van
Chris, Why in the panel discussions regarding healthcare, does the issue of personal responsibility never come up? Health insurance as we know it today is so far removed from the concept of insurance and has become the bloated bureaucracy we all know it to be today. We have the best and most advanced healthcare system in the world and there are those in power willing to stand it on its head in order to obtain more power. True health insurance reform should be to return insurance to its more basic and purist form allowing everyone to purchase true insurance at a reasonable cost. Those who chose not to purchase at that point do so at their own financial risk but it is a decision they made of their own choosing. We could lower the costs of healthcare and insurance by getting government and insurance out of the way of some of the basic healthcare we receive by making it easier to pay out of pocket through medical savings accounts. I have car insurance but would never think it necessary to involve them for something as simple as an oil change. Apply the same thinking of health insurance today and you would see how a simple, quick, in and out oil change for $20 would become a paperwork laden and time consuming $2000 expense complete with billing statements from the facility, from the person who changed the oil and from the company that disposed of the oil. Exactly what part of this whole situation makes any sense or delivers a better product for the money?
Richard Begley
Anyone who thinks that an insurance company puts your health care above their bottom line is an infant. Given a choice between some ivory tower fat cat whose next Rolex depends on whether or not they cover a procedure or some mother of three working in government, I'll roll my dice with the lady any day.
vicki in flyover usa
I agree. If you have x number of doctors, x number of nurses and x number of hospital beds, adding 40 million new "customers" means less care for the other people. My question is if health care becomes free, what's to keep people from going to get free care for every little ache and pain rather than dealing with or paying for it themselves. How do I know my tax dollars won't go to someone who could afford their own care if they did without the Ipod and the Hi def t.v.? How much of our own health care should we be responsible for paying for? We don't give everyone free food. Where does the idea come from that everyone should have free health care?
Dean Jenniges
Chris, During your entire discussion with the panel on health care, no one mentioned the simple fact that; number one, government is attempting to change an entire industry to satisfy 30 % of those that may not have health care. Secondly I know of friends that are not rich and in the $40 - 60 K earnings, have chosen not to have health care because they would rather spend their money on other things. They know in a pinch they can get treatment by going into emergency.They will worry about paying for it later. One solution or thought is to make it mandatory that every adult be required to pay something for some type of health care. Make health care costs a percentage taken from their income. Be it 1,2,3,4 percent. The industry should have some idea of what the percentage of a person's income, just like owning a home, should be set aside to pay for the costs. Don't change an entire industry for 30 percent of those that don't have it or those that do not want to pay for it.
Vicki Wicker
Here's a way to create jobs. Open up drilling for petroleum that the radical environmentalists have put the screws to. I live in one of the poorest states in the Union (Arkansas). Our employment is low and people in my county are prospering because there is aggressive drilling for natural gas in the Fayetteville Shale. New drilling techniques has made this possible. So, our state government ended the year with a surplus, while California, who has vast reserves of petroleum and refuses to access them, is billions in debt!
Tom
If we need additional taxes of about 500 billion to implement the health care plan, our health care will represent about 20% of our economy-about twice that of any other country. That implies that all our goods and services will have a huge cost disadvantage and jobs will move to other more competitive countries. Or put another way, our economic output per unit of input will be 10% less than that of other economies. Is this something we want? The health care system needs to be reformed and its costs reduced. Any reform that does not reduce cost will have consequences that we will not like.
Linda Noell
The addition of Laura Ingram on your show today was a beath of fresh air. She should be a regular. A little tired of Bill's tired old sing song voice, Laura is a great new addition.
chic MATTHEWS
I am 75 years old. I have Medicare and MediCal. The state of California just announced that many medical services have been cut (dental, optics, etc.) for persons over the age of 21. It seems selection of who gets services based solely on age has begun, as has been predicted. Just think about selective care under Obaba's plan.
Rick Greer
Chris, thank you for your show. I enjoy it every sunday. This sunday was good as always, but I really think our government spending is off base. I am a construction worker that is effected by our economy, like most people. I sit back and listen to you all talk about the stimulus package and bail out money helping people, when really it is not getting to the blue collar worker. The banks and AIG have been helped, but the common worker is not getting helped. We're given a $1,000 stimulus check and our senators and congressmen act like it is a big deal, while the banks are given billions of dollars and it is not passed down it is just made harder for us to get money to make our businesses work. We should let the banks that can't survive go broke, the way many of us have. If we get the money to the blue collar worker, the economy will take care of itself. I also feel that if the housing issue is not addressed our economy will stay in distress. As a small business owner myself, I do feel that everyone should have healthcare insurance but if this is put on a small business, it is not likely to survive. We don't need more taxes. Thank you for your time.
Tracey S
Just wanted to say thanks for remembering Tony Snow today. Seeing Tony again brought a tear to my eye. I was one of the first Fox News Sunday viewers and have been adicted since, I followed Tony's career to Fox News, the radio and the White House. Here is someone who should be remembered for all the kindess, compassion and intelligent he displayed each and every day. After all the Michael Jackson hoopla, he is someone that honestly will be missed.
Lynne Martin
I used to get upset with all the personal attacks on Sarah Palin, then it occurred to me, "Why so much vicious attention towards her?" Good question. I believe that people generally attack those they don't understand, or are threatened by. With this perspective in mind, I say, "Way to go Sarah!" She has something to say and Americans ARE listening. To stifle her,the news media have dug up all of Sarah's "dirt," but she has not cowed down or rationalized her way to defense. she has, instead, stood her ground like a true leader. So, without any more dirt to sling, the news media have been reduced to meaningless opinions, because the facts about Sarah Palin's character stand strong and true. Lynne Martin --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jackie
I believe that the Bush tax cuts brought the country out of a recession started in Clinton's term. And I'm pretty sure the Republicans had similiar ideas instead of the stimulus that was passed. So to keep saying that the Republicans aren't offering alternatives is disengenuous and not to mention the benefits of the Bush tax cuts is negligent. The media has perpetuated the old "tax cuts for the rich" myth, which doesn't help the situation. Everybody benefited from the tax cuts. And to blame President Bush for the whole housing debacle is equally disengenous. It has a long history and I think to put the blame on President Bush takes the heat off of the real culprits.
Trudie S
If we are required to have patience for the "stimulus" package to work, why wasn't patience required to read before passing the package in the first place. Looks like the house is heading in the same direction as before, "cramming their proposals down our throats". Wait until the number of physicians stop participating in the already undermarket fee schedule of Medicare. Who wants to be a provider for yet another government health care plan that pays less than it costs to deliver the healthcare. Laura Ingram was right on. The elderly will have less options/less participating physicians to provide their care.
neil johnson
I cannot make much sense out of the uninsured numbers that are the basis for this great health care plan. I hear that there are 47 million americans without health care insurance.How many of this number chose not to pay for health care since they are young and think they are immortal. I have even heard that illegals would be given health care insurance. In short how many citizens in this country really cannot afford some level of insurance.
Grammie5
If payroll taxes had been suspended for a year rather than giving the stimulus package, a lot of people might have been able to keep their home.
dr in nola
Chris couldn't have been nicer today. He interrupted Barbara twice, not fostering any debate, and let Eric not answer any questions.
Ron Romine
Go Laura! Finally there is some life on the show. I can't tell you how many times I have sreamed at the republicans on the show to fight back. Laura fights back. Keep laura on the show!
Bev Moran
Laura Ingraham, in the spirit of "Power to the People," I have an idea for you to suggest to your listeners. Since not everyone listens to talk radio, why not ask your listeners around the country to write a letter to the editor to reach the folks who don't. As an example, my elderly aunt doesn't listen to talk radio or use a computer, but she always reads those letters to the editor. It's a good way to reach these people, and many good people just don't know what's going on, and even a short letter could give them the other side. For instance, in a letter to the editor about healthcare, we could mention rationing, and the government will have more control of our health care, and individual and families will have less control. This will hurt senior citizens the most. Tom Daschle, who anticipated being the Secretary of Health and Human Services head at the time, helped write the health care restrictions and said health care reform: “will not be pain free and seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them."
Jim P.
It seems obvious to anyone watching today that supporters of the current Democratic President and Congress are very worried about poll numbers stating to come out. It was predicted that Democrats would over reach and they have, with 'borrowed money'. To the average small buisness like my self this tax climate, and the threat of high higher costs do to employee health care will preclude me from making any new hires in the near future. I am not the only one who feels this way and this is why unemployment will continue to rise. Are you listening Mr. President and Congress?