Israeli Election Results; Fallout From Tarp 2; State Budget May be Closed with Tax Hikes; Rush and the Republicans
Israeli Election Results
The results are all but in, but the future of Israel's government remains in flux as competing parties vie to form a coalition that can run the country. Moderate Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and hard-liner Benjamin Netanyahu both claimed victory. Livni's Kadima Party won 28 seats, just one more than Netanyahu's Likud. But with neither party winning a clear majority, neither can govern alone. Who will prevail? And what kind of a coalition is plausible? Larry talks with Ashraf Khalil of the LA Times, reporting from Jerusalem.
Fallout From Tarp 2
At midday on the East Coast, the Dow Jones was up 60 at 7,949. This comes a day after a sharp sell off. Was the sell off in response to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announcement of a new approach to the Fed's bailout, recovery and stimulus strategy? And what will it take to get financial markets stabilized? Larry talks to LA Times reporter Tom Petruno.
State Budget May be Closed with Tax Hikes
Governor Schwarzenegger says he may lay off 10,000 state employees if a budget deal is not reached by the end of this week. But according to the Los Angeles Times, lawmakers may be close to a deal. The deal would add a 12 cent per-gallon gasoline tax, a one cent sales tax, and it would double the vehicle license fee. Larry Mantle talks with Los Angeles Times Bureau Chief Evan Halper about the negotiations, and he takes listener calls.
Rush and the Republicans
Love him or hate him, there's no denying Rush Limbaugh is a major force in conservative politics. For fifteen hours a week, his voice booms out to 20 million politically active listeners who can inundate a political office with phone calls and letters. As a result GOP politicians are afraid to challenge him, and yet his contentious commentaries, say some media analysts, alienate moderates and hurt the party. What is Rush's future as a force in the Republican Party? Larry takes a look.