From the Oval Office: Obama's oil spill address. And, Energy and Commerce chair Rep. Henry Waxman weighs in. LADWP seeks to sell assets to avoid rate hikes. An NPR poll shows trouble for the Democrats in November. Then, Steven and Harrison Stark handicap the World Cup. Later, closing arguments in the Prop. 8 trial.
Obama’s Oval Office address on the oil spill
In his first ever Oval Office address, President Obama spoke to the nation last night about the BP oil disaster. He laid out his plan for handling the impact of the disaster and called on BP to compensate those affected by the Gulf oil spill. Did the President convince Americans that he understands the challenges ahead? Did he present a clear, workable plan to meet these challenges?
Guests:
Ed O’Keefe, federal government reporter and Federal Eye blogger at Washington Post
George Radanovich (R-CA), Congressman representing California’s 19th District, Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee
Lois Capps (D-CA), Congresswoman representing California’s 23rd District, Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee
Congressman Waxman grills big oil
Members of Congress chastised oil execs yesterday, charging that they are as unprepared to avert environmental catastrophes like BP's. Rep. Henry Waxman, the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, asserted that the companies' spill response plans amounted to “paper exercises'” that mirrored BP's failed plan. Will the hearings result in any tangible improvements? Or is this just political theater?
Guest:
Henry Waxman, Congressman (D-CA 30th District), Chairman Energy and Commerce Committee
Should LADWP sell assets to avoid rate hikes?
Yesterday city officials opened conversation with the Department of Water and Power to discuss modernizing the DWP into a more efficient and resourceful organization. The agency also wants to improve the quality of its customer-service. General Manager Austin Beutner proposed several ideas to improve the company, such as engaging in new environmental programs and designing a more simplified billing system. Beutner also suggests selling off the agency's assets, including some power sources, to keep electricity rates low and avoid rate hikes for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Should the LADWP be allowed to sell its assets? Would letting go of power sources really improve the efficiency of the DWP?
Guest:
Austin Beutner, general manager, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
New NPR poll: Dems in big trouble come November?
Voters in 70 swing districts prefer Republicans to Democrats, this according to a new NPR poll. Even within Democratic districts, Republicans are preferred 47 to 42 percent. Will the Dems get trounced in November? NPR’s Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving helps parse the numbers.
Guest:
Ron Elving, Senior Washington Editor for NPR
World Cup 2010: Are you ready for some football?
For the next month, most of the world's attention will be focused on South Africa, as the country hosts the World Cup soccer tournament for the first time on the continent. What are the teams to look out for this year? Why does Spain never win the trophy, but Brazil often does? And what's with that incessant noise during the matches? With team stats, history, and trivia, Steven Stark and his son Harrison offer their guide to largest sporting event on the planet.
Steven and Harrison Stark are tracking the 2010 World Cup on their blog and on Real Clear Sports
Guests:
Steven D. Stark, co-author of World Cup 2010: The Indispensable Guide to Soccer and Geopolitics (Blue River Press). He is a former world sports columnist for the Montreal Gazette, and currently writes for Real Clear Politics and Real Clear Sports.
Harrison Stark, co-author World Cup 2010. He currently is a student at Brown University
Prop. 8 trial winds to a close… for now
A federal judge will hear closing arguments today in a case that challenges Proposition 8, the California voter-approved ban on gay marriage. Though ruling is not expected today (WED), Judge Vaughn Walker has asked each team of lawyers to answer 27 questions in their final statement, including: Is there a fundamental right to marry? Would allowing gays to marry harm heterosexual marriages or the state? And, how immutable is sexual orientation? KPCC’s Sacramento correspondent Julie Small joins Larry live from the court house with the latest on the final word from the plaintiffs’ legal dream team—opponents-turned-allies Ted Olson and David Boies.
Guests:
Julie Small, KPCC’s Sacramento reporter, covering the Prop 8 hearings
Vik Amar, Professor of Law at UC Davis School of Law