COVERITLIVE.COM

10:02

John Marelius - Good morning. Lots to chat about today. President Obama completes an eventful first 100 days and already has a Supreme Court seat to fill. And there's a statewide special election in two weeks. Is anybody going to vote? On to your questions and comments.

10:07

SignOnLiveChatModerator - John, how would you rate President Obama's first 100 days?

10:09

John Marelius - I'll leave it to others to rate his first 100 days. But he's certainly put an awful lot of stuff on the table in a very short time. He says it's because the country faces so many problems that simply can't wait. What he doesn't say, but is obviously the case, is that he has more political capital right now than he's likely to ever have again. And you can't put political capital into a savings account and withdraw it when you need it. You have to spend it when you have it.

10:12

[Comment From Harvey Williamson]
His budget does not square with GDP growth, resulting in massive deficits

10:14

SignOnLiveChatModerator - John, right now the nation is running record deficits. Do you know how these current deficits will impact the nation's economy in the long run?

10:17

John Marelius - It's a timely question given the death of Jack Kemp on Saturday. In the late 70s, the new breed of economic conservatives known as the supply-siders argued that Republicans were too obsessed with the deficit. They maintained that what was more important was cutting taxes and regulations to unleash the full potential of the economy. But yours is a very legitimate concern given how the deficit has exploded in recent years because of the war in Iraq and the recessison.

10:20

SignOnLiveChatModerator - John, what does Sen. Arlen Specter's party switch mean for the GOP?

10:23

John Marelius - It puts the Democrats one vote closer to 60 where, theoretically, they can block a filibuster. If Al Franken is certified as the winner in Minnesota, as it seems he eventually will, then they'll be at 60. That, of course, doesn't guarantee a filibuster-proof Senate. Senators often vote for or against filibusters for reasons other than partisanship. As for Specter, his defection has more to do with Pennsylvania politics than it does national politics. He was actually rather candid in saying that he was switching parties because he might not survive another Republican primary challenge from the right.

10:24

[Comment From Harvey Williamson]
Probably not much at the end of the day. I aligns him with his voting record.

10:27

MsMTG - Obama considering Hillary Clinton for soon-to-be-vacant Supreme Court judgeship. Can this be true?

10:27

SignOnLiveChatModerator - John, I found that message on Twitter. Is there anything to this rumor?

10:28

John Marelius - Hillary Clinton's name has come up in the speculation, but it's hard to take it very seriously. No administration wants to break in a new secretary of state after three months.

10:31

SignOnLiveChatModerator - John, several people are urging Obama to nominate a woman to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter. How likely is this to happen?

10:31

John Marelius - I think it's fairly likely. The retirement of Sandra Day O'Connor leaves the Supreme Court with only one woman, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and she has had health problems.

10:47

John Marelius - It looks like we're out of time for today. But we'll be back next Tuesday at 10:00. Thanks for joining.

10:47

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