Sunday morning political rewind

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (LIN) - Only days from when the new 2011 congress comes to session, questions linger as to what Americans can expect as far as bipartisanship. Sunday’s political talk shows showed a glimpse of how far Democrats and Republicans are willing to bend.

Highlight
Highlighting this Sunday’s political rewind were the appearances of Reps. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., Michele Bachman R-Minn., and incoming Congressman-elect Mike Kelly R-Pa.. As they were brought in to discuss the effectiveness of the 2010 congress and what to expect in 2011, several differences were pointed out among the Reps.

Michele Bachman made it abundantly clear that she was adamantly against the tax bill compromise passed in late December by the lame duck congress pointing out that the U.S. government “continues to spend money we don’t have.” Bachman went on to detail her plan to go after President Obama’s health care reform package with intentions to repeal it.

Incoming Pennsylvania Representative Mike Kelly detailed his background of working from the private sector and how it helped shape his views on limited government spending but he was quickly attacked from Democratic representatives on the show. Kelly mentioned the health care reform package as an idea he disagrees with and added, “I pay for my own health care.” Calling his Democratic counterparts "you folks", Kelly indicated that they were part of the mess.

Congressman Anthony Weiner, a vocal critic of the Republican platform was quick to point out to Kelly that he is now one of the “folks."

Wasserman Schultz added that she and her Democratic colleagues are looking for “concrete proposals” from the GOP and not “campaign slogans.” She also went on to inform the two GOP Reps. that the Democrats plans to “hold their feet to the fire.”

Such exchanges contributed to the bulk of the show and substitute host Harry Smith found himself to be more of a referee rather than the host of "Face the Nation."

Austan Goolsbee, one of President Obama’s chief economic advisors was on-hand on ABC’s "This Week." Jake Tapper, filling in for Christiane Amanpour, asked Goolsbee if Obama’s economic plan is expected to yield higher results in 2011. Goolsbee pointed out that Obama’s economic plan contributed to the creating of 1.2 million private sector jobs while weekly unemployment claims were lowered to 368,000. Goolsbee also pointed out that the tax bill compromise included legislation meant to grow the economy like payroll tax cuts and small business incentives. He also mentioned that a trade agreement with South Korea would increase economic growth.

When asked about areas to cut spending, Goolsbee said that President Obama is willing to make ‘tough choices’ and mentioned a ‘joint strike fighter’ as an example of where Obama was willing to make sacrifices. Goolsbee also pushed Obama’s willingness to listen to new ideas-particularly from the GOP.

Also on “This Week“, actor George Clooney spoke with Jake to describe a new project he’s working on in his activism on behalf of Sudan. With help, Clooney has developed a satellite program meant to maintain vigilance over the often troubled African country. The satellites would take pictures on a random basis aimed to capture any military movement from the south to north or vice-versa.

Clooney could then use the evidence of military movement as a tool for future support from agencies like the United Nations. More details of this project can be found here.

Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, appeared on "Meet the Press" to outline the GOP strategy for 2011. Graham indicated that Obama's health care reform was "difficult" in trying to solve the deficit problem . To also address the deficit, Graham called for legislation meant to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The man of the hour, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.
Congressman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., made the rounds this Sunday appearing on three of the five programs detailing his new duties as Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform The powerful position allows for Issa to scrutinize President Obama’s programs and proposals in search of ineffectiveness and efficiency. In short, he has the mandate to order reviews of policies where he thinks changes can be made.
One can imagine Issa will be heavily involved in reviewing certain aspects of Obama’s health care reform.

On "Fox with Chris Wallace", Issa indicated his intention to review programs to make sure there were no "impediments to job creation.” Issa also put forth his disagreements with current attorney General Eric Holder for his failure in not going after WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange as a criminal to the United States .

On “Face the Nation”, Issa revealed his intention to go after corruption. He mentioned Joe Sestak, the Democratic senate candidate from Pennsylvania who was offered a White House position if he had dropped out of the race in place of the incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter.  Issa