Welcome to another edition of Ringside Politics with Jeff Crouere
Today’s Hot Topics:
1) Vice President Mike Pence once again campaigned with Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler in Georgia on Thursday.
A “Defend the Majority” rally took place at the Columbus Airport at noon followed by another rally at Middle Georgia Regional Airport in Macon at 2 p.m.
In Columbus, Pence said it was essential that Perdue and Loeffler remain in the Senate to preserve work done under the outgoing Trump administration. He also refused to acknowledge that he and Trump lost the election.
“We need Georgia to send these two great senators back to Washington because of who they are, because of all that we’ve accomplished together and because a Republican Senate majority could be the last line of defense to preserve all that we’ve done for this country,” Pence said. The vice president conveyed the same message in Macon.
2) A second stimulus check, $300 federal unemployment benefits and other COVID-19 relief bill aren't a done deal yet. By Thursday evening, a bipartisan group of negotiators that include top Democrats and Republicans had not yet solidified a corona virus stimulus package. One aspect of the $900 billion stimulus bill that may not be fully formed is a second stimulus check, which is leaning toward $600 for eligible adults and their dependents, the Washington Post and others reported.
However, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley will continue to pursue a second stimulus check that tops out at $1,200, he tweeted. "Tomorrow I will go to the Senate floor to ask for an up or down vote on my bill to provide a direct payment of $1200 to working Americans, $2400 for couples, $500 for kids. This is the #covid relief working families need."
Hawley, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, have strongly advocated that a second stimulus check for $1,200 enter the stimulus bill. Another direct payment of any kind had been absent from the discussion for weeks.
3) Sen. Kelly Loeffler in remarks to the press Wednesday continues to refuse to acknowledge that Joe Biden is the president-elect, even after the Electoral College officially cast their votes for Biden on Monday and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday acknowledged that Biden will be the next president.
The Republican incumbent, who is facing a runoff vote to retain her seat, was asked repeatedly whether or not she would acknowledge if Biden won the presidential election and she repeatedly declined to do so.
"I'm focused on winning this race on Jan. 5," Loeffler said in response to a question on whether or not she will follow McConnell's lead and congratulate Biden as the next president. "I talked to Leader McConnell this morning. We're focused very much on delivering relief that Democrats have held up time and again."
4)
Vice President Mike Pence received the Covid-19 vaccine in a televised appearance Friday morning in an effort to promote its safety and boost public confidence in its effectiveness.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was also given to his wife, Karen Pence, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the the White House by a medical team from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
"I didn't feel a thing. Well done," Pence said in remarks after receiving the shot in his left arm.
Pence called it a "medical miracle," saying that the average vaccine usually takes eight to 12 years to develop, manufacture and distribute. "But we're on track here in the United States to administer millions of doses to the American people in less than one year. It is a miracle indeed," he said.
Today’s Guests:
1) Melinda Hudson, Author of "The Common Denominator is Unforgiveness" - joins the show to talk about the importance of reducing conflict and becoming a more compassionate person in today's trying times.
2) Chris Holton, Ringside All-Star, Vice President of Outreach for the Center for Security Policy joins the program in the second hour to discuss the hot topics of the week.
3) Renata Castro, Founding member of Castro Legal Group - joins the show to talk about the state of immigration and options to help deal with the problem of illegal immigration and the path to citizenship.
4) Donna Carol Voss, Ringside All-Star and author – Joins the show in the final segment to discuss the hot topics of the day and take questions from callers.
POWERED BY BLUBRRY
