December 2, 2012
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last edition of the Sunday Talk Show Wrap-up. In the future, National Journal’s Sunday coverage can be found in the AM Must Reads and other daily email products. You can sign up here.On today’s Sunday shows, discussion of the fiscal cliff dominated the action, as officials attempt to avert the large tax hikes and spending cuts scheduled to take hold in January. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, President Obama’s chief negotiator, appeared on five separate shows to defend the president’s recent proposal to Congress. House Speaker John Boehner attacked the proposal, saying the White House has offered “virtually nothing.”Few Signs of Fiscal Cliff Progress on Sunday TVNothing from House Speaker John Boehner or Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner on Sunday suggested Washington officials are anywhere near a breakthrough on averting the fiscal cliff.Boehner on Fiscal Cliff Negotiations: ‘We’re Nowhere’Boehner politely lashed out at President Obama, saying that after three weeks of talks the White House has offered “virtually nothing.” “Right now, I would say we’re nowhere,” he said.Geithner: Social Security Off the Table for NowGeithner said Social Security was off the table for now, and that it would only get dealt with “in a separate process.”Democrats Press Republicans for Specific Fiscal PlansAs Republican leaders criticized Obama’s proposal, Democrats said the GOP needs to put forth specific plans to address the fiscal cliff. “They have to tell us what works for them,” Geithner said.Ayotte: Rice Went Beyond Benghazi Talking PointsRepublican Sen. Kelly Ayotte said U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice went beyond the talking points she was given when she appeared on Sunday talk shows to explain the Sept. 11 terrorist attack in Libya.Cole, Boehner Still Disagree on Tax DealThough Boehner disagrees with him, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., maintained his proposal to accept a Senate-passed bill that extends the Bush-era tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans.Warner Defends Obama’s Cliff Event in Pa.Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., defended a campaign-style event Obama held this week on the fiscal cliff, saying it was important for Americans outside of Washington to remain in the conversation.PODCAST: Will Increased Competition in Health Care Exchanges Raise Costs?In theory, health care exchanges allow two things. They give insurers an easy way to promote their plans and give consumers an easy way to compare costs. Under basic economic theory, this should lower prices. But maybe not, says Dana Goldman, a leading health care economist and New York Times blogger, who explains on this week's Political Landscape.See all NJ’s Sunday show coverage | Get more NJ newsletters
