Obama's first days

All week, author, law professor and former Democratic Party operative Susan Estrich debates closing Gitmo, the GOP's future and more with law professor and nationally syndicated radio talkshow host Hugh Hewitt.

January 30, 2009

Dust-Up

Obama the centrist?

Today's topic: Congressional Democrats have insisted on passing the $819-billion stimulus package despite Republicans' objections, even though Obama has called for bipartisanship on this issue. Can Obama really govern from the center if fulfilling one of his major promises means alienating the GOP right from the start? Previously, Hewitt and Estrich debated closing the Guantanamo Bay prison, whether Obama should investigate the Bush administration, the president's stance on abortion and stem cell research and the White House’s relationship with the GOP minority in Congress.

January 29, 2009

Dust-Up

The GOP minority and Obama

Today's topic: Congressional GOP leaders, especially Rep. John Boehner, have cast themselves as the Democrats' opposition. Do Republicans risk further marginalization by bucking the president's call to abandon partisanship, or will being more vocal about their disagreements with Democrats and the president re-energize their party? Could congressional Democrats be an even bigger obstacle for a president who has moved more toward the center since his election? Previously, Estrich and Hewitt debated the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison, whether Obama should investigate the Bush administration and the president's stance on abortion and stem cell research.

January 28, 2009

Dust-Up

Obama, stem cells and abortion

For the record: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that President Obama had reversed Bush's policy on federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research. He has not.

2:19 PM PST, January 27, 2009

Dust-Up

Investigate the Bush administration?

Today's topic: Did the Bush administration break the law in its prosecution of the war on terrorism? Why or why not? Should the Obama administration investigate the Bush White House, even if such an inquiry would fuel the polarization the president is trying to tamp down? Previously, Estrich and Hewitt debated how President Obama should handle suspected terrorists captured by the U.S. once the Guantanamo Bay prison is closed.

January 26, 2009

Dust-Up

Fighting terrorism post-Gitmo

Today's topic: President Obama announced plans to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp within a year. How big a policy shift is that, and how should the administration handle enemy combatants -- not just those in Gitmo today, but the ones apprehended in the future? All week, Hugh Hewitt and Susan Estrich debate Obama's first days in office.