American Morning
Senator Jim DeMint: Debt negotiations a 'matter of national survival'
Senator Jim DeMint, widely considered one of the Tea Party's leaders, is in New York this week promoting his new book, "The Great American Awakening: Two years that Changed America, Washington, and Me."
The book discusses the rise of the Tea Party movement in the United States and offers the Senator's take on what has become of the country since the 2008 elections.
Senator DeMint joins Christine Romans this morning to discuss his book, the 2012 GOP race and Washington's debate over the debt ceiling.
FL Tea Party chair explains why he thinks Ryan budget plan is a "public policy nightmare"
The Republican budget plan put forward by Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan takes a sharp knife to Medicare to help trip the deficit. Most Republicans and Tea Party members have embraced it, and those tho have criticized Ryan's Medicare plan - like Newt Gingrich - have been blasted by the right.
But the Chairman of South Florida's Tea Party is ready for that. He calls the Ryan plan a "public policy nightmare" that could lead to huge democratic wins in 2012.
This morning on American Morning, South Florida Tea Party Chairman Everett Wilkinson spoke with Carol Costello and explained why he thinks Ryan's plan is not right for the country.
Tea Party leaders: Democrats 'out of touch' on budget cuts
With just two days left for Congress to come to an agreement on the 2011 federal government's budget, Tea Party Patriots' national coordinators Mark Meckler and Jenny Beth Martin respond to Democrats' comments that the Tea Party budget cuts are "extreme" and fueling the drive toward a government shutdown.
Meckler and Martin say the Tea Party has successfully changed the tone of the budget debate. "They have said we are extreme, " Meckler says about the Democrats, "but they are out of touch with American public opinion."
The Tea Party leaders say "spending is out of control," and explain why their "responsible cuts" are needed.
Catch the full interview here:
Rep. Price: Dems 'scalpel' budget cuts would lead to bankruptcy
Earlier on American Morning, New York Democrat Sen. Charles Schumer told AM’s Kiran Chetry the Tea Party and their proposed cuts were the "only thing standing in the way of an agreement" on the federal budget. Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Price responds on AM.
Rep. Price tells AM's Ali Velshi it is the Senate Democrats who have not acted yet. "They're negotiating with themselves right now," he tells AM. "What they need to do is act."
Price says it's up to the Senate Democrats to avoid a government shutdown.
Schumer: Dems slicing budget with scalpel, Tea Party using meat ax
They have until the end of the week to finally figure it out. Friday is the deadline for Congress to come to an agreement on the 2011 federal budget. The resolution currently funding the government expires Friday at midnight.
The White House is looking to get Senate Democrats to agree with Republican proposed budget cuts, but there is uncertainty if the House’s most conservative wing, backed by the Tea Party, will accept the Senate’s final legislation.
The Tea Party proposed cuts are too “extreme,” according to New York Democrat Sen. Charles Schumer. This morning Sen. Schumer explains to American Morning’s Kiran Chetry why he thinks the Tea Party’s proposals are hurting negotiations.
What programs would Schumer cut? And, how much money does Congress need to negotiate to come to a deal?
Senator Mike Lee: Tea party isn't there 'to replace the Republican Party'
The Democratic and Republican caucuses are longstanding institutions on Capitol Hill but today the Senate is welcoming another organization as the Senate tea party caucus holds its first meeting. The caucus may have gotten off to a slow start with only three members, Founder Mike Lee of Utah, Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky, but Lee joined American Morning and says the goal isn't to be a big organization. Lee argues, "even if it stays at three, it will fulfill its purpose of allowing people who sympathize with the Tea Party movement to communicate their ideas to the United States Senate." Lee states the goal isn't even to "to replace the Republican Party" but rather provide an alternative viewpoint to longstanding ideals. Watch Senator Mike Lee's full interview with American Morning's T.J. Holmes:
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
