SOTU Crib Sheet for April 15th

Candy’s Post-Show Analysis

State of the Union Highlights

It was a big morning of breaking news today on State of the Union. After deadly tornadoes swept through the Midwest overnight, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback gave Candy an update on the damage done in his state.

Meanwhile, in Afghanistan the Taliban launched a coordinated series of attacks in Kabul and across the country. First on CNN, ISAF Spokesman Jimmie Cummings praised the response of Afghan National Security Forces to the attacks.

Also first on CNN, Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker spoke to Candy while his embassy in Kabul was on lockdown. He said that the attacks showed that the US still needed a military presence in Afghanistan.

After a week in which the “War on Women” was at the forefront of political discourse, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Rep. Carolyn Maloney discussed the politics of gender.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus downplayed the potential impact of the so-called Buffett Rule and questioned President Obama’s priorities in promoting it.

Finally, legendary actor and comedian Bill Cosby gave Candy his take on President Obama’s job performance and on the Trayvon Martin case.

Gov. Sam Brownback, (R) Kansas, on the tornadoes in his state

“I really think people took the warnings and they took them very seriously. We had more notice on this system than you normally do. You normally are looking at a couple of hours’ notice. Well, this one had almost two days’ notice.”

Ryan Crocker, US Ambassador to Afghanistan, on this morning’s Taliban attacks in Afghanistan

“Attacks like this demonstrate why we need to be here. Again, we have seen a very professional performance by Afghan security forces. They are able to deal with events like this on their own, a clear sign of progress. And, you know, that's how we do get out responsibly as they take over. But it also shows there's a very dangerous enemy out there with capabilities and with safe havens in Pakistan. To get out before the Afghans have a full grip on security, which is a couple of years out, would be to invite the Taliban, the Haqqani, and al Qaeda back in and set the stage for another 9/11 and that, I think, is an unacceptable risk for any American.”

Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee Chairman, on the Buffett Rule

“This [the Buffett Rule] is a shiny object that Barack Obama wants the country to look at, which as you know if you added up every dollar of revenue that this little rule would put into place, if you took every dollar over a year, it would add up to paying for 11 hours of the federal government. So I think the bigger question is why is it that the President is using all of this time; 23 public appearances, Air Force One, bringing it on the floor of the Senate, when these same Democrats haven't proposed or, excuse me, haven't passed a single budget in over eleven hundred days.”

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, (R) Deputy Minority Whip, on the election choice facing women voters

“The policies that Governor Romney are going, is promoting, they’re the policies that are going to help women succeed in this country and all people in this country succeed. President Obama's policies are the ones that are failing, Americans failing women.”

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, (D) New York, on the Secret Service scandal

“I think we should look into it, but I believe we should always stand up for American values. And one area we have worked together is in combating sex trafficking. And the leadership that our country has taken in rating countries on how they respond to protecting innocent girls and boys from being abused is admirable. But we have to stand up for our values and the laws of our country.”

Links to SOTU interviews

Governor Sam Brownback

http://bit.ly/HWEuna

Ambassador Ryan Crocker

http://bit.ly/HKbMZb

Reince Priebus

http://bit.ly/HLyAEG

Reps. Maloney and McMorris Rogers

http://bit.ly/IpqkcD

http://bit.ly/HUwtQ1

Bill Cosby on President Obama

http://bit.ly/HKbGAW