Cafferty File

How confident are you in the next generation of Americans?

(PHOTO CREDIT: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: If you buy the axiom that "You're only as strong as your weakest link," this country is in some serious trouble. Consider this: 75 percent of America's young people between the ages of 17 and 24 are unfit for military duty. Army statistics show these youngsters are ineligible to [...]

Should U.S. Census Bureau be allowed to ask if you're a citizen?

FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: Census takers in 2010 won't be allowed to ask people if they are U.S. citizens. That's because Senate Democrats have blocked a Republican attempt that would have required census forms to inquire about citizenship. Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter had introduced the measure... meant to exclude illegal aliens from the population count. Vitter [...]

Should Obama force Congress to vote on health care reform?

FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: When it comes to health care reform, it almost feels like President Obama doesn't want to get his hands dirty. House Democrats are planning a vote on their 2,000 page bill this weekend - which is fine, but it won't mean anything unless the Senate acts too, and that's looking less likely After [...]

Palin, Beck, Limbaugh fail in N.Y. congressional race

FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: The Democrats took a beating in the New Jersey and Virginia governors' races... but the far right got their clocks cleaned in that congressional race in upstate New York. Florida Governor Charlie Crist has been accused of being Republican in Name Only (RINO). In defeating Conservative Doug Hoffman, Bill Owens will be the first [...]

Chances of health care reform if it doesn't pass this year?

FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has raised serious doubts about the future of health care reform by saying he can't promise a health care bill will pass this year: "We're not going to be bound by any timelines." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) spoke at a news conference on Capitol Hill yesterday [...]

How can Democrats avoid getting noses bloodied in midterms?

FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: Democrats could be in for some serious bloodshed come the midterm elections - if yesterday's races in New Jersey and Virginia are any indication. Voters in both those states elected Republicans governor. The message was pretty clear: "It's the economy, stupid." Republican Governor-elect Bob McDonnell of Virginia greeted the crowd at his victory [...]

What's Al Gore's real motive when it comes to global warming?

FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: While Al Gore warns about the dire consequences of global warming, apparently one of those consequences is that he's filling his pockets - big time. The New York Times reports that few stand to profit as much from the green energy revolution as the former vice president does. Critics say he could become [...]

Should U.S. put faith in Afghan Pres. Hamid Karzai?

FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: As President Obama weighs whether to send as many as 40,000 additional troops to Afghanistan - the government we're supporting over there continues to become more of a joke. President Hamid Karzai has been declared the winner in the disputed election; after his chief challenger Abdullah Abdullah dropped out of the runoff [...]

What will NY, NJ and VA races say about national political landscape?

New Jersery Governor Jon Corzine casts his ballot at a polling station in Hoboken, New Jersey. Corzine faces Republican Chris Christie and Independent Chris Daggett in today's election. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES) FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: There's an adage that says "all politics is local," which is true - except when it's not. And today's a [...]

Fair to make rich pay so much for health care reform?

FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty: When it comes to health care reform, the rich may have to dig deep into their pockets. The House Democratic plan calls for a 5.4 percent tax on singles making more than $500,000 - and on couples making more than one million dollars. It would only affect 0.3 percent of tax filers and [...]