Officers from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department ride an armored police vehicle outside the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2013, following reports that murder suspect Christopher Dorner was seen in the area. Credit: Christopher Okula/KPCC

With a $1-million reward out for Christopher Dorner, hundreds of tipsters have called police.  One such call over the weekend led police to evacuate and search large hardware store in the San Fernando Valley, but no evidence was found that Dorner had ever been there. Also over the weekend, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck announced his department would review the firing of Christopher Dorner from the LAPD.  Why did Beck make this decision? What do you think of the racial aspect of the current Dorner case?

Also, how should media cover Dorner's manifesto?

Guests:
Connie Rice, civil rights attorney and co-director of The Advancement Project

Tim Maher, Professor, Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of Missouri-St. Louis, former police officer, expertise on policing, polce deviance and police policy

Kelly McBride, Senior Faculty, Ethics, Reporting, and Writing, The Poynter Institute

Musicians Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane and Winston Marshall of Mumford & Sons accept Album of the Year award for 'Babel' with presenter Adele onstage at the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Last night’s Grammy Awards featured performances from some of last year’s big winners and this year’s new stars. Mumford & Sons picked up the coveted Best Record award, while rock group The Black Keys won four awards for their seventh album, El Camino. R&B star Frank Ocean won two of the six awards he was nominated for, while pop group fun. took home Best New Artist.

Who cleaned up at this year’s Grammys? Who deserved their awards, and who was snubbed? Rolling Stone’s Patrick Doyle joins us to discuss music’s biggest night and weigh in on the winners and losers.

Guest:
Patrick Doyle, Associate Editor, Rolling Stone Magazine

Flynt and Hillary Leverett's new book ‘Going to Tehran’ says U.S. opinion about Iran is based on myth. Credit: Going to Tehran book cover

Iran is not trying to build nuclear weapons, the majority of Iranians support the Iranian republic and Iran is not on the verge of collapse– says Flynt and Hillary Leverett. The Leveretts cite their resumes to qualify such big statements. Both have served at the National Security Council, the State Department and as foreign policy analysts in the Clinton and Bush administrations. They have spoken extensively on U.S.-Iranian relations, and in their new book, “Going to Tehran: Why the United States must Come to Terms with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” they hope to dispel “myths” about Iran and change 30 years of foreign policy of sanctions, isolation and attempted regime change.

They believe that Iran is open to improved U.S.-Iranian relations but that the U.S. needs to recognize the Islamic Republic as a legitimate political order. However, if the U.S. refuses to do so, then the Leveretts predict the United States will lose its position in the Middle East and the world.

Are the Leveretts right? Why does this belief go against public opinion about Iran?

Guests:
Flynt Leverett, Co-Author, “Going to Tehran;” Professor of International Affairs and Law at Penn State; formerly served at the National Security Council, State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency

Hillary Mann Leverett, Co-Author, “Going to Tehran;” Lecturer, American University; formerly served at the National Security Council and State Department; and has conducted negotiations for the U.S. government with Iranian officials

File: A member of the Mongols motorcycle club rides through downtown Los Angeles Credit: Eric Zassenhaus/KPCC

Have you ever been driving peacefully, only to be startled by a motorcycle zipping past your car between the lanes? You probably shake your head and think to yourself that such maneuvering must be illegal. Well, in California, that’s not the case. Lane-splitting is allowed in California, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without controversy.

A recent study from the Office of Traffic Safety indicates that a mere 53% of Californians are aware the practice is legal. That means nearly half of the drivers on the road suspect lane-splitting to be unlawful, and some of these people even go out of their way to block the practice when they see it coming. The ignorance is partly to blame on a lack of aggressively alerting the public, but also to the fact that no other state allows lane-splitting on its roads.

The new rules stress that motorcyclists can only split lanes as long as they don’t exceed ten miles per hour faster than the cars they are driving between, and said cars must be going less than 30 miles per hour. Reaction by motorcyclists is mixed. Some are glad to finally have some restrictions in place, so that there are now stated parameters for being pulled over my law enforcement. But others worry that this may be the beginning of the end, and that a complete ban on lane-splitting is soon to come.

Are you a motorcyclist? How do you feel about these rules? Have you ever had any encounters with lane-splitting as a driver? Should motorists be more aware of cyclists when they’re driving, or is the road no place for such risky behavior?

Guests:
Gabe Ets-Hokin, Editor in Chief of CityBike magazine, based in Oakland

Robert Gladden, Vice President of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in Irvine, CA

Texas Gov. Rick Perry attends a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Texas Governor Rick Perry is in Los Angeles and Orange County this week trying to tempt California businesses to the lone star state. Yesterday, Perry told the San Jose Mercury-News that Austin, Texas is set to be the "next Silicon Valley." He said high taxes and strict regulation in California are stifling growth.

Last week, Governor Jerry Brown dismissed radio ads featuring Rick Perry making similar claims. "Who would want to spend their summers in 110-degree heat inside some kind of a fossil-fueled air conditioner? Not a smart way to go," Brown retorted. Brown also cited an increase in California jobs.

Which state is better for business? Which state is better for employees? Is California stifling entrepreneurship and innovation? Are you tempted by Texas?

Guests:
Chuck DeVore, Vice President of Policy, Texas Public Policy Foundation; Former California State Assemblyman (2004-2010) representing coastal Orange County, including cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach

Carl Guardino, CEO, Silicon Valley Leadership Group

People looking for a non-romantic partner to raise a child with are taking their search online. Credit: John Moore/Getty Images

Love, marriage and a baby carriage - that’s the traditional picture of starting a family.  But what if Mr. or Ms. Right never appears? Is there a non-traditional option for prospective parents?

People looking for a non-romantic partner with whom to raise a child have been taking their search online. Websites geared towards matching people in co-parenting arrangements attract people looking for parenting partners as well as those who would like to get to know their sperm donor better than they could at a sperm bank. Many users of sites like Modafamily.com and Family By Design say that searching for a non-romantic co-parent gave them the opportunity to more thoroughly consider the process of child rearing and to strategize with their partner, something that traditional couples may do less frequently.

But what are the complications of  finding a non-romantic co-paren online? The legal implications vary state by state.  In co-parenting situations without legal documentation, potential custody battles could be hard to negotiate.

As ideas of what constitutes a “traditional” family change and expand to include divorced couples, same-sex partners, and step-parents, are non-romantic parenting matches another sign of the times? Is it a given that parents should be romantically involved? What are the legal pitfalls of entering into a co-parenting arrangement?

Guests:

Darren Spedale, founder of FamilybyDesign.com

Jennifer Lahl, president of the Center for Bioethics and Culture in the Bay Area. Jennifer is a former pediatric nurse (25 years), and she’s of the opinion that “co-parenting” is a form of experimenting on children to satisfy our own personal needs. She’s also in production on a documentary film about surrogacy.

Diane Goodman, attorney and past president of the Academy of Family Formation Lawyers, based in Encino

President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address on January 24, 2012 in Washington, DC. What will this year's address include? Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

In his first State of the Union address since his re-election, President Barack Obama is expected to focus on domestic concerns -- jobs, the economy and education. On the foreign front, early leaks of the speech this morning indicate he will call for the next phase of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Reportedly, 34,000 U.S. troops will return within a year -- cutting the American presence on the ground by half, according to the Associated Press.

In the audience tonight will be primarily Congress, of course, but many special invited guests will be victims affected by gun violence in recent months. Across the aisle, an invited guest of a Texas lawmaker is outspoken gun rights activist and musician, Ted Nugent. Other players to watch will be Marco Rubio, providing the official response of the Republican Party; and in what's being described as a "rebuttal-rebuttal," Congressman Rand Paul will provide the Tea Party response.

Which one represents the face of the GOP future? How will Rand Paul's presence affect Rubio's response, and vice versa? Will Obama say much that he hasn't said before about building the economy?

Guests:
Josh Gerstein, White House Reporter, POLITICO

Sean Sullivan, Political Reporter, The Washington Post - writes for its The Fix column

This is a screen shot from NBC LA as police man a road block on state Route 38 in the Big Bear area on Feb. 12, 2013. Police engaged in a gun battle with a man they believe is Christopher Dorner, wanted for murder and attempted murder. Credit: Courtesy NBC LA

News broke in the middle of the show today that ex-LAPD fugitive Christopher Dorner was reportedly engaged in a shootout with police. 

Follow our developing news story here.

View more videos at: http://nbclosangeles.com.

 Guests:

Cindy Bachman, San Bernardino Country Sheriff's Department spokeswoman

Jay Obernolte, Big Bear Lake Mayor Jay Obernolte

John Miller, The U.S. Forest Service

Ben Bergman, KPCC Reporter

Erika Aguilar, KPCC Reporter

Writer Mark Boal and director Kathryn Bigelow attend the 85th Academy Awards Nominations Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 4, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

The controversial and highly reviewed "Zero Dark Thirty" follows the life of Maya for ten years as she tracks data and learns torturous interrogation techniques in search of a possibly fictitious or even dead man that could end the manhunt for Osama Bin Laden. Many film critics have praised this movie, and it has been nominated for and won an impressive resume of awards. However, angry protestors in the film industry and in Washington D.C. have serious issues with "Zero Dark Thirty" portraying torture as government’s effective way to obtain information.

 Journalist-turned-writer Mark Boal, who wrote "Zero Dark Thirty,"  joins Larry to talk about the research involved in creating this movie and responds to attacks of being pro-torture. Also, perhaps Boal can relate to his character, young CIA officer Maya, in working on something for years and in moments, wondering if all that time was wasted. Initially Boal and director Kathryn Bigelow worked for two years on a film about the unsuccessful capture of Bin Laden. When Bin Laden was killed on May 2, 2011, Boal and Bigelow needed to scrap their movie and begin again on an up-to-date script. However, like Maya, that time was not wasted and much of his research and interviews led to the creation of "Zero Dark Thirty." In addition to firsthand accounts of the manhunt, Boal also relied on his own experience as a journalist in Iraq.

Where does fact meet fiction? As a journalist and screenwriter, did Boal have a hard time mixing the two together? What does Boal want you to take away from his movie? How does Boal respond to accusations of being pro-torture?

Guest:

Mark Boal, Writer and Producer of Oscar-nominated “Zero Dark Thirty;” Writer and Producer of Oscar-winning, “The Hurt Locker”

Riverside police officers walk towards the Acheson and Graham Mortuary, where a procession that includes multiple police agencies, veterans organizations, including the Patriot Guard Riders and the American Legion Riders, for Michael Crain will begin.
Credit: Mae Ryan/KPCC

It appears as if the manhunt for Christopher Dorner is finally over. Dorner, an ex-LAPD cop, published a manifesto with names of his targets online, before wreaking havoc in the Southland. He is connected to four homicides, an attempt to steal a boat, firing on personnel from several different law enforcement agencies, carjacking, and holding innocent people hostage.

The drama met a fiery end at a cabin outside of Big Bear Lake that Dorner allegedly holed himself up in. After a lengthy standoff with the police, resulting in the death of a deputy from Riverside, the cabin (which did not belong to Dorner) burst into flames. Due to the heat, ammunition which Dorner had been stockpiling began to explode. Then, law enforcement had to play a waiting game, as the cabin was still too hot to enter and investigate even after the shooting had stopped. Once possible, the cabin was entered. An unidentified body was found, as well as several possessions belonging to Dorner.

While it is likely that these are the remains of Christopher Dorner, the LAPD and those targeted in his manifesto are waiting for scientific confirmation before making an official statement. While it seems like this story is coming to an end, there are still mysterious aspects to the case and several questions left unanswered. For instance, how was Dorner able to effectively hide in plain sight in Big Bear Lake? How long will it take for his body to be identified?

What tactics were law enforcement and Dorner using during this prolonged manhunt? What’s going to happen to the $1 million reward? And how do you explain the support Dorner received, mainly online, during this past week? With what looks like Dorner’s spree coming to an end, do you finally feel safe?

Guests:
Phil Willon, Inland Empire bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, in Big Bear

Ben Bergman, KPCC Reporter

Mary Ellen O'Toole, Former Senior Criminal Profiler for the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Fellow, American Academy of Forensic Sciences

Frank Stoltze, KPCC Reporter, in Big Bear

Mary Plummer, KPCC Reporter, at the funeral of Riverside officer Michael Crain

David Schmid, Author, “Natural Born Celebrities: Serial Killers in American Culture;” Professor of Cultural Studies (and more) in the English Department of SUNY, Buffalo

Obama delivers the State of the Union address on February 12, 2013. Credit: CHARLES DHARAPAK/AFP/Getty Images

President Barack Obama pitched new ideas to stimulate the economy, urged bipartisan approaches and emotionally called for legislative movement on gun control. The president continued to hone in on climate control, and laid out ideas for improvements in education.

Still, economics played a major role in each subject he discussed. Plans for new programs and investments were accompanied by statements about how the U.S. could save money for the future and assurances that new plans would not increase U.S. debt. The speech, which started on what some have called a campaign-esque note, ended with an emotional appeal for gun control reform, and a personalized vocalization that everyone should “have a simple vote.”

In his response to the presidential State of the Union, Republican Senator Marco Rubio called for the end of tax increases. He also urged the president to consider the middle class, who he said would suffer in the wake of deficit spending and restricting free enterprise.

Which of President Obama’s plans seem most feasibly executable? Are the president’s economic promises out of reach? How does the Republican response affect your perspective of the State of the Union?

Guests:

Jonathan Wilcox, Republican Strategist; former speech writer for Governor Pete Wilson

Matt Rodriguez, Democratic strategist; former senior Obama advisor in 2008, who now runs the Los Angeles office for the Dewey Square Group

President Barack Obama, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, gestures during the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. Credit: CHARLES DHARAPAK/AFP/Getty Images

In his State of the Union address last night, President Obama oozed confidence and determination as he laid out his plans to boost the economy, create jobs, foster education and scientific progress and give a hand up to strapped middle class families.  “We can get this done,” he repeated several times.  But can we?  

Universal preschool, increasing the minimum wage, repairing bridges and creating technology institutes might seem like no-brainer solutions to some; to others, they’re pie in the sky, impossible goals in the face of our current debt crisis.  In his response, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) said that Obama’s overarching message amounted to solving every problem by having Washington “tax more, borrow more, and spend more.”

What did you think of the president’s ideas?  Are they realistic, affordable or even doable? Does his speech give us reason to be optimistic, or is Obama dreaming the impossible dream?

Guests:
Jared Bernstein, Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, formerly Chief Economist and Economic Adviser to Vice President Joe Biden, executive director of the White House Task Force on the Middle Class, and a member of President Obama’s economic team

Phillip Swagel, Professor at University of Maryland, visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Senior Fellow at the Milken Institute

Should employers accommodate working parents better? How? Credit: iStockPhoto

A federal judge in Canada ruled two weeks ago that employers must reasonably accommodate child-care requests from employees. A woman employed with the Canadian Border Control claimed that she was discriminated against for having young children after the Border Control refused to allow her to work longer shifts fewer days a week. The federal court upheld a 2010 Human Rights Tribunal hearing ruling that ordered the Border Control to alter its policies. As family values moves into the forefront of employment law, businesses in Canada will have to reconsider their policies and address the concerns of parents who have concerns about child-care and maternity/paternity leave.

In the U.S., federal law allows for 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for maternity or family health, restricted to those who have been employed at least one year. In California, a broader law accommodates up to seven months unpaid, job-protected family leave, and allows employees participating in the State Disability Insurance system six weeks of partially paid leave. Many groups focused on family values and women’s rights argue that the programs for family leave in the U.S. are insufficient, and have been consistently pushing bills that would bolster state and federal laws.

Are accommodations for employees with child-care concerns on the horizon in the U.S.? How could American advocacy groups and lawyers use the Canadian ruling as a model? What sorts of provisions should exist for working parents?

Guests:
Ann O'Leary, Vice President & Director of the Children and Families Program at The Center for the Next Generation

Matt Patterson, Senior Fellow at Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center For Economic Freedom, specializing in labor policy

What's your wackiest romantic story? Credit: Maya Sugarman/KPCC

Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love in all forms, and in an increasingly digital world, many romances begin online. But are there still love stories beginning offline? Are the sparks still flying face-to-face, whether in a modern “meet-cute” or an awkward romantic mishap?

We want to hear your stories of offbeat, offline romance – the person you met in the elevator or on an international flight, the odd encounters with love-struck strangers, the weird, the wild, the romantic. Leave your stories in the comments, or tweet us @airtalk.

Guest:
David Isay,  StoryCorps founder and president

Doug Parker (L), Chairman and CEO of US Airways, and Thomas Horton, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Airlines speak during a news conference to announce the merger of the two airlines February 14, 2013 in Dallas Texas. US Airways and American Airlines have agreed to an $11 billion merger, creating the largest airline in the world. The airline will be called American Airlines and be headed by US Airways CEO Doug Parker. Credit: Donna McWilliam/Getty Images

As of this morning, American Airlines and US Airways has official combined to become the “new American Airlines.” It it’s new iteration, the airline is said to be worth a whopping $11 billion and will offer more than 6,700 daily flights in 56 countries.

The merger is reported to be a good thing for financial stakeholders, but what about consumers? How will travelers fare as a result? In the ever-consolidating world of air travel, does the loss of competition cost the average traveler?

Guests:
George Ferguson, Senior Airlines Analyst at Bloomberg Industries

Mark Murphy, owner TravelPulse, an online resource for the travel industry

Former U.S. Merchant Marine, EMT and wilderness firefighter Sam Sheridan's new book shares how to survive not only an initial devastating event, but potential resulting long-term post-apocalyptic environments too. Credit: The Disaster Diaries

 The year 2012 came and went without an apocalyptic disaster taking place, but that doesn’t mean a major catastrophe won’t still occur. If a devastating earthquake hit tomorrow and knocked out the power grid, how much food and water would you need for your family? Where’s the safest place to go in the wake of a disastrous event?

Former U.S. Merchant Marine, EMT and wilderness firefighter Sam Sheridan offers answers to these questions and more in his new book entitled “The Disaster Diaries: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Apocalypse.” In an effort to prepare himself and his family for as many different worst-case scenarios as possible, Sheridan trained with an Olympic weightlifter, took an apprenticeship crash-course in stealing cars with an ex-gang member and completed agonizing lessons in Arctic survival.

Sheridan shares what he learned from these and other extreme experiences that might help him survive not only an initial devastating event, but potential resulting long-term post-apocalyptic environments too. Listen in as Larry is joined by Sheridan to enlighten us on how to mentally and physically endure a major disaster and its aftermath.

Guest:
Sam Sheridan, Author, “The Disaster Diaries: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Apocalypse”

The tugs Resolve Pioneer and Dabhol tow and steer the disabled 893-foot Carnival Triumph cruise ship on February 12, 2013, in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the Coast Guard the ship is enroute to Mobile, Alabama after an engine room fire left the ship without propulsion. Credit: U.S. Coast Guard/Getty Images

For passengers on the Carnival cruise ship Triumph, their trip can’t end soon enough. What was meant to be a fun vacation got cut short when the engine room caught on fire Sunday morning. Ever since then, the boat has been without electricity and dependent only on generators. Water and food have been limited, and passengers are reportedly urinating in bags. People have taken to sleeping on the boat’s deck to escape the stifling heat inside the cabins without air conditioning. Tensions are running high, and medical experts are concerned that Triumph is basically a petri dish of disease and germs just floating in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.

On the bright side, the end is in sight. The ship is about 25 miles or so from Mobile, Alabama, where it is being sent to port. The only problem is that it is being pulled by a tugboat against the wind. Carnival says it expects the boat to dock sometime between eight and 11 p.m. EST.  But there’s another snag, as the boat initially left from Galveston, TX. Apparently, the plan is for buses to take passengers from Mobile elsewhere, although locals are calling for passengers to stay in town and then use the local airport to get home.

After the torturous trip at sea, how will these people react to any more trials and tribulations? How are they being compensated for their time and experience? Will this have a negative effect on the cruise industry? What are the current conditions on board?

Guests:
Jimmy Mowlam, General Manager of Lone Star Rigging, LP in Beaumont, Texas, his son Rob is on Triumph

Monty Mathisen, web editor, Cruise Industry News, an online trade magazine covering the cruise industry

Australian actor Jai Courtney (L) and US actor Bruce Willis (R) pose for photographers while arriving for the UK premiere of 'A Good Day To Die Hard', the fifth film in the Die Hard franchise, in central London on February 7, 2013. Credit: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

FilmWeek Oscar Preview at the Egyptian Theatre         

Larry is joined by KPCC film critics Claudia Puig and Henry Sheehan to review the week’s new film releases including Beautiful Creatures, A Good Day to Die Hard, No and more. TGI-FilmWeek!

Beautiful Creatures

A Good Day to Die Hard

No

Safe Haven    

Like Someone in Love           

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga                          

Saving Lincoln                                                                

The Berlin File                 

Would You Rather                                                      

Guests:

Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and USA Today

Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and dearhenrysheehan.com

(L-R) Producer David Fincher, actor Kevin Spacey, Chief Content Officer, Netflix, Inc. Ted Sarandos and actor Mahershala Ali attend Netflix's "House Of Cards" New York Premiere After Party at Alice Tully Hall on January 30, 2013 in New York City. Credit: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Along with the rise of reality television and the invention of the DVR, “binge watching” of popular TV series is probably the biggest paradigm shift in how and what we watch TV since it went from black and white to color back in the 1950s.

Binge watching usually includes an entire weekend in sweatpants, shades drawn, consuming episode after episode of Breaking Bad, 24, the Sopranos, Lost, Louie...the list goes on and on. These programs were made for the major networks and premium cable channels, to be consumed once a week for years on end, but the launch of Netflix’s series House of Cards starring Kevin Spacey, a new paradigm in TV production made be at hand--a 13-episode season that launches in tact. It was, in fact, made to be binge-watched.

But what does that do to the social aspect of television? Can we still talk about it around the water cooler? And how will the stories television tells change as more and more shows find this mode of distribution? What will become of the “Coming next week” trailer?

Guests:
Alyssa Rosenberg, pop culture blogger for ThinkProgress and correspondent for TheAtlantic

Beau Willimon, Showrunner for Netflix drama "House of Cards"

Former U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) (C) listens to former U.S. Sen. John Warner (R-VA) (L) and former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA), both former chairmen of the Senate Armed Services Committee, as they deliver openingn remarks during Hagel's confirmation hearing to become the next secretary of defense before the committee January 31, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Last night, Congress fled the White House to start a 10-day vacation, leaving plenty of unfinished business on the table.  Democrats and Republicans have been waging an ongoing battle for votes dealing with defense measures, including President Obama’s nomination for Secretary of Defense, former senator Chuck Hagel, and the sequestration measures that could institute major budget cuts to defense spending.

GOP senators successfully managed to stall fellow Republican Hagel’s nomination using the “silent filibuster.” Fifty-eight Democratic senators and four Republicans breaking from the rest of their party voted to continue with the nomination proceedings, failing to meet the 60 total votes required to override a Republican filibuster, although Republicans did signal their willingness to vote Hagel through after next week’s recess.

Senators and House representatives will also vote on the $85 billion in automatic spending cuts that will automatically begin on March 1 – Senate leaders from both parties say they have alternate legislation that would prevent the cuts and will begin voting when Congress reconvenes on February 25.

Is Congress handling cabinet nominations and sequestration budgeting in a responsible way? Why the delay on confirming Hagel as Defense Secretary? Are senators playing a game of chicken with what both parties agree could be devastating spending cuts? Should the president have an unencumbered right to pick members of his cabinet?

Guest:
Aaron Blake, Political Reporter for the Washington Post