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President Clinton today lashed out at Republican lawmakers who derailed the nomination of doctor Henry Foster for Surgeon General earlier this week. The President said the GOP was being taken over by extreme right-wing groups who would stop at nothing to outlaw abortion. NPR's Jon Greenberg reports.

NPR's John Nielsen reports that Republicans are trying to divine the meaning of yesterday's political straw poll in Ames, Iowa, involving Republican candidates for President. Bob Dole and Phil Gramm tied for the number one spot...an outcome Gramm is calling a stunning victory.

Michael talks with Skip Brandon, former Assistant Deputy Director of the F-B-I. The person called the "Unabomber" this week said the bombings would stop if certain newspapers would publish his "anarchists manifesto." The FBI is still trying to catch the Unabomber and Brandon describes some of the things the FBI is doing to figure out how to catch the Unabomber who has been on the loose since appearing in 1978.

Michael visits the exhibit "Edward Hopper and the American Imagination" at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Hopper's art has influenced many American arts in the 20th century, especially film.

Recently, columnist Meg Greenfield proposed that we use the "Bob Newhart Test" when considering government proposals. Newhart's famous comedy routine, when he pretends to be listeing to someone explain what a cigarette is, points out the ludicrousness of the idea of putting a buringing leaf in your mouth... we asked Bob Newhart to apply the "Bob Newhart Test" so a government program, and he chose the defense budget.

Daniel speaks with NPR's David Welna, who's in Port au Prince, Haiti. Haitians voted today in local and parliamentary elections designed to makeup for a tainted vote in June. Welna says voter turnout was very low, largely because opposition parties boycotted the balloting.

Michael talks to British Memeber of Parliament George Walden, a member of the Conservative party, about Tuesday's vote for party leader. Walden says that the issue of Britian's integration into Europe is a red herring in the current political situation and that most of his constituents are more concerned about the economy and taxes.

Daniel talks to Israeli superstar Danny Sanderson, a comedian and singer who recently toured the East coast, packing auditoriums with Israeli audiences. His CDs have been best sellers in Israel for nearly two decades and his on-stage stand-up routines have the hebrew-speaking audience rolling in the aisles.

Host Daniel Zwerdling talks with Lyman Kellstedt, professor of political science at Wheaton College, and Diane Winston, from the Center for the Study of American Religion at Princeton University, about President Clinton's recent remarks about religion, and about how an increasingly religious electorate may affect the outcome of future political contests.

NPR's Maria Hinojosa visits sidewalk vendors of tropical drinks in New York City. Summer refreshers like sugar cane juice and fresh coconut milk over ice are popular with kids and adults, Latinos and Anglos.

The famous blues singer Bessie Smith had a torturous and wonderful life... one of passion mixed with tragedy complimented by tremendous talent. Danny talks with actress and singer Bernardine Mitchell who is currently performing in the musical 'Bessie's Blues' in Washington D.C. The play weaves together the lives of Smith and Mitchell - illustrating the challenges and hurdles both have faced in their lives.

LINGUAL COPS - NPR's Vickey Que reports on Philadelphia's effort to curb Asian gang violence by using police officers who speak Asian languages.

NPR's Jim Zarolli reports on the U.S. media operations of Rupert Murdoch. Australian-born Murdoch runs Fox TV, and this week the Federal Communications Commission said Murdoch's News Corporation would not have to give up any of the eight t.v. stations that make up the core of Fox TV, even though that violates foreign-ownership rules. Murdoch supporters say his US operations have brought competition to the airwaves. His opponents say he's brought shlock.

NPR's Trevor Rowe reports that five humanitarian organizations have banded together to provide women in refugee camps with assistance addressing their sexual needs: birth control, protection against AIDS, and sexual abuse.

Michael talks with Martin Walker, Washington bureau chief of the British newspaper The Guardian, about America's image in Europe. Europe wants to be led, says Walker, and America is dropping the ball.

NPR's John Greenberg reports that beginning tomorrow, a Congressional subcommittee will open hearings on cutting the amount of money the federal government spends on subsidized housing.

LAWS - Danny discusses the future of Congressional efforts to revamp the nation's environment laws with Bob Benenson of Congressional Quarterly and Stephen Klineberg, Professor of Sociology at Rice University. Yesterday, 51 House Republicans broke ranks with the leadership to join democrats and kill proposals that would have curbed the Environmental Protection Agency's power to enforce the clean air and water acts.

BOOM - Songwriter Jimmy Keyes died this past week. He wrote and performed the classic rhythm and blues song SH-BOOM in the 1950's, when he was with a group called The Chords. The song was one of the first r and b standards to cross over into the main commercial market.

NPR's Joe Palca reports that 25 years ago, cigarette advertising on television was banned. He looks back at the ban and the impact it had on the nation's smoking habit.

When storyteller Carmen Deedee left Cuba as a little girl many years ago, she had a difficult time adjusting to her new life in a small town in Georgia. But her transition was made easier when she discovered that some of the things she treasured in her country she could also find in her new one.