Week in the News

U.S. Senate to Detroit: Drop dead — or good luck to you.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to the world: Obama’s seat is for sale.

It’s not easy for one week to contain the implications of this week’s news. No bailout for the U.S. auto industry — unless the White House still steps up. Unions wouldn’t budge. Neither would Senate Republicans.

In Chicago, a governor makes “bleeping” a front-page word, and allegedly tried to sell the president elect’s Senate seat.

Jobs are still dropping. Markets quiver.

This hour, On Point: Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

You can join the conversation. Should the White House step up with the money to save Detroit? Will Blagojevich taint Obama? Are the job losses cutting close to home?Guests:

Laura Washington, columnist for The Chicago Sun-Times.

Chrystia Freeland, U.S. managing editor of The Financial Times.

Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst and senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly.