Today on "Kresta in the Afternoon" - March 21, 2012

Talking about the "things that matter most" on March 21

4:00 – Kresta Comments

4:20 – With Win in IL and Huge Delegate Lead, is Romney Inevitable?
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney added to his lead in the race for delegates Tuesday by winning the Republican presidential primary in Illinois. Romney won at least 41 delegates in Illinois and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum won at least 10. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul were shut out. Romney leads the overall race for delegates with 563, including endorsements from Republican National Committee members who automatically attend the convention and can support any candidate they choose. Santorum has 263 delegates, Gingrich has 135 and Paul has 50. But all 4 seem absolutely committed to sticking it out to the bitter end. Paul Kengor has the analysis.

4:40 – Obamacare: Mandates, the Supreme Court, and a Prediction from 2009
In 2009, Leonard Nelson, author of Diagnosis Critical: The Urgent Threats Confronting Catholic Health Care said that “Democrat-sponsored health-care legislation currently before Congress could require violations of Catholic teaching in such areas as abortion, contraception, euthanasia, assisted suicide — even infanticide.” He was right. With the recent mandates and the issue going before the Supreme Court next week, Leonard joins us to discuss the myriad of problems with Obamacare.

5:00 – Kresta Comments

5:20 – Fri, March 23 - National Day of Protest Against the HHS Mandate
Religious leaders across the country have been speaking out against the HHS Mandate, including every Catholic bishop, and numerous lawsuits have been filed by Catholic institutions. Contributing on the side of grassroots activism is a Rally for Religious Freedom. This Friday at Noon, concerned citizens in over 120 locations across America will gather outside federal buildings in cities to rally in defense of religious freedom and stand up against the HHS Mandate. One of the organizers, Monica Miller, is here to discuss it and encourage your participation.

5:40 – Lenten Reflections and the HHS Mandate Fight Continues
Fr. Robert Barron joins us for his regular semi-weekly segment. Today we discuss the latest in the Obama administration war on religious freedom and Fr. Barron also has some reflections on the last weeks of this Lenten season.