Hello listeners it is March 16th 2017 I'm Scott Bland your host and you are

listening to political's nerd cast On this

episode, which comes this week with a pun-free introduction,

we have updates for you on a bunch of simmering issues.

There is health care, which is hurtling towards some self-impedic... We have updates for you on a bunch of simmering issues.

There is health care, which is hurtling towards some self-imposed deadlines in Congress.

There is President Trump's budget proposal freshly out this morning,

large parts of which may not be adopted but which shed light on his White House priorities.

There's the Supreme Court, with nominee Neil Gorsuch's confirmation hearings coming up.

We'll talk about all that and more this week.

Very quickly, before I give you the data points at the foundation of this week's episode,

remember please email us if you have questions at nerdcast at politico.com.

And please subscribe, rate us, and write a written review of the nerdcast, if you have time on iTunes or your favorite

podcast app. All right, the data points. First up this week we're going to talk about

two numbers from a bipartisan poll conducted for Fox News, 47% and 35%. Those are President Trump's

approval ratings on two different issues. First the economy, 47%, and then

health care, 35%. And it says something about why the health care bill is running into some trouble.

Next up, the number eight.

That's how many Democratic senators the GOP needs to swing

to avoid a filibuster on Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch,

who will be back at the center of attention

in confirmation hearings next week.

...