equality. that is our show for today. i'm ali velshi. thank you for joining us. ♪ ♪ . >> hi, everyone, this is al jazeera america. after more than six weeks on the run, pennsylvania police have captured the man accused of ambushing and killing a state trooper. reenforcements start flowing into the embadled city as the pentagon against isil. tension is high after violence breaks out in one of the regions holiest sites. with just days left for hundred campaigns across the country, ten statements that are key

in this battle for the senate. you know this morning we just said we want to go for a bike ride. >> and defiance in the face of an ebola quarantine order. >> we begin tonight with breaking news. rick phone has been captured. police have conducted a massive man hunt since he allegedly killed a state trooper and wounded another last month. joins us now with the latest. >> the nearly seven week long man hunt for one of the most wanted fugitives has finally come to an end. the pennsylvania governors office has confirmed to us that eric freen has been captured alive, he had been on the run after allegedly killing a pennsylvania state trooper, and injurying another during

ambush. the search of the dense woods in the pocono mountains has had local towns on lock down, and at one point, involved up to 1,000 law enforcement officials. some from other states police had found two pipe bombing ammunition and food supplies believed to belong to the self-trained survivalist. he has reportedly been arrested by sun marshals without a struggle, in a building at the pocono mountain municipal airport. police had serged the rugged terrain on foot, but the dense teen canopy hinders the search. equip on cameras on loan from ohio authorities also failed in providing any game of him from the skies. we are waiting further details and while he did talk about hating law enforcement, and it's believed he planned the attack for years there seems to be no other clear motive.

the on going man hunt had halloween canceled for tomorrow in those towns, there's no word whether it will go ahead. courtney, thank you. tonight those new optimism in the fight against isil in syria, the u.s. defense secretary says air strikes are working but at a cost. he says american attacks are helping syrian president bashar al asaad, a man the u.s. wants removed. also highly experience fighters have joined that fight in syria. they arrived in the strategically border town, where curbeddish leaders say they are winning but that the the battle is also far from over. >> we need more weapons this the fight against isil. >> they are now in control of two-thirds of that town, more now from bernard. >> the fighters have spent in the town near turkey's border, earlier this morning, thursday about ten of them went in advanced essentially on

something of a wreck before the bulk of the fighters made their way in. the suggestion is they may go into the west of the area that remains under syrian kurdish control, the city behind me, up to the line of trees there, is within most of it under control of isil fighters, and we saw thursday morning some of them moving around, moving around, in fact, in an area that has been targeted by u.s. air strikes only on wednesday, and it was from that area, that a lot of the shelling of the border position was coming from that shelling because isil fighters want control of that border, they have not got it yet, so an indication that isil is still moving around, of course, they remain a threat, and there is still something of a territorial stalemate, of course, the syrian kurdish fighters that hope have the artillery, they now have the iraqi peshmerga, they

can break that and regain the territory that isil has taken from them. >> bernard smith, in turkey this morning. also, chuck hagel has asked today about his criticism of the strategy, more on that now from congressional correspondent, hagel's comments were in a memo to national security advisor, so fill us in on what he wrote and his reaction today? >> jonathan, it was a private memo, and this was first reported by the new york times. in this personal memo, secretary hagel voiced some concerns and criticism over syria, specifically the strategy or lack thereof of what to do over leader bashar al asaad. now, some analyst fear that hurting isil may unintentionally help asaad in the long run. secretary hagel wouldn't get into the nitty-gritty of differences of opinion, but here is what he did have to say. >> we are constantly

arecessing, and reassessing, and adapting, to the realities of what is the best approach. how we can be most effective. that's a responsibility of any leader, and because we are a significant element of this issue, question owe the president. and we owe the security council our best thinking and it has to be honest and direct. >> secretary hagel summing it up by saying this is complicated jonathan. >> with that in mind, what is the assessment of the situation today. >> that it isn't just a military solution, but a diplomatic solution that has to come into play here, but the defense secretary did weigh in on the progress of kurdish and iraqi fighters.

their initial progress is encouraging. but, these are just first steps, first steps in what we have said will be a long and difficult multiyear effort. against isil. by the local forces on the ground, support from the u.s. as well as coalition partners. >> another key component of u.s. strategy, jonathan, is training moderate syrian opposition forces. and when asked about that, there is abapparatus up and going, but no training has yet been done, jonathan. >> the palestinian closure sunted of trying to kill a hard line

jewish activist, both jewish and muslim have clashed with security forces. they explain. stones stun grenades and tier gas, there's been violence here for months but it flaired up on thursday after police shot dead a palestinian man. they accused him of trying to kill a far right jewish activist the right before. his sister described what happened. they then broke glass on him. >> since then tensions have run high. >> there's a major security presence across most neighborhoods in occupied east jerusalem,

and many people here are concerned as the protest continue to grow, the situation can spiral out of control. >> police took the rare step of shutting the compound, the decision was made after far right activists of the rabbi. who was born in the u.s., had led a campaign for jewish people to be allowed to pray at the mosque compound which is the third holiest site in islam, and the holiest place in use dayism. they vehemently opposed such a move. >> we condemn and refuse the israeli escalation in jerusalem, over the holy shrines. we will take all legal measures to hold israel accountable, and to stop these repeated attacks. because the continuation of israeli aggression and dangerous escalation will cause more violence. israeli government is responsible. >> palestinian president took a criticism once

step further, he described the closure of the compound as tantamount to a declaration of war, while the situation here is far from a war, it's still an intense fight, that is being fought in neighborhoods like this one. al jazeera, in occupied east jerusalem. >> and there is more controversial in that part of the world, sweden has recognized the state of palestine, it is the first major european country to do so. israel's condemning the move, and is already recalled the swedish ambassador to jerusalem. mohamed has more. >> . >> for decades palestinians have argued that the government has tried to deny them recognition of three things, territory, people, and government. but now swedening has added the support by officially recognizing the state of palestine. >> today the government of sweden has decided to recognize the state of palestine.

we have decided to do so on the basis of the fact that the criteria of international law are fulfilled, to reach the territory, a people, and a government. not to recognize palestine because of their occupation, would be against the principle of international law, about no fruits of aggression. more than 100 countries already recognize palestine. >> as pointed out, the decision does not set an international precedent, it is after aural, only the one hundred thirty-fifth country to take this step. but what is different, is that it is the first western european nation to do so. and the palestinians were obviously pleased. >> i believe that by this announcement, swede season going to give a new impetus to the mill process.

israel will be more convinced be i the importance of returning to the negotiations. and to dealing with palestine as a state. >> but that seems unlikely, this is how the country's foreign minister reacted to the swedish intentions earlier this month. we are sorry about the statement of the prime minister, we think it is a wrong approach, because it is possible to achieve peace only as by lateral solution. any new steps will be very very counter productive. >> following weeks of violence, the u.n. security council has also criticized the passion about illegal israeli settlements in east jerusalem. the ambassador and protests while the united states cautions sweden against the combination,

referring a negotiated solution, one that isn't forthcoming any time soon. mohamed, al jazeera. >> after she defied a vol stair quarantine, and went biking with her boyfriend. the governor said he will lose the law to his fullest extent to keep her isolated. >> i am going to use the legal provisions to the fullest extent that the haw allows me, and i just hope that she recognizes that. >> we have 1.3 people to protect, i am trying to effect the entire state, but i don't want her to get hurt either. efforts are being made to keep her out of restaurants and other places are she could have close contact with the public, she says she is under house arrest for 21 days.

it was the morning bike ride seen across the country. openly denies an order to stay in her home after she treated patients in west africa. >> with her boyfriend by the side, she pedaled along a long road, with law enforcement following her every move. >> i hope we can continue negotiations. >> an hour later she returned home. >> thank you, i have to go speak with the health department now. >> it was october 24th when she was kept in an isolation tent for three days, after she arrived at newark liberty airport, officials say she had a miner fever, she contested the quarantine and ultimately threaten legal action, after showing no symptoms new jersey governor allowed her to return to maine, which imposed it's own quarantine.

but she has maintained isolation is unnecessary, as she has no symptoms and has tested negative for ebola. >> i completely understand that the state's purpose is to protect the state of maine, i have worked in public health for many years and that is always been my purpose as well. but we have to make desixes on science. u.s. officials are now at odds over well american healthcare workers will return to from treating ebola patients, should be forced into a quarantine until a 21 day incubation period has expired. >> i do not understand why this common sense approach to ask someone to stay in their home, for 21 days during the incubation period, why that is not a reasonable request. >> president obama has warned that overly reinstructive measures imposed upon returning workers could discouraging them from volunteering in west africa. >> they make huge

sacrifices and when they come home, they deserve to be treated properly. they deserve to be treated like the heros they are. >> as of tonight, they are pursuing a court order to enforce the quarantine through november 10th. when while new york state, announce add new program to offer financial insent tiffs and employment protections to encouraging medical workers to go to west africa to fight ebola. al jazeera. >> still ahead tonight, the lava is slowing down, but the danger remaining real for hawaiian town on the slopes of an active volcano.

instead of being concerned with the need and desired. >> they have become a focus of national attention. it is say the poll as statistical dead heat that's immediate it a marque fight in the national political arena. could determine which marty control it is senate for the next two years. currently, it's run by democrats but republicans need just six seats to become the majority, so both parties are pouring millions of dollars into slick attack ads to help their respective candidate win. >> and move jobs to china, david purdue, his world doesn't include you. >> the democrat candidate is accusing her opponent of outsourcing local jobs.

the republican says his rival will inflict on the state what he called president obama's job killing policies. >> but georgia isn't the only swing state, there are now battleground states in addition to georgia that are too close to call. so both sides are pushing supporters to vote early, with majority of u.s. states firmly in one camp or another. these swing states matter because. >> that's where the campaign is fought out. in a battleground state, every vote is extremely valuable, candidates are willing to practically sell their souls to win, at a party's are backing them up. >> the national attention on the local election, has members of the boxing club feeling jaded. >> i think the focusing on just the politics of the day, and we need to more focus on the politics of the people, they are 1 million-dollar evers problems when $20 problem.s i have a >> the might thing it may

not be over on voting day, in a fight which close, if no candidate earn add majority, thatly be a run off vote that means the outcome of the election, may not be known until early january. al jazeera, atlanta. >> president obama has within quiet this campaign season because his approval ratings are he in several states. and be sure to tune in tonight for our special america votes 2014, it is a lock autumn the issues driving next week, it airs in a couple of minutes and again at suck 30:00 p.m. eastern time. and still ahead tonight, the search for dozens of missing students is highlighting a grim and violence past in mexico.

parents of 43 missing students confronted mexico's president today after meeting with him for hours they emerged even angrier and more frustrated.

add dan rayny reports now. >> calling for the return of their children, alive. that is what parents of some of the missing students said they wanted from their president. these are among mexico's power less and poor, but due to tragic circumstances, they have an audience with the country's most powerful man, although they pressures him to sign a document with a list of promises, the parents remained unsatisfied. we are not going to trust the president's words nor do we trust the promises he made on national television. until he delivered these students alive. the president made no mention of discord, and instead highlights his promises and the nation. >> we agree to transfer the efforts to search for and find the students following a renews plan.

he also promised to inform them before the press, something they had failed to do so far, and he committed to give more support to rural teachers colleges like the ones the students attended. in recent weeks the investigation has focused on several mass graves. investigators have been digging through massive grave sites in the area, so far they have found the remains of 38 bodies that have been unable to identify them. more so than any other murder disappearances. protestors tore through a gate, and lit a truck on fire. protests continued in the capitol too, where students took over a highway toll booth, a common tactic in mexico. what remained unsaid is the real possibility that the students are dead, or

will never be found. hike an estimated 30,000 other people in mexico. >> the parents that met, said this case highlights the problem of the missing people in mexico, and they hope that it helps put an end to forces disappearances. al jazeera, mexico city. >> the lava slowing down in hawaii but it is still heading towards dozens of houses, it is closing in on the main road in and out. some people have left, but others seem to be taking it in stride. the national guard is being deployed to help out once the lava does hit the town. something to keep in mind, there's a good chance some people will not be allowed to vote, simply because they have the same name as someone else. it is the result of a supposed crack down on voter fraud, the policy appears to target minorities. 22, hey, greg, nice to

meet you. >> helen and sing are members of a nonprofit, providing legal aid for asian americans in georgia. >> here is bark, park. >> there you are, sir. >> sorry. >> according to the state of georgia, voted seng park, voted in swanny georgia and an then dale virginia. >> he lives in lennox he said. >> so someone else with your name could lose their vote. >> it is the same name, a

lot of same names. >> that's very troublesome, i can see how that would pull out certain ethnic growns especially asian ethnic groups. and part two to the voter fraud investigation airs this evening that's at 9:00 p.m. eastern. john siegen that willer with our special america votes 2013 a look at all the issues stay tuned that's coming up right after the break, we will see you again at 11:00 p.m. eastern.

it is unicolor about what you stand for. >> he is the nancy pelosi of kansas. >> the bizarre ads. >> hey, mitch, what about using a talking baby. >> key races still up for grabs. turn out, a big question, which party has the edge. >> jobs, the environment, national security, the stakes couldn't be higher. america votes 2014, and al jazeera special report. >> hi, everyone. for america's voters

decision time is almost here. perhaps the biggest prize this election night, is control of the senate. which is about a lot more than the ballots of power in washington. the impact could not be more far reaching or more consequential. >> every election is a job interview. >> voters head to the polls tuesday with rah lot to think about. >> real business in ten years in. >> we are lucky if we are here in five years. >> by some measures the economy has recovered from the financial crisis by more than 9 million americans are still out of work. >> income is down, we are down about 70% from what we were before became came in. >> fischerman says it adds up to 14,000 jobbens and much more. >> those with low paying jobs are still looking for a decent living wage. >> the truth between eating and paying rent. >> you work in san jose, your minimum wage is $10.15 an hour. if you are unlucky, and you are toiling away in

santa clara, your minimum wage is $9. >> healthcare, a hot topic, even though millions signed unfor health insurance because of the affordability care act, not everyone thinks it is a good idea. >> 18,000 a month for healthcare, for 25 people. do you like obama-care? >> one of the fiercest debates has been over immigration. >> the school district here has seen an increase of 300 students who only speak pannish. >> entire families coming back from mexico, they didn't make it. >> the midterm election is also about big money. >> both liberals and conservatives are sending tens of millions of dollars. >> big must be is doing, one is scaring people to keep them away, so there's a lot of negativity, and horror and fear. >> and now election laws. some states have made it harder to vote. >> why is it important for you to vet? >> that's my right. we have earned those rights to vote. >> integrity. >> is veterans are

looking for better treatment. >> this is an american issue, this is not a democrat issue, this is something that all-americans need to care about. what congress does about all of those issues depending on the biggest price this election day, control of the u.s. senate. here to help us break down the key senate races many of them neck and neck, is david schuster. >> john, senate control is going to depend on the outcome of 13 crucial and competitive senate races, here is the map, democratic held seats going into election night are in blue, republican held seats are in red, for the republicans to take control, they need a net gain of six, however, senates are retiring in west virginia and montana, and in those open races polls suggest, republicans are up by double digits, so that will bring the republican magic number down to four. a net pick up of four, with the polling indicates the outcome is even. republicans held seats again listed in red, democrats in blue,

republicans are defending more states at the start of the election, but they hope to gain crucial ground, turning blue to red later in the evening, let's start in kentucky where the polls chose the first, and that's where republican incumbent is facing a very tough challenge from kentucky democratic secretary of state. grimes supported coal, gun rights and refused to say whether she voted for president obama, if she wins, the democratic chances of maintaining senate control go way up. but those democratic chances could go back down thanks to a democratic seat they are trying to defend in north carolina. incumbent democrat kay haggan has tried to undercore her independence from president obama, she also hammered challenger tom tillis, state house speaker for helping to cut 500 million-dollars in state education funding. still, tillis is even in a race where spending has topped nearly 100 million-dollar evers. again, let's take another look at the key senate races in the democratic fire wall in the crucial

11 includes protecting arkansas and new hampshire. in new hampshire, incumbent democratic senator is in a very tight race with republican scott brown, the former senator from massachusets, in arkansas, the battles between democratic senator mark pryor and republican congressman, cotton is a veteran, who has tried to portray pryor as anomer clone. the weight is also on display in colorado where incumbent democrat senator is trying to fend off republican congressman cory gardner. this race is particularly intriguing because udol more than any other, has focused hard on his opponents record. these crucial races that can go either way, the final race on the list that last one to close, results may not be known in that state for several days.

north the drama could last for a while. and new york university, geneny, welcome, so give us a sense of how much money is being spent. >> it is staggering. they are estimating $4 billion being spent this year, just to butt that in perspective, in the last 13 to 14 days almost $20 million being spent a day on this campaign for turn out, that may be around 37, 38%, it is hard to even fathom. >> just going back to 2000, the number keeps climbing each election. why? >> because you know, part of it has to do with the supreme court decisions that has allowed this enormous outside spending.

that is the story as it pertains to money and the campaign, is how much are these organizations going tock spending and by all accounts it is a lot. >> so we are talking midterms now, but what about 2016, the presidential election? >> it is so amazing to think about this, they are saying it could be approaching the double digit billions. it is hard to say, hillary clinton for example will have to raise probably $1.7 billion to make a run in 2016. if anybody can she can, but it is a staggering amount. barack obama raised one point $1 billion that's what it costs to run. the candidates are beholden to special guests. >> absolutely. beam aren't putting up this kind of money, because they are just doing it out of the kindness of their heartner doing it because they expect something in return.

what nixon was doing illegally is now done legally in the united states. that's basically what has happened. >> all right, thank you very much. >> tens of millions of americans are about to sit out this year's elections, they may not realize if they did go to the polls they could change everything, for more we turn to our science and technology with that. and all registers adults fewer than half are expected to actually participate in next week's midterm elections, so let's see what effect that will have on the country. first of all, turnout in the u.s. is always awful. there are over 206 million people eligible to vote, but nearly 75 million of them didn't cast ballots that means that more than one thursday of eligible voters did not vote. in fact, on the list of world democracies the u.s. in the bottom third, we fall between benign

and the dominican republic. so who did vote? well, in 2012 only 129 million eligible voters showed up. that number doesn't really mean much, so let me describe it another way, bear with me. when only 129 million americans vote that's like the population of france, and the united kingdom combined. deciding the outcome of our elections i know that sounds odd, like some other country is making the decisions but that's pretty much what is happening every election. it is like another country, a wider, richer, older group is deciding the fate of a more diverse poorer group our country would be very different if everyone who could cast a ballot did now groups have studied this. they found for one thing, the democrat party would enjoy much more support, more than half of all nonvoters identified or leaning toward democrats, now, compare that to though that lean

republican. compare only 21 more people that lean republican but don't vote to the 40 million or more nonvoting that lean democratic. the make or breakish issues could be different. hispanic voters make up 72% in the u.s., but they are only 7% of likely voters. let's assume they have the same feelings about immigration as those that do vote, in theory, if even half of the nonvoters went to the polls nearly 8 million people, immigration would be very different here in the united states. let's also consider income for a moment, 32% of americans make less than $30,000 a year, and that group makes up more than half of people who don't vote. that's more than 35 million people. hovering just above the poverty line, imagine the impact if they did vote. as it is, issues that most directly effect the poor, minimum wage, equal

pay, social security, healthcare, are being decided by those who are far less effected by these issues. >> that's jake ward, now black voters came out in force in 2008, and again in 2012, but in the midterm election, their numbers dropped. that's rah trend my next guest is looking to reverse. the communication director he joins us tonight from washington. orlando, welcome, how successful is the rnc a getting them excited about these midterms. >> is hey, thank you for having me, john, and let me just start off by saying since the release of the growth and opportunity report, nearly two years ago, under the leadership we have owned new doors started new dialogs and created opportunities that have led to us as the republican party making end roads across the country, including those in black communities. we have had a number of

successes, everything from speaking to key stakeholders. or rechartering, college republican chapters on the campuses of historically black campuses that are paying off. what act these election laws, what do you think about that? >> if you are referring to voter i.d., there's a number of instances and we have seen it increase, we have seen voter i.d. laws past and black voter increase in subsequent elections so i unction the perception may be there, but the fact is it couldn't be further from the truth. >> let me just interrupt there -- didn't -- >> sure. >> didn't chose -- a lot

of those voters turn out, because the president was an african-american, and he was running for the second term? >> well, many of them supporting the president, but what we are hearing from voters is they care -- not just about one issue, but about a number of issues. everything from jobs and the economy, to affordable and accessible healthcare, to how they get their children into quality schools. when you look at those issues who is leading on created jobs and allowing wage earners to keep more money, so they can put more food on the table, or put gas in their car, if you look at elected official whose are leaning on opening up the doors to quality schools for our children, it's republicans who are at the forefront, and it is going to pay off if we continue do share our message. >> and so you think the percentage of african-americans this midterm election, will be at about what percentage. >> oh, i am not going to make an predictions there, but i will tell you a recent poll shows

that 19% of black voters said they plan on supporting the republican candidate on the ballot this fall. that's a 300% increase from 2012, that's good news from the republican party that's good news for our country, ever when they are both competing for the black vote, it is good news for communities across this country. because we as republicans have had the solutions, that address people's concerns. whether again, they be jobbens, the economy, andening case. h. >> all right, thank you very much. now, we turn to lily adams, she is the deputy communications coordinator for the democratic national committee. lily, welcome. >> thank you john for having me. >> let's talk just a little bit about this election. why haven't we seen him out there more. >> i think you are going to see him, and have seen him. he will be in places like

wisconsin and michigan. be uh you are seeing a full team on the democratic side, everybody from former president bill clinton, to secretary hillary clinton to the vice president to others. and we are -- we feel very confident that our team is out there. >> some won't even say if they voted for him in the last election. >> i think every candidate will run their own race, but i think whenever voter goes into the voting booth, is that the democrats that have been working to criticized the expansion panned opportunity, or is that republicans who have continually obstructed progress on the minimum wage, on equal pay, and other issues that are really important to americans. and so i feel very confident in that contrast, and confident that we will retain control. >> how are these new voter i.d. laws going to impact democratic candidates as far as turnout is concerned. >> welt, i think you have seen voter i.d. laws do a

couple of things. one thing is that you are seeing a backlash in places like georgia and north carolina, where folks are upset at republicans who have tried to infringe on their right to vote, by either implementing ash surrender voter i.d. laws or by restricting early voting but you are also seeing in many states rightful voters are being turned away from the polls as placed they voted for their entire lives because of new unnecessary rules. frankly, voter i.d. is a solution in search of a problem. it is a sin 8:00 ploy by republicans. >> i know you are anxious to talk about the gubernatorial races how do you think they will do this time? >> i think you know you are going to see many incumbent republican governors across this country, who are elected in 2010, lose their seats, and it's because they have a flawed philosophy, which has

been to gut things like education, but give tax breaks to the most wealthy among us i think you will see voters embrace the change in many state houses that is a -- that increases opportunity for all. folks like charlie crist, who will be elected on election day. >> coming up next, a tail of two economies, real money on the recovery and why many voters just aren't feeling it, plus, guns on the ballot, expanding background checks or not. >>

terrorist six time is almost here, key races that could reshape america, gal lot issues that impact every day life, minimum wage, education, gun control. the strikes could not be higher, america votes 2014, and al jazeera special report. when voter goss to the polls on

november 4th there will be a whole host of issues for them to consider. america's new military engangment in iraq, the threat of attackens at home, and even public health concerns over the ebola outbreak. but, the economy, it remains the top issue, the number one concern by far for americans. and for that, we go of course to ali velshi. >> the good news is the bad stuff comes and goes the economy just stays there, and it keeps on being the biggest concern, the midterms are happening right around when america's economic recovery appears to be in full swing. but the problem is that it still feels peace process darius. even though the data feels great, consumer confidence moves up and down, this is becoming the tail of two economies. ethnic groups' take a look on the jobs front. this is the single most important issue. the unemployment rate, last time we had elections was 7.8%. since then, it has dropped to 5.9%. this is for september,

this is the hatest data we have, it is the last data we will have before the elections. this is near a 2% drop. i don't like this number very much, i often tell people to ignore it, in favor of this, this is the number of jobs gained every month, since the last election, about 4.8 million new jobs have been added to the economy, this is a net number, this is all the new jobbens minus all the jobs that were lost, this is an average of one hub 92,000 jobbens per month, pretty close to the 200,000 mark, that most economists prefer to see created every month, and we are trending in the right direction as you can see, we have had a little bit of movement, but we are generally trending in the right direction, the bad news about that is that wages have mostly stagnated. cbs late 2012, average hourly wages have crept upwards by just 3.6%. 24-dollar evers and 53 cents an hour, meanwhile, prices have ticked up by

2.7%, meaning wage growth, is beating inflation, but just barely. now, more jobbens are getting created but they tend to skew toward lower paying jobs and that's why most voters say, they are not feeling this recovery all that fully. now, let's dare this tail of two economies analogy even further, take a look at the gains made in the stock market, since the last election, the s&p 500 index, which has stock holdings that are often mimics in people's 401 ks hook at this, it is up 39%, since the last elegislation, november of 2012, this is impressive by any measure, except that the gains mostly accrued to wealthy americans who are savvy enough to get the market right. meanwhile, the half of americans who do not n at all in the stock market, didn't get any bet fit from this remarkable market. by comparison, most americans do own homes. a majority of americans do own homes and since the hahs election, the

median price of an existing home is up 15% nationwide. pretty good. but it is coming off of years of beading in the housing market, home prices are still 9% below where they were in 2006, that's when housing peeked. before the bubble burst, now years later millions of homeowners are still under water, meaning they owe more money on their mortgages than their houses are worth, so the economy is measurably, better than it was just a few years ago, but many if not most voters going to the polls still don't feel hike the recovery has touched their lives. some of them still think they are in a recession. >> all right, thank you. seth harris served as the acting secretary of labor under president obama, welcome. >> john, good to be with you. >> so polls show jobbens wages the economy, but candidates seem to be focusing on other issues like ebola.

>> because the republicans don't want mote voters to be focused on the jobs, because they haven't layed out a plan, and they don't want to be talking about jobs because those issues are national issues that are too closely associated with president obama who is wildly unpopular, in a lot of the states that have competitive elections this year. >> because as alley just mentioned that many middle class and lower income voters still haven't recovered? i shut that's exactly right. there's a deal well of frustration, even though the overall economy has gotten a good bit better, a large percentage of american working families are not feeling it in their home, economics in their kitchen table, economics they are still suffering, a lot of people still unemployed a lot of people have given up looking for work. they feel stuck, and they don't feel washington is listening to them. so they are focusing on

the number one with guy, barack obama. if republicans take over, they have control of congress, what is the plan to improve the economy, and to increase the number of jobs. >> well, it's -- i'll be honest that i don't really know what the plan is. i suspect that what we will see is tax cuts for corporations and reform of the corporate tax code, we will see tax cuts for wealthy individuals that is a core principal of the party. i think we will see very little action, the deadlock we have seen will look like progress compared to what is coming. >> many voters are expected to vote for the minimum wage ballot initiatives in some states but h the candidates that they support support those initiatives too?

>> now, that's one of the great ironies there are five states where we have minimum wage ballots going before voters, voters will overwhelmingly pass all five, i expect, but in three of those we have competitive elections, it looks like the republicans are leading in those elections and those republicans will oppose an increase in the national wage, voters want to raise wages they want to create jobs gubernatorial race when picking and cadate, character issues come in, and so the vote on the jobs and the economy issue gets diluted. >> seth laird, good to see you, thank you very much. guns are another big issue, and that includes washington state, with a deadly shooting is added fuel to the already heated debate. voters there are facing two competing initiatives one would expand background checks the other would limit

background checks. tell us more about these measures. john, as you say, two pressures that voters will be looking at, two very different measures. let's take a look at initiative 594, this would expand background checks that would the so called gun show loophole. it would also cover online sales and just about any other sale or transfer of a firearm, so for instance, john if i wanted to sell you a gun, you and i would have to go to a licensed gun shop, go to a dealer, you get processed you background would get checked there would be a waiting period and then you could take possession of the gun. the same thing would apply if i wanted to give you a gun. we would have go to to the licensed gun dealer and go through that process. you would have to do through that process, even a suggestion i would have to go through a

background check, when you brought the gun back to me, it covers any kind of firearm transfer. very difference, which was responded in response to that initiative, this is much more a gun rights initiative, it would tie background checks to what is required in federal standards. there is also a clause that prohibits government confiscation of any firearm without due process. so lockingar two very different initiatives, we should say as far as we know the facts at this point, neither of these, if they were law, would have had any impact on the school shootings. >> so what are the polls showing about these. >> right now it is pretty simple, 594, expanding background checks would pass 591 limiting them, and confiscating guns would fail. allen, thank you very much. and that is our special report for tonight, america votes 2014, be

sure to join us tuesday for special election night coverage, we will bring you live reports from across the country, and indepth analysis on the key races and the big issues. good night. the growing path too communities and where the best hope for safety in lie in the heavens. a bid to clear the roles? or an effort to