governors. did they sit next to each other? >> in the order the states came to the union. that's how they sit. >> right. and the order that the -- right. it was so cairn -- you are old friends and colleagues and that the united states is ready for a woman president. i have to ask you she's obviously the great hope of the democratic party. the great hope of many women. whether or not you want her to run. whether or not you would support her. any feelings you have? you say you have enduring respect for her service as secretary of state. she, you know, barring whatever is, you know, wrapping her up in any current benghazi excitement on capitol hill. when you look at the future and think this country is ready, would you, as a republican, city out if she ran? [laughter] well. that's down the road to

speculate about all of that. i think if hillary wanted to run, she should run. she did set an extraordinary example how a woman can run for public office. and so that's is important. i think she broke down that barrier single handledly and highly talented and capable and smart. it she chooses to do that, i think many women will embrace, you know, her candidacy. but i think the country is prepared to have a woman president, and i think that by virtue of the fact what she was able to accomplish at the point time in her own candidacy, i think, has dispelled any notion that -- even though she didn't win the primary. there was a different reason. the reasons in the party. by virtue of her candidacy and how she conducted herself. i think she eradicated any fear

about how a woman would handle herself. >> there's many delightful ante-dote i keep mentioning in the book and little newing its for congress watchers like myself to enjoy. one of my favorite is you divulge how frequently and women senators get together. how privately they sort of nurture and mentor each other. you dine with female justices. something i had never known before. i think it's wonderful. and what an honor. and also i thought that was -- that is, you know, really another reason to sort of delve in here. to learn not only about the way things used to be but how much women look out for eemp other in positions of power. and how truly bipartisan it is and the way you talk about

clinton and obviously you're friendship that formed years ago before she was in the senate is just a unique connection, i think, it's very interesting. so you have -- you want to tell them there's a way out. and that even if it's not near determine. there's a a path to unity and production. productive future for the congress diminished polarization in the future if some steps are taken in the meantime. you list them in the book. you have recommendations for a five-day workweek, an annual budget. -- biannual budgeting. restoring the prosexual appeals of getting to a budget. a bipartisan leadership committee. that's interesting. they have to leave the congress and get out of their own partisan leadership. no budget no pay which means members if they are directer

mueller elect in their duty filibuster reform. a more open amendment process, no more secret holes on legislation, and return, i think this is critical to regular order in the committee. you can't throw up an emergency super committee, sequester bill at the last minute. everything would have go back. and apolish leadership packs which made me chuckle. you were one of five without one. i want to know, semi open primaries i'm a deliver of that in myself. and commissioned instead of state legislature deciding on redistricting. i think it's important for americans to read your book. especially an chapter on all of these political -- the sphix kind of in on the system. if they don't have redistricting and don't know about how few districts swing every lek cycle and how 79% of us shouldn't get

in the boothe because it's already decided. this is really -- i think you have all the right ideas. if you can chair a slibility -- share little bit of it. so you a great ante-dote from rick -- back 32 years later. he was warned he needs to spend 30 hours a week on fundraising. where do you get the establishment, the incunl bent, the crusty, old system that might seem new but so set in where do you get that to throw away the leadership pack to change? >> guest: they provided a relief if everybody had to stand down on both sides of the aisle. that's the key. in changes on campaign finance reform has to be level playing field on both sides. that is what we had to

orgestrate drg organize strait. it but it was to the even handedness. so both sides had to do it. that's one less level 77 financing. of raising money. think about it. in the house of representatives they had an -- probably the majority, at least, have leadership packs. not running for leadership. it's another avenue to give money to candidates at the higher level than as a individual. the point being is not only raising money for their own campaign, they also have to raise this money for the leadership pacs because it's expected. that you're going raise so much money especially your chair of committee. >> if you want to be -- [inaudible] you are expected to deliver. >> and it takes so much time. it's another huge distractions. it reminded me of the honorary issue years ago. members of congress would be

paid for speeches, and so the whole schedule would reinvolve around the days which they could give speeches on mondays and fridays. but ultimately came to the conclusion rightfully that we should ban these. and it had an impact. then you have people back town not -- [inaudible] right. one last level of raising money. because that is a huge time consuming effort, and not to mention a distractions. you can watch this and other programs online at booktv.org. alexander coburn's family and colleagues came together at the power house arena to discuss the late journalist's book. participates including his daughter, brother, and niece read from the book and shared personal stories. the 50-minute program is next

on booktv. [applause] >> thank you. thank you, justin. you've got a very anglo-american crowd here. you know the whole phrase "you saito -- you say we actually say coburn. just a corp. russ that -- verse left out of the song. >> we're here to celebrate an extraordinary man. with keeping of the spirit of alexander. i hope that the crowd who were at the memorial last year will forgive if i begin the way i began then. which is recalling what you would hear every morning if alexander stayed with you in your home. you would be barely awaking -- at the crack of dawn thinking of all things that lay before you, tasks, trials, tribulation for

the day. you would hear -- not from the bed in the guest room, alexander didn't really like sleeping in guest room bed. he much preferred laying on the couch in the living room. you would hear rising from the living room a voice. an unmistakable voice saying "so, are you ready to greet the day with unbridled optimism ?" i think we should all just meet him in that right now? are we ready to greet the day with unbrielded optimism? [cheering and applause] fair enough. i want to thank power house arena for putting out a gorgeous book. all of those that helped in pulling together the book will hear more about the book in a minute. also thank c-span who interviewed alexander in a wonderful feature who i'm sure

they'll make available for people want to see. i'm sure we'll be remembering throughout the evening the extraordinary news letter that alexander created. you can find it at counterpunch.org. i'm sure c-span will be running it in the lower third underneath in the few hows. it's a gathering of friend of alexander. any foes? damn it. he would have enjoyed that. ..