on sunday, november 4 at noon eastern. her most recent book is a spar of light. other books include , small great things, the storyteller, lone wolf, +20 more novels. she has also written five issues of the wonder woman comic book series for d.c. comics. watch "in depth" fiction addition with author jodi pico live sunday, november 4 noon until 3:00 p.m. eastern. be sure to watch "in depth" fiction addition next month when author brad meltzer will be our guest on booktv on c-span2. >> friday morning will live in vermont for the 49th stop on the c-span bus 50 capital store. lieutenant governor david zuckerman will be our guest on the bus during washington journal. starting at 7:40 am eastern.

>> joining us now, derrick johnson serves as president and ceo of the naacp. talking about border mobilization leading up to the election. good morning. >> we show 56 percent of african americans will turn out to expect that 2018? >> i think the numbers are at an all-time high.when you look at the most recent special elections and primary elections. what percentage turnout we don't know. but the naacp is to try and be as close to presidential turnout as possible. >> you start a new mobilization on the front. what steps are part of the process? >> naacp, during my tenure we invested heavily in data. we really looked at what is turnout among african-americans for midterm elections? we recognize there is a turnout

-- we begin to target infrequent african american voters.those are those that vote in presidential election but particularly do not vote in midterm elections. and aggressively communicate with the voters in target areas to increase turnout. >> what kind of information are you communicated? >> we talk about the critical landscape, tolerance, racial hatred, cavender hearings and what it means to civil rights as a whole. we talk about access to healthcare, education, all of the bread-and-butter issues that are important but what we really look at is polling data. exit says african-americans feel disrespected. we talk about earning back our respect to the power of the vote. >> we talk to these voters and to reach out after you get the data, retelling them to vote for a certain candidate or just making the pitch to just vote overall? >> overall voting. naacp is nonpartisan organization. we don't support local parties or candidates but we do support

engaging physically. submit civic responsibility of the african-american community as a whole to make this democracy work, to create a better quality of life for our communities. >> our guest will be with us to talk about their efforts, border mobilization overall leading up to the midterm elections. if you want to call 202-748-8001 republicans democrats 202-748-8000. independent 202 748-8002. with african americans what are the most concerned about when they vote? >> respect. many african-americans feel completely disrespected as a result of the outcome of the 2016 elections. next it is access to healthcare, education, jobs, opportunities, of the traditional things that we always talked about, more than anything else, feeling disrespected. having someone in the white house that completely creates false equivalence.

we look at charlottesville virginia, between racial hate group and protests. in the white house to call african nations, having racial division is something that we see as disrespectful to our existence as humans in the country. >> we talked to as far as that do you think they will vote for democrats or do you have that data? >> is not the data to see how they will vote but bit traditionally there is a interest they will vote their interest. we are not going to go with any clinical party. if you want over talk about issues important to us. and what's important to us is

ensuring our elderly are cared for in their senior years, children have opportunities and are well prepared. they disadvantage however, defined or protected. in ways in which they can fully participate. that is what's important to african-americans paid political parties to care about those issues, will get the vote of african-american community. >> when it comes to respect with respect that you say the voters want, had to think he gets resolved from a midterm election specifically? >> political landscape as we currently see it. as one in which the policy concerns african-americans care most about. they're not being addressed. that is how you dress respect. you're talking about young persons opportunity in the future. that is good quality public schools. where children can have an opportunity to really thrive and learn. it assures it does have pre-existing healthcare issues are not thrown away because they cannot afford healthcare. it is saying that social mobility is real, have a job and an opportunity to be mobile in this job in advance of my career. those are respect issues

african-americans care about. >> and tecumseh job issues donald trump counseling place the block on a plant rate and current level and the number it is. what you think about his use of that number? does it tell you something and does he make a point? chris at the trajectory of the last eight years, 10 years is what we should look at. we had a low point with the stock market. we have seen slowly african-american at a low point we seen a culture trajectory of unemployment. we've seen a concert trajectory of progress. two years will not change. 18 months will not change. more portly, what policy will put in place over the last 18 months to address those things, i venture to say none. as far as specific that you looking at it's a nationwide effort >> michigan, ohio, north carolina, georgia and florida. we are looking at influencing

african american turnout. reporting hundreds of people to talk to those communities to increase turnout and out of that demonstration, to say the african-americans will control the vote. we will determine the outcome. we will do that with a scientific method that was proven results.that is important. because no one else should be controlling the african-american community but the african-american community. derrick johnson, president and ceo of naacp. this is from michigan, jerry, democrats line. go ahead. >> good morning to both of you and greetings yet again from motown. i have two questions and also i would like to make the comment if i can. the first is -- voter suppression efforts on the part

of racist white conservatives. on the republican side. and also, how far in terms of white peoples attitudes about african-americans do you think will change? especially amongst the younger generation of white people. i would like to make my comment. >> quickly please. >> in terms of voter suppression we filed a lawsuit last week in georgia when we realized over 59,000 applications were being denied process for new registered voters. we prepared some -- and tennessee we learned that there were voter suppression things happening here we see the nature of voter registration as a suppression method for why should citizens fill out the application to qualify to participate in a democracy that

they invested through their tax dollars? it is voter suppression. we are supporting the elimination of voter registration as we know it. in fact, there are four key components where we think we can expand democracy. elimination of voter registration, the elimination of restricted polling places. so should not get off work, drive past three, four, five polling places to cast about. and when it should not take place on a weekday, a workday within 12 hours in many states when people work eight hours a day. it should be on a weekend where it should be a holiday that everyone can participate. and fourth, there should be something like a compulsory voting that is over 200 democracy including australia with upwards of 96 percent of the population vote or in upwards of 92 percent of population vote, or germany were 93 percent of the

population vote. in united states only about 70 percent of the population vote at presidential elections, that's considered a high turnout. it is not a true democracy. it is not true governance and the naacp want to open up democracy so all of the voices can be heard. >> brian kemp put our tweet saying and emphasizing that the 53,000 georgians can still vote in the election on november 6. >> that is misleading to say the least. those individuals will have to take out what is called a provisional ballot in many states. then that is contested. it is not accurate. if he is concerned about the individuals voting, process the application so they can be legitimate voters on the voter roll and they can vote without any interruption. >> for marilyn, republican line, fred. go ahead, you are on with our guest. chris good morning. i just want to say the naacp only represent the liberal

democrat side. they do not speak for you, they target you, they pull out the race card, the use -- typical democrat playbook. and i want to talk about voter fraud, and philadelphia 2012 elections, with obama was running there was a county of philadelphia with population of 42,000 mostly african-americans. 59,000 residents voted for barack obama. and zero for mitt romney. that is an impossibility. if you want to talk about voter fraud they would cry racism. the division is such -- >> he dropped off. mr. johnson, go ahead. >> black conservatives, and only have them on our board, but my predecessors, was actually republican. there is not partisanship, this

is about inclusion, to ensure that all citizens of the country have an opportunity to participate. i challenge any political party, if you care about african-american communities, understand with the needs and interests are of the community and then create platforms and avenues for full participation. do not use fear or hate to divide because it is a losing equation for african-american voters.we are agnostic to the political parties because as long as political parties cater to our need, therefore for many years we voted as republicans. again, for many years we have been in blocks voted for democrats. but for all we have voted for the interest of our community. participating to ensure that our young people have a quality education, to make sure we have the safety net important is that the tax dollars that we put into the conference are distributed in an equitable way. that is what we are concerned about as african-americans.

political parties are only for those agendas. and so create an agenda that will really speak to meet the interest of our community. >> music kanye west embrace the present is that a way reaching out to the black community? >> i think kanye west is an individual. he was successful entertainer but does not represent the black community pin he represents his political interest. and he should have the right to do so. but we are not a monolith. there is no leader of the black community. and we have individuals, with very diverse opinions and he should be be respected for his opinion as an individual but his opinion don't represent the black community. >> how so? >> in many ways. was he accountable to? who is he come to that conclusion? it was a process that allows the black community to inform his opinion, that is how so. we are not a monolith and he should have the right to have his opinion. whether you agree with it or not as an organization and individuals, it is part of the

african-american community should be able to do that. do i agree with his opinion? no. i agree with the antics that he is in the meeting? no. i think in the office of the presidency he and the president truly put -- it was a display of buffoonery. >> the president sat and listened to all of this. does that have respect on some level? >> for kanye west? >> yes. >> i think it was mutual buffoonery. >> can you expand on that? >> to demean the office of the presidency, to allow an entertainer to come and stand up with all of the antics and you sit there, this is the office of the presidency. it is the highest office in the country. it should be treated with a level of respect, a level of dignity, a level of authority. that this country represents. it should not be used for

late-night tweets. or entertainment. it is beyond words what i am seeing displayed on that desk. >> was different between that then the president obama with jay-z and beyoncc? >> he invited them to celebrate their artistry. not their political views. not to allow them to display that level of buffoonery. it's different. that was about kanye and his political views, and his opinions about policy. beyoncc and jay-z were there to be celebrated by their artistry. if president trump was to celebrate kanye west artistry, it would be great. but let's put it in the context it should be in. and not for anything else. >> for mississippi, democrat line, sarah. you on with our guest.

go ahead. >> yes, mr. johnson. i am so glad to see you on this morning. the same thing that has happened over in georgia, i live in southwest mississippi. which is predominantly a black county. and the secretary of state, removed all of the absentee ballots and now we have to prove that the reason we are not able to come to the voting polls and vote, we have to bring a certificate saying that we are disabled or senior citizens and i think it was done in purpose. of course you for mississippi. and you know how he is a republican. they are just doing all kinds of things to remove ice off of the polls. anyway i would like you to know that because i had no one to talk to about it. and we really need to do something about that. >> we say no to talk about it, no one on the regional level would help you or did you address these issues on the regional level?

and get no response? >> okay, i went ahead and i did get a certificate from my doctor. i had to start voting absentee ballots in 2010 because my father, who i was caregiver to, was bedridden and had no one to stay here with my father. so that is when i started doing an absentee ballot. other than that sir, i would always go to the voting polls here in my county. after i saw what was happening over in georgia, i likened it to what happened to me and same thing. >> thank you for calling and telling us your story. mr. johnson. >> i think you should call the mississippi naacp office. register the complaint so they can look into it. i'm not for sure of your particulars. of what you are describing to me, i do not think is accurate in terms of what the law requires. first of all, it is the county

of the clerk that is responsible for the absentee voter list. you can reach out your county circuit clerk to determine if that is the case. if not you can call the mississippi naacp office. cory wiggins is the executive director and he can investigate the claim for that particular county. >> where does, how does stacy abrams, how is she faring so far? >> i can only go by news reports it appears to be a very competitive race. i think it will be dependent on turnout. we suspect that is why we are seeing this non-processing of voter registration applications. because it will be a very close race. african-american voter turnout is going to be critically important and so i will be with you to see the outcome. >> today -- do they endorse candidates correct. >> we do not endorse parties. >> republican line. >> i am a conservative

republican.-- in the last decade, the majority of the black democrats have always stuck to the democratic party. to hold onto -- they feel that the republicans are being racial, why don't they give us the chance? vote for republicans then that way, there was said that they would have a better opportunity and we are not racist, is the black democratic party that -- and the house of representatives, that is throwing out this race card along with other democrats and it is not us. it is them, they are using the black people as --

>> okay. >> unfortunately, most recent history really doesn't bear that out. republican took control of the house, the senate, the white house. maturity of the state litters the bodies across the country. the majority of the governor states across the country. in the level of racial intolerance has actually increased. the number of racial incidents have actually increased. the response republican leadership has been less than admirable in terms of denouncing activities. in fact, when you look at some of the message of the intolerance coming out of the white house, very few republicans are standing up denouncing the president's comments when he came to his statements about african nations, when it comes to statements dealing with women. when it comes to statements dealing with immigrants. those are all statements of

racial importance. and both parties have an opportunity to speak out against it. we have not seen the type of reaction from republicans to demonstrate that they are concerned with racial intolerance. particularly during this period of time where they are in majority control of much of the political landscape across the country. >> maryland, independent line. tom, hi. >> my question is considering the obama voters stayed home in 2016 election, two thirds being african-american, what mistakes were made in the clinton campaign to cause this disconnect with the african-american community and what can be done the future to increase the voter turnout? >> that is it, no candidate or political party should be the driver of african-american voter turnout. naacp, we recognize that inherent deficit in that type of approach.

egocentric leadership will tell us every time. we must have a community centric approach. looking at how we truly leverage our vote collectively as a way to navigate the outcomes we would like to see in terms of the public policy and landscape. >> family people do have involved in this voter mobilization effort? >> actual people on the ground? it depends on the state. upwards of three or 500 actual paid programs. thousands of volunteers.many of our partner organizations, religious institutions, we all are at high alarm of what we have seen over the last 18 months. and it's our job to reverse the current trend. >> what is it costing? >> are pretty penny. we are under what it should be considering the huge task that we have to undertake.

naacp, we are a volunteer organization. much of what we are going to see, is from volunteers that will push the interest of their local community needs. >> romero, democratic line. you are on with our guest. good morning. >> good morning everyone. i'm a lifelong member of naacp and i agree with everything that you say so far. but naacp, national association for the advancement of colored people. you should change it to the advancement of people of color. because often my life brought up, i have a light-skinned brother. off to the military they would say are you white or color? are you white or are you color? i think it should change to table of color. thank you so much sir, doing a great job! >> thank you. >> virginia. john, independent line. >> good morning. i want to refer back to about

three colors back. respectfully, i would like to recommend that the naacp take a look at what the democrats are offering you versus what the republicans are offering you. i think the democrats are offering you sort of perfection and equality and a quality utopia that i am not sure help the blacks as much as republicans and they look at character and merit within the private realm and so forth. respectfully, i think that the naacp, and looking at the two different parties, and i heard you suggest that you are not affiliated with each one. or either one. that you are independent. and i respect that. i think you ought to look at what we have done for the black community and frankly, any people, not just black or colored or brown people.

but any peoples. if you look at character and the character with your society, if you look at education within your society, and whether or not the republicans or the democrats are doing the better job with regard to this i think those issues might help you choose which candidate, which party you would like to support. >> give an example how. collar, can you give an example how? >> we will take one example. i think when the naacp particularly is interested in. you mentioned a couple of times. education. i see were democratic administrations within inner cities in particular, are doing a very poor job with regards to educating youth in the city. thus, we have the competition now between private and charter schools and public schools.

in washington d.c., the high schools were graduating kids that were not eligible to graduate. thousands and thousands of them. and that is something that the democrats who run the administrations should have yelled from the rooftops. this is not right. we need to do something. >> okay. mr. johnson. >> first of all, i think this is important thing to zero in on. characters are defined as, what does one do in the dark when no one is paying attention because it's the right thing to do. it is not good character to malign women and talk about grabbing them by their personal parts.it is not in good character to cut a deal with foreign nations and now we looking at the potential of someone sitting in the white house as unindicted conspirator to undermine the democracy. it is not in good character to have characterized the whole community as thieves. it is not good character when

you, when the party stands by and watches these activities and says nothing in response to it. when you talk about merit, often it is times used as an excuse to not provide access or when you have people of good merit. you create criteria that it exists before piercing that take place across the board. by both parties. education has been equal opportunity, missed opportunity by both parties. it is something the naacp, we filed thousands of lawsuits against education systems headed up by republicans and democratic parties because there is not a quality education for all children. one of the things the nation refuses to truly address across the board. it is unfortunate missed opportunity because you're so many talented kids wander exposed to access to the rigors of a quality education and as a

result of that, the nation, we are lagging behind so many nations around providing the public education. you do not do that by outsourcing to a private concern but you make it a policy rarity across the country so that we can develop the best and most talented minds this country can offer across community and racial lines. >> our guest is derek johnson. the president and ceo of naacp. served as vice chairman of the organization national board of directors and state president of the mississippi state conference of the naacp.for marilyn, democrats on, julia. go ahead to you on with our guest. good morning. >> yes, thank you for your guest today. i just wanted to make a comment and then about the kanye west statement that you made. i agree with a lot of what you said. i feel like that was done to maybe bring out the black men

who you know maybe have fathers that were not in their homes or fathers that were not around. if you like that was a way to relate to them and i just wanted to know your comments on that statement. thank you. >> first of all, it is sad to say, i think kanye west may have some mental issues that should be addressed. i don't think the appeal that -- perhaps you suggest was intended, had nothing to do with what took place. it would be a mischaracterization to say that having kanye west at the white house to appeal to young men without fathers in homes, that only -- is not only demeaning but the display we see really speak to potential mental illness. some of which i think was that he may be bipolar. the white house should not be used as a platform for that

display. it is demeaning to the country, it is something we should never see. unfortunately, it took place and it is not a black issue. we have a problem in the white house. >> how would you rate the effort of both republicans and democrats to reach out to african-americans for their vote? >> you know, i think one party has done better than another party. but both parties come up short. our interests go beyond political agendas. our interest is something that will make democracy better but equality eludes meaning because it means someone has to give up power and they have struggled with that. to have a clear seat at the table for everyone is something that means someone has to give up the table. it's been the struggle for republicans and democrats. and for us we don't have a

particular party we have a particular interest. i can assure you if the interest is not carried by one or both of the parties, we will seek out another way to make sure that there are conclusions for us as democrats take back the house and a plan for the organization! to reach out for the issues and talk to them about the issues and how they should be manifested. we are talking to members of both parties as we speak today about interest. there are some republicans that agree with us on criminal justice reform. we communicate openly with them. there will be others on the democratic side how we talk about access to quality education. we reach out to them, as we are reaching out to them. we are agnostic to who we talk to to advance our interests. that goes across the aisle. >> from the republican line, steve. steve is in new jersey. high. >> hi, how are you? i would like to address

affirmative action when it comes to the election process and universities. especially when it comes to medical schools and law schools. in which people are less qualified academic performance are allowed to be enrolled in these especially medical and law schools.which i feel denigrates the quality of the profession. with people like a patient or a client, less confidence in the profession. knowing that the person had gotten into the schools, not based on qualifications but based on the color of their skin. >> i struggle with affirmative action. but it may not be the same type of affirmative action you're talking about. the affirmative action of legacy, of privilege, the affirmative action of white males automatically provided access. the concept of affirmative action is one in which this country or a state or locale or

university takes affirmative action to reverse the trend of inequity. by promoting diversity so that those with the skills and abilities will have equal opportunity. that is the policy, it is not to put someone who is woefully unqualified in a position or in a profession that they cannot perform in. it is to level the playing field of inequity created because of a privilege based on where someone is born. that had no choice of. so you have a lot of individuals that are entering profession because they're born in a household of a dr. that gave money to a school so the child can go into the school and they don't speak to anything based on qualifications. that is a type of inequity that

the program of taking affirmative actions to ensure quality individuals who are capable are provided fair access to succeed. chris norman in massachusetts. independent mind. >> hi, thank you for taking my call and thank you for having mr. johnson on your show. the naacp has done great things for the country and continues to. what i'm asking about is the board, that you spoke a few minutes ago the board of directors of the naacp that has democrats and republicans on it. i would assume as independents on it too. i just want to, the u.s. system compared to the european system, they are three right-wing parties, right wing blocks kind of the far right or the hate groups, conservatives

and liberals. most democrats and republicans and independents in the country line up with conservatives. but they also have a left-wing block that includes socialists and with the color green left basically former communist parties. i am wondering, does the naacp board have anybody from greener socialist parties and i will hang up to hear your answer. >> i will have to take a look. i know we have had people who were actively involved with the green party movement. another we have staff who were actively involved with the green party movement. our board, our membership and staff as a representative body. we board members from hawaii, we have numbers in anchorage alaska, a lot of the membership is in the southeast region because that is where a lot of african americans live. truly representative body of individuals who bring a very diverse set of opinions and agendas and experiences to the

table. that is what makes us strong. that is what allowed us for hundred nine years, we do not say, only this frame of reference where this mindset or this experience should be part of our organization. we say all of the state should be part of the organization. so we can, we can have an opportunity to hear the voices of african-americans from across the country. >> did you have to hear from -- did you have directly a chance to talk with amended shape the way you approach the voter mobilization turnout? >> we conducted a poll. a survey calmly done online panels. we just looked at data. where are we participating? where are we dropping off? what can we do to increase participation. and to hear the messaging that people said, what is concerning you? how can we address those concerns collectively and what message will motivate the

community? we have done all those things. >> and there is a new aspect or these past poles? >> it jumps off the page. as we begin to talk to people, people are now feeling disrespected. and so we said in order to gain respect back, we have to control the vote and leverage it collectively to ensure the outcome of the elections with the interest of the community. >> so when it comes to using the pole and by the way, you can find the polling and data, you can go to the website, the naacp.org. derrick johnson is our guest. one thing you put out was that why do black voters vote or not? when it comes to the not category are there other things following as far as why? >> they may not think that their vote matters. we have to craft messaging for that. what's interesting, for people

that do not vote in midterms, some of them don't realize was taking place. you think about elections, there is a huge ad campaign for presidential elections. multibillion dollars ad campaigns. with midterm elections, it's not the same level of investment. so people go out to vote when they reminded and they are told that this thing is taking place, it's important. but if it is not a level of outreach or ad campaign, then people simply do not know. although for those of us that are insiders we say how is it they can't know? if it takes place on a tuesday it's contained within 12 hours, most people work eight or nine hours. and so they are going on with the daily lives, only those who truly engage aggressively in the arena, we can say when elections are going to take place. we can take was on the ballot. because that's what we do. the naacp, we recognize and we have a consistent line of communication and education so people know the issues important to them will be on the ballot and how the axis that to participate.

>> all the money and manpower you are about to invest, how do you gauge success? >> increase in turnout. it is not about which party win or lose or which candidate win or lose. are we able to move the needle percentagewise compared to the previous midterm election and target areas and a rear able to increase and hit the benchmark, that is success. >> derrick johnson, president and ceo of naacp. thank you for your time. >> thank you. [inaudible conversations] >> we live now with new york university campus in washington. for discussion with journalists from the associated press and cnn about the trump administration and the upcoming midterm elections. we also expect to hear some

remarks from former advisors to the bush and obama administrations. live coverage getting underway now here on c-span2. we understand the event should start in about two minutes. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

>> hello everyone. we will get started in a few minutes. good evening and welcome to nyu washington d.c.. my name is steve, i will do intros.