>> "washington journal" continues. >> on this thursday morning we are pleased to welcome columnist, george will. >> glad to be here.

>> there is so much and i talk about your column, on sundays and thursday, and the topic today is tobacco. and why did you choose it and what is your point? >> i have written it over the years, because we're trying to deal with a product that's legal and deadly if used as to be used. it's curious, we are regulating the truthful communication about information of a legal product. it raises all kinds of problems. it seems to me one of the great successes of government. that half the population 50% woke up and lit a cigarette, and that's a good thing now

it's 25%. and there are many tremendous public health benefits. and what got my attention, congress powering the food and drug administration to regulate tobacco. and the president said it's changed, it's not how washington used to work. it's exactly how washington used to work. the bill was supported by phillip morris, why? because they know that by restricting advertising, it restricts the measures by which it's market dominance can be challenged. it's what is called regulatory capture, and industry delighted to be regulated because of it freezing their advantages. and the mere fact that they are regulating tobacco does not

immunize them of liability. that's protecting another strong measure here in washington. host: in your paragraph, ironies abound by the state tobacco taxes. guest: all over the country state companies are addicted, i use the word intentionally to tobacco prices. they have to price the tobacco, to not discourage too much smoking. because if they do, there goes their revenue source. you couldn't loot the tobacco companies unless they have loot to be looted. and in 1948, 46 states came to a compact with the tobacco companies to get $246 billion

over 25 years. they have to make sure there is a continuing supply of smokers to keep the revenue flowing. and it's compounded with s-chip, state children tobacco program. and to fund this improvement, we need to have self-damaging habit of smoking flourish in this country. host: mr. will is here for you to call for questions. we have our lines for republicans, democrats and inpendents. i am sure you have seen two polls on the president's

popularity, and in a nutshell, both have similar results of a popular president and strong marks for his leadership and communication style. rising concerns about the problematic approaches to the financial crisis. you can either comment on the polls or tell people what you think of his performance. guest: first on the polls, they represent that american people are sensible. which is to say that the president is engaging, attractive, bold, interesting man. fresh from winning an emphatic vote from the american people. and he's taking the country into the area where people are

scared to go, and people were polled about reagan were squeezy about policies but love the him. host: we have calls, and this is from north carolina, this is t.i.watkins. sir, you will her an echo unless you hit the mute. caller: ok, george will, i am one of your fans down here . a few years ago you wrote an article what you thought of colin powell, and you took him apart. it was so good to see that and everything he had done wrong. i would like you to comment on

that. guest: i don't remember the column, but i remember having a distinct difference with mr. powell anthe middle east. and colin powell is someone that the republicans should have in their party. an enormous distinction and achievement and strong feelings. i am a much more conservative republican than he is. but i am what they call a big-tent republican. and wil'mton where my favorite is from. host: where the government contested distention. you wrote a strong column about

the president's speech in cairo, would you tell them of your concerns of what he said? guest: the concern, all presidents but particularly this one, tend to think their personality is an irresistable force, and there are a lot of immovable things out there that won't find it irresistible. the president had a theme in the 40's, if we would just talk and harmony would break out. this is the old belief that the natural continue is harmony, i tend to be more like hobbs, people getting along is

difficult. in the 30's, when we got to know the empire of japan, we had an irrepressible conflict on our hands. i thought his view was "a," optimistic, and for the palestinians to slaves, and to slave master's of absurd. host: do you applaud the effort or should not have made it? guest: i am all for the effort to get the palestinians and israelis together. i do think when you get a peace process going, it's an end from itself. and we would almost do anything to keep the process going, and the process is to be a means to the end. host: chicago, you are on the democrat line. good morning. caller: good morning, primarily wheni turned the program on

you were talking about big tobacco. and i see that we have deaggressed to international issues. host: it's a free range discussion this morning because mr. will talks about many topics. caller: i was calling about the big tobacco issue, and from my historic view of mr. will's position on the subject of big tobacco. there seems to be a problem and the proposed regulation of tobacco by agencies or an agency given dominance over the other agencies to regulate big tobacco. i look at it as something has to be done in that area to curve the abuses, being that the general american public

suffers from this product. and if mr. will does not believe that's a positive step, what proposals do you have? we know this is an issue that's been adversely affecting, a product that is adversely affecting the american people. it seems in the united states if there is a product that affects the health of the general public as illegal drugs or marijuana or something of that nature. it's regulated. there is an agency that steps in and does something about it. and we know for years that the american public is adversely affected by tobacco. guest: he used an interesting word, the "abuse" of this product. and what makes it interesting, you don't have to abuse cigarettes to be injured by

them. used as intended they are unhealthy. questionably they have a big public risk to the country, so arguably do cheese burgers. the question do we want the government regulating things and us and our choices for our own good. there is a limit to the paternalism, the nanny state should be unleashed. i am not saying it's wrong, but flags ought to go up when we talk about the government impinging on our libertarian abilities. host: next caller, don. caller: good morning, i am don and from maryland. but i agree with you on the fact that mr. brinkley was a good man. and i am from north carolina.

and read your articles everyday, you know, when i am going to get "the washington post". president obama, i want to know what your take on him giving a good speech in cairo, and then the people critiquing him the way they do. he is trying to set up a new type of relations in the middle east. and we all know that the middle east is really controlled by the desires of god. and i would like to know your take on that. guest: what worries to me about the president's approach to the pal -- palestinian approach is

historical and the honest broker, brokering the differences of israel and the forces, the hamas and all the rest who want to destroy israel. because israel is a salient of our values, in a dangerous and inhospital neighborhood, it seems that the united states is an ally of israel and gets many awards from that association. host: as we jump around about the policies in iran? guest: it's thrilling what is going on in iran. in the run-up of the election, twittering, i don't know the verb.