will lead to? guest: i am an optimist and think ultimately the people will win out. damages being done to the credibility of the iranian regime even if they can hold on. they are weakened. the impulse for freedom is strengthened. i would hope than that even if they do not win this time -- congress has passed them money in the last few years to help encourage the people. i am optimistic although i fear the price that people will have to pay on the streets of tehran and in other cities before the get their freedom. host: we are going back and forth in domestic issues. this tweet says the public plan may work like the post office. guest: it depends how it is

structured, how the senate committees and senator baucus and the opposition and other members of congress do with this. there is no plan, by the way. no one has a plan. there is a lot of good talk but no one has presented a plan. concerning the federal program, all i am saying is that you had a choice of what health care provider to the blood. you were not mandated or toll. it is the best program i have ever had. host: we are joined from pennsylvania. caller: thank you, c-span. that is the obligatory comment. host: thanks for watching. we cannot do without your calls. caller: you do a good job. just a brief comment -- i am a dedicated reader of "the new york times" -- there are

several great reporters. guest: it is quite a team there. caller: here is a political question for the both of you. why did single-payer get excluded totally politically by the democrats? i know from the republicans what they did not like it, but mr. blankely, from a political perspective why would republicans be opposed -- single-payer reduces the cost to small business and business in general. that is the constituency, at least nominally, of the republicans. guest: the president brought and all the constituents a few months ago to the east room. i was fortunate to be there. members of congress, the health

care providers, the insurance companies, the ama. this is the first time where everyone understands something dramatic must be done. the president is pragmatic. i cannot quote him, but i have been in enough press releases -- single-payer is difficult to press because it more less eliminates health-care providers. it still gives an opportunity for the health care providers to be part of a program. you cannot just eliminate the entire aspic. that is with the more extreme single-payer folks want to do, which i think as reputable as well. guest: you were talking about why the republicans do not support more fundamental reform and take the burden off of

businesses. it is very tempting position. this season that option will not be there legislatively because president obama wants to mandate that employers either provide insurance for employees or pay a fee if they do not. which is why the nfib which had been at the table -- they opposed the deal back in 1993 with clinton, and fought very hard in the last year to be part of this discussion. they have been negotiating with democrats and the administration, but ultimately small business cannot afford it. a practical level the proposal has come for that will really help business be more competitive. very quickly let me say -- john made an important point a moment

ago when he said there was not really a plan there yet. there are just a lot of ideas. this is where i think the democrats are missing the leadership of senator kennedy. if you were actively engaged in the process of believe there would be more coherence to the legislative package from the democrats. i do not think ted kennedy would have let a half-planned be sent to the congressional budget office for scoring which has given a public relations, a bad week on that issue. i usually disagree with ted kennedy's policies that have always admired his capacity to lead. this death is a bold but cannot do the kind of backroom discussions with centers that would bring them together -- the stuff is able, but cannot do the discussions. host: we are already getting tweets on your martini recipe.

it is always a pleasure. thank you both for being here. the cover of this magazine, the latest edition -- the best and brightest blow it again. joining us from new york at the top of the are, former congressman tom davis will be with us in a moment to talk politics, health care, and to take your phone calls. happy father's day on this june 21. ♪ >> people did not want to think of roosevelt's conservation and

as much as a policy but rather oppression. he put aside over 200 acres of wild america. now people are talking about environmentalism and green movements and roosevelt is becoming the key figure because he was the only politician of the day who understood biology and the migratory patterns of birds and mating habits of dee r, elk, antelope and actually did something. >> the first of two hours with this doctor tonight at 8:00 p.m.. you can listen on c-span radio or download podcast. >> coming up, more non-fiction authors and books throughout the weekend with books on the economy, a former investment banker john talbott exposes

myths concerning the recession and what it will take to recover, and jay richards and what it will take to ease poverty and help the environment. also, concerning overeating. david kessler explains how americans program by too much sugar, salt, and junk can control their eating habits. afterwards, from the garden of eden until today -- this author recounts the history of the world through a collection of 600 short stories. he speaks with columbia professor john dinges. our website has the entire schedule and great features including streaming video and easy to search archives in simple ways to share your favorite programs. booktv.org. >> the sec should be a model for fairness.

monday, on the communicators, a discussion on president obama's choice to lead the federal communications commission with andrew of broadband census.com and with this other guest of the news wires. monday night at 8:00 p.m. eastern on c-span2. "washington journal" continues. host: we want to welcome tom davis. guest: banks. host: we would like you to respond to this piece from time magazine. he says that numbers do not lie unless republicans overhaul their message the losses will continue. what is your reaction? guest: that is right. he focused on hispanics in young people in terms of republicans losing market share with those groups.

the real problem is more geographic. we have 18 states that the democrats have not carried in five straight elections. john mccain was not within 18. in any of those. the senate lineup is now 34-2. if you want to be a national party will have to open up. the party is now struggling over whether it will be a private club or coalition which would allow some divergent views into the party to be competitive in some areas. host: one of the state he speaks about is indiana. your party was surprised when barack obama won it. he won because of the latino vote. 50,000 votes of a margin. it says that the gop has entered a brave new world of latino hoosiers and they are losing. guest: that is right. i was not even talking about

that state. i was talking about these others that we have lost the last time. i don't want to read too much into the returns from the last election. you can over-analyze. this was a rejection of bush over the last eight years. he served eight years and presided over an unpopular war and collapsed the economy. the atmospherics overwhelmingly favored democrats. that was across the board. i would not read what happened in indiana. part of that was anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from some quarters of the republican party. he is right to point that out. the republican party who has been pro-immigration will have to make some adjustments. you have to look ahead. 1980 is gone.

the republicans have to decide what it means today and tomorrow. host: who do think our your strongest spokespeople? guest: we have several and the government in the house and senate. one who is now in the senate is an able spokesman. i think that the mid-term will produce a number. ohio is a good state for republicans with robb and john, the two statewide candidates for the governor-ship and other positions. there are a number of young advocates and the house i think are exciting to watch. there are many able, articular republicans. the leadership will sort itself out over the next three years. host: you are now affiliated with the republican main street

partnership. are you talking about a big tent party? guest: parties are collisions of interest groups. people get together to win elections to advance their ideology and interests. private clubs are those where you have admission tests before you get in. i think the party resembles more of a club than a political party. we have to expand it. host: let me ask you about a couple of states. your home state of virginia, the primary a bailout a week or so ago -- one gain the democratic nomination there. guest: it was exciting four years ago when the two faced off for attorney general. host: only 350 votes' difference. guest: yes, deeds was popular,

especially concerning hunting and fishing. bob macdonald has tackled several different issues. it is an interesting race. the dynamics will be much different than four years ago. four years ago deeds got the nra endorsement. bob macdonald ran better than other republicans. he has been the incumbent. virginia is a counter-cyclical stick. -- state for. eight straight times we have elected a governor the opposite from the presidential party. deeds got a bump in the primary. it was sort of an upset win.

now i think that bob macdonald has moved back into the lead. but it is a close race. campaigns matter. the history of this is on the republican side. host: we will take your messages. tom davis is with us for a half hour. you alluded to the mid-term elections. chris dodd is seeking reelection. illinois, who knows how that race will shape out. republicans indicated that they have a chance at these two blue state. guest: particularly in illinois there is an attractive republican candidate. he could win in the urban areas and hold the rural areas. conn, i think that chris dodd's areas are more personal. he is trying to dig himself out of the hole but he is behind in

every poll. they are both good opportunities as is delaware. host: i realize it is early, but is there one state or race that says if this goes a certain way it will be good for the republicans deaths guest: let me say this about mid-term elections. this will be the referendum on obama and that the democrats. they will not re-hire governments to run the government, but they might want to put a check on obama. that works in the favor of republicans during the mid-term. only three terms as the party in power pick up seats in the house as ithistory shows. i think it will be determined by

events in campaign committees. there is a basis for some optimism for republicans at this time. host: we're joined from philadelphia on the the republican line. caller: good morning. i have a question -- a longtime republican and it seems to me that everywhere the democratic liberals take over. they control california and new york. they ruined the economy. they overspend. i think obama will do this for the entire country. i could speak to you for one hour. he will put a crimp on capitalism. companies will go overseas. we have to succeed in a global economy. he will destroy the american companies. i want to ask you one question about obama and his liberal people in the congress. why did they always talk about

taxing the rich but not the super-rich? a perfect example is at john kerry's wife. they go after the upper middle- class people. host: thank you, joe. guest: we fought a revolution about taxation without representation. sometimes you have over 40% who pay no federal income tax and you have 10% who pay 86% of the taxes. it seems that they are piling on and going after the higher income element. the super-rich find ways to shelter their money. if you are worth hundreds of millions or billions of dollars you put it into tax-exempt bonds. there are many ways to shelter your money. the rest of us who might make good incomes do not have the same ability to do that.

the tax policies have yet to play out for this administration as do other economic policies. they inherited a situation. time will tell. as a former member of congress looking at this debt is gary over the long term with the entitlement programs and the retirement of baby boomers. i think there are long-term consequences that will be very bad. how soon the place into the electoral strategy and concerns remains to be seen. host: our guest spent 14 years in congress representing fairfax county in virginia. heat is the 2009 trivia contest

winter. guest: that is right. we're pretty good. host: do you remember the toughest question? guest: there were some pretty tough ones in there. some of them were up our alley and some was who moderated which presidential debate. host: good morning, florida. caller: i love to talk about health care. i am in a predicament now. i have diabetes and had been shopping around. i would like to retire at 62 years old. i am having a difficult time. most insurance companies reject me for having diabetes. they do not even want to accept me. is that possible? that they can get away with that?

issing said discriminating. i did not ask to have diabetes. -- it seems like discriminating. guest: is it adult onset diabetes? caller: yes, type 2 and i try to watch my weight, diet, exercise, but they say they cannot accept me. i am not asking for free. i'm willing to go up to a certain amount per month that i could afford. i am having a difficult time. i do not know that people in congress, the people in the senate -- they do not have a problem. we put them there. they are set for life with their insurance. host: here is a story on the front page. it says two things. 85% of the respondents said the health care system needed to be fundamentally changed.

77% said they were somewhat satisfied with the quality of their own care. caller: yes, but i don't know where the get those numbers from. i have talked to many people. i work in retail. i am in contact with customers. i speak to them about it. i hear their comments about health care. no one is satisfied. guest: dorothy, let me say a couple of things. first of all, i understand your dilemma. i do not know if you can retire at 62, frankly. i wish that i could retire at 62. you'll find americans working longer than they had originally anticipated. that is given the economic downturn and some of the realities. if you can find a job with a major employer they cannot predict you under those cases.

but with a small business or on your own is difficult at this time. there might be a government plan or private plan coming out of this that might be able to help you. but diabetes, particularly adult onset is controllable if you watch your weight, exercise, watch what you eat. and continue in this case to take your medication. i don't know why you should not be able to find something out there. but you want to look for an employer with the health care plan. good luck. host: our conversation is head of the republican mainstream organization and we have a caller from wisconsin. caller: good morning. i will respond concerning the pool. i think the issue is not

discussed adequately in the media. people are voting on the inadequate intermission. america spends more than any other nation on health care yet we rank no. 37 in outcomes. every other major industrialized nation in the world has some sort of a public plan to provide for health care for all the citizens. it seems to me that our system is not working. that is empirical right there. the other thing -- i realize it is expensive and will be tough to afford, but we afforded it an adventure is iraaq and a bailout system, but now that we come to the people we cannot afford. it's seems like a real canard. it is a big mystery. guest: well, i appreciate the comment. i hear this a lot. we are spending on this and this and what can we put into health

care, or clean energy, or whatever. let me state a couple of basic facts. 46¢ from every dollar the government is spending it is borrowing. this is all borrowed money. it is money that we do not have. someone will have to pay this off you do through inflation, higher taxes, or whatever. the difficulty with health care now, what makes it so difficult for the administration and congress is that this is a huge new additional jintao adamant and expenditure. how you pay for it when we are already spending 46¢ from every dollar and have been. host: here is from a previous guest. but cordelia additional arrearages and it's in dollars trematoda a-- yearly interest ps will be more than $2 to guest:

hi the difficulty is that people not know the difference, do not know what a trillion dollars is. i don't know if you know what a thousand dollar bill is and if you were to step them up to equal $1 million that would be four inches high. if you were going to stack $1,000 bills up the we have spent since january it would be a quarter of a mile high. this is a huge long-term problem. to solve it you would have to cut it. in business we would have a cut and build strategy. if we wanted money into a new area we had to cut something else. in the government you add it to the list. we ran a war, financed tax cuts which made no sense economically -- we are doing bailout with money we do not have been the

center or bitter you pay the piper. someone pays for this and pays dearly. whether it is those sitting on entitlement programs or the next generation, whether it will be a hugely inflated dollar -- there are many ways it could come about. host: we are joined from florida, good morning. dacaller: why do you think peope are not voting for republicans anymore? guest: they're not happy with the results. it was an unpopular war. the president was not very good at articulating a we have to agree that president obama is very articulate. on top of that, you had the economic fallout which happened on the president's watch.

when you take a look at the effects on the ground people blame the republicans. they controlled in washington. i don't think they elected the democrats as much as they fired republicans. but it is a combination of foreign policy, economic, cultural factors. if there are cultural issues, whether guns, abortion, gay rights, immigration -- that three people away from the party. but they basically fired republicans. now they're looking at the democrats. the coalition that elected obama was basically anti-republican. they did not agree on everything. now the of ministers and has to work that out. traditionally administration's come in and you disappoint certain elements of the coalition that elected you. we often joked that democrats will prove they were as

incapable as governing as we were. but they are out there trying. the american public wants to give them a chance. like health care, many of these things are widely debated. host: if you go online to our website and click on dan -- he has a piece on the republican party. we covered in the event last night. it's about the democratic leadership council. it was founded after the landslide defeat with ronald reagan. if pushed the party to reinvent the way to reach back to the center. that is his advice now to the republican party. guest: you either have to do that or die. traditionally, when parties go off, governing -- you end up having to read the center yourself to stay competitive. by the way, the center is not