everyone. no one's off the hook on this one. >> our next question is going to come from a student in advocate, we are advocate for oklahoma who is watching us, small government. afterward we'll take a question small government is one thing, from the room. it is easy to say, we want less who has a zpwhe yes? taxes and less regulation and that is good. alexander england who is watching us in oklahoma. do we want to make sure that goes to jenks high school and every individual has a right to life and liberty? i would say, yes. his winning documentary was childhood obesity, we everyone has a right to life and liberty. [applause] appreciate him. when we talk about protection of >> good morning miss obama, it all life, i mean the protection is an honor to talk with you of all life, not just life this morning. >> good morning alex and der, designated by liberals. thank you for calling in. i believe that preformed life is what's your question? just as soluble and it should >> i interviewed the haven't of be protected. a fast food chain and rarely -- just as valuable and should sees parents make choices based be protected. on how heathy the food is but it means that you will protect yet the price.

personal choices. with that do you think the you we have no trouble protecting personal choices when it comes to churches and intellectual know, you're absolutely right interests. people know how to read and the cost of healthy foods study. as soon as it comes to something becomes a barrier. that we want to put in our >> the ack access and bodies, all of a sudden the affordibility is a huge issue. government has to tell us what to do. and with let's move, that's one of our major pillers. i would say that we don't need the government to tell us there are millions of kids who whether or not you are allowed live in area all throughout the to drink raw milk or not. country that we call food . . deserts, those are places where own decision. there isn't a grocery store or all smoking and drinking are a place to buy fresh produce, dangerous and harmful to your healthy food. help. there are a lot of people who but those decisions are made by live in communities where the the individuals in a free only access from food comes in society and not by the nanny the form of a convenience store state. or gasation. imagine trying to feed your [cheers and applause] family with -- when the closest [cheers and applause] it has gotten to the point grocery store is a train ride where they designate your d or cab ride oar car ride away?

. have, and whether you are there are smlsfoffsfofe allowed to have salt. those are problems. but why have we lost our >> we are looking at starting a confidence in ourselves that we can deal with this? healthier food finance initiative modeled after some dangerous things for our of the efforts that have been children should be handled by the parents, just as education is. done. [applause] we have a long way to go. taking money from the treasury department and department of we are in a very difficult agriculture to try to leverage situation. resources to encourage more the reason we face the crisis is grocery stores to relocate in because we are bankrupt. underserved commuents. no one can come up with a >> that way, not only do you solution. everyone is arguing. help to eliminate the food desert sure, but you can create jobs, you can build economies the fact that so many people around new grocery stores relocating through communities. consider themselves conservatives and champions of asaw this first hand in philadelphia in a community limited government -- they are that hadn't had goesry store in not acting within the party it for a beck aid. system. they are frustrated. so you're 10 years old and

they want to see the credibility sauer growing up in a community regained. it will involve cutting where your mom dependant go in spending. you cannot pick and choose. you need to cut spending every and buy tomp and in place and get back to a balanced budget. [applause] pennsylvania they were able tom: partner with a chain more specifically, why are we in sthoor came in. this grocery store is amazing. the financial crisis? it looks like any whole foods is this something that just popped up and there is nobody to store that you would see in any blame? comminet. we have this commission in fresh produce, fresh washington studying it. they have this whole commission vegetables, everything you with a bunch of guys. could imagine, and the they had a bunch of witnesses excitement this community feels come in. over having this resource that they haven't seen could just not one single person who is a member of the commission and turn this community upside down not a single witness endorses with excitement. free market economics. that is where you will find the >> so our thought is if they economic answers. [applause] can't do it in philadelphia and other places there's no way or reason why we can't replicate the free-market economists that model all over the country. >> a question. understand the business cycle. >> -- you think schools and they predicted the breakdown in

1971. students should tell students they predicted all of the what they shuled and shouldn't events since 1971 with the destruction of the dollar. eat while we're there. we are rapidly moving into an you know, many schools are inflationary stage. we are not over the financial already doing this. one of the things i said in a speech that i did to some of bubble and problems. it just started. the school lunch ladies. the association, they were here i hope i am wrong on this. in washington, and i said we but as time goes on, we are have to remember that learning going to work our way into a doesn't femple -- one of the situation that is going to combine the vicious downturn of most important classrooms in the school. the 1930's with the vicious and yes, during that time, and upturn of prices and inflation of 1970. not just that time alone, but that will be very devastating. by exposing kids to different that will be a threat to all of types of foods, helping them our liberties and institutions. get introduced encouraging kids medicare and medicaid are bankrupt. you cannot save medicare and to try to tie helping the they haven't tried. medicaid by creating another $1 they may try some things in the trillion medical program. bottom ogg but [applause] nutrition-education is an important part of the curriculum. in the 1930's, they have a and there are many figuring out

similar commission. ways to support the commercial they came to the conclusion that the problem was that the fall of the gold standard, which they and they have wutch community did not. gardens. and are using those gardens to they also did not have enough regulations. we already have too many then. not just teach science but to what did they do in the 1930's? teach reading and math. they got rid of the gold and along the way, if you're standard and piled on all of useding the garden, you're also these other programs and helping kids, once again, prolonged depression. that is what we're doing. become exposet and when kids the conclusion looks like it will be a lot more regulation. i am for a regulations. the number one regulation is to see that in the classroom they may be more inclined to try this at home. regulate the federal reserve this is why raising the folve system. that is what we need to regulate. [cheers and applause] -- so how do we scale that up? how do we take those best practice, and make sure they are happening in all schools around the country. and it's going to take some the beginning of the tea party resources and it's doing to

take the folks who stride food movement came a year or two ago during the financial crisis. for these schools. they knew about the tarp funds. there are companies throughout those were appropriated by that get contracts to preserve republicans and democrats. the money was wasted to bail out friends. the issue and we want to make sure the lunches they are providing aren't just cheap and nobody knew where the money was easy but low in fat and salt going. this upset a lot of people, and sugar. and many of them have already rightfully so. when they found out the federal agreed they will do a better reserve created to dollars job. we have to hold their feet to trillion out of thin air -- the fair to. look at the lunches you are created $2 trillion and passed being provided. talk to your teachers to it on to friends, that created a lot of outrage. because the more you educate the federal reserve can loan yourselves, you guys can step money to other central banks and in the and so many ways, showly government. but surely, you can change the creating money out of thin air culture in our own and making deals like that, it environments. >> mrs. obama talk about the can be involved in foreign fact that she plant ad garden policy and who knows what. i will tell you what they cannot here. control. how many students in this room have a 2k3w5rden at home. they can think that they are >> and how many of you who improving things and get some

don't, i mean, a bart doesn't gp numbers to come up, but they have how many of you are going cannot protect the value of the dollar. to talk to your parents about that is what you need to watch. that will be the consequence of planting? excessive government. confidents. that is what destroys nations who in this room has a question? >> all right. and republics. you'll billion next this is it is up to us as the party right now of limited government. sarah in kreider falls, iowa an you cannot be for limited honorable mention winner in our government halfway and rejected contest. and her video was improving on the other way. the whole way has to be limited school lunch, too closetly or a government. way to bend the cost curve. [applause] 12k3 you're on the line now. with miss obama. what's your problem? that is the only way we can >> i go to a pub luck school regain our credibility. where they recently tried is to that is what is necessary. what we do as a party will not implement higher nutritional suffice. stads but because pat find out what we do between now and november will make the so i was wondering if you have difference. they have to believe that we believe in what we're saying. we can say it, but are we going any idea about how schools might thards issue? >> yes. to do it? that is why we have people sarah, thanks for the question. drifting outside the party. you make a great point about

if you want the people back agaiin and if you want the young the vending machines and a la carte lines. people, you had better look at these viewpoints. foe and wanted to make sure you had healthy omses. about 100 years ago, freedom was i a. a a proponent of vending divided into two pieces, machines because when you all economic liberty and personal are hungry you're going to look toward a vending machine. liberty. the question is what do we have the question is what do we have in those vending machines. personal civil liberties or the same as economic liberties for the town fathers. if you believe in civil liberties for personal choices, you ought to believe it for economic choices as well. we need to put that back there are so many things that together. in makes sense to the young kids would eat. they just gravitate to what is people i talk to. there is a revolution on college there. i think that is part of what we campuses right now. need to do as we work through [cheers and applause] these nutrition guidelines, that we cannot just look at the food on the cafeteria line, but we they are not looking for have to look at all the food handouts. they are looking for freedom so that is available to our children. that they can get a job and take again, that is why this is not a care of themselves. problem that can be solved by [applause] the federal government.

the school community, a local community has to want to make the ultimate goal of all our these changes. they have to make decisions about what is going to go in political action should be to those vending machines instead strive for liberty. of what is already there. that is what i am dedicated to. how do you work with your local i have been doing it for a lot vendors? we can try to set the tone, but of years. there is a lot more interest right now, mainly because the really, what happens after schools and in your communities country is in trouble. our goal should be for seeking is really more of to you, your liberty. mayors, your city council why do we seek liberty? people, than anything that can the purpose of a free society happen out of the white house. is so that individuals can be and it really should. responsible for ourselves and folks know their communities better than we will ever know. take care of ourselves and our the fact of the matter is, we families. it is also there to seek have to make sure that all of excellence and virtue. that should be the ultimate goal of what we are as individuals. the options are good ones, and not just some of them. if you have an authoritarian you guys are pretty sneaky. government, that is what we are you will find a way to get to that bag of chips. >> how many of you at least feel that you have an option in your vending machines at school that approaching. we do not have our privacy. have a healthy choice if you want one? we have intrusion from

government on everything we do. at least feel that you have an option in your vending machines at school to have a healthy if we allow the government to choice if you want one. take over this role, if we allow would you raise your hand if you have an option for it? >> looks like we have a little the government to promote work for ourselves. economic equality like the >> my name is tyler, and my liberal do-gooder's want -- they question is about false labelingings nutrition labels say it will make the economy and ip wanted to -- to ensure better and fairer for everybody. we know that socialism fails. it might make them equal, but false labels aren't put as they will all be equally poor. [applause] nutritious facts. the same argument can be made >> the fda will be working with for those who say that will make the grocery store manufacturers you a better person by writing a lot of rules. the only person you have endangered by making mistakes is yourself. i hope it's that, because the governments cannot do that. governments cannot protect you from yourself. that is what we're trying to do. foe they want to be -- this is i would say to give up on it. one of the easy ways they can why not look to the rules and be helpful. how do you make, as i said

regulations we have been given? they have been written down. earlier, simple, clear, it was the best document ever accurate labels that giveal the written. facts in a way that the average is just too bad that we don't ever follow it. consumer and average purchaser can figure it out. and to but the food and drug i have a lot of young people come to my office. i am delighted to see them. administration is going to be frequently, the college and setting a to feel >> we want top do it with the high-school students come in. help ott -- help of the grocery they've gotten wind of the freedom philosophy. stores because you can't tell the command and their parents family members to make smart readily admit it. i will ask to discovered the decisions if they are confused freedom philosophy first. as to what to buy. it is usually the teenager. how they market to kids. they have made the parents dwropt quote percentages but listen to it. that really pleases me. there are a lot of commercial that is come on kid tv when the young people come, i programs. my kids are watching it. have a habit of passing out the sugery foods to foe that's constitutions. the constitution is pretty thin. what you guys are see ago lot there are not a lot of words in of. there. and one of the things we're everybody in this room could asking is that as those grocery read it. i could not understand a lot of store manufacturers think about

what was in the 2000 page the products they are going to market to kids, what percentage medical government -- document. of those products are really it only took one page for me to helpful and how much of it is discover i did not like it. the constitution is understandable. it is so great. reel -- hold up of it is real. the tragedy is that we do not follow it. i hand a copy to the youngsters and tell them i hope that they will read it. so you are not bombarded with they will get a chance. a crisis is coming. your generation will make a stuff saying this sugery stuff is really what you want. decision on what the role of and it's not enough just to government ought to be. change not marketing the not so should the role of government be there to protect your liberty? good stuff but help us market should be there to run the economy, run your life, and the good stuff to you. and they know how to sell police the world? stuff. the reason and give it to you is all of you could raise your because i have not been able to get anybody around this place to hand and make the not but if read it. [applause] you're hearing those same songs i know a lot of people in here and messages about good foods, do a lot of thinking for themselves. trust me, those ideas and h.l. mencken said the most thoughts will be ringing in your head as much as the sugery dangerous man to government is foods are. so we need to do a better job

of getting you all the the man who thinks things out information. for himself herself. that is what really counts. the information that you need that is why a free society is so to make good choices. >> once again let's see a hand important. you have this privilege and for a future question. >> in the blue, next but first access to the material. we're going to take a call from in the 1950's when i got kyle street. interested in studying the kyle is an honorable mention freedom philosophy, i could not find the literature. it was not in my schools. winner from his video call. it was not on tv or on the he is a student at the and radio. it was not with politicians. you could find some books about avenue first of all i'd like to economics and the foundation of economic education. say thank you for this the miracle for the freedom opportunity and in our small, movement is the internet. rural community, volunteers have just start ad program to the internet, the information is moment healthier lifestyles. children start organizing spread. they will never put it back in a physical activities at a young age. jar. you cannot do it. people know about it. our elementary school offers punishment e. class twice a this movement is demanding week and recess. mrs. o'basma. liberty and limited government. it is growing by leaps and as you mentioned physical bounds. education programs recall getting canceled or cut

let's hope and pray it changes the country. right now, we're in deep need of forecast zm thanks for the change. i thank you very much for the question, kyle. opportunity to visit with you and it's important. today. [cheers and applause] i spent a lot of time talking about food. the food side of this equation. but as kyle points out, the ♪ physical activity piece is just as important. because the truth is when i was growing up as a kid. we didn't worry about what we ate. and we ate the cupcakes and this. we didn't eat it every day, but the difference was when i was >> thankf the national republic committee, chairman growing up, every kid i knew michael steele. foe geros wouldn't see you [applause] [applause] there. and to that i hadn't seen since >> thank you very much. you were born. and your parents were about to how is everybody doing? are there any workers in the kim you out of the house. >> now my kids could watch house? we need you out there working. god bless you. sponge bob 24 hours a day, same

so great to be there. shows over and over and over again. thank you to our host. i even knowal all the episodes. thank you all so much for the [laughter] >> so you guys just have -- great effort. this has been a beautiful you've got computers, your conference and a wonderful ipod, a lot of what you're opportunity for republicans and drawn to has nothing to do with conservatives and like-minded souls to come together and get movement. ready for the fight that lies you know? and in you're not signed up ahead. with an activity or you don't are you ready? >> yes. have a bala class in your -- >> all right. let's get busy. i'm going to bring it on. all these after school programs are just really, really before i bring it on, i must expensive for parents and families. share one little thought. this is a lesson i want everyone if you're not demaged in any of to take with them as you leave from here today. that, a lot of times kids nowadays are just sitting in in life, you realize very front of your tv, watching, quickly that you cannot please everyone -- but you can playing on the video games. and guidelines basically say certainly make them all mad at you at the same time. that kids should be getting 60 that is a lesson well learned. minutes of exercise every it is an opportunity as well, singal day. that's really what you're because folks have been mad at supposed to do. us in the past and we have right? and when i was little, 60

learned from that past. metropolitans of play outside was nothing. we are now ready to move on into tv's just play. so they think so have gotten a brighter future as leaders, as tough for you in so many ways. republicans, as conservatives. not just in schools but outside you are on the front line of often school to figure out how this new surge to take back our do we get you guys moving country. again. [applause] and i guess some of that is on you cannot go wrong in an you all the. some of that is choices that election year if you start off you make, because you're at the with a quote from the founders. founders. age thousand where you can make a decision to sit in front of it was thomas jefferson who said the tv or get up and jump rope that the issue today is the same or walk up and down the as it has been through out of starings or do a pushup or history, whether man shall be figure out something like turn allowed to govern himself or be on the radio and dance. ruled by a small elite. exercise certainty about sports. it's not always about throwing a ball. i guess some things have not changed. it's aboutmologist. and those are some choices you republicans accused by the other side of having a message based have to make, but we have to do on fear. a better job in giving you guys they are right. 07pingss to play. but the founding fathers were and sounds like what they are doing is what we need to have fearful first. happen engine all communities they were afraid of unchecked across this country.

power in government and so are where the adults, the mayors we. and city officials an business they drafted the constitution people and the community groums for the sole purpose of taming and churches are figuring out that beast. how do we open up parks and today, we can see why. we've watched that beast sink spaces for you guys to play? how do we organize places to its teeth deeper into the pocketbooks of every american citizen. the sad fact is that we live in play and open up gym facilities a time when the constitution has for longer periods of time. lost its wsway over those who those solutions have to come from the bottom up, because would govern us. it's going to be different in there is a small elite in every community. washington who views the years but getting you guys smoving between elections not as a time because we really don't have to earn the trust of the public, time to wait. we fofe and not make physical but rather as their opportunity for unchallenged social experimentation. activity a regular part of your as i meet with you, the lives. so we need to be modeling grassroots of america, i had what's going on in indiana? never seen the kind of anger growing right now. is that where reconcile from? [applause] >> and you know, it's a small

community. smart people who study this kind they've figured out a way to make it happen. of thing tallis that anger -- but there are also bigger cities like summerville, tell us that anger is usually a massachusetts where they are figuring out how to restructure mask for fear. that whole city so they are focused on health and physical why do the citizens of the activity, and we've got to do greatest nation on earth have that in cities and towns all reason to be fearful? it is because we love our across the country. country. we love the first principles of and my question is what is the liberty and opportunity. main cause of childhood we love the american dream. obesity? is >> you know, i don't know that they know that there's one we want it for ourselves and for single cause for it. our children. sometimes it's genetics. this is the promised land. and a lot of time it's this is the place that people lifestyle. have always come to buy land, by as i said before, things have sea, by hook or by crook. changed the way we live as americans has changed. when people living under tyrants are secretly planning their escape, this land is the we walk less, sometimes because it's not safe to walk. sometimes it's because the preferred destination. [applause] schools your parents need to --

why is that? is it because our soil grows better corn? when i was little everybody is it something in the water? went to the school in our neighborhood. but if you're being -- going to are we just nicer here? a magnet school or a church school or a new school somewhere else, where, you if you have spent any time in know, you don't have the rush hour traffic, you know that ability to walk, what do you is not necessarily the case. do? america is supposed to be the you're in your parents' car or place that you come to so that on a bus. the tentacles of big government and then you get to the school no longer reach you. and there's no physical this is the place where as long education. as you do not hurt anyone there's no p.e. there are no sports programs, and there were always those else, you can pretty much do we when i was growing up. want. you are free to work hard, saves you played outside before school. you had recess. mark, and pass on the left -- you played during lunch time and in the playground after your free to work hard, save school. now kids are going straight home. to sit in front of the tv, do smart, and pass on a legacy. their homework and parents hmm. prosperity is not something we punish. this is the one place where prosperity is a real possibility

every single day for anyone who wants it. -- there are some parents in america, no one weeks up in trying to pay the bills and one the morning and looks in the mirror -- no one gets up in the or both parents have two jobs. so parents are busy and it's morning and looks in the mirror harder to get you guys where and says all i want to be today you have to go, so things have is poor. changed in the society and slowly but surely i think that does not happen in america. no matter where you come from, that's a direct effect on how no matter who your parents are or where they came from, folks healthy kids are. of all stripes and struggles we are eating more processed foods. have made it here. fast food is no longer a treat. that is the point of america. it's something that you do several times a week, because our enemies have never been the wealthy or the strong. it's convent. our only enemies are those who >> and we got to sort of dial would threaten our lives and liberties. that back. we have to rethink those times the whole point of the to figure out how do we create constitution was to keep the government from becoming an healthy lifestyles in a twhoorled we live in today? enemy of the people. how do we do that for you? that is why our constitution- and again, you tosme the shredding president and his question that i have for you is accomplices scared the pants off how do i get you to turn off

the american people. the tv? how do i get you in this at a time when americans are culture of all this tv and all losing jobs with no end in these video gaels, what do i do sight, when great american companies are under siege, as a mom to get you to move? congress should be focused on nothing else but restoring i don't know. economic growth and stability i'm working on it with my kids, for our job-creating sector. but you guys are going to have to help us figure out how to instead, every single piece of engage you in a way that's legislation the democrats in going to make this fun and not washington have past have been a job-killer. from cap-and-trade to the so- work so that you had want to do it and not feel like you're called stimulus. being forced to do it. with the government takeover of health care, democrats are >> we have about nine minutes left in our conversation with committing the worst kind of malpractice. mrs. obama about childhood obesity. who will be our next question? americans are fed up and ready >> you're going to be next in to throw the bums out in front of the camera. in the meantime we're going to november. [applause] hear from lauren in florida, advanced cable. let me ask you a question. middle school and a document therien with the film entitled are you inspired by america? "america's biggest challenge, are you inspired by america? obesity." >> hello.

it is a great honor for me to are you moved by her story? speak with you as first lady. mrs. obama, my question is our you should be. country is facing talented economic times. that inspiration comes from you. with limited resources to her story is yours. address childhood obesity, what measures would you take to make sthurlrm could -- having a they do not understand it that way in washington. we all want to be inspired. we want to be inspired in the platform of the white house is right way for the right reasons. really helpful in getting attention to stuff, right? barack obama inspired america a lot of times when i do something, a lot of cameras last year, but he did it the show up and people tend to watch and write about it. wrong way. sometimes they write more about what i'm wearing. [laughter] he talked about hope without an >> so i think it's my job to action plan, change without help shine the light on things telling us what it was he wanted that are already working. to change. now we know. so that's one of the reasons why i chose this as my america says, "no way, no how." initiative. i also think that one of the reasons that i think we can

[applause] move this effort, one of the america says no to government- reasons why i think that we can run health care, government- be successful is that it owned car companies, and no to doesn't require -- i don't bigger government. believe -- and others may have no, no, no. struggled with it more. [applause] it doesn't require full scale changes in your life. the beauty about kids, you let me just offer this little guys, is that you're young. warning to our friends in your metabolisms are really washington. healthy which generally means when america says no, you had once you start moving and once you start moving and eating right, you better listen. just ask art stupack. a little more movement, a little less tv. if we can make school lunches better. if we get you guys educated and your families about what to eat. when we say that it is a new day these are all things we can of accountability, we mean it. control. it does not take millions of dollars and a whole bunch of legislation to get it done. mr. stupack is trying to claim we don't have to count people passing step to move this problem along. if we all get pumped up and he is not the first casualty of empowered, we can move this

americans saying no to bigger government. issue along. well, sorry. that is why i am so excited about it. that is why i am counting on all you are. of you. my thing is that if we get you there are many more to follow. thinking differently now, as [applause] middle schoolers and folks bye bye, stupack. headed to college, you are going to enter adulthood with a whole different baseline of understanding about nutrition. you are not going to carry these you need to understand something problems into your adulthood. here. we're not in a nanny-state you will help your kids learn a induced, like europe and canada. bit differently. so you guys are the beginning of the solution. our goal is to ensure that kids -- we're not in a nanny-state in duduced coma like europe and born today grow up healthy. . . our goal was that means you are canada. we organized. when they passed the bill to tax energy consumption, we raised of going to be taking the lead. so in you're thinking principled, conservative differently about what to eat candidates to run to defeat and access and affordability them. [applause] and growing your own food and

when democrats saddled us with thinking consciously and making controlling shares of car your own choices and looking at companies that union bosses had exercise as a necessity to keep us alive and you've got top driven into financial ruin, we find the thing that's going to did not complain. we drove ourselves to a tea keep you moving every day. party. if you're growing up like that, [applause] then you're not going to have a when democrats started counting down to the end of the bush tax lot of the bad habits grown cuts with glee, we did not people have a hard time getting rid of. 2k34r that doesn't take -- give up. we started counting down to this 2k34r that doesn't take -- that's not rocket science. goods information and a november with glee. . coordinator fated effort. . and i think that the country from what i can see ready to respond. people around the country, i haven't got an negative response from anybody, not people, not members of congress. not people in the media, entertainers, everybody pleeves that they can help femme so for all of us -- there's no reason

why we shouldn't be able to significantly change this trend in your lifetime. >> your question? >> how do you feel about childhood obesity and adult that is what you get for putting your trust in democrats. obesity? do you think they are the same [laughter] problem? >> you know, i am not an expert we saw the switchboard meltdowns on sort of the science of this issue. and the outcry and we thought it would require it -- we thought what i do think is that, as i it would remind the democrats who they work for. said, it's harder to break instead, they passed the most habits when you're older, right? radical power grab in this the longer you do something, country's history. eat a certain way, get adjusted at a time when our country's to a different kind of food, leadership should have been get yourself to a certain focused on creating jobs and taste, right? kick starting growth, they get used to not exercising. passed out joggling government it's hard to break that habit. takeover of 1/6 of our economy. it's hard for grownups top make changes. you guys are still open. at every level, democrats in power have proven to be the your brains are still taking in greatest hazard to our national new information. health [applause] trust me, you can learn to love vegetables, even though it doesn't feel that way. your taste buds change over -- greatest hazard to our

national health. time. [applause] right now, if you get used to the taste of a really sugary april has been declared national food, your taste buds will financial literacy month. adjust to that as being normal. i bet you did not know that, did but if you start drink manager water and trying more you? i bet you did not know how vegetables, over time, your literate you were. taste buds will adjust to where they seem to think you are. that's what you crave. they have called on americans -- . that would be you and our you can adjust yourself at a neighbors -- did not laugh at young age to want these things. this. this is the serious part -- and if all you're eating is fast food and junk food, that's what you'll want. do not laugh about this. i think it's easier to help this is the serious part. educate themselves about basic people change habits earlier. concepts, how to balance a that doesn't mean it's not hard checkbook, save for a child's for kids to make different education, steer clear of deceptive financial products choices. it's just, if it's hard now, it's going to be really hard and practices, a plan for when you get to be an adult. retirement -- and i like this so why get there? why not stop it now? one -- avoid accumulating why not, you know, get you guys excessive debt. [laughter] in the habit of exercising and moving now so you're not struggling with these issues for the rest of your life. get -- i ask you all not to laugh at that.

there are serious. >> katie ramos is in michigan, -- they are serious. charter cable, and a student the president who broke a world documentarian. what's your question? record by raising the debt >> good morning, mozz because ceiling a few short months ago by $1.90 trillion tells us he ma. how do you think parents should address the issue of obesity wants to educate us on how not with their young children? should they take a strong to create excessive debt. approach or a more subtle now, all i want to know is, what approach that doesn't let the child know the severity of the part of the $14.30 trillion debt situation? >> it's a delicate balance. you want to make sure kids feel he has created does he not think good about themselves. is excessive? [laughter] parents know their kids better than anyone. we clearly have a lot more to you can't involved in how somebody deals with their kids. learn. [applause] but in the process, i think that you've got to write this stuff we have to make sure that our down. kids still feel good about you cannot follow it. you have to write it down. themselves, no matter what their weight, no matter how they feel, we need to make sure our kids in place of this know we love them no matter who administration's wrong priorities and economic ignorance -- and this is the they are or what they look like or what they're eating. serious part -- the american that's really important. but what i found in my household people are asking, how do we get is that making small changes and

involving my kids in the changes our country back? without making it a problem, how do we stop this craziness? right, without saying, we're now >> vote. -- now you're in trouble. >> i love the people. now you'll no longer be able to do this, or you'll have to do i will tell you how we get our country back. this -- it's not a punishment. i did it more as a, let's figure fired nancy pelosi -- fire nancy out how we can do this do we pelosi. need this many sugarry snacks? [cheers and applause] have we thought about what's in our food? let's think about this. fire her. fire her. i tried to engage them in the process so it didn't feel like you being punished for something and they felt more ownership over it. i don't know that might be i will tell you how to repeal viewed as a softer approach, but and replace the government run health care system they just tried to put on us. again, this isn't about our kids replace harry reid. look, it's about how our kids feel and it's about helping our [applause] kids be -- take ownership over their lives and what they eat and making sure they have the it will take your help. information that they need to make those choices. it will take your leadership. >> do you mind if we go over one it will take your activism in minute for a student who's been

order for us to take back our on the line for a while? country, to take it back from >> i don't mind at all. the brink of financial and >> this is rashap, who is in new social chaos, to take it back from the brink of economic frigidity. york in a time warner community. we can write her course -- we are you there? >> yes. >> do you have a question for can't right he right her coursed mrs. obama? >> yes. >> go ahead and ask, please. >> good morning, mrs. obama. >> how are you? keep it from being rocked by an >> good morning, mrs. obecause opportunistic government. washing and cynicism needs to be massachusetts replaced by the people's >> good morning. >> each year, our school gets aspirations. but that will only happen when visits from the police who you replace the people in educate us about crime and drugs washington. and firemen who talk about fire [applause] safety. these programs help us make better choices. the electoral march is already maybe we need a program where doctors come in to teach us on, from massachusetts to new about the effects of obesity and good eating habits. what do you think? jersey to virginia. >> i think it's a great idea. the freedom agenda is winning the day with a winning message i think that the more information, the better. -- shrink government. lower taxes. that's my bottom line on this give people back their freedom, issue.

their choices for their families and their future. the question is, what empower the job creators instead information and what format is of the political class. right for what age and what let's tap into that competitive spirit. community, you know. at what time. and that's again why i think let's tap into the confidence that decisions about what's that is found in the taught in the schools and how, entrepreneurial sector, not in you know, should be something government. that principals and teachers and that is what makes america great -- more choice, less parents in those schools really think through and make sure it control from washington, more makes sense and works for the jobs, fewer bureaucrats. kids in their community. >> mrs. obama told us how more entrepreneurs, your career politicians -- fewer career cameras follow her wherever she goes, i brought along a photograph from her newspaper politicians. when she and her two daughters but we cannot coast into a new went to new york, all the majority, nor would -- nor can photographers followed, they we assume it is a sure thing. went to a pizza parlor. the liberal media are looking it's possible to eat pizza and for any possible alternative still eat healthy? >> absolutely. narrative's to tell. like i said, i don't believe in any other headline will do. here is one headline americans any absolutes in this thing. it's really about balance. know to be the truth. democrats trust government more can you have junk food every

than they trust the american day? no. people. you just can't. that is a headline that is i wish the answer was yes. we talk about this in my straining all across this land. it is a headline that families household all the time, why on are confronting at their kitchen earth is there not, you know, tables every night. that is the headline small why doesn't healthy food taste business owners are opening their doors to every day. like candy? that's really the question. it's one of those dilemmas of that is the headline you and i human kind, the thing that is will change by empower america best for us isn't always the to take their government back. thing that tastes the best. [applause] right? but that's life, right. that's -- those are the beginnings of the lessons of life. there's a lot of stuff you really need to do that you don't d that are looking for those distractions -- they are looking want to do. but you really need to do it. for those distractions. i know you're looking, because lord knows, i have provided a i'm sure your parents have told you that, but they're right. few. eating right is one of those i understand the difficulty things. so in my household, there's no sometimes of balancing all of these challenges. -- there are no absolute noes. but democrats also know they we eat a lot of great, fun have some explaining to do. stuff. they would love nothing more we eat junk food, snack food,

but it's a balance. for us to keep pointing fingers desserts are on the weekend. at me and others, instead of we set up some basic rules. but sometimes you break that their radical, and american because if there's a special agenda -- unamerican agenda. occasion or a birthday party at school, there's no way i'm going to tell my kids, no you can't we should not fall for that have that cake. trap. it's not going to work. and the first year to unmet i it would never work. have made mistakes. so balance and moderation is it is incumbent on me to take really the, to me, the key, not responsibility, shoulder that burden, make the necessary just to how we eat and exercise, changes, and move on. but how we live in this country we have all had to do that from and hopefully you guys develop time to time. [applause] that sense of balance. know that you can't have candy every day. but the one mistake -- the one if you're doing it, you're ruining your teeth, you're making your parents mad and you're not going to be healthy. mistake we cannot make this november is to lose. >> max, thank you for your the one mistake we cannot afford documentary that brought us all together at the white house and to make is to lose. mrs. obama on behalf of the student here's and watching around the country, thank you [applause] for your hospitality and the discussion. i also know that some in our >> thank you. great questions. movement are questioning whether our nation has what it takes to recover from the burdens of this congress and

this administration, whether to >> i'm going to come shake some much damage has been done to the hands, ok. american character. is that all right? they worry that the enemies of how are you guys doing? liberty and of american exceptional aism have had the it's good to see you. thanks so much. thanks for all your work and last word. focus on these issues. as we watched the assault on our how is school going? countries, we wonder if we will come out of it on the other side everything good? is it exciting? with our freedoms intact, with the american spirit and brounbr. thank you. thanks so much for bringing these guys. >> thank you so much. >> all right. you ready to make a change? i know that the american soul as you're going to help us? >> mrs. obama. been through some dark nights. we went in our school we say the city on the hill is still sometimes food and all the time shining brightly and you can see food, just to let you know. it by the ferocity. instead of all those long words. sometimes, it is only by the >> see, that's why we need you, lights of the rockets bursting around you that you can see the right? i say the long word thing and banner still waiting, still you're like sometimes, always. flying. it's perfect. we should launch you on a every time we have had the campaign, do something. stfaith, the sun rises on all right. are you going to follow those basic rules? does that help you remember?

>> uh-huh. >> it's good to see you. liberty once again. i'm going to come back, i'm this is the morning of america. going to start back here. how are you. i assure you that, through the nice to see you. thank you. light of this coming dawn, our thanks so much. good job. how are you guys doing? flag, our freedoms are still there. [applause] does any of this make sense to that is why we fight. that is why we fight. you? that is why we fight. yeah? >> i have a question. that is why we fight. >> what was your question? >> when you were trying to -- that is why we fight. trying to get your family too every single day. eat right, did that inspire you [applause] to make it happen for the whole country? >> absolutely. it did. that was exactly what happened. we do not want america to be confused right now. and you guys keep me inspired, because you guys are clear, we want to speak with clarity. smart, you know we need you to we want to speak with understanding. be healthy so you can run the we want to speak with hope. country in a few years. we do not want america to be confused. >> mrs. obama, i have a quick so, let's tune out all the question for you. background noise and go on i'm really sorry. offense. kids at my school that have let's take it to them. school lunch, sometimes they

let's take it to the streets. don't have the smartest choices. let's take it to the how do you think you or other neighborhoods. let's stick it to the people could or even kids can workplaces. influence them to pack healthier let's take it to communities we lunchs? of never been in before. >> maybe they need some ideas, you know. let's take it to the back sometimes when you're packing your lunch, when i was packing alleys and upfront alleys, the my kids' lunch, it was quick and corner drugstore, the board easy. rooms, and share a message of that's all we were thinking about. and one of the things we're empowerment and opportunity. doing through let's move is let's tell america we are alive we're going to be doing action plans that people can get online because we are free and we're to sort of think about, what free belly -- free because we kind -- what can i pack for believe in the principles grounded in the constitution lunch that's easy and quick so that protect us every single if we encourage kids to go day. we are free because we fight for online and get some new ideas that freedom. [applause] and maybe share some of their ideas, what makes for -- what makes a good lunch, you know. it is going to take a lot of and share that information. work, a lot of support, a lot of so that kids get good ideas. time, money, late work, and [applause] phone calls coming yard signs, . >> it's nice to see you guys. facebook, twitter -- you all >> mrs. obama. >> my friend wanted to tweet, don't you? apologize. >> why? if you don't, learn how.

serious. oh, i didn't even hear it. call me, i'll help you. it's good to see you guys. i'm going to try to shake hands before they shuttle me off. we have to talk to america. you guys, thanks, i'm sorry, we have to spend time with sweetie. america. we have to help the fog be >> it's ok. >> thanks, you guys, thanks for being here. removed from their eyes. thank you guys. really proud of you all. we have to drain the kool-aid ok. keep working. from their veins. we have to help them understand how are you? what freedom is all about and it's good to see you. that they already have it in their hands -- they build their how are you doing, little lady? >> good. businesses, they educate their >> hey guys in the back. kids, they create an america for tomorrow. let me lean on you here. you guys, thanks so much. [applause] you guys can take the lead on this. if you leave this conference >> in the white house, i know with nothing else, take this there's cameras following you with you -- it is never too late around, does that get annoying? in america. >> yes. >> at least it's not too -- it is never too late in america. >> we usually do. there'll be something coming up. president obama talked about at least tmz doesn't follow you around. "yes, we can." that's -- >> that's because of the secret service. we're going to go talk to sometimes the other stuff is just as bad. america about what we will do.

>> good to meet you. >> good to see you all. there is a big difference. >> can you tell your husband so [applause] much for giving some of his what we will do. money to the posse foundation. what we will do is rely on the we're pass -- i'm a posse ingenuity and the commitment of scholar. >> it's so necessary. i had to develop my own posse the people of this country, not when i went to princeton but when you go from the south side of chicago to princeton you need the programs and the bureaucracies of government. a posse. >> thank you so much. what we will do is engage >> thanks for your work as well. america anew. you guy, congratulations. you guys had great questions. we will speak to her with truth, thanks so much. it's good to see you guys. speak to her with vision, speak thanks, guys. thank you all. to her through action. thanks for coming and asking great questions. >> thank you, mrs. obama. ronald reagan noted famously, >> it's good to see you. when asked about his strategy for the cold war, "we win, they you guy, thanks so much. lose." we're proud of you all. [applause] can you guys help us out on with your help, with your this? >> sure. >> i think so. it's good to see you. support, we can restore the thanks again. thank you guys so much. strength, the growth, the >> thank you, mrs. obama. >> he was great, did a great

birthright of liberty and job. prosperity that generations of thank you guys. have fun. americans have always passed on thanks. [applause] to their children. that is the legacy we leave. >> and on sunday, another chance to see first lady michelle that is the legacy of the obama's white house meeting with greatest generation has passed students. on to us. that's at 10:30 a.m. eastern that is the legacy we must now here on c-span. fight to pass on to our kids and [captioning performed by national captioning institute] our grandkids. credit credit -- it is worth the fight, f [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2009] . olks. >> tomorrow on "washington journal" a look at what to expect when congress returns we will be the generation to from their break. keep that promise. come november, we win, they lose. thank you. at 8:30 a.m. anita nilsson on [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] talking about strengthening nations. host[captioning performed by and hire heroes u.s.a. executive national captioning institute] [captions copyright national drocketor brian stann. cable satellite corp. 2010] that's live tomorrow at 7:00 eastern here on c-span. >> all this month, see the

winners of c-span's studentcam >> tomorrow, a look at what to video documentary competition. middle and high school students expect when congress returns from easter. submitted videos on one of the country's greatest strengths or following that, international a challenge the clint is facing. watch the top winning videos atomic energy agency department every morning at c-span just of nuclear safety and security director anita nilsson on before "washington journal" and at 8:30 in the program, meet the students who made them. far preview of all the winners, assisting nations and strengthening their nuclear security. visit studentcam.org. a discussion on employing >> next, highlights from the returning veterans. southern republican leadership that is live at 7:00 a.m. conference this weekend in new orleans. eastern, here on c-span. participants voting in a straw poll for the 2012 presidential election selected mitt romney as >> friday, supreme court justice their frontrunner for the john paul stevens announced he republican nomination. runners up included congressman is retiring from the court at ron paul, sarah palin and newt the end of the term. c-span recently interviewed gingrich. justice stevens. now from day three of the -- he gave a guided tour of his three of the conference, remarks chambers, talked about his life from senator david visiter and on the court, and the role of a former senator rick santorum. also speeches from governor supreme court justice.

president board nominated him to haley barbour, congressman paul the court in 1975. and republican national committee chairman michael he is 89 years old and has steele. served on the court for 34 this is almost three hours. ♪ years. this is 35 minutes. >> thank you very much. [applause] thank you so much for the warm >> you are in the office of two of my law clerks. i come in a lot to learn about welcome. the law from them. even more than that, thank you >> how many law clerks do you have? for doing what all you do for >> 4. the republican party. two others are upstairs. thank you for doing it this week >> you have some photographs on the wall. in louisiana. one of them seems interesting we really appreciate that. because you are the only person [applause] left on the supreme court that i want to give a special thanks served with warren burger. >> that is correct. because many of you are back i think that was taken the day after having 12 years after justice o'connor was sworn in, if i am not mistaken. hurricane katrina -- are back it was taken in the conference room that day. >> what is the difference after having toiled year after

between the court then and the court now? hurricane katrina. >> 8 different justices is the i want to thank you from the main difference. bottom of my heart for all of your help during our time of the eight that are in that need. thank you very much for all picture were all succeeded by my present colleagues. >> is there a difference in the that. [applause] way the court operates today? is that determined by a chief been here five years later, we justice? are rebuilding very successfully and aggressively. thanks to younger form of >> there is much more continuity leadership, we're not just rebuilding. in the way we do our work than we are rebuilding smarter and there is change. there is a difference when the smarter. we're not just rebuilding. new chief justice is presiding we are rethinking and reforming in conference. and renewing. each chief justice has his own manner of presiding in we need to all bring that same energy, vision, and spirit to conference. the present chief justice is doing an excellent job. washington and our nation starting this fall. he has some virtues the others i know you are up for that as did not have. well. [applause] that pretty much follows the tradition that has been followed for many years. >> the review about 80 cases a we have been starting here in louisiana to rebuild smarter in

year. back in those days, were there more? if there were, why? from your perspective, how many every part of our society. cases should you handle a year? in the nfl, we're not the "ain >> i think the number we handle now is about right. maybe we should be up to about ts"anymore. 100. there were over 150 when i we're the world champion new started. that was a very heavy workload. orleans saints. there were a number of reasons in politics, we have been for the change, one of which is turning old style louisiana we no longer have the mandatory politics on its head for the jurisdiction that applied back better. [applause] when chief justice berger was here. i am honored to be a small part we have more control over our of that that. docket than we did then. i think we do a better job, for in 2004, i became the first the most part, in picking cases, republican u.s. senator albert although i think we should take elected by the people of a few more than we do. louisiana. >> what is your relationship [applause] with the people in this room? have you counted how many clerks you have had? -- i became the first republican >> somebody knows, but i do not u.s. senator albert elected by remember just what it is.

the people of louisiana. we joined together and sent to they've played a very important role in two or three different the governor's mansion a bright ways. visionary for our state and the review all the cert nation. he is a conservative, indian- petitions that come in and review those they think i would american rhodes scholar be interested in and have a likelihood of granting. they also work on all the governor, bobby jindal. opinions that we produce. [applause] our practice is i usually write a first draft -- i always read a this fall, we will build on that success. first draft. they convert it from a draft to with your help, and will become an opinion >. the first ever to wo-term >> tell us what this room is used for. republican senator from >> this is the room where my louisiana. secretary and assistant that will be part of a national secretary are. wave bringing positive, a they have room for visitors to conservative change to sit and see what the place looks washington and our nation. like. >> what kind of visitors do you [applause] get over the years and how easy is it to come see you? i am absolutely convinced of >> i probably should not say that. this, but it is not that

difficult. usually, we are pretty busy. we have work to do. but i have no doubt. that schedule is by the available time. while you have been convening it is a full-time job. over the past few days, i have we spent an awful lot of time reading briefs ahead of time and been other places. talking over cases. i have been to lafayette, st. the major work is in writing bernard, shreveport. opinions and finishing those up. >> did you ever total how many hours a week you have to read? almost every corner of our great >> i do not know. state. it is a lot more than 40. it is interesting. >> what is your pattern on a in all of those places, i have heard exactly the same message given day? >> i am an early morning person. i do quite a bit of work early and exactly the same themes that in the morning and am usually you and the speakers here have pretty well prepared when i come articulated this week. into town. that is why we're going to be so i have flexibility. successful in the fall. on days in which we are not [applause] sitting, i can work at home. what computers do for us -- i just thursday, i was in a mmamo. can work at home on opinions. i can read at home. it is a totally optional i was talking to an older man schedule. >> where is this office located who had grown up there.

in the court itself? he did not look or speak anything like newt being rich, >> this is in the northwest but he said just about the same thing. corner of the building. >> have you always been in this -- he did not look or speak space? >> i have been in four different anything like newt gingrich, but chambers since i came. he said just about the same thing. i started down the hall in the he said that this president and chambers that are referred to as administration are radical and the retired chief justice's scare him. chambers. i was there for three or four [applause] years. i moved into chambers that justice o'connor is now occupying. in the last 24 hours, i have that had been paul chambers. heard something else from many people in those stocps all after that, i moved into the chambers justice scalia occupies now, which had previously been around the state. occupied by justice stuart. i have heard that if that is the i took over when he retired. choice in 2012, they will take a before that time, justice black tv personality over a community organizer any day. had been in those chambers. [applause] there were three justices in the chambers when i was there. keep fighting. they are in the other corner of the building. >> let me ask you about this keep organizing. keep being positive.

portrait on the wall. who is that gentleman? keep offering clear, >> that is wiley rutledge, a conservative alternatives as we marched towards victory in the fall. great justice for whom i clerked one more thing that i think is in the 1947 term. he is one of my heroes. really important. keep reaching out to our friends, brothers, and sisters in the tea party movement. keep doing that, too. before that, he had been on the district of columbia circuit. [applause] before that, he was the dean of iowa law school. before that, the st. louis i am going from this conference university law school. today directly to the north he worked at other law schools shore to 80 party rally because as well. >> what year did you clerk for him? i believe this is so important >> 9047-48. >> what did you learn from that -- to 80 party rally because i experience that you still hold believe this is so important. onto the day. i learned an awful lot. -- to a tea party rally because i learned to take the time to i believe this is so important. write out your own draft we will be part of a positive opinions show you are sure you understand the case before you change starting in the fall. the tea party movement will be turn it over to someone else to work on. the fuel that surcharges that i learned that every case is

important, not just when it is a vehicle. lot of money involved or a together, we will get to an astounding victory, starting in public issue. every case is important to the the fall. [applause] people who are involved. >> back to the riding of the first draft. if you have any question or is that unique to you? doubt about the importance and >> no. i cannot speak to my colleagues. power of our movements. i am not sure they all do. together -- about the importance one of the reasons i did that is that justice rutledge used to and power of our movements put write them out on a yellow pad. together, just look to the left. why type on a computer rather than write on a pad. they're not maligning our efforts in the tea party effort he would write out in longhand for nothing. the fall first draft. between now and the election, he his secretary would type it up. will see that reached new highs usually, that was it. we would make the supply some and lows. footnotes or suggestions. you will see a campaign to he did the whole thing himself. malign that movement like never >> what has been your philosophy before. just go to crashtheteaparty.org of the length of an opinion you would write, and also the dissent that you write sometimes or the concurring opinion? >> the length depends on the you will see a determined effort case. to try to misuse the effort to

i try to keep them as short as i split our votes. can, but sometimes you take more we will not fall for it. the american people will not pages than people think you should. fall for it. i use footnotes regularly we will march together to an because i think footnotes are historic victory come the fall optional reading. there are some things that should be in an opinion that election. thank you for being a huge part people might gain from having the opportunity to read but they do not always have to read in of that. [applause] order to understand the argument in the opinion. i am one of those old-timers who thank you for being a huge part think footnotes perform a very useful function. some of my colleagues think you of that. should never use footnotes. now it is my real honor to a lot of scholars feel that way, introduce someone else was going to be a huge part of that in too. they think it is important 2010 and beyond. enough to be included in the opinion it ought to be worked rick santorum is a great into the text, and if it does not belong in the text you american. [applause] should save space by leaving it out. >> how does an opinion change in i am very honored to call him a length from the first draft that great personal friend. you write to the time it is finished? as a u.s. senator, rick was a >> sometimes, it does not change much at all. leader in defending our role is sometimes it becomes shorter and a global leader in the fight to

sometimes longer. more often, it becomes a little preserve democracy and human rights. he stood up to foreign longer. i am a fan of shorter opinions dictators, offering the if it is possible, but you accountability act and the iran freedom support act with cannot always do it. >> on your wall is a number 22 sanctions on rogue nations and baseball jersey. >> that was a gift from my law to promote democracy around the globe. clerks a few years ago because rick also recognizes that free- they know i am a cubs fan and it market principles of the best way to help our ailing economy. kind of encouraged my continued interest in the cubs. we must reduce the size of >> when did you throw out the government by reducing taxes and first ball? keeping our fiscal house in >> that was about three years order. in congress, he fought to ago. maintain fiscal sanity in a city do i have a picture of that? i do not, do i. spiraling towards national bankruptcy, fighting for a that was the highlight of my balanced budget and a line item career. i had all my grandchildren -- veto. not all of them, but most of he spearheaded the tax cuts that them -- there. helped to rebuild our economy i was a hero that day. that was much more important following the september 11 attacks. than my job. he believes we must protect >> you made it to the mound? those who are most vulnerable. >> absolutely. he fought powerfully for those i threw it high and wide. who cannot fight for themselves.

i had to practice. >> more pictures over here from it was his legislation that outlawed the heinous procedure what? known as partial birth abortion. >> the first one is a picture that was at gerald ford's [applause] funeral that his family gave me. i happened to be there just as the casket was passing by. rick also championed and there are a couple of letters he wrote to me that i am very proud successfully fought for the of. this is the picture that was taken at the swearing in of the vice-president in january. unborn child back in the combating autism act. i have a picture of my colleagues on the court of appeals for the federal circuit. he was a leader in the effort to the one at the top is the pass landmark welfare reform. vincent court, for which i clerked. >> you clerked for wiley that empowered millions of americans to leave the welfare rutledge in 1947. rolls and get to the promised as you come down, this court land of the workplace, the promised land of american here -- opportunity. >> i served from 1970 to 1975. rick keeps very busy. this is the court i joined at his a senior fellow at the

the bottom. >> let me go back to the seventh ethics and public policy center. circuit. where is it located? >> it covers wisconsin, use part of a nationally syndicated radio program. illinois, and indiana, and the is a contributor on the fox news city of chicago. channel in the columnist with >> what was your learning the "philadelphia inquirer." experience, sitting on the of all of those tasks and seventh circuit? >> i learned an awful lot about federal law, of course, because present accomplishments, you it was our work. i served with some awfully good judges and learned a lot from feels his greatest them. accomplishment is being a great for example, in that picture, husband and father. he and his wife have seven tom fairchild was the chief wonderful children. judge. please welcome a great i learned a lot from him and others of my colleagues. american, rick santorum. >> what is the difference between a circuit court of appeals and the supreme court? [applause] >> in the circuit court, you are ♪ more bound by precedent then you are in the supreme court. [applause] if there is a decision or a dictum in an opinion, the court of appeals is required to follow >> thank you. it, whereas in this court there are many more open questions

i appreciate it. that have not been finally resolved. you have more of a duty to thank you very much, david. decide things for the first time that have not been faced think you for welcoming me to louisiana. before. thank you for the outstanding >> let us go into your main office. you have been in a lot of conservative leadership that different offices. david vitter has shown in the senate. i do not think he will find a does the atmosphere you are working in matter to you much? more conservative or principled >> actually, it does not. voting record. he has a tough election. i enjoy the office. i have a wonderful view of the we've got to help david and make capital from my desk. sure that he comes back for six the most important part of the years in the united states office is the computer sitting right next to me. senate. wherever you are, you are going to spend a lot of time reading and composing on the computer. we have seven children. >> behind your desk are a number of pictures. my wife is back home with six of can you give us an overview of my kids. what is here? >> most of them are family. there is justice rutledge. we have one in college and an a picture of my former law almost two-year old. partners in the lower left-hand they are watching us on c-span. corner. that is my wife.

i had that taken a few years ago. those are my parents. my three daughters and my wife in that picture. -- i want to say hi, honey, and >> give us some background on to the kids. one of the things we know is the your parents. >> well, that is a long story. sacrifices people make when they're in office. we have to understand that. i ask people, people come up and they lived a long time. say, what can i do to pray for they were probably -- probably you? first, i say, pray for the the most notable part of their families of those out on the career, my dad was responsible front lines. for building what is now the without their families there, nothing is possible. stevens hotel in chicago. what i'm going to do in my talk is i'm going to speak for a few he was in the hotel industry. also, he was a lawyer. minutes and then leave some time for question and answer. he studied at northwestern back one of the things i've learned in the days, always in the past. since i've been out of politics for three years, i get the >> you are a northwestern law question from reporters, what are you doing here? graduate. >> yes. >> not the usual to have you lost your last election, you're not a sitting anything. somebody in the court from it's given me time to reflect. northwestern. >> another justice was. a few things i've learned and one of the reasons in every i went to law school at presentation i do is i do

northwestern but did my questions and answers. when i was in congress, what i undergraduate work at the saw was leaders spend too much university of chicago. >> is there any difference from time talking to each other and going to a midwestern school? not enough time listening to you. number two, you have an some injustices are from stanford, yale, and harvard. >> i think there is. important role in holding us every school has its virtues and accountable. you can hold us accountable by its strengths. coming to the meetings, asking northwestern really had a fine the tough questions, and expecting thorough answers on law school and still has a fine moscow. there are good law schools all over the country. not just what we think but why in hiring law clerks, i have we think what we think. [applause] hired law clerks from many without a teleprompter. different schools who have done a magnificent job even though they were not from the ivy so why am i here? league. that is the question i get all >> i read that you were the top the time i am here because like student in the history of the northwestern law school. millions of viewyou, over the pt >> well, i have been told that was true. i do not know about the record since then. year, the sense of alarm has i was told that that was the gone up exponentially since case. >> all your experiences --

northwestern law school, your job as a clerk here, service on january 20 of 2009 turned into a stimulus package. we're in the throes of the seventh circuit, and a potentially the greatest father that was an attorney -- recession since the great depression. where did you get your thoughts on the lawn? with a president who cares not >> it is a combination of many about solving problems but care things. is simply about passing a wish they combine to give you your list of liberal ideas. views of what the law is. a lot of it is the result of he ignores the problems of your reading. a lot of it is your own people in order to appease an experiences. for example, my experiences ideology. during world war two have as the recession continues and shipped by thinking in some cases. unemployment creeps up, we see i was in the navy. the president focused on another my experiences as a practicing ideological achievement. lawyer have an impact on work i have done. that is the ideological experience on the seventh achievement of taking over the circuit has affected me. there are an awful lot of health care system and wrapping the hands of the government around the throat of every things that combine to affect american by controlling their your view of the law. >> when you are sitting on the access to health care. bench, looking out at the court that is the ideological achievement that pushes aside during an oral argument, what do you think? solving problems, dealing with what do you see that we do not deficits, dealing with see? unemployment, dealing with the >> one thing i often remember is

security problems we have. the first time i argued before the court. it has been focused almost a i was really surprised at how close i was to the justices. year and try to shove down the throats of the american public i think to myself sometimes, "he an ideal that is counter to is thinking the same thing. everything we believe in in he did not expect to be quite as america. close to us -- to have quite as we set out in frustration and amazement -- we sat there in intimate and experience as it is." frustration and amazement. you are right in conversation we thought it could not happen with the people on the other because the more people learned side of the bench. about it, the more they opposed it. it is a very interesting of course, washington would experience. >> have you been here long listen to us. enough for the bench itself was straight? >> warren burger made that washington only listens in november. change a year or two before i got here, so since i have been a washington only listens when people focus on the people who justice it has always been and gold on the two sides. represent their values in when i was a law clerk, it was november. what happened is that the straight across. american people said that they >> what is your favorite spot in the whole court? do not believe that what what's but do you like the best? republicans have said that >> i have not really thought therefore, that they were willing to go out and do it. that through.

i suppose that i enjoy the oral we let america down. arguments. i like the court room. conservatism did not fail i really do. i enjoy my own office. america. i think one of the most conservatives failed interesting places in the court is the spiral staircase. conservatism. it is well worth seeing, if you [applause] can. >> have you spent much time studying the history of this place? >> i have picked up a good deal of history, but i have not we have the burden ahead of us. really made an independent study the way some people have made of we talk about how we want to do the white house, for example. things differently. there is some interesting work on the white house. >> what are those books behind we have seen great speeches you? >> those are u.s. reports from a going after this president for forget just what. the stimulus package and the they are the last maybe 40 health care package, which is years. over there, i have reports from doing to disarm america and make our country less secure. the beginning. >> what does it mean? what are you as reports? >> they are the reports of the the best example i can use of this id ministration and how decisions by the court. they see the security threat of our country is the quadrennial

that includes all the majority defense review. opinions and all the dissenting in these hundreds of pages that separate opinions. the pentagon put out, there is >> we have read four years that not one mention of the word "is you have figured out a way to spend part of your time here and part of your time in florida. what has been your philosophy? lam." when did you start spending months in florida and doing work down there? but there are eight pages >> i have been doing that for at dedicated to global warming as a least 25 years, perhaps more. national security threat. this is the kind of misguided part of that is the product of the computer. idealism that it's countries into a world of hurt in a very you can continue communication with the office here even though short amount of time. you are working there. it is the kind of job you do not we've opened our arms to the have to be in the office to world enemies of america in perform. you can read briefs and do other given the fact of our hand to research without being in the friends like israel, honduras, office. you can write opinions without being in the office. the brits, in the list goes on. i do just as much work when i am in florida as i do here, except this is a dangerous and alarming i do not hear any oral time. arguments. sometimes i read brief sitting on the beach.

i can remember getting a kick i realized i could not be sitting there anymore. out of the fact that i had the we have to go and do something. briefs on the bench one day and as i travel the country, i see a i shook the sand out of the singular focus, and resolved in briefs. it made my neighbor's a little the american people. jealous about the way to it cannot be just about one prepare. >> when you are around government. it cannot be just about that. washington, a supreme court justice is somebody that -- it cannot just be about more government. everybody knows. i am sure you find yourself in it cannot be just about that. supermarkets. we were guilty of that when we . . were there. [applause] what is it that has sparked this flame burning so broadly across america? the political landscape is about to shift. what i think we see happening is a change of who we are as america being threatened. america is not a country based on an ethnic heritage.

america is an ideal. you can be born in louisiana and moved to italy and live there for 50 years and you will never be an italian. but when my grandfather came to america as an italian, he became an american. >> let's go back to the cert rule. is the correct way to pronounced sur shep? >> surgery? >> what does it mean? >> it is a writ of the party lost in the lower courts. they find a petition for writ of certiorari, which is for oral arguments. that is where we get i don't [no audio] [applause] know how many different cert petitions, but the cases that we grant come out of that number that are filed. [applause] >> how many justices participate in the cert pool and what is it? >> in has varied over the years. when i joined the court, there america is an ideal based on were six justices. founding documents. we hear a lot about founding documents. i am talking about different founding documents. the founding documents upon which our founding documents were based for the judeo- i did not join it because having been a law clerk years christian faith.

earlier, i had some familiarity with the process and i thought i could handle cases more we are the people of western efficiently myself without participating in these memos civilization founded upon the bible. with these group of justices. we believe in the dignity of every human person because we are created in the image of god. after i joined, every justice we believe in the collective who has joined the court has joined cert since then. ability of free and virtuous people to do more for our there have been eight, with this one exception last year society them a benevolent, justice alito decided. authoritarian government in there are several justices who betwoinstowing rights upon us. share their law clerks and memos in preparation for the cert. >> why did you decide not to [applause] join it? >> i thought i could handle the we believe in free markets and cases more efficiently free enterprise. we believe in power of the independently and as part of the cert board, because the individual. we believe that families are the memos to prepare our very throw basic unit of society and not in a carefully written but they were a lot longer than i thought government. families are responsible for was necessary in order to give educating and cultivating an opinion. character in our children.

it is not the schools. it is the families. >> what does that do to your the schools are there to help personal workload or your clerks? and not replace the families. that you have to ask them. [applause] i think it makes it less, but they go through every cert we believe in the things that we petition and divide them up. are taught from the earliest they did not have to write memorandums. times of our lives. they read more petitions, but those of the principles on which they write fewer memorandums. our country is based. it kind of balances out. we believe in the constitution >> once it is accepted, where based on the judeo-christian ethics. does that happen? [applause] >> as the week, except when we recess and miss a week, we have there is a truth. a conference on friday and we there are rights that we have because god gave them to us. review all the cert petitions it is the government's job simply to protect those rights. that have come in since the last conference and we vote on whether to grant or deny them. before the justices vote to if you look at th -- our grant cert petitions, they are granted. >> physically, where do you do that? >> we do that and conference room of the court.

constitution and founding documents talk about a creator, all of the justices are present these rights endowed by god. at the conference, but no one else is present. the deliberations are entirely off the record. >> what is the conference room the other constitution does not like? >> it is a nice big room with a mention the history of big table and nine chairs christendom. around the table. they are a separate country. when we get through, sometimes their country were the we have coffee set and. government is the diviner of . rights. what is at stake in this >> sometimes we have coffee election is the vision of who we sent in. are as americans. it is our aspiration that people >> how formal is it? are worried about. americans never lived up to our >> well, it is in formal in the sense that it is congenial and aspirations. there is a certain amount of conversation, but most of it is -- america has never lived up to business. our aspirations. we are fairly rigid in our we're human. we fail and fall. rules, talking in order of the reason people come to this country is not because of who we seniority and vote on them. are, but it is because of who we sometimes after we have discussed the case, or sort want to be. petition, we will talk further, [applause] but usually it is finished after one go around.

>> you are senior? barack obama wants to change who we want to be. >> well, i am senior in age and he wants to change the vision of years of service, but the chief america that our founders and justice is first. generations before and ingrained in all of us. that is why americans are >> when you came on this court, did you ever think you would be unsettled. they see something bigger than here 34 years? >> no. just more of the same washington i had a law clerk named stuart becker, and asked him to prepare stuff. a memorandum for me on the ages it is a bigger and broader vision than his gotten people of retirement of all my predecessors and suggested the age i should plan on retiring. to be dropped out of their i thought then, and now, if you chairs and say, "no. we're going to fight for are not the best judge when you america. we're going to fight for our are retired, it would be judeo-christian ethic and helpful to have that kind of founding documents. guidance. well, i did not follow his and we will win in november. recommendation. [applause] >> what did he suggest? >> i cannot remember exactly what it was, but the years have long gone by. >> you are very close to being the longest serving justice in

the history were the oldest justice in history. has any of that entered your thinking now? i will stop right there. i will be happy to take >> no, i am not out to break any records, i assure you that. questions. you will have to find a microphone. i just enjoy the work, and each year i have thought about it where are the microphones? and continue to enjoy it and is there someone with a continue to make a contribution. microphone? >> what do you do at age 89 to stay as healthy as you are? i cannot see because of the lights. >> well, i play a lot of tennis. if someone has a microphone, i don't play as much golf as i talk. used to because my foursome is not the same as what it used to be. >> over here. when i am in florida, i go swimming every day, play tennis >> just start talking. probably three times the week. i will answer you. >> is that painting over the go ahead. mantle of any significance? >> that is queen victoria, dawn in the 1980's. >> i am a little nervous about asking this question. i am so afraid it will sound disrespectful. i think you gave a great speech apparently, that is a portrait

that is in a number of the and meant every word of it. schools. over in england. you talked about conservatives >> why don't you sit over here so we get you more comfortable. letting down conservatism. right out that window is the capital. i am from pennsylvania and live >> that is right. >> put the court for a moment in georgia now. one of the most disheartening in perspective for the public, and a town like this, where we times i have in politics was when you and president bush endorsed specrtre to me. have the president and capital in this building across the street. what is its role? >> it is an independent branch many of us want to support the of the government. and has to decide cases and controversies, and it has to do currency, but many of us will it with the best ability that it not because they will support can. >> does it do with the way you want to do it? >> sometimes, sometimes not. arlen specter over us. it has been true while i have [applause] been here and throughout the history of the court that there are cases that are very difficult, difference of >> i appreciate the question. judgment by different members of the court. so when you are not in the it is one data. majority, you wish they had about a lot. decided it the other way, or i thought about the consequences

of my actions. that it may have been better off if we decided the of the what i said repeatedly is that way, but if you don't have the votes -- >> in your 34 years, are other we all make mistakes. cases that matter more to you we all fail and fall. than others? >> i am sure there are, but if you ask me which one is the most significant, i would have to say the ones i am working on that is why the story in the bible about people dropping stones around the feet of christ currently are always the most significant, and that changes from time to time. is so poignant. >> which one of the years had my wife encouraged me at the the most reaction, the biggest time not to do what i did. [laughter] sensation in the country? [applause] you sit here, you write opinions and a top out and they are over the news. you would figure after 20 years, do you pay attention to that? and would have learned a few things. >> you read the paper, of but i did not listen to her. course. i read the papers, but i work i should have. with the clerks. i will be very honest with you. there is one reason i did. you have to let others decide the people who were most upset on which are the most with me about endorsing arlen significant. specter were most upset about >> do you think your papers the abortion issue. will eventually be released for the public when you retire? @@@@@@@@@ @ @ @ @ @ ,1@ @ @ @ @ >> i think it will be overó at the library of congress.

and how long after? i know in the case of justice marshall, they were released early. >> i don't remember the exact i endorsed a man who didn't share my values on that. the reason i ended up endorses time i have arranged for. arlen specter is because we had two spoufert justices coming up >> you go back to rutledge, who in the next year, two years and is the justice that you served we had a very narrow majority, 5 as clerk, were there other justices in history that made a -49, and i didn't know whether difference to you? >> yes, indeed. we'd keep that majority or not in the next election and i knew >> why? >> because of the quality of we'd need moderate republicans, their work. at least, and maybe even moderate democrats to confirm they have done some really truly great things who have sat on the court. bush's appointments to the supreme court and i wanted a pro-life judge, at least two of >> some that you could mention? >> brandeis. them, to the united states supreme court because i knew those are ones that we often they were coming. mentioned. justice holmes was an for me as a pro-lifer, that was exceptional justice. the most important issue. i got a commitment out of specter, no matter who bush my good friend potter stewart and byron white were good would nominate, he'd fight and justices. defend that nominee and get us and number of great men have served the court. moderate democrat and moderate >> in your opinion, what makes a republican votes. justice great? and we have justice roberts and

justice alito. >> the quality of his work is [applause] the main thing, i think. you judge judges i guess by the i will tell you that i the it's work product they produce when easy to stand and cheer and say you violated your principles. they are on the court. i can just say that i prayed and >> what is quality, in your i used what i thought was opinion? what makes quality, good writing? >> well, i don't know. prudential judgment to do what's best for the millions of unborn children who die every year in i don't think i can give a this country. you can question my judgment and lesson in english grammar and you have every right to do so, all that, but they have to be but please don't question my intention to do what's right for the little babies. written clearly and accurately and honestly. >> going back to what we were talking about earlier, the >> rick, i know that we have court and things you disagree with, what is your options if praised the tea party group. you are sitting in conference and they vote not your way? but the ones we should praise the most are these women's what role does your dissenting republican organizations. opinion play, you think, in that law? >> sometimes it becomes >> absolutely. [applause] persuasive, later on. sometimes it does not. >> i would not be today if not

but i don't write dissents for the volunteer activities. trying to change that law. i think it is just part of the i was always supposed to lose. job of the justice to explain republican women's his or her vote in the case. organizations provided the fuel i think the process is an open to whenever fire i could provide. thank you, ladies. process, in the sense this is one institution that explains god bless you. in a public way what it decides [applause] and what it does. doh ahead. i think there is difference in -- go ahead. >> my mother and father's first language was french. the court on how case should be they were here illegally. decided, it is inappropriate for those who disagree to explain why they felt the other side did what they did. >> you have been active in oral they were hit the recalled arguments, and we run an argument per week on our radio speaking french on school station. grounds or in the classroom. today, we have just about lost what is your philosophy of our language because of this. participation during the oral arguments? our parents would not speak >> my philosophy is to ask french to me. i have picked it up over the years. questions, and i think the today, i have to press 1 for answer might give me help deciding the case. english and i want it stopped. i don't view the participation

[applause] of a justice as an opportunity for the justice to advocate one point of view. i think, rather, the questioning should be designed to help understand what the arguments on both sides are in order to enable the justice to >> my father came to this reach a decision on his or her country. i am the first generation own views. >> how often do you change your american. my father always told me the mind on a case after or arguments? >> sometimes. greatest gift he had was to be i cannot tell you the number, but it has happened. it has happened when i have been writing opinions. that is one reason i think it is assimilated and the part of the important for the justice to do the first draft, because when american culture because that is you try to write something out, the key to success in america. is sometimes learn things about from a purely economic view, the case that you did not fully teaching children the language appreciate or understand before. of the country is essential for there has been more than one their success in this country. case in which i have changed my [applause] views when i was writing the opinion. when we do not do that, we put them at a disadvantage. >> so a young man or woman secondly, this country has been comes in your office, 17 years

called many things. old, and they say to you, i want to be like you, i want to be just a sunday. we are a melting pot. what advice you give them along the way as to what route to we're not a mosaic. we're not individual units that take, and is it possible they make a picture. could decide at a young age to we blend together with a common be a supreme court justice? understanding of who we are. >> i don't know, i certainly did not decide at the age of 17, and i cannot remember talking i am not suggesting that we need to anyone at age 17 you ask me for that advice. to keep to that understanding of >> moving ahead to college? america as a melting pot and that the american ideal is >> the basics of course is to universal in different parts of study hard and do the best job the country. that you can understand what >> we enjoy you every friday you can learn about. morning. >> do you think in the future this is a court that has every is it not time for the leadership of the republican member, the history of serving on a circuit court of appeals, party to step forward, admit the they are all circuit court of veterans. mistakes that have been made, is that something that will be expected, you think, from now and differentiate the republican on? party from the democratic party >> that is something that future presidents will have to and restate our principles and decide. values clearly?

but i think is healthy for the court to have members of [applause] different backgrounds. i saw a television program >> i think you are seeing that recently when somebody said it more and more. should always be someone who had served in the armed forces gov. rick perry was up here. on the court. you are hearing what i have said. i think there should always be other leaders outside of someone that has had practical washington are admitting that. experience in litigation. i think he will find the leaders i think experience in other branches of the government such inside washington believe that. as legislatures would be very, i agree with you the need to be very helpful. more forthright. we will not convince the i think, for example, justice american public to trust again o'connor had experience as a legislator, and i think she has unless we can demonstrate to made a very significant them that we understand what is contribution to deliberations needed in america and we because of that experience. understand the role of limited in my own case, the experience i had as a staff attorney of government and we're going to the legislative committee taught deal with these huge problems. we have to be willing to stand me a great deal and has affected up and say tough things. my work. there are leaders in washington who have stepped forward and so i think different talk about programs that have to backgrounds is a plus. be cut.

they talk about things we have >> what year did you serve on to do to get our fiscal house in order. the judiciary subcommittee? you are seeing signs of that. >> i think it was 1951. >> who was there at the time, i will turn its back on you. you have to hold the key to the the chairman? >> many sour was the chairman. he was a democrat from brooklyn. fire of the folks in washington chauncey read was the senior minority member. that is why what we're seeing he was a republican from the here is so vitally important. page county, illinois. that is what i take the risk of >> last question, what role having the not most does the legislature have, not on the law, but play in a case? >> i think it is always complementary questions asked. if you want to connect to the significant. american people and get people i think our job is trying to excited, if you are going to figure out what congress intended to do. have to follow through with it when you get elected. i can remember being asked by members of the committee about >> since the 1930's, our federal government has acquired more rather tricky questions that might be presented in the case. power by using the commerce i remember one congressmen, clause. some of the difficulties i saw

and face, and they say, let the it has given itself the power to judges figure that out. it is a cooperative venture. be able to legislate under the terms of the commerce clause congress expects the judges to fill in holes in statute as it things that we certainly do not goes along, realizing it is not want. is it time that we have a just trying to read words on a national constitutional convention to rewrite the sterile piece of paper. it is important for a judge, i clause and limit the think. >> thank you, justice. application? >> thank you. >> no, we do not need a constitutional convention to the [captions copyright national constitution is just fine. cable satellite corp. 2010] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] -- know, we do not need a constitutional convention. the constitution is just fine. [applause] this is an issue you are going to hear more and more about. you hear about it on the issue of marriage. you will hear it on another issue. it is not the constitution that >> a discussion on employing is the problem. it is the courts that are the returning veterans, with the problem. [applause] higher heroes usa executive

director. that is live at 7:00 a.m. we have this doctrine that eastern on c-span. people think is in the constitution but it is not. >> my philosophy is to ask it is judicial review. questions when i think the it says the courts have the last answer might give me little help in deciding the case. say as to what is >> after 34 years on the supreme constitutional. that comes from a court case court, justice john paul stevens will step down when the court called margueribury versus madi. finishes its work for the summer. the best place to explore his life and legacy is the new c- span be a library. we have adhered to it because more than 80 appearances dating throughout most of american back to 1985, searched it, watch history, the courts of done what it, quebec, and share it. cables latest gift to america. the founding fathers believed they would do. that is to practice judicial >> first lady michelle obama restraint. started the campaign "let's they would try to be a neutral move," to curb childhood arbiter and allow the issues the obesity. she held a town hall and took calls from other students who congress and the president should handle to the work of other bodies. that has changed. submitted videos about childhood you are seeing movements. obesity. this is one hour. you are seeing it in iowa with

>> good morning on this the supreme court forcing the beautiful spring day, and issue of marriage. welcome to the white house. you will see constitutional we are very pleased to be here challenges to the courts and in the beautiful and historic their ability to be the super- state dining room for a dialogue of childhood obesity legislature. and child could help with the i think that is one of the coming battles. first lady, michelle obama. white house for a dialogue on the courts should practice childhood obesity and childhood judicial restraint. health with first lady michelle obama. [applause] we are live on c-span this morning and plazzed to have students from automatic around >> thank you, senator. the washington, d.c. area and students watching from all across the country. i am 72 years old. some-them will be calling in for discussion. >> happy birthday. we will be here for 45 minutes >> for 50 of those years, and all together and hope to learn was a sustaining member of the republican party. more on this topic and why it's so important to our young i am kind of proud of that, or people's health and why the are used to be. for the last couple of years, first lady is so passionate things have changed. about it. i think there's plenty of blame will you please join me in to go around to both republican welcoming michele obama to our discussion this morning. and democratic parties. [applause]

i have been to one town hall >> hello, everybody. meeting or one t party meeting. >> well, hello. >> hello. and that common people there >> well, we're just going to like myself. plunge right into it. i am an old farmer and cowboy. as i get started i thought -- -- annette, and people there i'll ask you a question -- i like myself. had a very important question i saw reflected their my values. as we were getting ready this we do not care what party you morning, mrs. obama from a are from. what we hear is what you believe young woman in the back. in. that is the person i am going to we keep using the big word support in the future. [applause] obesity and a young man didn't >> i appreciate that. know what it meant. >> it is a big word but to make [applause] it simple is when people's weight gets higher than it should be. i keep coming thaback to that te and there are very scientific measurements for it. something called body mass index is what a lot of doctors try to measure. republican party is not the but as you grow your weight and chairman. your height should remain it is you. you are the republican party. fairly consistent. but people's body mass index i always say this. it is incumbent upon you. really varies. the tea party people have spoken

so there's no one right height up. or weight to be. we have people in my family who you can speak up within the are 6'6" and 4'1" 1 and weight republican party and have a huge impact. i know a lot of them are because and height really depend on they come to the sentence. you, as a person. that is vitally important. but what this is all ant, this is a democracy. really, is about making sure that you guys are healthy. we're not going to be out doing that you're eating the right things -- if we say charge and foods, that you're getting enough exercise. this isn't about how you look. this suspect about appearances, no one follows, this is not because we all have to own and going to work. this party is made up of people. be proud of exactly who we are. i would encourage you. i am 5'1" 1. by encourage you to -- i i was probably this height when i was very young, and my encourage you to speak loudly parents taught me to be proud and often. of how i look and this isn't speak with your dollars and her about how i look. volunteer hours. this is about how you guys feel and your health. so i think that's the big take -- speak with your dollars away. and you can talk to the doctors and/or volunteer hours. >> this lady would like to ask and experts and scientists if you wambt to get a more definitive answer to what you a question. >> bless your heart. obesity technically is. but it's really about our health, your health. does that help? [applause]

>> all right. good. it's a good way to start. >> the way this all came together is students around the -- this lady would like to give you some flowers. country have participated in a >> was your heart. national documentary contest our network holds called -- was your heart. student cam and this year we >> she is from the town where my had 1,000 from all around the father grew up. country but interestingly there's an important election health was the number one sh, going on. the candidate's name is tim 121 issues on health so it was burns. much on their minds. economy number two. the latest poll shows we're up but today we're going to meet by four points. it is the only district in the one of the special document country that george bush lost theriens, matthew who was here and john mccain won. as first prize. he's been thinking about it is a district where we can childhood obesity. welcome, matt. win. congratulations on your winning we need your help. documentary. we also have young people who if you can help out tim burns, entered the contest who are watching and also on the topic of tchood obesity is to they we can pull off a big surprise in johnstown, pennsylvania. aritying about this and have questions for you. >> in the tea party member from i'm going to ask you to stand the fourth district. up with the group when i call the name of your school so your

parents can see you're here. you spoke about exactly how i first of all where's the half think we said we talk the talk sted community? and do not walk the walk. welcome. >> in washington d.c. 6-8. i am concerned with the republican national committee stuart hobson. >> looking good. selecting candidates that will be republicans and not >> next alexander korea conservatives. virginia liles crouch in the fourth district of elementary school. mississippi, we have that >> hello. situation. >> and we've got a group of girl scouts from the national capital region who have been it looks like the good old boys are supporting one person and involved in health and wellness issues. the rest of the people are supporting someone else. welcome, ladies. >> go beat them. >> how about the alliance for a healthier generation. >> good morning. that is what elections are all >> and we have a number of about. student journalists covering i encourage candidates to run. this event. >> oh, goodness, the even if you do not win, the fact journalists. >> the professionals always in the back. >> watching. that you have run the race in >> yes. shown there is concern -- the >> and is there any person who point is to do it. hasn't had a chance to hand? do it. i think is healthy for the party >> make sure you stand up to have the primaries. because your parents are watching. it is healthy to get people out >> great. and excited. >> you could -- if you could begin by telling us. this is where we have to focus

in the past every first lady has had a special issue. our energy in the primaries to make sure that we elect a mrs. reagan was worried about drug use by young people. conservative candidates in the republican primary. mrs. bush was worried about i agree with you 100%. literacy. [applause] how did you come to this issue and why? >> >> as a mom way before we were anywhere near coming to the white house. you guys know i have these two >> should the rncc get involved beautiful little girls malya and sasha. they are not so little now, but i was like a lot of your parents. you know, i worked a job. with local primaries when the my husband worked a job. state of mississippi's we were very busy. republican party stays out? >> all i can say you're trying to make sure you're doing the right thing as a mom and keeping your job together, and our health habits got way out of kilter, because we were eating out too much. i didn't have time to cook. i had to buy a lot of quick packaged things so my kids were drinking a lot of quick sugarry they think so and we were probably eating too many things out of a box.

so we were doing probably what most of your parents do because you're just trying to get to the -- through the day and there's too many activities and shuffling through work and missing dinner together. we were living that life, and it seemed fine. i thought i was in criminal control until one of my kids pediatrician tapped me on the shoulder, because he was regularly measuring the b.m.i., the body mass index and we were lucky that we had a pediatrician that tchecked accurately, because we live in the south side of chicago, predominantly african-american issue and weight issue and he was tracking that. and he said you may want to watch it. and i didn't think we had a problem because i look at my kids and i see perfection, just like your parents see. you're perfect. you're beautiful. it wasn't that they with respect but things were just

tipping over to the point that we needed to make some changes. so we made some pretty simple changes in our household and made sure we had under flutes and vegetables and we ateqxx ou little bit less and limited desserts toal weekends. i know. not every day. >> i took out sugery drinks. my kids were drinking more water. we made sure they were exercising or moving around during the day so no tv during the week. so those changes made pretty significant difference. my view was if i could make those kind of changes, and it could help my family in such a sfabt way, i wanted to make sure we were doing that with the rest of the country because my view is if i'm having this problem in my household and i didn't know it and it was unclear to me, what's going on with everybody else? people who don't have the information or pediatrician that is are working with them.

so when we planted the white house kitchen guard an year ago, we did it to start a conversation with young people about eating healthy. maybe they would get more engaged in frusion and vegetables if they were involved until growing them. and what we found in working with kids that helped me with the guard season if kids planted it and were involved in it they would eat it and be excited about it. and they would help not only change their onil health habits but go back home and start teaching their parents. so once i started talking to my kids about what they needed to eat, they were monitoring me way more than i was monitoring them. they cleaned out the cabinets and looked at labels a bit more. they made zegses about the kind of snacks they would eat. they started to make pretty healthy choices for themselves and a lot of times when i wanted to cheat, they pulled me back. so my hope is is that young

people around the country will take that kind of interest in their own health and then to see the statistics, to see that one in three kids in this country is overweight or obese and that we're on track for the first time ever for our kids to live shorter lives than we do. that in and of itself was terrifying enough for me. i would want want that fate for my girls and i don't want it for any of you or any other kids in this country, so we started let's move! and hopefully it will catch on, and you guys are going to be the key ambassadors to really make this happen. because this is really about you and the kids that are going to follow you. i'll stop there. i can go on and on and on. >> how can they be ambassadors? >> i think first you can take the lead in your own homes. this is what i tell my kids. my girls. you know, it's not about never having the stuff you want,

right? i would love it if i could live healthy on pie and french fries. i'd do it. butal the fact of the matter is that you can't. we are made as humans to need a balanced diet with enough fiber and vegetables and fruits, and we have to be educated about what that diet should look like, and then we have to start making choices to not to not have candy every date and place and to got ask for those desserts all the time even if you can and learn how to cook for yourselves. bake a little chicken and make pasta and put more water in your diet. those are decisions at your age. you're the age of my girls. you guys can make those zegses and you can help your parents, because they are tv and if you complained and didn't want to

try new things, if you were going to get that -- buy those chips instead of some pretzels, if you're not going to make good decisions there's not a lot parents can do because you're not with us all the time. you're at school, with your friends, so my whole goal for my kids is to try to get them to think about the choices they are going to make in their own lives and i tell them it's not about who they are today. it's who they want to be when they are 20 and 2 5. i have them thinking about what kind of mom are you going to be? if you don't learn how to feet yourself, how are you going to feed your own kids? so it's really about you guys taking responsibility of your own future in so many ways and helping your parents and families make those kinds of decisions. i think that's the first thing you can do, because that's your power. you don't have to live in a you don't have to live in a certai you guys have the power to start

doing it. and once you do it, your parents will follow. >> let's introduced matt more officially. we had 1000 entries in this documentary, and his documentary took first place in middle school. congratulations. [applause] mrs. obama announced her big project on childhood obesity in early february. by then, you had finished your documentary. what got you interested? >> what got me interested was when i was at our states friday -- we do not have public school on friday, so they are lacking nutrition and physical exercise. i thought that could lead to a childhood obesity, so i

addressed that topic. i learned how to make a great documentary and express my ideas through filmmaking. >> we are going to show just a minute of it for our viewers and students watching around the country. we will hear the audio of the documentary that he may come and then we will come back and have a question for you. in the room as i told you before, we're going to see the rest of the documentary and have a question for you from mrs. obama. >> we live in the land of abundance surrounded by calorie-rich food. it's easy to take in too many calories. calorie-dense foods are cheap and pleptful. with brands familiar to shop erps and their kids. even though families want to serve heaty, they don't have the resources to see that --

nutritious foods also require hand preparation while calorie-dense foods are easy to eat. 8-18-year-olds spend about four hours a day watching tv, and playing video games. >> the kneel son company reports kids ages 6-11 watch about 10 hours of tv-watch ago week. >> at the same time school p.e. programs are being cut back. but it's hard to make the balance of nutrition and exercise work out. >> and that was matt doing the voiceover in his exercise. how do you think government can improve nutrition in the schools? >> you know, i think that first of all, one thing i just want

to say is that the solution to this challenge has to come from the bottom up. the depoth can't be in a position of telling people what to do in their own homes. >> that generally doesn't work. >> it's so it's clear that all of us, the federal got to the, business leaders. food manufacturers. farmers, students, nursing >> when you think about the federal government when it comes to school lunches, the childhood nutrition we offer -- re-authorization act is one of the ways in which the government supports school lunches. and one of the things we're trying to get done, because it's time for it to be re authorized. to put into combhementing that act so we there's much less

processed foods, the quality goes up, because a large percentage of kids in this country are getting half of their meals at school. so if we can do a better job in the schools providing better option that is are healthier, then we're going to -- but the fact also works to encourage more schools to become u.s. health yir schools. and these are schools that are designated as already taking those steps to change the way they do things, providing healthier meals, incorporating new strigs education into the curriculum. making sure that they are making time for physical activity and recess, because in many schools around this country with budget cuts omp times being the first thing to go so there are schools out

there that are finding ways to put back, kind of, exercise and activity back into the curriculum. the healthier schools challenge works to recognize that. >> and we're going to show you hundreds of foods to. through the fda, food and drug administration, we can work with grocery manufacturers to make sure the foods produced in this store have labels on them that help families make decisions. because when you walk in that grocery store you walk down the aisle until my kids know the brand. they know the commercial. but when a mom or dad picks up the cereal, how do you know many this is something nutrition? and how many servings and right now fur locking for a downal --

so we're trying to work with the food manufacturers to simple phi those things so you guys can walk in and look at the foods and make zegs about what actually is going to be healthy and how much of it canuck r to have more importantly, this is an effort that's going to require