automakers to meet future standards was eliminated. tampa, fla., on our line for democrats. go ahead. caller: yes, sir. i have worked all my life. i am 60 years old. i have never foreclosed or had any kind of financial foreclosure or anything. i am on a fixed income at this point in my life. i have been turned down by three banks now. they make it so difficult for anyone to get any money even though my credit score is good and what they insist on is my debt to income ratio. when this thing comes to turn down the road, i could have some trouble which will not help anything. if you have any comments on that?

host: we will leave it there. we would like to thank everyone for the dissipating in this edition of "washington journal." we will see you again here at 7:00 a.m. eastern [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] . to go live house coverage here

on c-span. this segment on c-span2. >> this week on "communicators" the cable companies in europe. that is tonight on cspan2. >> c-span, bring you a direct link to public affairs, politics, and non-fiction books all as a public service created by american cable companies. >> a panel of political analysts say republicans will take control of in this year's midterm elections. we would hear the reasons. among the reasons, chuck ko'd, michael barone, and jane harmon.

this is about an hour. >> we are here tonight to talk about the midterm elections. to do so we're going to -- we have brought together a terrific panel. we will talk, it's ourselves for about 40 minutes going this from different angles. we will open and up to you in the audience for questions for about 15 minutes. then we will have a final thought from the panel. let me start by introducing the panel. on my far side is chocta chuck todd.

he is the former editor of the hot line. he is a cheap white house correspondent for nbc and an editor of nbc's "first read." he now gives the hometown greeting as the vice-president of the aspen institute. to mickey's left geographically it is good to be a tough audience. michael barone. he is another triple threat as political examine this, washington a examiner, and

analyst at fox news. [applause] directly to my right, jane harman, a democratic member from california since 1992. thank you. i need this. and one of the leading figures among house democrats on issues of national intelligence and national security. we do not have the empty chair where michael steele was scheduled to be until he canceled and yesterday. we will try to soldier on without him. we are here to discuss the midterm elections. let's start with the overview question that everyone is wondering at this point. maybe chucked you can't kick off. what are the prospects that the republicans will capture the

house, senate, or both? to get the house has never changed hands without the senate. -- >> the house has never changed hands without the senate. when you look at a few important poll numbers, but the most important are the correct right track/wrong track where more people are telling us today than even a month ago that the direction of the country is on the wrong track. the president's job rating has been going down and if you look at the president's job ratings in the 50 house seats that democrats have won over the past few cycles, these are very -- these are not solid democratic seats. they are swing seats. his job rating there is about where george bush's job rating

was in 2006 these are places where there are not a lot of minorities. when you take away the president's popularity with those groups, suddenly he is sitting in the mid to high 30's. which was where george w. bush was. you look at clinton in 1994 and all the ingredients are there for a fairly big wave. the white house is expecting its. they assume 30 house seats are gone now. all republicans need another eight to 10. it is pretty easy to find those right now. the question is the game for the white house is saving the senate. they do not want to lose both. the senate is a viable for them, particularly because you could argue the republicans have not nominated the best candidates. they actually recruited good candidates, the agency there are no longer republicans, charlie crist in florida, or did not get

through the primary or did not get someone to run if you look at a place like nevada. democrats will argue they have not engaged in the campaign yet. that is fact. right now that is where this is. for what it is worth, the white house is expecting its. they will be shocked if they hold the house. when you look at the numbers, the president's numbers, and you look at the direction of the country and the unemployment rate, it is all there. >> will house democrats be shocked if they hold a house? >> i am not an expert, but i lived this. let me point out a couple of things.

a lot of -- people are saying incumbents are losing. the ones that have lost have lost in primaries. we have not had the general election yet. some outsiders are locking out members in both parties. that may be understood as anti- democratic, but it is really anti-incumbent. there's a lot of anger there. simply would like to share its -- we would like to share it, and thank you very much. [laughter] i think it will depend on what the economy is like in the fall. every day is about seven years. between now and november is 300 years. i do not think we know what the economy will look like. its voters expected to get

better, it will not be better by november, but if they expected is getting better, i think democratic losses will be contained. i do not think we know that. i also think that even though health care is unpopular or was when it passed, no question about that, i think wants some of the benefits of health care kick in, -- i think once some of the benefits of health care kick in, people will reconsider its. i would suggest a lot of the republican candidates have won their primaries are pretty extreme. that will make it easier for democratic incumbents, even if they're not beloved to survive the. >> you address the broader question. right now, how does that look for control in the house and senate? >> if the vote for only on democrats, i think worepublicans

would absolutely take control of the house. the republican party has shown all wonderful ability to shoot itself in the blood on a wonderful basis. -- to shoot itself in the foot on a wonderful everyday basis. one of the things that has happened as we go through the process of the nominations, republicans have managed in a number of cases to take the strongest candidates and shove them off the stage. charlie crist is now an independent. a very strong canada is now gone. ron paul is a republican candidates. at the moment i do not think republicans can take the senate. i would say they will take the house if i had to bet.

we still have plenty of time to screw it up. [laughter] >> who will be in control in january, michael? >> if i had $1,000, i would bet on republicans to gain majority in the house. i would bet on democrats to have more than 50 senators. that would mean they have the majority. in any case, it seems to me we have had two big developments in public opinion which i did not anticipate. i am always happy to see things i did not anticipate because i learn something. number one is that the obama white house, the president is leading staffers to believe that economic distress would make americans more supportive of government programs. they felt the health-care bill would be popular. it turns out they're wrong. i think that miss read the history of the 1930's, and i

would submit my own book from roosevelt to reagan as a counterfeit. it is on amazon. i think they misread that. the other thing, i think there has been a rush in to political activity of previously uninvolved people in opposition to the programs, which you can argue was started with the bush administration with the tarp bill and was amplified by the obama administration. lnot limited to the two-party. it gives them some problems. -- not limited to the tea party. ran paul is a problem at canada -- is a problematic candidates.

the data could be another example. it reminds me the peace movement of the early 1960's an 1970's. we had democratic liberals challenging old-time democratic senators. there will be some results. i think the net benefit for the republicans more energy and temples but offsetting negatives. >> the question was whether republicans would take control. >> it does not have to be a majority of the republicans take control. after the rig in the election he did not have a majority of republicans in the house but the combination of the republicans and what was the blue dog

democrats gave them an effective majority. to >> are the democrats in this position today primarily because of circumstances in the economy, the directory that the economy is inherited or in this difficult addictioposition primy because of the policies that have pursued? are they the victims of very difficult times? >> going back again to what happened in 1980, ronald reagan misread the 1980 election. i think one of the things the obama administration has done is to read the last election as well as questions about john

mccain capacity, and read that to mean we now want to move a little more to the left, bigger government. i think that was a misreading of the public. i think to some extent that might have been able to handle it in a little better way. >> the democrats misread the public challenge for an expanded government role in policing and regulating the economy? >> change is hard, especially big change. in this kind of legislative environment, perfection is not an option. what i was going to say is i do not think this is an ideological election, unless you think ideologically of yes, we can't

compare to help no is an ideological election. -- unless you think that' yes, e can compared to hell no is an ideological election. most people think we need to change. i think most people think we need some changes in energy regulation. surely if anyone has not paid attention to the disaster in the gulf, i think everyone thinks we have to regulate things better than we have regulated. all i am saying is i do not think the things we have produced has been perfect. and has been very difficult. not all democrats support the things on the floor. almost alno republicans do.

i think by november if the economy is improving, since we do not have a real ideological problem, since i do not think we do, i think voters will come back. the key swing has to be independence. obama got elected by independents and new voters. the new voters have been sent home this year. -- staying home this year. the independents have swung the republicans. i think how the economy is doing in the fall will affect what they do in november. >> how you in your mind separate the democratic difficulties? to what extent are they facing an ideological backlash and to what extent do they have a performance problem where voters do not see results yet? >> i think this is more when you

do not have control of your own situation, you are lashing out at people you think has control of the situation. i think you have a lot of people that feel incredibly unsure of their own status, or read about -- the whole issue of health care has never been about medical care. it has been about fear of losing their own health care. this was an economic issue. it has always been something that both parties have not dealt more directly with, the health care was an economic issue and fear. i think this is an anxiety issue and lack of control, and because of that region and it is amazing how pessimistic are about the state of america. i think one of the reasons y obama one iwhy obama one is thef

the exceptional listen. there is a fear that america will lose to china, and we're not the leading economy. we're looking for someone more optimistic. we're looking for the optimistic voice. he was the optimistic voice. now those folks still have those same fears. there are people inside the white house who do get it. they say that scott brown won for the same reason we won. people are angry and upset and feel that change has not come and they still do not feel like they have control of their own lives. wall that was rationalism -- while there was rationalization, there was no truth. when was the last time we had three straight change elections? that is essentially what we have

had. it is almost unprecedented. >> change in different directions. back to the white house people and interpreting scott brown's victory is another vote for barack obama -- >> they did not say that. >> karl rove really respected republicans to hold a majority of congress in 2006 and that turned out to be delusional. this reminds me of that. the rejection of bush and the congressional republicans was mostly a reduction of confidence more than on his ideologically. rahm emanuel house candidate were winning it on the problem was charles taylor, his

republican opponent and the house leadership was fumbling. and here is where we do disagree. i do think this is a rejection of this administration's program on ideology. i do not see this as being anything like as high as with bush in the 2005 time period. his approval rating is low but not disastrous. you do have the point that chaka made earlier, which is to look for the house districts are, the battle ground. they have 89 districts that are either leaning to one party or the other. 14 of those -- only 14 of 89

districts have more than 14 percent black population, which is a little above the national average. 62 are in districts with a low black population. that means most of the districts, it is more like 40 percent positive. not hugely disastrous, but by the political scientist role, not great. >> the larger trend is we're moving towards a more diverse society. in the 1990's one-quarter of congressional districts were at least 30 percent of the population was non-white. today is half of the congressional district. the share has gone from about 13 percent minority in 1994 to 26% in 2008.

it has doubled the share of the vote. if you look at obama is approval, there are tremendous differentials. -- if you look at obama's approval, there are tremendous differentials. when you look at those different pieces, the stark contrast in the way he is being received, and also demography of the districts, where is the point of maximum vulnerability for democrats in the house? what are the kinds of districts where there are facing the challenges? >> you will hear us talk about the issue of the white boat and president's job ratings among white voters. this is not to suggest it is a racial component. we do look at -- if you look at the president's job rating among white voters now and president

bush's job rating among white voters, obama is rating four or five points higher. that is why we're pointing it out. i do not want people to take away that this is some sort of white voters are reacting to a minority president. this is about role of government and economy. the district to look out for, and we have watched this geographically moved. the first place the loss was in the south. that happened in the summer. -- the first place that he lost was in tehe south. then we saw the west go. where we have seen the latest drop in with the house will be won or lost for the democrats is along the mississippi river in the midwest.

it is those districts, michigan, ohio, iowa, illinois, places that was a barack obama stronghold in the primary and anything that touch the state of illinois he carried 0or won. that is the area to me. those will be the last ones to go. >> i want to interject on the mark crist election. he won an election against all odds in this blue-collar, 90% white pennsylvania district against a guy that was not bad, but did not get the local issues. it was really a referendum on an issue that under some local issues.

we probably disagree on every social issue. >> he is also critical of nancy pelosi. [laughter] >> i did not hear what he said. he supports the democratic leadership. the fact that he won the election is a bellwether. >> i do not agree. in that particular race what was missed was the fact that the democrat who won was a republican in his ideological we rigid ideology and voting patterns. obama did a good job of recruiting more conservative democrats to run. the recruiting process is over now. >> a lot of democrats --

>> let's not ignore the special elections. republicans were winning in special elections in 1994. may of 1994 it was the house special kentucky's second district. the democratic candidates got more out into bill clinton's picture. this was built master sill mast. the fact was this was one of those i-- house republicans have had a shot at winning special elections, and i will say this -- if republicans do not when the house, it will be on mechanics. it will simply be on mechanics. >> political malpractice. [laughter] >> yes.

>> new york 23 and 20, they picked candidates -- there were members of the assembly. >> a lot of competition their. >> in your mind, we are looking at presidential approval and all the classic ingredients for an uprising election against the authority and power. what is the strongest argument that democrats will be able to make to take some of the edge off of this and avoid full-scale cataclysms? >> it is the economy, stupid. if our stimulus package, which was a controversial thing we did, is continuing to build jobs, i am disappointed. i thought it would be much more of a jobs bill. the numbers are going up now. if in the jobless recovery, all of the sudden people realize

jobs are growing, we have retained a number of government jobs at local levels, which to make a difference in people appreciate, if there are results, is the fact that you can keep your kid on your health care policy until he is 26, you do not lose health insurance become clear to people, that is the difference. finally, the indicators are positive except for the jobs that the economy is turning around. if it does turn around or people the it is turning around, i think that is how we hold on to things. >> clearly the white house hope a message for the ball was going to be some version of the yes, things are still tough, but we're now moving in the right direction, and do you want to go back?

republicans are arguing return to the principles of the disaster in 2008. to what extent do you think it can be affected if people are still dissatisfied of the overall level of economic performance? >> i think it was a good strategy, the problem is the numbers have not cooperated. most of the jobs that are being saved our government jobs. there have not been any movement in the private sector. if the economy turns around, it will turn out. you do not want to go back because there were a lot of bad things about the w. administration. i think we're most likely to go into the november elections with the economy nobody feeling like it has turned around. we spend a lot of money and

increase national debt to do this. >> a the hope is to make collections of choice, not a referendum. to what extent have they been able to do that? and to what extent do you think that will be a factor this year? basically saying, do you want to put these people in charge? cannot be affected in this kind of climate? >> you see negative comments and campaign tactics making mentioned. negative campaigning is adjusting my opponent is a crook or something like that. theirre may be the case for that. >> chuck robb did win

reelection. >> you have those problems. i think basically what i think we're seeing from the american people is a sense that government is too bloated and needs to be cut down. if that is true at the state and federal level, we're on the track to take a national debt as a percentage of gdp from 428490. -- from 40 to 80 to 90 and that is from the congressional budget office. those are not partisan members. he when to some local school and

people complained. they said they had to lay off nine teachers and one administrator. he was reelected 58/40. he carried 25 percent of blacks. 37 percent of latinos. that is fragmentary evidence that such a program can be popular. i think we're seeing some of that with chris christie in new jersey and bob macdonald in virginia in their different ways in different venues. i think the republican program if they say they will cut government spending a lot, you cannot collect them for that reason. i do not think that will be a winning argument this year. i say that more out of a -- less out of the political science and more of an artistic field. >> obama has a very distinctive

coalition. he is the strongest among young people and educated voters, particularly women. and if you look at the last four presidential elections, you see a slight decline in the majority share of the votes and a sharp decline in the shares of votes cast by young people. what kind of odds of do you get them of producing an electorate that is less tilted told owards older? >> i think that is why he will be in places like kansas city. they can do this in senate races. you convinced of african- american vote in missouri and possibly help that sadnesenate .

it is in the statewide effort that they can do this. we go back to how the battle for the house is being conducted. i think that will be there difficulty. there has always been one group of voters that he has always struggled with. he struggled with them in the primaries and struggled with them in the general, though eventually they came over and that is begubecause mccain lostm and that is older voters. they were the first age group that started abandoning him. part of it had to do with the health-care fight. white seniors vote. >> since 1992 seniors have been on average 50% of the vote in presidential years.

19% of the votes in non- presidential years. take a look at the virginia and new jersey governor races. the absolute number of young people voting, the number of heads from 2008 to 2009 was down 67% in new jersey, down 75% in virginia. absolute number of seniors was down 35%. obviously the white house and strategists want to change that differential. >> in all likelihood, if history is any guide, the electorate in the midterm will be older and somewhat wider, especially in 2012 as the population continues to evolve to become more diverse. 35 percent of the country is non-white according to the census bureau.

could they do very well with that the electorate and take the wrong lessons about what it will take to succeed with a very different electorate in 2012? >> republicans are very good at taking the wrong lesson. to say something about the democrats' problems, chuck manchin misery. it is a very critical state. -- chuck mentioned missouri. the democratic senate that has been inclined to stay as far away as she can from president obama. >> she is a terrific candidate. going back and looking at that pattern with minority voters over years is a limited use this time because the obama election

was unique. obama turned out to independents, african-american voters, young voters in very unusual numbers. while we're not seeing is any indication that they are fired up and ready to turn out again. >> we get a quick lesson on this and the runoff election in georgia. georgia has the role that if they do not get the 50 percent rule they end up in a runoff. we have a giant african american turnout in georgia. without sarah palin on the ticket, i think obama carries georgia. there is an argument to be made that pailin got evangelicals out. putting that aside, there was a huge african american turnout. barack obama's name was not on

the ballot. six weeks later, it was 30 points. it was a 20 point blowout because african-american turnouts did not come without barack obama. >> there are separate issues. the minority share of the vote did not shoot up from 2004 to 2008. it has been growing at roughly the same rate. >> even though blacks are demographically not a large share of the population. >> i just want to go back and get your thoughts on the overall question. we could have an electorate in 2012 that is up to 28% on-white.

in which case barack obama could get less than 40% of the white vote and win. what does that mean for republicans? >> our people ok? -- are folks ok? heels. i think we are ok over there. >> if i ever bfor republicans, i would be wary. he has been pushing the republican party to be more than a regional party and to be more than all whites only party. he gets a lot of push back. if michael steals idea that you need to broaden the base to comically and demographically prevails, then republicans might

do well in the future. i am not sure it will prevail. there are lots of people that are content to win with the base they have had and they do not want to offend the base. >> jane. >> i just want to add 1 points and that is crossover voting in general election. i am proud of the fact that a lot of republican support me in my congressional district in los angeles. i never could of one in the 1990's -- could have won in the 99 deposit i did not have republican support. and-- never could havew oe won n the 1990's if i did not have republican support. that impact some of these

elections. including the presidential election. we know a number of republicans voted for barack obama because they did not want to vote for george w. bush. i think that will get harder as the parties become more polarized. it is something i worked harder at. when you think at the blue dog districts, a lot of them are popular with some republican voters or they never would have 1. >> to what extent would of that election say about the opportunities for republicans and the challenges for obama in 2012? >> what i think is that we have an opposition to the policy of this administration. it would say you guys have a responsibility to a greater or

lesser extent, lesser in the congress where they have control of the house and they do not run everything, more so in some states where they have more power, to actually govern in a responsible way, in a way that addresses the problems. i think it is a mistake, or one can inflate the different racial minorities. it leads one to think that all of the other minorities will vote 90% democratic like boats and the black since 1964. my only view on black voters is that it may be that 2012 is a peek boats in history. that is what happened with tactlecatholics when we had ourt catholic president. and do not expect that to go on for blacks, but i think at some

point black voters may make decisions on the basis of other issues. hispanics, they are different in different states. a lot of different crosscurrents going. asians just one parenthetical. new jersey, the governor's race , has the highest population in america's population of people born in india voted solidly for chris christie in an area with quite a lot of emigrants. maybe that is one result, but i think it is interesting. it is one i would be concerned about if i was a democratic leader. >> the other minorities were all between 62 and 67% democratic, and that was part of the problem for mccain, the sharp falloff

from democrats. >> bush carried minorities in florida. >> the republican party -- you were talking about self asians. a lot of south asians were republican-leaning for a long time. and there was this sense that the republican party was saying we do not want to as a member of the club, like they were putting up walls. people forget that obama, southeast asians believe that obama has an asian background also. he does. obviously he lived in indonesia. i remember in the primaries that was a bigger deals than people realize. >> let's bring in the audience for some questions.

get down the steps a plea please. >> jeff binder. my question is two parts. i am curious how the panel thinks about the potential positive byproducts of the congress actually going republican for barack obama in 2012. americans are looking to restore some what of the balance, and that losing congress may benefit the white house and maybe they're thinking about that in terms of how they actually get involved. the second question is relative to the national tide you have talked about. the question is can the republican candidates really make the national issues salience at the local level? it is not enough to really say health care is an issue. it has to be an issue in which their district in which their congressman is relative to them. in massachusetts, for instance, while health care was a huge

issue in electing scott brown, it is not necessarily an issue at the local level from a congress% b perspective. >> i just want to said that in a non-presidential year it is much harder to nationalize an election. let's go back to mark crisp. he knew exactly what his local voters were looking for. he was that. the other flavor was not. i think many incumbents are highly skilled at understanding that. i also think democrats can package the health care reform, which in macro terms is still unpopular, as the individual pieces kick in, it could be extremely popular. >> could he be better with an

opposition to play off of? >> i do not think so. i do not think the country would be better off. one of the things that obama ran on and try to make a big thing was changed. i am going to make different things happen. if republicans control the house, he will not make different things happen. they will say this is our chance to win the republicpresidency. >> we have veterans in the white house that were there in 1994. he has reminded people of one thing that changes when party's takeover, particularly in the house, and that is the issue of subpoena power. and the fact is if republicans get the house, a gentleman by the name of darrell i saissa --e

has been all over the obama white house, she will have subpoena power. he will make their life miserable over and over again in the same way that henry waxman made the bush administration's last year's miserable. they are not looking at that. they are preparing for it. keep their eye it out on today d as the next budget director. this person will be the center of what the issue will be in the first six months of 2011, the issue of the deficit. this budget director cannot be someone who cannot speak in front of people, peter orszag. they need someone that can handle the job of crunching the numbers, but also understand the

politics of working with other side. that is why they have not replaced him yet. they have not found the right person yet. this is their way of preparing for this moment. >> the 1996 congress had positive policy results. they had a political fight but they were equal for year, which was an important factor. that was depicted as a political defeat for gingrich. we have had other bipartisan legislation in the second clinton term and in the first first busbush term. >> anyway, i think watch for

that to work in obama . >> do you have a question over there? >> jay winston. i want to add a dimension to this discussion. it in the short term there is a major international crisis or a national security threats and the president showed strong leadership or if in the short term the president green lights and the attack which gets bin laden, is there anything on the international scene that could significantly change the trajectory of the november elections? >> security is my focus, and i think obama has been more progress than and bush w. was against a high-value targets. it is the special operations that have been going on that have taken out some real bad

guys. some of these policies are controversial. i know this. i believe doing these things strictly within legal constraints is the right thing to do. we will see what happens. the chance of are being attacked here in the conventional way, ied, conventional, suicide bomber, is pretty high. it is not hard to do that. when we learn about the guys we have captured, there is reason for being concerned. if we are attacked, i believe the president will be very aggressive. it depends what the whole thing looks like, but i agree. i hope we are not attacked. i hope he keeps the country's sake as bush was able to do for a number of years. >> let's start with more questions. one year and one there. let's get a microphone down there. quick questions and quick answers. >> my name is daniel parker, and

i think one of the major issues is the immediate influence and how this has really driven whether democrats or providencrepublicans to get e house or senate. it was very clear that obama was elected not only by the people but also the media. the question is how is the media going to affect their race in 2010? >> we have a liberal monopoly in media for a long time. >> i am sorry. >> this is the most over inflated issue. it is not there. where do you think just immelt's money went?

>> [inaudible] >> you do not agree with me, i am not allowed to talk. make your point quickly. >> we have diverse media. we once had universal media. everyone watched the same movies and same tv programs. they were widely acceptable. ronald reagan and franklin roosevelt drew on universal media. now we have a politically diverse media. had major media that hired 90 percent said democrats. that was obviously absurd. >> even in the world you described, republicans -- >> the point i made was the media was heavily republican.

the media is not overwhelmingly powerful. people are capable of seeing through which. now we have many options. >> would you accept or reject the proposition that media was a significant factor in obama winning? >> i think it was a minor factor. >> second row. >you need a microphone. as it down like a beer at a baseball game. >> you briefly touched on this. can you talk about the sarah palin factor? is there something -- do you think she will have an influence?

>> i want her to endorse jane harman. >> i think she is a shiny metal object for the media. i see it with people i work with. and there is people like oh, my god she updated our facebook page. i think in the primary she will have the influence. she is a very polarizing figure. i think there really is not a pailin factor out there. i think the people -- i think members of congress are way too sensitive to the ideological entertainment that is out there. i think it over respond to the rhetoric, whether it does on the

cable channels that i represent, i think members of congress over respond. >> let's take it back up here. we only have a couple of minutes. i want to ask you to give me one word answers. i will start with chuck. if republicans to take over the house or senate, or both, it would you expect to see more triangulation from obama or more confrontation? >> i think more confrontation. >> i think affiliation. i think he will get pushed back from pelosi. >> i am guessing confrontation. >> i think the congress will be more confrontation, but i think obama will try triangulation. >> if the republicans take over

the house, what will their posture be towards obama? while they look to make big deals on big issues or draw sharp lines in the san? >> right now i do not think they have developed where they are going. right now i think there will be sharp lines in the sand. >> i think the issue of the deficit will be the dominant first six months theme. i think he will try to make political points. i think he will try to raise taxes and see if they can get republicans to do it. >> last question. what will be the biggest surprise on election night? >> i think it is more likely that republicans either win both the house and senate or

carry neither. you look historically, most of the time this stuff goes in one direction. it is more likely that one party either holds both orr wins both, rather than the idea of a split decision. >> i think republicans will win more seats than more people have predicted. >> in both chambers? >> more seats. >> i think we will stay up late to see if the california democratic ticket will prevail. >> i think it depends on the economy, and i think if the budget commission does a good job, that commission report will be the blueprint for the first six months of next year, and that could be very exciting. that could be a game changer. it could be something with legs. >> you have been an informative and occasionally feisty panel.

with audience join me in thanking our panel. thank you all for coming. enjoy the rest of the ideas festival. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] . . top hat and, in this case. the chief operating officer says testing will then be needed before it is clear the oil has stopped spilling into the gulf of mexico he says is it -- to

the schedule to be done by the end of this week. congress returning this week from the fourth of july break. the senate meets at 2:00 p.m. eastern the sector and for general speeches until about 5:30 p.m. today with senators will vote on a judicial nomination. the house back tomorrow to vote on a number of bills dealing with federal land. later, continuing the national flood insurance program. white house coverage here on c- span and the senate on c-span2. this week, online city in the cable industry in europe. with the maryland attorney general and cable europe president. tonight on c-span2. watch world leaders from the white house to parliaments around the globe. from this week in the past 25 years. with this he's been video library, online, all free.

it is washington and the world, your way. nevada's senate republican nominee spoke at the nevada republican party convention unity dinner on friday. she talks about the differences between her senate campaign and democratic opponent senate majority leader harry reid, who is running for fifth term. it took place in henderson, nevada. hours after, president obama left the state or he was campaigning for senator reid. [applause] >> whoa. i hope you can see me. [laughter] there is no hand-held microphone. good evening, republican levers of liberty. thank you so much for being

here. [applause] >> that is a little better. [cheers and applause] >> i had a press men say i did not expect you to be so little. [laughter] and i said, i do not let it fool you. i have been fighting about this all my life. there is, you know, an old adage about folks that are a little on the short side. anyway, i am so glad you are here, and i am so grateful to andanny for those wonderful wor. thank you. [applause] great. now we are cooking.

i'm want to tell you that people have been worried about that primary that we had. i wanted to make this night a night that we could be proud of, where we were all united in one effort, with one focus, and that is to beat harry reid. [applause] and danny, sue, bill parson -- would you stand up? thank you very much, bill. [applause] robin titus. [applause] chad christensen. all of our wonderful, wonderful candidates.

we had a number of great candidates, and our only focus during the primary was to defeat harry reid. and now we are going to take that focus all the way to november 2, and that is why i need your help. thank you so much. [applause] i want to talk to you a little bit tonight about how we are going to do that. we, as a party, have an opportunity to take back a speech that belongs to week, the people. [applause] week, the people, of nevada have a senate seat that has been too long occupied by a career politician, good old boy, who makes a deal on every bill. and i hold him personally responsible for what is

happening in our nation. and the reason i hold him personally responsible is because he did not just vote for these bills. obama proposed these things, but harry reid disposed of them. he is the one that brought every one of those policies into fruition, and he did it in the most good old boy, corruption as usual, washington, d.c., establishment away, and that is by making deals. in fact, he told us that if you're legislature is not making a deal, you do not have a very good legislator. well, we, the people, are tired of that kind of politics, and that is why we're going to make a change on november 2. [cheers and applause] it is interesting though.

desperate men desperate things. and harry reid is a desperate man, and you have been listening to his desperate commercials on television. now i want to ask you a simple question. if harry reid has had such a difficult time with the truth in the past, why would you believe anything that he puts on television? and you have to remind your neighbors of that. that this man has spent waterboarding our economy for the last year and a half with a stimulus, the bailout, and obamacare, and he has washington, d.c., and the rest of this nation in such a fog that businesses cannot see the way out. and that is the problem with our economy. as long as they're looking at that followed it, and they know

that there are a couple more rocks did hit before they even see what is next, they know that harry reid has some plans for some rocks in the fog, and we know that that is cap and trade. we know that he is going to lead to the tax cuts run out, and that means a tax increase. we know that he said his top agenda is amnesty. that is why our businessmen in this country and in nevada are saying, i am not sure i can take a risk because they cannot see through the fog. and i thought it was interesting that obama said that we have a bright new day. well, he has not even read and around las vegas if he has not seen that the lights are out here in nevada. this is not a bright new day. all i can say is he must give

bright light shining on that fog, and that is what is hitting him in the face because this is a bright new day. this is an economy that is a disaster, not only for our state but for our country. but we have an opportunity to get out of that fog, to give some certainty to our businessmen, and to offer them an opportunity as well to take those risks. harry reid's answers are extend unemployment and give us a temporary jobs. the real answers are paid back the debt, cut back on this spending, and take back our economy so that our businesses can provide permanent, full-time jobs with a future. that is what we want in nevada. and we want something that will

actually diversify our economy. we know that the problem here in nevada is that there is no discretionary money across the nation, and that is why people have stopped coming. well, and at and obama telling them that if they're coming to las vegas, they're coming on a junket, but i would say to you that harry reid agreed. he agreed with obama, and that is what has hurt our state. we have had those brash words, and what we need to do is make sure that we do not depend so much on any industry that when we do see this kind of natural and then flow of our economy that we have that fallback position. we have folks here from elco county, and they know that their

economy thrives on the mining industry, and they also know that they are in jeopardy because of harry reid. he is looking at the 1872 mining law. well, we need to make sure that at 1872 mining law stays intact. that is just the way it was proposed. we also need to make sure that our government is not using things like the monument act and the wilderness act to shut off areas of our state to prospecting. whinnied mineral exploration of what to expand our mining industry, so we need to allow that to happen in our state. we have an opportunity here to do some really positive things, and the first one is to defeat harry reid. [applause]

when we defeat harry reid, the eyes of the nation are still going to be upon us. and they're going to be wondering what nevada wants to do next. and we're going to tell them. the first thing we would like to do is repeal obamacare. [cheers and applause] we have got some other ideas that we would like to do. we would like to take that $500 million -- $500 billion that is left in the stimulus, the $500 billion coming in from the tarp, $1 trillion and payback on the deficit right now. we can do that. and we need to. because we want to turn this around and get out of that fog. we need to give not only our country the confidence that

we're going in the the right direction but also, our neighbors throughout the world. we want to let them know that we're no longer using our credit card. we are paying off the debt. we're paying off the credit cards. [applause] we need to cut back on the spending. and you have heard me say this before. we need to do this in a 5 time, 5% for year for the next five years. and prioritize lists of expenditures and that prioritized list needs to be in and a, b, and c priority. a common being those things that the government should be spending on. b and c, those things that we have been spending money on. but we're not getting the best bang for our buck. and of course, conservatives always say, so where would you

cut? thinking that nothing can be cut. but truly, we have agencies and departments that we can cut that would be better served at the state level. and we have the 10th amendment that our founders gave us a said, yes, you should have those things done at your state level, and i am talking about things like the department of education. ronald reagan knew this. [applause] and remember, ronald reagan had it right about our economy, and if he thought the department of education are one size fits all policy-making bureaucracy that fits no one, we have seen that with no child left behind. they send us unfunded are underfunded mandates to states, and then we cannot do what we do best, which is we want to keep that money right here in the

state, and we want to put it into that class or more the parents, the teacher, and the tiles are the stakeholders. we want to do that ourselves and keep our money here. ronald reagan knew that we could do that, and it would be better served. there are other agencies and departments you can think of or we're spending several dollars that we do not need to be spending, and we need to start cutting back there. we then need to take back our economy, and we know how to do that, by simple things like auditing the said, a true audit of the fed. [cheers and applause] liquidating fraudy mac and phony mae. [laughter] [applause] and if we can secure the borders and force the loss, get a share of like our patio in every state. am i right?

let's do those things. we know what is going to take to get our economy back where we need it. we know, as americans, that our constitution has worked and will work again. we know that ronald reagan was right when he said the government is not the solution. the government is th problem. yet, that is all harry reid has given us, big government takeovers. so it is time toake back our government by making it a less regulatory government and a lower taxation government. that will invite our businesses back to america. and that is the climate that your u.s. senators need to help create, in this state, so we can take back our economy here in nevada. we also have some potential that we need to explore here in nevada, and those potentials

include a secure test site that we have been doing nuclear material research and development on three years with livermore laboratories and others, and that we have been transporting since 1954 this nuclear material without incident. we need not be afraid, and the governor knows this. he is our person that has been promoting this. he is the one that has been saying this all along. people understand that we need to bolster our economy here in nevada, and one of those ways is to take something that harry reid has demonized for years and years and years and explore the potential. let's just take a look at what we have got. [applause] finally, i would like to say

this again, remember, we have the right contract with america, and that is our constitution. [applause] we have the right message for america. it is ronald reagan's message. lower taxes, less government regulation, more individual freedom, and cuts and spending. we have the right ankle to defeat harry reid. -- we have the right a goangle o defeat harry reid. and then all of you in this room can vote for me. but i want you to do me a favor. cinda on your e-mail lists tonight to every one of your relatives and friends across this nation -- i want you to tell them that they may not be able to vote for me, but they can help us in nevada. send money to my website. we need their help.

we need their help. and i need your help. and i need a unified party that understands, like reagan did, that if you are 85% in agreement with me, you're my friend. we are ready to go. we're ready to defeat harry reid. we're ready to take on that the challenge, and we are ready to tell them, keep your eye on the ball, harry, because the ball is not out here with social security, although it is a big part of it. social security has been rated and pillaged by harry reid for years. he does not want us to talk about that part, but we need to talk about that part because that is part of the debt that harry reid has created. so let's remind him that it is about the economy. the ball is not over here with

the department of education. the ball has a part to do it the target of education because they are spending dollars that need to be better spent here in the state. but remind him, is about the economy. the ball is not about sharron angle. the ball is about harry reid, and it is about the economy that harry reid has been systematically destroying through these policies of stimulus, bailout, obamacare, cap and trade -- we can go on and on and on. [applause] so remember, it is all about 14% unemployment. it is all about the largest foreclosure rate in the nation. it is all about the largest bankruptcy rate in the nation.

that is the ball. because our citizens here in nevada are suffering. remember the what -- ronald reagan misery index? we are living it. we are living it, and the ball is about our citizens and their jobs and their homes. that is what it is all about, and harry reid can blame everyone, everything, tried to get your eyes off the ball. but the ball remains right here at home with our jobs and our homes and our children and our grandchildren. what are we going to pass it down? are we going to pass down debt and deficit? or are we going to pass down at liberty and freedom? we have the opportunity to pass

down liberty and freedom. so let's go, and let's take back our senate seat. republicans, liberty lovers, thank you. thank you very much. [applause] >> also speaking at the nevada republican party convention unity dinner on friday, republican national committee chair, michael steele. he talks about the future of the party for about half an hour. >> this is a special time. how is it going out here in nevada? [cheers and applause] i hope somebody up in here is ready to win. i hope somebody is ready to win in the nevada. are you ready to win? i just want to make sure. because you have got some work

cut out for you. you have some things to do. and it is important that you pull yourself togetr, pull yourselves up by your bootstraps, leaned over and help a neighbor pull themselves up, lean over and help that crazy uncle pull himself up. family and friends. bring a powerful message. we're going to bring the change that this country needs. we're going to bring the change that nevada needs. and we're going to start by changing out harry reid. [cheers and applause] you have got a great new chairmen who i have had the pleasure to spend some time with. and he is quite a guy. he has already shown that, and he's ready to rock-and-roll and build and grow and strengthen this party. mark, congratulations on your leadership. chairman, it is a real pleasure to be with you.

and he is a great team, a great partnership with the governor and that wonderful national committeewoman. where are they? thank you both for your leadership. thank you all so much. this partnership is your anchor. this partnership is a team that will help lay down the course in november. and they are going to need your help. and they're going to need your time. and they are going to need your commitment. because this hour is important. and you have a wonderful, wonderful chance to send a signal to the rest of this country that the age of obama is about to end. [cheers and applause] you have got a great candidate running out there. she is grassroots, 24/7, 365.

she is the mom and the that, the brocgrocer, the entrepreneur, this did in, the everyday person just trying to get to the next day to make it just a little bit better. she understands that she will be the next u.s. senator from this great state, sharron angle. [applause] and i want to thank danny. these campaigns, and i have seen a lot of them, there is a whole lot of mess that comes after the battle. danny, you are one hell of a stand up guy. and i really appreciate your getting out there and doing the fight. [applause] it says a lot about this moment for the state when people can come together despite the hard- fought battles, the camps over

here and the camps over there. tonight, ladies and gentlemen, the republican party of nevada is united. it is ready, and it is going to win. [applause] joe -- is joe here? there he is. joe, go and knock them out, baby. go knock them out. are you having fun yet? all right. keep that smile going. we need you. you have to get to washington, d.c., baby. come on now. you have such a great team here. you have such a great opportunity. the governor, the u.s. senate, congress, local races, you have a chance to take a new course, take some new steps. what i want to talk to you tonight about is how we do that together.

and what that is going to mean. because it is important. it is very, very important. thomas jefferson once said, when the people fear the government, there is. when the government fears the people, there is liberty. -- she said when the people for the government, there is a tyranny. at this hour, our government does not fear us. harry reid does not fear the people of nevada. president obama does not fear the people of this country. because if they did, there would not have been a health care bill passed down our throats. there will not have been a cap and trade bill out of the house. there but not have been the takeover of auto industries, insurance industry, banking industry, financial institutions. because the people have made it

clear that is not the one their government to do. what they want their government to do is to create a pathway of opportunity and get the hell out of the way and let us reach the american dream for ourselves. [applause] that is what the people want the government to do. now as i travel this great country and i get to spend time with the grassroots of america, i have never seen such a palpable anger as i have over the past year. the smart people who study this tell us that that anger comes from a place of fear. that we have to ask ourselves in this hour, why are the american people fearful? what is it that scares them so much? is it because we love our country? yeah. and for some people in the

washington, that is a novel idea. that people love this country so much that they are afraid for her. they are afraid for her future. they are afraid for their children. that people would love this country so much that they would dare to stand up to its government and say enough. that they would dredge off to a town hall meeting and say no more. that they would go to a congressman's office or senator's office or a state representatives office and say, we cannot afford any more of your burden. people love their country so much. they want the government to get out of the way, so that they can realize that little thing called the american dream.

we want it for ourselves. we want it for our children. because, after all, this is the place where potential mates opportunity. this is the place where an idea becomes a reality, employees someone. and that is the greatness of our people, of you. do not let anyone tell you or this country we're not exceptional. we are. we are. [applause] we are. [applause] what is it about america that makes us exceptional? is it the water we drink?

no. is it because we're nicer people? well, if you have ever been in the rush-hour traffic, you know that is not the case. [laughter] no, it is freedom. it is freedom. the freedom to wake up every morning and work, not for someone else's dream before your own. you see, america is supposed to be the place where the tentacles of big government cannot harass yo you are free to work hard, to stay smart, and to pass on a lasting legacy of values and wealth to your kids. in america, success is not the enemy. let me repeat that. in this and the president got a double-got on an airplane today to go back to washington, so i hope my words catch up with him. success is not an enemy here in

america. [applause] and the reason is quite simple. we expect to succeed. we expect to succeed. you do not take the risks. you did it out -- you do not get up and say i want to start a business just so it can fail. you do not wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and go, all i want to be today is poor. that is not america, folks. you know it. i know it, but harry and barry do not. [cheers and applause. >> they do not. so we're going to have to educate them.

and the way we do that to is by talking about what we believed. sharing our stories. teaching them through our action. running our businesses, raising our kids. saluting the flag. being proud to be an american. recognizing the exceptional is and that has at the find us for over 230 years. not that we're better than anybody else. it is just that we try harder. we tried to do better. not for ourselves but for all. and we need to help those folks in the washington understand that. by sending some good congressmen there. sending a good senator there [applause] electing a good governor for the state.

but success, as you recognize, is getting harder and harder every day. the american dream is becoming more and more distant for so many of our friends and families. especially right here in nevada. were you have double-digit unemployment. foreclosure rates through the roof. a dispirited people. they have lost confidence in themselves, and that should never be allowed to happen. it happens because somewhere in that glorious long career of harry reid, he stopped caring about people and became more concerned about washington. and the interest there that pad his coffers every election cycle. and the deals that he can cut some of the deals that often land on the backs of hard- working taxpayers.

it did not have to make this stuff up, folks, you have witnessed it all over the past year. i am not telling you anything you do not already know. what i am asking you to do is go out and share that story, that reality, that truth that the people of nevada, help them appreciate was six more years of harry reid will mean for them. just a thought that is scary in and of itself. but you have the facts, and you have the candidates who will deliver not just the facts but the heart, the heart. the people of this state. it beats in unison with the folks all across this country who want a better life for their kids. we cannot afford to be the first generation unable to pass on a legacy of prosperity.

it means too much to our kids. as small business owners, entrepreneur or is, risktakers get up on monday morning, they are going to be worried about their accounts receivables. they are going to be worried about the employee they may have to lay off. they will be worried about whether or not the contract that will put them at the top will come through. they're going to be worried when there county calls and tells them that come next january, your tax bill goes up because harry reid once the bush tax cuts to expire. so he figures you can afford to pay more. and by the way, harry reid thinks it can afford to pay more for health care because come january, your premiums are going up, too. so you'll not be able to afford that health care for your employees, so you have to put a mall in the the government program. thank you, harry, but no thanks.

it is time to retire harry reid, folks. [cheers and applause] over the last two days, harry reid and president obama or the presidentduo, weren't they? -- they were the picture-perfect duo, weren't they? arm in arm, talking smack [laughter] ] sharron angle is about to smack. upside the head come november. [applause] let me ask all of you hear something. how is that hopey-changey thing working out for you? are you feeling it yet? barack obama talked about hope without an action plan, and harry reid bought into it. he talked about change without

telling us what he wanted to change. and harry reid stuck with the people into the bad deal. the two of them are teamed up. the people woke up. they stood up for liberty. when harry met barry and past the giant welfare package and called it stimulus, what did we do? we did not cry. we organized an nominated sharron angle to defeat harry reid. [applause] when harry reid's pal, nancy pelosi -- you all know her, don't you? yes. when nancy and harry got together in the house and tri to pass this job-killing, economy-crushing cap and tax team, we did not shrug our shoulders. we raised the principal conservative candidate like joe heck and ken wagner to go to

washington and pushed back on them. when harry reid wanted to control shares in the car companies, union bosses were driven into financial ruin, we did not complain. we drove ourselves to a two- party in harry's backyard. [applause] when harry reid started counting down to the end of the bush tax cuts, we started counting down to november 2 and the end of harry reid and his democrat majority in the senate and in the house. americans, you see, have had enough, folks. they have had enough. the fog has lifted from their eyes. the kool-aid has been drained from their veins. and they're asking one simple question. how do we take our country back? well, i will tell you. we take our country back when we retire harry reid. we take our country back when we fired nancy pelosi. we take our country back when we

send a good conservative principal leaders to washington. when we elect a governor who understands people. when we elect state officials from comptroller to attorney- general who are going to go fight for the people, not against them. it is time to go on offense, because the electoral mott -- march is already on, from massachusetts to new jersey, from virginia to hawaii, the freedom agenda is winning the day. it is winning the day. [applause] now somebody may be worried that too much damage has been done to america. that we are so deein the hole that we cannot dig our way out. now some comments i made recently might have gotten some people to thinking that i feel that way about our effort in

afghanistan. but i want to take this moment among friends to clarify, because i know that my remarks y have been a little bit confusing or misunderstood. afghanistan is a war we can win. it is perhaps the hardest place in the world to win a war, but this is america. and with the right leadership, the right resources, and the right rules of engagement on the ground, week not only can win, we must win. we will win, and will not leave our soldiers alone in the battle. [cheers and applause] we will not leave our soldiers alone in the battle. [applause] teselle let me clarify further -- so let me clarify further.

for the sake of all those great heroes who have lost their lives, and i met a goldstar mother this evening, and it was an important moment for me. to stand with the mother of a soldier. it reminded me of the times that i stood with moms and dads of soldiers as lieutenant governor that i would see off to war. and the moms and dads that i stood with as their sons and daughters came home. we do not take this lightly, folks. a lot of our friends and neighbors have lost their lives. and their families have suffered. but we stand with them.

we pray for them. because that is what we do. it is not a debatable point. it is not a political opportunity. it is what makes us americans. and for all those still fighting, please know that and i and the republican national committee stand squarely behind your effort, willing to give whatever support is necessary to win decisively, completely, and secure america's future today and tomorrow. that is what this fight is about, and i hope no one misconstrues that.

[applause] we have in this room men and women who write checks, keep writing them. we have in this room men and women who knock on doors and sign, wave, and volunteer. we have in this room can it is for office. with all the candidates for office, whatever office, please stand? please stand for a moment so we can at thank you. [applause] please stand so we can thank you. support them. [applause] this is your frontline. these are the folks were going to put it on the line for you in

november. what you can do between now and then is here. it is here. it is here in your own hands. what ever you can do, do it over and over and over until we win. do not give 1 inch of ground to harry reid and those out there who want to tear us apart. they tell us that nevada is a blue state. really? i do not think so. there may be some blue people from what harry has done to them. [laughter] but you represent the new life. you represent the new beginning. the republican renaissance is in your hands.

the real dirt -- the re- emergence from the dark days of 2006 and 2008 into a better opportunity. right now. the chairman, your national committee man, your national committeewoman, they need your continued commitment and support. they need you to do one extra day, one extra hour, one extra minute to help us win. just as we cannot take any seat for granted, there is no law that says democrats' own every seat. we have already seen that story, or rather that lie, defeated in the massachusetts. [applause] we have seen it defeated in hawaii. and we're going to see harry

reid defeated here in nevada in november. [cheers and applause] before i wind up, and want to do one more thing because it is important. and i am national chairman, and i get to do this. [laughter] if you are college republican, a teenage republican, or a young republican, please stand up. please stand up. [cheers and applause] ah -- ah. now -- i am the german. stay standing. i did not say sit. -- as with the chairmen. wait a minute. i see some young bloods. if you are a college republican, a young republican, or to any republican, stand up. now is not the time for you to be shy. because someone you to know you

are already empowered to lead because they do not have to ask for anybody permission to do what you do to help this party broke and reach new voters, to reach your generation. -- to help this party grow. if you're not looking in the future of the party. this is the right here and the right now. these young men and women are our voice. [applause] and we need to make sure they are empowered to go out and deliver any message about a new party and a new day. [applause] so empower them further. encourage them, supports them. now i am not going to dog out anybody here, but we need to have more of them in this room the next time you all gather. ok? so let's think about the future right now. let's think about the opportunities you can do right

now for them. now for all of you who are standing, do not stop. you want to do it, do it. if you want to run the campaign, you want to run for office, you want to raise money, you want to strategizing, you ought to be in the ring, then take your butt and put it at the table because no one is going to let you in otherwise. you have to show them that you are ready to lead. [applause] because if you do not, you will not be taken seriously. we can ill afford to let your generation slip through our fingers. and do not screw it up. [laughter] [applause] thank you. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010]

>> so we're going to pull out all the stops to elect sharron angle, right? >> yes! >> i did not want to hear any excuses. i do not want to hear any nonsense. i do not want to hear any stupidity coming at of this party about anything other than harry reid's stupidity. we do not need to fight inside our own house. i am tired of it. and it tonight. -- end it tonight. [applause] if you are ever going to rally for anything, you really for this woman and a letter to the u.s. senate because it you do not, i am coming back here, and it will not be pretty. [applause] ryan sandoval, he will be the next governor of this state. [applause]

this guy understands the constitution. as a federal judge, former a.g., he has been fighting to protect the liberties of this community for a long time. and as governor, wow. think of the good things he will do. elect him. ken wagner, a veteran as well as someone who has run a successful business. he will be your next congressman from the first district, right? [applause] he is going to bring a business sense to washington, thank goodness. lord knows they need it. he knows how to make the payroll. he knows how to make those ends meet. and he knows when to stop spending, especially when there's no money left to spend.

joe heck -- [cheers and applause] total package. i like this guy a lot. doctor, a veteran, a small- business owner. he is going to take the people of nevada to washington with him. so you do not have to worry about him getting to washington in getting stupid on the kool- aid, because you're going to be there with him as a partnership in the u.s. congress. go do it, buddy. go do it. elect him. [applause] now some things they say are a given, but in this cycle we do not assume anything, so we're going to be about the business of reelecting dean heller, right? [applause] send him back to congress. he needs some help. we need some help.

make sure he gets back there. because certainly, the first vote any time to cast in january, along with these other gentlemen, is for the next republican as speaker of the house. all right? [cheers and applause] you have seen a lot of the other candidates running for offices, for attorney general, for comptroller, for local offices -- these are serious individuals who are ready for a serious time. and i am glad they are running. we need republicans and patriots who will not only live up to the badge of honor that you give them with your vote, but carry a little bit of you with them to their jobs every day in carson city, washington, d.c., where ever they are conducting the people's business.

we need republicans and patriots who will not drink the political kool-aid any longer. and forget those core values that have defined the leadership of this party for generations. all of you kids, we're counting on you to make a difference. -- all the candidates, we're counting on you to make a difference. there will be a lot of blood, sweat, and equity put into your campaign. honor the people who send you to office for just doing a to -- doing a good job and remembering how you got there. because my mom used to tell me, i brought you into this world, i will take you out. well, we put you into office. we will take you out, too. [applause] finally, folks, let's make a packed tonight. as we leave this convention, that our fight is not with each other but with harry reid and barack obama and nancy pelosi and every democrat in

washington. for ruining our economy, weakening our national defense, and robbing the future from our kids and grandkids. ronald reagan had a wonderful quote. when he was asked about his strategy in the cold war, he said simply, "we wein, they lose." [applause] well as republicans, i do not want us to lose face in the power and the ingenuity of the american people and the people of nevada. do not lose faith in them. do not lose faith in those who can rebuild an economy and restore communities. as our republican renaissance unfolds across nevada, we must once again reaffirm to our neighbor and friends our core

belief that government should be limited so that it never infringes on the rights of individuals. it should be kept low so individuals might keep or, get this, harry, people get to keep more of their own money. wow, what a concept. what a concept. by the way, how do you become a millionaire on a senator's salary? [applause] that is an inquiry. with your help, we can restore the strength, the growth, the birthright of liberty and prosperity as generations of americans have always passed on to their children. our generation must keep that promise. so come november, in nevada and all across america, we win, they

lose. deal? is it a deal? is it a deal? [cheers and applause] we win, they lose. is it a deal? are you up for that? say it, so i can hear it. >> [all] we win, they lose. [all] we win, they lose. >> now you have got the spirit. god bless america and god bless the troops, and god bless the good republicans in nevada. [cheers and applause] >> as we look at a live picture

of the u.s. capitol, the senate judiciary committee meeting tomorrow to vote on the nomination of solicitor general elena kagan to the supreme court. republican leaders say they have no plans to filibuster the nomination, but under committee rules, any member can ask for one-week delay. it is reported that a full senate vote is still expected before the august recess. c-span is now available in over 100 million homes, bringing you washington in your way, a public service, created by america's cable companies. and congress returns this week from the july 4 break. the senate meeting today at 2:00 p.m. eastern for general speeches until about 5:30 p.m. eastern. at that time, senators will vote on a judicial nomination. the house is back tomorrow to vote on a number of bills dealing with federal lands. and later in the week, continuing the national flood insurapr