at him and his relationship with the political machine back home. >> donald ritchie on washington movies and his new book, tonight on c-span q&a. >> monday, secretary of state hillary clinton delivers a speech on the u.s. global health initiative, a centerpiece of foreign policy and an expression of u.s. values and leadership in the world. she will describe the global health initiative's or principles and calls on or about -- calls on governments, organizations, and individuals to join the united states in delivering more health services to more people in more places. that is live, monday at 11:30 a.m. on c-span. >> welcome to "newsmakers."

we have a live round-table discussion. we cover capitol hill and the white house to thank you for being with us. let's begin with the news that received a lot of attention. when did you sit down with the white house press secretary robert gibbs, ended his statement about the left -- cars and kucinich and others -- surprise you? >> we sat down together in his office a week ago friday. we published the story after the weekend. it was a very candid interview from beginning to end. there was a story that ran just before that and it did not get quite as much attention about christina romer's departure. he told me that the economics team was exhausted. also a very newsworthy story. from beginning to end, it was a very candid interview, and no more so than when he vented frustration that the white house is feeling towards what they are calling "the professional left." >> the house and senate are out this week. the senate have a quick vote on

immigration. what kind of reaction have you been garnering from democrats on capitol hill? >> in response to what he said, i think the frustration here is that democrats have passed a lot of legislation over this past year, and they are sensing that -- they pass the health care bill, the financial regulatory reform bill, reforming the credit card industry. but what a lot of liberals are concerned about is what they did not pass and what they did not do, like climate change legislation, closing guantanamo bay, which the president promised he would do. the white house and democratic leaders want to sell to the base that they have done a lot for this country. they have taken big steps toward what they promised on the campaign trail. let's get some credit here. let's get the base motivated. they have not been able to do that. >> let me ask you about the issue of political capital.

when the president campaigned for martha coakley, she lost to scott brown. he also campaigned for michael bennet, who won in colorado this week. there was a story that said this was a good week for the president. >> i think it was a good win, it is an anomaly. their track record ahead of colorado was dismal, especially when you look at pennsylvania with arlen specter and joe sestak. i think they're hoping this is not an anomaly. david axelrod told me this is proof there is not going to be away the election. this election -- every election is specific to the state and district they are being run in. it is hopeful thinking. they do not want to see a wave election. if the trend holds true, it will be a rough november for democrats. >> i would agree with that. the president's approval rating is a big problem. he is down to about 43% in the

gallup poll right now. when presidents are below 50% in the ratings, historically, they lose about 36 seats in the house. republicans need 40 seats to take back the majority. the president is facing disapproval ratings on almost every issue. that is a problem when he heads to the campaign trail. is a question -- it is a question for democrats whether they want him on the campaign trail or do not want him at all. >> the president is spending part of the weekend on the florida gulf coast. no independent photographers there. it is a white house photograph of him in the gulf coast. he is also going on vacation at the end of this month. what is the story behind this weekend's visit and the attention he has been getting with his vacations -- weekend getaways? >> any time he spends on vacation during a time of tribulation or what we're

fighting wars, he will take some heat. george w. bush took heat for the time he spent in crawford appeared this week and is about showing the gulf coast is open for business. it took a lot of heat when it went to maine last month instead of the gulf coast. he has been telling everybody to go to the gulf. it is safe. it is open. seafood is safe. this is about putting his money where his mouth is. they went swimming yesterday. we all lament when they ought to go with the official white house photographer. he did not want to end up on "people" magazine short list again. he will head to the vineyard after a rather intense few days on the campaign trail. it has been a long year. despite the criticism from the left, they have worked very very hard -- very, very hard this year. he is looking forward to spending time with his family. >> manu raju, the new york times

said that they're not taking enough time to celebrate what they have achieved. there was a poll showed the democrats and republicans are both getting low favorable -- low ratings. >> that same poll had some good news for democrats. there was the general question about which party you want to control congress. it is nearly split -- almost even. when you compare that to 2006 and 2008, democrats had a clear majority over voters preferring them to control congress. that is good news. the bad news is that the public does not have much confidence in what congress has done. an astonishingly low 1% believe that this has been one of the best congressional sessions. that is -- that contrasts with the message that chris dodd was saying. we passed all these bills. we need to get credit for it. they are not getting credit.

they're now trying to say that we are better than republicans and republicans are the party that would bring it back to the problems we had in 2008 and before. >> as you look at the poll numbers -- unemployment is at 9.5%. a deficit is approaching $14 trillion. >> those are the big numbers. 9.5% -- that is the number you look at. that is the number that the white house democrats cannot get around. it is hard to message 9.5% unemployment. you can put to everything you have done, but as long as republicans are unified in their message of "where are the jobs" that is resonating with the voters. they spent all that money on the stimulus. this and money to the states for medicaid, teachers, and first responders. the nine -- the number is at 9.5% still. this is a millstone around the president's neck. he is not able to get around it.

>> that same poll showed that support for the war in afghanistan is diminishing. we saw the first of a series of interviews this morning with general david petraeus, trying to explain the mission in afghanistan, coming at the same time that additional wikileaks documents will be coming out. can you elaborate? >> the pentagon is warning that the wikileaks latest is going to potentially be more damaging to the war effort. i think that afghanistan is a big issue in terms of the democratic base. there is a lot of apprehension, not just -- amid the democrats in congress about the direction the war is going. it speaks to the larger question of the enthusiasm that the party has heading into november. that is a problem politically. the economy is much larger of a problem. the way that the war has been going certainly has not been doing any favors politically for

the president's party. >> he heads back to your old stomping grounds in wisconsin this week and then another couple of west coast trips. primarily to fundraise? >> yes. candidates are tentative about appearing onstage with the president. he is doing any event with patty murray in seattle. he is going to california, and ohio, and he is still an asset when it comes to getting people to open up their wallets. we have yet to see how effective he can be next to somebody on stage. >> it is speaker pelosi an asset on the campaign trail? >> it depends on which the district. a lot of blue dog democrats are staying away from policy and obama -- pelosi and obama. pelosi, too, is a huge fund raiser and is doing a lot of work behind-the-scenes to make sure her party has fiscal strength going into the fall. that is one thing that democrats

can take comfort in. while the polls show they're going to take big losses in the fall, they do have a financial advantage of the republicans. they have been preparing for a bad november for awhile. this is not sneaking up on the party. they are making sure they are in a position of strength. >> the president made news at that dinner on friday evening. following up on that yesterday in panama city, fla., on the issue of freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and a mosque to two blocks from ground zero. here is president obama. >> but let me be clear. as a citizen and as president, i believe that muslims have the right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. [applause] and that includes the right to build a place of worship in a community center on private property in lower manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. this is america.

our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable. the principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country and that they will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are. the writ of the founders must endure. >> the president, again, yesterday, saying that he was not weighing in on ground zero, but on the first amendment. >> it was such a politically bold move to wade into this. i wonder if the trouble might come from trying to know what his position. it is one thing to support it. it was liz cheney who said he was perhaps for the mosque before he was against it, reminiscent of senator kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. it is a terribly risky move. white house aides were saying this was his all -- this was all

his own thinking. it is a politically sticky issue. >> is this also a way for the president to drive a wedge between his point of view -- we saw this yesterday with newt gingrich and congressman boehner and others who were very critical of what he said friday night. but it is problematic. an overwhelming number of independents oppose the idea of building the mosque near ground zero. the general public, as well. the republicans criticized the decision, but also the democrats on the campaign trail yesterday were keeping a distance from those remarks. while the president says he is standing up on principle, a lot of people in the party were nervous about those comments. they want to spend a weekend bashing republicans over social security. it is the 70th anniversary of the entitlement program. they want to make the case that

they're concerned about the gulf coast and doing what began on the economy, but they are dominated by this news coverage about the president and the mosque. >> after spending a week bashing the white house, they were universal in their praise for the president's remarks on friday night. it may not win any friends of the campaign trail, but inside the beltway, it once you kudos -- won some kudos. >> let's discuss at 6. in 2006, democrats were able to use the ethics investigation into tom delay very effectively. republicans are looking at maxine waters and charlie rangel in 2010. what are the similarities and differences? where do you think these recent cases are heading? >> congressman john boehner has tried to make the case that this is nancy pelosi's biggest failure. after those scandals, she came

in and said, we are going to drain the swamp. the question is whether this is playing out outside the beltway. republicans are not sure this has political resonance as deadly -- as does the economy. it is no help to democrats. the welcome back from august recess and deal with the rental and waters -- rangel and waters issues. it will distract from any momentum heading into the polls. the party will be divided. the news coverage will be focused. the one session where the house came back to pass that bill -- $26 billion -- what they say will save teachers' jobs. instead, charlie rangel went to the floor and defended himself against these charges. the party was responding to that as well. they do not want to have to deal with this destruction.

>> that has been a real problem for democrats all year. going into the late spring, democrats have been imploring the white house to stay focused on jobs. that has to be the message. then there was the huge oil spill. when the white house wants to pivot and hone their message and focus on jobs, they have been knocked off message by external events or by themselves. democrats wanted to spend a whole week and talking about social security. instead, we're talking about the president's remarks on the mosque. the white house is struggling to stay focused on the jobs message. how do you message 9.5% unemployment? >> we talked about robert gibbs at the beginning of this interview. he says he needs to resign or become counselor to the president. >> there have been quite a few mentions of that. members of congress have also made that case. he is in the unique position of serving a dual role.

he is the press secretary and one of the president's closest advisers, as well as a very good friend to the president. that creates a lot of friction. he has made no secret that he wants to go upstairs to the white house and focus on political policy and advice to the president when henderson signed, instead of dividing his time between the podium -- 100%, instead of dividing his time between the podium. >> robert gibbs responded to chip reed on the interview that took place friday. >> did you put your foot in your mouth or did you say something you meant? [laughter] >> i think i have both my feet planted firmly on the floor. nothing in my mouth to speak of. >> you answered honestly. was this an honest and correct answer that you gave to those questions? >> i would not contradict that.

>> this is an honest answer? >> i do not think many of you have heard the frustration voiced here. i doubt i said anything you have not already heard. >> it was not a mistake? >> it was borne out of frustration. >> the white house press secretary robert gibbs. was that robert gibbs speaking or him speaking for the president? >> samite agree with this. the president -- sam might agree with this. the president has told lawmakers we have done a lot for this country. we are getting bashed for our own party for things we have not done. they're criticizing us for not getting the public option. they're not saying we passed the biggest, most sweeping health care bill in generations. there is definitely frustration. i am sure gibbs went out a

little too far to the president probably would not go that far. >> does robert gibbs say anything by accident? was this part of a growing frustration behind the podium? >> this reflects the west-wing mentality. it is a frustration felt in every corner of the billing -- building, including the person who lives there, as robert said last week. there is a real sense of frustration. they are working more than 80 hours per week, and still, when they turn on the cable news, they're getting blasted by people who are supposed to be their allies. i do not know what the motivation was behind him saying the things he did. my sense it was -- was that it was on his frustration -- which is so rare in this town. so much of what we see is manufactured. i think is authentic, genuine frustration. may be trying to throw a little high heat and brush them back from the plate a little bit. >> do you think if you had done

this with cameras that would have changed the tone or demeanor? >> i think that the answer is yes. any time the camera is on, it is natural to be more guarded. it was very conversational. i am from kentucky. robert is from alabama. we share geographic origins. we discussed a number of things, including his auburn tigers slipping into the top 25 preseason. perhaps it was easier for him to be honest in his frustration instead of choosing his words more carefully. >> one issue that was not addressed in congress is the issue of immigration. we heard from the white house, saying that they want a bipartisan agreement. the only way you can do that is by getting republican support. is this an agenda item that will see action this fall? >> doubtful. they have been promising action on this.

they said they would try to address this at the beginning of the year. even harry reid told supporters that it would be a top priority. right now, there just is not support in congress to do a comprehensive bill. there is not time. congress gets back september 13. they're off on october 8 to campaign until november. became black -- they come back for the lame-duck session after that and before the end of the year. there just is not time in the political wheel produce. this is a hot-button issue. this is a defensive -- divisive issue. democrats want to wait until the next congress to try to put together a bipartisan coalition to get something done. >> the lame duck issue is likely be an issue in the fall campaign. john boehner and others are

saying that, if the republicans get control of congress, they are going to campaign against a lame-duck session. it could result in a tax increase. >> we're seeing both sides do that. it is a warning of what could happen now if the other side wins in november. that is the most immediate tactic that republicans have. if democrats take a shellacking, they will come back in the lame- duck session and pass all kinds of horrible tax increases that will slow the dramatically -- slow the economy dramatically and hurt small businesses. you do not want the speaker boehner or chairman barton. once they are in charge, they will herald a return to the bush economic policy. we are seeing both sides of four shot of the future and a worse- case scenario. -- both sides foreshadow the future and the worst case scenario. polls now show that he has a

slight lead over sharron angle in nevada, even though, overwhelmingly, when you come to popularity ratings, he is in the low-50%. >> that is the way the campaign was designed. they knew he was not popular. he would never be someone that people love. the only way he can win is to make the opponent -- make the campaign about his opponent. his opponent is scary and worse than him. the third demonizing sharron angle at every turn. -- they are demonizing sharron angle at every turn. the are criticizing her over her contention that it is not the senators job to create jobs. it is a state with the highest unemployment rate today are trying to drive voters away from sharron angle. if you vote for a third-party candidate, great. nevada has what is called an " none of the above option."

the read campaign -- reid campaign thinks that there will be a high number of people who vote in that category. >> wine, in is your of and that -- why in this year of an tendency -- and the national committee has john mccain not been able to maintain a strong lead? -- why in this year of anti- incumbency as john mccain not been able to maintain a strong lead? >> j.d. hayworth was a congressman and he has some baggage. he has been -- has not been able to gain traction. mccain has a lot more sophisticated campaign apparatus and a lot more cash. if the circumstances were different, mccain would have a tough time in the fall pig >> one of the narrative's is going to be the tea party movement -- in the fall.

>> one of the narratives is going to be the tea party movement. what role will they play in the election? >> they have confused me as to what is going to happen. tea party is most effective during the primaries. one thing i will certainly be looking at is how effective they were and how effective they can be leading into 2012 when we have republican presidential candidates in primaries together. i do not know how effective it will be. it is difficult to tell how much is just a very vocal group versus how effective they could be as a political movement. >> we're seeing republican activity in ohio -- iowa and new hampshire. mitt romney has been on the campaign trail. tim pawlenty was at the state fair. >> right after the november elections, he will start seeing even more movement. people will start to form

exploratory committees and visit the early primary states. a lot of it is building goodwill and showing what you can do on the campaign trail by fund- raising and by stumping for candidates. i think that a lot of these prospective 2012 candidates want to see those efforts come back to help them by endorsements in the future. so, we will see a lot of activity, especially with these guys spending money and helping out some candidates in these races. >> will this early start to 2012 have an impact on the obama agenda? there was a piece talking about washington been broken. we talked about the hyperkinetic media environment, the web, the twitterverse. if you combine that with 20 12th on the republican side, does that impact the obama a jet -- with 2012 on the republican

side, does that impact the obama agenda? >> to their regret, it does. this white term -- this white house is very long-term focus. these are cancers to the agenda. the 2012 race is under way. there is no denying it. there is some concern that the present it is more concerned with his own reelection than helping -- that the president is more concerned with his own reelection and helping his party allies. he said it will start a few months after the midterms. mindsets -- my sense is that they have already started to bolster, but have not fully engaged yet. >> what will the tim pawlenty's, the newt gingrich's -- who will the campaign for? where will we see them? >> you will see them in some of the swing states -- states where

there will be close races. california, barbara boxer. washington. some of the races seemed like they were solidly democratic states, but they are now starting to move towards a tossup or leaned a little bit republican. you'll see a lot of effort by 2012 candidates to go into these states and declare themselves victor if the candidates turn out victorious. >> richard nixon was very careful to pick and choose candidates who we thought were going to win. would you see a republican campaigning in nevada for example, with sharron angle, mitt romney, newt gingrich? >> that is peculiar. not all republicans are totally increasing sharron angle. they're not sure what to make of her candidacy. if she starts to show that she

can win this race, that she is competitive in the final weeks of the campaign, then i think you will see some of these candidates dip their toe in -- or maybe even full-fledged campaigning for her. if she starts slipping and reid start running away with this, those candidates will probably stay away. they do not want to associate with a loser. >> let's turn to the pentagon budget. we heard from robert gates. he was very critical of congress for its failure to implement a budget for the department of defense. >> they will try to do something -- some sort of appropriations bill. it is not entirely clear. there just is not a lot of time. not only do they want to do some sort of defense bill or get some of the appropriations bills done, they're also trying to get into this tax-cut debate.

senate majority leader harry reid has signaled that they want to bring up the debate over extending the bush 2001 and 2003 tax cuts which are due to expire at the end of the year. there are only a few weeks left in the session. it is not clear what will be brought in september or pushed off until after november. maybe they will just pass a continuing resolution extending the current funding levels. >> we saw what happened when walter mondale talked about raising taxes. will this be an issue of the tax court -- tax increase in tax cut between democrat and republican? >> it is all about who wins the race to define what is happening. this is not a new pledge from democrats. go back to 2004 and this is what we heard. they said it would roll back the bush tax cuts to the tricky part for democrats -- bush tax cuts. the tricky part for democrats is to