through those issues and to find an answer. my right honorable friend the northern ireland secretary is involved in that, and the chancellor is engaged in the issue. it is not easy, but we are determined to find a solution so that we can give satisfaction to people who lost money in northern ireland and who currently feel that they have been let down. >> the british house of commons is in recess. the next three weeks, will assure you the conference speeches. >> tonight, a conversation without going minnesota gov. tim pawlenty on his life, career,

and a possible 2012 permits -- two dozen " presidential bid. our coverage continues with sarah palin at an iowa republican dinner. after that, another chance to see q&a. >> the c-span networks. we provide coverage of politics, public affairs, nonfiction books, and american history. it is available to you on television, radio, online, and on social media networking sites. find our content any time through the c-span video library. we take c-span on the road with our digital bus and content vehicle. we bring resources to your community. it is washington your way. it is now available in over 100 million homes, provided by cable as a public service. >> now i conversation with tim pawlenty, the outgoing minnesota governor. he talks about growing up in south st. paul as the youngest

in a family of five children. losing his mother to cancer at the age of 16, his entry into local and state politics, his eight years as minnesota's governor, and his possible 2012 presidential bid. this is 40 minutes. >> governor, has there bn a defining moment for you as governor of minnesota at these last eight years >> there have been many defining moments. onal guard has played a larger and larger role in the last eight years. it has acquired minnesota to step up in unprecedented ways to support the men and women in the military. i am proud of the beyond the yellow ribbon campaign. i am a conservative. minnesota has been pretty liberal credit history. for me to come in and draw a line in the sand on holding the

line and cutting taxes is a big deal, and i am proud of that as well. >> let me ask you about afghanistan. you are there this past summer. the president has said that july of 2011 is a transitional date for the american military. do you disagree with that? >> i applaud the president for making the decision to put more troops into afghanistan. that was needed, but i wish he had not taken by month to make that decision, and i wish she would not have simultaneously announced the withdrawal date with the search he decided. once you make an arbitrary date like that, it begins to put a question in the nd of our would-be allies and friends in afghanistan from the highest levels of leadership all the way down to that individual villager who might be a translator or in former or might join the police force or the military in afghanistan. when we send the message we may be out of here as early as next year, people start to hedge

their bets in ways that ar not helpful to the u.s. with respect to afghanistan. >> if the military thinks this is a good thing, then what would you say? >> you want to pay heed and gives some deference to the numbers -- members of the military and the leadership, for sure. there is no question about that. i know that president obama and others are starting to back off on that date as a hard deadline for beginning to dramatically reduce troops. they are talking about perhaps it will be a small reduction and they will see what goes on from there in terms of conditions on the ground. even they have backed off that day as a hard day. th is some progress, in my mind. what can we win afghanistan could mark >> we definitely can win in afghanistan. there is a long way to go in iraq, but with the right tactics, leadership, and tragic, we see a good future for iraq. that se hope can be in

afghanistan if we follow the direction complete the mission. general petraeus said he thinks he can stall the insurgency's progress or stop it relatively quickly, and then began to turn it back our way. will take a little time. our country and our people will require patients to get this done successfully. >> but long-term, if the goal is to -- if you push them to -- that will go to another country or another part of the world. >> i have been to iraq five times and three times to afghanistan. i think we have a long-term war against terror that is going to show up in different places and different times around the globe. we will have to get after it in different ways to stay vigilant and protect the security and

protect the united states of america. what you see in afghanistan is a very troubling and challenging situation. we need to see that through to a successful conclusion. if read right in -- a rise in other places, -- if threats arise in other places, certain allegiances will have to be rmed to confront any terroristic threat that presents a national security interest. >> you have called herself a wartime governor. what does that mean? >> i was a governor during a time of war. that is atypical for governors in minneta and other states in the nation. has a part-time in energy -- it has required energy in the military. at other times in history, governors have not had that at least to the same degree we have seen in the last eight years. >> why is tim pawlenty or

republican? >> i want to make sure people understand that government has a role, but a limited role. what more can government do that is not currently doing? that is a wrong definition of progress. there are so many her ways to encourage good progress in the private stor, civic organizations, through families, three individuals, inventors, and innovation. so much that is outside of government. all government has certain responsibilities, we cannot continue to have growth in government that is irresponsible and reckless and does not understand or respect limits our boundaries. the country has been on a path toward government growth and spending growth that is not only reckless financially but also corrosive in terms of understanding the proper undaries between government and the private sectoand

private economy. >> or their agencies or departments on the federal level that you would reduce or eliminate? >> in minnesota, we use priority age budget -- priority based budget, and i am proud of my record of cutting spending. minnesota had an average two- year increase of spending of 21% over 40 years. absolutely unsustainable and irresponsible. we cut that down to about 1.7% average spending growth during my time as governor. for the first time in history of my state, we have cut spending in real terms. one of the techniques we have used is priority based budgeting. we make a list of the things that government can and should do, but the most and -- put the most important things on top. in our case it was a military and veterans' families.

higher education got cut, social services got cut, some state subsidized healt care programs got cut, and much more. you have to be willing to set priorities and make tough decisions. i have a recorof doing that in minnesota. >> when republicans had the white house and congress, george w. bush wasanded a budget surplus. do you find fault with both parties? is fair to say the country as a whole has been spending -- deficit spending has been accumulating for a long time. congress has to take responsibility. it is also fair to say that obama and is congress, this democrat-controlled congress, have made it exponentially worse. and president bush left office, the deficit in his last year in office was less than half a

trillion dollars. the next year, president obama essentially triple the deficit in one year. he has put the pedal to the metal and matedxponentially worse. >> some say you can cut long- term spending but you nnot cut the debt without increasing taxes. >> if you lookt the structural obligations of the country long term, a lot of it is in the form of entitlement programs. that includes medicaid, medicare, and social security. are reforming them and making them more efficient, you can affect the spending picture in the medium and long term for the country. i don't believe the u.s. can or should raise taxes. i think our coury is officially taxed. we don't have a tax problem, we have a spending problem. >> was forced to be bush wrong in fighting two wars and not

paying for it -- was george w. bush wrong? >> president bh has said that is what we had the deficit. >> that is part of the reason we had the deficits,ut it does not explain the bulk of the deficit. one example, there was a report the other vets said both wars from the date of inception have not yet cost one trillion dollars. the total long-term structural obligations of the united states federal government, at least 70 trillion dollars. many experts believe it is closer to $100 trillion. to look at that and say the war's costs the bulk of the problem really is not looking at the full picture picks are there any circumstances inhich you would raise taxes? >> no, i am somebody who wants to stop the growth of government and reduce it. if you continue to have the escape hatch for all the

pressure of the interest groups, all the bureaucracy and public employees and unions and entitlement programs, all the spending that takes place, if the escape hatch is simply to raise taxes to keep it going, i am not interested in that. i want to cap the amount of revenues coming into government. i want to start moving many of these other activities out of government. >> tre are about 1200 bridges in this state that are structurally deficient and need to be repaired. heavy pay for that? >> during my time as governor, we have put more money into roads and bridges than any of our comparable time in the history of the state of minnesota. we have been very aggressive about deploying money into that system. the minneolis bridge collapse was decided by the national transportation safety board to have fallen because of a design

flaw from the golden era of -- it was related to a design flaw from the 1960's. democrats in my legislature passed a gas tax increase. i vetoed it, and they overrode my veto. that isn't use the money into the road and bridge system. we have to create other ways to do it. if people want to use an existing line that was for car pools that hardly anybody is, you know can pull in there, have anlectnic device read your in that lane, and it sends you a bill. it just pulls it out your account electronically. for little era money, you can go in a congestion free lane to and from the mos popular places in minnesota.

the private sector has said they would be willing to build some infrastructure to have that kind of electronic tolling. those are some of the public- private partnerships emerging to address the issues. >> how would you fix the health care problem in this country? why have you been so critical of what the president signed into law this past march crash, >> we know what works and whado not work. creating a one-size-fits-all bureaucracy, using public employees and standardized, bureaucratic approach is, and use that to solve our problem. essentially what president obama has done with health care, he is creating the illusion that it is going to be free. we know that the main problem facing the health care delivery syst in this country is that its costs need to be better contained and health-care needs to be more affordable. what president obama just did is

create more access to health care, but he did not fix the system. he has created more access to a broken system and introduce new things that will make it en worse. i think the way to reform health care is to tell individuals that to the extent we can afford it, we would be financial assistance if you are in need, but you are going to be in charge. you'll have good information and will make choices in the marketplace. we will finanally incentivize you to make wise choices in the marketplace, and then you will be able to realize the financial benefits of that. minnesota has the highest rate of usage of help savings accounts in the country. they work, people use them wisely. another example, we said to our state employees, you can go anywhere you want for your

health care. if you choose to go someplace more expensive, then you will pay more. they have migrated to more efficient and equally high quality places, and the increases in the program have been close to 043 of the last five years. it is almost unheard of in the health-care marketplace. >> if they elect republicans for the house and senate this year, what are they buying? >> peopleave figured out a number of things the most important issue facing the country for most people is the economy and their jobs. the sense that government spending is out of control, insulated from the concerns and realities of everyday americans. what republicans can deliver is an understanding that the small business leaders, inventors, the innovators and dreamers and designers in the private sector will grow the economy and help us get out of this meswe are

in. the message is to encourage them, not discourage them. it will give them confidence, and republicans can deliver that dramatically better than democrats. we will be more aggressive when it comes to national defense and security issues than the democrats might be. i think you have a party that more reform-minded when it comes to government bureaucracies and programs. ec republicans like talking about performance pay for teachers rather than seniority pay. we are not want to have a system where public employees with the cadillac pensions that nobody else gets, and the taxpayers have to pay for them. we are going to start reforming that. we are born to slow down or reduce government spending because we cannot keep asking the hard working people to pay

the bill for a fat government. >> did president bush leaves -- [bp] legacy for the republican party? >> he had a strong sense of what the government needed. when 9/11 occurred, a good portio of his bogus an understanding had to be on homeland security, on the war in iraq and afghanistan. his legacy is going to be in part that he kept this nation say. when he saw the beginnings of a war on terror, he confronted it directly. he called it by name and confronted it boldly. he did everything he could to keep this country say. that is a lesson we need to keep front and center as the coming decades and fold. we are not going to be out of this issue of the war on terror or terrorist groups. we will have to stay on it. he set the tone and tempo for that, and i think that is a very

positive lacy for him. >> even some republicans say afghanistan should have been the focus, not iraq initially. >> afghanistan was the base of training operations in development of the terrorist attacks on our country. going after them was absolutely the right thing to do. we know that the situation in iraq, according to the best intelligence that was available and in accordance with what many other world leaders thought, that saddam hussein, an unstable leader, we believe he possessed weapons of mass destruction. the president had to make a difficult call. if he did nothing, and saddam actually had one and use that, it would have been a cataclysmic lead bad decision. so president bush erred on the si of trying to protect the country and reduce those capabilities. a very difficult decision, but given the information he had in front of him and that other

world leaders had, they concurred that it was the right thing to do. >> what is the midterm election about? >> it is about getting this country back on track. a majority of the country feels it is off track. they feel president obama 8 and switched them in the last campaign. he sounded like a pragmatic leader. when he became president, he has been leang the nation in a very misguided passion. the swing voters are saying that is not what they bargained for. i think that is the bait and switch. he campaigned in his rhetoric as someone who would be more centrist or pragmatic than he has turned out to be. he has turned out to be a very partisan president so far. his record before he became president, his background, his

beliefs really pointed to this direction in the first place. that is what we try to warn the country when we were urging john mccain's election. the country is going to try to rebound in a more positive direction. the big issues are the economy, jobs, and government spending. >> what do you think of the president? >> i don't agree with his policies, but he is a pleasant person. he loves his family. he is a very gifted presenter an orator. he just has different beliefs and a different world view than i do. >> republican leaders have said repeatedly that their job is to say no to the president's agenda. can you as president or governor get anything done when the minority party continues to block whatever if you want to

put forth? >> it was president obama w stood in iowa in 2008 and omised the nation that he was going to do health care reform on a bipartisan basis, that he would bring republicans and and democrats together. that is nearly verbatim what he said. he became president, he could have advanced health care reform by embracing republicans and some of their ideas and fulfill that promise, but instead he has rammed down the throat of the country one of the most partisan, misguided pieces of legislation in theodern history of theountry. the republicans are understandably frustrated with that. they are not sing no to everything. most republicans support his search in afghanistan. republicans like me support some of his education initiatives, where he is saying we will move schools to look performae

model rather than a seniority model. we will hold teachers more accountable. the could of been a bipartisan solution in health care reform and reform of financial institutions. but in each case, he had to choose between further embracing harry reid and nancy pelosi are bringing in republicans, he embraced nancy pelosi and harry reid, to the detriment of his presidency and to the detriment of the nation. >> you have been testing the waters for possible 2012 bid. what is the temperature? >> i have focused on trying to help candidates who are running in 2010. the speeches and activities i am doing are geared towards helping those candidates. i have often set i have left open the door to what i might do after that. i will make a decision early in 2011 about 2012. the country clearly has left the door back open to republican ideas and thoughts.

that does not mean we have them automatically. we have to make sure we convinced the swing votershat we have the right idea, we have the right values. there is a sense what some republicans, the last time they were in the majority in congressthat did not live up to what they said there were going to do, they fell short of those goals. we have to reconnect to those values and principles. >> if you run, what you want to be president? >> i have not decided, but if anyone runs for president, it is because the country is insignificant trouble. the person has to have a vision for the future direction of that country. they have to have specific ideas and goals to fuill that mission, and hopefully they have a track record of experience that can demonstrate they cannot only talk about it, but deliver.

. we know that, in politics, a few years is a long time. there will be intervening events, other developments. for example, people did not realize that the oil spill would emerge this past year. that is an issue that came out of nowhere. issues like that and up coming years will affect the 2012 elections. for me or anyone else that is continuing in public service, the question is, do you have a positive vision for the direction the country should have? you have a specific idea that can demonstrate a set of experiences that show you can handle it and get it done? >> you have been governor for

eight years. if you were president, how would restructure the white house? what lessons do you take from your eight years as governor of minnesota? >> whether you will be president or leader of any other large organization, it helps to have previously run a large and complex organization. that is why i think governors or executives well-suited for executive positions. in terms of structuring the white house, the white house is the place that sets the tone and the direction for the central government. you have the power of the bully pulpit. you have the power of being able to reach the country in a way that another group or other individual can. the president now has the responsibility to address problems, but casting possibility for the future of the white house. house can be structured to be the epicenter of that vision. >> who is tim pawlenty?

where did you grow up, and how did that shape your life? >> who we are depends on where we come from. i grew up in the largest meat- packing town. it was a blue-collar town. my dad was a truck driver. my mom was a homemaker. my mom died when i was 16. my dad lost his job, and we had a modest financial circumstances, but it was a great place to grow up. we have a lot of challenges but also a lot of joya and a lot of love in our family. i learned if there are people who pull alongside, it will help you. hard work matters a lot.

>> your mom was 16 when she was diagnosed with cancer. what goes through that momentn your live. -- walk us through that moment in your life. >> my mom was a loving parent, and she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. somebody came from a family where my brothers and sisters were not able to complete college. i realized early on education was something really important. i really poured myself into the remainder of my high school years common and i studied in college -- of my high school years, and i studied in college. i learned a number of things, but one was the family really matters.

when you lose a m or dad, that can be a big challenge, but challenges are going to come. the challenge is how are you going to reond to it. it gave me the call to dive into education d work as hard as i could. i am going to have to pick up the pace and the commitment to make sure it works. >> what was your dad like? >> my dad was a stereotype. my mom was older men, and my dad was all polish. my dad was a fun-loving guy, and he was a truck driver, and he got promoted to a dispatcher, which we thought was a great thing for a family, and he got promoted, b he loves life, and he was a very committed father, and people enjoyed him. our house was a social

gathering place for the neighborhood. >> were there individuals, teachers, friends, neighbors who shaved who you are? >> our neighborhood was one where the kids played in the driveways and the parents kind of looked out for the group, not just individual children, so many of my neighbors played a series of apparent role in a lot of way life, i remember the produce manager at the grocery store. my mom had just died. my brother worked at the grocery store, and he said, i know your family is going to some challenges. i can help by offering your brother a job, so i got there early, and he worked me hard. it was a good job. it helped me get through

college, but there was a person who saw someone in need and said, is there something i can do to help? a tremendous lesson not only reaching out, but also a, i learned when you show up in time, you are respectful. >> word the you go for ideas? region where do you go for ideas? >> conferences, rding, informal discussions with people icing are thoughtful and innovative, and i tried to do that no just with politicians, but i loved to draw out what have you learned? what have you done, i met a social worker. she worked in social work for 40

years and had seen it all. after 40 years, if you had to pick one thing you learned, what is that? >> she said to stop giving them everything. we have to call them to more accountability because we are fostering a culture of dependency of a level that is corrosive. that is an example of coming across somebody immersed in an issue. trying to get them to share that with you is the golden nugget. >> you went to high school here in minnesota? >> i did. >> when did you get the bugs? >> i got into college republicanism. i was going to be a dentist.

inorganic chemistry i g us -- in organic chemistry i got a b, so i went to a guidance counselor. he said what do you like? i said i like politics. he said you should go into public service. i started to get involved as a volunteer. >> when did you work for the first time? >> there was a city council race, and a friend of mine had been the mayor. there was a lot of controversy about development issues and some of the disputes, so i got involved with him, and he

encouraged me to run for city council. >> politicians often say we want to work together, and it is often a toxic environment in washington. how do you fix that? >> if youook back of the history of our country, to say it is toxic now but was not in the past, if you go back to some fistfights, the founding fathers. there is a little bit of revisionism on the notion there was a time when everybody got along. there is always going to be some tension. that capital was built for people of different walks of life, different backgrounds, different perspectives, to come together and hash it out. sometimes through discussion and sometimes through a tough battle, so that is some of what i think is inevitable.

here is some vague with strong values, but look at his style. -- here is somebody with strong values, but look at his style. he did disagree with you, but some peoplliked it. very rarely would you see ronald reagan yelling. he was strong but respectful. there is a strong lesson. you and i might disagree about whether we should be friends. >> can you do this in this environment? >> it may be a little harder than in the past because of the polarizing effect of the media and the fusion of entertainment and politics in a way that it has almost become an industry, but i think it starts with a leader making sure he or she's

is trying to be civil are decent, even if they have strong views. >> you talked about sam's club republican vs. country club republans. explain that. >> it is simple. i talked about my brothers and sisters, and they have all had blue collar jobs. >> are the republicans? >> they are now. there is a stereotype by some others, but all republicans are a fluent, and i think being able to connect with sam's club republicans, people who do not have a lot of money, but they want good value, they want to know as they look at their

leaders, are you looking out for my interestin? how am i going to get my kids through college? however my going to be sure the school is going to be a quality school? it is just read and other basic issues. -- just bread and butter basic issues. they say, i have experienced what you are experiencing. let me tell you what i learned. they say, do you want your taxes increase? no, we do not want our taxes. do you think we should demand more accountability for school results? >> we are f that, but health care?

do you think the feds should be in charge of its? do not mess with my guns. we like to hunt and fish. we can square that. >> how did we meet your wife? >> we met in law school. she is beautiful and strong and smart, and we had a chance to get acquainted, and the rest is history. i convince her to move back to minnesota and i guess we did.

we have gone through the experiences raising children. give we are not done yet. >> what do they think about their dad in politics? >> we try not to use them as props. we do not want them to get shoved aside. we try to make sure we focus on them. i think it would be fine with me. >> what does faith and religion mean to you? >> it is a part of who we are as a family. our face life is a big part of our daily i-- our faith is a

big part of our existence. >> it has been your faith that has got you through? >> there are different challees that are going to tocome. inevitably, everyone is going to face a family challenge. everyone is going to get some challenges. i think to have a strong faith, it helps you prepare. you have to know where your health comes from and no where to lean on in the strong times in life. it is a source of great comfort and brings us a lot of deeper meaning in our life. >> to you pray a lot? >> we try to pray every day. we tried to pray at meals.

we expressed thanks for the beautiful day and the meal and our appreciation for it. i like a lot of different things. there is no hand-held camera. in the days of youtube, but it has gone to the point that we are deterred from doing that. weavthe rhythm of outdoor. >> thank you for [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> you can watch this interview again tonight at " blog 30

eastern, here on c-span. -- 12:30. >> congress returns with several items on the agenda. the first procedural vote is scheduled for tuesday at 2:15 p.m. eastern. the measure provides over $700 billion for defense programs and includes provisions regarding abortion services in military hospitals and language that repeals the don't ask don't tell policy on gays in the military. the bill should take up most of the week. the house starts this week a little later than usual. the gavel in wednesday to debate nearly 40 bills with folks throughout the day. also expected, final action on a small-business bill that the senate approved last week. the legislation includes a $30 billion fund that aims to help

community banks make loans to small businesses. paul the house live on c-span. >> former 2008 candidate sarah palin spoke friday night at the annual ronald reagan dinner. she was there to raise money and campaign for the 2010 iowa gop candidates. this is 40 minutes. >> it is great to be in the hawkeye state, and happy constitution day to you all. do you love your freedom? aren't you proud to be an american? [applause]

if you could stand up, we are going to honor you. [applause] thank you, veterans. we thank you, and we honor you. i wanted to get out in this state and enjoy the weather. i put on my hawkeye t-shirt and my cap. i am showing love to the home team. i am lacing up the shoes. todd says, you may want to run downstairs on a treadmill, and i said, that is like being in a box. i want to go see the view and

the heartland. i have been caribou hunting. it is about 16 degrees. i said, why would i want to stay indoors? todd said, the headline was going to be, "sarah palin in iowa decides to run." [applause] i did run, outside the box. it is so great to be with patriots today. i know iowa appreciates his good work as governor, and i am grateful for his efforts as chairman for the commission, for excellence, for special education.

i am convinced we can learn more from these kids than they are ever going to learn from us. on behalf of those families with special children, and i hope one day my son is able to shake your governor's hand. [applause] jerry was at a town hall meeting. he got the call that i had endorsed him. he said, "we need to stay

focused on this election, not the next one." he is right. we cannot wait until 2012 to get our country back on the right track. we need to start by electing strong figures who are not afraid to rein in the federal government. it is time for no more business as usual. it is time to take the country back. [applause] how'd we do this? we need people like chuck grassley. we need him back in the united states senate he is the only guy who loves to twitter as much as i do.

it is the 38th anniversary of his 39th birthday. happy anniversary, chop. -- chuck. he understands that government is supposed to work for the american people, not the other way around. he has been strong against the mother of all unfunded mandates -- obamacare. he is promising to repeal and replace the scheme with common- sense reform. they're holding the line on spending. they're holding the line and -- on spending. they are out there doing this for us, so it is here in the

state. we need strong, principled leaders. public servants who respect our constitution, who know the 10th amendment. gethat is why i am supporting them. you are good people, iowa. we have some common sense conservatives who are putting it on the line, fighting for what is right, and a lot of them fought some tough primary battles. that is geared. -- good. it is good for the system and great for workers. healthy competition breeds success -- breathes success.

the time for primary debate is over. it is time for unity. the time for choosing is near. in 46 days, republicans will put their ideas and experience on the line, and they will let the voters decide. it is time to unite. if the goal is to take the gamble -- gavel from policy and read and make the government respects the wisdom of the people, then it is time to unite, and congratulations to the primary victories. unsuccessful gop campaigns and political pundits, remember that attitudes are contagious, so make sure yours are worth it.

unsuccessful campaigns and experts are all bent out of shape after some recent battles. did you ever lose a game going -- growing up? i have lost. you lose some, you win some when faced with setbacks, i know growing up, of my folks would say to rebuild character. my dad was along the lines of, do not retreat, just to reload. for the sake of our country,

for america's future, through patriots, reload with character and truth and helpful efforts to restore what is right about america and what will work for america. we need elected leaders to do that, so let us unite. primary voters have spoken. i do not know how the machine works. i do not know who they are. i think some of those experts were the ones who were wrong in massachusetts and virginia and delaware and alaska and kentucky. i do not know who organizes the efforts needed to put partisanship aside when it gets to doing what is right for the american people.

if i were a coach writing a play book, i would say, everybody has constructive roles in this. the needs are great because the cause is so great. the cause is the great awakening of america and the need for truth in america. how do we get out there. practical ways. we have to raise funds. we have to hold the press accountable when you know they are making things up and telling untruths. we have to do this together. i am the biggest proponent of freedom of the press in this country. our young men and women are

willing to fight for those constitutional rights including the right to have free press. it is why i am hot on this lamestream media. how dare anyone disrespect true -- truth sacrifice without a corresponding responsibility to truce. -- truth. in this unaccountable day of anyone being able to claim they are a journalist, you have to ask yourself, who are they? when they use anonymous sources to cowardly attack someone, remember they are coward.

the journalists perpetuating the problem are gutless. we have got to call it like we see it, are things will never change. i have a confession. it has been made abundantly clear the sources used to erode common-sense conservative candidates and their supporters, including a proud of tea party american, those who do not hold extreme conditions who

are wanting america to understand these times, that we need to get back to living within your means or that every able-bodied american can work, and that you do not incur such debts. those are not extreme conditions. it has been made abundantly clear that those destructive shots do not just come from the far left. it is not fair to our troops

willing to sacrifice all for your freedom. if i were in that loop, a hierarchy of leadership, to rally the troops, the you know what i would say? i would say we have 46 days to go. we need you to raise funds. you have to go east. people are listening. beck, michelle, laura, we need everybody working together. i am going to get in trouble for missing some names. you can come to iowa.

they will see the light and realize these are hard-working americans who say enough is enough. we want to get back to the time- tested truth that is right for america. [applause] we will not wait as we desire the severe -- the sincere efforts, knowing that everyone can help. this is our time. we cannot blow it, but we will not wait for the political playbook to be handed to us from on high to tell us what to do. it is the patriots who will turn

this around. it is the voters who will stop the leftist policies. it is the voters who will stop the fundamental transformation of america that is not good for america. it is the patriots who will restore america. [applause] our candidates are offering bolden smart alternative to the obama/polo scene -- obama- pelosi politics. this has not stopped the left from telling voters the gop is the party of no, that it has no new ideas. i find it interesting that a critique coming from the guys whose answer to the summary is yet another government stimulus.

we see california auditors having to and if they are in allied air -- in los angeles with your stimulus money, $2.2 million for every job saved or created their, and i am the idiot. the left teams are doing we have no new ideas, the only platform is no. -- the left keeps arguing we have no new ideas and the only platform is no. president obama said, i did not want to be disagreeable, but i think he is wrong. there are things we cannot agree on. he said, republicans would disagree if i said the sky is blue. not true.

the sky is he would say we would disagree if he said fish lived in the sea. when unemployment rose, he said there are better days ahead, and i agree. there are better days ahead. november 2 is shaping up to be a great day for america. pfalthat is not all we can agre. the president finally announced we will get the economy going again. he wants business equipment light trucks -- he wants business equipment light trucks. good idea. they were part of the mccain platform in 2008. gethe democrat's tax policy is o

flawed -- raising taxes in a time of economic woe will sail america. we are slammed with the largest tax increase in u.s. history. they warn us that you are going to see 80% of taxes paid by small business sectors rise. nearly 1 million businesses are hit. that is who obama characterizes as the rich. that means mom and pop will have to lay off workers. it means families will lose health insurance, losing homes. more families are having to rely on government, be more beholden to the federal government, and this is a vicious cycle. you think these failed policies are purposeful?

see you think our president is so naive he has not run a business before? pa the solution instead of tax hikes -- it is another taxpayer- funded bailout. instead, let small business owners keep more of what they earn so they can reinvest and expand and hire people instead of letting politicians take more from you and spend it on more government growth. cutting taxes works. mayors do it. leveling the playing field to allow competition works. governors do it. the free market works. let the private sector soar, and america will soar again.

have we been just the party of no? the truth is if you love the country, and you love the constitution, and you prize individual, strong work ethic and our pioneering spirit, you have probably not done much to find common ground with in this administration. they think the answer is another federal program. they think we can rebuild the economy by weatherizing windows and listening light bulbs. -- loosening levels. regardless of those standards or some standards when it comes to environmental safety, yet not allow our own resource development or domestic supplies. they think america's future

should be dictated from the top down. they think there is nothing exceptional about the american people. they have faith in big government when we have faced in the people. -- faith in the people. too often, government is the problem. [applause] we believe as ronald reagan believes that government must work with us, not over a spirited in must stand by our side, not ride -- not over us. weit must stand at our side, not ride our back. the approach to policy seems to be enemy-centric. the president writes friendly

letters end with a fight over housing policy with israel. he reset relations with russia but canceled missile defense plans with nato allies. he has ease sanctions on cuba but failed to move forward on trade agreement with columbia and south korean, and he cannot muster meaningful support for iranians risking their lives by opposing ahmadinejad, but he found a time to send a report claiming our country's alleged human rights violations. there is a disturbing pattern here of reaching out to sworn enemies while sliding our friends. that is not for policy but just foolish, and how long can that go on? [applause]

as we just saw recently, our president still refuses to admit the surge was a success. it seems he is more concerned with the politics of withdrawal than the pursuit of victory, and while the threats of our security grow, he is shrinking the budget for defense against those threats. the obama foreign policy is a far cry from ronald reagan days. president reagan nurtured our allies. he confronted our adversaries. he had clarity and vision and purpose. he knew that an evil empire deserves to be left on the ash heap of history, and he had the courage to say so. i remember the four words he spoke. as i share the grave concern

with our country, wondering how are we going to be safe, that curiosity as to how can we be secure against an evil world? dragon solidified. he said, we win, -- reagan solidified its. he said, we win, they lose. few leaders have the clarity or conviction to define an era, but ronald reagan inspired us to greatness. he saw and spoke to the hearts of america. he looked out at soaring inflation and skyrocketing unemployment and the cold war.

he did not see despair. a dead he knew it is the people and the found it -- he knew it is the people and the founding fathers. they have enabled us to weather tough times before, and they will see us through the challenges we face today. president reagan said his revolution was really just a return to those principles he called the great rediscovery of our values and common sense. i think if he was here with us today, he would agree that we are doomed. it may take some renegade going rovgue to get there.

[applause] it was those types of folks who were the founders of our nation. those who wrote that constitution we are celebrating tonight. it means we have to say no when we have policies that violate our values. i think a little refuting is good now and then. it is like mark twain used to say. patriotism is serving your -- supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it. [applause] lately there has not been much coming out of washington that deserves our support, but we can

still be critical of our government and hold it accountable and still have great faith in our country, and based on what i am seeing, there is more than enough reason to have faith in america. times may be tough, but there are signs of hope all over the place if you just know where to look. in places like des moines and davenport, americans are working hard to get our country back on track, and families are read prioritizing. they are making some sacrifices. one of our founders, he is to talk about, if there be trouble, let it be that the children may have peace. what he is talking about is the need to prioritize so our

children and grandchildren have the opportunities we all had, and we will make sure the nation is strengthened and prosperous and remains the most voluntar ily generous nation on earth. there is more than enough reason to have faith in americans who believe that, and against tough odds, entrepreneurs today and small-business owners are growing the economy and one night shift, one american dream at a time. across the country every day americans are speaking out, and they are getting involved. they are running for office and attending tea parties, and they have a vision for the future that values conservative

principles cough -- conservative principles, and when i see their patriotism, i am not worried about the future. again i am confident and hopeful, because this is our movement americans have never been sunshine patriots. we are not summer soldiers. we have known it is the struggle, and we must sacrifice for the great american experiment. we will endure in the knowledge that our cause is noble and true. we have always emerge stronger and more prosperous because of our founding principles. that is why we do not need to fundamentally transform america. we need to restore america.

toug[applause] between now and november, we are going to stand up and speak up when washington got it wrong. we are going to fight for our constitution. we are going to elect leaders who have the courage to do what is morally right. candidates are going to be made known because these are patriots and willing to buck the system to take it back, doing this for the right reasons, not for personal power struggles, titles, and money. they are in this for the right reasons. they are going to get back to the time-tested truth that made this country great but believe that the country that governs

least governs best and the constitution provides the most perfect path to a more perfect union and that only limited government can provide the prosperity and opportunities for all and that freedom is not free, but freedom is a god- given right worth fighting for. that every innocent life has purpose, every innocent lives deserve to be in that circle of protection and respect. [applause] and that our men and women in uniform are america's finest. they are a force for good in this world, and that is nothing to apologize for those are the principles upon which our nation is founded.

those are the principles the republican for non -- republican party has fought for. those are the principles that will usher in an new day. it starts tonight. let's get it back. god bless iowa. god bless the united states of america thank you. [applause]

♪ [country music plays] ♪ >> i know you can make a big difference in america. >> thanks for being here. goo>> what do you think about hm running as a write-in?

♪ >> thanks, everybody. >> she certainly have the right to do that. i ended up running outside the box. happy birthday.

>> thank you so much. >> do not tell your mother. >> i thought you were handing me a teacher this time. >> i want to get back to io was soon. i want to get back to delaware soon.

thanks for letting me do that. >> we love you, sarah. >> i came from nebraska. >> thank you for being here. >> do you know julia's mean? >> yes. -- julius mead. >> yes, i used to babysit his kids. how do you know him? >> we met him. you were in washington, d.c., and he said i saw her just two weeks ago.

i think we need to rein in the federal government. >> do you feel empowered after all this? >> there is a platform at a national level. >> you want to get in here? >> i have got to make it work. >> i have got it. >> thank you for that.

>> 1, 2, 3, smile. >> thank you. ♪ >> the c-span local content vehicles are traveling the country visiting congressional districts as we look at some of

the most closely contested house races leading up to the november midterm elections. ♪ >> how are you folks tonight? are you from here? you are all the way from dalton? thank you for coming up. >> here we go. my name is mike kelly. i am running for congress. it is did seeing you. >> let me tell you a little bit about the third congressional district. it also involves erie, mercer,

butler counties. the incumbent is kathy dahlkemper. she is the incumbent. she defeated a longtime republican incumbent in the big money race, probably the most expensive congressional race in the history of this district. hurt in -- her opponent is mike kelly who came out of a pretty -- crowded field in the primary. he did not win with a big percentage of the vote but ended up as the republican nominee. in this county because of the voter registration, it does have a bit of the democratic advantage. in the city, it is about 2.5 to one democrat voter registration. as you move south, it is a pretty heavily republican district and tends to be fairly conservative. one thing that will be interesting and has started to pop up in news stories is that

-- whether kelly will be able to get the support in this area that he needs to win. a lot of people think you have to have support in the erie area to do that. he is putting a lot of resources into the area. he is a lot of people from the area heavily involved in his campaign. it seems that they are targeted to the fact that they need a lot of the erie area support and are working towards that. mike kelly has kind of attack miss dahlkemper about being locked up with nancy pelosi and the stimulus package. in the minds of some voters, that has not worked as well as a lot of people thought it would. i think health care is going to be important obviously. that is especially some of the changes being talked about in washington. there are a lot of people out of work. a lot of people are concerned about the economy.

it will probably break down to jobs, the economy, health care, similar to two years ago but with a different twist because the democrats are in power in washington. they are being attacked for their policies and programs by the republicans now. dahlkemper is kind of caught in the middle of a little bit of that. i think she is going to hit on her record in washington. she is gotten things done. she has been back in been in touch with the constituents. she makes a point of getting back here and having constituent office hours where she is there in the office to talk to people about their concerns. she does return to erie and the district a lot to keep the personal touch with people. she has been busy in washington. she was involved in some of the language that helped get the stimulus through by not using federal money for abortion. she has taken some criticism on that. she has also shown that she is willing to be involved and try

to pass legislation and work with the rest of the congress. i think what mr. kelly is going to do is come at that in an opposite way and say that he has not been -- she has not been effective representative she has said she would be and try to outline his plan on being the person, being a fiscal conservative and looking out for the taxpayer. i think that is how they're going to go at it. it will be interesting to see the dynamic, especially when there are debates in the get together. i believe that dahlkemper art has $1.5 million in the bank. the democrats do not want to lose the seat. is similar to bill english two years ago. all lot of money was pumped into the race because republicans saw it as a valuable sea. the tables have turned a little bit. the democrats see that. i would guess that at the end of the day, you will see a lot of money spent on this campaign. one of the issues is going to beat how much money kelly needs to win and whether he will be

able to raise that kind of money and support, especially in this area. i think a couple of things have made this race so competitive. the climate in washington has flip flopped with the democrats been under attack here. some people are trying to tie ms. dahlkemper to obama and nancy pelosi. this district is fairly conservative. especially start moving towards the southern parts of the district, i think some people like to see republican candidate win the seat back. you tend to get a lot of conservative people in the republican party who may have a problem with the stimulus, the health care changes being talked about, and some of the other things 3 by extension, that might help mike kelly. we will have to see what happens at the polls. dahlkemper is the incumbent. a lot of that sentiment is what

is making the race close. it will be interesting to see with the debates and in getting on the issues one on one in any of the public opinion changes. it will be interesting to see how all this plays out. >> c-span local content vehicles are traveling the country as we look at some of the most closely contested house races leading up to the midterm elections for more information, go to c-span.org/lcv >> coming up, "q&a", then on prime minister's questions, david cameron talks about combating human trafficking and u.k. border security. on "road to the whit