with the legislature and find an area, even if it is one of the important areas you of blood, where you would compromise? a couple of days ago, governor pawlenty told me that he wished the government shutdown have lasted longer so he could have extracted more budget concessions.

it is about offering things

that people understand. >> i need to consider the question. if it came down to it, would you do what the governor did and force the government shut down? >> i believe that the government has to live within its means. >> , which to push it to a government shutdown if it came to that? >> the government should not be pushing this. we all have to work together. at the end of the day, leadership is where we need to be. that is the people are not willing to get together on a solution. >> i am not sure i got an answer. if you cannot get the tax increases that you want, and you cannot get the legislature to go along with what you have, how far would you be willing to go? which allow government to shut down in order to get things the way that you see them? >> no, i would not. government provides important services and those services need to continue. i served in the executive

branch. i headed three state agencies. i think they were collaborative lee with the legislature and i would do so as governor. i would not compromise,. taxes under the republican governor, we have much economic growth. it was evenly distributed among the population. now, the wealthiest people pay only two-thirds of their income. i want taxes to become fair in minnesota. i will work with the legislature to achieve that goal. >> what if you run up against a >> i agree with rep emmer that number one priority. and there is almost a $6 billion deficit to deal with in the next five months. the reality is for every dollar of revenue the legislature is not willing to increase, there

will have to cut a dollar of spending. there will have to tell the people of minnesota, we will cut a dollar for education, health and human services, make property-tax is go higher. those are the tradeoffs that the legislature will have to make. >> there is no chance he will have an independence party majority in the senate or the house. are you willing to fight for the things you are proposing in the campaign, including lowering the sales tax? >> i think any governor has to hold true to his principles. that is why you elect the leadership. now that these two gentlemen have given their stump speeches, let's talk about reality. exactly why we will have gridlock. that is what every newspaper that has endorsed an almost without exception has said i am the only one that can break the gridlock, i am the owner wanted to move the state ford because i am the only one -- move the state forward. but also, i am the all the one

that has the leadership, the ability to break through this partisan ideology. you see from senator dayton of person who keeps running for one office after another, has never shown leadership, has not shown the ability, the temperament to really be a leader on these difficult issues. we are going to face some really challenging issues next year, and it is not just around the budget. it is around operation, the future of education, how we spend -- all those will take -- they will be challenging issues that will take leadership. >> would you ever force the government shut down if that is what it took to get what you want? >> he would hope that he would not have to force a government shutdown, that you can work withbut in the end, you have to be true to your principles, to to the state of minnesota and

you have to have a budget the works some for people, not just a math problem to make it at up. because that is what they did this year. and it does not add up for a lot of minnesotans. >> tom emmer, he does reference you in a series of budget targets that you proposed heard within those targets, that you have given very little detail about, the spending cuts you're looking at, are minnesotans supposed to assume that you will get there some mouth? >> that is beautiful. i have provided more detail than any other person running for office. it is $2.50 billion short. senator day and as one that is $1 billion short and he is still making spending promises. spending cuts -- yes, there are some areas that are less and our proposed budget in the next two years than they are right now. we have not cut kansas 12 education. we have not only maintained the

state's current -- health and human services is an area that needs to be got under control. we have added $650 million to that area. we are talking about budget cuts -- a $6 billion deficit -- people on the street do not like it when they find out that it is not the government that is losing money. government will have more, but government wants to spend 20% more. >> they really do not like it, representative emmer, when democrats and republicans did exactly to the state of minnesota what you did this year. when you pretend to balance the budget at the state level and end up with school districts have to go to four day weeks. when you pretend to balance the budget and end up with communities having to cut fire and police. now you are asking small

businesses to accelerate the payment on sales taxes. that is not leadership. that is partisan, ideological pandering that is not going to work for the future. >> representative emmer talks about the same level of funding for public education and making up for the federal stimulus money. we are expecting to have 14,000 more students in our public schools over the next few years. so with the same level of funding is cut. justice over the last a years governor pawlenty has cut spending on real dollars by $1,300 per student. that is why we have all recorded -- overcrowded classrooms. >> the last question in this segment. mr. dayton and mr. horner, the bulk of their proposals call for tax increases. -- both of your proposals call for tax increases.

is it a good idea to take the and give it to government? >> none of us created the deficit. that is one of every $6 at the state is expected to spend on education, on property tax relief. the spending cuts will have to come out of very tough decisions. i believe, given that the minister and a department of revenue has said that the wealthiest 1% of people in minnesota are paying only two such 3% of their income in state and local taxes, i would ask them to contribute some more so that we can go to not anymore karcher day weeks and provide the services they need. >> the money is coming out of the private economy. the wealthy people spend a lot of money to buy products and services that middle class people provide or manufacture. is it a good idea to take money of the private economy to the

levels you are talking about? >> it is a good idea when democrats and republicans have left no other choice, when it is based in tax reform, based on actually is. let me correct saturday when he said none of us created the problem. one -- let me correct senator dayton when he said none of us agree to the problem. one of us did. the kind of proposal i put forth is exactly what she should go to. the business-led attacks some commission -- tax commission came to the same conclusion. >> mr. emmer, you get the final word on this. >> there is no tax reform when you're adding billions of taxes. when you are giving government another revenue stream, without addressing structural reform, that is not leadership. it is not $2 billion to $3 billion in new taxes. it is $5 billion.

senator didn't, we have added more to préval in the last few years -- more per pupil in the last few years than the prior governor. being beholden to the union leaders, to the union head, and doing what he wants you to do is not going to lead this state to the types of reforms and k- 12 education. with $14 million invested in our schools, if we can give the people that are administering our schools and the freedom to put the dollars were they need to go to get the highest return for the value, that is where we will see the result in if we will just be beholden to the union boss and not let any reform gets through, that will

not help our kids are. >> a very brief response. we will have a segment on education and a moment. >> 72,000 teachers endorsed me. having been a teacher myself in york, education is provided to teachers. i am committed to working with teachers, which is why have their support. >> let's shift our focus to jobs and economic development. this week, we learned that the state lost another 10,000 jobs last month. the unemployment rate has stayed at 7%. u.s. said it is important to pass up to $1 billion bonding bill to create jobs. do they create long-lasting jobs or jobs that end up being meaningful? >> they are marin fit -- very meaningful to the 28,000 people that go to work building those buildings and improving them all over the state. so, absolutely yes. that is a way in which government can be a partner, as i learned when i was commissioner of economic

development. government has a proactive role to play in support of the private sector. those 28,000 jobs are private sector jobs the construction companies are employing people and the private sector. they pay tax revenues. that is what we need to do to encourage job development. i would loan money out to the schools. retrofitting heating and cooling systems. those people to work, and they are clean energy. government is a product of a partner in job creation. >> you propose a much more modest bonding bill. do you have some doubts about how much that does and the long run to create jobs that families can depend on of along hall? >> my long term economic development program is not rooted in bonding. that is something that will create short-term jobs, but we

still need to focus that on where the need for investment is. mr. dayton's tax proposal. here is the reality. last week i was in bader in. they have to purchase of $4 million press -- in byron -- that made it possible for them to hire 40 more people. if the tax proposal had been in place, they would not have been able to buy the press and would not be hard in those 40 people. same things at digikey. they say very directly -- mr. dayton's tax proposal, they would not be hiring new people. that is the reality. he loves to talk about taxing the rich.

the reality is that when he ran for governor of the last time, he was the one that was proposing a sales-tax expansion because it was the right thing to do. it is good economic policy, if we couple it with tax reform. if a great incentive for individuals to invest in new businesses, technology, new equipment, the kinds of things that drive economic growth. then we have to be honest and say that we will surely balance the budget, not come up with a budget were the numbers add up but the numbers are phony. >> i believe you voted against every bonding bill that came before you in a state legislator. why is that? >> the bonding bills, when you

amazing to me that these gentleman would propose $400 million and $1 billion in the other, without knowing what they are spending it on. the bond and bills the odyssey and, -- i have seen, if they have regional investment, that is where our money should be spent. when you have bonding bills that have snowmaking machines in different parts of the states, that is not a project that has statewide significance. that is not what we should be doing. you are right, mr. horner, i have provided the only balanced budget, and it would be good if he would provide one with the details, so when people know when you are talking about the taxes or raise, just how much you will have to raise to meet all the things you are talking about we believe you have to grow jobs in this state. there is a place for bonding, the question, but we have to put more money in the hands of our job creators, the entrepreneurs. we have got to start to relax the regulations so that they can start hiring again and start growing business in the state of minnesota. >> bill league of greater minnesota cities has said that your proposal would result in higher property taxes. but for every $1 you cut local government, property taxes go up by 67 cents. same with their cuts in school funding. we were in rochester earlier this week for our debate, and the chamber estes about the projects that governor pawlenty vo -- asked us about the projects governor pawlenty vetoed. 19 early childhood learning facilities are ready to be

improved. there are projects ready to go, that would put people to work all over the state. >> i do need to respond to that because, mr. dayton, when you talk about local government aid cuts resulting in a 67 cent increase at the local level. people need to understand that local government aid was intended to provide those communities that cannot have the economic base, the to provide public safety -- police, fire, a sewer, water -- some cities are using it for other things. more importantly, people have to understand that if all the local government aid dollars the state issues, only 20 cities get

over 50%. only five cities get almost 40% of all local government aid issued by the state. when the senator says that this causes a dollar for dollar increase or 67 cent increase it is not true. here it is. if we do not let the states spend $1 and it only cost us 67 cents, didn't we save the taxpayer 33 cents on every dollar, and what is wrong with that? >> we are going to move on. we are partnering with our sister stations across the state of minnesota, including in duluth. >> last week, we learned that a large precious metal mining project in northeastern minnesota will be delayed 1.5 years while doing a supplemental environmental impact statement. do you think minnesota has a proper balance between allowing job growth while protecting the environment? >> thank you. >> i am appreciative at the duluth news tribunate is one of

the many newspapers that endorsed meet. part of it is because i do take a more thoughtful approach . we have to the senator who has spent the whole campaign about the mpca. it is not reality. within the department of natural resources, we have people that our experts, who understand the environmental consequences of these mines. and they have done a very rigorous review of these activities up there. what is happening now is that the federal government is stepping in. and what the people in northeastern minnesota will tell you is that they are willing to go along with it. they are willing to comply. what they want is a system where they know what will happen.

they want to know the process, and they want to have an advocate in the governor's office that can help them. should we get these mines done that? should we do it in a way in which we make sure we protect our environment and hold these companies accountable, so that we have the resources from the company's three mediate if something goes wrong? absolutely. >> your said there is too much regulation and it stifles job growth. >> it is more than that. there are too many agencies with overlapping jurisdictions at the state level that create new regulations that we must abide by. and then they all compete for the right to enforce those rules and it creates a lot of excessive time constraints and obstacles for people trying to start businesses in the state. and not just horizontally, but vertically -- due to talk about the county and local level. what we have been telling people in northern minnesota, what we have been saying to all of minnesota, is we have a

commitment to our environment. there is no question. is not a matter of party. it is not a matter of being republican, independent, or a democrat. one of the things that makes minnesota a wonderful place to live our our natural resources, and we are all committed to being good stewards. in addition to the commitment of our environment, we have an obligation to the people to make sure that they enjoy the quality of life that this state offers them. if we are elected, those mines will be open. >> i was endorsed by the wassavi daily news.

i believe and i have learned that strong economic development and a strong and are meant protection are complementary. people in the minnesota breeze the air and drink the water before anyone else does. they need to protect this and for future generations. we need to responsibly create jobs and minnesota. that would be my objective at 5 become governor. >> we are also partnering with kenny king from ksax. >> according to the department of economic development, the unemployment rate is 13% in this county compared to 7% in minneapolis, st. paul. how you plan to create jobs in rural towns? >> first, we would reduce the corporate income tax by one point. in the next two years, that would. $360 -- put $360 million into the hands of employers so they will start hiring people again. we are planning a 10% -- exclusion on gross earnings. it would allow small businesses about $160 million for them and to start hiring again.

this should be border to border economic development. have to do. i laid out a specific proposal to do these things for communities around the state. and it starts with local government assistance. we need to make a commitment to lga, so communities around the state can make investments in their future. look at the policies that came out of democrats and republicans in the last year that is destroying the health care system in minnesota, and

hospitals that are now being forced to deal with more and because the democrats- republicans-the governor have cut basic programs. we of nursing homes, 28% are on the verge of a bankruptcy. thirdly, we need to make an investment in education. central lakes community college is a terrific program that will suffer damage under both of these budgets. they have a heavy equipment program, two year program, 100 students, some of them non- traditional. at the end of the program, there will place nearly every single person and a job paying $15 or $30 per hour. we do need tax reform. we ought to take the sales tax on capital equipment and exempting it from the beginning. not make them fall for an exemption and wait for two years. exempted from the beginning.

>> businesses in minnesota pay more than four times more in property taxes than in corporate tax. they have said then mr. emmer's proposal would increase taxes. that calculation comes from the minnesota department of revenue. for every $1 you cut and local government aid, property taxes go up by 67 cents. smaller businesses pay a higher percentage of that. they want to provide incentives to expand and create more jobs, keeping property taxes down is an essential direction. tourism. i was responsible for tourism when i was commissioner of economic development. there is a multiple of economic benefits for every $1 the state invests in advertising and promotion. governor pawlenty's cut that. i would restore that. when i was commissioner, we

expanded the starr cities for economic development. we have a state of the hard economic development program and chambers working together all over the state. -- we had a state of the art economic redella program and chambers working together all over the state. >> if we can keep the thirdly and fourthly's to a limit. the issue of casinos. mr. horner, you have proposed a "racino" as part of an economic development. >> i think the state should get a share of the gambling that exists. i do not believe that we should use it for court essential services or to balance the budget. we need to use it for rainy day fund and as a backup funding

for a vikings stadium. >> our recent poll shows that 55% of minnesotans were in favor of this. >> for economic development, you would have to give it consideration. but he cannot keep finding new revenue streams to grow government at the expense of the private sector. it should not be used just to balance the budget. >> wait a second. that is what i just said. do not use it to balance the budget. again, it's this listening problem you have, were you pretend you know more than anybody else and you talk to the rest of the public as if what you are saying is the gospel. that is where you get -- you put your stake in the ground and you will not move.

that is not what we need right now. >> i said i would consider one state-owned and operated casino. because i believe that the state needs competition. ase learned that for retail well as politicians. competition is good for consumers and we would generate revenues that would go to reduce the overcrowding in our schools. i would devote the funds to education. >> let's take a break. we want to hear from our host -- matches state university. -- metro state university. >> as an urban university that educates working adults and promote civic and casement, we are pleased to host this evening's gubernatorial debate. to learn more about metropolitan state, go to www.metrostate.edu. >> thank you very much. this is a beautiful campus, as you can see from that shot again, and the shadows of downtown st. paul. we will move on to the topic of education.

we touched on this earlier. mr. dayton, you made some bold education proposals. you would pay back the entire $1.40 billion the state owes to school districts. you propose all-day kindergarten for all schools, smaller class sizes, and in end two four date school weeks, but you admitted there is no money to pay for that right now. are there is going to be empty promises, given the current economic climate? >> my budget calls for the repayment of the school -- unlike my two colleagues. worst case scenario, if i cannot find savings elsewhere in the budget, then i would be able to repay only $510 million a and delay $890 million. we need to repay that. it has resulted in unnecessary borrowing by school districts. my goal is to increase funding for early child education. all day kindergarten. as the economy improves, more people are working, i have a chance to make those investments.

the current governor left us with this budget, and that needs to be addressed. >> do you think he can keep those promises -- all day kindergarten, smaller class sizes? >> not under the budget he's got. he's $1 billion short. he is making spending promises. people are going to vote a week from tuesday and they expect whoever they elect to this position as delivering on what they talk about. the $1 billion short and suggesting maybe it will be from the shift, again, it would be helpful if you would point out a detailed budget that shows where

the spending cuts would be or how did the tax increases will be, will they will touch for the $5 billion in new spending that you are proposing. we put out a budget proposal that talks about k-12. it raises a commitment by $500 billion. >> but a half billion less than schools say they need. >> it is a half a billion less than the people that are projecting it has to grow without reform. if you are going to continue to invest, because it should not just be about more money. if money were the only issue when it came to education, then washington, d.c., would have

the best public schools and the country and that is not the case. it has to be about setting high standards and being able to measure the performance. three word. we will increase the commitment as we get the performance. we need to free up our teaching professionals and our schools to allocate the ample resources we already have to the kids. as to be in the best interests of the students. it is measure, record, and reward. you need to be able to measure and report the outcome is apparent. then you need to start to reward good teachers and good schools by paying more for results. >> you've said that schools do not deserve a blank check, but you do propose more funding for education. >> i think we ought to put more money into early childhood

education. when you have 50% of children coming into kindergarten not prepared, it is no wonder that among fourth and eighth graders, fewer than four and a are proficient in reading. i greatly disagreed with it senator dayton -- when everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. you are planning to the special interest. this has to be an election where we are not putting minnesota up for sale, where we agree that we will make the hard decisions, where we bring a leadership, the tough choices to hold education accountable but also to recognize that our distinct competitive advantage always will be are educated, talented the labor force. that is where we need to make the investment. >> the party has been running a television ad that says that schools under governor pawlenty

had been failing our kids and hurting our economy, but by most measures, we lead the nation in act scores for six years in a row. do any of you here believe that minnesota's schools are failing write no and hurting our economy? >> there are children all over minnesota that are not getting it the education they need, especially to those at risk children. minnesota, elementary school, and i see 35 children in a fifth grade classroom with one children. as someone that taught in any

york city's school, you cannot reach individually that number of schoolchildren. we definitely do need to provide the kind of a small group assistance, especially those children and second, third, fourth grade that are reading below grade level. they do one minute reading out loud. they can determine which kids are reading below grade level. with individual attention or small group, 85% of those children are reading above grade level by the end of the school year. >> how to explain the high achievement of minnesota since despite people who are more doomsday scenario painters? >> we have a great tradition of education in our state, and we should be proud of our kids and our teachers. our kids' computer well in science and math internationally. in reading, we had always been a leader, but over the last 20 years, other states have started to pass us by. when we talk about the future,

we talk about measure, record, and reward, and we have to talk about real reforms -- alternative teacher licensure. there are a lot of folks out there -- the union boss does not like it very much, but we have a shortage on the horizon science teachers. we have our resources out there already. we need to create opportunities for people who have had success in the business world to be able to come into the classroom and use that success by helping us bring the next generation into the 21st century. >> it will always be in lockstep with education minnesota or would you be willing to break from them? >> if anything know about me, after my 35 years of public service, that i am my own man what is back -- i will be thinking about what is best for the people of minnesota? what is best for our school children? >> in 35 years, you never made a promise that he will not make it satisfies a special interest groups.

it is policy makers that have failed education, teachers, parents, children. and it comes when it the democrats will not say no to education minnesota, but it also comes when republicans pay lip service to local control and go ahead and impose such rigidity that they cannot teach. we need to allow teachers to teach. we need great principles to have autonomy. here is the problem. this afternoon, i was at a form of latino parents. i was the only candidate who showed up. the reality in minnesota -- 60% of hispanics and african- americans and our graduating from high school. 40% or not in the four year measure. that is not acceptable. whether we are competing fairly with the south dakota, north dakota or other states, we are not doing well by minnesota standards, and it goes right back to the partisan politics that is heard in minnesota and the lack of leadership we have

had appeared >> that concludes our discussion of education. we will move on to the import issue of health care. this is not only important in our state, it is a huge issue in a federal midterm elections. again, we are partnering with our sister station down in the austin-rochester area, abc 6. >> when it comes to health care, minnesota needs to put up $188 million in order to get $1.40 billion in federal monday under the new health care law. where do each of you stand on early enrollment? >> mr. emmer, will start with you come up because the governor, the current republican in office, decided not to do the early octant. what will you do in january? >> i agree with that decision. my two colleagues have been public about the fact that they think that minnesota should automatically jump on board and not only spend -- betsy, i would challenge for a little bit. it has cost $430 million over the next three years. she is talking about leveraging $1.40 billion. of the 11 states that were given the opportunity for early august and, seven or a accepted. they still do not have the

money. what will we do two years from now or four years from now when we are just back in the same position? it is time to look at the system and not necessarily say that what the federal government is suggesting that we opt into is a good idea long term. minnesota figured out how to deliver high-quality care at low cost. under the federal proposal, we do not get measured or reimbursed that way. in fact, the federal law would provide reimbursement based solely on the volume of care. that does not promote innovation. nor do we get reimbursed at the levels we should because we have found a way to deliver high-quality care at low cost. this is not the right idea at this point in time, especially when we are trying to balance the budget. we should not handcuffed ourselves to another federal program that we will be talking

about raising billions of dollars again. we need to be responsible today. we need to balance our budget and make sure we provide the services which we can do without creating long-term financial liabilities that we may never be able to pay. >> this is not free money. some people seem to think it is. >> i am glad that the questioner quoted correctly that the minnesota hospital association -- and my excellent running mate, the state senator, have said the net cost is included in the biennial budget that the governor and legislature put in place for the next biennium. this is the most obvious, common sense decision the next governor can make. $1.4 billion would mean that we can provide better quality care to the poor and unable hospitals to provide better health care. why is every other hospital saying to us, please, find this early opt in. we need the money for our

financial stability so that we can provide better quality health care. is the most of his decision the next governor will make. i will sign it on day one. >> i think the senator is right. i do believe we need to take the early opt in, but not because we get federal dollars. because we have the opportunity to expand access. when you talk to those people that are on the front lines of providing high-quality care, they will tell you -- doctors, hospitals, the other care providers -- they will say that if we do not expand access, if we are not able to take this early opt in, quality will erode. one of the reasons why minnesota has done a leader in health care is because we made it possible to good public policy, through good cooperation with employers and employees, to make sure that businesses are

able to provide health care coverage. i know the challenge of that, having run a company. but we now have small businesses around the state that are having to drop coverage, and what we get instead is senator dayton saying that we ought to go to a government run the program, and others saying it we need to convert everything to a voucher system. both of them are wrong. >> the governor called on the attorney general to join a lawsuit. 20 states have joined that. is that a good idea? >> it is about politics. as the ball policy. the health reform bill will not be repealed. let's have an honest conversation about what we need in health care in minnesota. >> do you favor universal health care coverage in minnesota? >> i think we should look at how we can provide health care

for all minnesotans at an affordable cost. to your question about the governor, the federal bill has said that young people up to the age of 26 are now covered under their parents' health care policies. that benefits students and those are just graduated all over the state. cannot deny children coverage for pre-existing conditions. preventative procedures do not require a co-pay. is there anybody that would repeal those good decisions that benefit the people? >> both of my colleagues have been on record saying that they support a single payer. i disagree with both of them. i do not believe that the federal, one size solution fits all. do you realize in the federal health care bill, every real- estate transaction, i will have to pay money into the federal health care bill to pay for it. what else will we find out over the next few weeks? there is an election on

november 2. i think the american people understand the one-size-fits- all solution is not the answer for everybody. minnesota should lead in this area. i do not think -- i think the goal that we both have, which is to make sure everybody has access to the greatest health care the world has seen in minnesota -- i do not think you do it with more government. you do it by creating a system where people get more access because, one, they get more choice and ownership over their own health care. we talked about decoupling health care insurance from inclement. let individuals start to deduct

health care insurance premiums, just like we only let employers do know. give us the ownership of our own health care. give is the ownership of the 3000 to 4000 professionals in this state that design health care coverage that works. finally, why don't you start to address the citizens to care for their own health? let us shop one of the 1300 health insurance products across this country. if you start giving more choice and allowing for more ownership by the individual, you will create more access because there will be more market forces to drive costs down. >> i have to correct that. one of the good things about having 12,875 debates is that there are a lot of recordings out there. supporter said i government run health care. instead, what you said at

health east. i asked you. at another debate, mr. dayton, i guess you do do you support single payer system? you said yes. you cannot keep dancing around these. we need stability from leaders. winnie the temperament that says i will stick to my answers -- we need the temperament that says i will stick to my answers. >> we will take a break now for a message from the league of women voters. >> hello. we are the co-presidents for league of women voters minnesota. >> on behalf of the minnesota education fund, thank you for watching the gubernatorial debate. please vote november 2. your vote matters. >> for canada information, -- further candidate information is available on our website at www.vote.lwvmn.org. >> and i'm being told we are running short on time. we will get through several more questions here. let's talk about transportation. we have not heard a lot about transportation in this election cycle, at the state level. there are all kinds of proposals for high-speed rail and light rail expansion throughout the twin cities.

do you support this? >> transportation policy should be about moving the greatest number of people and product at the greatest value add for the dollars you are putting in. when you say i have not been supportive. i have been supportive of every transportation option out there, but everyone that we look at -- we need to look at a cost that goes into it. not only the capital cost of construction, long-term costs of maintaining, and how much that will serve the public, how many people and how much product that will move. i think people need to understand, while transit is an important part of our transportation infrastructure and always will be, and we need to find new ways to deliver transit services, 95% of the people in the state travel by road and bridge. we can work for the next 10

years to double transit ridership and 9 percent of us will still travel by road and bridge. we need to start by maintaining and creating new roads and bridges. >> mr. horner, u.s. said that you favor high-speed rail from here to rochester -- you said you favor high-speed rail from here to rochester. can we afford that? >> the department of transportation estimates that in the next 20 years we will be $65 billion to maintain capacity on our roads and bridges. they have identified $15 billion in funding. we have a $50 billion gap. as much as you want to dispute the fact that the state has a new money coming in, the reality is that we will have to look at how we fund the transportation in better ways, because i do believe we need an integrated system that includes a transit, good roads and bridges, and includes passenger and freight rail. >> can we afford these things and would you favor an increase

in the gas tax? >> if you want a real-world example of what happens when government fails to make the necessary investments, look at what has happened with our highway and transportation system in minnesota. if we had the same level from 1990, we would spend $15 billion more. now we are $50 billion behind. that means increased congestion all over the metropolitan area, deterioration of our highways. means our public transit system has lagged behind. i would appoint a legislature to create and a point of transportation finance authority of experts in transportation and transportation finance to tell us independently, what we need? what is the scope of those needs over 50 years? how can we best finance them? we are so far behind, we will need to take significant measures. >> it would you favor a gas tax increase?

>> the funds are limited need. we need to look at adopting what other states are doing which is transportation bonds that would provide a much larger scope of projects over a fast a period of time. >> we have one minute left. i want to give each of you 20 seconds to respond. we are in the waning days of the campaign. there have been a lot of negative ads out there. mr. dayton, is it a problem? is it a personal attack for somebody to go after u.s. senate record? >> i do not consider that a personal attack. i think some of them have distorted the situation so badly. those are independent expenditures. what we need in state government is instant recording of where every dollar is coming from so people can assess for themselves. going to spend $600,000

criticizing you about a couple of dui arrest. >> i cannot control what they do through the alliance for better minnesota. that was 20 years ago. i learned from my mistake. never walked away from this. i would say this. we are going to keep running positive ads. i feel for the family in that ad. i would say, have said, that it is being politicized. if it helps one person not make this a mistake, run it as much as you want. >> you do not get off the hook just by washing your hands and saying they are independent expenditure groups. they are your family, the kinds of people you are bringing into the state, and i think it is appalling. >> it is time for closing statements. >> of all i want to follow up on that very point. there is a reason why every major newspaper in this state with one or two exceptions, why every former governor has endorsed, why partisan republicans and democrats have said that this is the year they

will vote independent and in some cases for the first time that they will vote for a nonmember of their party. it is because i have offered the leadership, the vision. i am the one that said, here is how we break the gridlock. i have a career of offering stability, the temperament to lead, the experience to bring people to get. when we see the most partisan kind of interest being played to by rep emmer and senator dayton, now minnesota is for sale to the highest bidder of partisan interests. this is not above minnesota being a better state. it is about how minnesota becomes the best state and that is why i am asking for your vote november 2. >> there are three people running. thanks, tom. i would say to people watching, there are three people running. my colleagues offer the same messages -- raised billions of taxes and where to cut services. they are running to represent the interests of government, as opposed to the people. we believe there should be a

new direction in this state. we should have a government that works for a is to be smaller, more efficient. it can still deliver the services we expect but it lives within its means. at the start growing jobs again in this state, because we have to get minnesota back to work. that is not a republican, democrat, or independent ideal. together, on november 2 that will be the choice. we are confident that minnesota will agree with us and help us make our vision a reality. i hope it will support us on november 2. >> in this election is about the future of minnesota. it is about your future. there is a clear difference among us three candidates. my two colleagues up here would raise taxes on middle income taxpayers by extending the sales tax on clothing and personal services like car repairs or they will cause property taxes to increase. that is a burden that falls heavily on middle income taxpayers and small businesses. i will protect middle income taxpayers from paying higher taxes.

i will ask the wealthiest to pay more in taxes so we can make our tax is fair and minnesota. i will invest that money and better education, better quality health care, better quality public services. i will bring in management experts, based on my expertise heading three different state agencies to help find efficiencies to reduce the cost of government and provide better quality services to the people of minnesota. because i know that your hard- earned tax dollars deserve to be spent as efficiently as possible. working together, we will make a better minnesota. >> i want to thank the three candidates for overcoming their debate fatigue to be here tonight. we do appreciate it. let's give them all round of applause as we finish up. again, my thanks to metro state university and the league of women voters. election day is november 2. we hope to see you at the polls. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] [captioning performed by national captioning institute]

>> more campaign coverage up next on c-span. now, a debate for colorado's fourth congressional seat with betsy markey, cory gardner, doug aden and independent ken waszkiewicz. later, first lady michelle obama campaigns in washington state for senator patty murray. on tomorrow's "washington journal", a look at next week's elections and efforts by the tea party. sal russo joins us. then a discussion on the hispanic vote. brent wilkes is our guest. then rising college debt among recent graduates. "washington journal" each morning at 7:00 eastern.

later, a forum on green energy policy and what it could mean for businesses and the economy. live coverage from the atlantic begins at 8:30 a.m. eastern on c-span 2. >> not a debate for colorado's fourth congressional district seat. cory gardner and representative markey and doug abn and independent met last week in loveland, colorado. it was moderated. the fourth district includes the cities of fort collins and land.

>> here is your host. >> welcome everybody to no. call rollo campaign 2010. i think you're expecting to have a good time tonight. [applause] i think we can provide it and make it a value as well. as a commitment, it is our duty to provide you with the permission to allow you to make the choice in who will read this issue in government. this hour, we will focus on colorado's fourth congressional district. opening remarks from all the candidates and that each candidate will have a chance to respond to questions from our panel. in the second half of our hour, we will relax the rules a little bit and have the panel direct

questions that individual candidates. then, closing remarks. first, some information about the people who will be asking the questions this evening. first is tom livingston. thank you for being here tonight. he is a senior reporter. next is don griffin. welcome, don. she is the owner and operator of on time mailing services, a small business in loveland that has been operating for 15 years that you dunne's more gretchen witted from the university of northern colorado in may of this year with a degree in marketing. finally, christine, who is a senior editor of the herald. to our audience, a couple of

requests. please hold your breath plaza until the end of the hour. we would try to cover a lot of ground this evening. important issues that face us here in northern colorado and united states of america. we want to devote as much time as possible to those issues. if all goes as planned, and we have every reason to believe that it will, we can involve you in this process at the end. we have specific questions for you, the audience. also, we have asked you to please turn off or sell phones. that would be an interruption of picasso's time. we're going to start with opening remarks. there are timers in the front row that will give our candidates time cues.

our first question is for mr. walsh courts. >> i am the only independent candidate in this race. i have made it this far by petitioning my way onto the ballot, not excepting a dime from anyone and providing solutions to the problems our country faces . . .

i said i think we can work it out. he said, let's work on it together. would you be willing to do that? i said yes. that past, and that is part of the bill that will be taken up by congress. that is the kind of personal relationship is sought from congress, and that is what i think we need more of. >> i take great exception. i do not make a point of talking deadly about president obama or nancy pelosi.

i know the comments about his alignment, but that is an observation. the point is at the end of the day, everyone wants to go to the same place. i know they want everybody to have health care and a roof over their head and a comfortable society where every nobody can take care of themselves. i want that to. how can we get that thelma what has to energize the economy is the private sector, where i've built my good fortune and my life. i know that in 200 years our country has developed a better standard of living than any country. we are not doing that by taxing each other to death.

philosophically, i understand him. it is a matter of direction and approach. >> i feel like i am doing a documentary. >> you may be right about that. you are in line in terms of free trade. the thing about what you say sounds very good. you are right, but you do not give any specifics. you need to do more than just talk the talk. there needs to be real effort. there needs to be suggested legislation that maybe you would agree to, legislation you might propose that you think you could work with both sides of the aisle. those are the substantive ways you reach across the aisle.

we all want to do that. it is another thing to make it happen. >> no more on this question. time is up. moving along. [applause] next question from our audience, what these think is the proper role of corporations -- what you think is the proper role of corporations? >> we are seeing the money pouring into the local elections, and what is worse about it is you do not know which corporations are doing it. some of these are funded by foreign companies. that is absolutely contrary.

these are people that have nothing to do with upstate new york. they do not write this with respect to oil companies. that is just wrong. it is a un-democratic, and i supported this because the police would require people who would contribute to have their names listed. i think that is the least we deserve. >> apparently it is a un- democratic but constitutional, which begs the question of the unions. i am i union member. i have nothing against unions. there is an equal amount of money, but it is unfair to accuse corporations because they seem bigger and more

powerful. in the 2008 elections, unions spent about $100 million, so if you are going to object to it, unchecked across the board. >> the question was about corporations, and i was responding. i think everybody should have their name. if we do not think for one man man -- one minute corporations are going to affect it more, we are deluding ourselves. this is just the floodgate opening up, and i fear if we do not control on it, if we do not require the corporations to lift their names, i think we're opening the floodgates to other corporations trying to influence elections. >> i know that is an accusation,

but there is no evidence to support injections there are foreign corporations. >> you just have to turn on the tv, and you cannot help but see it. >> your time is expired. we are going to go on. when you are elected, what should you do to reduce the poverty level? >> poverty is a function of a great many things. the number one thing is education. we have neglected our education system. we are 13th among 36 nations. we are 42nd in the country in the world in k-12. if that was a football team, they would be burning the

buildings down. this is harsh, but we need to start blaming the parents. my wife reads to the children every night, whether she is away or not. we live in a competitive world. if you do not go to learn, you are doomed to fail. as your education goes, so goes your country. >> i agree. i think the education system is critical. we had a forum with superintendents, and we talked about that. we talked about education and what we can do to improve the education system. it is important to bring it down to local. it gives the ability.

we need to incentivize them to be creative. we need to make sure the people who in poverty have a safety net, to make sure medicare is available. i think it is critical if we want to improve our education and to make sure the people were there. >> you have a response? >> we are losing industrial jobs right and left. we are shifting overseas.

we need to give back to science, technology, engineering, and math. that is how we will maintain the standard of living. for the first time in 70 years, new yorkers in comes when down. education works for everyone. after-school programs are critical to keep people interested in one thing to stay there. that is how you motivate young people to go into science. that is the kind of innovation we need to continue to promote

in our education system. >> do you support full disclosure of all political expenditures? >> we do it. both sides do it. it is the kind of transparency we need. people can see what is being spent, where it is being spent, and why it is being spent. there is a cloak over who is contributing. if you contribute, that is public record. that is a good thing. >> anything else? next question goes to you. what would you do about the influx of illegal immigrants if you are elected mnemonic -- if

you are collected? >> there is not a person in this room unless you are native american -- it is the source of labor. they built this country, we built this country. immigration is what made us who and what we are. we have a right to know who is here, why they are here, how they contribute. i think we need to control our borders. i am in favor of an electronic check. you are required to tell them who you are. i think we should finish the borders.

maybe you want to get into that. we have to recognize that this was an immigrant from russia. there are people who want to have what we have, but we need to know they add value to our system, because they add stress. >> your time has expired. >> we have so much diversity. russian, bosnian, hispanic. you see so many different restaurants. it is wonderful, and that is the diversity we cherish. we need to make sure we are

doing the kinds of things necessary to keep supporters say. one thing is that we need to hire additional border security guards. it is amazing what i.t. can do. we spent two days with border patrol. you have to see what they can do in detecting people. that is the way we can keep our borders secure. i think the idea is very good. i think that is the use of our national guard can be put through. those are some of the things i would do to approach the problem.

>> one thing people miss about mexico is it has the potential to be the biggest problem we have, more than afghanistan, and we are being invaded. you look at arizona, 28,000 people killed on the border. talk about extending our authorities in, you may have to do that. i am not in favor of racial profiling at all. >> i am concerned with the future of the postal service. do you support state delivery?

>> i do. one thing that is critical is the delivery is critical. that is one thing the constitution in numerates, and that is postal service. we can fix the problems by simply changing what is paid in. that would make the post office stable.

the fact that we have this enormous deficit, but we refuse to acknowledge the fact. are we the fullest that we can continue to spend, that everyone is special interest. i think they should be allowed to do it. i think that is wrong. i cannot be dishonest and suggest i would keep it. there are places they are going to have to go.

. we need to make sure we push hard to get those past. this is one of those five alternatives. >> anything else, sir? what i am familiar. if something in the changing of the pension plan would work, then i am all for it. if we can create a solution without cutting back, then fine. >> time for closing statements.

you have to the minutes. >> what happened to the social security questions? >> go ahead, sir, to the minutes. >> [unintelligible] >> we are out of time. we cannot take that question. go ahead. >> i have been running for office for three years. i turned into a pretty good loser last time. [laughter] i travelled this district. there are things that made me more connected to it in ways that i never imagined. there are people that feel abused and put upon and discouraged with their government. people have begun to believe in this country that our problems are not solvable and that we have a government it does not work and when it does, it does not work for us. they believe no matter how bad things are congress can always make it worse. i am not sure i disagree with them. we need a different kind of

leadership in this country, people not so invest in the system but invested in the job and the people they serve. that is what i intend to do. that is what i am doing. i have to the little kids. a look at the fact new york state is circling the drain, ladies and to amend. anyone who does not see that is not looking. we have lost a million and a half people. with a large number of universities and colleges in the country. 20 something. yet, every one of those young people who is well educated has to leave because there's an opportunity. we need to find a way to do that. it's understood the value of the private sector, the value of the contraband or, the benefit of letting people keep most of what they make. -- the value of on to bernard. i believe that.

not that i do not think government has a role, of course it does. it has got none of control. this is our chance, this election, to take back a piece of our government and send someone different to washington. i promise i will work for you and work hard. >> your time is expired. [applause] >> you have two minutes. please, keep it down, we have two minutes left. >> i want to say thank you to the league of women voters and all of you for being here. i think this campaign is really about vision. it is about the future, ideas. this morning we had a debate and he said things are really bad, things will be really tough for young people. i see it the other way. i think our greatest days are ahead of us. when i hear sometimes the commercials and i hear ha mr.nna speak, i hear the urban renewal program. it knocked down all the old buildings and places like utica

and rome. the problem with urban renewal as it did not have the vision on what to put in its place. you cannot just knocked down, yet have a vision for what to put in place. that is what our campaign is about. we have created jobs. we have helped companies, accretive scholarship programs and schools at utica college. these are the kinds of things that create jobs and most important, keep our young people here. that, for me, is what it is all about. it is fighting for people in this district, stopping bad programs and fighting to keep jobs here. you cannot just knocked down. you need a vision to build and that, let this gentleman, is what our campaign is about. think about this. who have the ideas, who has the vision, -- the ideas for what to do in the future and how to do it. that is what this campaign is about and that is what i promise i will bring to you. i work very hard for you and i

would very much like to continue to work for you. thank you all very much for being here. [applause] >> thank you, ladies and judgment for participating in a debate. thank you for commenting and bringing your questions to us. thank you to the debate sponsors. thank you to our candidates mr. richard hanna michael arcuri and mr.. have a great evening. thank you, sir. thank you. thank you, sir. >> thank you for watching the 24 district congressional debate.

>> we continue our political coverage each night on c-span. here's a look at tonight's lineup.

on to the ""washington journal," and look at next week's elections. sal russo joins us. in a discussion on the hispanic vote. brent wilkes is our vote. after that, ben miller talks about rising college debt among recent graduates. later, a forum on clean energy policy and what a command for businesses in the economy. live coverage from the atlantic begins at 8:30 a.m. eastern time, on c-span2. >> one of the great features of the c-span video library is the ability to clap and cheer our programs with your friends. during this campaign season,

that includes more than 100 debates we have erred on c-span. if your new, watch the tutorial on their website. search, find and share with the c-span video library. steve spence local content vehicles are traveling the country, visiting -- c-span's local content vehicles are traveling the country. >> i appreciate the your so engaged in this process. face-to-face, asking the candidates questions. there are some things going on right now with the election that are pretty dangerous. it is not just the poisonous atmosphere, but the millions of dollars that the u.s. chamber of commerce is pouring into this race against made on behalf of my -- >> there are folks out there that will spend big money to

make sure they keep the incumbent congresswoman there. she votes with nancy pelosi 98% of the time. they are in charge and have a lot of money. they will throw a lot of money at this race and say a lot of things that are not true. factcheck.org has already hit her for running a misleading campaign. i know the people in this district know the difference. they also know the difference between being nasty and being tough. there is a different. >> it is a microcosm of the country, at least of ohio. this race is on the national radar because it is such a typical district in the midwest, a typical district in the united states. there is a little bit of everything him. in the factory would see playing out on the national stage to see playing out in this district. she is the incumbent democrat who is the first term elected in 2008. she is on the ballot again this

year. her republican opponent is -- lost against her in 2008 by a small margin that year. two minor party candidates are also on the ballot and wr aite- in candidate. she has been pretty active as a freshman. her opponent has made it really kind of an indictment, if you will, of nancy pelosi and of her role as a member of the democratic majority. >> people are angry. i get that they are angry. they have not seen the recovery and the attention of wall street has given to main street. we have stopped the hemorrhaging of jobs and are still people out of work. there are still parents worried about the children's future. i understand that. i know how angry people got because i got angry, too.

i voted against the second round of tarp because i was fed up of that kind of abuse of our taxpayers. i understand that. >> they are not really running away from her role as the democratic majority. they're suggesting her role has been very positive for the people of central ohio. who has a role in a majority that is doing a lot of stuff. they're not really trying to minimize her as a member of the congressional majority, but they are trying to do it, push back as a former bank lobbyist as someone who they see as kind of basically a stooge for what happened to the bush and ministration, someone who will back the clock to unregulated

market, agreed and that kind of thing. >> my campaign has balked on about 80,000 doors and the issues are jobs and spending. -- my campaign has knocked on about $80,000 now and the issues are jobs in spending. we have to get people back to work if we want to make sure we move this country forward. >> he worked for a bank in ohio acquired by larger bank, the top lobbyist. you'll hear that over and over again. his role was essential to push for policies that favor deregulation and free-market and he would talk about his time as "job creator" in ohio. after that, he became a state senator and served as a state senator for about five years or so. he left two years ago and has been a private sector person

ever since. mary jo kilroy in terms of her popularity this year versus 2008, obviously, 2008 shoes helped out a lot like obama turn on both on campus-she was held that a lot by obama turnout but on campus and elsewhere. obama's election this year, the top of the ticket is the governor, not the president. turnout will be less. she may be a little high profile in terms of her profile in the district. again, because she does not have a president to give her political cover. it is notable in 2008 obamacare read this district by a pretty large margin. mary jo kilroy carried it of much smaller margin. the basic math does not pencil out in her favor issues underperforming the president and there is no precedent to toss the ticket this year, it will be tough. >> about 20 months into my first term, working hard for the

people of this district. i want to continue to do that. >> please help us work all the way through november 2nd and i will work hard every day both until november 2nd and pass that if i'm lucky to your congressman, tried to make you proud. thank you so much. a >> leading up to the november 2 midterm elections, we are travelling the country visiting congressional districts were some of the most closely contested house races are taking place. >> for more information on with the local content of vehicles are doing this season, visit our web site c-span.org/lcv. >> first lady michelle obama is on a two-week campaign tour for democratic u.s. senate and house candidates. earlier, she spoke at a fundraiser for washington senator patty murray in bellevue, washington. she is also joined by the wife of the vice president and washington gov. christine. this is about 30 minutes.

>[applause] >> thank you. thank you so much. wow! we are pretty far it up in here, right? -- fired up in here, right? this is great. this is amazing. we are going to get this done, right? [applause] thank you also much. please come arrest yourselves. [laughter] i want you to say that energy for getting their boats out. i cannot tell you how thrilled i am to be with all of you today. i want to thank patti for the very kind introduction. i want to thank her for inviting me here today. as you all know, patty did not involve the public service because she wanted the title of one of the power of the perks

because there are not that many in the right, right? [laughter] she came to this work as a mother, as a mother and tissues. -- and issues. she wanted to solve problems. as she said, as we all know, that is what we do as mothers. that is what patty has been doing every day for the people of the state. she fought to keep those boeing jobs here in washington and to create new energy and infrastructure jobs as well. that has been amazing work. she has worked tirelessly to help small businesses get the loans they need to expand and start hiring again. as the daughter of a disabled world war ii veteran, she has been a passionate champion for our veterans and military families fighting to ensure that they get the housing, the health care, and the education that they have earned.

[applause] absolutely. and just about every week ,patty flies all the way across the country to come back home because she wants to be here to listen to the needs and concerns of the people that she serves. because that is the kind of woman, the kind of senator she is. and that is the kind of person that we need in washington. i am so proud to be here supporting her. let's give her another big round of applause. [applause] also, her husband rob is also here today. i know you do not get to see her as much as to a light,rob ji,ll an -- jill and i understand.

we want you to know how grateful we are for sharing her with us. so, rob, woohoo! way to go, rob. i also want thank my dear friend jill. i could not ask for a better partner on this amazing journey and i am pleased we could travel together. we like traveling together because we get a little silly. today we just slept. [laughter] it is great to have her as a partner. and also to keep to the governor and also congressman jim interment -- mcdermott. they're both doing outstanding jobs for the people of this day. thank you ellen malcom for everything she has done, helping

women take their place in elected offices all across this country. thank you so much. finally, i want to recognize our terrific candidate for congress, suzanne delbany, as well as our contest organizer. thank you to both of you for the work you're doing every day. thank you for being here. [applause] i have to tell you the truth. this is not something i've been doing very often, this campaigning thing. in fact, have barely done it since a little campanula remember a couple of years ago. [laughter] [cheers and applause]

as a self-described mom and chief, my first party has been making sure my girls are happy and healthy and adjusted to this very interesting life and the white house. that has been my focus. i think i'm like every parent that i know. my children are at the center of my world. my hopes for their future are at the heart of every single thing that i do. that is why i knew i had to be here today. that is why i left them at home to be here today. more than anything else, i come to this stuff as a mother. no matter what i do, i focus on these issues as a mother. a and when i think about the issues facing our nation, i think about what it means for my girls. i think about what it means for the world that we're leaving for them and for all of our children, quite frankly.

as i travel around the world, and this great country, one of the best things that i get to do is to spend time with children. anybody who knows me, if there is a kid in the room, give it up because i'm not in attention to anyone else. [laughter] it's true. [laughter] because when i look into the eyes of the children that i meet, i see clearly what is at stake. i see it in the eyes of the child whose mother has just lost your job and that little girl is worrying about how her family is going to pay the bills. i see it in the eyes of the child whose father has just been deployed and that little boy is trying so hard to be brave for his younger brothers and

sisters. i see it in the eyes of children stuck in crumbling schools and they know it. and then look around and they wonder, what on earth does this mean for my future? that is how i see the world. i think that is how most of us see the world. that is something we all share and we can never forget that. that is the thing we share. that regardless of where we are from or what we look like or how much money we may, we all want something better for our kids. we all do. [applause] and that we can never forget. i know that was true in my family growing up. even after my dad was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, he

hardly ever missed a day of work of the city water plant no matter how sick he was or tired he felt because he desperately wanted something better for me and my brother. it was also true in my husband's family. that is why his grandmother woke up before dawn every morning to catch the early bus to her job at the bank. and even when she was passed over for promotions year after year because she was a woman, she did not complain. she knew she was doing it to give something more to barack and his sister. that is the american dream. that is what it is all about. the fundamental belief that even if you don't have much, if you work hard, if you do what you're supposed to do, you can build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your children. but for too many folks, that

dream feels like it is slipping away. and even before this recession hit, for too many people, all of that hard work was not adding up like it used to. for years now, middle-class families have seen their incomes falling. college tuition has gone to the roof. this is something we have heard in every corner of the country during the campaign. folks asking themselves, are we going to go broke if we get sick? what if we cannot pay the mortgage. what do we do then? how can i afford to send my kids to college if i am not rich? where can i find a good public school for my children and if i can, how will i give my kids the same chances that i have?

the fundamental american promise was being broken and worse yet, no one in washington was listening. let me tell you something, that is why my husband ran for president in the first place. [applause] because what he knows is that his life, like mine, is only possible because the american dream. and keeping that dream alive and within reach for all americans is what drives him every day. every single day. that is why folks like all of you across this country joined our campaign. that is why you made those phone calls.

in the freezing snow in the blazing sun, remember that? i believe that is why you and i are here today. we're not here just because we support patty, and we definitely do support patty, don't we? [unintelligible] we are here because we believe that no child's feature should be limited because of the neighborhood they're born in. .

d eliminated waist

from big banks and putting that money where it belongs. sends it to students and that's not just an investment in their future. that's an investment in our country's future for. sure. barak believes it's our solid obligation to serve men and women in uniform as well as they serve us. again w patty's help he's helping the veterans get the education they earn and the good jobs they deserve and most importantly, making sure they get the health care they need including the treatment of today's wounds like post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. and as many of you know, i'm supporting military families is one of my top priorities as

first lady. this is something jill and i work on together. as a champion of our national guard in reserve families jill knows the challenges families face and she's been a tremendous partner in our efforts to make sure these hardworking families get the respect, appreciation and support that they deserve. thank you, jill. plus p barak is investing in clean energy and scientific research including stem cell research that will transform our children's lives long after we're gone. and - with the two brilliant accomplished supreme court justices he's a point redirect examination for the first time in history our daughters and

sons saw three women take seats on our snak nation's highest co. and finally, barak knows all too well the heart break and frustration that our health care system has created for far too many and that's why he'll not walk away from health insurance reform and he'll never forget how his own mother fought the last months of her own life not connecting with life. she spent that time fighting with her insurance because they said her cancer was a pre-existing condition and barak doesn't want any family to ever go through something like that again. thanks to the reform and patty helped passed, no one will ever

have to go through that again. not now, not ever. thanks to this reform, insurance companies can no longer drop your coverage because you get sick. they can no longer deny coverage to our children with pre-existing conditions. kids can stay on their parents plan until they're 26 years old and insurance plans have to provide preventative care for birth cancer screening and prenatal care at no extra cost, charges or fees and washington. that's not just going to save money, that's going to save lives in this country. [applause] now, these are just some examples. just a few. of the kind of change that we're

already making. and it is because of all of you it's because of leaders like patty, that so much as been accomplished in such a short period of time. it's been a year and a half. cheer ch >> but, i know that for a lot of folks, change hasn't come fast enough. and it hasn't come fast enough for barak or for patty either. not when so many folks are still looking for work and struggling to pay the bills and worrying about providing for their kids. no. change hasn't come fast enough. but, i think many of us came in expect together see all the

change we talked about. having all at once. right away. the minute barak walked through the oval office door. but, the truth is. it's going to take a lot longer to dig ourselves out of this hole than any of us would like. the truth is, this is the hard part of change. but remember, that is exactly what barak told us. that's exactly what we all told each other, doing all those months on the campaign trail. he told us change is what? hard. i h heard him. he said change is slow. that it doesn't just happen on it's own. we all understand change takes struggle and sacrifice and

compromise. from our first days as a nation every time folks try to make change they have faced fear and doubt. they have faced setbacks and disappoints. but as americans we have always pushed past the cynicism and kept moving forward, and that's what we must do again today. that is our charge. because - there is - there's too much at stake right now. there's too much at stake. for our future and for our children's future. and we have come much too far. to turn back now. uh uh. we've come too far to stop giving our kids the chances in life they deserve.

no. we've come too far. we've come too far to stop rebuilding m middle class security for our families. we've come to far to stop putting the american dream that i know, that my husband knows, that patty knows, that all of us know, back within reach for all of us! no. we've come too far. we cannot go back now. but again, it won't be easy. because real change never is. but let me share something with you. something that i do during those times when change seems hardest. i think about my dad. i think about how no matter how tired he got, as he struggled to walk, i think about how he would sit on the side of his bed

frustrated trying to button his shirt to get himself going in the morning. but regardless of how tired he felt, he just kept going. every day. and that keeps me going. i think about barak's grandmother and no matter how discouraged she felt, she just kept getting up and giving her best. i think about all those folks just like tutu, my dad and the folks i met this last year that keep getting up and take the extra class and work the extra shift and wake up every morning without complaint and regret and they do everything they can for the people they love. you see those are the folks that inspire me every single day. and finally, you know what else?

this i do? i think about how we all felt on election night. and i think about how we all felt on inauguration day. oh! we were excited, right? we were energized and fired up and hopeful. because new we had a chance to change the country we know for the better. the truth is washington, we have that same chance and more importantly, that same responsibility. the chance to continue the progress we've made. the chance to finish what we've started because this election is not just about what we've accomplished these last couple of years. this election is about all we have left to do in the months and years ahead. but washington, let me just say

this. my husband can't do this alone. you k see, the one thing i ask all of you through the course testify campaign. i said, if i'm giving you my husband, then you have to have his back. right? well, he needs leaders like patty to have his back. and patty needs folks like all of you to make that happen. so we need you to be fired up. we don't have a lot of time. we need you to make those phone calls for patty and lace up your tennis shoes and knock on the doors for patty and get everyone you know to vote. it's not too late. you got to be fired up. we got to get folks voting early for patty. that's started already. get those ballots in. if you think someone is sitting

out you have to shake them. tell them, they can't sit this one out. we've come too far for them to sit this one out. we need all of you to find those folks and we need you to tell them they can't vote once and wait for change to happen. they have to vote every time for their mayor. governor. congress members and senators like patty. because in the end, washington, our campaign was never about putting one man in washington. it was never about that. it was about building a movement for change millions of choices strong. a movement that lasts beyond one year and one campaign. if you keep standing patty and bringing folks together and as fired up as you were two years ago, i know we can keep the

movement going and keep the american dream alive and more importantly, years from today. our children and grandchildren will be able to look back and say we kept faith with the values we were raised and we gave them the life they deserve and met the obligation for america worthy of their dreams. we need you washington. thank you alright. so much. yes, we can. yes, we can. yes, we can! yes, we must. yes, we will. thank you all! god bless. ♪