running ads telling latinos not to vote. do not be pushed into silence. we are latinos, and we are americans. we are strong and united. we will be heard on election day. vote on november 2 and show the country that the latino community will not be silenced. host: why not stay home if you are a latino voter? if you have not seen action from the democrats and you do not like what you see from the republican side, if hispanics want action on the issues they care about, why not stay home and send a message? guest: your voice is your vote. if you cannot ve, politicians

will not spend time focusing on your community. we think politicians would be much more spots the ball if they had a voter coming to their door asking for something rather than someone on the sidelines just protesting. your vote is your voice. the message that he sent out is exactly the wrong message. actually, he cleaned it up a little bit. it used to say just do not vote. that was the first time and had had been run that encourage any segment of the public not to vote. it is extremely frightening to see that, people try to undermine the democratic process. people are not going to be fooled by that ad. we have seen recently that the enthusiasm has started to pick up. host: what is the percentage of eligible latino voters? guest: of the total population,

you have to look at the fact that you have to be over 18, the fact that the latino population, not as many are registered yet. it is about 50% of those who are ready to vote. host: how do you consult with hispanic voters about the issue of fraud, citizenship? guest: we certainly do not encourage anyone to commit fraud. that has been an example where people had made a lot of nothing. there was not a case where an undocumented immigra register to vote in the u.s. and the fact that people would bring that up as an issue -- there are so many other problems, people being intimidated, boats being discounted. the fact that there had never been a case of an undocumented

immigrant falsely voting -- there have been cases of legal immigrants voting. often times you have your naturalization ceremony prior to becoming a full citizen, and i registered at a time in between those two. not chnically wrong, but something we can imagine. there is really no immigration fraud when it comes to voting issues. immigrants are notoriously the community that does that stand up and makes themselves apparent to the community, unless they have to. it does not make sense that they would try to register to vote. illegal immigrants, of course, they are here illegally, -- legal immigrants, of course, they are here legally, and sometimes they want to jump the gun in the process.

there have been a small number, and it does not influence the results of the election. however, there are a lot of people out there trying to depress the latino vote. not just through these ads, but through intimidation with id systems, trying to challenge folks at the polling place. host: we are with the leader of the league of the united latin american citizens. you can see here the largest hispanic population is in texas, next to that, arizona. next phone call. caller: congratulations to c- sp. it is just great to be able to express my opinion. i remember my grandfather saying, black folks need to vote because the white folks do not

want you to vote. i want to say to all of the hispanic people. white people do not want you to vote. the only way you can be heard is to go and vote. it does not matter who wins. you need to activate your vote. host: jack in albuquerque. he is hispanic. we have set aside a special line for our hispanic colors. 202-628-0184. -- callers. caller: i am actually a white american, but i have some hispanic in my blood line. you do not get a pass. i do not care i you are black or white. people fought and died.

that is why black people are so adamant. it is your responsibility, as an american. host: robert on the republican line. caller: you explained most of it while i was holding. let me have you explain to me -- you said a lot of people went out to the neighborhoods to canvas, the first step was to get them to register to become a citizen, and then go through those steps to become a citizen, and then register to vote. could you drop us a picture of the people that live here who are not citizens that are whogible to be citizens, hav they are and how they got here? guest: certainly, there is a strong immigration tradition in this country. people coming here to work hard

for the american dream. they want to work hard, create a new opportunity for our children. a lot of immigrants have failed to engage in the political process because they feel in some sense they are guests in the country and they are trying to work hard, not trying to cause trouble. but it is important for everyone to purchase a bit in the process. we tried to reach out to those folks in the community who are eligible to become citizens but have not started the process yet, and so we held them. some cases, they are nervous about taking a test, taking the basic steps to become a citizen. to but once we go through the process, it is fairly simple. if they pass, of course, they are citizens, and most of tm feel it is their most important moment of their life.

host: tampa, florida. audrey. go ahead. caller: i hope hispanics understand how imperative isfor them to go to the polls. if republicans take control of the house and senate, nothing will be accomplished. they established tt by blocking the president successively over the past two years. they need to vote. host: mike, independent line. oklahoma. caller: good morning. my question is, if the latino voters are so disillusioned with both parties because of a lack of immigraon reform, what kind of reform do they want? what do they demand? guest: when we are looking for is to fix the broken immigration system. the u.s. economy, when it is

normal, demands about a million workers that we are unable to provide domestically. so we had folks coming into the country legally and undocumented to fill those jobs. we want to fix the system so there is a process for illegal immigrants to come. right now, there are only 40,000 legal immigrants coming a year. if we can fix the process and have people coming legally, enough to meet the needs of our economy, we think we can fix this problem. as well, we have a large undocumented population in the country. how can we allow those folks to pay their fines, have some sort of punishment, adjust their wages, because we understand they are contributing to the economy, and they are also using

theoods and services tha americans rely on. and finally, if you have a loved one that you want to bring into the country, you do not have to wait 15, 20 years. we want a reasonable immigration process for people to be able to reunite with their families. if we could do that, i think we could do a good job solving this immigration system. host: john on the democratic line. troy, michigan. caller: i understand you do not but -- support any particular party but i am curious why you do not support a stance. the tea party person that was on prior to you did not speak about the needs of the hispanic population. i would think that you would be

more anti-republican, anti-tea part. most of them believe that there is a rush to the border, but rather it is more of a magnet that is attracting these people to the border. guest: i think you have a point. focus on issues about candidates. certainly, we are concerned there are candidates who are misusing the issue of immigration for their political benefit. that is also being borne out, when you look at the polling in the latino comnity, the enthusiasm factor for conservative latinos have gone way down.

more liberal leaning latinos are more enthusiastic and the more conservative-leaning ones are more depressed. the reason for that is they have seen these attack ads. they are vicious. not just immigration, but they make an appeal to a racially tense argument. they show brown faces of the enemy, white faces of the good guy. we find those reprehensible. we hope all candidates, regardless of where they are from, does not attack the latino community for their benefit. host: next phone call. caller: i am in south texas. we have a big hispanic family, most of the community is hispanic. everyone talks about legalization. conservative hispanics are

depressed. i am depressed. i am sad we are not doing more to stop illegal immigration. that is what these people are talking about. i wish texas would do something like arizona did. i think ms. brewer is doing the right thing. host: where were you born originally? guest: yes, my family are descendants of one of the families from the alamo. my family has aays been here. i have family that was born in mexico that says the same thing. host: that they want something done about illegal immigration? caller: yes. guest: we all want to fix the immigration system.

in the senate, there was an effort from democrats to pass a comprehensive democrats -- immigration bill. they brought republicans to the table. lindsey graham started to negotiate on the bill, but in the end, they decided to pull away because they thought it woulde politically better for them not to support it. the reason we do not have immigration reform is not because of harry reid but because of the republican but walked away from the table. if hispanics want to put essure on both parties, they need to come to the table. we need a program that will allow peopleo come in and meet our needs and at the same time, enforce the rules and time havee country. i think it isot an easier -- an either/or type of thing. we can do it.

we just have to get the politicians to stop using politics as a way of dealing with this issue. host: joshua in uniontown, pennsylvania. caller: your current speaker is talking about his disillusionment with both parties right now. that is the same situation as most or all of the people in this nation. there was a democrat that started to do some true comprehensive reform and ron paul had to measures on the republican side of that were true comprehensive reform. other than that, have not seen any true leaders in either party. i wonder if we should try for a new party, a constitutionalist

party, perhaps, or the libertarian party, and maybe that could solve problems everywhere. guest: i think something is broken in washington. the parties are debating issues not based on the merits of whether it succeeds or fails, but the advantage of one party over the other. the idea of additional parties may not be a bad idea. the first thing we need to do is get money out of politics. the first united decision was a horrible decision by the supreme court because it floods r airwaves with more attack at and that really cheapens our discourse. we need to have a sound, rational debate. in order to do that, we need to get money out of politics. we need to look at perhaps, a multi-party system. host: fe on the democratic line. caller: everyone needs to

remember that president reagan gave us the amnesty that open our borders to anybody that could come in. they did not have to have documentation. the republicans did this in order for the big corporations to have workers that they did not have to pay. host: did work in the 1980's? guest: well, you actually had to be in the united states continuously for six years out of status. yes, they were working hard. one thing that people tend to ignore is that these folks were not just producing things that nobody uses, but building our homes and sving our kids and serving us in restaurants and in hotels. in some sense we have created a system that they cannot com in legally, so they come in any way they can becau they want to feed their families. and then we abuse them after that.

we want a workable immigration system. at least then they will have some rights and they will be able to demand wages. i agree that they are abused when they are out of status. we need to make sure that there are enough immigrants coming in to meet the needs of our economy. that has been an engine of our economy since its founding. it is not new. that is what has made america is so strong kabir to other nations which highly restrict immigration and end up having -- compared to other nations which highly restrictive aggression ended up having an increase in the gdp. host: charles on the republican line. caller: hactually mentioned about how we have in this country the whites and minority better coming into this country -- and the minority that are

coming into this country, we look at them into a defense -- in a different way. when ronald reagan opened up the the russians ind all of came into the country, the minute thecame off the plane they were getting welfare and social security benefits. they were even using the v.a. hospital because in world war ii they were our allies. we just keep abusing people from south america. and the media puts them down as, you know, they are just no good. but really, it is the stuff coming in through plains. st: mr. wilkes? guest: i think there definitely is a difference between how we treat european immigrants, for example, and how we treat immigrants from latin america or other parts of the world. but in years past, european immigrants were treated very

poorly. kiron -- the irish and italians, for exame. it is not a new phenomena. it is just that the preferred immigrant has changed and and preferred immigrants have change, and they a. but the truth is, immigration has been part of this country, except for native americans. we just need to open our hearts and have a process that allows folks to come in easy and that just like our ancestors, they want to live the american dream. if we have a balance, that is what we're looking for. right now, we are out of balance and to many workers coming in out of status. that does not benefit anyone. but we have got to fix the system. we surely -- we certainly should not try to spit of canada, -- pitt communities against each other. host: next call from washington,

good morning. caller: i thank you guys for doing this sort early in the morning. i would like to say that hispanic citizens, we are ready to vote. we are not sleeping. we are not thinking about something else. no, we are ready to vote. and we are going to vote for obama. this tea party and the republicans and all of that stuff, it is all the same team. they always vote for notice, know that, notice, know that. -- they always vote for no this, and know that, and notice, and know that. host:k. your next, ann day. -- anna.

caller: i think most voters are confused with regard to immigration in that and why does the government go after the actually illegal workers instead of going after those who generally rich and fat cats who are hired illegal immigrants? i wonder if that confuses the hispanic voters. and i have always found hispanic voters, from what i know, more consistent -- they're both are more consistent with generally christian or catholic and values. -- their votes are more consistent with generally christian or catholic values. would you say that in terms of values, those voters generally go to a democrat because those christn values are generally linked, for example, it jesus would want everyone to have health care. guest: i do not know if they are

somewhat confused as they are angry. the folks that are hiring undocumented workers, they are the ones to blame. we should really target them. if we want to stop the phenomena of undocented immigration, the first and only place that we shou focus on is that those employers more hiring people have to make sure that they are here with proper authorization. if we did that, then all of these punitive efforts and walls that we are putting up would be unnecessary. we overlook that and allow that to keep happening and try to make life in america so tough on these immigrants that maybe they will stay home. the truth is, they really want to work and it will put up with all of these issues that we put in their way as long as they can work and they will work as long as these employers keep offering their jobs. host: united latin american

tizens have been here since 1977. larry, go ahead. caller: i have a problem. all of the southwest states belong to mexico city. the second point is illegal immigrants voting. he said that he took it to the court and the court said it would not make a difference, so they threw it out. the problem i have with you is that you have hispanics that

have been in the congress for 35 to 40 years and they have no power. but the democratic party thinks it's in control and hispanics are simply the peons that have to vote in theiorder. why don't you tell the democratic party you want -- since seniority is the primary way of getting power, that you want all of the hispanics that have seniority the chairmanship's? host: ok, got your point. guest: two things. the first, we do not in any way support or condone that its portion of the united states and should be returned to mexico. the leader of an american --

united latin american citizens. the reason we have that name is because we are citizens. we have more medal of honor winners as a percentage of the total latinos that have served than any other community in the country. they are very proud of defending the united states. yes, it is true that we marched to mexic city and forced them to surrender half their territory. i do not think it is a good idea that we and exmoor. but when it comes to the issues in -- d acts more. but when it comes to the issues in congress, i think it is true that the members have not on the assignment that they could have as a whole. although, a latino is the no. 3

position in the congress. if y look at the important german ships, -- the important chairmanships there are some of those as well. but it is the still an important issue. we want to make sure that once latinos are elected to congress that they also get plum assignments as well. host: lester is a democrat. helme with the name of your town. -- help me with the name of your town. caller: [unintelligible] host: ok, go ahead. i live up here -- and caller: i live up here in nevada and there are whole t of tea partiers here and i think they

do not want to talk about the racism because on within the teagarden and. a lot of them are -- within the tea party. a lot of them are hard-working folks. they come with their kids and they want them there to succeed, but they have beenamboozled by all of this money and those who have secretly met the two-party. -- the tea party. everything that has done to make it great, they want to take us back to the 1800's. host: there was not a question there, but do you have any reaction? guest: yes, i think there are good people in any party and bad people. but we are very concerned about

the use of race in this election or in any election. it has no place in elections. we should not have people making racial appeals. and i have seen, as the ntleman mentioned, an increase of that in this election. i think we need to as americans fight against that and reject at message. you should tell them is wrong and avoid association with that individual, regardless of what party they are with. host: what brought you to washington d.c.? guest: i came to washington because i wanted to make a difference to help the fastest- growing population in the country. by the year 2050, 30% of the population will be in latino. host: where did you grow up?

i guest: grew up in the albany, new york area. i went to college in new hampshire. that is where i started getting interested in politics and government philosophy. i went to mexico to study spanish where i fell in love with the culture and realized one thing i needed to do to help confront the issues were latinos here in the united states. not only is voting an issue, but if you look at the educational issues, probably 95% of what we do is try to help tinos get a better education and work on health care and housing as well. but the big thing is that we want to make sure that the latinos are ready to take up the leadership of tomorrow. housing is critical in that effort. host: brand will has been with the united latino's citizen

association. and many hispanic voters will be making a difference in some of these rac as well. los angeles, maria, go ahead caller: thank you for the work that you are doing. hispanic americans. i was born here and my parents came here in the 1940's. they were legal. my mom to the vantage of the programs that came with the civil rights -- took advantage of the programs that came with the civil-rights movement. she went from being a factory worker to becoming a schoolteacher with a master's degree. i was also able to learn from her example. she always voted. i became a nurse. i just want to let you know that

i am very much pro-immigration reform, but there are also a lot of latinos born and raised here, and some of those that are immigrants who are legal, and we are concerned about other things like higher education, things like jobs. think it is very important, the work that you are doing, and i appreciate it. i am also concerned about health care, especially being a nurse. i just want to commend you and i thank you for the work you are dog. host: maria, i just want to let you and other viewers know that our next topic that we are talking about is a college education and the debt that college seniors are facing when they graduate. brent wilkes. guest: when you look at the latino cmunity, typically, immigration is now the main

issue -- is not the main issue. they're concerned about the things that all americans are concerned about, getting a good education and that their careers are meaningful and that they can support their families. the health care bill was a big one for latinos because so many latinos are uninsured. about 30% was uninsured until the passage of the bill. and almost half of their children are uninsured. these issues tend to be the bread-and-butter issues with all americans and especially draw the attention of all latino voters. people use it as a wedge issue when they are using excess to address race. they use it to attack. and you have groups of their running attack ads against the latino community.

when you have that, immigration rises to be perhaps one or two on the issue list. host: let's go to rose on the republican line. caller: my father's family came over in the 1800's. we were immigrants, but they had to go through ellis island to pass a physical. that is what concerns me. i'm not talking about just mexicans, asians, middle eastern, europeans -- i do not care where you come from. that is why i think that doing it legally is the right way. we do not know if you come from africa or from whe. we do not know what kind of diseases that they are bringing in that could spread and cause more problems for themselves and

for their community. that bothers me. againstwhy i'm so illegals coming across the borders like they are. host: brand wilkes, final thoughts here. guest: we will turn our immigration system to the way it was when your ancestors came in. you are right, all they had to do with step o the boat and take a help desk and they were in. the process now is far more restrictive. it is almost impossible, for example, for a mexican national who wants to come to the u.s. who does not have an immediate relative here ready to sponsor him, or a job ready to go -- they cannot even get in line to come in. the way we treated immigrants in the past, that process was much more generous than the way immigrants get treated today.

we argument -- we are not even asking for that. it is possible to become legal, but you still have to go through a rigorous process and that includes a health test. by being so restrictive and setting the legal immigration vels so low, we are putting ourselves at risk because then folks coming in do not undergo an kind of health screening. i think it is way overblown, this concern about diseases. we have seen radio and tv show hosts blowing that it out of proportion. -- the data out of proportion. but a few are concerned about it, you should say, i want a legal process and

-- if would allay your concerns. >> and a few moments, like to the white house with a spokesman robert gives for today's meeting, scheduled at about 2:00 p.m. up for grabs this year. if youpolitical front page saysn gop leaders keep the peace if i were to take the house and senate -- it and they were to take the house and senate? it could create a headache for john boehner. if the becomes bigger he will be able to enjoy his crowning moment 20 years in the making for about five minutes. the story continues inside politico about what potential speaker john boehner faces.

that is "politico" this morning. it also had a story about what could happen on the senate side. if you look at the senate and how it may play out, charlie cook says this --

an eight-seat pickup seems about right but it is not written what a great deal of confidence. there are made too many races separated by very few points. not sure what is going to happen in the senate on november 2. "politico" says -- kentucky signals a conservative out of rage. minority leader mitch mcconnell has been campaigning of putting aside differences with rand paul, republican senate candidate in that state. the story and "politico" says -- detroit, on the line for tea party supporters, what do you expect it republicans take control?

remember, you have to turn the phone down. we will come back to you in just a minute. a little bit about the situation between mitch mcconnell and rand paul. it says here in "politico," back in kentucky mcconnell and rand paul put aside their differences in an effort to beat democrat jack conway. most will times a week mcconnell was on the phone with rand paul.

ok, let's go back to the phones. tea party supporter in detroit. caller: how are you? host: doing well. caller: good. i think we need to shrink our federal government and a lot of the wasteful social programs. host: that is what you expect are you voting for tea party candidates? caller: yes, i am. host: what do you like about the message? caller: i like the message about getting back to the constitution. host: emory, let me ask you this, though, do you think any of the tea party candidates you are backing, should they compromise? with the democrats? caller: yes, i am sure that they would. host: are you ok with that? caller: i am ok, as long as they are moving forward in the right direction. host: portland, oregon, chris on

the minds of republicans. what do you expect was a mark caller: good morning. can you hear me? host: we can, go ahead. caller: i expect to win and everyone listened to 101. -- host: bill, tea party supporter. caller: i think the talk of compromise. we had republicans who compromised and it got us the george bush era. if we don't need any more in there. s we need conservative republicans who are interested in -- you will hear it over and over -- shrinking the size of the government. how do you compromise with people will want to expand the government's power and reach? host: let me ask you this, bill. on the issue of tax cuts and increasing taxes in order to -- as well as lawrence spending -- loring spending.

some people say you can't cut the deficit by just cutting spending. he can get there. you will have to raise taxes as well. would you compromise? caller: i think that is an excellent question. a you know, i hope that some of them do step up and realize that, yes, there is a segment of the population that is going to have to pay more taxes. so, i would like to see -- i think there is room for dialogue there and i would like to see some of the tea party supporters show some ability to compromise on that issue that you mentioned. host: second question. some have said the true test for tea party candidates, if they win, one of the first test will be whether or not to raise the debt ceiling or shut down the government. there have been stories about that, that in order to keep the government running, which are running up against the debt ceiling. so you have to increase the debt ceiling or the government shuts down.

caller: i don't think they are going to want to shut the government down, but maybe you can for something where -- let's face it. i saw something on c-span that said in michigan, the median income has dropped by, like, 14% or 13% over the past year. and that the federal government, federal government workers have increased by 15% over the past year. i saw this on c-span. maybe they cannot shut down the government by having across-the- board cut in pay for federal workers. host: you are calling from pennsylvania. are you supporting pat to me? caller: i am supporting pat toomey and i am not supporting corbett for governor. host: republican line. james. caller: i have been a republican for many years, and i believe

that the tea party is a wonderful infusion of energy from people who see hope in our party who have gotten disgusted by the corruption of the incumbents of both parties, but particularly in our own party. we have always been disgusted with the democrats. what i expect to see when we wind is an efficacious grid lock. we will see no more 2015 hundred-page bill without anyone reading them. and we was a business, the money that people have been afraid to invest in because they don't know what the rules are going to be paired the rules are made it -- going to be. host: you think gridlock, that congress does nothing, and it brings certain to do business. caller: that brings an of certainty do business that they

will start spending some of the money on medium-sized projects. i don't think we will get really major investment until such time as we can get a hold of congress, we take the presidency. because the president will start doing things on presidential orders based on a nearly infinite authority the congress has already given the executive over the years. people will not want to invest money until they can project over the next year or two, that things like the regulation of a co2 and other -- every breath of air that industry in its well not be shut down. and we are going to have two years of hard political combat after this, but gridlock in the short term. and god willing, we take back the presidency in 2012. host: how closely are you watching the race between patty

murray and dino rossi. caller: i am watching it closely. the question is whether it will be decided by 200, 5000, however many votes show up from people polled are discovered in the central counting facility in the capital in a major city of this state with a register homeless people and just report them on election night. host: james, in the political piece, is as mitch mcconnell on the senate side denies he has plans to effectively shut down the senate, saying, we weren't sent to washington to do nothing. go ahead, what is your reaction. caller: the objective is not for republicans to shut down the congress or the senate.

the objective, if we get control, is to present meaningful bills that are small enough so people can see what they are and forced the president to either sign or veto things that the american people wanted donna. host: pittsburgh, back to pennsylvania. john is a tea party supporter. caller: build on what the last caller was saying about gridlock, that will be a good thing. that will slow down the government. we don't need the government to lead america. companies will then pick up and they will lead america back into prosperity. you know, it depends on which state you are in, whether of the republicans take control -- the tea party takes control. a there you will see the major changes. host: john, turn your television down so that we are not getting that feedback from you.

what you do that, "the washington times" this morning, front-page. education department, rip -- tea party hopefuls renew calls to abolish the carter-era agency. if you tea party peebles said they will get rid of the education department and let the decisions be made in the state and local level. do you expect that, and you agree with that? that these candidates the support that? caller: to totally abolish to the entire federal program, no. but i would make major cuts, not only to that program, but many federal programs and reeling just have it as a a jiging they are there justic -- they are there just to keep tabs of what the states do. given back to the states.

host: would you compromise on the issue of, if the democrats agreed to cut spending, would you compromise, would you like your republican tea party candidates to compromise on the issue of increasing taxes in order to lower the deficit? caller: no. it is obvious that you lower taxes, you will get more revenue. if companies have money out there to spend it, they will spend it. it is all over the news that they have millions and billions and trillions of dollars sitting are around. if you cut the taxes, those companies will spend that money and you will receive double the taxes in return. host: glenn, a republican line in lexington, michigan. caller: originally from kentucky. my relatives fought in every war in this country.

i have two buried in arlington. i just went to one of them this last summer. and obama is destroying this nation. we got paul -- we got, the 24th air force and attend naval force because of this cyber stuff. the chinese have taken over iraqi's oil concessions. host: i will jump in here, are you calling from lexington, kentucky? caller: i am calling from lexington, michigan. i am 69 years old. i have been down and the worst earthquake in chile in the 1960's and involved in the bay of pigs. i've got one of my good friends dying from things from this agent orange. host: what do you expect from republicans if they take control of the house and senate? caller: i expect them to correct this and do like i was a kid.

acquit borrowing money from the chinese, start selling our own u.s. savings bonds, give an interest rate on it. when i was a kid -- i grew up in at the detroit school system. we bought stamps for bonds, a nickel -- and when i was in the military, we had to buy a bond every month to pay off the korean war. host: we will leave it there. "the new york times" frontpage --

now a pleasant, michigan. daniel, a tea party supporter. good morning. caller: good morning to you. i was a member of uaw and afse in michigan and i also conservative american and i support a lot of the tea party. i would like to see the politicians when they get in there, put all the elected officials -- judges, senators, congressmen -- everybody on 401k, and all of the medical should be medicaid and medicare, the same as the people. if you put these people on a 401k and put it into big cd's,

their money would be protected and it would roll over every year and then they can adjust at a higher interest rate if the interest rates go up, but their money would be protected for retirement. but it would also not give people medical for life. the country needs our borders secure. that is congress's job. i am very conservative on the environment, too. we've got over 1000 dams in the state of michigan, that people have their little cottages on that's -- that could have little generators on them and supply the grit and supplied the communities and the grid. it is clean. fish ladders for the environment. it will keep the waterways and the migration of fish. host: minnesota. carol on the line for republicans. talking to conservatives only. if you win, what do you expect?

caller: thank you for c-span. i expect immediately for john boehner or whoever is the speaker to look very hard at shrinking the size of the government in every way possible and try to keep the bush tax cuts. i want to get rid of health care as it now stands and replace it with a more sensible insurance across state lines. and not having the -- i cannot think of the name for it -- host: medical malpractice? caller: medical malpractice. i would like to get rid of many departments in government. i want to go back to the constitution and i want to go -- i think every tea party, every

republican, i think all democrats as well, should have to read the constitution before they sit in their chair. host: you and others might be interested in this "baltimore sun" article this morning, the tribune washington bureau. it talks about modest -- modest bush era ideas may return if the party wins big. loosen state regulation of insurance markets to allow insurers to sell across state lines. limits on medical law practice lawsuit and expand so-called high risk pools to provide insurance to six americans who are otherwise denied coverage. it says. -- when republicans were last the control they had little success

with the proposals that they are advocating now. they look at the facts and figures and a during the six years republicans had control of congress and the white house, health care premiums rose an coverage declined in federal spending surge. that is "the baltimore sun" this morning if you are interested in that. georgia, tea party supporter. caller: we have to remember that the government does not earn money or create jobs. it confiscates money and it grows government larger and larger, which is a burden to the taxpayer. the two-party system has not worked very well. it actually rules against the will of the people. people did not want to bail out the banks and they build up the bags. people did not want obamacare and they got obamacare. people did not what the government and auto industry and it happened. if we get a better car, i doubt

it. we will continue to see the government roll away at has been unless power is transition back to the people so that they can run the country. it's called on the line. i want to update you and other view -- host:, hold on the line. i want to update you and other viewers. ford to invest $850 million in michigan, create 1200 jobs. the state also consider tax breaks for private -- private from gm and chrysler. a woman to get your reaction to the front page of "roll call," the capitol hill newspaper. gop once insiders to staff the outsiders. tea party candidates, those who might be new to the senate, the story says --

what do you think about that, having insiders being advisors to these people who are coming from the outside? caller: the gop better wake up. or they are going to be basically on the outside, they are going to be the outsider like the democrats are. we the people are trying to take their government back, and this is what is going to happen. 1200 jobs by gm, that is not a drop in the bucket. they need to build an automobile -- not a combination of golf cart and atv wrapped around plastic that cost $40,000 and has a range of 40 miles. we need real jobs, a lot of them. they need to put forth

legislation to bring companies back, create jobs in this country where people can send their kids to college, buy houses, automobiles. that is not happening. we can do that only if people take control of the government. host: coming up at 9:15 a.m. until 10:00, we will talk about college debt and what kids are facing when they graduate. on average it is around $24,000, is what kids are graduating with this year. let's go on to bakersfield, california. mike, republican. what do you expect if you win? caller: i hope republicans resist the calls for amnesty from the open borders lobby for the illegal aliens and work to reduce legal immigration. i think we here in california are bankrupting ourselves, as george will put it, importing poverty from the third world and exporting talents which execs -- excess of regulation and taxes.

i've been the only kind of immigration we have an benefit from economically are the h1-b visa-type immigrants, high tech, advanced researchers and those kind of people. that is the current immigration we need. as immigration has increased over the past 30 years, we brought in 40 million mostly low-skilled or mostly unskilled workers from third world and yet our per capita gross domestic product, per capita income for people in this country, has not increased one nickel. so, the argument by the open borders lobby that immigration is good for the economy it simply does not benefit the average person. the only people who benefit are those high-ranking executives of companies to work for corporations to sell to the new customers, such as procter and gamble. host: we got your point. that was mike and bakersfield,

talking about expecting action on immigration. tennessee. ben is a tea party supporter. go ahead. caller: i want them to give social security a raise. bush gave them the biggest raise there ever was. and i think they should do you build the general motors plant in the united states instead of sending it to mexico. host: you want a raise and social security? caller: yes, i think the people deserve it. host: can the country afford it? caller: they are sending money overseas. why can we afford it? host: you would like to see decisions made about our obligation overseas. caller: yes, i think we should quit spending money over there and spend it here at home. host: roger, republican line. what are your expectations? you've got to turn that television down. i will come back to you.

a little bit more from ms. " . "piece about what mitch mcconnell, the republican leader in the senate, faces if tea party candidates win and republicans take control of that chamber. who has made it a habit of sparking internal battles the jig that is jim demint.

the joint -- detroit, roger. is it television down? ok, roger, i will move on. louisiana, sherry, tea party member. have to turn your television down. caller: thank you for taking my call. i wanted to talk about social security. you call it an entitlement but the thing is about social security, it is not like the regular income tax. we forget it was set up as a

trust. i haven't heard one person in this country discuss just what the details of that trust is. let's pay back the money we borrow to fund world war ii plus interest from way back when and maybe social security would be a little better off. people keep a borrowing from it. host: what do you want to get done on the issue its tea party candidate republicans win? caller: for somebody to look at the trust set up for social security. also secure the borders. i agree exactly with what a couple of callers before said. basically with social security, everybody borrowed from it. let's pay it back. let's make it solvent. host: talking to conservatives only, with airline for republican and an 940 party supporters. if you win, what do you expect?

front page of "usa today" this story. jeopardy ifda in gop hit its goals. that is the front page of "usa today" that you want to go to the specific races. and a new poll out saying gop voters are far more fired up, enthusiasm gaps in as bad for democrats. that is the front page of "usa today" today. republican from georgia. caller: i can hear you anymore. host: we can hear you. caller: first of all, mitch mcconnell will have some problems because he failed to exercise his responsibilities as a leader, to use his leadership against republicans insisting on staying in after having a nominate that the old-timers did

not like. he is not going to staff our offices with people who are experienced but we will staff have -- his office is with people who are not. this is step one. we will go after in every primary, good, honest, solid americans from both parties. and'll get rid of the rinos work hard to get rid of progressives. there is a moderate democrat anymore. left-wing radical, really left wing radical and left. susan collins and libya's know and several people in the republican party are real progressives and progressives did not believe in the constitution. listen to maxine waters say let's not attention to the constitution and let's socialize and businesses. host: sounds like you are going after moderate republicans. you want to take them down and

primaries in 2012 or 2014. are you hiding of mitch mcconnell? you think he is a moderate republican? the caller: they talk about moderate republicans. there is nothing as a moderate democrat, for sure. there are a lot of progressives, radical left-wing people out to take down the competition and that is part of what the fight is about. getting back to it constitution -- excuse me, i am sorry. host: are you involved in any sort of tea party group in georgia? caller: tea party patriot, we started this thing down there. first of all, there is no party. taxed enough already is what we are about. i went to a town hall meeting last year in 2009 and it was back. they bought in school buses, government buses, filled with seiu people, and when i went up, i was lucky enough to be drawn

to have a question. i said it is nice to have all these people with their t- shirts. i notice the cayman school buses. i would be curious of anywhere from our district. i asked if you are from the district. they told me, no, they were not. we threw them out of there. there was no coverage of that story whatsoever. host: that was bob, tea party supporter and organizer from georgia. the latest polls on the top races. it is from "the washington times." cavallerano send race -- colorado senate race, a dead heat. connecticut senate race, richard blumenthal is leading over linda mcmahon. florida senate race, marco rubio takes the lead with 40%, charlie crist with 33%, kendrick meet 18%.

you can see the rest of the races. we will scroll through them as we go through the next phone call. jeff, tea party supporter, michigan. caller: i am very excited now and i am hoping when we take over, it will be to keep the promises. but the first thing we have to do is cut social security benefits. it is just ridiculous. one way to get rid of national debt, at least cut social security by 50%. it should be the same role for the congress. they should cut a lot of them. host: 4 worth, texas. gary on the republican line. it your expectations. caller: i expect them to go back

to the constitution which they have not been falling for the last 20 or 30 years. it goes all the way back to reagan. they were just making laws in doing whatever they wanted to and not even coming close to falling the constitution. they tripled the size of the government since the 1980's. they say they have not, but they have. just look at the numbers. it has gone completely out of control. host: for myers, florida. patricia, republican line. caller: i expect the public to have some patients with this new congress. it is not likely they will take the senate. just keeping their feet on the ground, learning their jobs, getting committee assignments, perhaps picking four issues that they can really concentrate on and communicate that to the public. that in fact they are not going to be able to do 14,000 or 50,000 things at one time. it will be and everyone's best interest if the public just

keeps their feet on the ground, and the conservatives and republicans communicate that issue to the public in general. that would be in the countries best interest. it also to hold their ground because they are going to be slammed a lot by the left, and the left will pull every dirty trick in the world on them. it would be in the best interest to stay focused. stay on message. host: with everything going on in people's the lives, if republicans and house of follow one option that has been in the papers, that republicans bring of small bills that deal with the spending, every week bring up one small bill, do you think people like yourself will be able to pay attention every week to small bills that don't get a lot of press coverage and don't get a lot of talk? caller: you know what -- i don't know about that.

they will do it anyway. that is part of their daily business. they deal with hundreds of small bills. but i think it would be in the best interest to come up with a plan, for instance, with the health insurance and say, here is what we are going to do for the next two years until we elective new president. this is what we would like to accomplish. we need your help and attention. we need your focus and your being in touch with us as representa >> we're going live not to the white house for today's briefing with spokesman robert gibbs. >> just one quick housekeeping thing before we get started. tomorrow morning and hear, off- camera we would do the first of our briefings for the trip to india with mike froman, ben

rhodes, and bll burns to what goes through some of what the president will do and talk about in india. we're likely to use the latter portion of the foreign trip later in the week. korea-japan, the g-20 part later. tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. it is off-camera. let me check on the embargo. my guess is that there will not be one. it will be in the india portion of the foreign trip. we would do the second part of the trip probably on thursday. >> will not be there to talk about g-20 stuff? >> not tomorrow. we are only focusing on india. indonesia, japan, korea we will

do in the latter part of the week of. no, it will either be thursday or friday. my sense is thursday. i will have more on that. yes? >> the earthquakes in indonesia, is there any concern about the? >> i have heard no expressed concern about any of those things impacting the trip. >> two topics -- on afghanistan can you give us your sense of whether president, he supports the u.s. giving cash to karzai? >> ben, you know that the u.s. provides assistance through u.s. aid and development programs. i would steer you away of that character rescission of how the u.s. provides aid to the afghans.

we provide aid through a process that is appropriated through congress, goes through steps and helps a series of development projects in improves democracy and governance. we closely monitor what happens in afghanistan. those efforts include making sure its neighbors to not provide an unnecessary or negative, do not exert such influence on that country. i would remind all the countries in the region that they have a responsibility to play a constructive role in the future of afghanistan. >> what is the president's response to karzai's assertion

that he receives back the cash from iran? >> only to sit we closely monitor what happens in afghanistan, and monitor countries that may negatively, or try to negatively influence a country and its future. >> your monitor, but is that what iran is doing the? >> i will not get into the intelligence. >> on domestic politics, it can you tell us if the president has a personal reaction to the quotation from senator o'connell -- that the most important thing to achieve is that president obama be a one-term president? >> the president did an interview to the same publication. i doubt that, regardless of the outcome of the election in a

week, that the message the voters of the country will send is that they want to see more politics at play. that it would to see the process bogged down and more partisan, political games. our job should be to work together, to move this country forward, to strengthen the economy, and to improve the lives of citizens. there is time for the political campaign now, and there will be in two years for the presidential campaign, but in the days, weeks, months after this campaign, the message voters will send and that we as elected officials should take is that of working together, of getting things done that are constructive, that help to strengthen the economy. over the past two years we have had enough game-plan to satisfy ourselves for many political

lifetimes. it should not take two extra months to get small business tax cut and planning package through the u.s. senate. we should not have the u.s. senate where you have co- sponsors and supporters of the commission to look into the federal deficit come up for the vote, and vote against it. we have been through that. >> when then-senator obama was advocating for senator kerrey as president, was and he turned to make sure that president bush was a one-term president? >> there will be time for an active presidential campaign. maybe senator mcconnell ones to run for president.

the political campaign season for the presidency is not going to be eight days from right now -- there is time for a presidential campaign, for agn. but members of the senate are elected and hired by the people of the united states to get things done for them. not to posture and play political games and gum up the system. we have had people say that their goal is gridlock. >> did the white house have a reaction to iran -- its first nuclear power plant at a time when sanctions are not working? >> we have addressed -- this reactor is my turn by the iaea

with cooperation from russia. we have monitoring in place on something -- and we believe that iran has the right to produce peaceful and of their power. that does not release it from responsibilities in the international agreements and commitments to step away from illicit and where weapons programs. i would divorce the two. if you get articles from the past several weeks, sanctions are having an impact on the economy of iran. the president that travels around the world and makes outlandish comments is, in stepping away from his country's obligations, making it harder

for the people of iran. that i think is the message being delivered with sanctions. >> with the gdp figure coming down on fraud in elections next week, do you think that democrats are not getting credit for the economic measures of what has just taken -- coming out on friday, and the elections next week -- you think that democrats are not getting credit? >> the entire message of republicans is no, and that corniche with their agenda for both the house and senate. you can look at steps that we took some of the change -- when the president came in where the gdp figure was for that quarter, somewhere near -6%, losing close to 800,000 jobs in the month the president came in. we have had nine consecutive

months of private sector job growth. we have seen and gdp moving in the right direction now. but it is not a surprise that people are frustrated with the pace. especially given the depth of where we have been. it will take some time cannot be remedied -- take some time, not be remedied overnight. >> why are democrats getting some credit the? >> when you make some progress from very deep in a whole, you are still in a whole. this was not a shallow recession -- from a very deep -- hole, you are still in a hole. we did not only see an increase in unemployment -- i'm trying to describe the magnitude. 8 million jobs lost as a result

of bad economic decisions -- that is a hole that will take a long time to fill. we have filled in part of it, but for many people who watch their economic well-being -- who watched it being eroded, not just since the bank collapse, but over many years, there is a logical frustration that has built. progress coming out of the hole has not been as fast as they would like, nor that the president would like. you have heard the president tell the story -- the car is out of the ditch and pointed in the right direction -- he has said this on the campaign trail. >> have that the republicans been more susceptible whether or not they would agree with your description of the message -- in

presenting their, taking advantage of the economic conditions to help their election? >> again, the political environment has been determined largely by the economic environment, and is one of frustration. we would all readily agree. >> can you tell us what the president's plans are for voting? >> he just voted absentee in the west wing. >> who did you vote for the? >> i did not ask. i assume it is a private decision. >> it was not necessarily a straight democratic ticket? [laughter] >> i do not know whether he voted independent or not. i know who you voted for for governor and senator of illinois -- the two democratic candidates.

>> did bergen have any reaction to the comments from the governor yesterday in which she refused to say that he would endorse president obama for reelection in 2012? >> i didn't hear anything from the president on that. i don't think the president would do we have a long way to go before 2012. that would cause the president to lose a lot of sleep. >> the story about the republicans driving a car into the ditch -- the president has not been behind the wheel for two years. at what point does -- >> first, pushing the car out of the ditch. >> he has been moving this car now for two years. at what point does he stopped talking about the people who were last driving that car?

does this continue after the midterm elections? >> there is an obama bumper sticker on the car. we get that. dan, inherent in your question is some of that on january 20 is that everything resets 20 and that we all got to start all over again. that was not the case -- right? -- that it resets to zero -- which is not the case. we watched from december 2007 in the economy until probably sometime in the fall of 2009 lose jobs every single month, right? we have now had nine consecutive months of positive job growth -- was one month in their the did probably like a 11 out of 12, or so -- the

president is taking responsibility for the steps he has taken since coming into office. but the six months before he got into office we lost four million jobs. you cannot reset the frustration involved with some who lost their jobs in that time period, can you? >> [unintelligible] doesn't it get to be somewhat of a broken record? >> no, the record of the last eight years was pretty broken -- i would give you that. i don't think repeating how we got into the mess, partly because we don't want to repeat it -- you have heard the president say he is not saying this to relive it -- that is his

message in this campaign. instance,, for leaving aside the chairman of the house campaign committee -- our goal was to go back to the agenda of what we had before the president came into office -- senator cornyn head of the campaign committee has said one of the things we should do is repeal wall street reform. that got us into this mess. a series of rules and regulations the did not impact anyone's behavior and handed taxpayers the bill. we will change that, and have in this legislation, and are putting people in charge of things like the consumer agency that can advocate on behalf of middle-class workers, middle class families, middle-class taxpayers. not for fly by night lenders or getting suckered into mortgages they can't afford. we're putting someone on the side of the middle class. we don't want to walk away from that. it got us into this mess.

i think the president will continue to talk about it. it is how we got where we are. >> [inaudible] i was listening to al sharpton -- >> i don't know the latest numbers. i think our numbers and the african-american committee are as high, almost as high as they have ever been. obviously, our desire is to get as many people that do support the president out to the polls. he has done a number of these calls and one continue to do more. between now and election day. >> are you saying that no entity of the u.s. from a transfer of any cash to any member of karzai's government? >> we provide assistance and aid to the afghan government through a well-established developmental

aid program. the big bags of cash giving. >> are you sure that no government agency is? >> i can only tell you what i know. i am relying on the knowledge that i have on the subject, and i don't know. >> [inaudible] has repeated frustration with the president refusing to endorse his campaign for governor of rhode island. any reaction? >> nothing more than i think the way we reacted yesterday. what axelrod said this morning -- his relationship in trichet with former senator dick cheney. we work with the campaign that we were not going to get involved. -- his relationship and

friendship with dick cheney. wow. just doing that to see if you were awake. i'm sure that he will do an ad on the iraq war. >> [inaudible] >> his words do not need it reactions of a campaign looking for support. >> the president takes his responsibility as a friend more than his responsibility to the party? >> no. >> [inaudible] >> that was communicated clearly and well in advance to the campaign. >> how? >> by a senior official in the west wing. several weeks ago.

>> what was communicated to? >> that we were not going to get involved with the race. >> a difference in town but the discussion -- a difference in tone this year concerning hope is different then in to dunsinane -- based on the car in the ditch, writing in the back seat -- is this a reflection of the past two years? has the president conceded that he needs to reach out and his base more than two independent -- more than two independents now? >> the car in the ditch is a metaphor for the economy -- is that appealing to his base, is that what you're asking? > let's bring in the slurpee

with republican standing on the sidelines or riding in the back seat. >> [inaudible] 7-11 and thehe decline to answer affirmatively that slurpees are a republican dream. so i guess i do not fall your assertion. >> is the president of killing more to the base now? >> it is hard to follow what you are laying out in the question. that the president is seeking votes of everyone in this election. we're not just appealing to one group of people.

the president, the actions he has taken from the decisions he has made were the right decisions, the right things to do the tough economic environment, and we hope they appeal to everyone. >> in the last few speeches president obama up the ante, not only are republicans not having to pull the economy of the ditch, but he has them kicking dirt in his face in the last few speeches. where is this going? what is next? [laughter] >> look, my sense is that the president added part of that into the speech because i think to just simply assume that for the past two years all the

republicans did was sit by and not do anything tells only part of the story. they voted against every one of these things. i good to mitch mcconnell -- here is what the future is going to look like -- to explain a purely what he believes his job is as the leader of his party in the senate -- i go to mitch mcconnell. leaving aside the fact that if at any point two years ago, four years ago, six years ago you would have asked if he supported cutting capital gains taxes on small businesses? do you think the word from your mouth would be anything besides yes? there is a series of political games that get played in this town, and the republicans have played a lot of them.

it would miss characterize the fact that they tried every effort to get the car out of the ditch -- many are running campaign simply on the. we had just eliminated the story and added slurpees for a laugh -- and putting them in the back seat so that a class can ride check and in the front i think it's a pretty good representation of what has happened of the past two years. >> going back to rhode island, is one thing not to endorse the democratic candidate, but why go to rhode island at all? >> we went there for a dccc fund-raiser. that is where they wanted us to go this month. >> returning to the of mcconnell issue and republicans -- setting aside what will happen next week, what changes have the

president will approach the relationship with republicans differently? how t-bonds turned to work with republicans on one side and not further angering the democratic base on the other? >> we will have plenty of time to get into operational changes. just read the interviews, the two interviews side by side. the president that regardless of the outcome was to sit down and work with republicans, find common ground, figure out how we can work together to move the country forward -- compared to someone who has decided that his first job as leader of the republican party -- is to defeat the president and keep him only as a one-term president -- again, the job of the president and of any senator or member of

the house after this election will be solving the problems of this country, of which we know there are quite a few that need to be addressed. >> what will change? theou'll have to ask senator how he will approach this differently given what he said, and the fact that the president said that he looks forward to working with him. that goes back to some of our earliest time that we spend here in the white house, trying to get their support for a recovery act, trying to get their support for passing middle-class tax cuts to spur consumer demand. many things they said that they were for -- increases in every structure investments. all of those things. i can assure you that when a political and election season has passed and we get the next

day back into the governing of this country that this is a president that will reach out to, as he did, and try as best he can to work with the republican party because i think at the end of the day the president strongly believes there is enough common ground to be found to help move the country forward. the republicans will have to ask them the posture they will take. the first message that has come from senator mcconnell is a deeply disappointing message, that regardless of the outcome of the election, political gridlock and gamesmanship is what the american people have to respect of the next two years. >> [laughter]

>> if i had a pitcher of the look on mark's face when you said that -- if i had a picture of it. >> if the problem whenever policy, but over communication, why are all these policymakers leaving the white house, and all the communications people are staying? >> it is important to not -- i have described this before. as you know in covering both washington and the white house, there is a natural churning of personnel inside this building. right? people leave for a hundred different reasons. some people are leaving because they're going to serve for two years, and that time is up. they have opportunities that they walked away from in

academia or in the business, or anything, and they're going to return to that. i don't know that i would overly read into the fact that people are leaving as somehow those involved in policy are leaving out a disproportional level to other positions. they are more policy positions and the white house and administration than anything else. >> do you believe there might be a need for some change in communications strategy? if the president is say not love that there seems to be a problem with communications, where does that leave you? >> look, i have said this -- you have heard others and the president say that we were

confronted with a lot of things very quickly. you could imagine what was encompassed in a recovery and. the size and breadth of that is something you could of spent months flying around the country touting the proposals contained in something like that before congress ever considered it. we were afforded -- were not afforded that opportunity because the economy was contracting at such great -- ours was to get into the bloodstream, that investment as quickly as possible effectively and in a way that made sure we would not see waste, fraud, and abuse. that is what we have done. it is all over laid on a tough

political climate. that is what we faced from the get go. i don't think it would change much next week for two weeks after that. we will still have a lot of challenges. >> getting out the vote the singular objective? >> it would be fair to say that is probably on the top of every to do list of every person working in the campaign at any place in the country. you have identified your voters. it is time to make sure if they have an early vote opportunity, won't be there for the election -- as the president who just voted, then get them motivated to show up. >> [inaudible] >> absolutely.

two things. obviously, you have the constituency of younger voters that watched that show, and it is a good place to go and reach them. suddenly, whether you are doing something like "the view" or "the daily show" -- i don't have to tell you that not everyone -- there are a lot of different channels to watch these days. they get their information not just from television news and cable and newspapers and radio and the internet, there are a lot of different places. the president has not been shy about going to the places people are getting information, and try to make his case. that is what he will do on the show. >> of like to have an economy

and trade question. china has moved to limit the effectiveness of something -- 17 different minerals -- used in everything from flat screen televisions to smart bombs. is the administration concerned? >> you have this question last week. the agency has seen reports and is monitoring to see whether something like that is happening, and they continue to do so. but i don't think there is any update beyond some of those reports from last week. as you said, these are important in the production of a host of things. obviously -- >> is this a question of --

>> we have seen the reports and are monitoring to see whether or not what is happening on the ground reflects those reports. >> the agenda at the g-20 or when someone comes to washington? >> we are likely to see the president on the trip and that g-20 -- if it is something that the security and economic teams think is important -- in terms of where those reports are, certainly, we would not hesitate to bring it up. bottom line, we are monitoring to see whether those reports are indeed the case. they will continue to do something.

>> just about "the daily show" interview you have it is when the president's reason for going on it. it is a run of to the big rally over the weekend. >> jon stewart announced a long time ago that he would be in washington before the existence of the rally. we signed up to do the show many months ago. long before the existence of the rally. >> ok, but first of all, does the president have any opinion or even an understanding of the rally's purpose? >> i have not talked to the president about the rally. >> the president is going on another blue state for of the weekend. >> i'm not sure i appreciate

that ohio is blue. >> the states that he wants. [laughter] >> illinois, connecticut, pennsylvania -- talk about why he is doing what he is doing over the past weekend. >> these are all important races. it would be accurate to say that pennsylvania is a battleground state. think that is up for much discussion. you have important come close races in each of these places -- important, close races. some of you have been on the trips and have seen the president making a strong case for democrats in this election in portland, seattle, los

angeles, las vegas, minneapolis -- and that continues in races that are close and are of concern to this white house. >> robert, why kind of briefing if any is the present getting on the state of play in the races and elections? clucks he generally gets a quick update on a fairly regular basis at the senior advisory meeting that takes place in the oval office most mornings. today got pushed back until later this afternoon. certainly, on the road people give him up dates on what they are hearing and information from

the national party, state parties, or individual campaign. >> [inaudible] compared to simply responding to requests from the dccc or others? >> we put together a sketch for where we thought would be an important stops for this past weekend, but he was not to my recollection involved. not deciding that we should go here rather than here. that is not usually how he does things. >> concerning the stewart interview, i assume as clothespress? >> i believe so. [inaudible]

>> there will be people in the audience for the show will witness the president being interviewed, so will reporters be allowed to be in the room? [laughter] >> i don't know the last time that "the new york times" was in the oval office. [unintelligible] >> i'm just kidding. in all honesty, let me check. we would generally put out the transcript. the me check on that and i will give back to this afternoon. >> isn't the president concerned about the completion of entertainment and politics? [unintelligible] is not just about the interview, but the weekend as well.

a leading comedian is: a is holding adin-- political outing. >> not necessarily. we have had entertainer's doing things doingrock the vote to get people out to go. the president would say we have a very special gift in democracy that the people get to render their judgment and get to let those who will represent them in washington. efforts to help get people involved and excited and participating in democracy on their side is a good thing. >> speaking of comedians, david axelrod in his web chat -- he talked about republicans won

no doubt find greater parity on capitol hill after tuesday. he said that will be met with a welcoming hand from us. will the president do something on wednesday, the day after the election, to put aside the car in the ditch and extend some kind of welcoming hand? >> i don't know what the schedule is for wednesday, but as we get closer, i am sure we will have something to say about it. i think you have seen this in several interviews the president has given over the last few weeks, and the one juxtaposed with the interview that senator mcconnell did. there is a political season. after the election day it will be over. now we are in a season of governing.

i think the president was pretty clear about his desire to do all he can in hopes they will do all they can to work together to move the country forward. >> to encourage that before he leaves? >> i don't have a final schedule. there are no specifics yet. >> after he watches the returns tuesday does he plan to come here and make a statement? >> i don't know that he plans to come in here that evening. i assume he will be either in the residence or west wing. he is not usually one to sit by the tv and watch over and over again. sometimes, but most times he does not. we will get written or e-mail

updates -- he will get them from us. i don't anticipate that he will be here that night. >> wednesday or thursday? >> i don't know. >> i understand it a meeting is taking place today concerning tell?ask, don't >> likely commitments i have enumerated here. i desire to see the defense authorization bill pending before the senate taken up. that includes a repeal of don't ask, don't tell, as the house has already voted on. the president once that past. that is the basis for the meeting today. i think the president and administration have committed to working to see the truth --

the president wants to see that passed. >> [unintelligible] >> to my knowledge it has not taken place yet. but the only way we'll get something through the senate is to change the vote count and to move past -- he will have to get past a promised filibuster. the only way we can move to the bill is to change some of those votes. >> [unintelligible] >> understand that some of the participants in the meeting are with groups that are in litigation at the plaintive where the u.s. government is the defendant.

i don't think the conversations about the litigation between two parties in a lawsuit is appropriate in the meeting. >> who initiated the meeting? >> i don't know the answer. [laughter] >> is the president is backing legislation on his desk by the end of the year?, year >> that is our hope. the president's commitment is that he will work to see this past. we are approaching the beginning of december which is when the study ofs implementation and of the attitudes of the military will be complete. the president continues to -- eve that this is a loaw

that the time for the ending of this law has come. the courts are signaling that. it has been his political belief going back to when i first met him in 2004. [laughter] >> two quick questions. any sense of what the report looks like? has anyone in the white house seen in it? >> not to my knowledge. the last time i heard about this no one in this building had seen that. >> in terms of contingency planning, there is a real possibility this does not go through. >> look, you have seen steps

taken of the past several days of the pentagon involving service secretaries. you have this a tincture of the joint chiefs who believes it is time for this lot to learn -- have the sittinig chair. our efforts in the short term will be focused on the durable repeal of a law the president thinks is unjust. that clacks because of concern about the chinese currency that the u.s. is taking a tougher stance towards china. has the administration changed the -- change the policy? >> in terms of currency? we have had this discussion in

here and we will have this discussion for the foreseeable future. that is the belief that china must move. that is communicated whether it is in a meeting with the president, secretary geithner, the national security adviser tom donelan. our position is that has to change. the house, before leaving, they weighed in that it is of concern to members on capitol hill. i think that the president believes that it demonstrates the widespread concern of people in this country of the the

chinese needing to take action on this. >> amnesty international ones pakistan to be investigated. is the administration backing that demand? >> i have not seen that from the aclu. it may have already gone out, but the president spoke with pakistan this morning. if it has not gone out, it will. >> are you leaving monday open for at the possibility of adding something? >> not that i'm aware of. >> i am not seeing this in a reflection of what have may or may not have happened in rhode island. is this the way the white house anticipated the structure?

according to blocking strategy, the way that closing arguments with ago, the role of the president's? has this become a hail mary pass at this point? >> said the the way we have seen the president deploy these races is much have we expected it. i think you look at last week's, i believe it was an eight people, and it showed it the role the president played in their voting it was not a huge role on either side. the president believes if he can be helpful in getting that support that it is a role he should and can play.

i do not anticipate -- i anticipate he will be here working on different topics. hold on. let me call on tommy. [laughter] i have to be truthful, guys. i do not want to put all of my -- >> thank you. first question, and there is apparently a lot of outrage building about the story about

republicans riding in the back of the car. are you aware of this? >> it can come out to a rally and by almost look to mark, but the president said this weekend that republicans will ride in the back and the middle class go right up front in the passenger seat. that is his view. we are currently considered about backseat driving.

>> regarding mitch mcconnell's ramallah x -- remarks about working for a republican after the midterm, what hope can you offer that ended thing will get done in the next few years. >> i think that -- let's look back at any of the elections or look back at the last four or five elections. i do not think at any point, regardless of the outcome, people took of that -- from the outcome that what they wanted to see was an increase -- an increase in political gamesmanship. i did not think there is any chance that is the message

coming out of this campaign. i think that the american people are going to want people that they can sit down in a room with together, find common ground. no one is asking anyone to leave their principles, values, or otherwise strong beliefs at the door. look whereown and the ideas may overlap to see if we can move forward on that. that is certainly the president's hope. i hope they will reconsider what looks, at this point, to be his you going forward. one more. >> any way the president will put in an appearance at the rally to restore sanity? >> we will be flying around during that time. david and then lester.

>> yesterday's interview, the president noted about what we can accomplish. i am wondering if you can square that with some of his favre statements in the past when you talk about the urgency of now and the audacity of hope. how can you say that and be humble at the same time. >> i would explain this the same way that david axelrod explained this when he was asked this morning. be this same president came to washington wanting to work with the other side. we were criticized for running that for too long. we were criticized -- the president sought to get support from the republicans for the recovery act even after they

said en masse that they would not supported. it did not stop the president then and it would not stop him now trying to sit down and work with republicans and democrats alike who want to move the country forward. that does not mean that we cannot do important things. that does not mean -- i would make the case that the only way you will get progress on things like energy, the only way you'll make progress on comprehensive reform, the only way you will make real progress on getting our fiscal house in order is to do so to gather. there is not a scenario where only one group of people can move this country forward and govern as it has been said that

regardless of what the outcome is that there will be greater parity which means everyone will have to work together. >> there has been disparity between the two parties and the two sides. under what set of circumstances does this "greater parity" increase the odds of working with the other side if they say again and again and reject the president's's key policies and ideas? >> david, first and foremost, we understand. if you look back at the past two years, you have the needed 60 votes to pass a bill that required 50. right? at every step of the way, you could not get past that. maybe that had something to do with the fact that there were 59

or 60 democrats. we are going to be in a situation, again regardless of the outcome, that will require progress to be made where that is possible only for working together. i think that any party, again, coming out of the selection believes that the message that voters send making everything country screeching halt, that is not what their message would be. >> the experience of the last two years in due to the conclusion that it will not be any better than the next two years and it may be even worse. >> i do not think it will be easy. i do not think anyone here is not even enough to think this will not take some hard work. my point is that it will take hard work on both sides.

again, i cannot conceive of someone walking out of election night regardless of where the final score is and think, "you know what? the voters have spoken and everything will come to a grinding halt. political gridlock and nothing will happen for two years, no nominee is, no budget, no progress on energy or putting our fiscal house in order. everything stays the same and we will just yell and scream at each other." >> there are people running to block obama. they may not win, and it would give the obstructionists' even more power. it sounds like you are gilding the lily here. >> again, i simply took mitch mcconnell's words that that is what he wanted to do.

the president said it was time to work together. i think that is the message voters will said. one more, lester. >> i appreciate it. two parts. >> just put in and in between them. >> press reports of the president were repeatedly dropping any mention of the creator that led him to [inaudible] >> look. i think the president has, at certain times, quoted from, and other times paraphrased, the declaration. i would not read anything into it much like i did not read

into on some trips. >> since these are united states citizens, does the president agree or disagree with governor o'malley's repeated description of illegal americans as "new americans"? >> i have neither seen the story ignore what governor o'malley has said. i think governor o'malley is someone who has lent his voice as democrats and republicans have lent their voices to dealing with the immigration reform, dealing with the problem in a comprehensive way.

thank you. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> men term elections are one week from today. each night on c-span, we are showing debates from key races around the country. here is denied's lineup. we start at 7:00 p.m. eastern with live coverage of the south carolina gubernatorial debate. one hour later, the indiana senate debate. tonight, we will also show you a conversation with the two-party movement. after that, new hampshire's first congressional district and

then pennsylvania's third. carli fiorina was admitted to a hospital. the former hewlett-packard ceo is being treated to antibiotics. the campaign chief of staff said in an a statement that schedule of campaign events in riverside and coach of were canceled. they did not say which hospital she was being treated at. she had gone -- underground serve -- undergone surgery for breast cancer at stanford. "while this will impact term campaign schedule today, she is upbeat and her doctors expect her to make a quick and full recovery and be back out on the campaign trail soon. incumbent senator barbara boxer park service -- barbara boxer's sent to their well wishes. you are watching c-span. live on our companion network, c-span2, a great energy forum

hosted by "the atlantic magazine. that is live on c-span2. >> c-span, bringing the politics and public affairs. every morning is washington journal for live comments about the news of the day, connecting with journalists, elected officials, and public policy officials. weeknights, congressional hearings and policy forms. every weekend, look for our signature interview programs, " the communicators," and also the popular "prime minister questions." c coverage of campaign 2010 as the party's battle for control of congress. our content is available anytime on c-span.org and searchable through the c-span library. created by cable and provided as a public service.

>> next, a debate among the candidates running for the fourth congressional district in colorado. there are four candidates. they met in debate october 19th at the fountains of loveland. day rate this race sitting republican. this is one hour. >> a special report. campaign 2010. the fourth congressional district of a presented by northern colorado. here is your host. >> welcome, everyone.

i think you are expecting to have a good time tonight. i think we can provide it and make a value as well. it is our duty to provide you with information and allow you to make a choice of who will represent you in government. this hour, we focus on color roddick's fourth congressional district. the opening remarks from all of the candidates and they will have a chance to respond to questions from our panel. then we will have some fun. we will relax the rules a little bit and we will have the panel direct questions an individual candidates. after that, closing remarks. quick information about the people asking the questions. first up is mr. tom livingston. thank you for being here tonight. he is a senior reporter with northern colorado 5. next, don griffin. welcome.

she is the owner and operator of on time mailing services, a small business here in love in this space land that has been operating for 15 years. matthew, thank you for your time this evening. he graduated from the university of northern collophore -- call roddick in may this year with a degree in marketing. finally, christine is the managing editor of "the loveland reporter harold." she has been with the newspaper for more than 15 years. a couple of requests for the audience. please hold your applause until the end of the hour. we will try and cover a lot of ground this evening including important issues that face us here in northern colorado, important issues that face the united states of america. we wanted about as much time as possible to the issues,

questions, and the answers. if all goes as planned, there will be plenty of time to involve you in this process at the end. we have some specific questions for you, the audience, tonight. we ask that you please turn yourself phones off. those interruptions would cost us time, as well. we will start with the opening remarks. the candidates crewmembers to establish the order of their opening remarks. we asked them to hold their opening remarks to two minutes or less. there are timers in the front row that will give the candidates time cues. first this evening is ken was zkiewicz. i'm the only independent candidate in this may -- this race. i petitioned by way onto the ballot and did not accept a dime from anyone.

i am not a puppet to the gop the canadian seed, or the d.a. cp. i am the only candidate in a position to represent you. the two parties did not think i am newsworthy. in the hearts of average a merck -- average americans i am newsworthy. i am giving you something that does not evoke the same feelings in other election, a feeling of finally being represented in washington. i am not a millionaire or a lawyer. i did not have a political science degree. why do have is common sense and morals, which is missing in today's leadership. fighting an uphill battle as an independent run nonstop mean from being the voice of on hurt american to finally have someone to represent them.

i am strong enough to represent the people of colorado. helped me show washington that the people still run this country, not lawyers, not career politicians. learn more about me and my solutions at my website. >> next up with an opening statement, rep that see -- rep. betsey markey. >> i had spent most of my adult life raising three small children. i have on the two businesses, one a coffee and ice cream shop, the other a small high-tech firms that my husband and i started. i understand the challenges of not taking a salary when you have to pay your employees and all of your bills, finding affordable health insurance for your employees. business is not red or blue. you are either in the red or in

the black. in order to be successful, you need to be able to work with everyone. i know i have a anchor the people on the left and right with some of my votes. i will tell you what i to the leadership of my own party. i do not represent a political ideology. i represent the fourth congressional district. there are three other people in this race who are partisan. if you want a small-business owner, someone who has won the spirit of enterprise award, someone who believes that investments in renewable energy and education is a good idea, someone who has won the endorsement of the nra, the alliance of older americans, someone who can stand up to her own party regarding government spending, then i am your woman. i am one of seven children. my parents instilled in me the value of hard work, integrity, a

personal responsibility, and patience. it is our children who suffer if we ignore the values my parents took so seriously. thank you. >> next up with a two minute opening statement, doug aden. >> i have not been able to talk to reach one of you, and i want to give you an idea of who i am. my name is doug aden. and i grew up outside of brighton. i went to colorado state university to study engineering. my father worked for frontier airlines at that time and became concerned about his future employment. he purchased a small business and i left school to help them operate it. a few months later, his foresight improved -- proved correct as the airline went out of business. i returned to colorado state with a new-found love of business. i worked as an accountant and

controller in several different companies and i now operate my own manufacturing company. i manufacture u.s. products based in fort lofton, colorado. my wife and i started our relationship in college. we have had six children. we lost our only daughter to cancer about 10 years ago. we live on a small acreage where we have cattle, goats, chickens. i see the life experiences as great assets and i ask for your consideration. >> next up, cory gardner. >> noco 5, thank you. my name is cory. i think it is time we get the economy moving again and we

create jobs and opportunities. i grew up in yuma, colorado. there is more people in this room than i had in my high school. i grew up in the family business and learn what it was like to balance the checkbook, make the payroll, when a business in the face of increasing regulations. i learned a lot about farming, ranching, and what it takes to make their small businesses work. in fact they had to live under higher taxes, higher regulations, more spending, increasing debt and that this nation as a whole now faces $14 trillion in debt, one in $4 trillion deficit. they decide how to run our lives, businesses, and families. we cannot run this campaign by simply saying what is wrong. we will win this campaign and

future by running on solutions and ideas. that is why i developed a 2010 plan, ideas to balance the budget. i am running for congress because we have to cut spending. we have to end the wasteful this regard and get government out of the way to let people work. we need to create jobs and small business cities account that will allow people to invest in hiring people. we have a great country, the greatest on the face of this earth. i look forward to joining with the u.s. we've worked together to revitalize the greatness of this nation so that we can stand up and know that better opportunities lie ahead. >> thank you, mr. gardner. candidates have been asked to limit their answers to 90 seconds or less. the candidates are in alphabetical order from left to right. they will answer from left to right sequentially.

our first question is from tom livingston. >> good evening to all the candidates. my pleasure to see. my first question is what is the top priority in the fourth congressional district that you will bring to washington to address? >> obviously, the number one priority and concern i hear from people is jobs. jobs is what we need in this district as well as the rest of the country. the economy is something that needs to be dealt with. with my business background and experience in the county dealing with the fiscal woes of this country is something i am qualified to do. i expect we will have that opportunity here in the near future. >> thank you. mr. gardiner? >> i will take the interests of the fourth congressional

district to washington to make sure we stand up for the first principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility. when we send someone to washington, d.c., they are representing the people of the fourth congressional district and the constitution of this great country. we've got to that -- got to get this economy moving forward again and we cannot do it when washington d.c. and the bureaucrats within the beltway continue to drive our decisions for us. our nation is facing debts of incredible proportions. every single one of us in this room goes over $40,000. i will take solutions and ideas to our nation's capital and make sure the voice of the people is represented, not the voice of special interests or lobbyists. i'm believe the answers come from everyone of us in this room. not from someone in washington d.c.. the people in this room represent the best in the future of this country. my daughter is in this room. there are others in this room.

we have to make sure that their continued to be blessed with the same opportunities that each and everyone of us has been blessed with. >> thank you. ms. markey. >> absolutely jobs. i ran as a small-business owner in 2008 talking about the importance of creating good paying jobs here in this country. small businesses like the one why does this and i own create 99% sign of the jobs in this country. we have to get credit flowing to our small community banks so that our small businesses can get moving again, can grow and expand. that is what focused on two years ago and what i will focus on again. a few months ago, we've passed the small business credit and lending act which will allow more small businesses to get access to capital for our community banks. i own a small coffee and ice

cream shop. i have a real interest in making sure that there are good paying jobs available for our graduates when they get out of college or high school. >> thank you. >> i agree with what cory said. i know how you need to separate yourself from the political action committees. i do not have a 2010 plan. i 2020 plan and a 2030 plan, and 20 fit the plan. it is called the colorado energy revolution. as a show in my video, it shows step by step on how to accomplish jobs for everyone. okay? this is not just a generality. these are specifics. okay? it involves colorado and having colorado leading the way in this. >> our next question is from

dawn griffin. >> thank you for being here. this is my first time doing this. >> please pull the microphone closer. thank you. >> i on a mailing service. the postal service says they still want more money out of the pockets of hard-working americans. the postal commissioners recognize that adding this tax to all of the customers in -- and the american citizens would not fix the financial troubles they are in. by continuing to market their product, that was not the issue that it was an actual structural issue. they needed to restructure, become more competitive, and actually do their job as a business and not something that everyone had to have. i am wondering if any of you know why this approach was not

taken and said the bailout for the insurance industries, the car industries, and the banks. why did we not just restructure? >> great question. i oppose the bailouts. when i say i oppose them, i also mean i oppose things like cash for clunkers, the bailouts for the labor organizations, the bailouts that have handed to this country hand-picked winners and losers. my opponent is running commercials were she said she voted against the bailouts. she was not even in congress when that occurred. we have to put real solutions in place in this nation. we have to make sure the private sector solutions are applied across the government where we can make sure ideas that will make things like the post office run more efficiently are used and put in place. when it comes to health care, make sure that we're using private-sector solutions for

health care to make things run more efficiently, microprograms better and more efficient. we need to look for every level of government to make sure we're putting in place ideas that represent the very best in this country to make sure we are running government more efficiently, to make sure we're getting rid of the rest of the taxpayer dollars that we see every day. we have seen this nation past $1 trillion stimulus, bailout after bailout. it picks winners and losers and it is wrong. >> thank you mr. gardner. >> first, let me say to correct you cory, i was in congress for the second vote for tarp. i did vote against it. i do not need to be lectured by someone to add to the one to create a tax on wind. in my day "earth, wind, and

fire" was a band and not a source of revenue. to get to your question, i did propose the bailout -- i did oppose the ballot because i do not think russia supported the institutions that caused the problem and because there was nothing in the bill for our small community banks to create most of the jobs in our country. beyond that, i also think the federal government needs to be restructured. as a matter of fact, last year i voted against the president's 2010 budget. third attack ad came out today and said i voted for the president's 2010 and bloated budget. well, that is wrong. i voted against the budget because i thought it was too big. my question to cory, was this just a careless mistake? carelessness cannot leave it to

recklessness or was this deliberate? that goes too, can we trust you? did you deliberately lied? or was that a mistake? will you take the advertisement down? [applause] >> thank you. let's get to the end. we are burning time. there will be time to address whatever you want in the second half of the hour. second half. i will make a note and will go back. second half of the hour. make a note. we will go back to it. [crowd booing] >> i would like both of you to

leave your ego is at the door. no one cares about pointing the blame anymore. to answer your question, you have to pay off the people who got you elected. that is why they bailed out those people, okay? as an independent, i am not beholden to any of these groups because allah want to do is represent the people -- because all i want to do is represent the people. if we are looking for an answer for the u.s. postal service, i would look into privatizing and seeing how that would go. i would start here in colorado just to see how one goes. we are not getting rid of the program, but let's research and check it out to see if it would be a good idea. >> thank you. mr. aden? >> i am no more a proponent of big business than big government. i want to represent individuals and their small businesses.

off the top of my head, i cannot quite fathom how the bailouts were constitutional. regardless, it is not the government's position to play favorites as to which will survive. to my and standing, banks, on the other hand, we did not have much of a choice. currently, the federal reserve act relieves them from the duty of acting responsibly. >> they give. our next question from matthew with the first question for ms. markey. >> as a recent graduate, i am very interested in northern colorado's's future. i am feeling the sting of the economy. it is now of minimal works when not accompanied by years of experience. internships and projects are no longer cutting it. we are no longer competing against other graduates for jobs, but men and women who have

been in their jobs for five or 10 years. but many do to curb call roddick's unemployment so we can maintain the bright, young minds rather than losing the graduates to other states? >> thank you very much and i understand what you were talking about. i have three children, two graduated and one still in college. it took several months for one of them to find a job. it is tough in this economy. we need to, again, make sure we are supporting our small businesses which are the creators of most of the jobs in this country. i was very proud of the fact that companies recently got $400 million of loan guarantees, and they are able to access private capital with that. they will be able to create up to 1500 new jobs.

this is the area of the future. when the systems in colorado are breaking ground in greelee. as much as we can do to help whether it is the renewable energy industry or biosciences, we need to do that. we have a lot of great programs coming out of our universities through technology transfer. csu has a great program where they take research, commercialized, and create jobs. anything we can do to help our higher education is to create jobs, i am for that as well. thank you. >> next. >> i understand where you're coming from. i got a degree in diabetics. i have done every single job except for the one i went to school for. look at where i am at right now. if you believe coming year can achieve. i go one step further than just giving money to small business administration's.

it is having ago. government should have a goal and should provide the inspiration for us to achieve that goal and then get out of the way. the people will do what needs to give do just give us the liberty. the colorado energy revolution that i had said that by 2020 will -- we will create enough progress right here in colorado where we are blessed with every other -- every energy source you can dream of. it involves a person getting wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, natural gas, oil, all of it coming together and tell them that we see the pros and cons of your energy source and we want to make it better. then we will see what they can do. >> mr. aden? >> last week i heard 85% of the college students are planning to move in the back with their parents after they graduate.

the most important thing that should be done is temporarily extending the tax cuts. for all income levels. if we are not extending it for the upper income levels, that could potentially translate to 12,000 jobs in colorado lost each and every year. then we need to immediately begin the process of evaluating each of the departments and agencies within the federal government in determining how we can reduce the insatiable appetite of the federal government. these reductions in spending will eventually get this to the position where we can permanently reduce the income tax rates. >> thank you. mr. gardner? >> matthew, i am a graduate of csu as well. i am equally concerned when it comes to creating jobs. i believe one of the biggest impediments is a government that continues to over regulate, a government that is bent on

working cash and trade policies not just for the legislature but through the administrative and regulatory process. i believe we have to extend the tax cuts this january. if we do not extend the tax cuts, the fourth congressional district will lose 1800 jobs a year but just in the fourth congressional district. it could cost each of our households over $5,000 per year. to create jobs, we also have to have a plan to get government out of the way like the american energy plan which is a way to create traditional, new, and clean energy to get people working to help wean ourselves off of oil that comes from overseas. we need to revitalize traditional energy sources. i mentioned before a small business savings account which will allow each of us to save to create jobs so that when people are ready to hire and begin their business that they have an account they can do that from. we also need to address the economic uncertainty in this nation.

there is $1.80 trillion sitting on the sidelines and we need to get rid of policies like failed health-care takeovers, cap and trade policies, a carter check a bill that makes business is more and more hesitant to create jobs in this nation. >> thank you, mr. gardner. our next question from christine with the first answer from mr. wasco. will the microphone close to you. >> what do we need to do to reduce or eliminate the national debt? >> my idea is the colorado energy revolution. it specifically says our goal by 2020 is to produce enough energy, but it involves everyone. it is not just saying we will only look at one source, one idea, or hoping for give you money that you will come up with an idea. i have an idea.

i have a solution for this. i want everyone out there from wind power, solar, wind, whenever resource to present the best solutions to achieve this goal. we are all in this together. this is not partisan politics here, okay? when you create that need, you have a demand for it. you will have to create the technology for it and create the jobs for that technology. it trickles down from there, okay? it starts with having a goal in mind. >> thank you. mr. aden? >> we need to get the economy rolling again. the only way that we will create jobs, meaningful jobs for americans, is to establish and a look at the possibility of using tariffs, a constitutional

form of raising revenue, so we can encourage companies to compete in the global market. we set aside what we have as environmental issues, the wages we want to have, the benefits we want to have, and compare them to those in china, india, or wherever. we adjust the price of our companies can be competitive. once they feel like it is economically feasible for them to higher, then they will do that. we will stimulate the economy that way. that will give us the opportunity to work in ways for us to streamline our government and eventually it is a long process but we will be able to eliminate the debt and hopefully eliminate the individual income tax. >> mr. gardner? >> i believe the philosophy about washington, d.c., when something like this. >> they seem to have an answer

for everything. do not just stand there -- spend something. [laughter] talk about a shovel ready process we do not need, that is taking more and more into debt. we need to pass a constitutional budget of nine men. we have to cut spending. that begins by taking our spending back to pre-stimulus levels. it identifies wasteful and duplicative programs by agencies who are doing the same thing making sure we are reducing the areas of waste in government that are costing us over $100 billion per year. it begins by changing policy when it comes to our fiscal system. we are spending hundreds of billions of dollars in interest payments that we were not before. it deals with going back and eliminating programs that were created by this government. we have got to make sure that we are not increase the burden on future generations and if we grow our economy, we will

actually invigorate this nation. we will be able to lower the debt. we will be able to balance the budget and bring ourselves out of the deficit because we have a strong and revitalized economy. that is what we have to do. it starts with the first rule of holes -- quit digging. >> thank you. >> when i first came to congress, one of the things i did with another group of freshmen small business owners was to demand we reinstate pay- as-you-go rules. we had thrown them out the door the last few years which means if you cut taxes or you have a new government program that you need to find someplace in the budget to cut. i introduce a target deficit reduction act which requires agency to reduce their deficit to meet certain deficit reduction goals. such things as eliminating travel for government employees.

does the government need to take a cue from the private sector that uses teleconferencing? i introduced legislation passed with a republican colleague of mine that because yes, we need to work together. it passed in the house and the senate which requires that all states that have not used their earmarked transportation money to return it to the treasury. that is over 300 parts are never built. that money has to go back to the treasury. i have done things like road against the president's budget, contrary to the latest attack ad, because i thought it was too big. i voted against half of the appropriations bills because i felt every agency needs to be demanded to find deeper cuts in their budget. >> thank you. ok, now we will move into the second half of the question and answer segment. this is one in which we will loosen the rules.

our panelists can ask questions at the candidate of their choice. these are direct questions. with directith them dancers, the shortest possible answer that cuts to the point. during this segment, i can offer other candidates time to respond to the question and to your answer. the auction. i may not do it with every question. we will see where it goes. first question to tom livingston. >> taking, keith. this will go to rep. markey. do you believe your voting record represent your constituents? [laughter] >> yes, i absolutely do.

i would say i have held the line on fiscal issues. i voted against raising the debt ceiling. i voted against the president's budget. i voted against appropriation bill and i have demanded pays to go legislation. i've also been a proud supporter of the health care reform bill -- [applause, boos, and cheers] many of us in this room have young college graduates on their current proxy policy until age 26 which is one thing that i fought for. allow small-business is to get a 35% tax credit if they choose to cover their employees which will allow insurance companies to write policies across state lines. i think these are very important and represent the wishes of the fourth

congressional district. i am proud of my record in congress. [applause and boos] >> i would not be running for congress and by was part of your record. [cheers and applause] [boos] my opponent has voted with nancy pelosi 94% of the time. this was sent courtesy of u.s. taxpayer that says, "congress can only spend $1 if they save $1 somewhere else. in the first 50 days that my opponent was in the congress she spent $1 billion an hour for a total of one. dollars -- $1.20 trillion in the new spending. i did not believe your voting record is reflective of this district. i do not think dr. nancy pelosi is the answer to our health care solution. i believe we can create stronger

opportunities without higher taxes, without a health care bill that increases taxes and fees without costing the seniors their health-care insurance that allows us to make our decisions instead of a government. it is my belief that the people of this district believe that the government should work for them and that we should not in turn have to work for the government. >> do either of you have a point to add to the question? >> i have not had health insurance in eight years and have not gone to the doctor. i looked at my cost for next year and i still cannot afford it. though i can see the good parts in that bill, i want it repealed because it needs to be broken up. [applause]

it needs to be broken up and specifically addressed the affordability, accessibility, quality of care, and philanthropist, something we never looked into. >> quickly, mr. aden. >> a poll in august this year stated that 67% of the political class leaves we're going in the right direction. 84% of the voters feel we are going in the wrong direction. >> we will go back to that at the end of the hour. the next question is from dawn griffin. >> thank you. this question is for mr. gardner. but many members of congress were accused of having very little knowledge of what was actually in the health-care bill. now we have learned all of the hidden things within it, will you support its repeal? >> thank you. i support the repeal of the

health-care bill and in its place to put in real solutions that would actually do what it was intended to do which is to lower the cost of health care. i believe we need to repeal the bill and put in real solutions. speaker nancy pelosi said you had to pass the health care bill to know what is in the health- care bill. if you look at the 1099 form provisions, i guess the only question for the people who voted for the bill is this. you either read the bill and voted for it even though the provision was in it or you read the bill and decided you had to vote for it because of that provision. you either agreed and voted for it or you voted for it because you did not know it was in there. >> that was a yes. let's go down the road. ms. markey? >> no, i would not repeal the health care bill. there are many, many good

provisions in the bill that are good and necessary. there are other things that need to be fixed. the 1099 issue is something that needs to be fixed. last month they sent a letter to the leadership saying that was something we needed to work on. the fact of the matter is, let us not forget about the really positive things in the bill. it is estimated in the next 20 years, and most of these savings are in the 10-20 year time frame that the bill by covering everyone, looking at cost containment, that we will be reducing the deficit by $1.30 trillion, probably the largest deficit reduction measure i will ever vote for. just last week, a woman came up to me who had breast cancer. her insurance just cut her off. they just said, "we are sorry. you reached your lifetime and a." that cannot happen anymore. i am proud.

again, there are things that need to be fixed. you cannot get 435 members of congress to agree on everything. you know that. if you do not agree with 100 percent sign of the bill, is a good start to reforming -- 100% of the bill, but it is a good start. [applause] >> do you want me to answer the question? yes, i would repeal the health- care bill. >> mr. aden? >> yes. >> this question is for ms. markey. on your web site you mentioned you are in favor of legislation to help current and potential tenants of higher education. however, it is no secret that coloradoans cannot prioritize higher education. we are nearly in the bottom of the funding of education.

please come and tell you how you plan to go beyond that and increase education spending? >> one of the best things we did this year is one called the student hire education act which is by taking out the middleman in the student on process. we were able to put more money into higher education. by running of the loans to the department of education 6 $87 billion over 10 years. $10 billion of that went to reduce the deficit and the rest went right back into higher education in the form of lower interest rates on student loans, increased health grants, and perkins loans programs. we need to continue to do everything we can to decrease the interest rate on to the loans. when i went to college, i did not take of student loans. i worked my way through college. college was cheaper than and you could do it. i know we need to do everything we cancel our students are not graduating with debt.

they will be graduating with $40,000 worth of debt. again, whenever we can do to make sure that we keep this interest rates low. >> a valid question that has a significant impact here in northern colorado and future generations. let's spread it around. mr. gardner? .

i was absolutely amazed that millions and millions of dollars that had gone into the changes on that campus. this spring i am in that unenviable position of having two students a college age. since i have not had the ability to stop with thousands of dollars, we have had that discussion in our home. one of my sense is planning on taking college courses on line. another one is enrolled in an apprentice program. they will have to examine their operations. >> quickly. >> a couple of things on that. i will need the port and higher education fields.

the other than it is, why are these costs going up in the first place? top is it because we're building fancy buildings? is there anyway to make this more efficient. ? why don't we look into making an insufficient? if we are that hard up for money, why don't we look into research and development groups at school? you think it is a funny idea. have you ever look into it? >> yes or no answer. yes or no on legalizing prostitution or gambling for the tax benefits. >> no. >> no.

>> no. next question, christine, pearman. -- christine capperman. >> more than 70% of farm subsidies go to the 10% large businesses. would you support cutting large subsidies? >> they do. agricultural is the lifeblood of the state. working at the implement dealership and learning a lot about agriculture and learned what it takes to to make it successful. one of the things that is so complicated about our system, and it goes back to the 1996 farm bill, followed by the 2002 farm bill, which created a series of subsidy payments, a series of loan deficiency payments, the world trade organization had payments of

green box, yellow box systems and competed with people like the european union that are heavily subsidizing their agricultural. as a result, we ended up with things like countercyclical payments. i've looked for to working with people on the colorado farm bureau. >> would you like input from the other candidates on your question? >> keep on. >> another question to the canada at your choice. -- to the candidate of your choice. >> to miss markey, could you describe your vision for promoting a green economy? >> we are uniquely poised right now to change the way we power

of this country, and northern colorado and the fourth congressional district in particular has unparalleled resources tfor wind and the g a solar. we need to make sure we are investing in these technologies, because not only will they provide the jobs of the future, but help reduce the dependence on foreign oil. right now we import over a billion dollars per day in oil from overseas. and some from countries that share our values. if you look at logan county in the fourth congressional district, just last year they received over $3 million and increase property tax revenue from the wind. it is not as good for the environment, it is good for our national security and good for jobs. >> the magic word and, wind.

>> i generally deferred to congress on matters merkel thate full of wind. [laughter] i would like to address a bill that i introduced to make sure we are protected, private property rights on the eastern plains that has nothing to do with taxes. if you recall robert constitution you know that to be untrue. i would like to say -- to talk about energy. i created the colorado clean energy of 40. that is a way to bring private investment to help renewable energy opportunities. i also make sure we had chances to develop traditional energy resources in the state. we can do it responsibly to make sure we are developing jobs. we can do that. if you look at policies, like the cap and trade bill, it will hurt our economy. do not just take that work from

the think tanks and washington, d.c. take that from rural colorado. it says no matter where you stand on climate legislation, this bill as now drafted will chcause major economic harm. if you irrigate your farm land, you will pay $1,700 more per liter. this will drive up the cost of fertilizer and farm equipment. we can do better, but we knew do not need to do with the greatest tax increase in the history. >> you did submit a bill in the legislature that would tax the wind cut close along people's property. as a matter of fact, i have here, a fiscal note from a legislative council and it says here about your bill, that

county assessors would need to have created a separate wind it writes tax schedules and to value that for tax purposes. it would have created a new tax on the wind that blows across europeyour property. >> the bill does not talk anything about taxes. the constitution says if you're going to increase taxes, it is a vote of the people. once again, read the bill. [applause] >> we are pushing the clock now. your shortest possible statements to our response about corrine or alternative energy. >> it is included in my energy revolution.

>> we need to utilize all of our energy resources any way be can't until everything -- we can until but we get the technology into place to make it all into the type of economically feasible that we're looking for. >> at the beginning of the program, we told to the candidates had drawn numbers to establish the order for their opening statements. we have reversed that for their closing statements. candidates, if there is anything you wanted us to cover that we did not, do it in short form here. first up, mr. gardner. >> thank you to the organizers of tonight's events. i would like to thank my debt, white, and daughters that are with us tonight. there are people in this room that is suffering under the policies of this government.

there is a small-business owner from fort collins, colorado, that set thanks to the health care bill that passed the believes his health care rates will increase between 25% and 40%. we note the government-on bureaucrats have said health care costs will increase. we know we can do better in this country. we know over the next 14 days the voters will go to the ballot box and decide what kind of a nation we're going to live in. whether it is a nation of more government and less freedom or whether it is a nation where we will continue to provide economic the opportunity to cut spending, get our nation back on track. i background in rural colorado at a family farm equipment dealership, knowing this fight is about my daughter and every boy and girl like her in this nation, my grandparents during

world war ii went to portland, ore., to weld liberty ships because they believed they had to be a part of this nation's fight to restore democracy in to fight for freedom. this election we had a chance to go to the ballot box and do something that so many generations have done before us. to stand up for freedom, to stand up for our liberty in a peaceful way. to make sure that opportunities that we were blessed with continue to future generations. we can do better in this nation. i'm corey gardner, i would be honored to earn your support. we will win and restore once again the greatest nation on the face of this earth. [applause] >> thank you, mr. gardner. mr. aden. >> the more i study u.s. history, the more i recognize

the brilliance of thomas jefferson. he once said, i predict future happiness for americans. if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. i could not agree more. that is why i stand for the principles of self-government, intending on limited government, strengthening free-market, and protecting personal and property rights. and for the future generations, i urge you, please a vote for the candidates that will support liberty, justice, and prosperity for all of [applause] . i>> missed markey. i would like to thank everyone for coming this evening. i want to end with a short

story. i had a favorite customer who came into the store every day, and he would get either a cup of coffee or a bowl of ice cream in suit. he was 96 years old. he had parkinson's disease, so every time he went to pay his hands which iould shake. my own father had parkinson's disease. i remember how it robbed a proud and independent man of his dignity. we had a policy in my store that whatever he wanted costs exactly at dollar. after all, dollar bill is easier to manage them loose change. that is what i learned in business, that you can turn a profit, keep to a budget, and give the man his dignity all at the same time. if we can do that in business, and we can certainly do it in government as well. i talk a lot about my experience as a business owner, because it

defines who i am as a person. i spent 22 years in business, 24 years as a mother, and just under two pass and elected official. i am blessed with three wonderful children and a husband who has love me for more than 30 years. i believe that we meaneed to gon in the face a fundamental decency and all human beings. i humbly ask for your vote this november. thank you. [applause] >> thank you. >> the major parties want you to believe they have changed and our best to represent you, thyet they continue politics as usual, wasting money, manipulating

elections, and blaming it to other for everything. it is time we stop ignoring the problems that a two-party put system creates. , i believe they have just been waiting for the time when someone will stand up to them. as your representative, i will not vote for any bill that takes away your freedom as an american or vote for any bill i have not read. [applause] i will not vote along any party lines, especially against the overwhelming demand for my district. nor will live up to spend money we do not have. and i will not put myself above anyone so i can seek a career promotion. i pledged to work for you to create jobs with my colorado energy revolution. simplify the tax code.

eliminate career politicians by enacting term limits. balancing the budget, reducing the vedra debt, ending special interest money is in the election and focusing america on unity, not diversity. i stepped up against all odds to make a difference so that our children and grandchildren will not have to deal with the trillions of dollars in debt and the terminal bar country isn't created zero i am not a politician and do not aspire to be one. i am not seeking a career promotion. and i am strong enough to represent the people of colorado, and i need your vote to get this message to washington, we have had enough. my name is ken of moskowitz, and i would appreciate your vote. into. [applause] -- thank you. >> all of our questions these evenings have been for the candidates. and i pause -- by applause, who

walked in and decided? [laughter] did you decide? >> i did. >> who walked in and reaffirmed your decision? [applause] that is what the process is all about. our thanks to the loveland center. this will air several times before the election. thank you to all of the people in northern colorado five who worked so hard to make this happen.

to the candidates and panelist, to our audience, and to our viewers, thank you all for being part of the process that represents an defends the freedom of the citizens of the greatest nation in the world, the united states of america. good night. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> the midterm elections are one week from today, and each night on c-span we're showing debates from key races around the country.

here is the lineup for tonight. we will start at 7:00 eastern with a live coverage of south carolina's debate for the next governor. 8:00 is the indiana senate debate. tonight we will show you a discussion from uppethe tea party for express. in the news today from usa today, the seniors boat will be key in 46 democratic house seats. that means republicans could win this seat. notably, 28 of the tossups, more than half are in districts where the senior population is greater than in others. while voters under 65 drop off the midterm congressional elections, seniors consistently turned out for every election, making them a coveted bloatinvog

block. >> one of the great features of the c-span video library is a s in the ability to clip and share. if you are new to it all, watch the tutorial on our website. search, fine, and share with the c-span video library. >> next, a debate between new york's 24th congressional district. and october 19 the candidates makmet at a community college in new york. this is a rematch debate. both the cook political report and the seat to politics rate this race as a tossup. this is about an hour and a

half. >> this is the 24th congressional district debate. it is sponsored by mohawk community college, and wutr t b. >> good evening, everyone. amy name is keena shively. i am the moderator for tonight's debate. this is sponsored by the league of women's voters. it is a unique, multi issue political organization. -the debate is also sponsored by

several others, the resource center for independent living, cancer action network, the american association of university women, mohawk valley community college, a national obsession for the advancement of colored people, and also wutr tv. the kennedys have been briefed on the rules. additionally, audience has been asked to refrain from a pause and comments during tonight's debate. i would like to now introduce our candidates. >we have jeff monansky. now i would like to introduce our candidates.

congressman michael arcuri and richard hannah. [applause] >> michael arcuri as a lifelong resident of you the cut after opening a lifelong law practice. -- michael a cheery is a lifelong resident of utica after opening of law practice. he considers his work to be his greatest accomplishment and number one priority going forward. he is a successful businessman

who has employed over 450 people and our community. he has a 30-year history of giving back to the community by donating time, and personal resources to many tribal organizations. the candidates have a coin toss to select who would make the first and last opening statement. the league of women voters will time the responses. let's begin first with richard hannah. >> thank you. thank you to the league of women voters and everyone here tonight. i am grateful you took the time out of your busy day to come and participate in this. in the 30 years since i have come back from college, i have never seen a new year that was better than the last. that is in terms of economics and viability of our community. in fact, i have lived and watched this constant, steady

decline and it has this made me the entire time. -- dismayed me the entire time. you will share a couple of things tonight from congressmen and cheery. one of them is that you consult the employment problem and business problems one tromp, one company at a time. and we have structural and systemic problems in this country and in this community that are incompatible with that type of approach. -- one of them is that you can change the employment problem in business problem one person, one company at a time. and the second to vote against the senate bill was arguably 300

million less dollars and the first. i have lived here all my life. i love my community and family. i am involved in it because i deeply believe we're at a turning point in this community, and we are on a point where people like me need to step ofu. thank you. [applause] >> i want to say thank you to the league of women voters and wutr. in no, i think there are three very important characteristics of a congressman. i think that they are listening to your constituents, there are standing up for them in fighting for them. that is what i have tried to do and min my four years as your

congressmen. when i listen to the people talk about their concerns about the health care bill, and i listened when dairy farmers said they were having incredible problems, and introduce legislation to help local dairy farmers and i listen to the biggest problem being the sewer system. we were able to bring back $38 million for sewer systems. i listened to with the people did not like the health care bill in cap and trade. -- i listened to the people when they said they did not like the health care bill and cap and trade. i am fighting to create jobs. that is the kind of leadership that i think goes with being a congressman, and that is the kind of leadership that i think i bring to the table.

i think you get to hear the difference between the candidates. the last thing is, you will share a lot from him about nancy pelosi. he is not running against nancy pelosi. he is running against michael boccieri, and that is what we need to focus on. -- michael acuri. [applause] >> we need to keep this moving quickly. we will start with panelists questions now. >> the schools and prison pipeline as a way to represent the young men of color in a variety of negative experiences. these helped lead to their over representation in the criminal justice system. what would you do to dismantle

the schools in prison pipeline? >> i am not sure i agree with your characterization. i understand the problem and know the nature of it, and i agree fundamentally with what you're saying. our prisons are full of people of color. the fundamental problem in our economy is the failure to provide those types of jobs for young people to get them opportunity to move forward. even before that, to start in the educational system. even before that, it starts with good parenting. you know there is a severe problem with the male role model and those types of homes today. it starts with people instilling the need to be educated in their children. if we can restore our economy, and if we can provide those

kinds of jobs that allow people to put themselves to work and educate them poor that, that is where it all starts. this will come up again, but i do not have a good answer for what you are saying. i agree with you in terms of the problem. for me is starts with better education and better parenting. some of the things we can do are some of the things i worked on when i was district attorney. do not look at putting people in jail as the first option. that is something that is critically important. and there are certain violent criminals that need to go into jail. that is the appropriate place for them. that is clearly a priority, but i will say that we have to treat the people who are addicted to drugs differently from people who are selling drugs.

i agree with richard. part of it is making sure we have the right education and jobs for people. i think having jobs is absolutely a critical alternative. there are people beyond re rehabilitation. that does not mean we give up on rehabilitating people, but there are some that do inevitably end up in jail and that is where they belong. >> next question comes from brian ackerman. go ahead. >> in 2009, you voted in favor of the economic stimulus bill. at this point do you think it has been a success or failure? if you could go back now, how would you vote? >> i would still vote to support the bill. we have to understand what the

bill did. it was intended to create a safety net. it did that. and if we did not do a stimulus bill, we would have ended up with unemployment at 25%. look at the great things the stimulus bill did. it created jobs. at the veteran center, there are so many people that went to work there. it is helping our veterans so they do not have to drive all the way to syracuse. we're fixing bridges. there are people working right now on that bridge as a result of the stimulus bill. i think it did everything it was supposed to do, and i would have liked to a scene more infrastructure work in there, but that was the bill that in u.s. and the bill i supported. >> mr. arcuri said it would

create thousands of jobs. and in that same time and has lost 118,000 jobs. it is an $816,000 bill today. -- it is an $816 million bill today. my problem was with the $700 million that i think was largely of government stimulus program, a political agenda and social agenda and our children are left with that bill. he has said himself, we will not pay this debt, it will be paid by our children and grandchildren. >> i disagree on two points. half of the bill was dedicated to tax breaks. that is $1,500 tax rebates for

all americans. $250 for seniors and huge amounts of small business tax breaks. the last thing is there were more than 390,000 jobs created in new york, but their work jobs lost because we are in a recession. think of how bad things would happen if we did not do the stimulus bill. >> i cannot agree less. it is hard to prove a negative. what we see is the unemployment rate would never go up above 9.5%. we have 9.7. we are in a deep recession. if it were not force also security and medicare and medicaid, we would be looking help the door at the lines and homeless people.

i do not agree. i did not ever hire a single person because the government gave me money to hire the person. take up the next panel comes from the death -- >> the next question comes from jeff menansky. a poll i saw today showed unemployment at 10%. what initiatives do you support that would lead to private sector investments? to go one of the largest problems that this country has renown does is an active trade war with china. they are busy manipulating their currencies. they have tied the yuan in the 90's. it has kept their currency down. some estimates as much as 30% or 40%.

amount of manufacturing jobs in the country. we are sacrificing our employment for this, because they had 20 million new people coming to the work force each year. they are desperately eager to keep those people working. and we're losing manufacturing jobs in this country right and left. it is not just china, it is all over the world. the other thing we need to do is realize that 70% of the jobs and the economy are created by small business. 70% of the economy is the consumer. [applause] >> he did not answer your question because he did not say

anything about what he would do. [applause] we call this the team worked acronym. we talk about trying to take the resources we already have and build on those. acronym is team and it stands for transportation, education, agricultural, and manufacturing. when you look at transportation, you look at utica. i have supported high-speed rail. education. we were able to secure a $1 million grant for decide for security school. we supported a program for scholarships for that program so that an individual can go to school and work in the government for two years. we have supported agricultural

programs and fought hard to create jobs in place like remington arms and pass legislation. those are the things you do to create jobs in your community and state. [applause] >> mr. hannah. >> the problem is that every solution you will hear him say tonight has some transfer of wealth from you to the government and back to you. we need to energize the private economy, that is where people go back to work. high-speed rail -- there is no evidence in the world where it makes sense. in california it was 25 billion. now the estimates are $81 billion to build the same real they talk about a few years ago. >> time is expired.

>> using government money to educate our children comment to create scholarship programs and make our country more secure with cyber security programs to protect the internet and protect consumers, and that is exactly what the government does. he wants to tear it down, we talk about building it up. that is the difference between our campaigns. [applause] >> the next question -- only a certain amount of time for each question. we're moving on to the fourth question. >> on number of polls taken on the new health care of all showed that the majority of people said they are opposed to the law, but when asked about the specific provisions they

said they are in favor. given that dichotomy and given your opposition, would you support efforts to repeal or to refund the bill or actively oppose such efforts? >> i believe that you send your representative to congress to find solutions to problems. health care continues to be the number-one concern of all americans whether you are a businessman that has employees or an individual but is looking to get insurance, that is one of our top priorities. i think there are solutions we can do to make the bill better. one of them is to allow medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs. that will help bring costs down. that was my big concern with the bill, not the fact that it give insurance to the people who did not have it. i will introduce legislation that will increase the amount of home health care available.

the largest cost in this country are nursing homes. if we could keep them at home for an additional year, not only would we save the system enormous amounts of money, but think of how much the better quality of life that individual would have. there are solutions out there, and i think it is necessary to work towards those solutions. >> this health care bill cut medicare by half a trillion dollars. that is half a trillion dollars in new taxes over 10 years. i agree, people with pre- existing conditions cannot be turned down. that is unethical and immoral and not anything that should happen. we need to have cross border insurance, small-business help schools. tort reform. it has happened in texas and save them $10 billion a [applause] .

we need to allow people to expand their own personal health care accounts. this was a rush. at the same time, at the rest of the economy was falling apart. it was a misappropriation of the energy that our government could have put towards creating the kind of things it wants to do, and that is publishigetting us k to work. i do agree we need health-care reform. 20% of our economy is health care. that put that at a fundamental disadvantage of the entire world. therefore, everything we export cost that much more and mixes that much less competitive, and we lived in a competitive economy. we have to fix health care. this was not the route to take. it was a rush. there are enormous problems with this.

>> i get confused because he said that we need health care to be content if it -- competitive with the rest of the world. you vote yes or you vote no. the problem is that we need to work to make this bill affordable and make it practical for not just the individual, but for business as well. michael, with all due respect your on the rules committee. why don't you vote against the leadership and try to change it? [applause] >> i did and i have. >> moving on to the next question. the fifth question goes to mr.

hanna. >> could you describe your position on women's reproductive health, particularly regarding birth control and abortion? >> i am pro-tors. personally i am against abortion. -- i am pro-choice. [applause] >> please hold your applause. i>> i am pro-choice. i think it is about equality, which i think is very important. i saw many situations where young girls were victims of or rape. when you look at it from that perspective. often it gives you a different perspective on choice and upon abortion. there is a lot of efforts of

their that attempt to take equality away and make its -- we supported bill lee ledbetter, which did women an opportunity to sue their employer if they did not get an equal weight. that is critical. if we cannot allow a person to sue because they're not getting a fair wage because of their gender, and what are we about as a nation? it goes hand in hand with that. it is about the quality. [applause] >> 30 seconds. >> we are born to move on to try and ackerman. -- we're going to move along to try and ackerman. -- brian ackerman. >> what is your thoughts about the tone of advertisements and what was your strategy-year? >> one of the things we have seen in this election cycle is

unprecedented, and not the fault of mr. hanna, but certainly people that support him. people who have come in and spent millions of dollars on commercials, groups that wall street back. i supported wall street reform because that is absolutely necessary. they came in with huge amounts of money to run commercials against me. that is the unfortunate results of the supreme court decision in citizens united. the second thing is -- my position to make it more difficult for oil companies to drill, i was told in washington you better be careful because the oil companies will come after you. sure enough, we are seeing it. we see it in the commercials they are running. i think something needs to be done about that. why should it bertram outside area come in and try to affect local elections? that is not what it is about. that is not about real freedom

of democracy. [applause] >> i believe in freedom of the first amendment. i believe people have the right to do these advertisements. i think there is a fundamental problem with the amount of money that go into them. we talk about large corporations. the counterpart is large unions. i am a 25-year union member. [applause] >> please hold your applause.

ko'd >> it is unfortunate but i hear him constantly complaining about the commercials, but that as part of running boar office. if you cannot handle the pressure or running for congress, you will never be able to hinder of what it is like in congress. [applause] >> you must be wrong about that, because i am standing right here on the stage. >> time for us to take a break. stay with us. we will be right back. the 24th congressional debate will be right back.

>> you are watching the 24th congressional district debate. the debate is sponsored by the viet of women voters of the utica new york area. it is sponsored by the cancer of and action network, mohawk community college, national association for the advancement of colored people, and wutr tv. >> welcome back to the 24 congressional debate at mohawk community college. we will continue with our next question. typical of cap and trade -- >> the goal of cap and trade is to make businesses pay for it emissions they put into the environment. opponents say a new tax on businesses.

this would drive up the price of everything we buy and use. does this help or hurt our economy and do you support it? >> i do not. here is why. and if you live in new york state, this would cost you about $2,000. in this country, we create one seventh per thousand dollars of gdp in china and has 27 of the worst polluted places. to unilaterally engage in something like the cap and trade puts us at a severe economic disadvantage. it also puts the northeast, where most of your notes you drive to work and do not have a bus lines and that type of thing to help us and 80% of the economy is built around garmin. it is also unwilling.

the bill that was put in had a lot of exceptions and wait to get around it. it does not have its place yet in the real world. there are better ways to address this problem. >> i agree with mr. hannah. i did not support it. a couple of the reasons why is it was bad specifically for new york. under the cap and trade bill, new york or not get any credit for the hydro it does or for the nuclear we do in new york. we do more than the national average. those are clean ways we produce fuel. that is why our power is higher. we do not need to go any higher. there is an alternative, and what i think it is is nuclear power. i think we should expand nuclear power in this country. i have to co-sponsored a bill that allows for micro nuclear plants.

it would be much smaller plants that would create power for one community, but the great thing about that is they would be localized, and we do not need to worry about power lines transporting power across our area because the power is created locally. the waste is stored locally in transmitted locally. that would be a positive alternative to the cap and trade. >> the 58 -- estimate the cost of gas will go up 58% with the cap and trade bill that was put in. also, we are all tax to death. we simply cannot afford it. there are better ways to go about it. if you like, we can get into that later. >> that is a classic difference between mr. hannah and myself.

all he talks about are the problems. and he does not know what the solutions are. this campaign has been deployed a creativity. we need ideas, vision, and creativity. that is what will bring america forward. that is what we need much more of, not knocking every idea that comes out, but rather a new ideas and new creativity. [applause] next question. >> across the country, this campaign season has been full of talk of too much government. going back to the end of the bush administration, and certainly in the past few years, the federal government has been actively involved in housing market, banks, wall street, even automobile industry. what is the proper role of the federal government in the economy? >> the federal government does not create jobs.

it creates an environment for the private sector to create jobs. we do things like improved infrastructure. wheat build roads. we improve airports. -- we build roads. the federal government has been hoping the localities that do not have the money to do that. teachers' salaries. as a result of states not having the additional money, there are going direct to lay off 1200 teachers just in our congressional district. firefighters were fired. -- were hired. the federal government cannot be the panacea of send all, sell e all. we saw that from the county when

they said if they did not receive the money, property taxes would have dramatically increased. those are some of the things that the federal the government has done to help localities keep taxes down. >> apparently you have from we are in auto business, health care business, and soon loans have been taken over by the health-care problem. -- program. [applause] >> hold your applause. it >> i think the government too pinball. that is exactly where we do disagree. >> one of the things that richard does not want to talk about are the things that work, and the cash for clunkers work. >> keep your comments down. >> it provided local dealers

with what they needed. it actually worked. [applause] >> my response. 70% of automobiles that were traded and were american cars, traded for pittoyota. [applause] >> that is not true. >> that is absolutely true. >> next question. >> the juvenile diabetes act is up for free legislation. what is your view of some of the issues facing the juvenile justice system? >> i am not familiar with that. i am going to have to skip if you do not mind. i do have an opinion on that.

i clearly have -- we clearly have a problem with juvenile delinquents today. single-family households are over 50%. these are all recipes for disaster. i think that this type of problem is a fundamental problem when we have a failing economy, and when we have all of those things it breaks up the family unit as you see today. it is exceedingly difficult in these times for a man or woman to take care of their family and have pride in themselves when they're unemployed. these difficulties trickle through to the kids first. i read a lot, but i do not read everything, so i am sorry. >> the important moral question is we would hope that families would be doing the things that are necessary to keep juvenile out of the criminal justice system, but the fact is

that just does not happen. they look to schools and programs to help young people get a head start, did the a vintage that they did not have a. programs for breakfast is as cool. after-school learning programs. these are what you hire us to be our representative and do. if we keep two juvenile delinquents off the street, that will keep our crime down. i think it is incumbent upon us to find solutions to tried different types. that is what i'd like about race to the top. it gave local school districts the ability to experiment and try different things because that is the only way we will really find solutions to problems that have been plaguing us for many decades. >> i agree. >> moving on to the next question, brian ackman.

>> both of you have declared yourself to be an independent voice. given the political makeup of this district, how important do you think it is to be a moderate think er, in which one of you is more qualified to do that? >> you have heard from both of us, the disagreements with our own parties, disagreement with each other, and this is a moderate district. i say this. all current -- as it is very often but in the southern part of the district, they do not understand what utica is like and what room is like. it is a very different districts, but it is a very moderate district. i am very proud of the fact that i have the most centralized voting record in the house of representatives. that is because i look at bills on how they benefit the district. district.