access our programming any time with the c-span radio at with four audio streams of our programming. you can also listen to our signature interview programs each week. it is all available around the clock where ever you are. download it free from blackberry app world. >> coming up tonight, a look at highlights from today's republican leadership conference in new orleans been speakers will include rick perry, rains. thus, steve russell, following highlights from the conference, former national-security advisor brent scowcroft on u.s. foreign policy. >> c-span has launched a new easy-to-navigate web site for politics in the 2012 presidential race with the list c-span events from the campaign trail.

visit us at c-span daughter are/campaign 2012 -- at c- span.org/campaign 2012. saturday was the final day of the 2011 leadership conference. coming up, we will show you a number of speeches from this conference. beginning now with the governor. . he is reported considering a run for president.

the recovery comes as a result of individuals doing the hard work and making things happen. [applause] unfortunately, this administration in washington that is in power now clearly believes that government is not only the answer to every need

but is the most qualified to make essential decisions for every american in every area. that that mix of arrogance and audacity that guides the obama administration is an affront to every freedom-loving american and a threat to every private sector job in this country. whether they are seeking to punish a company like boeing that is wanting to go into south carolina, they are pressuring company leadership in laboratories in new york, imposing epa mandates that will kill jobs right here in louisiana. they clearly think that they know best. let me tell you, i vehemently disagree. they do not know best. [choose and applaus cheers and ]

folks who reached our shores in search of religious and economic freedom, they and the generations that follow, embrace the risks and rewards of freedom. they kill the land -- they tell land and work the factories that pursued innovation. unfortunately, the liberty that inspired our fledgling nation to throw off the chains of repression, in asia and that has been a magnet for immigrants -- a nation that has been a magnet for immigrants through the years is being constricted daily by new regulations, obligations that seek to empower government, not the people. we now live in this strange

inverted version of our founding fathers envisioned in which the government of the people, by the people, for the people is little more than this outdated notion, not very welcome in today's washington. instead, we have these so-called leaders who ramrod on red health care legislation through the system without revealing that it would make the federal government the sole arbitrator and ed -- and administrator of health care pen instead, we have these so- called -- and administrator of health care. instead, we have these so- called leaders and this entitlement culture in our

nation that dictates government spending based on what bureaucrats think they deserve rather than what the people can afford. do you really believe that this is what our founding fathers had in mind? as i think of their ridings, of the risk that they took in the name of freedom, the sacrifices of generations of americans who share those ideals, and begin to wonder what will our legacy be? will history u.s. as the generation of americans that kind of collectively shrug their shoulders and said i guess there is nothing that i can do. will we just watch our nation continue this slow backward slide? will future generations of americans living in life without

any direction or decision that is not made by some bureaucrat wonder why did not somebody do something? i have more confidence in america's energy and character. i totally believe it is time to reconnect with the greatest attributes of our nation, to regain that resilience spirit and recapture that love of freedom, remembering is true price. it does not matter what your zip code is or where you're from. we're all facing the same challenges in america. i stand before you today, a disciplined conservative texan, is committed republican and a proud american, united with you in the desire to restore our nation and revive the american dream. [applause] >> i truly believe -- i believe with all my heart that our

shared conservative values, that our belief in the individual is the great hope to learn nation. i say that with confidence because i have seen what we have done in texas of the last 10 years. i credit our conservative leadership in that state for unmatched job creation, including a 47.8% of all jobs created in america in the last two years. i have to brag a little bit on a texas conservative values just a bit. we are the number one exporting state in the nation. we have a balanced budget to boot. and let me tell you -- that is what happens when conservative leadership that is willing to take a beating from the liberal left and their friends in the media. we happen to be a bunch of happy

warriors their working together and sticking to our guns and those conservative values. i have distilled my economic agenda down into what i consider to be some pretty simple dividing principles. number one, do not spend all the money. [applause] >> #2, keeping taxes low and under control. no. 3, have regulations that are fair and predictable so that business owners know what to expect from one-quarter to the next. no. 4, reform the legal system so that frivolous lawsuits do not paralyze employers that are trying to create real wealth.

that is what we have done. over the last 10 years, we have followed that simple recipe. we have stopped lawsuit abuse. we have one of the lowest tax burdens in the nation. our per capita debt is limited. and we keep adding jobs while others are losing them left and right. those jobs for the other states because of factors like excessive taxation, punitive regulation, frivolous lawsuits. to preserve our job-friendly climate, the texas legislature did not raise taxes this last legislative session while balancing the budget and maintaining essential services. i might add that that new budget leaves $6 billion in a rainy day fund.

in texas, we truly believe that you can defer tough decisions for tomorrow's generation. on like washington, we do not have some foreign creditor to finance deficits and spending either. last month, texas made sure that frivolous lawsuits have even less chance of strangling job creation as we passed a loser pay lawsuit reform in the state of texas. and to make sure that those are never canceled out by illegal votes, we instituted a photo id

requirement for every voter. when it comes to voting, one of the most precious, most powerful freedoms that we have, it is precious to us. do you not think it is fair to apply at least the same standards required to get a library card board to board an airplane? our legislators also protect the sanctity of life with a bill that requires a sonogram on those contemplating abortion.

think about this for just a second. when liberals talk about protecting our most of vulnerable populations, i do not understand why they will not include the most loanable, those innocent, unborn children. when it comes to conservative social issues, it saddens me when sometimes my fellow republicans duck and cover in the face of pressure from the left. i am reminded of what president ronald reagan said. prior to his winning the presidency, of course, he said that the time has come for us to see if it is possible to present a program of action based on

political principles that can attract those interested in the so-called social issues and those interested in economic issues. in short, is it not possible to combine the two major issues, those two major segments of contemporary american conservatism into one politically effective hold? i believe the answer is yes. mr. president, i agree with you. the answer is most definitely yes. and we need to stop apologizing for celebrating life. we need to stop apologizing for wanting to protect an individual's right to build a business. we need to stop apologizing about stemming the tide of entitlement mindset that is out there.

[applause] we ought to be proud of our efforts to give local parents and communities a say on how their children are educated, protecting that fundamental right of private property ownership. our party cannot be all things to all people. it cannot be. our letters opponents on the left will never like us, so let's stop trying to curry favor with them. let's stand up. let's speak with pride about our morals and our values and redouble our efforts to let more conservative republicans. let's stop this american downward spiral.

we are doing this and is happening because of too much spending, too much interfering, and too much apologizing. in my mind, there has always been to kinds of politicians, those who seek office to gain personal power and those who seek office to give power back to the people. in statehouses across this country and in the united states congress, conservative politicians, conservative leaders are working to return power to the people, turning back the tide of this unchecked spending and unbridled interference in state affairs. let me share something that is not a secret. they will never willingly give

up an ounce of power in washington, d.c. until the american people stand up and demand that we adopt reform. never will they do that. this administration may get up and amal words about job creation -- may get up and mouth words about recreation, but they clearly consider enterprise a dirty word. they think the fruits of our labor needs to be spread around or the word that i like to use from their core ideology -- b. "redistributive." this is what motivated me to

write the book "fed up" last year. it is centered around the 10th amendment. its key phrase that power is not prohibited by to the states are reserved to the states respectively or to the people. it is simple. it is elegant. and is to the point. the framers of our constitution knew all too well what happens when distant, too powerful governments hold sway over a nation. and that is why they decentralize power out of washington, d.c. into the hands of the states. when states lead the way and they compete for ideas and resources and jobs, free market principles are allowed to act and break things happen.

the states are proof of the best leadership is closest to the people, not hold up in washington, d.c. issuing these once-size-fits-all mandates for the entire country. our goal is to displace the entrenched powers in washington, restore the rightful balance between states and federal governments. reaching your pocket right now and take your phone out. it is ok. i want you to do something with me. if you really believe in what we're talking about here, if this whole concept of restoring the balance back to our country, decentralizing out of washington, d.c., i want you to take your cell phone and text something out to the number

953, texting #w o r d. we will keep you apprised of what we're doing. we will keep you in the know about the move to get america forward into the rightful role that our founding fathers knew would work. in november 2008, there were too many americans who voted for some vague promises about hope and change. they ended up with unprecedented deficits, unrestrained spending, and unacceptable unemployment. americans voted for help and got nothing but a greater economic misery. in november 2010, americans

expressed their frustration with that misery and they voted for conservative republicans. in the united states congress, in statehouses all across this country, we have seen republican leaders turning the tide. november 2012 is not very far away. but we have to be ready to elect republican leaders up and down that ballot to will make government smaller so that opportunity can get bigger. i am preaching to the choir here, i'm understand that. but america's greatness is not found in the size of its government. america's greatness resides in the hearts and minds of our people, their innovative approaches to solving problems, their ability to endure even in the toughest times. if we want to stimulate the economy we do not need more government spending. we need to unleash the private

sector in america. the individual citizens who put their hours in at the job and pay their taxes and doing their best to take care of their families. the good news is that we have the wind at our back right now. americans are waking up to the realities of their previous choices. they're setting things right with their vote. the challenges facing state leaders as we pursue these balanced budgets across the country. let me share for you -- but the show with you -- they will pale in comparison to what we will see in 2014 when that runaway train known as obamacare hits our budgets. if congress or the courts do not derail obamacare, state budgets will crumble under the massive financial burden. the republican majority in the house of representatives is starting to slow down that train, but we need to keep

sending them reinforcements to bring that effort to make clear conclusion. together we must keep america moving back to pre-eminence because our values and conservative ideas are the world's greatest hope. like you, i still believe america is special i see a stronger america built on the solid foundation of spiritual strength of individual liberty, of self-determination. we must recapture that vision and begin the hard work of lighting the way for millions of americans who would -- who are adrift in this sea of economic misery. let's leave them to the safe harbor of american renewal and the shores of american exceptional ism.

let's anchor them in the future of good jobs and a country founded on great ideas. restore the notion of a government of the people, for the people, by the people. if we do not do it, who will? if not now, when? there is no greater goal, no more crucial time than right now to take and make their stance to restore our economy, our family, our country. i happen to know that we can and i know that you will. god bless you and thank you all for being out -- for being out here today and god bless the united states of america.

>> steve russell who commanded the unit who killed some who say spoke for just over two minutes. >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome steve russell, author of "we got him."

[applause] among the soldiers that were

serving with us that night was in an unmarked. -- ian and mark. mark coordinated information as a battle captain for the first brigade of the fourth infantry division. little did these two soldiers know that, when they were roommates at west point, that they would both be part of the forces that made history that night. returning to iraq with the same brigade about 15 months later, now which of them in command of their own companies, ian was killed in action leading his troops in april 2006. those of us who served with him pay their respects as he was laid to rest at arlington national cemetery. six months later, after suffering a concussion and ignoring those injuries, mark

combats troops in an operation where he was also killed. so i made another trip to the arlington national cemetery to pay my respects to yet another friend. at the burials, if you have ever been to the cemetery, they lay casualties in order that they are received. we noticed that, when we buried mark, he was laid at the feet of ian. roommates at the academy, best friends in battle, and now together in life and death. after the burial, i wandered around our nation's capital, trying to mentally process a great number of things. politicians on both sides of the aisle find their chests about the hopelessness of our service and our mission in iraq. everywhere i turn, the air was

heavy with milk kelly -- with melancholy talk about how the war in iraq was lost. so i decided to visit the aaron space museum for destruction. -- the air and space museum for destructiodistraction. i noticed that there were the naysayers and people who said that this could never fly. upon examination, looking at it, it was hard to believe that a tangle of canvas and would struggled -- candace and would -- canvas and wood struggled into the air. it had no forward-looking window. just a forward-looking pilot. but you could still you the

naysayers. you will digest what all the others, you fool. you'll never get off the ground with the weight of all that gasoline. you will never stay awake. you cannot do it alone. rounding the corner to examine spacecraft, i was struck by the apollo 18 lunar module and wondered how a substance that looks like to me like aluminum foil could support life in outer space. how was it that we found americans foolish enough to believe that you could be strapped into a rocket of two thousand metric tons that would break apart by design and her liu into space and because of someone's mathematical you intoon -- and her role yohl space and because of someone's mathematical calculation, the last remaining sections would break apart again and join and

find another and astronauts could crawl through it. then they would land on the mall and plant a flag and plan another crash -- land on the moon and plant a flag and plan another crash and bring it back and bring it through the atmosphere that will catch on fire but that is ok because we will apply asbestos that will catch you and then you will land in the pacific ocean and a helicopter will come and find you. [laughter] yet that is exactly what we americans achieved in this country. [applause] but to read the headlines of the day, you would hear this. what about the poor? what about the war on poverty? what about the things that really matter in this country?

as i look at it, i wonder how different our world would be today without formal right, charles lindbergh, and narrow -- and neil armstrong. i left inspired. it dawned on me. america has never been built on the labor and hard work of the senate and the critic. [applause] cynics and critics, soldiers of this generation have had a bellyful of them. every monumental mission harnisch and has asked of our men and women in uniform since 9/11 has been accomplished. overthrow the taliban government -- done. kill or capture bin laden -- done.

defeat and overthrow saddam hussein -- done can capture and or kill saddam hussein -- done. and we, the soldiers, have done it with incredible obstructions of levels, -- of liberals and cynics. nonsense. what can we learn from america's current war veterans. there are still things worth fighting for. america has not been built on the labor and hard work of the senate and the critic. they're still americans today who know how to sacrifice. there are still americans than know the difference between what is evil and what is good, who is a threat, who is harmless.

whether to live free or quit on this country and die. thank god america still has men and women such as you today who still believe this as well. americans need to sacrifice along with her soldiers. sacrifice this -- sacrifice doubt. sacrifice anxiety. sacrifice cynicism. as a visionary as we republicans claim to be, we will make little headway if our only answers are mere sideline snipes at what is wrong with this country. our task is to show the american people what is right with the united states of america.

it is time to ignore the senate and get to work. cynic and getthe senat to work. if we want to honor those who will never come home, who will never know the joys of marriage and raising children, who will never live in the freedoms that their sacrifice purchased, then we must honor it by restoring the country that they died for. [applause] i believe the sum total of our lives is how we invest them in other people. and we, the people, the defenders of discrimination have the responsibility to serve our god, our country, but also give of our towns and efforts to

preserve what is the dream of the american way of life. may you be such leaders. as we face the wind and look to the future, we will always have the naysayers, those around us to take counsel of their fears. as we endeavor to take risks to achieve, we have to ignore their calls, saying it will never fly. keep the faith. do not quit. god bless you all. [applause] the republican leadership conference.

mr. mcallister is running for u.s. senate in florida. his remarks from 20 minutes. >> what if i'm looking group of americans. to better our commander-in-chief does not know how run a war in libya. -- too bad our commander-in- chief does not know how to run a war in libya. those of you who see yourselves as a tea party-minded individual, keep up the work. you will save this country. what a great day to be a part of this fight to take america back. my name is mike mcalester. i am god-fearing first, women fearing second. america-loving, flag-waving, conservative businessman, retired colonel who is running

for state senate. we are -- i am from florida. we really cleaned up in 2010. we sent a hard charging colonel named alan west to washington. i want to recognize a few of the group's year. ladies, everywhere i go, your involvement and your effort and your impact is simply outstanding in this fight. our seniors, your national heritage, you worked hard to build this country with your sweat and your blood and tears. after the sacrifices you may come of we cannot let you down and we must restore america to the greatness you created and keep it there. i want to recognize all of our military veterans and veterans' families and let there be no doubt that you are our nation's heroes. [applause] and those conservative mongers who are getting the word out of

conservatism, keep up the good work. this is still the greatest nation on the planet can america is the world's last true global military power and protect them -- protector of freedom around the world. i can tell you that we have the very finest young airman, seamen, marines, and soldiers in the world. americans never need to go anywhere in the world and hang their head. this country has saved the world more than once with our most precious blood. and i think we're all tired of a president standing on foreign soil, vowing to moslem kings and apologizing for who we are and it has to stop.

you hear people say that nobody likes america anymore. perhaps, it was stated as eloquently as ever by a british general men. the best way to take measure of any nation is how many people want in and how many want out. i think the events of recent weeks send a strong message of those anyone to test the will or result of the american people. if you feel lucky today, bring it on. it does not matter how much it cost or how much it takes, we will hunt you down and we will eliminate you. i want us to be strong, prosperous, save, proud, sovereign, and respected around the world for who and what we are. by golly, we have earned it. we need a strong economic future by getting government out of the way and america back open for business again. now folks, we have to realize

what we're up against. we're 5% of the world. china and india are 40% of the world. by many measurements, china is now the largest manufacturer of goods in the planet, the largest exporter, they have virtually no patent laws, and they have the most academic hours in the school year. we have work to do. we have decree in bring industry and jobs to america. we need a more business-friendly environment. we have 25 million americans who are either unemployed or underemployed. we need lower taxes, less regulation, and tort reform. we need to conduct effective value change analysis to get all our companies plug in to their industry's mainstream. we need incentives for companies that will hire other u.s. companies in their supply channels and distribution channels. we need to get america back in the manufacturing of high-tech goods and services. we need to strategically aligned

our health care system and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. going forward, we have to upgrade its education. we need to get industry more involved in our curriculum at all levels of high school, college, and technology schools. they are the customer. they're the ones with the paycheck. we need to graduate students who will be ready for jobs there will pay. we need to upgrade the curriculum's and textbooks for the students who do not want to go college. we need more internships for our high schools and technology schools so they can get credit to got to the workplace and know how competitive and serious it is so they can be a better student when they come back. we need to take a moment and look at what is going on around us. by friends, we know. we are under attack everywhere we look.

internally, we have uncontrolled spending by the federal government. union management does not accept the reality of foreign competition and liberal judges making of the rules as they go, giving our country away. we have a failing education system that is not keeping up with a global competition. the federal government ignores this -- the rights of our states and citizens and restrictive laws tying the hands of our competitive spirit. we still have communism working in our country to destroy a family values and cohesiveness and illegal immigration and an unsecured order taking our jobs and costing our money -- costing us money and taking your benefits. we have the growing black market up phony ids, phony credit cards, and 40 voter cards and it has to stop in and we have the liberals who do not want to acknowledge the reality of this. externally, when we look around,

we have unfair trade practices and phony currency devaluations by competitive nations to gain advantage in pricing. they robbed us of our proprietary technology and economic strength. this results in foreign goods robbing us of our jobs and our industrial base. we still have global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and renegade technology transfer that one day will be used against us in military applications by countries such as china and iran and korea. we still have the global war on terror and radical islamic expansion around the world with al qaeda, hamas, hezbollah, and putin in russia wanting to return to soviet power. folks, the terrorists have to pay their bills, two. cyber espionage of our secrets,

pirates operating openly on the seas, and u.n. initiatives trying to tell us where to live and take away our guns. how will we defeat these threats? i think ronald reagan had it right. you threaten us. we win. you lose. [applause] we need less regulation and fewer laws that restrict jobs and freedoms. we need to return public education control to the states. we need to secure our borders. to put this all together on how we will go forward and win this and tarbell, we need a comprehensive and integrated national security policy that returns american pride, strength, and respect around the world, where our allies stand with us all times and our enemies furious. we have to insure our national secrets and no more wikileaks.

we have to bring to bear all elements of national power into a unified effort. and we need this policy to consist of four pillars. first, immigration policy that allows states to protect themselves and check the legal status when visitors or someone is he'lre. we need to require certified citizenship and bertha tickets to obtain a voter registration card. -- and birth certificates to obtain a voter registration card. if you are here illegally, we will return you to your home country at their expense. no amnesty can this is not a broad sale on being a citizen in america. -- this is not a garage sale on being a citizen in america. we needed a policy that decreases our dependence on foreign oil. we need to increase our domestic " production and our refinery capacity. we need the department of energy and the epa to facility in that

process instead of constantly standing in the way. we need an economic policy. we need to spend less, but we need to make more. we need to do this with lower taxes. we have to address both sides of our balance sheet. we are in business to sell products and services. we need to cut spending with a balanced budget amendment. we have to make sure that we save medicare and social security, protect small business, promote entrepreneurship and new business start-ups. we have to have trade agreements and treaties to protect our jobs and our patents and our technology. we needed for a policy that returns american prestige and honor and pride around the world. our u.s. embassies and a bassinet teams need to be formidable. we need to have no trees or trade agreements with nations that are reaching our patents and robbing us of our economic strength, harbour ring terrors

-- car bring terrorists -- harboring terrorists. we needed domestic policy that protect america's homeland. we need to restore the constitution as the law of the land. it is the law of the land. we need to limit union bargaining rights and governing jobs. we need that american workers, american materials, and american equipment. we need to protect our proprietary technology and enforced -- and force employers to ensure that their people are here legally. we need: a victory that secures our borders and make sure there is no sharia law in our courts or banks in this country. i think we need to try anyone that the terrorists in military tribunals and not civilian courts. we needed military policy. we must maintain the strongest

and best military in the world and fulfill all commitments to our veterans. we need to maintain fourth projections in the forward to deter enemies as often as possible. when someone is a threat to our country and will not play well in the sandbox and we have is every other alternative, we have to assess who are they, what are the, what do they have, what are their strengths, and whether their weaknesses. we have to establish a force package that brings to bear at an overwhelming force. you have rules and engagement than levels the playing field for our troops and takes away

the unfair and immune manages and keep the american fighting forces under the command of american leaders. you have a clear in state vision so you know what the victory will look like. you shake -- u-shaped the battlefield. you dictate the outcome can you kick their butt. when the military objectives are achieved and the victory is secure, you have a well orchestrated strategy and bring the troops out. but you also protect them and their families while they're gone. i do not want to see anymore for closure of homes of our troops when they are protecting our country. ok. let's bring this home. where do we go from here? we must continue this fight to take our country back and and

these little giveaways. but to go to protect and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies foreign and domestic. we must replace the ones who are not doing what is right for america and future generations. we need to take control of the u.s. senate in 2012 with real conservatives that have series credentials to face these global threats. i get asked sometimes on where i stand on the second and 10th amendment. for my own state, i would like of the sign -- we have to trash this obama

reaganomics that has doubled are dead and given us 9% unemployment and throw the illegal obamacare in the trash for good. we need to take the handcuffs off and let american ingenuity go back to work and restore the families as the pillar of american society. we need to keep the ownership of american businesses and keep the garment out of the hands of china and out of the hands of the un. we have to stop using government from collecting union dues. if it were me, i would fired jett and potano and get someone in homeland security that understands -- fire janet napolitano. i want to know where my money is going and they need to have transparency to the gao. we have to stop this dumbing down of america and get back to

the values and principles that made this country great. we need the pride of american history, the teaching of the constitution, the american flag, and the pledge of allegiance back in our schools. and we have to stop this political correctness and cobbling of islamic terrorists. they want to kill senate cannot be tolerated. we can allow islamic banks or courts in our country. and we must fully support israel as the only democracy and ally we have in the middle east. if it is me, i would never issued a building permit for a moscow on sega america -- for a on sacred american soil.

finally, we must secure borders and no more lip service. i work in u.s. special operations command in the war on terror and we did the money laundering and drug trafficking. it all goes together. we have everything coming through our borders. we have to stop rewarding people for being here illegally. we must let the world now that being in this country is a privilege and not a right. americans that paid the ultimate price -- just because you show we owe you anything. if you want to be here, you have here illegally. to work here, you be in the tax system. to live here, you a contributor and not taker. if you want to be a citizen, we have a process that you need to follow. and for me, please learn to speak english.

but recognize that this election next year -- the liberals are formidable. they will go to any extreme. get our game face on and put our most qualified players on the field at every level. next year's elections will have huge and long-lasting consequences. i will ask you how many of you have children or grandchildren or grandchildren? next year's election is about our children and grandchildren. we have to put former people against these threats. attack and we need all hands on deck. on reagan to win more than one

from extinction. we did not pass it to our in the bloodstream. for and protected for them to be doing the same. keep america strong and prosperous and stop those who give away -- away and not an option. found a win. will once again. too often, our politicians put themselves first. but soldiers put america first. 2012, floridians will send another hard charging colonel to to give alan west some reinforcements. my friends, i want to thank you be here today.

you're doing great work. i want to thank you and may god bless you and may god bless america. >> we also heard remarks from marcia blackburn of tennessee. she spoke for just over 15 minutes. >> it is absolutely fantastic to be here with you in orleans for the southern republican leadership conference. i am thrilled that we are holding this during the centennial of ronald reagan's birth. [applause] those values that he coalesced around, faith, family, freedom, hope, opportunity -- those are the values that he took with him to washington in 1980.

those were the values that we need to take back to washington today. and we need to remember that those are the values that need to be in the white house on november 2012. and we need to get out there and win this one for the gipper. [applause] the american people really did a great job getting a head start on this last year. look at what transpired. i think that you will send the message to the political class in washington, d.c. that was a pretty good lesson in civics and limited government and the u.s. constitution. and when it turned out that some of those democrats failed on that final exam in november, you, the people of this country,

gave them a one-way ticket home. thank you. [applause] and because of all >> because of all of your great work, we pick up seats in the senate, took control of the u.s. house of representatives, and we gave nancy pelosi the title that she so richly deserved, of minority leader. [applause] >> we sent president obama a message that change had, again, and guess what, it is going to come again next year in 2012 carry? we want a new president of the united states -- 2012. [applause] we want a new president of the united states, and we need to begin the journey today because we do not have a single second to lose. our country -- our country cannot afford four more years of barack obama's liberal policies. he is a president that is too expensive to afford by nearly

every measure. by nearly every measure, the country is in worse shape when it -- than it was when he took office. 1 gallon of gas, doubled in price. unemployment, over 9% in 28 months. home values are down. obama-care has put our health- care system on life support. so-called financial reform has made too big to fail lot of the land -- no law of the land. the epa -- >> there you go. has a short circuit in our nation's energy policy. the fcc has nationalized the internet, and most dangerously of all, the federal debt has ballooned, putting our country on a course to financial and

economic ruin. meanwhile, the chair of the democratic national committee has said that obama has turned the economy around. well, here is a news flash. obama has not turned the economy around. he is turned this country and the economy upside down. according to the latest polls, one -- less than one-third of the american people think we are on the right track. but i am hopeful. i am an optimist. because to me, that says to me two-thirds of the american people are ready for a new direction. [applause] >> let me tell you a little bit about where i come from. my district in tennessee is a

great barometer for what is going on in the country -- a lot of small towns, farms, two great cities, memphis, and national, and yes, indeed, that makes me legitimately a little bit country, and a little better rock and roll. [laughter] >> as i am out and about, i talk to people from all walks of life, and you know what they tell me? they are so worried. they are so worried that the american dream is in deep, deep trouble. that the next generation is going to have fewer opportunities than we have had, and that the president and the liberal elites in washington in just do not get it. you know, i think if you're going to save the american dream, if you're going to preserve it, you have to understand it.

i understand it because i have been lucky enough to lift it. as a girl, growing up on the farm in southern mississippi, -- [applause] >> as a student working my way through college, as a salesman, out knocking on doors in the hot, summer 7480 hours away, as an entrepreneur or, hanging out shingles, as a wife, blessed to be a mother and grandmother, i understand that americans do not work hard so that their children have to work harder. we work hard so that our children will have it better. [applause] >> this next election -- the president likes to talk about winning the future. i have to tell you, this next

election is not about winning the future for some, and losing it for others. it is about securing the american dream for all americans, and let's look at specifically what we can do. if we are going to increase our majority in the house, take control of the senate, and when the white house, we need to be the party that stands for security in uncertain times. when you talk about security in uncertain times, security means a lot of different things. retirement security, job security, financial security, border security, and most important of all, securing freedom, and we, as republicans, need to lead on every single one of those. to win in 2012, if we do need to be the power of the party of energy security. my dad made a career of selling oil-filled equipment, so this topic is pretty close to my

heart, and i have seen first hand how far as technology has come over the years, and recently, in washington, i have seen firsthand how this administration and the epa gets in the way every single time. it seems that what we have is a government out of control. the epa is trying to implement cap and trade regulations right now -- 928 new regulations. congress did not pass this. the american people do not want it, and we need to fight against it. [applause] >> and to make matters worse, the federal government is now moving forward with plans -- their plans to ban the incandescent light bulb. yes, the light bulb that you

love, they want to ban it, making you use a light bulb that will cost you more money, does not work, and when it breaks it is a health hazard to read his and other example of one of washington runs its policy, your wallet is the loser every single time. when it comes to energy policy, i think there is a great solution to this -- four words -- drill here, drill now. [applause] >> to win in 2012, we need to be the party stands for financial security. the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff has said that our national debt is the biggest threat to our national security. when i was a little girl i left to go to work with my daddy. if we passed a used car lot, and they have the sign out

front that said "we told to send out." he explained that one to me, and he said baby, don't you ever let anybody tell your note. apparently, the federal government did not get that message because we have nations like china toteing our note. when you look at our publicly- traded debt, china and owns 25% of that publicly traded debt, japan over 20%, the united kingdom 7%, opec owns 5%, and we know who makes up opec -- ecuador, bahrain, iraq, kuwait, algeria, nigeria, libya, and iran.

they own 5% of our debt. let's look china alone. every day the u.s. government cuts a $119 million check in interest to the chinese government. was that, they can purchase two joint strike fighters every single week, and at the end of the year, they have enough money left over to buy a shiny aircraft carrier. by sailing to tap our -- by failing to tap our spending, we are tapping our children's future entry in it to the people that own bad debt. if that does not the future i want for my children and grandchildren, and i know that is not the future you want for yours either. we have to be the party of job security. we know government does not create jobs. it kills them. the greatest engine of job

creation i've ever known is the ingenuity of the american spirit. we need to cut red tape. we need to reduce government spending. fire of the ingenuity of the american spirit, and cut taxes. [applause] >> my presbyterian deacon husband has a great line on taxes and i think president obama needs to hear it. my husband likes to say "10%, good enough for gone on sunday, he is absolutely good enough for an uncle sam on monday -- it is absolutely good enough for "sam on monday." [applause] >> president obama sure did like to stimulate the government with the $1 trillion stimulus bill. the only thing i saw on it was a road sign said said american recovery and reinvestment act.

we have a new road sign for you, and it says stop. stop trying to spend your way to prosperity. stop proposing new taxes on small businesses. stop digging our country deeper and deeper into debt. we want to help american small business fears hang up a new sign -- small businesses have not unused sign that says how it wanted, we are hiring trend that is how we now our country is on the road to recovery -- help wanted. we are hiring. that is how we know our country is on the road to recovery. we have republican candidates across this country to begin its review for a new job -- president of the united states of america. i have to tell you, we are an exceptional country, and we deserve an exceptional president of the united states. [applause] >> so, as these candidates

debate the issues, some worry the competition will hurt whoever emerges and gets the nomination. i disagree that it is going to hurt. i think it is went out. as a former county party chairman, i learned that competitive primaries always give us a better general election candidate, and we are going to make either him or her, one or the other, i kind of liked that we have some hers, out there, don't you? you have a major role to play in the. we are never going to get a fair shake from the mainstream media, but you know what, we do not need them. [applause] >> they were not with us in 1980, or 1984, or 2000, or 2010, but the american people were with us then, and they will be with us again."

-- with us again. let me tell you how i think it works for the most important news network is you and your network of friends and families, and co-workers, and this is my call to you today -- engage your network in the issues that you care about. use social networking, or better yet, good old fashioned by printing, go door-to-door to read -- door-to-door. set the record straight. let's give president obama and the liberal elites a lesson in a good old-fashioned politics the way it ought to be from the grassroots, and from the bottom of. i mentioned earlier that i sold books and door-to-door, and one of the lessons i learned was the more i knew about the product by was selling, the better job i did, so let's do

our part to be informed on all of these issues, stick to the fact, and make sure the people realize our conservative values are american values. we are the party that can insure the american dream during uncertain times. we are the party that can defend freedom in a dangerous world. which your help, we are the party that can win big next year. despite all of the challenges that are out there, i am confident in this country's future, and you should be, too. anybody who doubts america's future only needs to look at our past. this is the country whose founders fired the shot heard round the world. this is the country whose citizens have chosen to protect liberty in every single generation.

this is the country whose free- market economy brought about the american dream, and this is the country whose future rests in your hands. let's make our founding fathers proud. [applause] >> let's choose a new course for this country. let's leave our children and our grandchildren in better shape. let's get out there. let's win this one for the gipper. [applause] >> thank you. god bless. [applause] ♪ >> next, reince priebus.

he spoke for about 18 minutes. >> thank you for that warm welcome. , thegreat to be in dedicated conservative who will help and save america by defeating barack obama. [applause] and by the way, it was nice of barack obama to talk about my name. i know it is a bizarre name. i promise you, i am learning to live with it. i am as normal as they come. to prove it to you, my son's name is jack. by jack -- my daughter is grace, my wife is sally. i always tell people that is what happens when a greek and a

german get married. it is a cultural disaster. i was that a fund raiser in orlando a few months ago. you may have heard we need to raise a few dollars. somebody had pulled the lapel pin of my jacket and said look at this. if you take the bowels out of reince priebus, you git r-n-c-p- r-b-f. obviously i am honored to have been elected chairman of the republican party earlier this year. all the job description is lengthy, my goal is simple. my goal, like your role and like we have been talking about for two and a half days, is to make

barack obama a one-term president. the greatest moral measure of good leadership comes down to one simple but substantial question. did we leave our children and america that is freer and better, stronger, and more prosperous than we found it? will they be better off than we were. there are many threats to our freedoms in the world today, and they are worthy of a strong fight. foremost among them are three

principles that we can all believe then that were spelled out in the path to prosperity. a government that buries its kids and grandkids in an avalanche of debt cannot rest in the moral high ground. a government that stifled economic growth with excessive taxation, litigation, and regulation cannot create a competitive climate for economic expansion.

i believe that a culture of complacency has settled in over washington. to many leaders in our country are not content in doing what is right, but what is easy. they lack the will, the capacity, and the courage to make hard decisions today that will put our country on a path to prosperity tomorrow. these are times of great fiscal consequence in this country. if we do nothing, if we are complacent, then i believe we are complicity in an imperiling freedom, prosperity, an opportunity for the next generation. because the fight for a return to fiscal discipline and financial sovereignty is fundamentally a fight for freedom. my son, who is 6, asked me just a few weeks ago -- he literally asked me, dad, are you president obama's worst enemy?

a pundit in the making. the trick is, no, obviously, the president is a gifted politician, no doubt about it. but you know, as i do, that good politics do not yield good policies. good speeches do not yield good jobs. you know that winning debates does not mean that you are winning the future. this president's legacy is a legacy of failed leadership. does it feel like the president has turned to the economy around? does it feel like we are better off today than we were three years ago? does it feel like we are

winning the future? no, we are losing the future. we are falling behind. we are leaving our children with a destiny of debt and a future of uncertainty. confronting the reality and acting with principal and purpose to change its is one of our great moral callings of our time. don't be afraid to see what you see, is what president reagan told us. well, this is the barack obama that we have seen. he said that we need an america to live within its means. he said we need to reduce the deficit and address the debt ceiling. he said we need to reduce wasteful washington spending. the president says, and the

president says, and the president says, but the results do not match the rhetoric. this is what we have seen. we have seen a washington that borrows $4.5 billion every day just to pay its bills. the trajectory we are launched upon in spending in this country, when my little jack is my age, it will cost 43 cents on every dollar made in america just to run the federal government. just think about that. 43 cents on every dollar made

in america, just to run the government. in the last two years, non- defense discretionary spending has increased almost 25%. how many of their budgets have increased 25% over the last two years? anybody? if we do nothing, by 2040, our national debt will equal twice our entire economy. that is the economic definition of bankruptcy. at the end of the day, a country controlled by china cannot compete with china. this is america, the greatest country on the face of the earth, and we are going broke. on his watch. and raising the debt ceiling continuously, providing a blank check, a credit card with no

limit, is not the solution, is the problem. because the day will come when the ceiling collapses, and with it, the foundation of the american dream. our country was not built on blank checks. our economy was built on ingenuity, hard worker, and sacrifice. it was built on the backs of americans who came together to make america great. where is that spirit in washington? this president seems to think that hope is a solution. hope is a sound bite, and the last i checked, hope is not hiring in america. [applause]

this path that we are on, this irresponsible and unsustainable economic course, puts freedom in peril. ladies and gentlemen, we are in a battle for freedom in this country. we are in a battle for freedom. 43 cents on every dollar made in america to run the government. that is a battle for freedom. that is the same battle for freedom that founded our country. it is the same battle for freedom that james madison reaffirmed in the bill of rights. it's the same battle of freedom that founded our party, and here we are today. the most important election of our lifetime. we are in a battle for opportunity, a battle for freedom, a battle for self- determination. so the question remains, do we want a country that leads or do we want to have a country that

follows. do we want to have a country of makers for a country of takers? do you want to have were people riding the wagon or driving the wagon? as we gather here today, the president's advisers are charting a course for a $1 billion campaign for reelection. i think he is going to need more than a billion dollars. as i said before, i came here to listen to you, to learn from you, and i came here to work with you. a lot of people ask me, how did you get interested in politics? i thought about that a lot, and i am here is a product of hard work. i was a person putting together the phone banks, putting the pizza parties together, making

sure we had enough phones and people in 2000, making sure we were getting in the voter effort and the phone call effort out. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ but i can remember as a little guy, my mother's entire family lives in greece. we can learn a lot from what is happening in greece right now. i can remember as a little guy going to greece, and my grandfather was very interested in politics. they have three parties. the have the communist party, the socialist party, and the new democracy party. those are the good guys. i remember on his balcony, he had a flag that said new democracy. he had another flag, and it was the american flag. i can remember when they would come to kenosha, wisconsin. i would sit on the couch with my

grandfather in he would take out the world book and look up presidents. he would tell me stories about every president. it could be jimmy carter, dwight eisenhower, and everyone of them was great. dwight eisenhower was fantastic. ronald reagan -- love ronald reagan. the one thing i remember about that was that the person that i looked up to the most, the person that i would listen to anything that he said, love america. he loved this country, and he was not from here. i can promise you on my life that did not run for chairman of this party, and i would venture to guess that not one single one of you in this crowd is here because you have some

great concern about the future of the republican party. i love this party. of course, we all do. but i ran for chairman, and you are here today listening, because you are worried about the future of this country. this is about america, not about the republican party or the democratic party. this is about america. [applause] we have an opportunity in this country, if we work together. we could disagree on a lot of things. i am sure to squabble about a thing or two here or there. but we have all been blessed, everyone of us, in a different way. god has blessed us all differently. but we are unified in one thing, and i know for sure that we are unified together in this party to defeat this president,

save this country, and in the process, we will save our party. with that, i appreciate everyone here today. i look forward to spending the afternoon with you. god bless you, and thank you very much for listening. [applause] >> next, next remarks from george p bush. he spoke about the legacy of his family. [applause] >> good to see you all. i hope you all were not expecting one of the other george bush's, based on the side

-- the size of this crowd. you know the one who lives in dallas or the one who lived in houston. they convey their best regards and wished that they were able to join. i am able to brag that i am the first george bush to be on facebook. so i ask you if you can, to like me on facebook so that i can keep in touch with you with respect to the political action committee that i am involved with to hopefully engage young americans in the political system. since i am here, i might as well give a bush family update, for what it is worth. my grandfather, former president george h.w. bush, recently turned 87. my grandmother, barbara bush, also known as the enforcer within the bush family, executed her veto in restricting him from jumping out of a perfectly fine plane once again.

however, he will jump out again when he is 90, and we all look forward to seeing that happen. last week he received an honorary law degree from dartmouth, making him the third lawyer in the bush family joining my wife and i. so much for tort reform and then the bush family. he received a presidential medal of freedom recently. he thought it was cool because he got to meet bill russell and stan musial. all of these events culminated in a celebration at the kennedy center tribute to his foundation, the points of light, which all members of the bush family were able to enjoy with him, celebrating that moment. some asked about the political

plans of my father, jeb bush. with respect to our charter school movement throughout the u.s., he is the binding republicans and spearheading an effort. the activities he has accomplished since leaving office is an amazing testament to help you do not necessarily have to run for public office to make a change in our country. with respect to my uncle george and cantor, i am here to make an unmitigated plug to buy their book, if you can. my ogles books that at the new york times best-seller list for over 24 weeks, which he considers to be one of his strongest accomplishments, and recently that they are completing plans for the presidential library in texas. vice-president dick cheney recently joked it is just about the only show already project

right now a lot of the economic situation. my generation, it was really the defining moment for many young americans. whether that numerous deployments, volunteering to teach in inner-city schools, or getting involved in politics for the first time, young americans have answered the call for public service in a dramatic fashion. after having returned from afghanistan recently myself, i learned about the painful realities of the fledgling government yearning for public servants to get involved and create a better tomorrow. i know that in our own time, our generation faces another challenge, that the greatness of our country has been compromised. it has been an unwritten rule that the leadership strives to leave a country more prosperous and rich with opportunity than the one they inherited. this is no longer the case. my generation will be the first

to not have as much opportunity as those that came before us. instead of being offered an opportunity or a head up, we are being handed a big, fat invoice. just a generation ago, it would be unlikely that the u.s. would be on the top of the list. death or were to this year, 2011. that same economists if tasked with a similar challenge would probably be fired if he did not pinpoint the u.s. as a country that is subject to sovereign risk. this dramatic transformation happen in small, tiny increments over the years, that is until the economic crisis which demonstrated the underlying problem stemming from our public policy. this bodes ill health care system, state and local government, the looming entitlements, and are

unsustainable federal debt and deficit are a few of the reasons why. they, along with other challenges we face, explain why rating agencies now have the united states on its watch list for a downgrade that as from investment-grade. i am not here to bemoan current fiscal crises we face, nor do i think the average person my age is resigning themselves to inaction, as this is not an irreversible situation. i know that my generation and our republican party will lead a turnaround are countries declined, with significant knowledge of changes that vote was on long-term economic growth and corresponding job creation. given our penchant for taking on great challenges, our nature as if americans and our willingness to third call this greater than ourselves, the u.s. will grow at a more robust rate, but it will require profound changes in policy that are being spearheaded by our party. i've got to talk briefly about

three of these issues that republicans are currently leading in the halls of congress and throughout the country. they essentially involve more use of common sense than anything else. that is in connection with energy, tax regulation and education policy. the biggest political fight of my generation will be to undertake a looming national debt that we face. current deficit spending levels and the size and scope of government. this is definitely a fight worth fighting, in my opinion. that should not stop us from beginning now to create energy security policy, unshackle american businesses and individuals from of regulation and taxation, and transforming how we educate our children. great countries cannot depend on foreign sources of oil. just 30 years ago, 28 percent of the oil consumed by the united states was imported. with increasing demand today, nearly 60% of oil and utilize and consumed in the u.s. is

imported from other countries, even though our country has many natural resources available to us. 10 of these countries would currently imports are on the state department travel warning list. we spend approximately $1 billion a day purchasing overseas oil, instead of investment dollars that could be used organically within our own borders. this is essentially a destructive attack on the american consumer. the good news is that we have gone from predictions of imminent decline in our own natural resources to current projections of having at least 100 years of current supply. however, the current administration is embarking on new rules to restrict this new development, imposing new taxes, deregulation, the elimination of deductions on the industry, and also supporting special interest groups that tend to strike fear in the hearts of those that are currently developing in urban areas. we are to grow at a 4% gdp rate,

which is what the white house projects to meet their current predictions, which is by the way what we need to afford to service our current debt and be within striking distance of reducing the national deficit, we need to exploit our own forms of energy right now. most notably in the form of natural gas, oil, coal, nuclear, and in the long term, renewables. our president should show his commitment by creating a long- term strategy around this crisis. certainly the senate amendment that was recently passed, curtailing almost all ethanol subsidies, is a step in the right direction. [applause] we have been taught that to generate revenue we have to do it through lowering taxes, not increasing taxes.

to encourage job creation, we need to do exactly that. taxes on corporations are really too high, the second- highest in the industrialized world. to remain competitive, we need to reduce the current tax rate. just by doing so by 1%, investment falls by 3.7%. price waterhouse coopers conducted a survey that showed a reduction of 30% would create growth. republicans right now for a of the country are focusing on what government actions will do for small businesses, which is the lifeblood of our economy. especially as it relates to younger americans. able did not realize that nine 9.7% of all business in the teeth are small businesses. they currently employ over half the employees and our country and provide to other prefers jobs for young americans. not only that, but it creates -- small businesses create over

half of all intellectual property generated in our country, which we so desperately need. we discourage capital outlays, prevent hiring of all new workers, and stagnate wages for existing workers precisely at the time when we need our country to get back on track. larger businesses can typically access the two big to fail stimulus programs that are available to small-business owners who pay the price. maybe there should be a small business czar, fighting to lessen needless regulations. [applause] finally, our education system is being transformed based on the good work of republican throughout our country. in order to match the needs of

the 21st century, we need to change the current education system. representative from, we still have a school year based on a seat time as the organizing principle as to whether students advance. our standards are no longer meaningful. our curriculum is not germane to the jobs that are in the future, and our results indicate we are behind other countries like korea, singapore, and most of europe. to be competitive in the 21st century, republicans are continuing efforts to revamp our system, starting with the ending of social curmudgeon. stated that have not mastered how to read by fourth grade need to do so before they are promoted to middle school when they start on its central subject matter. standards need to be raised in our country such that a high- school degree matters and i schools didn't do not have to take remedial classes to get by in college -- high school students do not have to take remedial classes to get by in

college. we need to encourage younger american to take on courier's in these fields. we need more career learning alternatives at kids' progress for education system so that they find subject that are tangible and more interesting to them. we need to pay teachers for student performance, as opposed to longevity and service. [applause] we need more school choice, both private and public, to give parents and students alternatives and to create competition in our inner cities. we spend more per student than any other country in the world, but are -- our outcomes need to get dramatically better. we need accountability and our education system now. having said all this, one need only turn on the tv this week to see the compelling images from the greek, to become more aware of the burdens of debt, deficits, and a weakening of our

currency. the consequences of a nation when their debt surpasses the size of its gdp, and win rating agency placed the country's credit on watch lists when the interest on that deck exceed normal levels of the percentage of gdp. without delving more into the realities of overt bending, we as younger americans face the excruciating choice of higher tax rate for significant austerity measures it clear measures are not taken out. the sure, and thomas been a long will exceed total federal revenues. think about that for a second. we could not in the dollar on defense and with bill would not be up to balance the budget. the president's's response has been to propose a budget that called rest is spent little over 40 cents for every dollar we take in. ladies and gentlemen, this is not leadership, nor is it meaningful entitlement reform. we should examine a slow,

gradual increase in eligibility age for benefits while withholding our commitment to seniors who are currently at or near retirement. we can index been a bit to like -- index been a bit. for younger americans, will more likely to see a u.s. vote that a social security check. -- were likely to see a ufo the social security check. in the depression area, 40 workers basically provided benefits for one retiree. regretfully, currently that ratio is only three to one. with medicare and medicaid expected to go bankrupt in coming years and the same protections apply to medicaid, we have to reform government mandated health care and the provision of care for seniors and disabled to provide more

flexibility to the end user. if the president and our adversaries were not already talking about the upcoming 2012 campaign cycle and were serious about reforming entitlements and detaining our looming debt problem, and would provide proposal of their own or utilize our proposals as the basis to begin negotiations. just as my generation has stepped up for our country's challenges presently, i know that we are -- the 9/11 generation cannot go down as the bankrupt generation. we have to reform entitlements now. [applause] in business meetings and political events that i have the pleasure of engaging in, i sense that many believe america's days are behind it. i disagree with that assessment. i believe that republicans are capable of leading a turnaround.

we need to support our republican leaders that are willing to put aside short-term vote with unwilling to risk their political careers. we need to support leaders that speak clearly about the challenges that my generation faces and about the opportunity if we do act on these challenges. we need to encourage leadership that demonstrates determination, courage, creativity, and integrity to make it happen. with that, let me leave you with the words of a remarkable american, my grandfather, george h. w. bush. these words were delivered in his swearing-in as our 41st president of the united states. let future generations understand the burdens and blessings of freedom. let them say that we stood where duty required us to stand. let them know that together, we affirmed america and the world as a community of conscience. in our rebound, ladies and

gentlemen, let us keep those words. as i look around this room, are rest assured that we as yana americans truly understand the burdens and blessings of freedom. historians will say that we stood where duty required us to stand, and that we will reaffirm the strength of our communities and create a better america. they could very much. -- thank you very much. [applause] >> representative ron paul won the republican leadership's residential straw poll with 612 votes. jon huntsman was next with 382. minnesota representative michele bachmann captured third place with 191. texas governor rick perry, who spoke at the conference, was not included in the straw poll.

on sundays "washington journal," a political reporter and wall street journal reporter discussed presidential politics and reaction to republican candidates at this weekend's republican leadership conference. then arturo munoz talks about al qaeda is operation since the death of osama bin laden. john hine lake looks at the breakdown of airline fees after a report released last week shows the airlines made $5.70 billion in revenue from those fees. >> c-span coverage of the national cable communications 2011 cable show continues tomorrow at 5:15 p.m. eastern. fcc chairman julius genachowski is interviewed by michael powell who heads the ncca.

then a look ahead to next year's presidential election with david axelrod and ed gillespie. >> president obama and house speaker john boehner met today for a round of golf at andrews air force base in maryland. the so-called old, was reportedly a chance for both leaders to discuss some of their political differences. they were joined on the green by vice president biden and ohio governor john kasich.

>> hi, everybody. this father's day weekend, i would like to spend a couple of minutes talking about what is sometimes my hardest but always my most rewarding job, being a dad. i grew up without my father or

brown. he left when i was 2 years old. even though my sister and i were lucky enough to have a wonderful mom, and caring grandparent's to raise us, i felt his absence. i wonder what my life would have been like had he been a greater presence. that is why i try to be a good dad to my own kids. i have not always succeed, of course. in the past, my job has kept me away from home more often than i would like. the burden of raising two young girls with sometimes all too heavily on michelle. between my own experiences growing up and my efforts to be the best father i could be, i have learned a couple of things about what our children need most from their parents. first and foremost, they need our time. more important than the quantity of hours we spend with them is the quality of those hours. maybe it's just asking about their day or taking a walk together. the smallest moment and have the biggest impact. they need structure, including a warning about use of self

discipline and responsibility. my daughters may live in the white house these days, but michelle and i make sure they finish their homework, do their chores, and walk the dog. above all, children need our unconditional love. other than 60 or make mistakes, when life is easy and when life is tough. i is tough for a lot of americans today. more and more kids go -- grow up without a father figure. even for those that to our present in their children's lives, the recession has taken a harsh toll. if your out of a job or struggling to pay the bills, doing whatever it takes to keep the kids healthy and happy and safe and understandably take precedence over everything else. that is why my administration is of our men who want to be good fathers a little extra support. we have partnered with businesses to offer opportunities for fathers to spend time with their kids at a

bowling alley or a ballpark, and work with military chaplains to help deploy dads to connect with their children. we are doing this because we all have a stake in forging stronger bonds between fathers and their children. you can find out more about some of what we are doing at father could -- father could reject fatherhood.gov. all of us can pack a healthy lunch for our son or go outside and play ball with our daughter, and all of us can teach our children and their goods between right and wrong and show them through example the value of treating one another as we wish to be treated. our kids are pretty smart. they understand that life will not always be perfect, that sometimes the world it's rough, but even great parents do not get everything right. but more than anything, they just want us to be a part of their lives.

recently i took on a second job, assistant coach for sasha's basketball team. a couple of times i help coach the games. it was great fun, even if she rolled her eyes sometimes when her dad voiced his displeasure with the " it with the coat. i was hopeful that in years to come, she would look back on experiences like these at the ones to help define her as a person and as a parent herself. in the end, that is what being a parent is all about, those precious moments with our children that the love with pride and excitement for their future. the chances we have to set an example or offer a piece of advice, the opportunity to just be there and show them that we love them. it is something worth remembering this father's day and every day. thanks, and happy father's day to all you death out there.

have a great weekend. >> -- to all you dad out there. >> i would like to talk to you about our nation's fiscal challenges and the vital role international trade cannot play to help reduce our deficit. almost exactly 100 years ago, at the start of another century, president theodore roosevelt launched a u.s. navy mission known as the great white fleet on a voyage around the world. it was a show of american strength, but also a show of american good will and prosperity. that voyage would open the door to trade with the vast, untapped markets of asia and helped usher in what became known as the american century. president roosevelt leadership put the world on notice that the united states of america was the freest, most dynamic economy the world had ever seen, and was open for business. it is a legacy belt to this day,

but a legacy now in jeopardy. we are all keenly aware of just how serious our nation's current fiscal situation is. no american family could spend 60% more than it is taking it and survive, no less prosper. but that is exactly what our country is doing. result is a $1.50 trillion deficit and at $14 trillion debt that is dragging down our economy and burdening us and our children. to put all that in human terms, nearly 14 million of our fellow americans are without a paycheck, and have been for some time. to turn that around, our country needs the kind of pro jobs, pro- growth policies that will help us live up to our vision of a strong, peaceful, prosperous america. we have an opportunity right now to advance that vision and jump- to advance that vision and jump- start the nation's