and a comment from the chinese analyst, you like democracy, right? this is democracy of international relations. you could have one panned we could disagree and in the end -- opinion and we could disagree and in the end, we negotiate. for the consensus and the solution, i think it is exactly because there is no consensus on the solution that everyone is focusing so much on tactics, reality of this world. >> u.s. policy is not saying -- seen as willing it out. >> china always emphasizes these sanctions that these sanctions will not work. >> different is the russian

view? >> in general, moscow has been pretty pleased with washington's iran policy since the obama administration came in. and the last six weeks, really since the surfacing of this alleged plot against the saudi ambassador and the early surfacing of the ieae report that moscow has been unhappy with what we are doing. the feeling i get is they thought they were being rolled without being consulted. the russian foreign ministry statement almost flat out said that. they said somebody is out there to undermine russia possible role in this process. by the time obama and dmitri medvedev met in honolulu they smoot things out and russia got

the iaea verdict that that light. mentioned all of the failings of tehran and international concern but then it also had a sentence or two about iran reaching back to the ieae suggesting that maybe they are turning the corner. on the sanctions, again, in a sense, russia can have its cake and eat too. they would prefer these sanctions would be approved in the security council and would be subject to a russian votes. we have had so many rounds of non-security council's

sanctions, unilateral national sanctions, that russia has gotten used to it. i think it just uses them and points out that when it deals with iran to say you are just deal -- you're just asking for it so come play ball. >> let me take two more questions. this young gentleman back here. i am sorry for everyone else because we will have to move into lunch. >> shortly we will hear from the national security adviser for the obama administration who will spend one hour here presumably with the subject had been what to do about new zealand, he would not be sparing an hour. >> did we miss something on new

zealand? [laughter] >> one can assume that on mr. donilon's short list, iran is near the top. if we imagine that every monday morning at 7:00 a.m. greenwich mean time his counterparts in russia, china, france, and germany held a five minute phone conversation to compare their short list, the three or four things that i worry about every day and most nights -- is around on everybody's list or not? what are those three or four things i worry about every day? >> that is a similar question to what we had on the other panel whether the u.s. and israel are overreacting.

we did not get a consensus. >> my question was about china. they play a very important role and you pointed out the relationship, the robust relationship it has with tehran as far as their economic relationship. it also has an economic relationship with israel i don't think it is as robust as with the u.s.. . why doesn't china play strong role in negotiating and being a major negotiator with israel and tehran being that they are more rational and more neutral in this situation >> a very good question. perhaps we could broaden this

out to the middle east. china has important in -- interests in iran and more broadly in the middle east. you could think about how china factors in to those relationships when you answer this question. i think people find this somewhat puzzling. you could also give us your thoughts on what you may not have been able to get across and we can wrap up for lunch. >> as to what are the three or four priorities for chinese national security, top of the list is always domestic issues which is always more important

than foreign issues. as far as foreign policy, the top priority for chinese national security is always the united states. it is the u.s., the u.s., and the u.s. in the past weeks, china has been completely absorbed into the u.s. plan in east asia and southeast asia. the tpp proposed by the u.s. is considered a u.s. conspiracy to replace china's leadership in southeast asia. they see the u.s. trying to consolidate its relationship with south eastern countries and contain china. i was said the u.s. is china's

national security concern. as to what china has not played a bigger role in mediation between israel and iran -- china, for the longest time, was starting to open up and especially in the past decade. china sees itself as a regional power they have a duality as far as global reach. in africa and southeast asia and in other continents, they have a presence. the chinese party is domestic and secondly the u.s. is an important issue. in terms of the middle east, it regards this as a grand periphery, is not that chinese court national interest.

that explains why china does not want to get too involved in the middle east. china wants to keep its neutral role rather than get polarized. if it gets into a negotiation between israel and iran, china has economic and political relations with both countries. how will china pick a side? the chinese solution is to leave the mass to the western countries who would love to get involved in this mess and we will quietly develop and reinforce our economic and political relations with other countries in the region. that is their strategic choice. >> did any of the events of the arabs bring change that? china is tried to stay away from the fray but got criticism for not making a decision. >> the impact of the arabs

spring on the chinese government is domestic politics. china had a demonstration in beijing which raised had experts with the chinese senior -- which raised headaches with the chinese leaders. this taught the lesson that china will have to at least think about developing better relations with the opposition in these countries. domestic politics in these countries are so unpredictable and china always picks the side with the government like in the case of libya. they always sided with gaddafi. some day when there is a change of government within the country and the chinese natural -- national interest cannot be protected. the lesson learn from libya

is had to have better relations with different factions, different political players within a certain country but not necessarily from a regional perspective. >> francois? >> on china i agree. when i discussed with my chinese colleagues in the un, they always say the interest of china are better served apolitical. they don't want to be involved in the mess of having to take sides. this is not at the core of their interests. they always talked about north korea and having to deal with them and they say they have to lead the approach of the international committee. on iran, it is up to russia and

nato which have borders in iran. i thank this is a clear understanding -- i think this is a clear concept for them. as far as the european leaders, i can speak only for lady ashton, you spoke about foreign ministers but the middle east peace process is still at the top priority. it is probably the most difficult issue. for us, it is a neighborhood issue. there is a specific aspect of that.

after that, we still have a new u.s. summit next week and the main issue will be the economy, the economy, the economy. if we have time, the middle east priest process and relations with russia and china. after that, maybe iran. >> i don't think moscow it's on its common in the short list that he or she would look at first than in the morning. i think it is our interest in iran and israel's interest in iran and the european powers interest that continually bombs the problem up several notches. in the list of priorities of issues that moscow has to worry

about. in general, i would like to make the point that in moscow, they used to talk about the problem in dealing with iran was the conflict between the u.s. and iran, that we could not sort it out. this is especially over the modem the demijohn -- the mahmoud ahmadinejad years. the problem is in teheran itself, in the nature iranian domestic politics. there is no way to get a consensus to do a deal with the west at this time given the viciousness of the politics in tehran. mahmoud ahmadinejad has tried once or twice to run with the ball and he has been cut off at the knees by all of his opponents on his right and left

in tehran. >> [unintelligible] >> not at all. >> that is something to work with. i think we had better conclude this panel. you can get some lunch and get back to your seats -- we have half an hour now. thank you very much and we will see you back here. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] [inaudible conversations] >> more on the iranian program,

this is 40 minutes. >> good afternoon. we want him welcome tom donilon. as you know, his responsibilities are global. he has just come back and no doubt is fighting the jet lag still from a nine-day, three- country trip to asia during which he conducted, along with the president, numerous bilateral conversations, touching on the relations

between the united states and 23 other countries. his title features the words "national security." that means there is particular focus coming from him and his office on the issue of how to prevent the proliferation of dangerous nuclear technology in general and how to deal with the iranian threat in particular. this is a set of issues that has received a great deal of attention, public, official, and national and the last couple of weeks. the international atomic energy agency put out an important and in many ways disturbing report a couple of weeks ago. the iaea board passed an important resolution late last week and new measures were announced by the united states,

united kingdom, and canada just yesterday. a number of you in the room participated in a discussion with two excellent panels during the course of the morning. forre very grateful to tom finding time in his very busy schedule to come and give us an authoritative update on the view from the white house. he has very little time to be with us. he needs to get back to a series of press and, indeed urgent meetings immediately after he finishes talking. without further ado, i will turn the electorate over to him and thank him again for being with us this afternoon. [applause]

>> i don't get out a lot these days. for all of you who i haven't called or seen in a while, i apologize. i am just back from the president's trip to asia. it really was a landmark trip where we were engaged in a fundamental strategic reorientation and rebalancing of our global policy. we were able to really execute on each and every element of it, the diplomatic, economic, and the security side. i would love to talk about that at some point. it was really a terrific trip. thank you for your introduction and her friendship and your leadership and your years of distinguished public service, as well thanks for inviting me to

your event today. before i get into my speech, want to reflect for a minute or so on the role of places like brookings. from the perspective of a policy maker. this sentiment i want to express is one of personal appreciation. it is absolutely critical, it is an essential relationship between policy-makers and those to provide fresh, pragmatic, effective intellectual capital. it is very easy with the press of business to get on a certain policy path and not have the kind of fresh thinking that is necessary. the work that you do and i see many people around the room on his work i have relied and who have had an impact on the thinking in the administration and have had an impact on policy.

one corps policy that president obama has pursued has been in the proliferation area, the nuclear area. i will address that today which is a fundamental affirmative agenda of the obama administration to reduce reliance on nuclear weapons and reduce the danger of nuclear weapons in the world today. today a iran is our topic and it could not be more timely. in recent weeks, there have been no shortage of reminders of the seriousness of the threat posed by the iranian nuclear program, most notably the recent iaea report and have a choice was made by the iranian regime for their isolation. i know you have been through a number of technical topics and i would like to pull back and say something that folks here don't

entirely agree with analytically but i want to lay out what i think the overall impact has been of international policy and u.s. policy over last three years. i want to address how profoundly the iranian regime has been weakened and isolated at home, in the region, and globally. i think it is important to reflect on the reality that we in the obama administration faced in january, 2009. tehran and many in the region believe that iran was dangerous.

regionally, the reach of around seemed to have expanded. in the conversations we had limited to office, there is a deep sense of a threat of iran from counterparts in the region. in contrast, the international community was divided on how to deal with the iranian nuclear program. multilateral diplomacy had stalled. american diplomacy with tehran had seemingly been taken off the table. you will find me checking myself on these things because i want to really go through this carefully and tests every assertion i make for precision. i think it is important to speak about this with precision.

during that time, around went from having 100 centrifuges to more than 5000 when president kabbalah took office in january, 2009. more troubling was the fact that many in the world have begun to give the benefit of the doubt to iranians and blamed the united states thereby allowing iran to escape accountability for its intransigence. this with this dynamic we faced woman came into office. -- we faced when we came into office. the obama administration has always been clear about the danger of the iranian nuclear program. it is a great threat to the security of to the united states and the world. a nuclear iran would likely to meet an arms race in the middle east. they already have volatility conflict, and a high degree of potential miscalculation. a nuclear iran could bolden

terrorism and could threaten israel. they would pose a significant threat to the vital shipping lanes of the persian gulf and the strategic strait of hormuz. an iran armed with nuclear weapons with our -- long-range missiles would pose a serious threat to nations outside the area including our nato allies in europe. it would pose an unprecedented challenge for the nuclear prolific -- non-caloric ration treaty. -- nonproliferation treaty. it would likely lead to additional proliferation. for all these reasons, present obama is unequivocal with his

policy. " there should be no doubt that the united states and international community are determined to prevent iran from acquiring nuclear weapons." shortly after taking office, we presented to run with a genuine opportunity for dialogue. the united states directly presented to run with a clear choice -- fulfill your international obligations which would allow you to deepen your political integration with the world, achieve greater security for iran as people, and allow iran to return to its rightful place in the community of nations or iraq and continue down this path and face greater isolation. the purpose of the author had -- offer had two dimensions. this was a modified offer to the

leadership in tehran to engage in a diplomatic approach and potential solution to this problem. it had tangible benefits for tehran, obviously. second, we knew that if the offer was rejected, the iranian failure to meet its international obligations would be exposed to the entire world. the international community would see that it was iran and not the rest of the international community who was responsible for the impasse. that would increase the ability of united states and international community to mobilize support for holding to run accountable. over the past three years, that is exactly what has happened. we have gained tremendously more leverage in terms of our ability to hold iran accountable.

they have refused to respond to a bonafide offer to address the issue. the iranian government repeatedly objected to the opportunity for credible dialogue. it also rejected substantial economic, political, and scientific incentives. it has forged ahead with its nuclear program and continued to defy the u.n. security council resolutions. peron has continued a record of deceit and deception -- iran has continued a record of deceit and deception. in september of 2009, the united states, france, and great britain blew the whistle on a covert facility which did not allow iran to have that as an option.

iran is the only member of the npt that has not been able to convince the international community that its nuclear program is for people purpose -- is for peaceful purposes. they are utterly unable to convince the international community of its peaceful purposes. its deceit has continued to raise questions and doubts about this. this culminated in the report we talked about earlier. the united states did what we said we would do with broad support of the international community where we have increased pressure on the iranian government. our approach as the multi dimensional. it has included five distinct yet mutually reenforcing lines

of action. one, we have led the way organizing and unprecedented an array of sanctions and succeeded in delaying the nuclear program in iran. two, we have led an effort to isolate iran. third, we have worked with partners to counter iranian efforts to destabilize the region especially during the arabs bring. fourth, we have steadily and substantially invested in and deepen our defense partnership in the region, building a robust regional security architecture that blunts their ability to door of their neighbors. we have enhanced our significant and enduring who u.s. force presentation in the region and we have work to develop a network of air and missile defenses, shared early warning, and proved maritime

security, expanded programs to build partner capacity and increased efforts to harden and protect our partners' critical infrastructure. these efforts have reassured our partners in the region. i have been deeply involved in this and has been critically important in terms of reassurance. the steps demonstrate to tehran that any attempt to dominate the region will be futile and they showed the united states is prepared for any contingency. i would add their new missile defense program with our allies is more effectively geared to protecting our nato allies in the growing iranian missile threat that we face over the next decade and has the advantages. that is the topic of another seminar or session here. it is precisely geared to the threat. we are successful in implementing it in europe.

lisbon-nato summit, all european countries signed on. turkey most recently agreed to host a radar and it can be done in a timely way. the fifth and final element is that even as we keep the door open for diplomacy, president obama has said as recently as last week that we're not taking any options off the table in pursuit of our basic objective. taken together, this multidimensional approach has put aside position where we can employ any option with a full range of options as we continue to ratchet up pressure on the iranian regime for its continued choice to continue to flout its obligations. about increasing pressure for sanctions -- we have succeeded in imposing the strongest sanctions to date. we worked with the congress to

write the comprehensive iranian sanction act. we now subjected iran to the u.s. -- toughest u.s. sanctions ever. we worked on getting banks out of its financial sector and oil companies out of its oilfields. president obama personally hasn't caged with his foreign counterparts including the leaders of russia and shot -- president obama personally has engaged with his foreign counterparts in russia and china. this paved the way for passage of the u.n. security council resolution 1929 which created international sanctions. we work with allies and partners to build on the un sanctions. this is a multilayered effort that we put in place with the un

security council as a base. the european union has imposed strong measures against the iranian financial sectors as well as the iranian revolutionary guard for its south korea and japan, two of iran's major trading partners, have taken actions to limit financial links with iran. other nations including canada, the uae and others have opposed financial measures -- have put up financial measures. the effect of the sanctions has been clear -- they have slowed around nuclear efforts. sanctions and export control levers have made it more difficult and costly for iran to acquire key materials and equipment for its enrichment program. in may of 2011, the u.n. panel of experts concluded that sanctions are slowing the nuclear program in iran.

in 2007, the head of the iranian nuclear organization said they would have 50,000 centrifuges installed within four years. the iaea has about 6000. it is more expensive for them to proceed. it would be far more economical for iran to purchase nuclear fuel on the international market than to develop an indigenous and richmond and fuel capability. iran continues to make huge investments in this program, most of them on published as a cut back on support and investment in its economy and its people. this is the larger context of the report prepared we were not surprised by the report because it confirmed everything we have known since the first day the president took office. this report is consistent with

the analysis that has shaped our entire purchase since january of 2009. we already knew that iran had an active effort to develop nuclear weapons since 2003. there are activities relevant to a nuclear program that are consistent. it should be clear for the world to see that the government of iran is seeking to develop a nuclear capability. the iranian regime is not fun -- has not fundamentally alter its behavior but we have slowed its nuclear program. the leaders must know they cannot avoid the choice we have laid before them. we will therefore continue to use every tool at our disposal and continue the pressure on the

regime and sharpen the choice they must make. we need to be vigilant and we will be. we will work aggressively to detect any nuclear-related efforts by iran and expose them. we will deny them the option of a facility to secretly produced enriched uranium. with the inspector still on the ground, and the iranian effort to divert safeguard nuclear material would likely be detected quickly before iran could use that material to boot -- to produce a significant quantity of enriched uranium. we continue to increase the pressure. for the first time, we are targeting the petrochemical sector, prohibiting the goods and technology and operas in penalties against any person or entity that engages in such

activity. we are expending energy sanctions. for the first time, we designated the entire iranian banking sector as a jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern, detailed and extensive deceptive and illicit financial practices across the iranian financial sector including the central bank of iran making clear the grave risk faced by governments or other financial institutions that continue to do business with iranian banks and we're not ruling out additional steps against the bank will -- against the central banking system. we're not taking any options off the table. this witness to the larger point that i want to make today. this is something i have wanted to discuss publicly for some time. that is the extraordinary isolation that iran finds itself in today. even as tehran refuses to engage

in destabilizing behavior, iran is fundamentally weaker, more vulnerable, and badly discredited than ever. compared to when president obama took office, iran is greatly diminished in the region and around the world. the choices made by its leadership -- i will discuss the situation domestically in iran. they are feeling tremendous pressure at home. it's difficult for them to engage in international finance. president mamboed, then a judge called the sanctions and assault. he said the banks cannot make international transactions. it has become exceedingly difficult for iran and its business entities to deal with yours and dollars anywhere in the world.

we have made it harder for the iranian government to purchase refined petroleum and goods, services, and materials for their gas sector. the country is facing a shortage of $100 billion in investment deals for the oil and gas sector which will increasingly affect future revenues. other sectors are being affected. the international business community is shunning iran. they have and did or drastically reduced activity with iran. the impact of sanctions is compounded by rampant corruption of patronage in iran. the islamic revolutionary guard continues to expand its involvement in the legitimate iranian economy. the coffers of the irtc are

being filled and these funds are being passed on. this adds to the iranian economic woes and the frustration of the american people. the iranian economy is increasingly vulnerable. inflation is around 20%, unemployment is persistently high, and despite i oil prices, iran will have negligible economic growth this year. their response to the green movement two years ago were leaked -- revealed the hollowness of the government. this is a regime that does not offer anything to its young population which employs intimidation and violence to remain in power, the same recipe

for unrest that has fueled the arab spring. the regime is increasingly divided under extraordinary stress which is more visible to viewers outside. they seem headed toward a confrontation over the direction of the company -- country. fissures developing a mondo ruling class. -- among the ruling class. just as the version is getting increasingly isolated, iran is isolated in the region for the regional balance of power is tipping against iran. there are those who disagree with that assessment. iran has failed and its effort to shape iraq into its own

image. they are moving in the opposite direction. i saw your testimony in the house last week. i am reading your testimony. iran and iraq have done -- very different futures. iraqis are moving in the opposite direction of any client state that iran may be trying to establish their. they are building a sovereign democratic state. one recent poll found that just 14% of iraqis have a favorable opinion of iran. here is really a nationalist dynamic at work here. even the supporters al sadr who

has been supported by iran are in disagreement by a margin of 3-1. even as we remove our forces from iraq, we remained steadfastly committed to a long- term strategic partnership including robust security cooperation which will help insure that iraq remains a strong independent player. we will underscore the breadth and depth of the relationship with iraq. as a close partner in the region and multiple dimensions from the diplomatic to education to development of the oil sector but critically robust security cooperation. iran has failed us effort to intimidate the gulf states and yielding to iranian dominance. i think iranian conduct has

actually caused some of the country's to unify as never before in their resisting iran. the gulf corporation counsel is more organized than ever and more willing to challenge iran. iran has failed of its efforts to take advantage of the arab spring. the arab spring has been unkind to iran. it, iran flatfooted. the iranian regime hypocrisy has been exposed.

just like al qaeda, there has been a fundamental merited challenge to al qaeda. the iranian extremism is being repudiated by a generation that is now demanding the universal right by taking to the streets across the middle east and north africa. young people are not protesting to be more like iran. public opinion consistently shows that the iranian influence and the reason has plummeted. in 2006, the iranian favorability in the arab nations stood at 80% and is now down to an average of 30%. the most common reason is the reaction of their elections and they are madeleine -- madeleine -- meddling in our spring and

their nuclear program. president obama has placed the united states firmly on the rights of history, making it clear the policy of united states is to promote reform across the region and support transition to democracy. in the face of the region increasing -- increasingly against iran, iran is down to two principal allies. the assad clique in syria and hezbollah. they, too, are fundamentally at odds with the forces that are now sweeping the regionthe assad group is the early isolated and being universally condemned. the arab league has shown remarkable leadership in taking extraordinary steps of

suspending syrian membership. in turkey, the prime minister's government, spent a decade the betting its ties to iran, said they no longer will be full by assad's promises. the handwriting is on the wall and change is inevitable. president obama has said that assad is ensuring that he and his regime will be left in the past. the end of the assad regime would be a step back to iran which would shift the balance of power in the region against iran. tehran would lose its closest allies in the region.

iran will be discredited in the eyes of the syrian people. iran is increasingly isolated from the international community. more nations than ever are imposing and enforcing additional sanctions. i ran will find your friends and fewer business partners. they have turned it into a pariah state that is unable to integrate with the world. this is a tragedy. in the wake of the iaea report, iran has failed to take steps expressed in the upper 32 nations voted for iran to

fulfill its obligations. only two countries cited with iran. , cuba and ecuador. our ron has been further isolated by the plot to assassinate the saudi ambassador in washington. i was initially struck by the reaction in some quarters of those who looked at the plot and asked if this is out iran really operates. those of you in this room know very well and those who have followed the history, this is exactly how iran operates. this plot was nothing new. this was not a plot of some low- level figure. our information concerns that

iranian officials overseeing the plot were officials within the irtc force. they have trained and funded terrorists in iraq. we're very familiar with this group and deal with it every day. faced with these facts, the international community is taking action to hold her and accountable. the treasury department has imposed sanctions. our canadian-european allies have joined us. last week, the un general assembly voted on friday overwhelmingly to deplore the iranian behavior in this plot against the saudi ambassador in washington, d.c. wondrous six countries of voted against iran -- 106 countries

voted against iran and eight voted with them. not one arab country voted with them. for an islamic republic wants to be a leader, the isolation could not be more complete. the united nations just yesterday, member states of voted to condemn the iranian and human rights record. iranian human rights are subject to german monitoring, shattering its claims that the west is singling them out. weakened at home, the mist in the region, and isolated in the world, this is a dramatic shift in the fortunes of iran over the last three years. we have succeeded in changing the dynamic that was at work when obama came into office the iranian leadership in three years ago as large as a united and today they are wrapped with division. the international community was

divided three years ago and today we have an unprecedented activity with allies. three years ago, it was thought that pressures could not be brought against iran. iranian leaders are responsible for the predicament that tehran finds itself in. iranian leaders alone have the power to choose a different course. the onus is on iran. tehran can choose a different direction. they have to seize the diplomatic opportunity and cooperate fully with the iaea investigators. if iran does not change its course, the pressure will grow. working with allies and partners, we will increase sanctions. we will continue to build a

regional defense architecture that prevent iran from threatening its neighbors. we will deepen their isolation regionally and globally and as the door to diplomacy remains open, we will take no option off the table. pressure is a means, not an end and we're determined to prevent iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. we stand with the iranian people as they seek the universal rights that iranians deserve which is a government to put its country ambitions ahead of its nuclear ambitions. the iranian people can benefit from the trade and being integrated in the world economy. the iranian people deserve a future worthy of their past as a great civilization and that can come sooner when the regime in iran abandons the reckless pursuit of a nuclear program that does nothing for its people but endangers the security of the world. thank you for your patience and i look forward to a couple of

questions. [applause] >> thank you very much. as you suggest, i will put a two-part question to you that i expect reflects some curiosity in the room. you have made a powerful statements on the court made a policies of the united states and the international community. it has not yet succeeded in getting iran to alter its nuclear behavior. what do you think the chances are of the policy succeeding. what is going to take to get the necessary degree of support from the russians and the chinese? >> with respect to the chances

for success, given the severity of the challenge and the threat, we in the international community owed to pursue every option and pursue the multidimensional set of steps we are taking. we require persistence, unity and we have put a very high premium on unity. we believe that something the iranians made to look out for a more think it has an effect when they see they are isolated. this is multidimensional. we cannot take any options off the table. over time, the goal would be to raise the price and force the choice and that is what we will do. with respect to the russians and chinese, we have had very good cooperation with the russians and chinese. they have supported us on the

international sanctions and the un and in force and those efforts faithfully. there have been very good partners, frankly, as we have built out this unified effort to force the choice on the iranian version. >> thank you very much an "we noticed that the brookings folks in the room noticed you put out two suggestions on what you might talk about in the future. we will stay in touch can i ask everybody to keep your seats what i escort, out of the bill and so he can get back to the white house? thank you, tom [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] >> there was a flood in fort wayne and people were down there

filling sandbags trying to keep the river -- air force one stopped, they got a motor cut down to the flooded area, he took up his jacket and my memory is he filled three sandbags said hello and got back in the car and went back on the plane. what fill the airwaves that night was not resend base, it was reagan filling sandbags with his shirt off. >> by sitting day, sam donaldson and andrea mitchell and christopher dodd talk about the legacy of ronald reagan. michael bloomberg and arianna huffington discuss the american dream and apollo astronauts will be awarded the congressional medal of honor. the newly designed c-span.org web site has 11 video choices making it easier for you to

watch today's events live and recorded and it is easier for you to get our schedule with new features. you can quickly scroll for all the programs scheduled on the cspan networks and receive an e- mail alerts when your program is scheduled to air. there's a section to access our most popular series and programs. there is a handy channel finder see you can find where to watch our 3 cspan networks and cable or satellite systems across the country at the all men c- span.org. -- all new c-span.org. >> name moment, "washington journal." here's a look at tonight's prime-time lineup. presidential candidate mitt romney is an idol and will address employs an insurance company today. you can watch that at 8:00 p.m. eastern. then gop candidate ron paul