they come forward when the non- wants to speak to them. host: charlie in fort worth, texas. welcome. caller: yes, i am a democrat. i would like to say i think i think he did it from being afraid because it was going up .ere i he never discussed how he was going to create 12 million jobs. the republican party today is not a republican party. george bush created a lot of the benefits and situation that is going on now. he was a much better conservatives. i admire him as being the president. he never got into politics.

the format romney to say that barack obama plays dirty politics, and he played dirty politics and is primary. he cannot take it one comes to him. what is he hiding? being an american is our god- given right. it was certain people to write at the beginning. they need to speak from the bible. thank you. have a wonderful day. host: if you like to reveal paul ryan as the vice president bit, you can go to c-span.org.

it also find it on the c-span video library. we will go now to try michigan where the democratic national convention platform is going on. their meeting to discuss and amend a draft platform as well as a final version to present to convention delegates. correct gettin >> it was president obama that saudi auto industry not just as numbers, not just profit and loss. he salt what it was truly -- he saw what it was truly. now we see the plants are

reopening. if jobs are coming back. there's over 1.4 million jobs at risk. now there is growth and expansion and success. we heard the debate over the automobile industry. it reflects the debate of this election itself. it has become very clear over the past four years that the two party nation had divergent ideas about this very issue. we heard what mitt romney said. he said let detroit go bankrupt. that is because mitt romney and his campaign have decided very clearly in the policies he put forward that what we should do according to them is have a law faireair -- lays laissez

approach. we have tried this before. if this is not what the democratic party is about. yet when we tried that approach in past, we tried the palace invisible hands and a do- nothing economics. we saw what happened. in nearly wrecked our economy. let millions out of the middle class. it's sacrifice the strength of our nation. we know when president obama leading the way that the democratic party will continue to fight for policies that provide economic security for the middle class and greater access for every american, not just to the middle-class

but the american dream as a whole. we are here for a purpose. this city has always been a gateway to the middle class. the automobile industry is responsible for millions of americans getting help, prosperity, and a piece of the american dream. my grandfather moved to the north to work on an assembly line here in this city and take povertyly from propert to prosperity. we will observe the best of america what pontine a direction bridge while pointing a direction for the economy to come back. this is why they have been acting diligently over the past four years. they stood up for small businesses.

making sure that the average family in in united states has on average 3000 $6,000 -- $3,600 more to spend. to keep policemen. to provide pathways for higher education. we had a president who has been working during the most difficult financial crisis is the great depression. it is for millions and millions of americans. i have seen this time and time and again. the democratic party values that have helped preserve our communities and taken us from financial crisis back on the road to financial prosperity. i cannot stress this enough.

if the republicans have their way, cities and towns would have faced more impossible choices and cut even more services to our citizens. i am proud to be a democrat. we are a party that has continually fought to make our country more just, more equal, more prosperous, to make our laws more fair and to provide opportunities for all americans. that is why we are here today. our platform must continue to be a platform of ideas and values that not just reflect the greatness of america but also chart a future that is even more hopeful and bright. we had been tasked with these principles. it is a sacred duty we have taken on.

where we want to take this country, the country we love. we are making sure our great president and leader goes into a second term. i am excited to be here. i am excited to get started. we have good work to do. america is waiting. i am happy to bring to the podium my great co-chair. thank you. [applause] >> thank you for your work here. thank you to all of you who have come here this weekend. thank you for the drafting committee's work and the honor of being one of the co-chairs. i am excited to be here. i am excited to get to work on

this important document. as one alas art and the military, i could not be more prop -- as one u.s. search on the military, i cannot be more proud of the president. he has taken care of those serving our country a priority. followed through togh bring home our troops. we are drawing down our troops in afghanistan. as president obama understands, the job of caring for american troops does not and when they leave the battlefield. he knows a grateful nation honors the sacrifices of our troops and families not three words that actions. it the president has certainly taken action. he has worked with the va to make sure our church have the best health care.

the government is partly with the private sector to make sure that our returning troops receive the training to help them as they return to this work force. he also created a returning hero is a tax credit as an incentive to businesses to hire veterans. we know there is so much more to do. our country is headed in the right direction. we listened to president obama's state of the union address last january. he spoke about the lessons we can learn from our troops, the value of courage, sacrifice, and dedication. most of all, believing in a cause that is greater than myself. it is that belief in america in a country that works together that is at the core of the democratic party and the core of

how we are going to continue moving our great nation forward. i believe the goal we have for this weekend is to make sure the. spirit and ideals are in our platform. our country faces challenges. president obama has done an incredible job and is the right person to continue our country forward. thank you again for having me. i am proud of the president. i am proud to be a democrat. i am proud to be an american. what i want to get one more round of applause for our first female three-star general. [applause] there are some people awake in this room. i have to get happy up here.

we have an extraordinary day ahead of us. we have an extraordinary opportunity. a tough parliamentarian to my left. i have the pleasure of introducing a gentle man i have known for a long time. i knew him before he was a lawyer. he was even a good guy back then. i would like to introduce the platform drafting committee member tino. he is a member of the stanford university school of law faculty. he was a in minneapolis for the drafting committee. he was there two weeks ago. i would like him to come up. this is how you are when you're professor, you come late? >> the students will learn more that way.

>> that's how we did get at stanford. ladies and gentlemen, this is tino. >> hello. i have been friends with mayor booker for many years. he is getting taller every year. i am staying the same. we had a very productive session in minneapolis. the most important thing to highlight is that the process we went through in minneapolis had a lot of deliberation. it reflects our effort to strike a series of balances between where we have been, where we are going, highlighting some of the complexities of the issues before us. we are being very clear on where

the party stands. or what we have done for civil rights or how we're trying to turn around the foreign policy we had and how we delivered on that. we spent some time trying to figure out how to weave a narrative and make this not just a series of statements, but rather something that reflects where we think america is going and growing the middle class. it was very important. what was most moving its 6760 - 70 people came to me. people who had been personally affected by the affordable care act. people who had been personally affected by what democrats have tried to do to integrate immigrants. what we heard was a sense that america has moved.

we have unfinished business before us. what you are here to do is to help us finish that business. with your help and support we will tell americans a very compelling story about where the country is going and why we need to get there. thank you for your help. we're glad to see the process continue here with your help. thank you. [applause] >> thank you very much. the drafting committee is an did an extraordinary job. i want to get an update on their work. i will bring someone else to the microphone. i want to get noise complaints from the hotel staff. we are democrats. we are allowed am proud. i bring up thea for an update.

>> thank you for the great summary of what we did in minneapolis. it was really a wonderful thing to have working people from minneapolis area as well as people representing in our hearing the death of the democratic party telling us how important the work on native americans are women are choice was to them. the drafting committee was an extraordinarily strong willed group of people. the document reflects some of the discussions and lively debates between all of us who are doing our best to represent our constituencies are

representatives of non- governmental organizations. we did our best. i also want to thank the staff for the platform. they worked tremendously hard in fair minded way to do their very best to accommodate all the diverse voices. it made me proud to be a democrat. i hope it makes you proud to be a democrat as well. i look forward to this day of discussion and debate. thank you very much. [applause] >> thank you. the chair will recommend a motion. >> so moved. what do i have a second?

-- >> do i have a second? >> those of you in favor say aye. those opposed say no. >> i have been assigned to give the most exciting part of the evening, it to go through a whole bunch of rules. being that my great list, i am in charge of energy and enthusiasm. i will try to read these with the most enthusiastic way possible. here we go over the basics. the committee will consider it the platforms section by section starting with the preamble. no applause for the preamble. as each section is considered, will recognize four individuals

to go over the section. the chair will consider motions for a post amendment to each section. the order of the amendment is based on the draft platform. each platform committee member should have a packet of the proposed amendments before you. if you do not, talk to the people in the aisles. any amendment not specifically pertaining to the preamble or sections will be taken up after consideration at the end of the bass section. -- last section. the chair will ask the clerk to announce the amendment number. , sponsor, title, and first few lines. the chair will then recognize the sponsor to briefly explain

the amendment. the sponsor will have one minute for this explanation, not to go over 1 minutes or my parliamentarian will unleash the hammer. following the explanation, if the chair will ask for those members who seconded the amendment to stand. it must have at least 15 members in support to be considered. if a proposed amendment does not have at least 15 seconds, at the amendment will fail and the chair will proceed to the next presproposed amendment. it the next amendment does not have members that rise to second it, we will can see with the debate on the proposed amendment. a proposed amendment does have at least 15 members. we will proceed with the debate on the proposed amendment.

under our rules, debate will be strictly limited to 10 minutes, five minutes in favor and by minute in opposition. just because you have a five minute does not mean you have to use all five minutes. speakers will be recognized in alternating order when ever possible. the sponsor will have the first opportunity to speak in favor. the timekeeper will notify the chair when the time has expired. each member must identify him or herself and stay where they are from before he or she speaks so the court reporter can accurately reflect the record. following 10 minutes of debate or if there are no other speakers, the chair will call

for the vote on the proposed amendment. the secretary will account the votes. an amendment requires a majority of the plots for members who are present and going to be approved. in those instances where an amendment failed, a proponent may request through the chairs that the secretary record those members who voted in favor. only those members who did not vote on the prevailing side are eligible to sign a majority report supporting the proposed amendment. you will have that. can i get an amen? all right. we are now going to move chair amendment. before we take up consideration for tending to the preamble, i would like to put forth the amendment to the 2012 democratic

platform. you should all have a copy of these amendments. they are collectively offered by the chairs and buys shares in the. of these changes take a platform and make it even stronger. if there is no objection, we will dispense with the reading. seeing no objections, theco- entertain a ente motion. >> seconded. >> i have not gotten to the second. the energy. i am not sure if we're talking about breakfast or the proceedings. we have a motion. is there a second? with a motion and a significant

amount of second, is there any debate? we have someone for a debate. >> ohio. >> we have a microphone year. here. why don't you wait till you get into the microphone? we like the 13 people watching on c-span to know who you are. >> welcome all other tall 13 people watching on c-span. the mayor's mother included. what i do have is what appears to be a correction on the first page which would be the second

page of the amendment at the bottom, paid 23 online 27. i believe that line is incorrect. if you look at the overall document, the word disabilities does not appear in in line 27. i think we can figure out where it is supposed to go. i do not disagree with changing the language. i think we need it inserted in the correct place. >> do you mean page eight line 24? >> no, page 23 line 27. >> it would be the second set?

>> it probably is 23 but it does not line 27. -- is not line 27. we have two different sets. i have been all the way through that one. it is probably just a line reference that is incorrect. >> this is more of a housekeeping correction. this is a very friendly correction by the very fastidious man from ohio who is making the strong year. i am deeply appreciative. we are going to reflect that in the changes. is there any other debate? i would like to suggest four

years from now they have some microphone walking music. would you please introduce your lf.d selrse >> i have an issue. it says strike telling and replace with restricting. then it says strike "they." i think if we do that the sentence does not make sense. >> could you cite the page and line? 25.e 20, line

>> we are talking about the chair amendments. >> the fitts 01 down -- the fifth one down. page 20, line 25. >> i am sorry. could you make your point? could you read the sentence and in full? >> republicans alike mitt romney want to roll back the clock on the progress we have made telling people whom they can marry, women how they can access coverage, and you want to remove the "they." it says restricting women how can birth control.

>> this is a great line. we want to make sure we get it correct. the gentleman from puerto rico is saying that republicans like mitt romney want to roll back the clock on the progress we have made. the first telling people whom they can marry. telling women how they can access birth control coverage. going back to the same economic policies that crashed the economy. the change we are proposing is taking the second telling and making it restricting and keeping in the "they." >> it would be restricting women access birth control? >> we are going to make sure that sentence, because there is unanimous feelings for the

urgency. we will make sure it reads grammatically correct. >> i agree with you on the content. >> we will make a commitment to you and all those who think democrats do not have an attention to detail, that we will make sure it is grammatically correct to make sure my fourth grade teacher would approve. can i get in amen? >> amen. >> i am going to ask you to hold. >> some of us do not have the

second set of share amendments. >> that is what i was about to address. thank you. i'm going to assume you are from new jersey. >> colorado. >> the great state of colorado. to do. what we're going we are going to approve the first td zero pages. a lot of people do not have the third and fourth page. i am going to see if we can get that done. please signify that you are in favor of the first page of the amendment using your outdoor voice. would you say aye? any opposed? forgive me. we are looking at page 1.

it is the ones that start with page 3, line 10. i hear the relief in the crowd. page 3, line 10. ok. here we go. i can see the super pac attack ads from the rnc right now. cory booker does not know his pages. this is the one we are doing. using your outdoor boys, waking up the people on the seventh floor, say aye. any opposed? now we are approving. i am now going to this page that

start with page 13 at line 39. we have a gentleman coming forward. >> pennsylvania. the eighth amendment on here refers to another amendment that is in the other set. wedo want to hold off or come back to its? i am going to approve this page with the exception of the last one, the next to the last one. it is page 34, 32 that read the amendment below referencing another page. it is stricken. we will approve it with a collective aye. the ayes have it.

we are going to now move section by section until we get the materials. we will try to keep it moving. --- youcole's. mei.m can call me k.i.m. -- keep it moving. i will bring of general kennedy to go through the next section. >> and now the committee will begin its consideration of the platform with the preamble. the chair will recognize the vice chairs who will speak two each about the preamble. >> thank you. good morning.

this platform preamble is a phenomenal piece of work. i am proud to support it. lays out in simple terms of the vision of president obama and the democratic party on how we will continue to move our country forward in next four years. i am proud to support the vision. i am confident america will choose his vision. it is a very simple principle that in america hard work should pay off. responsibility should be rewarded. each one of us should be able to go as far as our talents and drive take us. i am proud to be here, especially today. make no mistake about it. this election presents us with a very stark choice. it is a choice between two fundamentally different visions

and the views about which direction america should take. do we move forward as a country? do we turn back the clock and go back to the same policies we have tried and failed? the choice is clear. today it is clearer than ever. i am particularly proud to be here as a latino. i am humbled for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the 54 million latinos who are proud of this country in the future of this country. mitt romney, we have a message s [speaking spanish] everybody get that? we are democrats, so you know it. if we work hard, and nerco will choose president obama's vision

-- america will choose president obama's vision. thank you very much. [applause] >> mayor booker wanted us to wake everybody up. is that loud enough to? ? someone else's from new york. new yorkers are a little louder then you new jerseyians. the preamble, which we strongly support is a statement of democratic values. it is a statement of who we are, what we believed then, and what we will fight for. it is a statement about values. our fairness, our opportunity,

renovation. we are building the american dream. it makes it clear even before of a vice president nominee and that this election is not just a choice but rabetween two candidates but foa fundamentally different path for our country. the republican party what to go backward to trickle-down policies of the last decade that enabled wall street to write its own rules that cut taxes for the wealthy. it they believed the market

will buy outsourcing in laying off whoever and whatever. they will magically bring prosperity back. it did not work and then. it will not work now. what it did bring as is the largest recession since the great depression. that is what they are proposing. what the preamble shows is our platform is different. our president is different. we must rebuild a strong foundation which this administration has started so that it never happens again. a foundation that is built from the middle out. it will not be built in a day. it took years for us to get into that mess. it must be sustainable and for all americans, not just for a few. the preamble reflex this commitment to all americans. it understands that americans

prosper when we are all in, when all americans have a fair shot, play by the rules, and do things fairly. it sees the past of the dream. energy reform, at innovation, infrastructure. it sees using the tax code as a way to build and create american jobs, not like the ryan budget plan. it sees deficit-reduction done not by burdening the poor or our seniors or our young, but by carefully spending and by asking the wealthiest to pay their fair share. the platform sees america as a place that is respected abroad. it sees our road as a safer one.

it builds upon the actions of this president hawho has ended one war and is drawing down another. we are respected abroad and that treats all americans with respect and dignity. these are values. this will be how our party will take this country forward. i strongly support it. so moved. [applause] >> i would like to recognize the clerk to announce the amendment. are there any amendment to the preamble? it was beautifully delivers.

thank you. i will turn this over now. i guess what we ought to do is go ahead and vote. do i have a motion? ok. thank you for the second. do i have 15 people saying it that thank you appeared is there any discussion? all in favor say aye. so moved. >> i appreciate everyone's endorsement of the preamble. it is much easier. we will now be moving onto the next section. rebuilding the middle-class.

now we are going to move to consider that. i would very much like to recognize four speakers to come to the microphone for two minutes each. if you'll come to the microphone now and discuss this very important section to the united states of america and the democratic party, the rebuilding of the middle class. do we have our speakers? were you going to come up and share some words with us?

please, go ahead. introduce yourself. >> i am the president of the alliance for retired americans. i wanted to say on behalf of seniors, i wanted to thank president obama for his commitment to preserving social security. seniors rejected the word entitlement that is placed on social security. seniors will work for social security in order to receive an income upon retirement. the check is only $1,100 a month. i am proud president obama has rejected the proposals to gambled the investment contributions into social security by privatizing. it as seniors, we cannot be the last generation to retire. we best work with president obama to preserve social security not only for the

seniors of four generations of the future. -- but for generations of the future. [applause] >> excellent. it is not an entitlement. it was something aren't and contributed to by many great americans. -- earned and contributed to by many great american. of like to recognize a very distinguished gentleman. >> i am a former member of the united states congress from the state of maryland who left voluntarily. [laughter] i rise this morning to speak to this section on behalf of the people of the great state of maryland and working men and their families all across america. they are black, white, a native

american, latino. they, like we come with a set of values and expectations regarding their security and have it supports it appeared the day -- supported. the play by the rules. love your country. cherish your faith. protecting that group of americans in every state has to be as it has been a priority for this party. like us and generations before them, and they assume we will protect that security because they want the best for their next generation. they know that most of us will leave the world not the way we found it. they want better jobs to be able to provide for their families. a decent income, fair wages,

doing the same job and being paid equally. they want to make sure the educational opportunities are available and public schools become just as strong as the private schools have become so all kids are educated equally. they want to know that their grandchildren will inherit a safer world. they need the security that this party offers. they recognize that the world is changing. ,e have to have a clear. that does that. i have been a part of every did credit convention since 1980. >> since you were five years old. >> since i was 5.

although these things seem perfunctory, they are laying the groundwork for the next four years. they provide a vision. this party has the ability to do that in a special weight because of its very broad representation. i stand in favor of this section. i urge members to support it. >> thank you very much. if you like what you hear, please get an a plus. -- applause. [applause] we ask the next speaker to come to the microphone. >> i am from wisconsin. i stand in support of the health care portion of this section. i am a registered nurse. i have worked 30 years. i have seen the devastating effect of poor helhealth care. the democratic party has seen

fit to care enough about its citizens to provide accessible, affordable and quality health care to the least of its citizens. i spent the better part of my life providing care. i have seen what happens when a person does not have access to affordable health care. i have seen patients share medication with their loved ones because they cannot afford to take it themselves. i have seen women have an unplanned pregnancies because they do not have access to planned parenthood. alabama's go into bankruptcy because they do not have -- i have seen families go into bankruptcy because they do not have the money for hospital bills. it is going to allow our families to have better health care and our children grow up strong and healthy. support the democratic party. i urge you to do so also. [applause]

>> all right. all right. thank you for that applause. she is not an elected leader. is she speaking from her heart. i know how difficult it is to speak in front of large crowds. the special affronted the 40 people now watching on c-span. the audience is watching. we are competing with the olympic. >> i hope my wife is watching, too. i am from one of the blue states of south carolina. [applause] i want to second everything the congressmen said. i remembered him when he was in the house. he was a terrific member. i was born in rhode island. for my birthday we have the founder of medicare.

i cannot say enough about how this platform differentiate our party is position from the republican party's position. the decisions they will make at their convention will make that even more stark. i am proud of our party. it is such an important program. i am not a medicare recipient yet but i will be next year. i cannot be more proud. >> please give him a round of applause. [applause] the stark contrast are incredible from families that do not have to worry about their children whose pre-existing conditions used to make it difficult to get health insurance. families used to have to worry about declaring bankruptcy because of not having health insurance. the decision is clear.

i am happy to welcome the next young lady. >> thank you. i am from the great state of wisconsin. i did not plan to speak. i was concerned the moment would go by without being from wisconsin without taking great pride in platform for the strong stand it takes about workers' rights. [applause] there are so many differences between our party and the republican party. this is clearly one. we have come out strongly in support of workers' rights and unions and the recognition that when workers have unions it is there packaged-- t heir path to the middle class. we're going to destroy the middle-class and the hopes and aspirations of families that were able to send their kids to school because of the rise of in

middle-class. you can see the direct links between when people were able to form unions and when they have been destroying unions. this is very clear. mitt romney has come out against unions. he broke out in great support of the destruction of the public sector union. it is so important that our party be acknowledged and that our present be supported to the fact that he understands that in america, are connections to democracy are eroded when we lose our union. >> thank you very much. we're going to move ahead. that was five speakers. in honor of our women's gymnastics team, we will go with the fab five. i would ask the clerk to recognize the announcement of any amendments. >> thank you.

amendment no. 11, page 8, line 24. this amendment has been withdrawn. >> thank you. any other amendment? >> amendment no. 13, page 8, line 37. this amendment has been withdrawn. >> would you please keep moving. >> amendment no. 40, page 49, 6. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment no. 33, page 9, line eight. the sponsor of this amendment has requested to delay discussion. amendment no. 37, lin9 page nin,

23, this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment no. 32, page 9, line 33. insert the following language recognizing the tremendous roll up his starkly black colleges before the sentence beginning we invested. >> ok. do we need to see if there is any seconds for that small change? could you please speak in your outdoor voices? all right. i would then like to move to a vote. do you have any discussions?

any discussion? we do not need to have the discussion. do not feel it is necessary. if you like to discuss, please come. i think you're doing pretty good. i think there's a lot of ayes ready. do you have in the ayes? the ayeas have it. the amendment carries. >> cement and 58, page nine, 37. this amendment has been withdrawn. the amendment no. 17, page 9, 6- 7. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment no. 23, page 9, lines

eight teen-21 -- 18-21. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment no. 26, page 9, mind 20 and 21. this amendment has been withdrawn. after student in line 25 in certification "to make college affordable to more students and ."erse students." >> these are very reasonable and slight amendments. i would like to see if there are any seconds. thank you very much. here no discussion, is there

any ayes -- hearing no discussion, and there any ayes? >> amendment 20, line 20. -- demint #56 found on page 13, line 20. this has been withdrawn. moving to amendment no. 52. .page 13, line 25, this amendment has been withdrawn. 5 amendment3, page 13, line 28. this amendment has been withdrawn. there are no further amendments. >> that is excellent to hear. i want to thank everyone who

contributed to this section. my co-chair one now move us forward. >> we're at the part that says america works when everyone plays by the same rules. we are going to discuss this and two sections. we have completed the first two sections. i want to thank you for how discipline you are being. i like to recognize the people who want to speak about america works when everybody plays by the same rules. >> my name is anna roosevelt. i am from massachusetts. i would like to speak to a couple of things. this section highlights how president obama and the democratic party have instituted wall street reform bank

reform. my my family is familiar with the idea of the depression because my husband's grandfather is president franklin roosevelt. he got us out of the depression. he had trouble with the banks, too. president obama and the democratic party and especially our congressman who was mentioned earlier today, barney frank, have worked for the past three and a half years to make sure that we have significant bank reform and to make sure that it is a level playing field for consumers and that the banks cannot run amok. that is what this section is about. as democrats, we should all support it.

what it highlights is that if we do not have this bank reform and if we let mitt romney become president, he has already said he will roll back all of the tremendous strides that we have made in the past three and a half years. what that will do, i am convinced, is that that will send us into an economic catastrophe. this is a very important section. i urge everyone and to support it and to give it a close reading. thank you. >> thank you. [applause] we have another speaker on this subject? >> thank you, madam chair. i am from oklahoma. last year, i completed 16 years as the attorney general of oklahoma. [applause] thank you.

i have seen firsthand what happens to consumers when wall street is unleashed and win major financial institutions are unfettered in their practice. i have seen people lose their life savings. i seen people lose their retirement. i have seen retirement funds depleted and diminished. i was very gratified when president barack obama past the charge in the u.s. congress to adopt a consumer financial protection bureau. [applause] i was also pleased when he named richard cordray to head up that bureau. [applause] i think this is another example in the platform where the choice is clear between this administration and prior years. in prior years, we had a lap dog

approach to these financial institutions that resulted in the wall street meltdown and the mortgage foreclosures crisis, that resulted in people losing their jobs all across this country. today, we have a watchdog and the question is whether we will keep him or revert to the policies of the past that led to economic destruction. i urge this committee to support this section of the platform and to continue working with president barack obama to keep consumer safe in this country. thank you. [applause] >> thank you. >> madam chair, i am from north carolina. we cannot wait to have you come to charlotte and participate in the 2012 democratic convention. [applause]

president obama and biden will lead this country in the right direction, which they have been doing for the past few years. i support the section of the platform. we believe we should be a fair country. the decisions like citizen its united has tipped the balance towards those who have money. in north carolina, we have funded our judges and many of our state members through public financing. i would appeal to all the members of the platform committee who believe in

fairness. make sure this is a government that works to listen and hear the voice of all of its citizens. we can do that by supporting this section of the platform. thank you. [applause] >> we need to let the technical people restorer whatever is happening here. >> this is your scheduled wake- up call. [laughter] >> who is the technical person who can see what is going on? they went back behind? ok.

>> i was in the army, i can make my voice project. [applause] do we have another speaker? we have about four people to speak about each of these. anyone else who would like to talk about fairness and everyone playing by the same rules? no? do i have a motion to except this platform? seconds? these amendments -- this is all about the amendments. let us have a reading of them. >> thank you. the first amendment of this section is amendment number 3, found on page 17, line number 18. sponthis amendment has been withdrawn. the next amendment is amendment

number 10, found on page 19, line number 44. it reads "in the lobbying reform and campaign finance reform section, strike the language by constitutional amendment if necessary and replace with we support repealing citizens united by constitutional amendment. we support creating the citizen- led small donor driven public financing system for candidates to run an effective and competitive campaigns without dependence on outside contributions." >> do we have any discussion on this? >> i figured i would provide a little discussion. i am a state representative from connecticut. i served a pelc -- as a publicly financed candidates.

four years ago president obama was sent into office with the support of millions of ordinary americans who spent small amounts of money. this year, thanks to assistant united, a small number of people, special interests, have been embraced by our opponents and are funneling the most well funded, special interest-ridden campaign in american history. 47 owners have donated over a million dollars and howard over half of the superpac donations. it is important that this section follows rebuilding middle-class security because until we address money in politics, we cannot achieve middle-class security. this section does a lot in addressing the problems of citizens united in addressing the importance of campaign finance reform. i respectfully withdraw my amendment. thank you. >> thank you. congratulations. [applause]

i have been encouraged to go ahead and make sure i had enough seconds to vote in favor of these amendments. i know we made the motion. could we hear the seconds? that sounds like enough. very good. all in favor say aye. all oppose say nay. so moved. >> how are the democrats doing in the house right now? everybody good? i am going to do some house cleaning and i hope this will move as smooth as i imagine it to be. all of my imagination is not always lived up to in reality. we were talking a little earlier in the morning about the chair's amendment. we have had some problems.

we have now distributed the documents to everybody. if you have them say "i have got them." i did not hear everybody, but i will pretend i did. what i want to do is return to this and i want to see if we can pass these without objection. that was a subtle hint. can i hear a motion? so move. can i hear a whole bunch of seconds? that was the best seconds we have got all day. all right. with that motion and second, is there any discussion? [laughter] i would like to put it to a vote. say aye. any nays? we have now passed the chair's amendment. thank you for that. [applause]

now, i am going to return to the section about the strength of our platform, rebuilding middle- class security -- >> . of order -- point of order. it sounded like the gentleman just withdrew his amendment and yet we voted in favor of it. could i have a clarification? thank you. >> it was withdrawn so we did not vote on it. we were voting on the other amendments. >> ok. thank you. >> even though i am trying to keep it moving, even though i am going ahead, all of america is watching this and missing the olympics.

throw your hand in the air and come up to the microphone like this gentle lady from new jersey. >> half way from new jersey. i am wrong maryland. my sister lives in new jersey. [laughter] will we be taking these in order? we are going back right -- >> we are going back right now. sit tight and we will get to the next section. i have one more cleanup to do. >> thank you. >> you are welcome. i'm going to turn to a critical issue for the u.s. one of the principal pillars of our platform. rebuilding the middle-class security.

i am returning to the amendment 33. if you do not see the amendment here, that is because it has been withdrawn and the co- chaired and i said we are the party of environmental strength and therefore, we will not waste paper. can i get an amen? >> amen. >> if you do not see it, assume it has been withdrawn and is not necessary for us to print it out. this amendment is number 33 on page nine, line 8. i would like to put this aside for aside discussion and i am not coming back because i have heard that the sponsor would like to come forward and share some words on this amendment.

would you please come to the microphone? we welcome you with open arms. >> thank you. i am from california. san francisco. anything nice to say? >> i love the bay area. >> my dad is from trend. >> i knew there was something special about you. >> i withdrew the amendment, but i want to mention how important of an issue and how critical it is. the president and the department of education have shown light on a problem that has been out in our schools for a long time, the issue of school discipline. for the first time, the department of education collected information in the civil rights data collection, which gave a detailed information on what is happening in the schools. a lot of what we have found is shocking. african-americans are almost four more times to be likely to

be suspended. i want to commend the department of education and the president for shining lights on this issue. the secretary of education has made it a priority and i want to thank the president and hope it continues to be a priority for the democrats and the president in his second term. >> thank you. i appreciate you taking some time to address that on the microphone. we appreciate your men and it is with regret -- we appreciate your amendment. it is withdrawn. god bless your father. [applause] now, we will go to the next section if we are going in order as the young lady from maryland requested. we will turn to something we all believe fundamentally. it is the hallmark of our nation. some people believe the idea of

people nervous on them -- of e plurbis unim. give around about cause for our clerk. -- round of applause for our clerk. >> thank you, mr. chair. the first amendment is amendment number 55, found on page nine, line number 39. this amendment has been withdrawn. the next amendment is amendment number 12, found on page 20, line number 21. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number four, found on page 21, line 46. this amendment has been withdrawn.

amendment number 49, this is found on page 22, line 15 unsponsored -- this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 54 found on page 22 line number 20. amendment number eight found on page 22, line number 39. "in the supporting troops military families and veterans section, insert after urban development the language and veterans organizations such as the american legion, vfw, the vietnam veteran of america, and other groups. " >> i will see if there is somebody who would like to move that we accept this amendment. i would like to hear a whole

bunch of seconds. that is wonderful. any discussion ? hearing no discussion, i move we pass this amendment. can i hear some ayes? the amendment carries. back to you. >> thank you. the next amendment is amend the number 14. it is found on page 23, line number 1. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 15, found on page 23, line number 3. this amendment has been withdrawn. moving to amendment number 16, found on page 23, line number 12. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 18, found on

page 23, line number 17. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 19, found on page 23, line number 19. this amendment has been withdrawn. and then the number 20, found on page 23, line number -- amendment number 20, found on page 23, line number 21. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 36, found on page 26, line number 1. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 41, found on page 26, line number 1. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 42, this is found on page 26, line number one.

this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 43, this is found on page 26, line number one. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 44, found on page 26, line number 1. this amendment has been withdrawn. moving to amendment number 45. found on page 27 -- 26, line number one. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 46, found on page 26, line number one. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 47, found on page 26, line number one.

this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 48, found on page 26, line number 1. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 50 found on page 26, line number 1. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 31 lb on page 26 line number two, this i. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 29, found on page 26, line number 6. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 5, this is found on page 26 online number eight.

"strike the title of the arts and replace it with arts and culture." >> all right. can i get somebody who uld like to move this amendment? do i have any seconds? all right. do i have any discussion? all right. no discussion, i would like to hear from the ayes. any nays? the amendment has carried. continue. >> thank you. amendment number 6 is found on page 26, line number 15. it reads -- strike american artists and replace it with the women and men who create and preserve our nation's heritage. >> do i hear a motion? do i hear a whole lot of seconds? do i hear any discussion? no discussion.

do i hear aye? any nay? all right. we are returning to the clerk who has a voice made for npr. [laughter] >> moving to ramallah -- amendment 51 found on page 27, line number four. reads -- it sentence on equal treatment for same-sex couples in immigration and naturalization. >> excuse me -- so moved. do i hear any seconds? now, any discussion? >> mr. chair, the day before president obama took office, gay, lesbian, bisexual people had no home in the federal government. we had no rights. we had no voice is at the table. the day after president obama

took office, a fundamental transformation began. today, i can say -- >> can you move up to the microphone more? what you are saying is critical. >> i can say with great pride in conviction that the promise of full and equal citizenship for lgbt people is under way. we have made a great deal of progress during the president's first term. we will make even more during his second term. lgbt people will join the great march of civil rights history, which is being made under this president. one of the most gut-wrenching scorches of inequality that we suffer from is in the immigration context. families are ripped apart by the threat of deportation as a consequence of the federal defense of ameritech and -- marriage act and the inability of the government to protect

them. my amendment is intended to things offct the great that the nation has done. i would like to offer an amendment to my own amendment to improve it. i failed in my initial attempt to include what i think is a simple concept, the idea of lgbt families. second, i failed to offer a proper account to some of the great work this administration has already done. if i may read the proposed amendment to my own amendment? >> please. >> the new language would read as follows -- the administration has said that the word family in immigration includes lgbt in order to protect families threatened with deportation. this would be the first time that by national families have

been included in the democratic party platform. it is a reflection of the great work this president has artie dunne. i submit my amended amendment for the fort's consideration. >> so move. -- so moved. hold on. you need it in writing? i assume we more arty have it. >> i assume you do. -- i assume we might already have that. >> i assume you do. >> if she does not get it in writing, i will not get back to new work. -- newark. the discussion is still open. i need 15 seconds. this is historic. may i hear it one more time? i want everybody to hear that. we want to hear it in north

carolina. i will open it for discussion. if anybody would like to discuss this very historic moment. ok. no discussion. i live to make her happy -- i will ask for ayes. any nays? congratulations, your amendment has passed. [applause] >> we are the party of we, not a party of me. as the party of inclusion, you take us all as fractured and with the failings that we have. i want to thank my party for allowing me to serve in this role despite my faults and foibles.

behind the smile is a determined woman. she has told me what you all did not approve -- you approved the amendment to the amendment that we have not approve the amendment. if you are falling back on tv -- [laughter] move. seconded. no discussion? let us vote again. aye. thank you. [applause] we have a grand party. i will return to the good clerk to continue to go through this section before i admit my second mistake. >> mr. chair, the next amendment is number one, found on page 27, line number 5. it reads -- ban on torture and

timetable for the closure of guantanamo bay. >> we have an amendment and we have the gentleman here to speak. we thought four people were coming forward. i should have done that first. in many ways, it is better to do it after these amendments because he will have more to talk about. i will bring you back up before. thank you for indulging my faults and foibles. >> good morning. i hope it will be a short day. i'm from texas. in the interest of brevity, i will withdraw them the number 1 in two. >> thank you very much. >> i would like to say a couple of words. >> out of gratitude, you can say more than a couple. >> thank you. i would like to speak about the rule of law in honoring our values and protecting our citizens. on the first amendment, i think

a presidential torture band and intend to close guantanamo bay facility in conjunction with other agencies is clear in this section on staying true to our values at home. as far as the second amendment, which i have also withdrawn, i feel there is a provision here under stronger in the world -- i think the implication is clear that this applies whether the citizen is on u.s. soil or elsewhere. my values are well represented in this document. thank you. >> i am grateful for your words. thank you. please give him a round of applause. [applause] that is extraordinary. i would like to return to bthe clerk. >> amendment number 7 found on page 28, line number 8. following the text need for

abortions, in certification we invite all persons of good will weather across the political aisle or within our party to work together to reduce the incidence of abortion. >> i would like to invite the kind gentleman to come forward to give some remarks upon this amendment. >> yes. thank you. i rise today as a catholic, a feminist, and someone who believes our work is a secret effort. this election should be about ideas. ideas affecting the most challenging and serious is used facing our nation today. for too long, the far right have used social issues to divide our nation while doing nothing to a dance the cause of the common good. i am here today as a catholic, a pratt democrat, to say that there has been no greater ally in the common ground movement in reaching across the aisle,

across our philosophical differences, then president barack obama. his ability to propose real solutions to the challenging challenges of our day -- i am withdrawing my men in after having heartwarming and serious conversations with members of this committee about finding ways to achieve common ground. i am here today to withdraw my amendment and by everybody in this body to join me in a conversation about what it is to be a pro-family pro-woman party. to find actual solutions to the most challenging issues facing our country today including the issue of reducing unplanned pregnancies. with that, i withdraw my amendment. >> applause are worthy. [applause] many of you do not know the background of this gentleman. he is a leader within one of the

most treasured catholic groups in the democratic party. he has been a friend of our president and a bridge builder within our party. thank you very much. another round of applause. [applause] madam clerk? >> mr. chair. amendment number 30, found on page 28, line 18. it reads -- amend the voting rights section to insert the word photo before the butter identification laws. >> -- voter identification laws. >> very important. i would like to again get a move for this amendment. i would like to get some seconds. any discussion? no discussion. i would like to hear ayes. any nays?

the amendment has passed and we can move on. >> amendment number 22 found on page 28, line number 20. ithis amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 24 found on page 28 line number 21. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment number 25, found on page 30, line number 10. this amendment has been withdrawn. and then the number 38 found on page 30, line number 36. it reads -- prisoner rehabilitation and public safety. >> if you would like to speak on

this? you are becoming a regular at open mike night here at the democratic party. >> i'm also withdrawing this amendment. i would like to say that it is critical that we put rehabilitation at the forefront of our public safety policies. we believe in second chances. we have to stand up for second chances. reading the language that we have in there, we refer to a local prison to work programs and talk about the need to focus on having folks come back to our community and enter as full members. i think we have stood up for that and we need to continue to stand up for that. i urge the president and the party to do that. >> you are very much on point. i will get your applause but i want to echo your concern to

speak on this issue. what you are saying is true. reentry programs like this makes streets safer and save taxpayer dollars, repair committees, and our children. it is the right problem. i have benefited from grants that barack obama has made possible. you are speaking to the truth of what our platform is about and what this president has demonstrated. thank you. [applause] we will continue. >> thank you. amendment number 21 found on page 31, line number four. ithis amendment has been withdrawn. this concludes the amendments for this section. >> i was just informed -- we are almost through and then you can

applaud. amendment number 30, which i would like to invite the sponsor to come forward. good to see you again. >> i would like to move to reconsider the vote by which we adopted this men and because in texas, the emphasis has been on the photo voter identification laws. what it did was it changed the definition of what it means to identify a voter. previously, in texas, a voter registration to civic it -- certificate would be suffice. with the new laws passed in texas better litigated by the department of justice, the

ability of texans in some counties to get a photo voter identification card is burdensome. there are some counties where it is a 200 mile round trip to get to the driver's license office. i have been informed that in some states, it is beyond photo s. for the interest of clarification, recognizing that one size fits all language provision including the word votto does not take into account the oppressive measures being enacted. >> you would like us to first boat to reconsider the amendment and then you would like to vote to retract the amendment's previous language?

>> as. >> can we move to reconsider? can i get some seconds? this is a vote to reconsider. mara amped -- may i hear the ayes? nays? we are going to vote to -- this amendment. we are turning into its original larger language. do i have a motion? ok. do i have a roomful of seconds? do i have a discussion? with no -- yes. excuse me. ok. >> i would like to reaffirm that this is the right action. i am from colorado. in colorado, we have a very narrow interpretation of identification and so if we can have this broad language as opposed to just leaving it as photo identification, it will better serve our state. thank you very much.

>> thank you. with that, we have another person. >> i am from south carolina. the proud home of general kennedy and the parliamentarian. since 1982, when we graduated from law to -- >> you [laughter] mean] >> -- toomey 1992? [laughter] >> since then i have worked on voter registration. i would also like to add my voice to those who say we should leave it broader because there are so many other kinds of voter identification problems in the south as well as all over this country. thank you. >> fantastic. i was not aware that our is from southn carolina. i feel like a jersey said which

would south carolina bread. >> i think all democrats recognize the need to be identified, but not in the way that suppresses the rights of americans. >> we see this as a cynical attack on the voting rights of the u.s. there is little evidence of voter fraud. it seems like an attack on students, the elderly, and the poor. i appreciate you making sure we can do this the right way. i would very much like to have a boat here. may i have all those in favor give a loud aye? oh -- of course. >> you don't want the loud no. >> yes, i do. you may say "heck no." any ayes?

now, may i hear the nays? thank you. music to my ears. are you satisfied? thank you very much. [applause] madam clerk. >> mr. chair. i can truly agree we have concluded the amendments for the section. >> i would like to turn to the part i was close to do at the beginning and invite four individuals who have come to speak for this. i will be disciplined on time. i know the first young lady who is a state women within the party -- come forward and say your words. >> thank you. i am from maryland.

i am a native of new jersey. we did not say heck a lot. i rise to speak on greater together. if i am speaking, i am cheering for this section. i hope the minutes reflect my commentary. these are the principles that make us democrats. this section spells out the basic truths. we are all better off when we work together. when everybody plays by the same rules. we build the middle class together. greater together is both an eloquent statement of our values and a description of the difference, the choice the american people will make. this election will decide whether we continue to go forward with opportunity and respect for every american.

or will we go back? we believe american has to be -- america has to be bigger for those who have not already made it to make a little more. president obama and the democrats have a better idea. greater together, winning together. thank you. >> alright. [applause] the gentleman with the best hair cut in the room. [laughter] >> thank you. i would like to acknowledge the presidency and the chair of the dnc. >> dennis archer, please stand up. >> he was back there. [laughter] he has our hair cut to. -- cut, too. [applause]

>> i rise in support of the democratic party fighting the draconian effort to limit voting rights amongst african- americans, latinos, and people of color. these are nothing more than new literacy tests, which have prevented african-american citizens from voting. we have fought too hard and many people have lost their lives. to be a full citizen means having the right to vote and we must resist any effort to deny citizenship rights to people here in america. >> thank you very much. [applause] >> i am from houston, texas. thank you for having me. i am here to speak on greater together, protecting our rights and freedoms. the section on women.

i want to thank my colleagues for your great work. as a woman of color from texas, where we have seen unprecedented attacks on women's health, and as a representative of the planned parenthood action fund, we know the sentiments of the majority of american voters. we are pressed to support this section of the platform. planned parenthood is the nation's leading health advocate and provider. we see firsthand the women who are being hurt by these policies that attack women's health. the sad truth is for generations, republican supported planned parenthood, but the current party leadership has become bad. mitt romney is bad for our health and concerns. mitt romney and paul ryan advocate policies that would block women's access to health care.

the contrast between president obama and romney could not be darker. that is why we are seeing the gender gap in this election and we are so pleased the campaign has recognized that women's health will be a key issue in this election. the action fund was fully endorsed by the president. women dressed planned parenthood. we're launching our efforts to educate women voters on these issues. this president has fought for women and we will fight for him. thank you for the privilege of serving on this committee. thank you to my colleagues for this support of not only planned parenthood, but the millions of patients and access to birth control, cancer screening, preventive health care services for all american women. >> thank you. [applause] use that microphone. this is a baker's four.

>> it is such an honor for me to be here. by the way, to be with all of you that idea is great leaders in america. i am from the great state of pennsylvania. i am going to talk about what president obama has done for those of us who have been left out. that would be americans with disabilities. we are the largest group unemployed in the u.s. and i am surprised -- proud to be the chair of the american association of disabilities. i am a small -- i am the ceo of a small business in pittsburgh. today, i am not ashamed that i am a woman living with epilepsy and hearing loss. i am an american with disabilities.

i am proud to say that. i want you to know that president obama has done more for us, a group of people that have been ignored, then you can possibly imagine. first, he signed the u.n. convention on rights to persons for disabilities in his first year. we had tried to get that done for many years. he saw the high unemployment of americans with disabilities. he signed an executive order that the federal government would be required over five years to hire 100,000 employees with disabilities. then, he became supportive of section 503 of the rehabilitation act that would require all federal contractors to be obligated to have a plan for employing americans with

disabilities. last week, -- this week, on monday, our great champion has become a national spokesperson for americans with disabilities and our desire to be employed. without employment, you are never free in this country. you cannot buy a car, go on vacation, you cannot live the american dream until you are employed. valerie invited students with disabilities to the west wing of the white house on monday so they could talk about this. little did they know that president barack obama would join that meeting and talk to students with disabilities for half an hour about how he stands behind us. >> thank you for that. [applause]

>> last but not least, the affordable care act. the affordable care act helps people like me with epilepsy to be able to secure insurance, whereas millions of children with epilepsy and other chronic disabilities -- knowing i have seizures, that would be terrible. in conclusion, i say americans with disabilities in november will go vote and support the president who has included us, president barack obama. >> thank you. [applause] thank you. i am from minnesota. i have special permission from the handlers to come up then addressed the gathering.

i am from minnesota, but my dad is an ex-patriots living and working in new jersey. i have a little bit of new jersey in me, i guess. we will be the first state of 31 to -- an amendment to the constitution to separate people from their freedom in the constitution, the freedom to marry. we will -- the amendment to separate individuals from their freedom and right to vote. i am excited about the prospects. i could not let this moment slip away without making special mention of the section on page 28 that talks about individual's freedom to marry. the idea that couples who come together and want to take responsibility for each other in their lives together and build a life together should be taken as an affirmation of something that we all value in cherished and that is what marriage means and

that marriage really matters. to be sure, this is a significant moment, but when we consider the breadth of this document, however affirms the values we all share as democrats and as americans, everyone enjoys the freedoms that are guaranteed in our constitution. that everyone has the right to live their lives in dignity to pursue their dreams into become their best selves, that our families, our communities, and our entire country are strengthened when we come together and support each other to support the lives we built together. this has been a journey for many people in this country. it has been a journey for our president. i am very proud of him saying that all families matter. mr. cherry and madam chair and members, young people are looking for a political home right now. this has become one of the defining moral questions of our time.

just like in 1948, the democratic national convention led by hubert humphrey, when it was time to step forward and build a vital coalition that serves the party and our country, this is one of those moments for our party. i am extremely pleased by the inclusion of this in the platform. i am excited and looking forward to its ratification. i am looking forward to the election on november 6. thank you. >> we are very grateful for your work. thank you very much. we now have the last speaker on this topic. somebody we should all pay attention to because he is one of the leaders of the young democrats. -- she is the leader of the young democrats. >> as a young american, i can say our home is in the

democratic party. i want to speak on the dream act. i get to travel across the country and meet with college student. the young people i meet are dreamers and they possess such strong passion, talent, and love for this country. it astonishes me every time. i am about to start law school in the first phone call i received was from a fellow student who is a dreamer. she told me about her life as a dreamer. she told me working as a migrant worker to support her family and her dream to one day be an immigration attorn to support young people like herself. i am so proud to stand with the party that stands with her and i am proud to organize young americans to support latinos across this country. thank you. >> thank you. [applause] it is my pleasure to bring up my co-chairwomen.

we are talking about the stronger in the world section. >> we are ready to address the final session. the chair will recognize speakers to the microphone that want to talk about amendments to the stronger in the world safer and more secure at home section. general speakers in support. are there any people that want to come up and -- thank you. >> i did not introduce myself next time -- last time. i am from detroit. four years ago when president obama was a candidate and went to europe, he got a great reception from the world.

the opponent this year, not so much. ok? what president obama did four years ago on our foreign policy and defense, he has built on that. we have more respect now than we did before and we have to continue that movement to get everybody involved and -- in the global economy to make this place a safer place. i see president obama doing that. thank you. [applause] >> thank you. i am on the board of the council's political world. i am on the board of veterans alliance for security and democracy. the previous president of the u.s. made the world a very scary place for americans.

nuclear policy was all but decimated. this president has moved us forward in every domain with regard to our national security. this platform speaks to the national security implications of climate change, nuclear drawdowns, as well as getting us out of wars that have not supported our national security. this platform speaks to everything that our country needs to move forward and work together. thank you. >> thank you. [applause] >> i am from the state of pennsylvania. i want to commend the entire platform committee on this

effort. i want to speak on president obama's last three and a half years in office. last 3.5 years in office. he has kept us safe. and of discussion. there have not been a tax on the homeland. we have not heard most of what he has done. with his team, they have been tremendous. they brought our troops home from iraq. they have a pragmatic approach to getting is out of afghanistan. the strong leadership on iran, and he has been a supporter of israel. not surprising for someone who started as a grass-roots organizer. he used force as necessary for the arab spring moment. i want to thank you and thanked

the drafting committee. thank you very much. [applause] >> i come from the great state of california. i rise today in support of this president and applaud him for his leadership in humanitarian crisis in particular. i worked for the president when i worked in the white house during the haiti devastating earthquake. i had the honor and pleasure of watching this president lead the international effort in making sure that haiti got what they needed in order to move forward. today there are still 2 million people who are homeless, 200,000 people lost their lives.

that year he committed $3.1 billion. it was an honor to what are president lead this effort. -- to watch our president lead this effort. i applaud the drafting committee for making sure this was included. as we say in haiti, "with the unity there is strength." i applaud all of you for that. >> thank you very much. there are many reasons to support what you said beyond humanitarian and all the important things out there. there is also the business of we have many people in in american american.haitian- that was a very personal master

when that earthquake occurred and a continuing effort to do something to help those people and children. do you want to read the amendment? >> thank you. 2, page 39, line 22. this amendment was withdrawn by the sponsor previously on the floor. amendment no. 9, page 43, line 24. this amendment has been withdrawn. amendment no. 37, page 49, line 26. this amendment has been withdrawn. that concludes the amendment for this section.

>> i think we are ready to move so we can make a bovote. good. thank you. s. 's have mr. baskerville come forward to be recognized for the td of the zero motions she has put forward -- the two motion she has put forward. after each amendment, and the clerk will read them. >> thank you very much. i am from the district of columbia.

i support the chairwoman from the democratic party. i rise on behalf of the national congress of black women under the able leadership of dr. williams on behalf of the black leadership for some -- forum and a coalition of black civic participation. i rise to request a motion for reconsideration with regard to the two amendment that were adopted. i would like to amend them slightly. i would also like to recognize that my first amendment, number 28, represents matt from california. relative to amendment 28, i

would like to commend my amendment to read "to make college affordable to students of all backgrounds and confront the loan burden in our student students shoulder." it is to reflect the administration to give education to all students at a time when the congress and house of representatives decided not to invest in human capital and education. president obama fought and succeeded in getting greater opportunities for all students who aspire to higher education. at a time that the pal institute is reporting that states are disinfesting.

president obama said we must invest in all students. he doubled the investment in pell scholarships. whether you live in rural america or an appellation of are in the mississippi delta. all low-income students that are prepared will be able to obtain a higher education. president obama past the american opportunity tax credit act worth up to $10,000 over four years of college to american families so that college will be possible to a much larger group of students. president obama put capped student loan payments so as a student does not required to pay more than 10% of what here she goes in a month and capped the

limits of interest on student loans. he expanded opportunities so students can work their way is through college. students and families will make possible for hundreds of thousands of students to access and succeed in college. everyone who believes investing in human capital will make in america built to last much support president obama. for that reason i rise to request a motion to reconsider and have a friendly amendment to my motion. >> she has made a motion.

do we have 15 seconds or more? and that is more than 15. all those in favor? >> aye. >> now your back to the main motion. now we are back at the main motion. would you read the amendment as it is written? liked the new language state "to make college affordable -- excuse me. it is amendment 28. it is found on page #9 line 25 and 29. new language states "to make college affordable to students

of all backgrounds and confront the loan burden our student shoulder." this is inserted before the section on pell grant scholarships. >> now we are voting to adopt the amendment as a red. if you are in favor say aye. thank you very much. >> can i commend this past amendment? i had the privilege of in younger days to work for clay when the pell grants were created. i had the opportunity to meet senator obama when he was running for president.

president obama is a recipient of pell grants. he is a recipient of student aid. there is no stronger contrast between our party and the party who will try to run in on november on an issue such as this. president obama knows the importance of student aid. it enables him to get where he is today. gov. romney does not. this is such a contrast between the two parties. thank you for the amendment. [applause] >> thank you for those comments. we are going to ask you to make the movement, the motion you want to make on amendment 32. >> i move for a motion to reconsider amendment 32 and to amend the language of my

amendment to read "we invested more than 2.5 billion in savings from reforming our student loan system to strengthen our black's historically colleges, tribal colleges, and universities, alaskan, asian american, and pacific islander institutions and other minorities serving institutions." these girls create a diverse work force, and educating new teachers and producing the next generation of workers. this is an area where i thought it was to underscore the remarkable leadership of the president of the united states, president barack obama, in 2007 state of the union address.

he called for training 100,000 new stem teachers over the years. in his 2012 address, president obama called on congress to send him legislation that would create an america that is built to last, a country that believes in educating its peeper, an america that it tracks a new generation of high tech manufacturing and high paying jobs. in order to realize his vision for an america that is built to last, we must educate 8 million additional americans between now and 2020. we cannot recognize his goal with out black colleges, a hispanic serving institutions lion's share.g be lying shar

3% of universities are graduating 50's % of african- american teachers today. they are graduating 22% with engineering undergraduate degrees. 14% with ph.d. s. they're similar stories with tribal colleges, asia and pacific islander institutions. these are preparing a disproportionate numbers of tamara's excellent work force. for those reasons i rise to underscore the remarkable work of president obama in creating an excellent work force an opportunity for an excellent work force.

thank you so very much. >> thank you so much. [applause] i see we have speakers lining up. are you on the same subject or are you waiting on the next call? >> i rise to speak in support of my sister. good afternoon. maryland. i rise to support this amendment. we talk about the work force of this country. i think our party has got it right. our president has gotten it right in order for us to be competitive in global world unless we produced men and women of all nationalities and races to be able to come forward with the skills to compete.

all we are doing is giving lip service. i rise in support of this amendment. thank you. >> we have had a motion to reconsider the amendment. now we need seconds. all those in favor? all those opposed? we have adopted reconsideration. the reading of the proposed amendment. >> this is amendment 32, page 9, line 33. the amended language now state "we invested more than $2.5 billion of in savings from reforming our student loan system to strengthen the black colleges and universities, hispanic serving institutions,

tribal colleges, alaska, hawaii and, in asian american pacific islander institutions, and other minority asserting institutions. they create a diverse workforce educating new teachers and reading the next generation of stem workers." >> all in favor? all oppose? thank you. that is concluded. we have a couple of people who would like to say few words. would you like to take it? >> what i actually have a motion to suspend the rules for a brief discussion and hopefully

adoption of language dealing with the section on america's security. i know the motion has to be ratified. >> is there a second? we need to slash three to suspend the rules. -- we need 2/3 to suspend the rules. i saw a hand. is there something we need to deal with? >> we are not going back. it is not new language. if to be a sense of a resolution regarding national -- it would be a sense of resolution regarding the national document. it is friendly.

>> thank you. >> thank you. on page 33 of our documents, and rightfully so, it says the democratic party knows there is no greater responsibility than protecting the american people. we understand the indispensable role the united states must continue in promoting international peace. because of the steps we have taken, and the united states is leading once again. rather than to just have that, i felt we would amplify it with a sense of this conference resolution. i would like to read that wording. it says "it is the sense of this body that the president, our intelligence agencies, our armed

forces and men and women in uniform be congratulated in effort in striking major blows against international terrorist operations and for rebuilding and helping to rebalance our foreign policy and american relationships worldwide." >> is that something we are just excepting? >> we have to vote. >> where would to vote on that. -- we are going to vote on that. it is not an amendment to the platform. we want to have a vote. you are moving to include this as a resolution. to second this.people it is not changing the platform. >> it is accompanying the language. it does not deal with the platform. >> thank goodness you know these

roles. now many people to vote in favor. -- now we need people to vote in favor. >> we are the platform committee of the democratic party. this is not part of the official document. it is a sense of the group that is gathered today, our sentiment being expressed in formal fashion. when the platform is presented in north carolina, we will present the platform as we are voting upon. as we adjourned, we will have a platform and now a statement that was just articulated by the statesman and congressman about the issue in which he discussed. is that cleared? i want everybody to be exactly clear what you are voting on. it might be helpful if you read what everybody here is

affirming. it is not an official part of the democratic national committee's platform. >> thank you. it is a sense of this body that the president, our agencies, our armed forces, and our men and women in uniform be congratulated for their efforts in in last four years in striking major blows against international terrorist organizations and helping to rebalance and rebuild our foreign-policy, relationships worldwide. >> tobias, would you like to offer comment on this? >> i asked for a request for education. [inaudible] is it appropriate to [inaudible]

[no microphone] >> i am going to take a privilege here, especially with the indulgence of a former congressman. i was coming up in politics. i am going to indulge him that now that he has articulated it and we have seen the sense of the room and none of the word we find contrary to our hearts and spirits. i feel the rim embraces that sentiment. -- feels the embrace of that

sentiment. i will like to ask that we leave at that incident giving a formal underlying to this incredibly appropriate statement. now that it has been heard and recorded in minutes and seen on national television by a least 149 people -- [laughter] i would like to and sold on the words of the congressmen as -- indulge on the words of the congressman. would you indulge me in that? >> absolutely. since it was not an amendment cannot be withdrawn. i appreciate the bodies affirmation of that. i think it is important in debate going into the next several days. >> you not only reflected the. of this room - spirit of this

room but also of the democratic party. >> thank you. [applause] >> i am sorry. >> reduce be closer to the microphone. -- please speak closer to the microphone. >> what i wanted to mention is i submitted some amendments. there are a part of the dialogue. i wanted to draw attention to the president's efforts on enforcinin sourcing? >> i want to draw attention to his efforts. i'm not a public speaker. i am going to read this. i am product is effort to out

build the rest of the world and bring jobs back to our beautiful country. many factions have been involved from a labor-intensive industry to a highly sophisticated industry where we need that technical talent. the present recognized this and ask them to how we can recapture our competitive global edge. and imperative in u.s. is that we must in courage stem education. students educated will have greater opportunities to participate in myriad of industry. as an indian-american women, my

education is my most prized asset. it is in technology. a from an immigrant family, that was the key to getting ahead in life. we can address outsourcing right now today by recognizing our veterans as a capable talent pool that can be retrained since they have the leadership qualities. it we can place them in advance manufacturing jobs and we can start to keep the jobs right here at home today. >> would you please clarify stem? >> science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. >> thank you very much. [applause] word we're going to vote on the main amendment. before we do that, do you have

any typographical corrections you like to make? does anyone want to make one of those kind of clerical changes in ta? >> i just what a clarification. i did not get with a drawn on an amendment we had, no. 34. i want to make sure that was withdrawn. >> we are going to have the clerk read amendment 34. if you are quite correct. we need to deal with 34. >> just go straight into it. >> ok. we have not yet taken up this amendment. >> we need to take it up? >> yes. there are two to follow.

>> would you please read one at a time? >> amendment 34. the summary is as followed "all references to state in platform will include all u.s. territories unless specifically excluded." >> is there any discussion on this? would anyone like to make a motion to accept this? any second? all in favor? all opposed? it is accepted. the next amendment. >> the next amendment is no. 35. this amendment has been withdrawn. >> thank you very much. do you have anything? i am sorry.

>> on page 50, line 26 i think it should read "from" not "form." >> thank you. b. have had a lot of help. we appreciate it. this is the overall -- wait. more comments. please begin to the microphone. >> on page 7, line 3. continue to invest. on page 13, line 22 " entrepreneurs and manufacturer s." it's as manufacturer.

>> is this a grammatical error are something more than that? >> i think it is a clarification question. but is it appropriate to ask with respect to amendment 34 to get confidence from the drafters that it is the case in all places this language of state and territories has been accounted for through out the platform? it is always a welcome amendment. we did not have a discussion. i want to be clear that the points are distinguished. >> as i understand it, there has been an amendment to this amendment that we probably need to clarify to include all u.s. territories where appropriate.

those two additional words need to be added. with the sponsors approval, i move reconsideration to allow. >> i am going to turn that -- term that as a clerical editil addition. this is to stop all my grammatically empowered friend from finding the grammatical errors. i assure you there will be a well versed, cleaned up, certified by randy winegarden someone that will go through this and shake it really hard for any kind of grammatical things. we recently heard in the congress some republicans forgot

the word "un" in front of employment. we're not going to make those mistakes. i want to get an all encompassing resolution to empower and make sure we have taken a blue booking eye to make sure this is dramatically tight. i would like to make a motion. >> seconded. i would like 15 seconds. >> i would like to hear a hearty all in favor. all right. we're all done with that. i feel empowered. >> that is leadership. >> we're about to take the vote. this is the moment where we vote

on the entire platform and all amendments. all the amendments have been considered. we want to vote on whether or not to approve the draft platform as amended for recommendation by adoption at the 2012 democratic national convention. all in favor say aye. all opposed? the ayes have it. the platform is approved. [applause] [cheers and applause] >> [chanting "four more years."]

>> i will make a few concluding remarks and then a year per -- mayor booker will adjourn us. you must file within 48 hours. forms are available from staff. on behalf of the chairs, we thank the members of the drafting committee for their hard work in preparing the draft platform. i would also like to think the staff -- thank the staff. i would like to thank the amazing hotel staff, at the court reporter, r. sign language interpreters, and everyone here. we appreciate all you have done to make this meeting a success.

one team, won a fight. that is what this is for the next 90 days. we want to make sure we communicate the values we believe. we want to watch them be represented by the democratic and our president. >> how is everybody doing? i think we have hit some records for speed and efficiency. please give yourselves a round of applause. [applause] 1 person who deserves recognition, we are in the great state of michigan. i want to recognize the party chairman of this great state. please give a warm democratic round of applause for mark brewer. thank you, mark. [applause] i do not feel enough love for this extraordinary person who

provided leadership today leading up to this event. it is one of the great trouble raising leaders. a woman who stood for this country, led with distinction. would you give it up for the tenanltt? before i turn, make it clear what we have accomplished. we are a party because we stand on principle, ideals, of value, and idea. what we did today is codifying the sentiment that runs through the core of the american dream. we should be proud of what we have accomplished. this is the platform that will

energize and excite not the democratic party but the united states of america and provide the momentum and clarity of purpose to drive the next 87 days to ensure that president barack obama is reelected. [applause] before i did during this meeting, let us be clear. this is a platform. what do you have to do with a platform? you must stand upon its. we must stand as democrats. we must and for the middle- class and expand the opportunity for all americans. we must stand for a quality and inclusion and whether you are a single mother and in detroit, whether you are a gay man in san francisco, whether you are a

blue-collar worker at in new jersey, this is the party for you. we must stand for your rights and values and your american dreams, too. we are the democratic party. our platform is upon which we must stand for a responsible for policy. we must stand with the president that is making us say for each and every day, stand with the man who found the terrorist organizations and dismantle al qaeda. stand with the man who keep america safe economically, spiritually, and health care, and keep the freedom of the united states of america alive and well into the 21st century. [applause] we are democrats. this is our platform. we stand for the most vulnerable. we stand because we believe we

are a party that opens up its doors for everyone from the poor child dreaming and yearning of having an education, from the person without skills that helping the economy will provide them a pathway to a career, we know the importance of health care and living without that fear. we are the party that says american it can be america for everyone. that is what this platform is about. [applause] as we prepared to adjourn, but it is not codify a platform we will pass through in e-mails. as martin luther king said, "change will not roll in on the wheels of inevitability. it must be carried in on the back of soldiers willing to work for it." we cannot hope this platform is made real.

that is not just going to happen by us thinking about it. remember what a great abolitionist what said. i prayed for years for by freedom on my knees. it was not until i prayed with i feet and hands that i found my freedom. freedom is what this nation is about. our ideals have not just forced the history of but it has inspired countries all around the globe. it is time that we not take our country back to where it was before. it is time we look forward to progress. it is time we embraced change. it is time we make real on health. it is time we reelect president obama barack obama into the white house. let us now go forward from detroit. let us march. but we nominate president obama barack obama -- let us

renominate president obama barack obama. [applause] got is blessing our country. we are democrats for america. [cheers and applause] with that, as a co-chair of the dnc, i ask this great body as its last action, would you entertain a motion to adjourn? the ayes have it. this concludes the platform committee. you are adjourned. god bless president barack

obama and god bless america. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2012] >> of the democratic platform committee wrapping things up earlier as delicate put the finishing touches on the national platform. we will show this meeting again. some of the news today, mitt romney has chosen his vice- president, paul ryan.

they announced this. meanwhile the obama campaign issued -- romney has chosen a vice president that shares is commitment to budget busting tax cuts for the wealthy while placing greater burdens on middle-class and seniors. you can go to c-span.org and click on the breaking news headline. you'll also find the ideand mitt romney and trying to get there. we'll be following the candidates as they travel through virginia today. we hope to bring your chances to weigh in on the pick. we will take a look at mitt

romney's announcement. >> please welcome bob macdonald. >> good morning. it is great to be at my home.

it is so great to be governor for virginia. this is the birthplace of democracy. this is the greatest country on earth. it is great to be in the home of more veterans than just about anyplace in the world. the home of the greatest navy in the world. all of you who are veterans, raise your hand so we can say thank you.

[cheers and applause] if you understand it like mitt romney does that freedom is supposed to be free, the veterans keep as a free at great nation. [cheers and applause] i just want to say it is great to be here with a guy that i think was the greatest governor of the modern era. he will be the next greatest president. [cheers and applause] for your men and women in uniform, you have no better friend than the u.s. congress. please help these men get reelected. [cheers and applause]

it is a treat to be with my right hand man, our great lieutenant governor. [cheers and applause] he has done a great job creating jobs in virginia, but we have some headlines in washington. it will be better if we have mitt romney. [cheers and applause] i am delighted to be here with my wife, the first lady, and my sons, my daughters. how about the national anthem? she did ok? [cheers and applause] i am so delighted to have our next president here today. his opponent has been here a little bit. seems like every time he comes,

he makes a little news. he was here last weekend he said if i do not win virginia, i will not be president again. help him keep that promise. [cheers and applause] a couple of months ago, he can to roanoke and he said something i cannot believe. he said if you are successful and a visitor, you did not build that. somebody else make that happen. >> boo! >> ladies and gentlemen, that shows why we need a new president because that statement tells you everything you need to know. he does not understand the american free enterprise system and the american dream. we need a change. [cheers and applause] let us suppose you were interviewing for a job 0, that is what the president is asking. you have your resùme and you are trying to tell the boss the american people that you want to get rehired.

let us look at the president's resùme it. how about jobs? we have 8% unemployment. we have the lowest number of entrepreneurs starting businesses. not so good, mr. president. when it comes to energy, his record of making it harder for a great industry to engage in fracking and disposing of nuclear materials, refusing to allow virginians to use their god-given natural resources off the coast of virginia to drill for oil and natural gas -- >> boo! >> when it comes to the debt, let us look at that record. the largest increase in the american national debt in the history of our country.

5.2 trillion dollars. all you young people here, you are paying that bill. that is the record. no plan to get out of it. only a budget that gets us to 25 trillion dollars in debt by 2021. if you have that resùme, you are fired. [cheers and applause] thank god we have a great choice. this election is about one thing. that is which candidate has the vision and the idea is to get the greatest country on earth out of debt and back to work. on the one hand, we have this obamavision of more entitlements and taxes and government as the way to prosperity. that has failed america for the last three and a half years.

then, we have the gop, the great opportunity party. [cheers and applause] we have that incredible reagan- romney enthusiastic vision. you can be anything you want in this great land. [cheers and applause] 100 years ago, poor farm boy from ireland left on a ship and landed in boston, massachusetts. that was my grandfather. he worked as a laborer in a glue factory. he never thought that 100 years later his grandson would end up with the same job as patrick

henry and thomas jefferson. [cheers and applause] that is the united states of america, the land of dreams and opportunities. [cheers and applause] being an average middle-class man, i am incredibly thrilled to be governor. that is the heart and soul of this campaign for mitt romney. doing things and putting policies in place that support and expand and offer hope and opportunities for our middle class families. governor romney has put forth a vision. five . plan to be able to put people back to work. promoting entrepreneurship. if you build it, you provide jobs and opportunities. [cheers and applause] to get our great country out of debt by balancing the budget within the next 8 years. he will have somebody to help him do that. to be able to get people trained

to create the work force of the future, to be able to have a sustainable energy future, this president has no plan. governor romney has and all of the above plan to use all of our red white and blue god-given natural resources to promote american energy independence. that will help jobs and opportunity for a long time. [cheers and applause] ladies and gentlemen, you know the issues and the ideas. want to say above all of his policies, what really matters is his heart and passion. the scriptures say with lack of vision, the people perish. with addition, the people prosper. one of the lonely is places anywhere is the inside of that oval office. when the cabinet members leave, the president has to have faith and know what they believe in

and make the right decisions for the people of the united states. [cheers and applause] that is what you get with mitt romney. he is a man of faith. a man of principle. a man who has been successful as governor. a man who has been successful in the private sector and running the olympics. he is a great family man. five kids. 18 grandchildren. he has been incredibly generous to people over the country and the world. he has an amazing passion and vision for the country. he has a deep and abiding love for america. what it stands for. the great american dream. ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the next president of the united states, governor romney. [cheers and applause] ♪

>> thank you. [cheers and applause] thank you so much, virginia. [cheers and applause] thank you. what a great governor you have. what a terrific man and a leader. way to go. [cheers and applause] >> mitt! mitt! mitt! mitt! mitt!

>> thank you. [cheers and applause] it is great to be back in virginia and here in norfolk. matchedy's beauty is only by its proud heritage. thank you, virginia. [cheers and applause] today, we take another step forward in helping restore the promise of america. we move forward in this campaign and on to help lead the nation to better days and it is an honor to announce my running mate and the next vice-president of the u.s., paul ryan. [cheers and applause] his leadership begins with character and values. he is a man of tremendous

character. paul's father died when he was in high school. that forced him to grow up earlier than any young man should. he did. with the help of his devoted mother, his brothers and sisters, and a supportive community. as he did, he internalized the virtues and hard-working ethics of the midwest. paul ryan works in washington, but his beliefs remain firmly rooted in wisconsin. [cheers and applause] he is a person of great steadiness, whose integrity is unquestioned, and whose word is good. his upbringing of its obvious and how he has conducted himself. including his leadership in washington. in a city that is far too often characterized by padding his in the personal attacks, paul ryan is a shining star. he does not demonize his opponents.

honorable people can have honest differences and he appeals to the better angels of our nature, the people in the other party who might disagree. i do not know of anyone who does not respect his character and judgment. [cheers and applause] he has been in public life for all the right reasons. he has been in public life for all the right reasons. not to advance his personal ambition, but to advance the ideals of freedom and justice and to increase opportunity and prosperity to the people of every class and faith, every age, and ethnic background. a faithful catholic, paul believes in the worth and dignity of every human life. [cheers and applause] with energy, and vision, paul ryan has become an intellectual

leader of the republican party. he understands the fiscal challenges facing america. our exploding deficits and crushing debt. the fiscal catastrophe that awaits us if we do not change course. he combines a profound sense of responsibility with an unbounded optimism in america's future in understanding of all the wonderful things the american people can do. he also combines firm principles with the concern for getting things done. he has never been content to simply curse the darkness. he would rather light candles. throughout his legislative career, he has shown the ability to work with members of both parties to find common ground on some of the hardest issues confronting the american people. together, we are beginning on a journey that will take us to every corner of america. we are offering a positive governing agenda that will lead

to economic growth, widespread prosperity, and that will improve the lives of our fellow citizens. [cheers and applause] our plan to strengthen the middle class will get america back to work and get our country back. [cheers and applause] we offer solutions that are bold, specific, and achievable. we offer our commitment to help create 12 million new jobs and to bring better take-home pay to middle-class families. [cheers and applause] to strengthen the middle class, we will provide our workers and children with the skills to succeed. we will cut the deficit, have a

trade that works for america, and champion small-business. finally, we will unleash our energy resources to achieve energy independence. [cheers and applause] we will help care for those who cannot care for themselves and we will return work to welfare. [cheers and applause] as poverty has risen to historic and tragic levels, with nearly one out of six americans now having fallen into poverty, we will act to bring these families into the middle class. unlike the president who has cut medicare funding by $700 billion, we will preserve and protect medicare and social security. [cheers and applause]

under the current president, health care has only become more expensive. we will reform health care so more americans have access to affordable health care and we will get that started by repealing obamacare. [cheers and applause] at a time when the president's campaign is taking american politics to new lows, we will do something very differently. we will talk about aspirations and american ideals. about bringing people together to solve the problems facing our nation. when that message wins in america, it will be a victory for every american. today is a good day for america and there are better days ahead.

[cheers and applause] doing me in welcoming the next president of the u.s., paul ryan. [cheers and applause] ♪ [cheers and applause]

>> hey. [cheers and applause]

>> every now and then, i am known to make a mistake. i did not make a mistake with this guy. he will be the next vice president of the united states. [cheers and applause] >> thank you. [cheers and applause] i am deeply honored and excited to join you as your running mate. [cheers and applause] i want to tell you about mitt romney. mitt romney is a leader with the skills and character that our country needs at this crucial time in its history.

[cheers and applause] following four years of failed leadership, the hopes of our country are growing dim. they need someone to revive them. governor romney is the man for the job. [cheers and applause] he and i share one commitment. we will restore the greatness of this country. [cheers and applause] i want you to meet my family. this is my wife. [cheers and applause] my daughter. our sons. [cheers and applause] i am surrounded by the people i

love. i love you, too. [laughter] i have been asked by governor romney to serve the country that i love. [cheers and applause] wisconsin is where i was born and raised. i never really left. it is our home now. for the last 14 years, i have proudly represented wisconsin in congress. [cheers and applause] there, i have focused on solving the problems that confront our country. turning ideas into action and action into solutions. i am committed in heart and mind to putting that experience to work in a romney administration.

[cheers and applause] this is a crucial moment in the life of our nation. it is absolutely vital that we select the right man to lead america back to prosperity and greatness. [cheers and applause] that man is standing right next to me. his name is mitt romney. he will be the next president of the united states of america. [cheers and applause] my dad died when i was young. he was a good man. there are a couple of things that have always stuck with me. he would say, a son, you are either the problem or part of the solution. incredibly, president obama has become part of the problem and

mitt romney is the solution. [cheers and applause] the other thing my dad would always say is that every generation of americans leave their children better off. that is the american legacy. sadly, for the first time in our history, we are on a path which will undo that legacy. that is why we need new leadership to become part of the solution. [cheers and applause] it is our duty to save the american dream for our children and theirs. [cheers and applause]

i believe there is no person in america who is better prepared because of his experience, because of the principles he holds, and because of his achievements in some any different arenas. [cheers and applause] let me say a word about the man mitt romney is about to replace. [laughter] [cheers and applause] no one disputes that president obama inherited a difficult situation. in his first couple of years, with his party in control of washington, he passed nearly every item on his agenda. that did not make things better. in fact, we find ourselves in a

nation facing debt, doubts, and despair. this is the worst economic recovery in 70 years. unemployment has been above 8% for over three years, the longest since the great depression. families are hurting. we had the largest deficit and the biggest federal government since world war ii. nearly one out of every six americans are in poverty. the worst rate in a generation. moms and dads are struggling to make ends meet. household incomes have dropped more than $4,000 over the past four years. >> boo! >> whatever the explanation, whatever the excuse is, this is a record of failure. [cheers and applause]

president obama and to many like him in washington have been refusing to make difficult decisions because they are worried about the next election more so than the next generation. [cheers and applause] we might have been able to get away with that before, but not now. we are in a different and dangerous moment. we are running out of time. we cannot afford four more years of this. [cheers and applause] politicians from both parties have made and he promises, which will soon become broken promises with painful consequences if we fail to act now. [cheers and applause] i represent a part of america that includes inner-city, rural

areas, suburbs, and factory towns. over the years, i have seen and heard from a lot of families. from a lot of those who are running small businesses and from people who are in need. what i have heard lately is what troubles me the most. there is something different in their voice. in their words. what i hear from them are diminished dreams. it lowered expectations. uncertain futures. i hear some people say this is just the new normal. >> no! >> higher unemployment, declining incomes, and crushing debt is not a new normal. [cheers and applause] it is the result of misguided policies in and next january, our economy will be coming back with the romney plan for a

stronger middle-class that will deliver jobs and higher income for americans. [cheers and applause] america is on the wrong track. mitt romney and i will take the right steps in the right time to get us back on the right track. [cheers and applause] i believe that my record of getting things done in congress will be very helpful complement's to governor romney's private sector success outside of washington. [cheers and applause] i have worked closely with republicans and democrats to a

dance and agenda of economic growth, fiscal discipline, and job creation. i am proud to stand with a man who understands what it takes to foster job creation in our economy. someone who knows from experience that if you have a small business, you did build that. [cheers and applause] at bain capital, he launched a new businesses and turn around failing ones. companies like staples, bright horizons, a sports authority. mitt romney created jobs. he showed he knows how a free economy works. at the olympics, he took a failing enterprise and made it the pride of our entire nation. [cheers and applause] as governor of massachusetts,

he worked with democrats and republicans to balance the budget without increasing taxes, lower unemployment, increased income and improved people's lives. [cheers and applause] in all of these things, mitt romney has shown himself to be a man of achievement, excellence, and integrity. [cheers and applause] my wife and i, my children, america is a place where if you work hard and play by the rules, you can get ahead. [cheers and applause] we look at success with pride, not reason men.

we know -- [cheers and applause] we know that as more americans work hard, take risks, succeed, our communities will benefit and lives will be uplifted and improved. [cheers and applause] america is more than just a place. america is an idea. it is the only country founded on an idea. our rights come from nature and god, not from government. [cheers and applause]

that is who we are. that is how we built this country. that is who we are. [cheers and applause] >> usa! usa! usa! >> that is what made us great. that is our founding. we promise equal opportunities, not equal outcomes. [cheers and applause] this idea was founded on the principles of liberty, freedom, free enterprise, self- determination, and government by consent of the government. [cheers and applause] this idea is under assault.

we have the critical decision to make as a nation. we are on an unsustainable path that is robbing america of our freedom and security. it does not have to be this way. the commitment we make to you is this -- we will lead. [cheers and applause] we will not blame others, we will take responsibility. [cheers and applause] we will not replace our founding principles, we will reapply them. [cheers and applause]

we will honor you, our fellow citizens. we will give you the rights and opportunities to make the choice. what kind of country do we want to have? what kind of people do we want to be? we can turn this thing around. [cheers and applause] weekend. real solutions can be delivered. it will take leadership. and the courage to tell you the truth. in [cheers and applause]

mitt romney is this kind of leader. i am excited for what lies ahead. i am thrilled to be part of the american's comeback team. we will unite america and get this done. thank you. [cheers and applause] thank you. thank you. ♪

[captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2012] ♪ ♪

[kid rock - "i was born free" plays] ♪

>> with the backdrop being the retired battleship, this speech by mitt romney and paul ryan happened during the 9:00 hour this morning in virginia. the two candidates are moving throughout the state of virginia this afternoon. we are expecting a speech any minute now from ashland, virginia. and another in manassas, virgin ia. it is time to take some of your calls. one on twitter writes -- i want to point out that the wall street journal points out

that before all of that substance, mr. paul ryan is going on the fund raiser circuit. he is going to have lined 10 events this coming monday and august 25. for now, va., tomorrow, n.c., and now your calls. hi, there. what you think? caller: i think it is the best pick. he is putting god before the government, and we need that back in washington. i am not registered but i am going to register and support that ticket. host: tell us why it is the best pick. what does he bring to the table? caller: i just like his policy. we need someone young like him. he will really fight for the

white house and change things. we need got back in the white house. host: from arizona on the republican line, go ahead, patricia. caller: i think this is fantastic. i think romney is one of the greatest man that could run for president. now we have two of them. they are going to bring america back to what it should be. a prosperous country. i hope they do change medicare and social security for my grandkids and migrate can children because obama has done nothing but to destroy it. host: joshua is an independent from new york. what do you think of this selection? caller: i do not think it is the

smartest pick. i think either rick santorum or condoleezza rice would have been a better pick. condoleezza rice has a great foreign policy than they she worked out of college and she specialized in russia. i think she has great foreign- policy for syria and the middle east. i feel like it would help romney as well. paul ryan -- i am sure not a whole lot of people knew who he is. -condoleezza rice would have been the smarter pick. host: we are looking at some taped video from earlier today in virginia when the announcement was made. we heard about this late last night. this event was at about 9:00.

the two candidates are about to do any event in virginia at a place called crenshaw a gymnasium. look for that on c-span. look for the manassas event on c-span at roughly four-o'clocks 30 p.m. today. kevin is on the line from massachusetts, a republican. caller: good afternoon. item very excited with paul ryan. he can articulate very well. he is a truly well-rounded individual with the vice president joe pick. i think he is going to give the college grads some hope and change, and it is called a job to buy a house and live the

american dream. i think they got shortchanged in the last election with mr. obama and all the rhetoric. i think they found out they got a tip a little bit. i am very excited we can move this country forward with some hope and change. host: jared calling from minnesota, an independent. caller: how're you doing? i have been watching it, and i think romney did probably pick the best guy that he could. at the same time, i think he picked the best guy the democrats wanted him to pick. because when you look at the rhetoric that has been going on on both sides of the debate, paul ryan fit right into the

theme about ending medicare as you know it, taxing the rich, you know, benefit being taken away from middle income folks. i think it plays into the narrative. i think he overshadows the ticket a little bit. host: water you expecting the democratic strategy to be? caller: when you look at what is going on with the economy and things tanking the way they are, and selecting the richest guy they could find it -- i do not think it was the best strategy. with the argument swaying from fairness, i still do not think he will be able to pull wisconsin for the republicans.

i would like to see rubio. host: more of your calls in a couple of minutes. we will show the first ad put out by president obama's campaign. first, back to twitter. here is a photo that was posted not long ago. you can see him right next to the vice-presidential pick, paul ryan. from the white house, they put out a statement this morning. mitt romney has chosen a leader who shares his commitment to the theory that new budget busting tax cuts for the wealthy while placing greater burdens on the middle-class and seniors will somehow deliver a stronger economy. here is a look at the

advertisement. [video clip] >> our entire tax system. >> i think it would be marvelous if the senate where to pick up paul ryan's budget and to adop tit. -- adopt it. >> the paul ryan plan turns medicare into a voucher system. >> the paul ryan budget which cuts aid to the disabled, the children, and the elderly -- >> it would cut grants to college students by $170 billion and cut off a million students over the next decade. >> the cuts are so dramatic and painful. >> it gives a trillion dollars tax cut to the wealthiest in this country. >> mitt romney would follow

through with a lot of the reductions you made? >> yes. >> it is an excellent piece of work and is very much needed. ♪ host: we will continue to take your calls as we look at some biographical information about paul ryan. born in wisconsin. he is the house budget committee chairman last year up to the present day and first entered congress in 1999. he is in virginia today with mitt romney. they will be in north carolina tomorrow. paul ryan is going to be on a fund-raising tour for 10 days or so. caller: i just listened to the whole speech. i am very, very glad that he chose paul ryan.

the first time i ever heard him on television. i thought this was the guy that we need. host: what did you hear or how did you hear it that made you feel the way you feel? caller: because he is for freedom and people that work.l you have to work in this country to survive. you cannot stand there with your hand out. and you can be a success, whichever way you determine what success is. he is very smart about the budget. with romney and him, i think they do not say it, but the government cannot create jobs. all the government can do is tax and force. if they tax, they are taking

money from us. if they say they are creating jobs by building roads or bridges, that money is coming from the working people. they can not create wealth. host: roberta, n.y., a democrat. what do you make of this? in atlantaric isntead. are you there? glad to hav eyou. caller: newt gingrich said this would destroy the country and take us right back to george bush policies with tax breaks for the rich. this time you are going to rob my grandmother of 6000 more dollars. this is the best pick that the democrats could have got.

this budget would destroy this country and a bankrupt us quicker. it would put more money to the top 1%. if you really look at it, paul ryan was there under the george bush policies when they had the house, senate, and the president. they never tried to do anything but put in un-funded programs, two wars, bush tax cut, and medicare part d. why does the public believe these people are concerned with what is going on? thank you. host: this is a tweet from herman cain. he writes -- some of the other potential vice-presidential selections from media reports are writing out today.

one from the governor of louisiana. "one of the smartest guys i have served with in congress." rob portman of ohio was one of the others, saying "he has made a great choice in paul ryan." there is also this from the vice-president of the united states joe biden who reached out to congressman paul ryan earlier today to congratulate him and welcome him to the race. he looks forward to engaging him with the clear choice that voters face in november. we now have a republican from virginia beach. caller: i was there this morning. this is the first time in four years that i did not feel depressed. my husband served for five years in vietnam.

we did not go there for another government to take over our country and make us more like prisoners than citizens. we want to be free. that is what the american military has fought for all these years. my husband had 28 years of military service. i have the most hope today than i have had in four years. host: when did you make the decision to go to the event? caller: i did it three or four days ago when i send in for tickets. i am so excited and i feel somewhat better. i have a small business that has had a heck of a time in the last four years. started 844 years ago. we still have it afloat. host: how big was the crowd?

caller: a huge crowd. the people were very patriotic. i really liked mr. ryan even though i did not know much about him before other than he is very smart and has a plan for entrepreneurs to bring america back to where it was. we are the ones responsible for bringing america back to where it was. not a bunch of people who want to tell us don't work and let us send you this thing. once they get the money from the so-called rich people and give it to the others, then the rich people do not have the money anymore. water they going to do next? we want to earn it ourselves. that is what i have done for 44 years.

host: it looks like we do have some pictures live from the second stop today in ashland, virginia. the governor of virginia is there. live coverage. [cheers and applause] >> this is the commonwealth of virginia, the cradle of democracy where we know a little bit about electing presidents here in virginia. let me say thanks to all of you for coming. let me salute all of you who have served in the military. raise your hands so we can give you a round of applause for what you have done. thank you all very much. [applause] this is the state with more veterans than any state in

america. veterans and our active forces will have no better friends in the white house then president mitt romney. [cheers and applause] we have an lot of friends who are here today. we also have with us the guy who i think was the greatest reform governor and your next u.s. senator. george allen is here with us today. [applause] great've got our lieutenant governor from hanover county who is doing a great job driving down that on implement rate. the lieutenant governor. [applause] we are happy to be the most business friendly state in america. think how much better it will be

to do business when we have president mitt romney and the white house. [applause] i am also delighted to be joined by the first lady cannot my wife, and several members of my family. we are all here to help get us ready for the most important election in modern history. the president has been here a lot. he said something i think we ought to remember. he said i do not think i can get reelected president if i do not win virginia. can you help him with that promise? [cheers and applause] of course, he also came to virginia a couple months ago and said something we are still trying to figure out. that is he said if you build a business, you did not really

build that. somebody else make that happen. can you believe he said that in virginia? mr. president, you do not understand the free enterprise system or the heart and soul of the american dream. that is why we need a new president to take over for you. [applause] we know every four years we do this great interview process where we decide who is going to be the leader of the free world. over the last four years, the president has a resume to get elected for another four years. the resume he is presenting goes something like this. over the last four years, he has had an 8 percent and unemployment rate for 42 months, the lowest number of start up businesses in the last 34 years. we also have spending that is

out of control, debt in $16 trillion and growing, the largest amount of debt in the history of an american president. over $5 trillion being added on to buy obamacare. we have an energy policy that is it virtually nondescript, more regulations from the epa that continue to undermine the coal industry, the natural gas industry, the nuclear industry. the president will not let us use our valuable resources to promote energy independence. i look at that resume and two words come to mind. 're fired!"

[tears and applause] thank god we have a clear choice in 2012 for the united states of america. [applause] because this election is about one important thing. which person has the vision to get the greatest country on earth out of debt and back to work? there are two very different ideas. there is the status quo with this president who has the view that more spending, taxes, and entitlements lead to prosperity the bank more unemployment, debt, and deficits. that hope of change has been fear and recession. then we have the positive and optimistic reagan-romney vision of america, the vision of the gop, the great opportunity party. [cheers and applause] that is the vision of mitt

romney who says this is a great land of freedom, hope, and opportunity. if you pursue a vision, if you do not make excuses and you use your talents, you can be anything you want to be in the united states of america. that is what we believe in for the future of our country. [applause] i grew up in northern virginia, it just an average middle-class kid. my grandfather came off the boat 100 years ago. i don't think he ever had a dream as big of a dream when he left the shores to come over here. that is the greatness of america, that people can do whatever they want. mitt romney has a vision for the middle class. the scriptures say that with lack of vision, people perished.

but with a vision, the people prosper. i think it is time for prosperity here in america with mitt romney. [applause] he is bringing this positive vision of optimism and hope for restoration of the great american dream and has this great plan he has outlined for the middle class to reduce that deficit and make the tough choices and be honest with people about what we can and cannot afford. promoting small business to get our job-creating machine working again, to create new work force and education development programs to make sure our education system is second to none, to really have a comprehensive of the above red, white, and blue energy policy using all of our natural resources so we do not have to rely on foreign countries for oil and other resources. that is the vision of mitt

romney and the middle class, and that is what we need for the united states of america. [applause] but i am preaching to the choir, i assume. here is why i want you to do everything you can to help elect a new commander in chief. it has been said that the oval office is sometimes the loneliest place on earth. when the last advisor goes out the door, there is the president sitting at his desk that has to make tough decisions. you need a person who knows what he believes in, a person who has faith, a person who has character and a person who has a vision to always do the right thing for a limited constitutional government. that is what we get with mitt romney. [applause]

he is a man of incredible faith and puts that faith into action with credible charity. he is an amazing family man. i just saw him on the bus with his grandchildren setting on his lap. he has five children, a great wife, 18 grandchildren who he loves very much. he is a person of immense integrity and will do what he says he is going to do. talk is cheap. we need somebody who will be a result-oriented conservative and put the government to work to get things done and produce results for you and the american people. that is what you get with president mitt romney. [cheers and applause] i am so excited that this

morning in virginia we have a great announcement that the other half of that mitt romney team is going to be the great congressman from the state of wisconsin, paul ryan. [cheers and applause] he is the great intellectual voice in the united states house of representatives for our conservative team and will be a great team may 4 mitt romney. ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the center of the universe, the next president of the united states, mitt romney, and the next vice president, congressman paul ryan. [cheers and applause] ♪ [kid rock - i was born free plays] ♪

>> hey, gang! hey, guys! oh, yeah. hey, look at that. >> awesome. >> hey, everybody. [cheers and applause] >> wow. wow. >> we got abraham lincoln over there. >> it feels good to be here in

the center of the universe. thanyou for your hospitality. i have got some good news and i have got some bad news. why don't we get rid of the bad news first? president obama is the president of the united states, and the good news is on november 6, he will not be any longer [cheers and applause] here's why. we have come to a very crucial moment in our nation's history. we are at that proverbial fork in the road. we have a choice of two futures. president obama with his party firmly in control, the first two

years, got everything passed into law that he wanted. now we are living under the policies and witnessing a nation in debt, further in doubt, deeper in despair. now we're seeing a country where after the recession, the so- called recovery is the worst we have seen in 70 years. unemployment up above 8% the whole time. we have had the largest that the senate and the biggest government since world war ii. one out of six americans is living in poverty. household incomes are down, unemployment is up. do you know what the good news is? it does not have to be this way. we can turn this thing around. we can get this right. [cheers and applause]

do you know how we do that? we elect a leader. we elect a leader. right now, we need leadership. we do not need blame. we need leadership. we need someone of principle, achievement, and integrity. that man is standing next to me, and his name is mitt romney. he is going to be the next president of the united states. [cheers and applause] that's right. take a look at leadership, experience, integrity. successful men in business, turning around failing

businesses. i am proud of that. we are proud of that. when america succeed, we all succeed. [cheers and applause] his country and asked him to save the olympics, and he did it. we are proud of that moment. [applause] when he is governor of massachusetts, the credit rating of massachusetts was upgraded for the first time in our history. for the first time in history, the credit rating of america was downgraded. unemployment has gone up. when he was governor of massachusetts, household incomes, family incomes went up. they have gone down $4,000 over the past four years.

now, president obama can not run on his record. he did not change. he did not tax to the middle. he stayed hard left. if he cannot run on his record, if he did not moderate, what does he have left? he is going to divide and distract this country. we are not going to fall for that. [applause] we see that hope and change has become attack and blame, but we know better. being here in this great state of virginia, a state who we are in debt to, the cradle of some many of our great founders, one of the best said, "our right

come from nature and nature's god." that is the idea of our country. [applause] we believe in liberty, we believe in freedom. we need to exercise it. each generation has its chance. this is our generation's defining moment. this is the most important election in your lifetime. so what we have here is a man who is right for the moment. that man who is right for this moment to get us on the right path up off the wrong path is the man who is about to be the next president of the united states. that is governor mitt romney. [cheers and applause] >> thank you.

you stay here. what a crowd here. thank you so much! [cheers and applause] wow, you guys are great. olympics. it is an honor being here with you today. people in washington they are the center of the universe. that is not true. this is the place. what an honor to be with you and have you spend some time with the next vice president of the united states and myself. it is an honor to be with your governor. you are so lucky to have a person who understood what it takes to bring jobs back to virginia. margin that is doing well in part because of his leadership and skills and that of his lieutenant governor. one mroe person.