and when the majority leader decided a few weeks back to defy bipartisan position -- there was bipartisan opposition to what happened in november by changing the rules that govern this place with a simple majority, he broke something. he broke something. but our response can't be to sit back and accept the demise of the senate. this body has survived mistakes and excesses before, and even after some of its worst period, it's found a way to spring back and to be the place where even the starkest differences and the fiercest ideological disputes are hashed out by consensus and mutual respect. indeed, it's during periods of its greatest polarization that the value of the senate is most clearly seen. so let me wrap it up this way. you know, we're all familiar

with the lyndon johnson reign around here. robert carroll has given us that support in great detail. and some look at l.b.j.'s well-known heavy-handedness as a kind of mastery. that's the way some look at it. personally, i have always believed the leader that replaced him was a better fit for this place, and evidently so did johnson's colleagues who elected mansfield upon johnson's departure with overwhelming enthusiasm. they had had it up to here with l.b.j. they were excited that he was gone. in fact, carroll reports that he tried to come to the first lunch after he became vice president and was going to act as the sort of de facto majority leader even though he was now vice president.

that was, shall i say, unenthusiasticcally received. he was almost thrown out of the lunch, never to return. and mansfield was, as i said, enthusiastically closen to replace him. now, the chronicles of l.b.j.'s life and legacy usually leave out what i just told you, but by the time he left the senate, as i indicated, his colleagues had had enough of him, right up to here. they may have bennet -- bent to his will while he was here, but when they got a chance to be away from his iron-fisted rule, they took it. mike mansfield would restore the senate to a place of greater cooperation and freedom, and as we look at what the senate could be, not what it is now but could be, mansfield's period gives us

a clue. there are many well-known stories about mansfield's fairness and equanimity as leader, but they all seem to come down to one thing and that was his unbending belief that every, every single senator was equal. that was mansfield's operating mode, every single senator was equal. he acted that way on a daily basis, conducted himself in that way on a daily basis. the unbending belief that every senator should be treated as equal. so look, both sides will have to work to get us back to where we should be. it's not going to happen overnight. we haven't had much practice lately. in fact, we're completely out of

practice at doing what i just suggested are the first steps to get us back to normal. but it's a goal that i truly believe we can all agree on and agree to strive toward together, and it takes no rules change. this is a behavioral problem. it doesn't require a rules change. we just need to act differently with each other, respect the committee process, have an open amendment process, work a little harder. none of that requires a rules change. because restoring this institution is the only way we'll ever solve the challenges we face. that's the lesson of history and the lesson of experience. and we would all be wise to heed

it. lotitch mcconnell talked a in that speech in january about what would happen if the gop took control of the senate. with that happening in less than two months, what do you expect to see? >> we expect we will see at least an attempt by senator mcconnell and the republican conference to restore some semblance of regular order to the senate floor proceedings come the beginning of next year. what that means, probably after much wanted political votes and folks that are motivated i things that have been promised to republican voters, a vote on repealing the health care law, for instance, is that then we are probably going to try and see the senate get into a pattern of moving regular

legislation through the committee process, which is almost entirely broken down, and onto the floor with the ability for senators from both democrats and republicans to offer amendments to the legislation that is on the floor with the goal of being able to either thursday night or friday morning advance a bill through to passage, rather than have these set up procedural votes that everyone knows are going to fail and bills failing as a matter of routine that we have seen, particularly in the last couple of years. whether or not that works, it's going to be a tall order. >> the first part of that is the committee process. what will we expect to see here on c-span when we see hearings? >> i think what you will see is two different things. when you are looking at hearings, you will see more

hearings in the senate that look like what you have been seeing in the house over the last several years. administration officials being called from various departments and agencies to essentially get raked over the coals by republican senators who are going to be chairman of these committees for the first time. you are going to see more critical hearings and hearings that are built around topics that are critical of the administration. in terms of legislation, you are probably going to see more markups and more consideration of bills at the committee level and when they come out of the committee -- in the last couple of years, bills of come out of committee and then sort of disappeared in a number of cases. what mcconnell is at least saying and what he said last weekend at a news conference

that if a bill comes out on a bipartisan basis, somebody might actually see it on the floor. >> you also mentioned an open amendment process. how likely is it that mitch mcconnell will make good on that promise? >> i think he's going to make good on it at least initially. the challenge is going to be there is so much pent-up demand for consideration of amendments and for votes, and that is largely with republicans but it is true some democrats as well. the question will be getting to the reasonable number of amendments so that bills are actually completed on thursday evenings or friday mornings, mcconnell is talking about keeping the senate in session on fridays, and that is something that very seldom has happened. that will be a challenge because he's going to have a number of his members who will be running for president in the next year, and whether or not they are

going to want to be in the capitol building at lunchtime on friday when they should he on the plane to des moines is an open question. >> the democratic majority under majority leader harry reid invoked what is called the so-called nuclear option. what is that and how likely is it that it will be revoked under a republican majority? >> the nuclear option was the use of a parliamentary maneuver to effectively change the senate's rules using the simple majority vote to get rid of the ability of a minority of senators to filibuster most nominations, except those to the supreme court. this is really going to be the first test for the republican majority and the first big decision they have to make. senator mcconnell is playing his cards somewhat close to the vest on this. when on thursday we will see the republican conference have its leadership elections, and they

are going to talk about this within conference. it's a really tricky question. there are two different ways to look at it. one is the bill has already been rung and it should not be on--- unrung. there are other republicans who are saying they are trying to restore order to the senate. >> to establish what senator mcconnell calls regular order, what kind of buy-in does he nee d? certain senators, certain groups? >> i think he's going to need at least a handful. he's not going to have 60 votes within his caucus, but what we are going to see is if you can get bills assembled, it has the buy-in of six, eight, ten, twelve members of the democratic caucus. senator angus king, the independent from maine who was

in the independent caucus was telling me last week there are a number of bills he has worked on with republicans that he hopes might be able to advance. that will be the big test, if you can get at least 60 senators to support a bill, then they should be able to advance. the question will be whether or not to be democrats are willing to offer those votes. >> niels lesniewski with "rollcall," thank you. >> congress returns to capitol hill this week. the house and senate back on wednesday 2:00 eastern. the house is scheduled to debate 10 bills, including the presidential records act which would allow current and former presidents to restrict records to their areas from the white house. orientation is also this week for new members. in the senate, votes already suspected on judicial nominations and childcare grants.

watch the house live here on c-span and the senate live on c-span 2. a discussion on gridlock on capitol hill in the next congress. from "washington journal," this is 40 minutes. washington journal continues. >> william galston had a piece on the washington journal the american gridlock. have set the roadmap that you spoke about? >> they did break bread together.

the issue of hat immigration has the capacity to really fall things up. the question is that given the fact the president has himself to issue it, retreat ably cannot from that promise. he has disappointed this panic -- , hispanic community. the question is whether republicans will be able to immigration issue and pursue other items on the agenda. all whether it will turn out to be poison on the well. i hope republicans understand they have been given permission american people to govern.

governing means dealing with people care about most, particularly the issues that will make difference between a vigourous economy. where are the areas that you and k they can move forward end this cycle of gridlock? there is some areas, election conference started with ll the items are on top of everybody's like tax reform and trade. interesting very picture, last year they put on conference of tax reform.

democrats on the senate finance committee have made proposals his most obama, in recent budget, also made reforms. that is one area of hope. another is trade. views . but ixed republicans will probably give can of obama negotiating authority. what is the incentive to work together? why should republicans compromise at this point? for the present he had his bill in a healthcare, they are going to try to repeal it.

what is on his side to try and meet? >> i am sure the present is thinking about his legacy. go down in want to historyfor not being able to do anything? -- six years is a long time to go. >> republicans might be the unpopular party in history to win a sweeping election. they have two years to prove they can be something more than the party of no. talking with william galston about washington on the way to move forward. you want a phone, you have all the lines on the screen.

puts his obama, if he hand out what it can to stop democrats for going after him for compromising with republicans? >> that will properly happen. a the present will have chance -- choice to make- just like bill clinton. president have to lead and represent the interest of the country as a whole. above the interest of the party. there are two things give me hope. first of all, mitch mcconnell on a major speech that he was committed to restoring the

as a functioning body. with debates were individual senators are free to offer amendments. that will be huge step. i and others will be watching good as his word. the american people shown before that ending gridlock in washington is a very high priority. as getting the economy going. we cannot get the economy going unless we have a government that works. >> you already brought up one what about example, when he was ears

working with democrats on foreign issues? is there a way forward on foreign issues between obama and republicans? constitution gives the president , the power in foreign policy that he does not enjoy on domestic legislation. presidential leadership is a thing that republicans seniors is something they support. have a ere like to strong presidency for after obama. not think republicans wanted hamstring obama. by patterson support for his issues will be

important. washington plan for to end gridlock, is the headline. we are talking about that. for the 35 minute we will take your calls. with john from pennsylvania. >> good morning. a gridlock when they want to build a billion-dollar embassy in iraq. it comes to gridlock when they need money to build roads, or for schools. they increased depth, so we have no money. see a gridlock when we

send money overseas. >> we have spent a lot of money overseas. been at war, non-stop since short after 911. the american people have tended in the belief s terraced we don't get where they are , there will be a bigger threat to the homeland. the embassy in baghdad, . the argument is that it will target for empting terrorist unless it was reformed. >> you spoke about the politics . what are they? >> in recent months american

that e have been bombarded they experienced challenges to their security. isil had taken over some a quarter f syria and of iraq. the horrific executions of americans. then came the bowler, which was experienced more than a domestic threat than it ever was. americans will like it more stable and secure world. the level of exciting towards the future is very high. >> , let's go to the teresa. >> all the democrats got together after the selection.

we voted for republicans to obama and the democrats. do not want compromise, we believe the republicans gave everything obama wanted. we voted to stop obama. the overwhelming majority of not want to compromise. i don't believe the polls and you're wrong. >> i'll give you a chance to respond. i am sure there were some people who voted for republicans to stop obama. i suspect there are many

republicans who have an affirmative agenda that they would like to move forward. stopping obama is not an agenda when you get right down to it. how the newly elected officials on the republican side who are going to washington interpret what their constituencies want. that is a critical part of politics in a representative democracy. you're going to washington. your election it may have been a surprise. how do you interpret that? constituentsng to and also asking yourself crucial questions. m i just an errand boy for my constituents? ?ave i been elected to lead every man and woman in washington will have to answer that question. >> the color rings up you battlelines being drawn on

immigration. immigration, the president was on "face the nation" and he was asked about executive action and efforts i congress on the issue. here is a bit of what he had to say. >> everybody agrees that the system is broken. we have been out about fixing it for years. we need to be able to secure our border. we need to make a legal system that is more efficient and we need to make sure that the millions of people who have been here for a decade or more and have american kids and are part of our community, they pay a fine, they pay penalties, they learn english and they get to the back of the line but they have a capacity to legalize themselves here. we don't have the capacity to support 11 million people.

everybody agrees in that. i presided over a process in which the senate produced a bipartisan bill. i then said to john boehner, let's get this through the house here in for a year i stood back and let him work on this. he decided not to call the senate bill. he could not produce his own bill. time, i've gothe legal authority to make improvements on the system and i would prefer and still prefer to see it done through congress. wait, we aret i miss allocating resources and deporting people that should not be deported. i am going to give you some time, but if you can't get it , i have to take the steps i can to improve the system. host: is the end of the year and left time?

should the president give congress a few more months? guest: i think he has to put congress on notice that there must be action by a date certain or the executive order will go into effect. president, i would do a series of things. one of the senior advisers reportedly said that the requestt should simply an up or down vote on the senate bill and if there is a vote on the bill, the executive order will not go into place. another possibility is the present would summon congressional leaders to the we are goingnd say to go into a room and were not

coming out until we have a reasonable compromise on this issue. show some leadership and indicate that the executive order is his last choice, one he will make very reluctantly if everything else has failed. it would be worthwhile for the president to test that. with we are talking william galston from the brookings as the two. we are talking about the way forward. robin is calling from pennsylvania on the line for democrats. caller: good morning. i am so confused. and have been my entire life. i am upset about the things that are going on. i can't believe that the amnesty toould give all of these people that are coming here illegally.

that is all you hear from him. i just don't understand. the day after the election, the president said he was going to take executive action if the congress won't come together. change my status from democrat to something, i don't even know what yet. does the i have a pen and i have a phone line work for the president? guest: i think the american people delivered a judgment. there is no question in my mind, i hear the voices of the collars and the distress and the confusion and anxiety.

there is no question in my mind what the american people want. they want a system that can act on the issues that they care most about. they don't want one party to stop the other party. they want the parties to get together and act together and to restore a very unfashionable word, compromise, to the center of our politics. country,ly divided neither political party can't enforce its will on the other for very long. you need a majority in the house , the white house, you need a super majority in the senate to be able to move forward. party is closeal to having that kind of dominance. choices, compromise

or gridlock. there is no third choice. people who are some prefer gridlock. guest: you would have to be totally unaware of what is going on in this country for the past 10 years not to know that there are strong passions on both sides. amnesty is a great slogan. -- does anybody think we are going to roundup 11 million people if we can find them and put them on buses and ship them across the border and dump them in mexico? it is not going to happen. that people get emotional satisfaction out of imagining

that it might happen. it is not going to happen. because going to happen there are sensible members of both political parties who are willing to stand up and tell an unpopular truth to the american people. however these people got to the haved states, many of them been here for a long time and are integrated into the community. their children have been born here and are american citizens. there are some principles of decency and humanity that you have to consider alongside the principles of legality. i think thousands of people listening to the words i just uttered would probably throw stones at me. ok. the line fors on republicans. caller: good morning. is problem with the gridlock

it comes down to trust. in 2006ed the democrats to lead us out of this. what did we get for it? ,e got the great recession which is blamed on one man. me, the democrats would be in competent. back to the trust thing, we gave to get1 trillion infrastructure to build roads and bridges. how many roads and bridges did beget? -- did we get?

every one of them illegals took those signs down. that is an american citizens job. we have more things on twitter. guest: what is the choice? has constitutional power. i am sure that mitch mcconnell and john boehner would be the first to say if they were on the day, at the end of this the bill becomes the law when the president signs it here in aide is a famous story, an walked into lbj's office and gave them a draft of a piece of legislation that he wanted the

administration to sent to congress. said,d the outline and the you want an issue or do you want a bill? that is the fundamental choice that the leaders of the congress of the united states have to ask them selves. and the president. do you want to fight? 2016? want an issue for are we actually going to try to get something done? host: why immigration? thecan't the path forward paved with smaller bills to begin with? there is no question that the bonds of trust in washington have been severely strained and broken. am cofounder of a group called no labels, we want to bring elected representatives together

to re-we've those bonds of trust. we have made some progress. there is more work to be done. it is true that a democratic political system that is divided cannot make a lot of progress unless there is more trust than it now exists. trust doesn't magically develop. it has to be created step-by-step. i hope that congressional leaders will be aware of that fact. the american people want trust-based action. for our viewers who may be interested in no labels, where can they find it? labels.org. is in new jersey. caller: the color before that

said we are tired of the democrats, the republicans are in overwhelmingly now. we are tired of the democrats. we are tired of obama. this trusted business that you talk about, the republicans should have done something. when obama first got in, he had the senate and the house. why didn't he passed immigration then? he concentrated on obamacare that republicans didn't like. he was the king. we are sick of him and the democrats. it is about time that the republicans got in and will make some changes. have ans supposed to -- imeeting and he was

don't remember the words, he wanted everyone to get along. withs going to be free letting the people know what is going on. he does what he wants. he acts like a king. we are sick of him. what if the president had started with immigration reform instead of health care? i think he would've been well advised to do that, in my opinion. this is a debate that will go on among historians and among political analysts for long time. we think we would be farther ahead as a country if he had done what the collar just suggested. that is not a popular view inside my own party. a popular view

inside my own building. host: do you think he could've gotten both done? guest: i don't know. perhaps not. host: we are talking about the way forward for washington. georgia onp next in the line for democrats. caller: good morning. like brian williams to replay john kirby's press conference. people have got that all screwed up about what we are going to do with isis and who's got the authority to do what.

if he would replay that some time today, get people to listen to it. host: thank you for the programming suggestion. isis, talk about the congressional reaction to the president's announcement on friday that he was doubling the number of troops there and the debate over the authorization of use of military force. guest: my impression is 's moves againsti do enjoy broad bipartisan support. the president must be deeply disappointed to be in the process of sending troops back to iraq after working so hard to withdraw them. 275, then 1200,

now he has doubled down by sending another 1500 troops. hasink he quite properly notified the congress of the united states that the mission of these troops has changed not incrementally, but fundamentally. he intends to go back to congress and ask congress to authorize these activities which will share responsibility for the policy. it will make it clear to friend and foe alike that this is the policy of the united states and not just the policy of the executive branch of the government. host: why wait until after the election to do it? why not get them to do before they took their seven-week recess to run for reelection --? ion mark

guest: they must have made a judgment that congress likes to get out of town and campaign. there was little or no chance the congress would give these issues the serious debate and scrutiny that it deserved. that sounds right to me, to tell you the truth. think labor day of an election year would've been a good time to demand an up or down vote on this authorization. it would have given the american people a chance to observe the congress making an important decision and informed their judgment. >> we are talking with william galston from the brookings institute. he is also a columnist for "the ."ll street journal o

caller: good morning. 52%president was elected by of the people. he wants to get 100% of what he wants. his policies were never overwhelmingly supported. health care was middle-of-the-road. one of the things that bothers republicans is pressed favoritism. the press is supposed to be a referee. somebody drove the car into the to helphey don't get drive. when the press didn't call him overhaul, it care

was underhanded. instead. applauded it there is a back lat -- backlash. he is doing things that he is not being checked for. when you see some but his hand on the scale, keep doing that. it creates a backlash. i think he has no ability to ever admit that he makes a mistake. he is right about everything. he is going to have close to 10,000 troops in iraq that he should have left. a couple of points there if you would a pickup on one or two. guest: quite a few. i think we are going to debate

the events in iraq for a very long time. every last troop and then beginning a painful process , itending some of them back was clear that we could not leave our troops there unless we had a status of forces agreement that gave them the necessary immunity from the iraqi legal process. no commander in chief could've left troops subject to the vagaries of the iraqi justice. a lot of people inside the process differ on why those talks did not reach a successful conclusion. it may be that if the president had pushed harder and got more centrally involved in those negotiations that he could've gotten a better result or it i don't know. i don't think most other people know either. leader,dealing with a

maliki, who could hardly have in promoting the best interests of his country or of the relationship with the united states. i think we have to take that into account. maliki was beholden to the iranians who had zero interest in seeing american troops left behind in iraq as a source of influence on the political process. to leave this to history. host: d you think media has a role in causing red lock or ended it? on -- i am onad the one network that everybody agrees is an honest broker. if the media are so powerful, why did the republicans win to

overwhelming victories in 2010 and 2014? president out campaigned the two republicans that he was fortunate enough to go head-to-head with. the media have been close to brutal in criticizing this president. this is appropriate. nobody drafts modern presidents into their offices. they work very hard to get there. they must know that everything they do will be scrutinized. it is probably true that more members of the media lean democratic than republican. affectsnt to which that their work is quite limited. i know that i will never persuade individuals such as the caller that they don't really

put their fingers on the scale all that much. >> larry is in georgia on the independent line. we've been waiting on the president to give amnesty to the undocumented people from mexico so we could hook them up on high treason. this is high treason. he will become an agent of brazil. i know you have seen those videos and you know what i'm talking about. guest: i haven't and i don't. what is your view on reagan's solution to the immigration issue? ronald reagan did preside over a process that led to comprehensive immigration reform

in 1986. theconsensus now is that bill failed in some respects. there has been a lot of effort from thoughtful people on both sides of the aisle to reflect on what went wrong with the 86 bill and guard against it. i think it is impressive that the senate passed on a very strong bite partisan basis -- bipartisan basis the bill that reflect on much of that work. a lot of people have been disappointed at the house of representatives refused to bring that bill up for a vote despite the fact that many republicans voted for it or to do something else. president's interview was completely factual. the republican party in control of the house of representatives withn opportunity to deal

the senate bill or do something else. because of her eternal -- internal republican politics, they did nothing. that explains why we are where we are. host: we are talking about ending gridlock in washington area --. ramona is in georgia. good morning. caller: good morning. go ahead. you are on. caller: i think our political been hijacked by republicans. why is there voter suppression? why are there illegal tactics to suppress voters or close polls early? if there was such a way for

republicans, i think that is a big lie. keepinghere a need for people from voting? host: your thoughts on voter suppression? guest: there is no question tout the fact that efforts require voter identifications, to limit convenient forms of voting such as weekend voting or early voting have aroused suspicions in some quarters, especially in the african-american community that republicans are trying to roll the clock back and make it more difficult for people who have to work hard to get the right to vote to exercise that right. i think that is unfortunate. that thosey much measures had much of an influence in the outcome. i can think of one race where it

may have had an impact, in north carolina. i can't tell you if it was a decisive impact area and prior to the vote in north carolina, democratic vote mobilizes thought they would get enough people out to get kay hagan over the top. to get to one or two more collars. gary is on the line for independence. caller: good morning. i have four questions i would ask. what is the ideal population of the united states? how much do illegal aliens cost american taxpayers? host: let's start with those

concerns about the cost of illegal immigrants. guest: we have to do costs and benefits. for of them do not qualify or receive social services. some do. many of them are actually working and paying taxes into social security. there are a lot of economic studies suggesting that though there are some spots in the country where they are a net burden, on balance, if you have people working and many of them have been doing in construction and paying taxes into the system, those are important benefits to the country. i understand completely that some people are convinced that they are a major source of a drag on the economy and a drag

on the labor market. i don't think research sustains that point. it will be impossible to persuade people to that fact. host: dorothy is on our line for democrats. are you with us? i think she stepped away. who are the dealmakers in congress? are -- is it the leaders themselves? both. i will give you one example. take the incoming chairman of the finance committee, orrin hatch. he is famous for and prides himself in reaching across the aisle to do important legislation with people like ted kennedy. mr. hatch have a lot of say about the prospects for tax

reform and other things at the beginning of the next congress. if you take a look at the leadership of some of the other hasittees, lamarr alexander jurisdiction over education policy. of people inot leadership positions who have shown in the past that they are willing to work across party lines to get things done. i am moderately hopeful that if senator mcconnell is true to his word and gives the committee process a chance to work as it should, we areit going to see some decent legislation come forward area --. >> on the next "washington matthew mitchell looks at the congressional lame-duck session.

on american legion, executive jones discusses veterans issues. live atton journal" 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. house secretary sylvia burroughs said that the government's goal is to have 9.1 million people enrolled in private health care marketplaces next year. her remarks are next. then a conversation from politico with iraq and afghanistan commander stanley mcchrystal. then, a conversation on broadband internet access. the 2015 c-span student cam video competition is underway, open to all middle and high school students that create a 5-7 minute documentary on the theme, "the three branches and

you." are 200 cash prizes for students and teachers totaling $100,000. for a list of rules, go to studentcam.org >>. now, secretary sylvia burwell talks about the open enrollment for the health place market -- health care marketplace beginning in 2015. the center for american progress hosted this 45 minute event. >> good afternoon, everyone. i would like to thank you for

coming to the center of american progress. this is a timely and important forum. we begin open enrollment for the aca on next saturday. that will extend for three months through february the 15th. we are happy to have this opportunity to spend some time secretary to talk about open enrollment and other aspects of the aca. before we do that, i would like to thank you for coming to the center for american progress. we are happy that you are here. we are going to have a discussion up here. later on, there will be questions that we take from the audience and billy is going to be passing cards around in case you would like to write your question on a card. you will be able to do that and we will have those questions at the end of the hour. providing currently

10.3 million americans with ,uality affordable health care individuals who did not have health care previously. more than 7 million have enrolled in the state and federal marketplaces. ion in a medicaid and chips, and 3 million young adults being able to stay on their parents' plan and receive coverage that way. that equates to close to 19 million people benefiting today from the affordable care act. there is still a lot of work to be done. about 5 million americans fall through the medicaid gap because their governors in their states have failed to expand medicaid. a timely forum. secretary burwell is the 22nd

secretary of health and human services having been confirmed in june of this year. prior to her coming to hhs, she served as the director of the office of management and budget and we had your successor, shaun donovan here just a few weeks ago. secretary burwell has a lot of things. she has been president of the walmart foundation which she led efforts to fight hunger in america, empowering women and reaching millions of people through walmarts community presence. she helps the foundation surpassed the $1 billion mark in total giving. secretary burwell has spent 10 years at the bill and melinda gates foundation in seattle and has also served in the

administration of president bill clinton. we are happy to have you here. we have lots of questions and i'm sure you have lots of answers. i want to begin with an easy question. just last friday, the united states supreme court has decided to take a case that many believe could threaten premium tax credits for millions of americans thereby putting the aca in a death spiral as some have chosen to use the term. what do you want consumers to know and should they be concerned as we go into this open enrollment period about the supreme court decision? >> the most important thing for consumers to know is that nothing has changed. the tax credits they will be signing up for on the ones they have for those enrolled will be continuing. as we go into open enrollment, nothing has changed. as the administration has said, we believe the law stated the tax credits are an important heart of affordable health care coverage and that is for all.

>> you believe that people should enter this enrollment period with a high level of confidence, that what the aca promises to them will be there for them. >> that's correct. i think the administration has been clear all along that we believe that was the intention of the law and believe that is where we will stay and be. stay and be. several and i've heard of the authors of that law in that that was in fact their intention and if the and the intended it supreme court understands what the intention of congress was, and theief administration's belief is that the court will make the -- ultimately make the correct decision and this will no longer be a problem? correct. and i think what's most important is that nothing has changed. as we go into this open we'll bet, which starting this saturday and glad

ofsee folks from a number the organizations, whether it's enroll america, planned parenthood, others of our who arey organizations out there making sure that we'll folks, thatnroll nothing has changed. >> now, we all know that the someal roll-out had problems. to the administration went work, and the ultimate result was more people actually enrolled and signed up than were expected to do so. but they had about six months to do that. this enrollment period covers a shorter period of time. and perhaps a more difficult task is confronting you. so let me ask you, you've been testing the healthcare.gov leading up to this enrollment period. how confident are you that people are going to have a good experience when they sign on or get into healthcare.gov? have said a number of

times, we are confident that we are going to have a successful open enrollment. about that,think what is a successful open enrollment? there are really three that.ental elements of one is affordable choice. and that is for the consumer. the idea that the consumer andthe ability to choose have affordability. there's been a 25% increase in of plansr participating in the mark place, andhat question of choice affordability. we want to continue to make progress on that fundamental theer of reducing uninsured. and when you think about one of the fundamental things, when we access in the affordable care act, we're talking about that number of uninsured. tore are really three ways move that number. one is you move that number through people who have care, and we're employed.ople who get when the unemployment number

goes down, that's a great way to it. we're all for medicaid expansion and believe that's another way to expand the coverage. finally, the issue of getting that care in the marketplace. and so as we think about that, moving that uninsured, the third element of open enrollment has to do with the consumer experience. hasthat consumer experience two fundamental parts to it. one you touched upon in your which is operational functioning. does the website work? and are people able to go in and get on the website? with regard to that piece of it, spending a tremendous amount of time to try and do some things differently. was tenr, our testing days. this year, our testing is five weeks. and the insurers have been in testing, testing different things. end to end. load, in addition we have focused also deeply and made sure we're bringing the best

practices from the private serk, whether that's bringing our colleagues at dhs in to the fbi practices in the private sector. we actually plan every day. in addition to that, we have us.le try and hack we, you know, have people try and do that as well as once a andter having folks come in do security checking. consumerpiece of this piece, because this is, what is a successful open enrollment, is the concept that the consumer better interaction. things are simpler, faster and more intuitive. for those who are returning to for those coming back, for most of them, 90% of the information is going to be prepopulated. what does that mean? you don't have to keep entering your address. you enteredormation from last year, 90% of it will be there, to make that easier you're coming back to check things out. the second place is actually those new folks coming in. folks, what we've tried for about 70% of the

people, we're going to see a where they have an application that has -- it's 76 screens down to 16 screens. in addition, it's going to be use mobile applications, because we know many of the young people that use mobileg to reach applications. so that ability to connect there. of the thingsome we're doing to get us to a successful open enrollment. >> so, you know, there are there who are opposed to the aca, do not want it to succeed and are looking for ways createck it and suspicion or doubt perhaps in the minds of the consumer. tell me, as we sit here today, that a person who applies does not have to worry about their private medical health care information becoming public? >> so in terms of the issue of security, it's one i touched on a little bit, but it is a very

important high priority for us, as we work on the affordable care act and the question of the marketplace. been doing is putting in place the best practices in and publicivate sector. we're applying both teams. we've added new teams to our teams.g we've added members from inside the government, from outside the government to be a part of this sure we areake doing everything possible to test and try for that security. and we've seen it in both the public and private sector, that there are things that can happen. so our job is to put in place everything we can. all that testing that i said. never -- you know, we can't predict and there are many malicious people out there. stand ready and have practice drills so when something does happen, we can quickly ifct something did happen. the last thing i would say is just at this point we are we have not had a malicious attempt on people's private information. could that change? it could, but to date we haven't

had that and have put in place preparation and an ability to deal. as if you feel as if you're ready for this open begin.ent period to and that's gratifying. you mentioned one of the ways that people are getting health care is through the expansion of medicaid. of having been the governor the state of ohio, having been succeeded by a conservative governor, governor ihn kasich, i was thrilled -- congratulated him, when as a conservative governor, he chose the peopleedicaid to of my state of ohio so that thousands would be covered. unfortunately, that hasn't been the case in some other states. something that those of us here at the center for are concernedess about, because our position is have american should access to high-quality health care. i know that's your goal as well.

so that's an issue that will of concern, will it not, that there are people in country thatn this fall within that medicaid gap get access to coverage? >> yes. one of the core priorities since inave gone to the department terms of the space of the affordable care act, we think about the marketplace and the thattance of bringing number of uninsured down to the marketplace. medicaidsaid, expansion is another very important tool. and it's something that, as been focusedhave on. in july, less than a month after i was confirmed, i went to theessee to speak with national governors bipartisan gathering to talk to both governors and make sure both parties, all governors, to say i'm ready to work with you. we want to expand medicaid. we understand different states have different needs. we saw pennsylvania expand in way.wn we saw iowa expand in its own way. in theirkansas expand

own way. and i wanted the governors to know we understand and respect different states have different needs. and so i'm personally engaged with a number of conversations, a number of those conversations been reported on and i'm going to continue to work on that. spoke to i went and the medicaid directors of all 50 states, because i want them to priorityimportance and of their work, both in terms of this question of expansion as well as the work they do every day to innovate in the health deliver well on the taxpayer dollar. >> let me ask you this question about the consumer experience who have already enrolled, those who enrolled last year. my understanding is that if they their enrollment will be automatically renewed. some people may think, well, if it's going to be automatically renewed, i should nothing. but it has been pointed out to me and i'd like your opinion on

for, that it's important people who are already enrolled at theirk and look options going forward, because they may be able to find a plan is better and cheaper. maybe not but it's important thatthey at least have option and understand that option. is that correct? >> i think that is a very important part. that's why right now, and as of saturday, many of the folks that as here know it is important we're talking about staying covered, to encourage people to they checkake sure and make sure they check and make sure their information is updated and make sure they are making the best choice for them in terms of different options. when there's a 25% increase in plans, there may be something that would work better for you. and that may be in terms of type of coverage or it may be in terms of the cost of coverage, which is something that is very important to people. and we know that's something that many people are making choices and decisions on. so we want to encourage everyone

to come back. every will doat that before december 15, because which the point at reenrollment is. hopeful people will come in and shop. yesterday we put up window shopping on the site already so that people can go in. did it enter -- i yesterday. you enter in a zip code and you can go in and see and look at different plans. you can sort by cost of premium. can also sort by deductible, so as you're trying to think understand what is it that you're looking for, so making that shopping a little thatr for the consumers so even those who are reenrolling can go in and do that. >> yes. and i think it's important for people to understand that, because although they may have coverage that they're satisfied with, they may be able to get a better deal and so it's worth checking. and so i'm glad you were able to

clarify that. this. ask you overtakenicans have the senate. some of the leadership is highly critical of the aca. beenhere have already comments about the things that done once the new to go aftervenience the 30-hour workweek medical devicee tax, the individual mandate, which is so critical to the this program. ask you, are these to you, andoncern in your judgment, do you believe election was an expression of the american being negative toward the aca? >> so i will -- i am obviously

elected official, not a politician. and i will turn to how i think about this question overall. and the affordable care act was passed with -- there is bipartisan agreement about the of the act.elected premises those are affordability, quality, and access. and so when i think about the question of pieces or parts, i believe -- we've made progress. fewery, 115,000 readmissions. we need to make more progress there but that's an example of quality of care. being readmitted.it aren't the question of affordability, thater that's the fact many -- the affordable care act made the opportunity for over seniors that are part of medicare to save over $11 billion. what some people refer to as the donut hole. or the fact that, as the

taxpayer, we saw $116are spending be billion less than the trajectory it was on before, so that affordability is there. the issue ofis access. americansewer adult than last year are now uninsured. moredea that 10.3 million americans are not uninsured, that's the facts. substance.he as we think about the go forward, that's the conversation we want to have. think the president has been clear, the idea of repeal of the affordable care act is not something that, you know, this administration will let happen. work towill do is improve. if people have ideas and places cane they believe we increase affordability, quality or access, let's have that conversation. thate would welcome conversation. but with regard to other things, let's measure them. let's measure them substantively against what we actually agree

premises ofamental what we want to try to improve as a nation. so as far as the conversation, i the conversation will shift to a substantive conversation about the three on andthat we can agree how do we move forward on those. >> well, let me pose another that may be relevant to this discussion of whether or is trust and what people hear from the administration. why do you say the critics, who held off publishing updated rates until after the you werebecause concerned that those new rates bad news for the consumer? what do you say to that? >> with regard to the issue of transparency, which is thing i have talked a little bit about since i have been secretary, and it's the numbers we put out, exactly how many letters we

sending out, there were issues around immigration and we said how many people we were out to.letters it was a very large number. theolks may remember, initial -- it was 900-some thousand. to income, the issues of income data, i said out.hose numbers we put out effectuated enrollment, that's what said they needed to know, the number of people who paid and are getting insurance. 73. number was today we have put out the new effectuated enrollment. 7.1 million.s that's the number of people currently enrolled and paying in the marketplace. in addition, today, in terms of this tran pattern si issue -- issue, the team briefed and i'll talk about

right now the fact that, what's goal? the goal broadly. people want to know, how many people are going to be effectuated, signed up and paid for in the marketplace? we did a lot of analysis around that. what we try and do is give you information when we have it that's accurate. we did was hadat to think through. i wanted to understand -- we needed to build what those numbers should be. we have this many people enrolled. now that number is 7.1. how many of those people do we reenroll? how do you get to that number? the analysts had a range from to 90%. we came back, talked to a lot of of time, said lot that number is going to be about 83%. that's where we put it, in terms the number and percentage of people that will reenroll. how do you get the total number? it's new people that are coming to the marketplace. so what we did was we took the time to size that. and the sizing of that has to do with how many people are

that aren't eligible for medicaid but in that space. and then we took that number and created a range. about think that range is 9 million to 9.9 million. and then, because i know i will get the question, so i may as well answer it now, a range is hard to manage too. you doing, what number? what number? so what we did was looked at a analysts infferent terms of growth of market. theseow, when did markets, whether it's chip, d, different markets, when have they gotten point?r stabilization cbo had numbers out there, 13 million, over a three-year period. right trajectory? then we looked at actually what we actuallych is have data. one of the predictions was people would move from coverage to the marketplace. that's been much lower than the

prediction. so we have that number. also have what the market did last year and we had a huge market, as you initially started this conversation. what we did was settled that the market will grow between 25% and 30% this year. and if you take that number and that number, we said, you know, around 28. if you take those two numbers, the number that we are going to aim for this year is 9.1 million. so the beginning of your question was transparency. what i'm trying to do is, with data, to the numbers, the the information, we want it to analytically based and we want to move it as quickly as we can. moving the numbers on those were writing letters to that might come off the system, that's not news that's good for us. >> i do want to go to this -- so relevant, and it's from someone in the press,

respondays, how do you to critics saying that the administration moved the goal today's enrollment estimate? and i think you tried to respond to that. is there anything you'd like to add? >> i'd be happy to add. what i would add is, where do disagree? i think, again, it's just like the other question about the signs of the affordable care act -- the substance of the affordable care act. do you think that reenrollment 83%?d be greater than it's not about a number. analyticst the actual to get to the number. do you disagree and think that more than should grow 28% in its next year? i mean, one of the things i let's look,am was, let's see what growth of new products in this space are.tionally how do you think about it? is so how i respond to that welcome always hearing questions and legitimate questions. time -- i lot of obviously spent time with the team down to the numbers, you

and roading to press test on that. the question i would just say is, you know, one of the things with the cbo numbers and everyone knows i come from omb, a tremendous amount of respect for my colleagues at cbo twohave worked with them in different administrations and have a great respect. one of the things is the line.on of that you know, they suggested, if you accept that the 25 million where you will level off, they do it in three years. what happens if you do that over period of time? and how do you think about the new information that we have what happened in reenrollment? so the question of, what one's goal should be, to me, i came in and asked the team, let's analytically build this. and that's what we've done. and this is where we've come out. suggest and this is just my thinking. i'm not sure it's yours.

suggest that with the continued attacks on the aca fromvarious quarters, individuals and groups that are thated to it, do you feel those attacks are having an effect onwill have an the numbers of people who will to enroll?ry is it creating doubt in their the aca is here to stay? what's your personal opinion the effects of the negative attacks that the aca has endured? looks as if it will continue to endure for the foreseeable future. think that there are two important things in terms of this question of the attacks. i think about it in two ways. one, i think about the numbers, i think about the stories, because i think those are equally powerful in terms is going to keep this moving forward?

and that's not to say -- i say, when something is fighting against versus how can that'sit better, difficult. so i will not say anything other than that is extremely difficult. but i think what carries the day is the fact that, whether it's i went over,hat 10.3 million people, fewer are uninsured, you know. the numbers you gave. the people who are under 26 and under their parents' policy. room whobody in this actually had employer-based insurance who now that doesn't worry about preexisting conditions, for everybody who had that insurance but also now has prevennive care that -- theyntive care that didn't, those are the kinds of things i think are going to be a difference. personjoined today by a who has one of those stories. i would encourage folks -- ann philadelphia. can you raise your hand? she came here from philadelphia

incredibly of those important stories of her coverage and what it has meant to her in her life in terms of a very healthy, you know, working out, eating right, doing all the right things. her mother encouraged her to sign up, and she did and ended up needing the coverage, health perspective and from a financial perspective. voices like ann, that is going to carry the day. >> ann, how old are you? 22.'m 8. >> and you really want to reach group, do you not, in terms of the sign-up period? >> and ann is in the middle of her treatment. but it's that courage that is going to make the difference. know, madam secretary, i've been puzzled, having been the governor of a large state, at the governors who have made the decision not to expand medicaid. and, you know, i assume that good faith in in

they think is best for their state. entire hospital system would have suffered greatly had medicaid expansion not been pursued by governor kasich. effect thatk to the hospitals have to go through? i mean, many hospitals are closing in rural areas and in other areas because of the decision. so could you just speak to that? >> i think when one thinks about medicaid expansion, it's about the individuals that are going to get covered, which is a very important part of it. also about the economics of medicaid expansion. not havingssure that that expansion puts on especially rural hospitals. state like west virginia where there are a lot of rural hospitals. the pressure it puts, that is so many hospitals in so many states support it, because the

care, they'd rather have that care being paid for. it makes a difference to the lines. there are estimates out there from the council on economic those states that have medicare expansion are going to have 350,000 more jobs. economic issues as well as the care and health issues are very important as we have conversation. with erecently saw -- we recently saw the most recent state to come in was pennsylvania, with a republican governor come in and, you know, over 400,000 people will now be eligible for care in the state of pennsylvania. and i think folks know that, as said, you know, in conversations with a number of other republican governors as well. >> well, you know, i just know hospital system in ohio was deeply involved in expansion. this and i've been a little curious, because, you know, i think people respect their hospitals

and i've been curious as to how governors are going to deal with they local hospitals, if continue to choose not to expand as you say,cause, it's an economic issue, not only affects the individual person getting coverage but affects the entire health care system within that state. a serious matter. i have a question here, another press.n from the what does the administration's enrollment projection say about going to reach new enrollees? what's going to motivate them to in 2015, after deciding 2014? do so in >> you know, i think that question actually reflects which is that is true, the next group of people will be harder to reach. fair.k that's true and and i think it's also true we're on a shorter time frame. last time, it was six months. and this time it's three months. but i think in terms of -- there

question.rts to that one is kind of push and pull, demand and supply. the question of demand and how we think about know, thehat, you affordabilityhe affordabl and the question of ease and speed andn and spee those areess, all of things we're going to do to try and bring those people in. in addition, this room happens to have a number of the people important tomely helping bring those people in, to helping educate those people about what the benefits are, what the costs are, and how to do it. and the groups that have last year,did this they are working across the nation to make sure. i think is going to help is the stories. the other thing is for anyone wants to, this is the new enrollment. this question was new not reenrollment. this is the get covered, not stay covered group.

i just want to remind everyone you can go to healthcare.gov. you can actually go and find are local people who will assist you in your local community, individuals to help you, many of whom are from the groups here represented today. last is there's a 1-800 number. so one of the things we're what is address what is embedded in that make sure there are lots of ways people can do it, there's lots of help people can get. it, it's easyo and affordable. >> what are you most concerned in termsdam secretary, of this enrollment period? >> so i think in terms of this twollment period, there are things. there are obviously many things that, you know -- many details and many things. things that i think are important. one is the idea that we do have shorter period of time. and we have a group of folks -- you know, we're moving to the group that may be a harder group to reach. the other concern that i have is

first fullually the round. and i know everyone thinks this is the second open enrollment. of the topic we've discussed, which is firstllment, this is the time that you're going to have to go through the whole -- we technologically and from a consumer perspective, both. i think aree things challenging. anytime you do things for the first time, it's hard and you worry. one of the things. we talked about all the planning and preparation we've done. we have, you know, tested. we have been testing for an time.ed period of we have done all of those things. but i also know that we are will to have things that go wrong. the private sector, the public sector, anytime when you have a that's complicated, when you have a product -- you know, health care is difficult in the employer-based market in terms of people understanding all the different pieces and parts. this is hard. will have things that won't go right. with ewill have outage -- we

outages, down time. but the most important thing we can do about that is make sure we are prepared. one of the other things we've been testing. dorun exercises for what to when something goes wrong, and we do that so that it will happen. something will happen and what is bed to be able to do transparent, and get it fixed. concerns some of my and also how we're addressing those. >> so i'm a person who already insurance. why should i care about this? >> i think you should care about for any number of reasons. first of all, in terms of the things that happen and the received whenwere the affordable care act was theed, and whether that's up to 26-year-olds being on coverage, the fact that there are no bans for preexisting conditions, the fact that there more affordability in the marketplace now, and that will work for everyone, the fact that

we think about the economics we just talked about, those are benefit from,ll when there are fewer people who are coming to emergency rooms indigent care, we benefit from that in our system. so it's about your own personal yourage and it's about economics and the other piece of the economics that i would say are actually important are the aonomics actually as taxpayer, because one of the parts of the affordable care act continues to sometimes not be focused on is affordability. the important for individual but it's important in the changese of the chiengs that have been put in place to try and flow some of the growth in medicare. >> aren't there provisions within the aca that have nothing specifically with someone getting coverage but that offer protections for people who do insurance, or say i'm in a company goes bankrupt and i lose my job and health

care, there are certain protections that apply to everyone, whether they are receiving health care through or not, are there not? >> that's correct. surerms of trying to make there is downward pressure on premiums. >> so another question we received. alluded to this. but how confident are you that will work on saturday? and i think you've spoken to that. you're as confident as you feel you can be, because you've gone of the -- there's here that deals specifically with end-to-end testing, something i don't really understand. you mentioned more time for end-to-end testing. be more -- can you say more about that? testing?nd-to-end >> so there are a number of different types of testing that

terms of thein website and even the products. have -- the application that i mentioned is the shorter we refer to asat application 2.0. that was started and actually as early as late july, early august, starting to test that product. product out in the marketplace for people who are part of special enrollment were actually,ey you know, running through and testing the product. and so that type of testing was we could seethat if it was working, make corrections to it. thatther types of testing we do -- and you know, en end-to-end means different things to different people, but it's from the beginning steps to end. and there are many steps, whether that's having to do with passwords, whether that's having identification, whether that's having to do with how it actually happens when you sign up for your coverage that to the insurer. it's all of those steps. and we've been working with the

insurers to make sure those are tested. in addition to that kind of testing, there's other testing. hopefulhe things we're is that there will be more people on the website at a given load.and so when i say load testing, how many people can the site hold at a given time? what is its capacity? we've worked to increase that capacity. all of these different types of testing have been going on of five weeks.d and we use the testing to see if catch things, if there are problems or changes that we need to make as we go forward. >> and you're feeling confident the the experience that consumer is going to have when healthcare.gov is most likely, in most situations, a positive one? >> open enrollment this year experienceositive for the consumer. and that does have two pieces,

as i described, to it. has the operational piece but it also has that consumer engagement. challenges? yes. but the experience overall is a positivell be experience. >> and one of the things that people, i think, are rightly concerned about is the cost. us aboutcan you tell the projections regarding costs? some people are saying they're going to skyrocket. others say you're going to reduce costs. what is the factual information us? you can provide to >> so with regard to about 40 -- about 40 states have started up some form of their information up with regard to the premiums. probably the most important the premiums is yesterday, when you can start window shopping, you, the can actually see what the premiums are for you. and that's one of the things that i think we think is the important thing to do. with regard to where we think premiums will be, we think, as

the growth ofong, premiums in this market, which is the self-insured market, is it haso be slower than been in the years before the affordable care act. in addition, we will do everything and are doing everything to make sure that there is downward pressure on the premiums. is supportingat and state insurers and giving them money to review those premiums that come in over to, or creating pressure keep downward pressure on the premiums, and those are some of that people refer to, reinsurance, risk corridors. those are all steps to help the insurers during this early time -- some of them for a time, to put downpardon down-- downward pressure on premiums. high level of a confidence that naysayers are just not likely to turn out to us the truth? >> well, i think what we will see in the numbers and what

people are going to see on the think most folks, toecially those who want reenroll, that most of them will be able to find something that for thembetter choice in terms of affordability. ofwe've talked about a lot things this afternoon, and we've left.few minutes what would you like to say that addressed thus far about what you're facing in enrollment period and what people need to know or to would like for people know in order to successfully aroll and make this successful enrollment period? >> i think just sort of two categorize. -- two categories. one is the open enrollment. the expectations? how do we think about success? that's really just three things. theis affordable choice for consumer. two is a high-quality consumer

experience. and three is continuing to make progress on reducing the number of uninsured. and then in a second category, start into saturday, i think it's just important, two fundamental concepts. covered. get covered. and for those in the stay covered group, it is important for you to do the five easy make surejust go and you have the right plan that's the best one for you. and for those coming for the time, use any of the tools. if you prefer doing it yourself on the website, go there. you prefer individual help, find out locally where you can go. and if not, if you just like to do it on the phone and that's the way you like to do it, too.s great there for those, get out and stay enrolled, and get enrolled. and thanks to the partners here that.g on all just the idea of what we think of as success.

>> i understand you're going to in my home state of ohio in a few days. are you spending a lot of your time promoting this open enrollment period, traveling and speaking to groups? >> i will be. i will up.you be, as we are gearing that's something that i will be spending more time, is out in the country, in the places where know there are many people who need to stay covered and get covered. and make sure that i'm out there speaking to the issues and the kinds of issues that we spoke to today. looking forward to getting out and being able to meet the folks who are both assisting in this who arebut also those getting insurance. and that's -- you know, that is one of the best things, whether it's this job or the other work i've done. when you can get out in the field and actually see the the work, that is one of the best things to be able to do. so i'm looking forward to it. and yes, i will be making a few trips over the next three months. >> in conclusion, can i just give you some advice?

>> i welcome it. it.lcome >> no. i think the fact that millions of americans today have health insurance coverage that they did have previously, that younger people can stay on their parents' programs, that medicaid been expanded, that million people19 have already benefited from the aca, i'm wondering why there cheerleaderter section. and so thank you for coming. you for answering the questions. i think you answered them candidly and factually. and i would just encourage you to continue to be a cheerleader, here at thee of us center for american progress believe that every american, where they live, their station in life, deserves high-quality affordable health care. and we believe that the aca is a

step toward getting that accomplished. so madam secretary, thank you so being here with us this morning. >> it's been a pleasure. thank you. [applause] >> c-span veterans day coverage begins tuesday morning at 8:30 est during "washington journal the annual uso gala featuring joint chiefs of staff chairman martin dempsey and we are live at 11:00 from arlington tombnal ceremony from the

of the unknowns. in the afternoon the discussion on veterans mental health issues. congress returns to capitol hill this week. the house is scheduled to debate 10 bills including the presidential records act. toch would allow them continue to restrict access to records from their time in the white house. houston credits have reportedly scheduled theirs from november 18. haveuse democrats reportedly scheduled theirs for november 18. c-spanhe house live on and the senate live on c-span two. here are a few of the comments we have recently received. >> i just watched your show this

morning on the mystic violence and was very disappointed with what i saw and heard. bothught the guests were weak and ineffectual and it seemed the bulk of callers were a bunch of whining men. beaten every 15 seconds in this country by her husband or her partner. that is one woman every 15 seconds. sweptssue is alarmingly under the rug in this country, probably because most of the perpetrators are male. the only way this will ever change is if men are willing to look at their own that behavior and address it had on. yourd listening to commentator and they are talking about 2000 bills being on harry

while each and every one of those bills has a repeal of what they call obama care or the affordable care act. whoever is your commentator needs to bring up that point. >> are the comments from a lady ratherled in and said than have democrats leave a comment and republicans leave a comment to let democrats and republicans fight it out verbally on the show. if you decide to do that, i am up for that. >> continue to let us know what you think about the programs you are watching. call us, e-mail us or send us a

tweet. like us on facebook and follow us on twitter. >> now a conversation with united service organization's president j.d. crouch and former iraq and afghanistan war commander, general stanley mcchrystal. this event, hosted by politico, is part of their lessons from leaders series. [applause] >> hello, everyone. how are you? welcome to this event this afternoon. it's a real privilege to host crouch and susan glasser and general stanley and jim for today's conversation. it's an extension of our partnership with politico. and really, it couldn't be a this, right? do i mean, on the eve of veterans

aside toy that's set honor those who are serving and served this great nation. you know, nobody really signs up in the military for the recognition. i mean, they stand up. they take the oath. and they're going to jump into something and be a part of something important. aey're going to make difference and they're going to make contributions. it's not really any easier today draw-downs and the budget cuts. threat.a more dispersed but if you take a look at this all-volunteer military that we have, it's a smaller force. they're at a very high operational tempo. but i can tell you with coming homeat those today, it's a little more complex than it was when i made few years back. that's why i'm so proud to have at bank of america with my good friend lewis to drive change and have that we can supportre the men and women who serve.

and in the bank, this company is committed to supporting those who are transitioning to life.an see.pretty neat to what else is very valuable today is to be able to hear from a couple of very distinguished gentlemen. and listen to what they have to and what see. what else is shaped their theers to where they became superb leaders they are today. if you're here with us today or in and you're a member of the military, then we want to thank you. thank your to families for your service and for your sacrifice. with that, let me turn it over to susan, who will facilitate today's conversation. susan? you.ank [applause] hello to everyone. thank you so much for joining us today. by delighted to be joined

j.d. crouch, who doesn't need introduction. but suffice it to say not only i the new head of the uso but think he brings an incredibly interesting array of experiences here in washington, whether it's the pentagon, at the white house, in his new role and even private sector, imagine that. thought we'd i jump right into the topics, because on the one hand, it seems almost crazy, right? we're doing a series about leadership in washington. sounds like a punch line of late-night tv. i thought wenow, should really start with that that you've observed firsthand between political lack thereof, how difficult it is to read in our political climate today. military culture and how it works, just to say almost the definition of, you know, organizing very large groups of

together.take action so what -- you know, is there an conflict between a political and military leadership? >> you know, i don't think so. think, you know -- churchill said once at the summit, politics and strategy which is to say that, you know, whether you're a leader or a political leader, you really have to focus the important things that face either the whateverr company or it is? and focus on those things in a laser-like way. expecting you to do that. you have to be able to communicate to people. talking means not just to them but getting their buy-in. able to you have to be build a trusting team of people that can help you make it happen.

those elements, i think, are classic. they're true on the political side, true on the military side. in some respects, you know, i the differences is we actually train our military leadership to be leaders. and a lot of people in washington come to washington with a lot of -- they're smart people. they're bright. they are well-educated. but they've really never had much experience in being trained. what are the important elements of leadership? i think you do see that difference here in this town. >> and let's talk a little bit about that. when you talk about training to be a leader, the pentagon loves point slides obviously. what goes on those? they are well-educated. but they've really never had much experience in being trained. what are the important elements saw the political class in action, those smart people when you then at the national sy wordil and the like, the of ph.d.'s and big brains, what that theyngredients hadn't been trained on?

>> well, they may not have known how to manage people. may not known how to get the best out of individuals, right? have even had -- one of the, you know, points we were talking about earlier is empathy.on of leaders need to have empathy. understand what their customers are thinking. whatneed to understand their opponents are thinking. they need to understand what thinking.oyees are in the context of the uso, for example, we're on organization 400 employees and over 29,000 volunteers. what having to understand, is it that makes those volunteers tick? to do what they do? i think that question of empathy is something that's been lost in political dialogue. we don't listen to what the saying.de is we're already thinking about our next set of points

rather than really understanding and putting your shoes in the person's socks, as it were, to sort of figure out, maybe there's a way forward here. >> that's an interesting point, right? about point scoring. say, right,would that one of the big differences between military leadership or lackical leadership or now, right, is that we're missing a shared sense of purpose? a goal? that it's easier to organize a large group of people to accomplish something when you have a very clear both chain of command and a sense of what you're trying to do? framed for has been you, in effect. how much do you see that as being one of the things that hampered political leadership in washington? >> well, obviously, you know, leaders have a broader pallette in a way that they have canvas, in, a broader should say, that they have to paint on. they have to take into account a other factors. i mean, than a military

leadership too. yourself.kid military leaders have to operate in a political environment as well. to know how to deal with political leaders. dealhave to know how to with people in the countries in, they may be operating whether they be i think there is not that much of a difference between the 2. some of our most skillful leaders have gone on to be political leaders. it is not an accident as the russians would say -- >> they would say there is no accident. let's talk about some specifics. inre you solve leadership action or not. probably one of the most interesting examples was late in hisge w. bush's presidency,

idea to go into iraq when people were questioning if we should pull out from iraq, it was seen as a risky move at the time. clearly, there were some leadership involved. tell us what it was like inside, how was there clarity gotten around we should have another pretty audacious decision at the time? bush came to the then national security advisor stephen hadley and said we need to do, a review of iraq, things are not working and he gave the following strategic guidance. i am not going to quote it directly. win, ing like, if we can want to win. if we cannot, i want to get out.

we did a comprehensive review, both steve and i went to iraq and pulled all elements of the government together and tried to look at it as. basically came to the conclusion there was a way to turn around. againstright, it flew the conventional wisdom in washington at the time. one of the elements of leadership is being willing to ge of yourrou -- coura convictions and that's what the president did. what are you agreed, data whether you agree, he had the courage of his convictions to go all in. an interesting element of that, very late in the decision process, a lot of people said, you may remember we put in combat brigades.

somebody said, why don't we put one in and if you need more, put another one in the south -- one in. , i am not him saying going to make six decisions about this. make thether going to forces available to the military leaders and let them use them as they see fit or not. i think again, that is another example of an element of leadership which is you have to have trust in your team that they can execute once they iserstand what the strategy and what you communicated.

other decision-making early on, not the decision to go to war and we were talking about my husband's book on the bush presidency earlier and one of the thing that is left out that happened in 2003 was there was no one a moment. there was a murky decision-making process around the invasion. i am. because you saw the art of it -- was there something that change in the decision-making? was there a better process or team? >> one of my professors used to , which is whenst the fax hits you between that -- eyes hit you between the nothing like. reality. a policy that was going bad and it needed to be turned around. it needed to be fundamentally changed. there was an alternative narrative which was called the baker commission report which basically was talking about