-- and i don't think you have been -- you shouldn't be the least hesitant in asking and demanding of us that we should do more. thank you. [applause] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2015] >> coming up tonight on c-span president obama holds a joint news conference with the visiting afghan president. john kasich speaks in new hampshire. later, the u.s. house debates the 2016 republican budget proposal. today, president obama announced that 9800 u.s. troops will remain in afghanistan to the end of the year. on your screen, and article from the newark times -- the new york

times. president obama's decision not to pull forces as quickly as planned came after a request from the afghan president, who had been visiting the united states this week. the article notes that he is making his trip to the united states as president of the country met with president obama and vice president oh biden in what once president obama declared a necessary war. well the purpose of the trip is a military extension, he is also using the trip as a public relations blitz to repair afghanistan's relationship as a country. you can rate more on new york times.com. and now, that joint news conference from the white house.

announcer: ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states and the president of the islamic republic of afghanistan. president obama: good afternoon everybody. please have a seat. before i begin, i want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with our friends in europe, especially the people of germany and spain following a terrible airplane crash in france. it is particularly heartbreaking because it apparently includes the loss of so many children, some of them infants. i called german chancellor angela merkel, and hope to speak to the president spain later today, to express the

condolences of the american people and offer what ever assistance we can as they investigate what has proven to be an awful tragedy. our teams are in close contact and we are working to confirm how many americans may have been on board. germany and spain are among our strong as allies in the world and our message to them is that as their steadfast friend and ally, america stands with them at this moment of sorrow. now, it is a great pleasure to welcome president ashraf ghani: to the white house. he spent here as a student and scholar. he went to columbia university where we both studied and then spent time in the world bank just down the street from here. his life reflects the friendship and mutual respect between americans and afghans. in that spirit mr. president

when extend to you the warmest of welcomes. his presence here today, along with the chief executive underscores afghanistan's progress. and last year's election millions of afghans the five the threats of the telegram and bravely cast their ballots. in the spirit of compromise in putting their interests behind the interests of the nation, they have ensured the first peaceful and democratic transfer of power in afghanistan's history. together, they now lead a national unity government that reflects the diversity, the strength, and the determination of the afghan people. their government signed a bilateral treaty agreement between our two countries, and on december 31, after more than 13 years, america's combat mission in afghanistan came to a responsible end. afghan forces now have full

responsibility for the security of their country. some 330,000 afghans serve in the police and security forces and they are making extra in a sacrifices fighting and dying for the country. they continue to grow stronger month by month. today, we honor the many afghans, men, women, and children, who have given their lives for the more than 2200 americans, patriots, who made the ultimate sacrifice in afghanistan, and the many more who were wounded. this morning they visited arlington national cemetery to pay respects to our fallen heroes. we are grateful for that gesture of gratitude. we know it meant a lot to the families as well. we will see the bonds be between our people on display when the president addresses congress tomorrow.

with a new government in afghanistan, and with the and of -- and of our combat mission, this visitor is the opportunity to begin a new chapter between our two nations. i thank you both for your strong support of the partnership between our two nations. yesterday, they had a chance to spend time at camp david with our respective teams and had excellent discussions on how we can move forward together. today, guided by our strategic partnership, with focus on several areas. first, we agreed to continue keep in place our close security corporation. afghanistan remains a very dangers place. insurgents still launch attacks including cowardly suicide bombings against civilians. the president is referring -- pursuing reforms, including respect for human rights and as part of the ongoing nato mission, the united states will

continue to train, advise, and assist afghan security forces. as we announced yesterday, we will work with congress on funding to sustain 352,000 afghan troops and police third 2017. we will conduct targeted counterterrorism operations, and we agreed to maintain a dialogue on our counterterrorism partnership in the years ahead. at our peak four years ago, the united states had more than 100,000 troops in afghanistan. in support of today's missions, we have just under 10,000 troops there. last year, i announced a timeline for drawing down our forces further, and i've made it clear that we are determined to preserve the gains that are troops of one. the president has requested some >> ability on our timelines. i consulted with general campbell in afghanistan national security team, i decided we will maintain our firm posture of 9800 troops

through the end of this year. the specific trajectory of the 2016 drawdown will be established later this year to enable our final consolidation and embassy presence by the end of 2016. this flexibility reflects our reinvigorated partnership with afghanistan, which is aimed at making afghanistan secure and preventing it from being used to launch terrorist attacks. reconciliation and a political settlement remain the surest way to achieve the full drawdown of u.s. and foreign troops from afghanistan and way that safeguards international interests and peace in afghanistan, as well as u.s. national security interests. second and since the best way to ensure that progress as a political settlement, we will continue to support an afghan led reconciliation process. the president has shown bold leadership and reaching out

which is critical to the pursuit of peace. afghanistan in the united states agree on what the taliban must do, to break with al qaeda renounce violence, and abide by afghan laws, including the protections for women and minorities. third, we will continue to support the national unity government in its efforts to truly serve the afghan people. we discussed the urgent need with parliament support to seat a full cabinet. the president spoke forcefully about the need to combat corruption, of all the rollerball, and strengthen democratic institutions. the united states commends you for those efforts. you moved many afghans stands with your eloquent tribute to your wife and partner. america will continue to be your partner in advancing the rights and dignity are all afghans, including women and girls. finally, we will continue to support the development that

underpin stability and improves the lives of the afghan people. over the years, there have been major gains, dramatic improvements in public health life expectancy, literacy, including for millions of girls in school. the president is a leading expert on development, and i've been impressed by the reforms he is pursuing to make afghanistan more self-reliant he wants to empower afghans in these efforts, and that's why under the new development partnership we announced yesterday, u.s. economic assistance will increasingly go to afghan institutions in support of afghan priorities, with an emphasis on accountability, performance, and achieving results. in closing, i would note that as many as you know, the president is a training -- an anthropologist, as is my mother. the purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe. afghanistan and our world is marked by incredible diversity

entrances and diversity and faith. the progress we made during this this it will help to bridge the gulf that your citizens have sacrificed over the year the goal of making our two countries in the world sector. thank you both for your leadership and your partnership. america's combat mission in afghanistan may be over, but our commitment to afghanistan and the people will endure. president ashraf ghani: president obama express deep sympathies for german and french families could -- families. both of these countries to heart -- took part -- they have made major commitments.

i would like to make this opportunity to pay tribute to those sacrifices and take the opportunity to pay tribute to the 2250 american men and women are sacrifice. more than 22,000 american soldiers have been wounded in action. civilians, contractors. you stood shoulder to shoulder with us, and i would like to say thank you. i would also like the thank the american taxpayer for his and hers hard-earned dollars. yesterday, i saw young girl. her father came out of retirement to serve again in afghanistan.

she is sending a care package of relief to her father, and i want to thank her and the fathers of all other american children who are making sure that their parents are helping us and standing next to us. i promised -- and the sisters are dreaming of achievement that will have a career path, and hopefully one day we will see an afghan woman president. it should not be too far. it should be soon. we have for women in the cabinet. 20% of our cabin are women. i hope some other countries will match us. [laughter] thank you for that she was

delighted that she had an opportunity speak to mr. obama could she devoted her life to the most underprivileged, and all of us are committed to make sure that those in poverty will live with dignity, and one day see prosperity. we are grateful for the reception you have accorded us mr. president. you national security team has gone out of its way to engage in intensive, conference a discussion, and both of us would like to thank secretary kerry for the loss of hours of sleep that we caused you. and come for your very able diplomacy in catalyzing the unity that today is on display a government of national unity

as an enduring phenomenon, and both of us stand for the unity against the division that our opponents and enemies had hoped for. this unity is a reflection of the desired to overcome the last 200 years of our difficult history, where rarely public figures have chosen the country before themselves. we are committed in this regard to emulate the founding fathers and mothers of the united states, where national interests will stand about personal professional interests. i am glad that the security transition is completed. you have fulfilled your promise to your people. and we have fulfilled our promise to our people.

the last years were an exception when we needed help, and we are grateful that help was provided, but we are pleased that the security transition has been met according to the timeline that you set. today, the combat role of the united states in afghanistan is over. the training, advising, and assisting mission is a vital part of our collective interests. tragedy brought us together. interests unite us. we can assure you to the government of national unity is revitalizing the partnership and looks at this partnership with the united states as foundational to not just for stability, but for regional and global stability. much binds us together.

and the flexibility that has been provided for 2015 will be used to accelerate reforms, to ensure the afghan national security forces are much utter led, equipped, trained, and our focus on the fundamental mission. i am pleased to say that the departure of 120,000 international troops is not brought about the security collapse that was often anticipated. i would like to pay tribute to this moment to the continued sacrifice of the afghan security forces civilians, and a patriotic nation. it is part of simultaneously our international group. we are unique in that we have embraced democratic ways. we are very proud of our islamic

civilization. that is truly in dialogue with the world. we have the capacity to speak truth to terror. they do not speak for islam. we do. it is a genuine islam that is interested in dialogue with different civilizations, in cooperation, and moving forward. on regional cooperation, we have taken both steps. we do hope these steps will be reciprocated because the threats that exist, the changing ecology of terror, of making it imperative that all governments will cooperate with each other. today, the state system as we have known it is under attack. these are are not classic liberation movements. these are destructive, nihilistic movements, and it is

essential that we confront them. we must differentiate between those afghan citizens who desire peace. any political difference, anything that divides us must be resolved politically. we have the wisdom and determination to realize the opportunity of purpose so our commitments to peace is clear. what we require is the reciprocity and that they will choose the country over themselves and unite in resolving whatever might be that divides us. we will not have peace with those who use our territory as a proxy for other purposes is a battleground for alien forces or as a launching pad for global terrorism.

this trip is providing us the opportunity to have an overview and again, i want to express thanks for your commitment to submit the bill to congress to support our security forces in 2017. there is much work that lies ahead of us, and the flexibility that has been provided will be used to maximum effect, to accelerate reforms, to ensure that our security forces honor human rights, that they internalize the practices that binds an army, police force, a secret service to the people. violence against our people has no place in our culture. it is a given -- again a pleasure to be standing next to a graduate of columbia university.

there is much that unites us. your mother was an inspiration to us. he got the job because he invoked your mother's teachings. thank you for according him that. president obama: without, let's take a couple of questions. military times. reporter: thank you, mr. president. with the increased slow down and draw down here, we are looking at more risks, more danger for u.s. troops in afghanistan. have you justify that to them? had you tell them the mission is still worth it? have you assure them that there is a incoming to this mission question mark -- mission? you are at arlington earlier

today. how do you tell them that this continued sacrifice will be worth it to them as well? president obama: first of all, it is important that we remember the timeline for a withdrawal down to an embassy centered presence, a normalization of our presence in afghanistan. it remains the end of 2016. that has not changed. our transition out of a combat role has not changed. now, i am the first to say that as long as our men and women in uniform are serving in afghanistan there are risks involved. it is a dangerous place. casualties have come down precipitously as we have engaged in the drawdown. it has been over 90 days since

two americans were killed and afghanistan. that has occurred precisely because we are not in a combat role, and i think it is worth noting the significant casualties that the afghan security services have incurred as we have drawn down. they stood up and are fighting. they are fighting with courage and tenacity, and they're getting better month by month. but, you can't minimize the sacrifices that our military families make. it means some folks are going to be rotating back into afghanistan for a few extra months, relative to what would have otherwise been the case paid we're moving the drawdown pace over to the right for several months. we doing that and part to compensate for the government formation. and part because we want to make

sure that we are doing everything we can to help afghan security forces succeed, so we don't have to go back. so we don't have to respond in an emergency because counterterrorism -- terrorist activities are being launched that of afghanistan could we are on the path to do that. i think it makes sense for us to provide a few extra months for us to be able to help things like logistics, making sure that equipment is not just in place but it is also used properly, that the training and advising and strategic input that has been provided continues through this fighting season so that president karzai, who has taken on the mantle of commander -- commander-in-chief in a way that we have not seen an afghan president can do a serious review, and can assess with your

-- where the strengths and weaknesses are, and we can proceed with more affected joint planning going forward. the bottom line is, our men and women in uniform make enormous sacrifices. their families do as well. their families are alongside them. this will mean that there are going to be some of our folks who are in afghanistan under the new schedule who would've been home. it is important to keep into perspective first of all that we have gone down from 100,000 210,000, that they are not on the front lines, because are not in a combat role. we are doing all that we can do to make sure that force protection is a priority for those who are in afghanistan. and, the date for us to have completed our drawdown will not change.

but, it is my judgment that the judgment of general campbell and others on the ground that providing this additional time frame during this fighting season for us to be able to help the afghan security forces succeed is well worth it. in that sense, once again we are asking our men and women in uniform to fight on behalf of our freedom and on behalf of a more orderly world. it does perhaps raise one thought, which is right now there is a debate on capitol hill about its. this would be a good time for my friends up on capitol hill, including on the other side of the aisle, to take a look at their budgets. if we are holding our defense and nondefense budgets to 2006

levels, it is a lot harder to do the job that we need to do, not only on the national security side, but also here at home, making sure that when our men and women come home and when they potentially join the civilian life, that they have a strong economy, that the kids have good schools, that they can send their kids to college, that they get the veterans benefits that they have so richly earned and deserve. that would be a good way for us to express the thanks for the sacrifices they consistently make. president ashraf ghani: yesterday, the widow that i met she would like the memory of her husband to be preserved by a sustainable afghanistan that is secure. the 2015 -- americans who have

died must 9 -- not die in vain. it is that preservation of those gains that i think inspires the afghan servicemen and women to obey the call of their commander. second, we have taken them out of harms way. as the president mentioned, for the past 100 days, because the combat role has ended, the exposure, the number of casualties is really down. in my most horrible reading of the day, middle of the day end of day security reports, where i see the casualties. i think they are no longer american or european cash these paid john campbell is making sure that they remain in a

support role, advise and assist role, but they are not cut -- kabul to combat role. the into the combat role is significant. again, the institutional gains that would be achieved through the training, advice, and assist roles is what will guarantee the investments of the last 14 years pay off in terms of gains that will ensure. last point, afghanistan is the front line. because of american engagement in afghanistan, there have not been attacks on main menu 96, but let's not forget that fortresses cannot be built. we are living in an interconnected world and our security is joined together.

reporter: daily newspaper. you are talking about the long-term strategy partnership between afghanistan and the united states. at the same time, you are talking about the withdrawal of the soldiers from afghanistan. how do you ensure the long-term -- have you define the long-term strategic partnership after 2017? president ashraf ghani: our expectations are that i'll corporation will be enhanced, and we will have a clear vision

and practical vision for cooperation for an enduring cooperation with the united states. this change of environment has occurred, and today, the nine states government -- the united states government is a really reliable partner. commitments that are made are considerable. the funding proposal of supporting afghan security forces by 2017, and it has reached $4.1 billion. it is nothing less. it is a significant issue. it is a very important issue. yesterday, there was a new framework for our economic cooperation. $800 million commitment will be

made through the afghan budget but most importantly is the flexibility that has been shown in the area of security cooperation, and this flexibility is going to ensure and provide funds to our security forces and also is going to send a very strong message to the reason that this corporation is not short-term, but is enduring and long-term. president obama: our strategic partnership is based on a very simple principle. we want the afghan people through their security forces, directed by their president and commander-in-chief, to be able to provide for their own security. our goal is to make sure that we are a strong partner in helping to build and sustain effective

afghan security forces. so, from the start, when i first came into office we put additional u.s. troops, coalition troops, resources in afghanistan to shift momentum at a time when the taliban and the enemies of peace and stability inside of afghanistan were moving and had momentum. we broke that momentum. elections took place. the afghan national security forces began to build up and get trained and become more and more effective. because of the successful election, and because of a national unity government, we are now in a position where the afghan security forces are not only more effective halibut they

are also better directed by the civilian government. we have been able to draw down and remove ourselves from a combat role as the president indicated without collapse as was predicted. afghan soldiers have fought, and they have fought well, and obviously there are still improvements to be made, but they are making significant progress. the strategic partnership involves us continuing to help support afghan security forces. that means financially. the international community will have to continue to provide assistance to the afghan government, which is carrying a significant security load for itself, the region, and the world. we made a commitment to do that. we will continue to provide the kind of security, cooperation and support that is required training assisting, advising

helping on logistics, helping on the capacity, all the things that go into a modern military professional military, professional police force, the right security on afghan soil, by afghans, and the corporation and strategic partnership involved in building up the prosperity and opportunities for the afghan people 30 the economic development that was mentioned by the president. so, we intend to be working with the afghan government and the afghan people for a long time. in many ways, our troop presence , our military assistance, is just one component of what is a much larger process. the more successful we are in building afghan capacity, strengthening the afghan economy, the more the strategic

partnership that we have will be like the partnership we have with many countries around the world. it will be based on mutual interests and scientific and educational exchanges, and business opportunities, and commerce and trade. that i think is a goal that we are all looking for. josh letterman. reporter: thank you, mr. president could you have made clear that you are not buying prime minister netanyahu's to walk back the comments he made before the election and that you are reassessing your approach. what did -- camper minister netanyahu to do that is serious about peace and that he is a broker that you can work with. is there any truth allegations that israel was spying on the iran talks?

you have been working hard to pursue reconciliation talks with the taliban, but there are some indications that that is not going well and that then -- a may not be willing to sit down with you. what makes you a little that you can get those talks out the ground and you want united states to be involved in those talks? president obama: let me address your second question about spying allegations. as a general, i don't comment on intelligence matters in a big room full of reporters. [laughter] i think i will continue that tradition. but with respect to the possibility of an agreement that ensures that iran does the get a nuclear weapon, we have not just brief congress about the progress or lack thereof that is being made. we also briefed the israelis.

and our other partners in the region and around the world. if an agreement is arrived at that we feel confident will prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, it's going to be there for everybody to see. people are going to be of to lift up the hood and see what is in there. so i have confidence that if there is an agreement, it will be a good agreement that is good for american security and israeli security and the region's security. if it isn't, there probably won't be an agreement. there will be significant transparency in the whole process. with respect to israel's relations with the palestinians. i think it is important to understand that the issue here is not what i believe, but it is

what the palestinians and the parties in the negotiations and the israeli people believe is possible. that is the most important issue. i have said before and i will simply repeat. prime minister netanyahu in the election run-up stated that a palestinian state would not occur while he was prime minister. and, i took him at his word that that is what he meant, and i think that a lot of voters inside of israel understood him to be saying that fairly unequivocally. afterwards, he pointed out that he did not say never but that there would be a series of conditions in which a palestinian state could potentially be created, but of

course, the conditions were such that they would be impossible to meet anytime soon. so, even if you accept it, i think that there still does not appear to be a prospect of a meaningful framework established that would lead to a palestinian state, even if there were a whole range of conditions and security requirements that might be phased in over a long span of time for that was always the presumption. i don't think anybody ever envisioned in any peace agreement certainly not one that premised are netanyahu would agree to or that the israeli people would agree to, that overnight we somehow have a palestinian state right next to

jerusalem, and that israel would not have a whole range of security conditions that had to be met, and that would be phased in a long span of time. the issue has never been do you create a palestinian state overnight? the question is do you create a process of an framework against the palestinians hope, the possibility, the down the road they have a secure state of their own, standing side-by-side with the secure and fully recognized jewish state of israel. and, i think it is not just my estimation. it is hard to envision how that happens. based on the prime minister statements. and so, when i said that we have

to now do an evaluation of where we are, it is not in reference to our commitment to israel's military edge in the region israel's security, intelligence cooperation, military cooperation, that continues unabated. i will continue to do what ever i need to do to make sure that our friends in israel are safe. that is what i have done since i have been president. that is not going to stop. the israeli people need to know that. but i am required to evaluate honestly how we manage israeli -palestinian relations over the next or years. up until this point, the premise has been, both under republican and democratic administrations, that as difficult as it was, as challenging as it was, the

possibility of two states living side by side in peace and security could marginalize more extreme elements, bring together folks at the center and with common sense, and we could result what has been a vexing issue, and one that is ultimately a threat to israel as well. and that possibility seems very down. that may trigger reactions by the palestinians, and in turn illicit illicit counter reactions by the israelis. that could end up leading to a downward spiral of relations that will be dangerous for everybody. so, there is a bottom line to summarize. number one our military intelligence cooperation with

israel will continue unabated, unaffected, and we are committed to making sure that the israeli people are safe, but generally from rocket attacks and terrorist attacks aimed on civilians. number two that the evaluation that is taking place is specific to what happens between israelis and palestinians going forward. we will continue to engage the israeli government, as well as the palestinians, and ask of them where they are interested in going, and how they see this issue being resolved. but, what we can't do is pretend there's the possibility of something that is not there. we can't continue to premise our public diplomacy based on something that everybody knows is not going to happen, at least

in the next several years. that is something that we have to for the sake of our own credibility to the honest about that good one last point because obviously i've heard a lot of the commentary. there is a tendency in the reporting here to frame this somehow as a personal issue between myself and president -- prime minister netanyahu. i understand why that is done, because when you are framing it in those terms, the notion is that we all just get along and everybody cools down, and then somehow the problem goes away. i have a very businesslike relationship with the prime minister. i have met with him more than any other world leader. i talk to him all the time. he is representing his country's interest in the way that he thinks he needs to, and i'm doing the same.

so the issue is not a matter of relations between leaders. the issue is a very clear substantive challenge. we believe that two states is the best path forward for israel's security, for palestinian aspirations, and for regional stability. that is our view, and that continues to be our view. prime minister netanyahu has a different approach. and so, this can't be reduced to a matter of somehow let's all hold hands and sing. this is a matter of figuring out how we get through a very difficult policy difference that has great consequences for both countries and for the region.

we are going to do that evaluation. we will wake for an actual -- we will wait for an actual israeli government to form. president ashraf ghani: president obama racially supported what we asked from the united states to this united states. peace is always difficult. we must focus attention, and that's what we are willing to do. reporter: thank you, mr. president. i have a question for mr. obama. you mentioned afghanistan is a dangerous place.

while it is a rangers place, is it the right decision to draw down the forces at a time when it is a dangerous place and meanwhile, force or less equipped and cannot fight truly. president ashraf ghani: united states has agreed with us that the peace process will be led afghans, and afghans will continue this process, and they will be led by afghanistan's

and we are thankful for this support. president obama: afghanistan is still a dangerous place. the way it will become less dangerous is by afghan security forces and afghan police being capable of keeping law and order and security in the country. that is not going to happen if foreign forces are continually relied upon. for the basic security of afghanistan. they -- there will be specialized areas where we can cooperate in dealing with some of the most vicious terrorist networks. there will be intelligence cooperation and counterterrorism cooperation. and the areas where we can provide logistical support and training, and enabling support.

the fact is that unless afghan soldiers and afghan police are able to maintain security, at some point someday the united states and other coalition forces would leave. and the good news is that what we have seen as we have moved ourselves from combat roles is that afghan security forces have stepped up. although they are certainly not as well-equipped as coalition forces, they are better equipped than the taliban. they are better equipped than the haqqani network. with the kind of leadership that the president is showing us as commander-in-chief with the leadership that is being shown

by a growing cadre of military officers up and down the military chain, afghan forces are proving themselves and discovering that in fact when they fight, they can be successful. we want to stand with them in that process because we are very much invested in their success. mr. president, thank you for an outstanding visitor. president ashraf ghani: thank you. announcer: ladies and gentlemen police remain in your seats until the delegations have the arctic. thank you. announcer: the afghan president will address a joint meeting of congress on wednesday.

you can see his remarks live from the u.s. house of representatives at 10:45 a.m. eastern time here on c-span. announcer: coming up tonight on c-span, ohio governor john kasich, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, speaks in new hampshire. then the u.s. house the base the 2016 budget proposal. later, another chance to see president obama's joint news conference with the visiting afghan president. announcer: on the next washington journal, congressman frank lobiondo of new jersey is here to discuss the war powers debate and the united states -issa strategy. after that, congress meant to run of ohio talks about the house debate of the 2016 gop

budget proposal. later, a look at the fiscal health of state and the impact of congress in washington on state budgets. our guest our debit lillard and james mcintyre, washington state treasurer. washington journal's live every morning at 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. you can join the conversation with your calls and your comments on facebook and twitter. announcer: wednesday, a look at the future of the u.s. postal service. the brookings institution hears from the acting chairman of the postal regulatory commission and the current u.s. inspector general, life :00 a.m. eastern on c-span three. announcer: here are some of our featured programs. on c-span twos book tv, saturday

at 10:00 p.m. eastern on afterwards, peter wallace and says that government housing policies cause the 2008 financial crisis, and that it could happen again. sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m., rector of the earth institute at columbia university on a development plan to counter global issues like poverty political corruption, and environmental decay. saturday morning at 10:30 p.m. -- 1030 a.m. eastern on c-span three, discussion on the last major speeches of abraham lincoln and martin luther king jr.. then, sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. on real america the 1965 meet the press interview with martin luther king jr.. find our television schedule at c-span.org and let us know what you think about the programs you're watching. call us at the following numbers . e-mails at the following address . or send us a tweet. join the c-span conversation like us on facebook, follow us on twitter.

announcer: ohio governor john kasich was in new hampshire to speak of politics and eggs rockfest on tuesday. -- eggs breakfast on tuesday. he was a congressman from ohio from 1983-2001. this is 45 minutes. [applause] governor kasich: it is great to be here. this is back when congress actually worked. he is a terrific guy and worked closely with one of my great friends. i love him. he was on the budget committee with me. you know chris. i always said johnson and it was

the smartest guy i have ever worked with in the house and senate. -- i always said john sununu was the smartest guy i have ever worked with in the house and senate. what can you say about him. he has not been to one of these for a long time. i am honored with the fact that he would come here this morning. these are my friends and comrades in arms, people -- for the young people in this room, these were people who made the congress work and helped to make america work so would you give them a round of applause. they are my friends. [applause] this is my first time back in new hampshire. bruce burkey said it was 16 years when i was here last, and i have to take you that when i was here 16 years ago, one of the most profound times was that

i did these coffees. i was a young man, really young a member of the house, i figure the way i could get known was to show up in people's living rooms and let them talk to me and asked me questions and get to know me and all that kind of stuff, so we have this one coffee towards the end of the campaign. i was in a kitchen with this lady. i did not know her really. we were standing at the sink and we were just going on and on about this and that, and i'm thinking to myself, this lady is absolutely going to be for me if i can actually run for president, i have got her. she looked at her watch and said , i really enjoy this conversation. when do you think the candidate will get here. [laughter] yeah. that's when i knew the fix was in, chris. it was all over at that point. that's when i kind of knew that

i had to leave. i have a lot of fond memories of new hampshire and the people here were really, really nice to me. the message that i took home was that they like me, it's a little early, come back another time. it was really terrific. my wife said how much she enjoyed coming to new hampshire where people really understand the issues, and this is a great place. i am thrilled to be back here. after that conversation with that lady, i knew was time for me to get out, so i not only said i was not going to run for president, and then i endorse george bush, but i also did not want to be in congress anymore. i was done. i had been there for nine terms. basically, i decided to leave because i had accomplished the biggest things that i had wanted to achieve. number one is i spent 10 years of my life fighting to balance

the federal budget. some of my early votes, the first vote i ever took on the casing budget, you have to remember there was a bush budget, a democratic budget, a democratic -- a black caucus budget, and the casing legit. they flash all this up on the board when they count all the reds and all the greens, and was almost already. some of my democratic friends came to the floor and voted for my budgets because they did not want me to be embarrassed. i remember walking back to my office and my staff was really down. i said, this is fantastic. there are 29 other people that think we know how to run america, so we're just getting started. it was year after year after year, and chris, you're one of bonds that voted for me and not budget year to make a statement that we need to get our fiscal house in order, not because of numbers, because budgets are not about numbers come in there about the people, the future, the principles, the values.

so each year we kept at it inadequately got more and more votes. i became the republican leader on the budget. we went through a government shutdown because the administration wants to cook the books. after a while they understood our determination in we had a lot of meetings working with my colleagues on the budget committee, the leadership. we actually were able to pass the first outline for a real balanced budget and we not only looked and reviewed all the spending but we cut taxes at the same time. we cut the capital gains tax. what happened resulted in the first balanced budget since man walked on the moon.