k at the 2016 presidential race. later, bill gates and actor ben affleck testify at a hearing on diplomacy and foreign aid funding. steven: joining us on "newsmakers" from new hampshire jennifer m. horn. from iowa, jeff kaufmann. both of you, thank you for being with us. jeff: pleasure. jennifer: thank you. steven: and joining us are caitlin huey-burns and kenneth thomas. i want to ask you, at the end of the day, how many republican candidates will be in the field this year? jennifer: we're hosting a big republican leadership summit here in new hampshire in april. as of now, we have 18 speakers

lined up who identify themselves as potential candidates for the spot. we are really excited about the breadth of our list of possible candidates. i think it is possibly the largest, most ever, most qualified field of presidential candidates that we have seen in my lifetime. folks i really starting to feel the energy. steven: jeff kaufmann, your take on the number? jeff: right now, we have about 14 that i would consider interacting with the republican party of iowa on a regular basis. we have inquiries from others. i don't think -- i don't know the answer to that yet. it continues to grow. i couldn't agree with jennifer strong enough. this diversey that we have across the political spectrum is exciting. grassroots republicans out here in iowa have a very tough choice . it will be a fun fun time.

a real part of grassroots politics here. steven: of course both of your states, first in the nation as the caucus process begins. let me turn to ken thomas of "associated press." kenneth: one of the things on the agenda is the straw poll. i'm wondering how this will be different this year. do you think you will be able to get the real frontier presidential candidates to participate in the straw poll this time? jeff: fair question. we have gone through several different questions and debates as a party. we first asked the fundamental question, do we want to consider having a vote? i will tell you, that answer for a lot of grassroots was an overwhelming yes. the next question, we just

answered a couple weeks ago was fair, do we want to continue to have at the traditional site? we put together a very thorough selection committee and found that our straw poll will be in boone, iowa. imitations will be going out shortly. we will be asking all of the candidates that are available -- getting very good feedback from some campaigns at this point. will be -- we get them all? no. that is unrealistic. i think we will have a straw poll that looks a similar to previous straw polls, with the exception of the site. we tried to put together a family-friendly event. it almost seems like a fair in many ways. i think we will have a strong field in that particular group. i think we will attack some top -- attract some top-tier candidates. kenneth: if they win eight

raises expectations. why should scott walker or jeb bush get involved? jeff: 20,000 enthusiastic activists. many of them leaders across iowa. this is an opportunity to cut across a large voting bloc. in terms of expectations, i think the candidates can manage those expectations. no one here in iowa makes the claim that this is scientific or predictive in any way. this is an opportunity for candidates to get in front of activists, and ultimately is a snapshot in time. i think as long as the candidate manages the expectations, and make sure that people take away from the straw poll exactly what it is, i think there is something in it for all of the candidates. part of this begins with the initial interaction with supporters and why they vote in

the first place. certainly, the party, we will manage those expectations and make sure people know that the straw poll adds flavor to an event. it makes no clear to -- no claim to be scientific. steven: we will turn to caitlin huey-burns. caitlin: scott walker was recently in new hampshire. you have been with him in the state as you have been with other candidates coming through. i'm wondering what you make of the recent change of mind on the issue of providing some kind of have to citizenship or legal status. are you able to clarify what you think you have been aggregating for during history of their? the question for you, and also for jeff, can a candidate get through this primary having support -- or supporting some

type of path to citizenship or legal status for those undocumented immigrants? jennifer: sure. let me first say, it was a pleasure to have governor out walker here -- governor walker here. i have only seen him in an event to answer that question, and he said he is advocating for a path to legal says. what i would say about the issue in general is that your is no question that it will be part of the conversation this year. it is one of the many issues that unfortunately this the administration has failed to come to a satisfactory solution on. it is not the only issue that will be important. you asked me, can a candidate win a nomination and be in a position that you describe. absolutely. republican voters, very few voters are one issue voters.

what we talk about immigration we're talking about balancing the budget. in $18 trillion debt. we are talking i candidate on the other side that has helped to execute i chaotic and foreign policy that has danger to our nation and other nations. there are a lot of issues out there that will be very important. immigration alone will not defined this race. steven: jeff kaufmann, your response? jeff: i agree. emigration is an important issue here in iowa. i have traveled all over the state and have heard from hundreds and hundreds -- thousands at this point -- grassroots republicans and they say immigration is important. securing the borders always comes up first. first and foremost, i believe any republican candidate must have an opinion on the borders and securing them. and terms of what to do with the undocumented folks that are

here, i don't know that there is any one position that will make or break. i agree with jennifer. i think the iowa voter and new hampshire voter are very discerned. they take their jobs very seriously. i think by taking their job seriously, we will not be looking at a lot of single issues to make or break a campaign. the strength of the group that we have is the diversity. across the spectrum. steven: jennifer horn, every four years that question is thiss the same, when will the new hampshire primary be? jennifer: i can't say exactly when he will decide. i think it will be as it has been looking at the calendar, february. our secretary of state, bill

gardner, has been doing that job for 30 years. one of his priorities as secretary of state is preserving our first of the nation status. protecting our state constitution here in new hampshire. we think it is very important. we think we provide a value added service to the whole nation. i think it will probably come up on the calendar exactly when we are all looking at it right now. our secretary of state will make that decision until he is absolutely certain that no other -- you know, similar event will be scheduled before. steven: you are looking at possibly february 9, correct? jennifer: exactly. until our secretary of state says it himself it is just the possibility. i very comfortable that that is what it will end up. kenneth: jeff, on iowa's caucus there were problems in 2012. some voters initially thought

that mitt romney won the state. it turned out that rick santorum won the state by very narrow margin. are you taking steps to try and ensure you don't have voting problems in the future? also, are you trying to find ways to make the caucus more successful? there has been talk of trying to help younger folks with children participate, or military veterans, those serving overseas. what steps are you taking their? jeff: absolutely in terms of the first question. it sounds like an old adage or cliche, but we will learn from the mistakes that were made four years ago. it is a deadly important that both the -- incredibly important that both the democratic and republican party in iowa have a caucus process as perfect as human beings can make it. immediately after that happened, we put together a blue-ribbon panel. we looked at it not only in

terms of some of the mistakes that were made in previous caucuses, but what we can do to enhance that. yes, there will be steps made. what's also exciting is that we are going to be announcing a very important initiative in a few weeks that is not only going to enhance the caucus, it will make it more transparent. it will make it more credible. i think the media, the people -- to be honest, i think the nation will be very pleased with where we are heading. we are taking a very seriously. in terms of access, i just visited with the democratic chair this morning. mrs. mcguire is our new chair out there. one of the things that we are going to do is try to open this up. i think try, because there is some urography that one has to jump through in d.c. to open this up to our overseas

veterans. that would be one way to enhance that. we willl continue to have a truly bipartisan dialogue out here. kenneth: just a follow-up, your date is february 1, as it stands right now. you have any concerns that any of the other states may try to leapfrog and get into that area that is typically reserved for the part about states? jeff: we always have that concern. i'm told now -- i'm in contact with our national party, which is absolute fantastic as far as working with party chairs out here. at this point, i don't see any movement that is actually going to happen action come to fruition. there's a lot of talk at this time of year. right now, we have set february 1. last week, we set it officially. at this point, i'm feeling confident about that. you never say never in this business. especially if you are one of the cars out -- carve out states.

caitlin: i want to ask about new hampshire. the bush family has diddly not had good runs there. jennifer, how do you assess jeb bush is doing and has the potential to do? is it a wide {? had uss how the candidates are doing this so far? for both of you, i'm wondering if the future nominee has to win at least one of your states to go on to win the general? steven: jennifer foreign, we will begin with you. jennifer: i'm sorry, you want me to answer? steven: yes. please. jennifer: thank you. yes. working backwards through those questions, i would say, it is absolutely a wide {. it could be -- at this stage in

the game, it could be anybody. as far as governor bush, he was very well received on his first european. he was able to fill a house. very successful with the voters. that is what anybody has to do. the fact that he comes with a well-known name, i don't think it is particularly a helm or hindrance. it will be at a case of which candidate is willing to come to new hampshire over and over again, me all the voters over and over again and answer the questions. what is really important in new hampshire, whether you are jeb bush, scott walker, rand paul or anyone else, you are here taking unfiltered questions. that town hall type of environment. in people's living room, having coffee -- whether it is to people, 20 people, 200 people -- it is being willing to take the questions and answer them

directly, honestly, sincerely, and from the heart. if governor bush is able to connect with people in new hampshire on the issues that they care about, he will do very well. i would say the same thing about all candidates now. steven: jeff kaufmann, does the nominee need to win iowa, new hampshire, one of the early caucus states? jennifer: i certainly think it is helpful. it is particularly helpful for a candidate that is still working on name recognition. that is part of this, part of the justification of having iowa and new hampshire as carve out states. we are manageable for the candidate that may not have the finances or name recognition to move into a situation in which they can be competitive. is absolutely necessary? probably not. is it incredibly helpful? absolutely. i would certainly say it is necessary if there are name

recognition issues. when people say, look me in the eye and make the decision. that happens here in iowa. jeb bush will have to prove himself as a candidate in and of himself, and so far it looks like he is willing to dedicate the time and energy to do that here in iowa. steven: if there are 12 or 14 republican candidates, will there be more than three tickets? jennifer: i think so. yes. i think there will be some candidates who will find it difficult to see that path to the nomination. i think you can -- i think when the iowa caucuses said and done, there will be much more than three candidates. steven: let's go to ken thomas of ap. kenneth: the playoff of that

you have played a very important role in the caucuses. we will probably have a very large field in iowa. does that potentially dilute religious conservatives influence and power. we saw this past week, ted cruz announced his campaign at liberty university in a clear attempt to connect with religious conservatives feared. jennifer: i am a government professor -- that is my paying job. what of the things that i would be observing very carefully is that it's not only how the group as a whole is attracting to voters and how they are trying to present their message but also are subgroups. certainly, we have groups in iowa republicans where social issues are very important. evangelical christians would be one of those groups. i think one of the things to

look at is how candidates that are directly appealing to that group -- ted cruz for example bobby jindal, mike huckabee -- how they are perceived within a particular group. the last caucus we had, rick santorum one. it was very very close. nearly a virtual tie. mitt romney was the other. certainly, it christian evangelicals are a crucial part of our electorate. they are not the only group. we are a very diverse state. you will see thousands of a look caucus-goers that cross the complete spectrum in the republican party. steven: i want to come back to that point in a moment. first, caitlin huey-burns. caitlin: i think we will start to see different influential sleep people, whether in politics or involved in the grassroots level. i'm wondering in iowa and new

hampshire, who are some of the people who can help shape this election? tdo endorsements carry as much weight these days? if you can tell us, is a senator, someone at the organizing level? who can influence how this big field shakes out? jennifer: would you like me to take the question? jeff: i will go first a couple of times. first, i think any of our elected officials at the federal level have potential. senator grassley has not been in the habit of endorsing. certainly, his endorsement would be -- i would say, the golden ring. we have a governor that within one year will be the longest-serving governor in the united states history. his endorsement is certainly crucial. our new senator, and joni joni

ernst, still has rockstar status. we have three golden rings as far as endorsements that are available here. i'm not sure if other endorsements matter. you know, when i was a legislator i sought those endorsements. i never knew beyond the immediate group of people, how much impact that have. in iowa, we are all about shaking hands and looking what another in the eye. i don't know if endorses are that crucial. steven: jennifer horn. jennifer: i would agree with jeff on that. you know, certainly folks like u.s. senator kelly, maybe some for former governors, these

folks are the big names may be in our state that may or may not choose to get involved. a new hampshire honestly, the endorsements that matter are the activist. we have 400 state house representatives that are unpaid. they are the activists that have the biggest influence on how the direction of the vote goes. those five or 600 -- 500 600 activists that will be volunt eering on the campaign, spreading the word of the candidates, those are the folks in new hampshire who quite honestly make a difference. they will decide in which direction this goes. certainly, we have a whole class of political operatives in our state, and is always interesting to see which campaign hires

which consultants. in the end, the outcome will be decided by many hundreds of activists, grassroots level. as they decide which campaigns to get involved in. steven: jeff, i want to come back to your role in the process. in 2008, mike huckabee won the campaign. this past cycle, rick santorum winning the caucus, and his campaign -- though he won 10 or 11 primaries, lost traction. do you worry that iowa is putting candidates on the center stage, and yet not really giving the voters the candidate that ultimately becomes either the nominee or a key player in the nomination process? jeff: i don't. here's the reason why. first of all, i would separate the straw poll from the caucus. four years ago, rick santorum did win the caucuses and one

several other primaries. mitt romney was just a few votes behind and became the nominee. don't forget, both bush is one iowa. iowa is the beginning. it is a snapshot at that time. i don't think we want iowa to continually named the winner. if i'm a chair of one of the 49 other states, that would be game over. i think it is healthy that i would does not necessarily pick the winner every time. i think the strength of iowa -- and why i would argue our first face the nation status is so important is because we did everyone a shot. senator grassley does every year. i think that is the strength. also what jennifer said, the fact that endorsements are certainly less important to the average citizen.

i think that is the strength of the iowa caucus. not necessarily that we can get it right everything will time, long before other states have had a chance to weigh in. steven: ken thomas. kenneth: i went new hampshire are the beginning. they are just be the battleground states. we haven't talked about hillary clinton. how confident are you that the process will lead to a strong nominee and not cause divisions and put the nominee in a position that might prove difficult in a general election? jennifer m. horn, why don't we start with you. jennifer: sure. it seems clear that the democratic party has already chosen secretary clinton as their nominee. if you listen to the chairman of the democratic party here in new hampshire, he says there are no other credible candidates out there. he would not even commit to

chris matthews hosted debates for other potential coming forward. there is no question. she will be a very strong candidate. she will be very well-funded. it will not be a cakewalk for anybody, but she has a lot of vulnerabilities and along with a long list of weaknesses that are well documented as well. i'm not sure at this point who else the democrats are even looking at seriously. elizabeth moran came forward. five president biden. then you would have a race. it does seem like in the end secretary clinton will be the person. steven: jeff kaufmann. jeff: as an observer, it is feeling almost a good coordination. not a grassroots debate. there is such a stark contrast between the democrats already rallying around what looks to be a prepaid winner, versus republicans that are going to every single county, even the

least populous counties and debating it out at people's homes and events. does that mean she will be formidable? absolutely not. she will be very well-financed. obviously, the same people that want a continuation of the last eight years are going to want to take someone from his candidate. she will be formidable. do i believe this process will generate a republican that can put an end to the last eight years and not renew another eight years? absolutely, i do. not just iowa and new hampshire, i've a great deal of faith in our 50 states and territories and d.c. to do the right thing. caitlin: i wanted to follow-up on that. how much she think she factors into how republicans are campaigning in early stages?

are they auditioning to take her on andy's guide the early -- take her on in these early visits? jeff: we have not seen mrs. clinton in month. it is a very p peculiar situation. no one has seen her. we are actually seeing some general election type speeches here. every week that she lets us go it seems she is more more -- i don't know what the additive is, and i guess i won't stay an adjective, except to say that there is one thing i was voters do not like, especially the independent voters who may not be participating in our caucuses but will bow in the general election and that is a preconceived coronation. that they don't like. i think this is clinton is very quickly moving into that image for herself. steven: let me jump in very

quickly. final question for both of you. jennifer horn, when do you think your party will have a nominee in place? will it be mid-march, or will it possibly moving to early spring? jennifer: i think it is too early to make that call, quite honestly. i will go back to my said earlier in this conversation, this is the most diverse qualified candidate of -- group of candidates that i've seen in my lifetime. i think the debate and it changes will be very energetic. i dig it will be educational. someone asked a minute ago about auditioning to take on hillary clinton, that is absolutely what the republican primary is about. who can lead the country. who has the vision to turn us back to the right track to overcome the failures that this administration has important labor did the american people with during president obama's time in office. who can not just articulate

that, but can conduct a campaign to defeat hillary clinton in the process. i think of we are all being honest, the party has chosen their person. there's no question that she will be a tough one. i don't know when we're going to see our nominee come out of it. what i am absolutely certain of is each and every one of our candidates will offer a more optimistic vision, better qualification, greater experience, and will have the ability to make that case to the american people, and send a responsible leader to the white house. steven: jennifer m. horn is chair of the party in new hampshire. jeff kaufmann, chair of the iowa republican party. thank you very much. we will see you often. jeff: thank you. jennifer: thank you very much. take care. steven: ken thomas, let me

follow up. one of your lines of questioning was will be candidate come out stronger or weaker. we saw that with mitt romney the problems he faced after the nomination. kenneth: we talked about immigration earlier. that was one of the problems for mitt romney. he was pulled a bit too far to the right. i think that is the key question here and both of these states. it has become a divisive process. is the eventual nominee someone who will have trouble getting to the center in a race that at this point looks like it will be against hillary clinton. steven: we were talking the straw poll now in wound, iowa. will this be relevant? will it make a difference? caitlin: if jeb bush and scott walker decides not really play in that early ballot, that i think will be telling. we saw last time michele bachmann was