the zealotry alive is to keep the fire white hot for another decade, if we're lucky. starting a war is a sure way to make enemies. that's all for now. "politicsnation" with al sharpton starts right now. thanks, chris, and thanks to you for tuning in. i am live from miami. tonight's lead, worst socialist ever. the republicans love to claim the president is killing jobs, he hates the free market, he doesn't understand capitalism. so how do they explain this? >> we just hit 15,000 on the dow. >> april, nonfarm payrolls increased by 165,000 jobs. >> as you can see reading across the board, all 30 of the dow components. >> the dow is at 15,000 today.

the first time ever. the president had it right when he said he must be losing his socialist mojo. >> these days i look in the mirror and i have to admit, i'm not the strapping young muslim socialist i used to be. >> he can say that again. today's new jobs report shows this president is getting america back to work. the unemployment rate is down again. it's now at 7.5%. the lowest in four years. and we learned today that february was the strongest single month for new jobs since 2005. that's eight years. this chart of private sector jobs tells the story. the jobs market was in free fall when president bush left office but america has now had 38

straight months of private sector job growth under president obama. the court still has a long way to go. millions of people are hurting every day in every part of the country. but we are making progress and to a great extent that's despite the effort by republicans. they are slashing public sector jobs, from teachers to police to pot rages. it's still holding back and it's still holding our jobs in the private sector and their response to today's strong job numbers was typical, attack obama care. speaker boehner says getting the economy going, "means repealing obama care." and eric cantor is already promising yet another vote to repeal obama care. i guess he hopes the 40th time will be the charm. today's numbers are a good sign

and we must push -- all of us must push to keep it going. joining me now, congressman emanuel cleaver, democrat from missouri, and jared bernstein. thanks for coming on the show tonight. >> good to be with you, reverend. >> congressman, do you believe what some republicans are trying to slow walk policy to prevent a stronger recovery? >> well, there's no question that the republicans, at least in the house and perhaps in the senate as well, contributed significantly to the legislative co constipation that we are experiencing here in the united states. if we had a balanced approach instead of the sequestration, we would probably have a higher number than 165,000 jobs that were created. but when you start cutting fire and police, as you mentioned earlier, those are human beings. those are americans. when they lose their jobs, it

stimies our growth. and so we've got to continue to make progress. my fear, reverend, is that the sequestration is going to eventually hurt our chances of beginning to do what the president was taught to do and that's drop the unemployment numbers. later in the summer when the defense industry begins to lay off, as they most certainly will, if you have 50% cuts across the board, including defense, inevitably you have to do something. >> you talked about the sequester. you have republican congressman mike pompeo sent out this tweet today. he was addressing it to nancy pelosi. "still think i'm not on team america for thinking the sequester was a home run. america did fine. we can survive spending." but look at this report from this very same congressman's own district, the damage to a local

head start program, it's from this week in his district. >> tomorrow will be the last day of work here at head start and the last day of school for some students. but the sequester cuts take effect wednesday, eliminating at least students from head start. >> congress, this is your colleague, republican congress pompeo home district that they are closing because of the sequester, they are closing down head start. so at one point we are gaining a new job and communities survive and those programs affected by the sequester. we are hurting and they are acting like it's all right. and we are doing fine.

>> we are not doing fine. and right now the sequester is not balanced. sure, we're taking money out of the budget but at the same time there's no new revenue coming in. that's a balanced approach, the president said he wanted it. i think that's what most americans want, a balanced approach because if we continue the sequester, economists are saying by fall we're going to feel the unemployment numbers pool down and the president proposed a jobs program, it has not seen the light of day. we need to have some kind of a jobs program and transportation bill perhaps offering the greatest opportunity to provide jobs to the unemployed. >> jared, isn't it true that without a jobs bill, without increasing the public sector, segments of our country will not

see unemployment go down as the congressman said, african-american community, latino community, and even with the private sector jobs going up every month, which is progress, we face headwinds there if we continue the sequester and the republican policies? >> there's no question that the sequester and other fiscal headwinds blowing against the economy are hurting in ways that you can very clearly see in the public sector. we lost 11,000 government jobs last month. i'm very much on board with the message that you've been stressing that certainly better than last months. we're doing okay. the unemployment rate is coming down too slowly. if we didn't have these fiscal problems, these lousy fiscal policies hurting programs like the one you showed a second ago, the unemployment rate would be

below 7% already. and i would like the congressman to explain why they are not having head start. they are having random lotteries to explain how someone gets kicked out of head start. explain how that builds the future. >> that is the point. when we look at real people hurting, here's a kid that can't go to head start. i mean, these are the same members of congress that didn't fight you, congressman cleaver, in trying to make sure that and they couldn't consider seniors and youngsters and head start. i mean, this is an atrocious, distorted view of where our priorities ought to be in congress. >> well, americans ought to be livid. they ought to be angry.

they ought to be getting their pitchforks and marching. i tell you why. members of congress fly every week. i fly 1800 miles to washington each week. and air traffic, lines were getting longer, people were going through security and the lines were stretching in washington all the way out of reagan airport. and so members of congress, at least on the republican side, we're not going to experience this discomfort. we're going to take that out of sequestration. well, how about head start? how about snap? how about programs that adversely impact minority, the weak, the unemployed, the women and you will never see a piece of that legislation come to the floor of the house. it will not happen.

>> the president is a failed socialist. >> yeah. no. this is really ironic. basically, if you look at who is doing really well right now, the president looks exactly the opposite of a socialist. corporate profitability is at an all-time high. stock market breaking records on a weekly basis. if you look at who benefits, it's not just the very rich. there are pension funds in there. very much disproportionately the benefits of the capital gains going to the top of the income scale. now let's look at the paycheck. if you look at the paycheck of the average worker, it's barely keeping pace with inflation. i think it's completely upside down. while i'm happy to see the stock market go down, i'm unhappy to see the corporate profitability, the stock market, and how a typical worker is failing.

>> i'm glad to see the stock market do well but i'd be more happy if average people can go to their local market and buy their groceries and not have to worry about whether they have a job next week and some don't have a job this week. congressman emanuel cleaver and jared bernstein, thank you for your time tonight. >> thank you, rev. up next, the right wing fringe takes a victory lap at the nra event in houston. but not so fast. news today that the gun debate is far from over. plus, you've seen her mix things up with the ladies of "the view," but today shari shepherd is joining the mix right here "politicsnation" with a new message. and remembering the godfather james brown on what would have been his 80th birthday today. we will never forget him. stay with us. ♪ change makes people nervous.

but i see a world bursting with opportunity, with ideas, with ambition. i'm thinking about china, brazil, india. the world's a big place. i want to be a part of it. ishares international etfs. emerging markets and single countries. find out why nine out of ten large professional investors choose ishares for their etfs. ishares by blackrock. call 1-800-ishares for a prospectus, which includes investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. read and consider it carefully before investing. risk includes possible loss of principal.

have you joined the "politicsnation" conversation on facebook yet? we hope you will. today in honor of what would have been james brown's 80th birthday. jay picked "the payback." ♪ >> and marie chose, "this is a man's world." ♪ >> and janice said, "say it

loud, i'm black and i'm proud." ♪ >> come to our facebook page and listen to other great tunes. just head over to facebook and search "politicsnation" and "like" us to join the conversation that keeps going long after the show ends.

huouston, we have a problem. today the nra held its annual convention with a who's who list with the far right pundits and

politicians in the country. in fact, the nra used a tastele tastele tasteless video to introduce rick perry that showed him shooting an ar-15, the same type of gun used at newtown. >> the governor, our good friend rick perry. ♪ >> that's offensive. a weapon of murder. that's not what americans want? a woman who used to work for

gabby giffords and who was shot in the tucson massacre praised senator john mccain for his "yes" yovote on background chec. >> i would like to thank you so much for the vote on the manchin/toomey background checks. >> that's where americans stand now on guns. that's why the far right is far from over, far from over is this fight gns the far right on this issue and that's why president obama is vowing to push the background checks. joining me now, melissa harris-perry. thank you for being here. >> thank you for having me. >> melissa, aren't we seeing the disconnect between the nra and the allies in congress with the american people? >> yeah, it's kind of stunning. certainly at this point it's

official officially puzzling. you have to be able to assume that you can predict the actions of members of the house of representatives or of the senate on a very simple equation. if they think doing something will get them re-elected, then that is what they will do. it's pretty simple. so we just have to figure out what kind of district is this person in and it's less about ideology and their own job preservation. in this case, you repeatedly have people with these pro nra fights against what seems to be against the interest of the constituents. >> and that's what is puzzling because now you're seeing every poll indicate -- i mean, i can't remember something 90% of americans agreed on and yet they are going against that and then blatant examples, let me give you one this week. we saw this tragic story. a 5-year-old boy who killed his 2-year-old baby sister with a

gun marketed to kids as "my first rifle." tv commercials selling that same rifle. watch this. >> hey, where are you going? >> to shoot my new cricket rifle. >> i wish i had one. >> my first rifle, a moment you will never forget. girls and mom even can pick one to their own taste. start your own tradition. >> now, you have 5-year-old boy with his first rifle, shoots his 2-year-old baby sister accidently. you have all of the tragedies from newtown to chicago and americans are saying we need to do something, at least check to see if people have mental problems, terrorists. they wouldn't even do that. stood in the face of newtown families and gabby giffords voted against the background checks. i mean, this is politically crazy, melissa. >> well, here's the gut check

for american voters. it is clear that these republican members of the house and senate -- clearly we see this happening in the house. they believe that american voters in their district are more willing to hold them accountable on supporting anything that the obama administration puts forward, that they are more likely to get pushed out of office if they support anything that comes from the obama administration and from the democrats. they are more worried about that than the idea that they will be voted out of office for supporting policies that put guns, lethal weapons in the hands of children. so this is the gut check for american voters. is that true? if you are republican, who nonetheless supports background checks, are you going to hold your member of congress, your senator accountable, or are you going to let it pass because our partisanship as so clearly divided us that we're willing to

allow our children to die in the face of our partisanship? >> well, the good news is last night president obama vowed to renew the push on background checks. let me show what the president said. >> i said the day that the legislation that had been proposed by senators manchin and toomey in the senate, the day that failed to get 60 votes, that was not the end. this was the beginning. things happen somewhat slowly in washington. >> it will require the president has made it very clear that the president will continue to push on this and the question is whether or not the american people not so much because he's the president, not because he's a democrat but for any of those

reasons but because our children's lives are on the line. >> well, i think that is clear that that is exactly on the line. melissa harris perry, thank you for your time tonight. be sure to catch her on saturday and sunday at 10:00 a.m. eastern time. still ahead, sherri shephard brings the wisdom of "the view" to "politicsnation." plus, bill o'reilly had something to say about me and msnbc. you better believe i'm responding, next. [ male announcer ] this is kevin.

to prove to you that aleve is the better choice for him, he's agreed to give it up. that's today? [ male announcer ] we'll be with him all day as he goes back to taking tylenol. that was okay, but after lunch my knee started to hurt again, and now i gotta take more pills. ♪ yup another pill stop. can i get my aleve back yet? ♪ for my pain, i want my aleve. ♪ [ male announcer ] this may, buy aleve and help those in need.

♪ have hail damage to both their cars. ted ted is trying to get a hold of his insurance agent. maxwell is not. he's on geico.com setting up an appointment with an adjuster. ted is now on hold with his insurance company. maxwell is not and just confirmed a 5:30 time for tuesday. ted, is still waiting. yes! maxwell is out and about... with ted's now ex-girlfriend. wheeeee! whoo! later ted! online claims appointments. just a click away on geico.com.

bill owe highly's worried about a far left take over. >> the far left is out of control in america. and yesterday in seattle, thousands of looms took to the streets. >> [ bleep ]. [ bleep ]. >> most everywhere in the usa, the far left is running wild. >> what he's trying to do is make all liberals to these people, breaking the law in seattle. as james carville said, this

doesn't represent the left. these are criminals. but then he hits close to home. >> the far left, the msnbc people, they are starting to dominate the conversation now. they are starting to put forth these things -- >> look, i don't view rachel maddow as far left. i don't view them as far left people. i just don't. >> the crew is really pushing the envelope to the left. that's a pretty generous thing. >> reverend al, he's a pretty liberal guy. >> pretty liberal? >> well, okay, he's a liberal guy. >> gee, thanks bill. i'll take the compliment. but let's get back to his big word, that the far left is gaining more power in america. he is right. progressives are dominating the conversation now because we're

for fairness, for women's rights, for equality. bill, i think you should try leaning forward. but before you do, did you think we wouldn't call you out for your bogus spin? nice try but we've got you. it's eb. want to give them more vitamins, omega 3s, and less saturated fat? it's eb. eggland's best eggs. eb's. the only eggs that make better taste and better nutrition... easy. eggland's best eggs. better taste. better nutrition. better eggs. it's eb. better eggs. to try on these amazing depend silhouette briefs. oh, it's cheryl burke! who's this guy? security. cheryl, hi! i know you don't need one but would you try on the depend silhouette for charity? right now? under this? why not? for charity?

now's the perfect time, cause with soft fabric and waistband, the best protection looks, fits and feels just like underwear. even doing the chacha. whaaat? ok, america. cheryl burke tried the depend silhouette. get a free sample so you can too. could lose tens of thousands of dollars on their 401(k) to hidden fees. thankfully e-trade has low cost investments and no hidden fees. but, you know, if you're still bent on blowing this fat stack of cash, there's a couple of ways you could do it. ♪ ♪ or just go to e-trade and save it. boom. ♪ to your table for a limited time! it's our seafood dinner for two for just 25 dollars! a handcrafted seafood feast made to share. first you each get salad and unlimited cheddar bay biscuits. then choose two from a wide variety of chef-inspired entrées like our new honey garlic crispy shrimp

or new seafood lover's linguini. round out your seafood dinner with your choice of either an appetizer or dessert to share! don't miss our seafood dinner for two, just $25 at red lobster, where we sea food differently. [ agent smith ] i've found software that intrigues me. it appears it's an agent of good. ♪ [ agent smith ] ge software connects patients to nurses to the right machines while dramatically reducing waiting time. [ telephone ringing ] now a waiting room is just a room. [ static warbles ] did you see mr. clean disinfecting bath cleaner killing that bacteria yesterday, just flaunting it? and did you see the magic eraser clean up that crazy kitchen mess? it was like super dirty, super clean. how? wish i hadn't. [ sniffs ] what's that amazing smell? it's mr. clean with the amazing scent of gain.

wow! you know, if i had a team, you'd be on it. [ gasps ] our mascot could be a cleanosarus rex. you're off the team. [ male announcer ] dirt and grime have nowhere to hide with the mr. clean clean team on your side. ♪ welcome back to "the blaming game." i'm your host, reverend al shorp ton. it's a simple game republicans have been playing for years. whatever the problem, blame obama. did you vote for budget that created major flight delays? blame obama. are you a pundit looking for a scapegoat? blame obama. are your constituents angry about your actions in washington? blame obama. here's a voter telling congressman paul ryan how budget cuts are hurting him at a town

hall. >> it's because of the sequestration, i'm on furlough. i've already lost $6 thoirks in pay. i've got more than 47 hours to lose. you're taking away our pay. when it's going to stop? enough already. >> ryan gets called out over federal budget cuts. so what does he do? play the blaming game. >> this was something that the president signed. and passed a bill in december saying instead of the sequestration, here's other areas of government to cut. to pay for it. >> this is something that the president has done? ryan voted for the budget control act and those

replacement bills he's touted. they put things like food stamps on the chopping block to offset other cuts. congressman ryan, you are responsible for those cuts but congratulations are in order. he's the winner of the blaming game this week. joining me now is e.j. dionne and teresa kumar. >> is congressman ryan still suffering from romnesia? >> is would hoping that we could compete for $100,000 in the plaming game when they want to talk about how successfully they are cutting government, then they say we are for the sequester, we are not going to give in to obama but when any particular thing comes up, they

say, well, he's really the author of the sequester, even though ryan and almost all of the other voted for it. it's a game and they keep have to being getting called on it. but they thought with the steep cuts, the republicans would never let the sequester go into effect and that was a mistake. and i think also the administration left the impression that this was going to hit hard at the beginning. no, it wasn't, but it's really debilitating and i think they need to recalibrate their strategy, just like my boston celtics and your brooklyn nets did. but i think they can do it. >> you know, when you hear ryan blame the president for budget cuts now, but that's not what he said back in 2011. listen to this. >> what conservatives like me

have been fighting for for years are statutory caps on spending, legal caps in law that says government agencies cannot spend over a set amount of money and if they breach that amount across the board, sequester comes in to cut that spending and you can't cut that off without a super majority vote. we got that in law. >> he said, maria teresa, we got that in law. doesn't sound like he thought the sequester was so bad, does it? >> i think the biggest problem with paul ryan is he doesn't like to own what he's selling and he has to start owning what he's selling and stand by. the republicans right now, why they are enjoying this time period, everything that they are saying, whether it's cutting food stamps or the epa or the fact that we have less air traffic controllers, a lot of the stuff isn't sticking to them and the more that we can actually talk about who is at

fault for the sequester, people haven't come together, it's not going to be good for the american people and own up to it, that's the only way we'll be able to get through this business. right now, the republican party, nothing is sticking to them. they are going around acting like they don't know what happened all of a sudden that we have all of these furloughs. >> e.j., the reason that i want to discuss this is exactly that. because you said that the sequester impact would not be felt immediately but now people are beginning to feel it. since it took a minute, we need to remind people how we got sequester in the first place people will think the wrong people are responsible for what has happened and we were warned what happened. >> that's absolutely right. one of the things that you need, if you talk to local officials around the country, i was

talking to the county executive in buffalo. a lot of people are getting hurt in concrete ways. people are being thrown off meals on wheels. people are being thrown out of head start. there are all kinds of cuts being felt by actual voters but it happens here and there and in little pieces and no one has been pulling this together as a large story. in many ways, local media outlets have covered the better immediate impact of this. we have to talk about the effect on the larger economy. the jobs report was positive but imagine how much more positive it would have been if we didn't have the sequester knocking us down and if we extended the payroll tax cuts the way president obama proposed. we'd be in really good job now. >> with the jobs report, just as e.j. what you're pointing out,

we may not feel feel the full brubt of it. >> it's outrageous to me. what really, really bothers me is when you talk about meals on wheels and head start and seniors that need these meals on wheels programs, other things like that, they act as though these are political props rather than american people, maria, that are really in need of these services. >> meals on wheels is not a luxury. those are the individuals that are basically at the bottom of the social ladder and they are asking for help and we are providing a safety net so these individuals can excel when it comes to the 2014 election there's going to be real consequences and i think that's what is on the asset of the democrats but they are not

weaving that story on the national level. i think they may be doing so much more at the local level. again, it's important to know who is responsible for this kick whne game that they've been playing. >> e.j. dionne and maria teresa couple mar, thank you for your time. >> have a great weekend, reverend. ahead, "the view" shari shepherd is here for some hot topics. "politicsnation" style. what almost made her vote against president obama. you're going to want to hear this. now you can give yourself a kick in the rear! v8 v-fusion plus energy. natural energy from green tea plus fruits and veggies. need a little kick? ooh! could've had a v8. in the juice aisle. i did? when visa signature asked everybody what upgraded experiences really mattered... you suggested luxury car service instead of "strength training with patrick willis." come on todd! flap them chicken wings.

[ grunts ] well, i travel a lot and umm... [ male announcer ] at visa signature, every upgraded experience comes from listening to our cardholders. visa signature. your idea of what a card should be. would absolutely not have taken a zip line in the jungle. i'm really glad that girl stayed at home. vo: expedia helps 30 million travelers a month find what they're looking for. one traveler at a time. expedia. find yours.

supreme court justice clarence has a theory about why president obama was elected. it's because the elites liked him. >> i've always thought there would be black coaches, black heads of universities, again, maybe i'm naive but the thing that i always knew that it would have to be a black president who was approved by the elites, the media because anybody that they didn't agree with, they would take apart. >> huh? so it was the elite and the media and i suppose they were also responsible for the 65 million votes president obama got in 2012, too? sorry justice thomas.

that's a verdict i don't agree with. [ male announcer] surprise -- you're having triplets. [ babies crying ] surprise -- your house was built on an ancient burial ground. [ ghosts moaning ] surprise -- your car needs a new transmission. [ coyote howls ] how about no more surprises? now you can get all the online trading tools you need without any surprise fees. ♪ it's not rocket science. it's just common sense. from td ameritrade. as well as they could because they don't take it with food. switch to citracal maximum plus d. it's the only calcium supplement that can be taken with or without food. my doctor recommends citracal maximum.

sherri shepherd has ent entertained audiences for years and in 2008 earned a permanent seat on "the view" and won over audiences on hit tv shows like nbc's "30 rock." >> listen, angie, i am sorry i lied but you've got to give me another chance. >> excuse me, did you just try to control my body with your right hand? don't let me contact reverend sharpton. i can't deal with you. >> hmm i never got that call. we know sherri shepherd loves to have a good time and loves making people laugh for a living but now she's tackling a very serious pop particul

serious topic, diabetes. in her new book "plan d, how to lose weight with diabetes even if you don't have it. joining me now is sherri shepherd. >> you look absolutely sexily amazing. can you say to a reverend that you look sexy? >> you said it and i'm not letting you take it back. people know you as a very funny person on "the view" but you struggle with diabetes and weight management for years. why did you go public with it? >> i'm always, from my days of doing stand-up comedy, i've been public and i'm letting you know everything about me. there's not too many things you can say, i'm going to blackmail you with because i'm open. but with diabetes, especially in the african-american community, latino community, it's like the fourth killer of african-americans and i have it and i'm passionate to let people know, this is something that we have to get under control because it's killing us.

>> no doubt about it. you said you were surrounded by diabetes as a child. let me read a quote. it says "my community is like the diabetes hall of fame, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins. when i was a kid, i actually thought limbs, toes, and feet just went away. my family was no different than a lot of others in my predominantly african-american neighborhood. we kids were always hearing the adults talk about this person down the street got the sugar. it sounded harmless." i don't know about that. when did you realize that sugar wasn't harmless and you were at risk? >> i realized the sugar was not harmless when my mother passed away at 41 years old from diabetic complications and i think a term called "the sugar," you don't take it serious because it sounds kind of cute. >> sugar is sweet. >> sugar is sweet. so when that uncle rolled up to the table and got macaroni and

cheese and had one leg, you didn't think anything about it. you just got the sugar. >> it's amazing. you ignored your own diagnosis for a while and then you said you had an experience with your son that made you come to terms with this. >> right. it wasn't after my mother passed away that i changed, it was after i got the diagnosis of diabetes. i had a big bowl of pasta and my blood sugar spiked and i had a vision of my son at 5 years old holding his teddy bear, he was in the dark crying because he was trying to figure out where heaven was because everyone was telling him where mommy was. my son has special needs, that vision is what made me lift my head up and say, okay lord, i've got it. i've got it. i've got to change my life or i'm going to do to my son what

my mother did to me. >> i really, really admire you because it is culture. i have friends that call me now, since i've lost a lot of weight, and have said, are you all right? they never asked me that when i was obese. that's when i wasn't all right. >> that's right. you must be getting sick if you lose weight. where we come from, in my family, we eat, fry everything. i didn't know what sauteing was until i got diabetes. we would fry it and keep the grease in the middle of the kitchen and reuse the grease. >> i want to ask you about "the view." >> yes. >> y'all have a hot table. >> we do. >> how does that work for you? >> you know, i love it. it's been so challenging. my whole mantra for my life is do it scared. anything that scares me, i say yes. when barbara walters asked me to be a regular co-host, i was scared to death because i came from a religion.

i used to be a jehovah's witness. i got in the middle of the politics. i didn't vote until president obama ran. that was my very first time going into a voting booth. >> what made you vote then? >> i was sitting at a table where i had to learn about politics and i knew nothing about it. in order to talk to these ladies about it, i had to learn about it. i did it one step at a time. how does politics affect me and my son. that's how i did it. i took my son in the voting booth with me. he had a temper tantrum. we almost went republican. but we made it through. >> you took him in and he watched you vote? >> he watched me vote, yes, and i taught him, victory, we've got it. yes. >> now, there are a lot of rumors around the show, joe behar is living. is barbara living? >> not that i know of. >> all those rumors are not true? >> she said if there's anything that she needs to say, she would

say it on "the view" and we have not heard anything. >> what about elisabeth. >> she's still there. do i still have a job? >> okay. all right. no, everybody is still there except for joy. joy is the one who has said she's leaving. she wants to do something different. >> the president came and did the show a couple of times. >> yes. >> what was that like? >> it was pretty awesome. i'm very proud of him. for my son, you know, when president obama won, i went in my son's room and cried and said it's actually crew. you actually could be president of the united states, jeffrey. >> and that is an awesome thing for a mother who could not say that before. >> it's awesome. i could not believe it. i got him out of school to take a picture with the president and he had a meltdown and i said, if you don't get in there and take a picture with the president. >> we're happy to welcome the

president of the united states and the first lady, barack and michelle obama. ♪ we're very happy that you've come on and brought your date. >> i brought him with me. he had a few minutes in his schedule. >> i told folks, i'm just supposed to be eye candy here for you. >> and they are wonderful couple. >> a wonderful couple. i still -- i still grim. i was griming like a donkey the whole time. i feel very proud of this couple, seeing someone that looks like me because for so many years we had to see other people and it was just a wonderful day when they came on the show. >> well, i thought it was wonderful. i thought you all handled it wonderful. i'm very, very proud of you and plan d. i hope a lot of people -- because i've certainly got into that mentality. i hope a lot of people read this book and change their thinking. >> i just want people to know, if you're prediabetic, don't be

scared. if you follow the steps that i've outlined in this book, you won't come over to the side i'm on. i tell people, it's a fund read because i'm a fun person. you get to laugh. go out and get it and don't stay in a position of doing nothing and hiding. >> sherri shepherd, thanks for being with us tonight and good luck with the book. >> thank you very much. we'll be right back to celebrate the birth and legacy of my mentor, james brown. stay with us. this is america.

we don't let frequent heartburn come between us and what we love. so if you're one of them people who gets heartburn and then treats day after day... block the acid with prilosec otc and don't get heartburn in the first place! [ male announcer ] one pill each morning. 24 hours. zero heartburn.

a confident retirement. those dreams have taken a beating lately. but no way we're going to let them die. ♪ ameriprise advisors can help keep your dreams alive like they helped millions of others. by listening. planning. working one on one. that's what ameriprise financial does. and that's what they can do with you. that's how ameriprise puts more within reach. ♪ ♪ today we celebrate the birth of the godfather soul, the late james brown would have been 80 years old today. there's never been anybody like james brown. he practically invented that sound called funk with heavy

rhythm and he was a relentless performer and worked on the roots of depression in south carolina, he knew the value of hard work. >> as a boy i signed shoes, i went to pick cotton and i can go out and entertain and make more than i can ever imagine. >> what are you saying? it hardly seems like work? >> no, it seems like i can't do enough. any time someone buys a ticket and doesn't enjoy themselves, they've been cheated. >> james brown always pushed it to the limit, especially on stage. his style earning him the

additional title of dynamite, soul brother number one and, of course, the hardest working man in show business. ♪ ♪ baby ♪ >> and whether on stage or off, mr. brown always cared deeply about the lives of others. he organized yearly thanksgiving dinners for the needy and christmas drives, got involved to raise awareness about third world debt. he left part of his estate to young people seeking for message, hope, love, and pride. >> and always say it loud that

you're proud. ♪ say it loud ♪ say it loud >> he had a profound impact on my life. i met him when i was just 16 years old. he became my mentor and father figure. a few years later, we were on soul train together. >> we know that in the recording industry that they give a gold record to those that achieve a million seller but we view your million seller playback as a black record because it's what some people could not see and musically express. >> james brown made me feel good. he left us too soon but we will never forget him and the lessons of his life. on his birthday today, my natural father's birthday is the same day, by some coincidence or providence. i think of a man who invested in

me and many young people. he taught me to stand up, be proud, be authentic. don't copy others but be proud enough and courageous enough to make your own mark. james brown made a difference. because of him, we have a better world. happy birthday, godfather. thanks for watching. i'm al sharpton. "hardball" starts right now. houston, we have a problem. let's play "hardball." ♪ >> good evening. i'm chris matthews in washington. let me begin tonight with this. glee, it's a tv show and also what we're seeing on stage in houston tonight. we're looking at the triumph of gunpowder over the will of the people. 90% of the american people we know want better background checks on who buys a