out there and i would say, i really doubt that walker will tray to do something constructive now. the plan on the ground in the states, and you have really shown this. this is where the policy was. attack women, attack workers, and we'll see if that's a winning politics nationwide. >> the truth of the matter is he and mary pretty much split women. but mary only had 54% of the women and he had 46%. too much for him. >> state senator, great to have you with us. we'll fate for another day. no doubt. that's the ed show. good evening, revv. >> thanks for tuning in. tonight's lead, republicans say they want to compromise. do they mean it? last night voter gave gop control of the senate and today, both president obama and senator mcconnell talked about finding common ground together. >> i'm eager to work with the new congress to make the next

two years as productive as possible. >> to start with the view that maybe there are some thing we can agree on to make progress. >> push hard to close some of these divisions, break through some of the grid lock and get stuff done. >> there there be no government shutdown. >> for all the cynic has say otherwise, i continue to believe we're simply more than a check of red and blue states. we are the united states. >> now, you could be forgiven for getting whip lash from that if you know mcconnell as the guy had a wanted to make president obama a one-term president. but it was the right note for a lead we are a new responsibility to govern. december participate today's optimism, it was obvious major disagreements remain. first up could be immigration reform.

with the president pledging to take affirmative action despite warning from senator mcconnell. >> before the end of the year, we're going to take whatever lawful actions i can take, that i believe will improve the functioning of our immigration system. let's figure out what we can do awfully through executive actions to ill approve the functioning of the existing system. >> the president choosing to do a lot of things unilaterally would be a big mistake. like waving a re flag in front of a bull. i hope he won't do that. i think it poisons the well. >> the president making it clear, he is not nervous about the gop rhetoric. and he is taking the long view when it come to the mid-term elections. every single president who has been reelected in modern history has lost senate seats in the six-year mid terms. he have one of them. the exception was president clinton who benefited from the gop's overreach with

impeachment. so whale president obama is looking for common ground, he is also committed to fighting for his beliefs. >> obviously republicans had a good night and they deserve credit for running good campaigns. the principles that we're fighting for, the thing that motivate me he single day and motivate my staff every day, those things won't change. i think there are some concrete things we can do to make sure that wages and incomes doing up. more than anything, what i want to community over these next few fish, the promise and possibility of america. >> there is a lot on the line and a lot to get done in the next two years. joining me now, governor ed rendell and abby huntsman. thank you both for being here. >> governor rendell, do you think republican there's work

with president obama now that they have control of the senate? >> i think they have to, rev. i think the american people have said, you guys have the entire congress. let see you do something. and i don't think they can just pass bills that they know the president will veto. they have to work and reach out to the president. so if they want the key stone pipeline, they have to make sure that there are a lot of thing in there for energy like extending the production tax credit. something the president can give a little bit on and they give a little bit on. and it comes together. if they don't govern and it can't be just trade and it can't be just tax reform. even within the framework of tax reform, we'll lower the rates. which of those loophole will go. and then the money we save from removing the loophole, does that go into infrastructure and growth? >> when you say it can't be just those things, what things can they do tangibly to show that

they're willing to move and govern and meet the president halfway? >> well, no question. they can put together a comprehensive infrastructure bill. we need it. we know it is important for economic growth of the country. we know it will create well paying jobs. they have a lead on that and not say, we can't fund it. we have to find a way to fund it. if that means a modest raise in the gas tax, it has to be done. >> you're a republican. will the republicans, now that they are in charge of the senate, and can govern, will they meet halfway on something like infrastructure to provide jobs, even if it means a lower gas snax is that something that's viable? >> viable is one thing. will they do it is another thing. ed rendell makes a good point. the main message from last night the american people are totally fed up. they're not happy with where we are right now. they're not happy with where

we're headed. it they took their anger out last night on democrats. the republicans should not be skipping you this the hall because people are frustrated. nothing is getting done. the one word we keep hearing, we'll work together. we need -- >> but it's a word. we want to see -- >> compromise, a word we never hear. you think about the next two years. the governor mention ad few things. the corporate tax reform is one trade. infrastructure. nothing big. we have to look at this in a proper perspective. the president does move for on immigration, wove seen what happens before when he did with it the health care bill. responds don't respond well to that. >> let's talk about that. i was in a meeting with president obama this afternoon. he met with six or seven of us civil rights leaders. talked about immigration and voting rights. immigration is something he is saying he is going forward on. look at this.

it has been 496 days since the senate passed immigration reform last year with 14 republicans joining the democrats to support. mcconnell says president obama should wait. the problem was the republican house. so what's changed? why shouldn't the president act? >> well, i think the sples act. i think what the sples do is announce what he is going to do by executive action and say, i'm going to do these executive actions and do them for the next nine months. it is may hope that the congress will act and legislate in all of these and send a good legislation reform bill. if they do so, i will with draw the executive order. if they don't, we'll keep it in place and go forward. i think there he's saying, i'm acting but i'm giving you the chance to do it legislatively. you say you can do it legislatively. call him on it. give him a time limit.

say, okay, by august 1st, i want a bill on my desk. but act now and say, if you pass a bill and send to it me and it is a bill i can sign, i'll withdraw the executive order. >> let to go something else. it is clear the will be a big fight over the affordable care act. listen to what president obama and senator mcconnell said about that. >> efforts that would take away health care from the 10 million people who now have it. and the millions more who are eligible to get it. we're not going to support. >> is the individual mandate one of those lines you can't cross? >> the individual mandate is a line i can't cross. >> everyone of my members think that obamacare was a huge legislative mistake. the individual mandate, people hate it. so i think we will be addressing that issue. >> will the republicans offer

any changes to the affordable care act or obamacare that the president can accept? >> that's a good question. we say this question is more divided. you hear both statements on the affordable care act. you realize, this country is more divided than it has ever been. we heard from president obama, we flared mitch mcconnell. they're saying we want to find common ground. i think the republican there's find a piecemeal approach. ? we also heard from the noise caucus from rush limbaugh and the national review and others that are already rattling the chains, so to speak. >> last night was a big win for the establishment wing for the republican party. compared to twhen there was the tea party sweeping through. last night was a lot of establishment candidates that would have been. it we're going to have to see, real dogs being had. the president says i want to get a little bit. to sit in the same room with the caucus. if we're looking to have

compromise, they have to have conversations them can't just speak to the tv screens. >> on that note, nbc's exit polling showed even though voters gave senate to republicans, they support democratic views on key issues. 63% stay economic system favors the wealthy. 58% say climb change is a serious healthy. 57% say immigrants deserve a legal path to citizen ship. last night we also saw five states pass an increase in the minimum wage, including in red states like arkansas and nebraska. slow republicans act on those states now that they've taken control in the senate? >> i think the senate will act on a lot of those ideas. you're riot to focus on the house. who knows what the house will do? i thought one part of senator mcconnell's press conference that was very important.

he sent a message to the far right when he said there will be no government shutdown and no defaulting on the debt. he laid down a marker. he didn't even pope for consideration. that to me was the best part of what he did. it we can remain hopeful. will they pass a bill getting rid of the individual mandate? yes, they will. will the president vaet over it? yes, he will veto it. that is a political dance they'll play. while they're dancing over there, we have a chance to go forward on things important to the country like immigration reform. >> i got a little uncomfortable when he started slow waltzing saying they would mess with don frank and yes, there will be hearings in irs. >> he had to throw a little red meat. as the governor is saying, he is making it clear that he won't deal with the bull crap that he dealt with in years past. go ahead. >> and remember, you know, what

he said. he said no to them to a number of different issues. and he open the door for real cooperation. so look. will it work out? you and i don't know. abby doesn't know. are we hopeful as americans that they'll do something? yes. president clinton, president reagan, president eisenhower. they all did it in their last two years. and they all passed significance legislation. >> let's hope the president -- >> i hope and i really hope that we can do that. and i always did. time, i'm dealing with the practical underground demagoguery that happens on all sides. i hope we can -- >> it can't be worse than the last two years. >> the one comfort we have, i said that today at the white house, it can't be any worse. so i hope it can be better. people are suffering.

thank you both for your time tonight. and make sure you catch abby on the cycle, weekdays at 3:00 p.m. eastern right here on msnbc. still ahead, the gop's cruz missile into the senate. will ted cruz and right wing extremists plunk them into the senate wall? >> i think on the president's policies but also a referendum on hillary clinton. >> let the games begin! how 2014 affect 2016? and the gop's plans for hill. plus, did democrats make a mistake by running away from president obama? lots of second-guessing tonight. about what could have been their fatal move. a big show tonight. stay with us. >> my number one goal is just to deliver as much as i can for the

american people in these last two years. >> the democrat who counts is the president of the united states. wethey were a littlehorizons to mbit skeptical.ss, what they do actually is rocket science. but at ge capital we also bring expertise from across ge, like lean process engineers we asked who does what, when, where, and why that step first? ideas for improvement started pouring out.

with a little help from us, they actually doubled their output speed. if you just need a loan, just call a bank. at ge capital, we're builders. and what we know... can help you grow.

coming up, should the democrats have run with president obama? can senator mcconnell stand up to ted cruz? and -- it that's my phone. excuse me. it's brokaw calling! i'll explain that joke in our special 2014 election report card ahead. but your erectile dysfunction-that could be a question of blood flow. cialis for daily use helps you be ready anytime the moment is right. you can be more confident in your ability to be ready. and the same cialis is also the only daily ed tablet approved to treat symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently or urgently.

tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medicines, and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sex. do not take cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain, as it may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. do not drink alcohol in excess. side effects may include headache, upset stomach, delayed backache or muscle ache. to avoid long-term injury, get medical help right away for an erection lasting more than four hours. if you have any sudden decrease or loss in hearing or vision, or any symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop taking cialis and get medical help right away. ask your doctor about cialis for daily use and a free 30-tablet trial.

he knows the legislative process well. he obviously knows his caucus well. he's always given me realistic estimates of what he can get from his caucus and what he can't. >> president obama today on working with senator mitch mcconnell and a republican senate. it's true. senator mcconnell knows his caucus well. and he already knows one member of that group is going to give him a whole lot of trouble. i'm talking about senator ted cruz. >> earlier today i got a call from the president. i was hoping senator received and the speaker and ted cruz, too, which i thought you would be interested in. we had a friendly conversation. >> it might have been a friendly conversation but i'm not sure that's going to last.

with headlines like this, quote, meet the real next senate majority leader, ted cruz. just last night, cruz wouldn't commit to supporting senator mcconnell as leader. >> will you support mitch mcconnell as your leader in the united states senate? >> that will be a decision to make. tonight was a terrific night for republicans. >> nice dodge. today mcconnell at least paid lip service to the idea of working with the president. but just days ago, senator cruz said the senate's first item of business should be holding hearing on president obama's, quote, abuse of power and lawlessness. some of the new republicans of the senate like joni ernst and tom cotton seem eager for this brachbd obstructionist.

so senator mcconnell may or may not want to work with the president. but first he's got to figure out how to deal with members of his own party. joining me now, dana milbank and josh. senator mcconnell talks a big talk about working with the president. will the ted cruz caucus let him? >> i don't think there's very much of a ted cruz caucus in the senate. it is in the house. what we saw is making a lot of trouble in conjunction with his allies in the house. really, there are very few arch conservative senators like ted cruz. they're generally lined up behind mitch mcconnell. he is the most hated man on capitol hill among establish many republicans. so i think ted cruz will tray to push republicans in both chambers of congress toward a more obstructionist agenda. of course, mcconnell has his own

brand of obstruction. so they'll be able to find that. >> the guy committed to a one-term president obama. >> i think you know, i think ted cruz doesn't have that much influence within the senate caucus. his knew is much stronger. >> there is a general branding problem. you wrote last night that things are about to get hard for republicans. i want to read a part of your column. quote. i like always doing dana to dane. a republicans didn't run on an agenda, other than antipathy toward all things obama. they created a policy vacuum. it is about to be filled by a swirl of competing and contradictory proposals. republicans have set themselves up for chaos, if not outright fratricide. what kind of chaos? >> well, look. mitch mcconnell himself said that he was asked just last week about the agenda.

he said this is not the time to be laying out an agenda. the problem when you run on an agenda, we're not that guy in the white house. means that do you create this sort of a vacuum. and i agree to, it is not ted cruz per se. it is that everybody feels they can be free-lancers here, pursuing their own agenda. a lot of this huge incoming class of freshmen republicans in the senate, may have all kinds of ideas about getting votes on abolishing the irs and the department of education and the epa. other things that won't be a reality but can sort of make the new senate leadership unstable and look a little bit crazy. so that's what mitch mcconnell is up against. harnessing the crazier instincts hear. if he trays to cut some deals, he will get pressure both ways. >> you know, the conservative

national review had a piece today calling for the gop to approve they can govern. let me read to you the quoeflt quote, approve you can govern strategy will inevitably divide the party on the same tea party versus establishment lines that republicans have just succeed in the overcoming. which brings us to the characters building the case for republican governance after 2016. so let me get this right. they shouldn't do anything. the way to win governing in 2016, don't govern now. just take whatever shot you want. does that make sense? >> it that's saying something interesting. they're saying don't tray to make compromises like some are saying you should do. they're saying don't do the ted cruz thing where you say no to everything and find yourself in on that significant.

lay out an agenda that the president will veto that our governing agenda for 2013 if there is a republican president. they're urging republicans to come up with their own policy agenda. >> one that the xres veto. >> and they know they don't have the rights to override it. >> right. but it sets out an alternative policy for the way they would govern. >> it sounds to me like grid lock. >> well, that's exactly what the prescription is. the real question is, are the next two years about going to be about posturing? to see if they can put themselves in a better position to go for the white house in 2016 or is it going to be the sort of thing that say, a rob portman in the senate is talking about. they can get agreement on tax reform on trade deals. all kind of very important things. credit will be shared with this president.

>> good political posturing and gamesmanship is one thing. but is it a challenge to say, we can rise above the petty politics and do something? >> well, i don't think there's a lot of policy agreement. people say, he was one is for tax reform. everyone is for a highway bill. everyone is for immigration policy. you have real disagreements between republicans and kroots what immigration policy should be. so if you're going to have those compromises, it is not just a matter of sharing the credit. bits agreeing to a policy you don't necessarily support. i think republicans are saying we can control the entire government in two years. >> or you can lose it. >> or you can lose it. that's saying don't just vote to repeal obamacare. put forward your own alternative health care plan that you can run in that's a replace many.

>> that's not what ted cruz wants. >> kind of hard to come one an alternative plan since it's been several years and we still haven't found one. i have to let it go there. thank you both for your time tonight. coming up work democrats have been better off running on president obama's policies? and i'm giving out my report card from last night. what grade will this get? >> could that be me? >> no. it's something am beent. >> i'm afraid it is. i'll remember to bring home the milk. >> big show ahead. please stay with us. synchrony financial partners with over two hundred thousand businesses, from fashion retailers to healthcare providers, from jewelers

to sporting good stores, to help their customers get what they want and need. banking. loyalty. analytics. synchrony financial. engage with us. alright, so this tylenol arthritis lasts 8 hours, but aleve can last 12 hours... and aleve is proven to work better on pain than tylenol arthritis. so why am i still thinking about this? how are you? aleve, proven better on pain. you fifteen percent or more on huh, fiftcar insurance.uld save everybody knows that. well, did you know words really can hurt you? what...? jesse don't go! jesse...no! i'm sorry daisy, but i'm a loner. and a loner gotta be alone. heee yawww! geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more. jesse?

["mony mony" by billy idole she cokicks in on car stereo]y". ♪don't stop now come on mony♪ ♪come on yeah ♪i say yeah ♪yeah ♪yeah ♪yeah ♪yeah ♪yeah ♪yeah ♪'cause you make me feel like a pony♪ ♪so good ♪like your pony ♪so good ♪ride the pony the sentra, with bose audio and nissanconnect technology. spread your joy. nissan. innovation that excites.

welcome back to a special 2014 edition of rev al's report

card. my first grade? an "a" to tom brokaw. he is at the head of the class with his suave handling of his cell phone going off on air. take a look. >> there have been a lot of republican senators who have hoped that -- [ beeping ] >> could that be me in. >> no. it is something ambient. >> no. it's me. the alarm go off. >> i thought you were on fire. >> yes, i will remember to bring home the milk. don't worry about it. and i'll feed the dog in the morning. just sleep in. it will be okay. >> very good. next up is karl rove. he gets an incomplete for his cowboy impression. tex rove and his republican

cavalry may have stampeded over the democrats but this might not be his best. maybe he should stick to dancing. ♪ >> rove gets an "a" for effort on that. and may final grade tonight goes to a three-year-old boy named xavier who has gone viral after his mom told him, he wasn't allowed to vote. >> do you want to vote? >> yeah. >> do you want to vote by yourself? >> yeah. >> do you know there are people out there who can vote who don't? >> is it sad? should they go vote? yeah. >> that's how a lot. us felt when we learned how many people chose not to vote too. i cried too, xavier.

he gets an a plus for that reaction. only 15 more years to go before you can vote, kid. hang in there. thanks to all our students tonight. pass, fail or somewhere in between. this has been a special 2014 edition of rev's al report card. you know "hidden things..." ok, why's that? no hidden fees, from the bank where no branches equals great rates. hi, are we still on for tomorrow? tomorrow. quick look at the weather. nice day, beautiful tomorrow. tomorrow is full of promise. we can come back tomorrrow. and we promise to keep it that way. driven to preserve the environment, csx moves a ton of freight nearly 450 miles on one gallon of fuel. what a day. can't wait til tomorrow.

(receptionist) gunderman group is growing. getting in a groove. growth is gratifying. goal is to grow. gotta get greater growth. i just talked to ups. they got expert advise, special discounts, new technologies. like smart pick ups. they'll only show up when you print a label and it's automatic. we save time and money. time? money? time and money. awesome. awesome! awesome! awesome! awesome! (all) awesome! i love logistics.

infrom the experts in feminine bladdeprotection.ection new always discreet underwear, for sensitive bladders. only always discreet underwear has soft, dual leakguard barriers, to help stop leaks where they happen most. plus a discreet fit that hugs your curves. you barely feel it. new always discreet. now bladder leaks can feel like no big deal. because hey, pee happens. visit alwaysdiscreet.com for coupons and your free sample. who would have thought masterthree cheese lasagna would go with chocolate cake and ceviche? the same guy who thought that small caps and bond funds would go with a merging markets. it's a masterpiece. thanks. clearly you are type e. you made it phil. welcome home. now what's our strategy with the fondue? diversifying your portfolio? e*trade gives you the tools and resources to get it right. are you type e*?

so i can reach ally bank 24/7, but there are24/7branches? it's just i'm a little reluctant to try new things. what's wrong with trying new things? feel that in your muscles? yeah... i do... try a new way to bank, where no branches equals great rates. game on. the 2016 races already on the way. governor scott walker won. and it just so happens the head of the rga chris christie was out taking a very visible victory lap this morning. insisted he hasn't made a decision about a 2016 run. >> no one knows who will run. and i don't think anybody has made up their minds yet. >> four years ago you said famously, i don't feel ready in

my heart to be president. >> four years later, do you feel ready in your heart? >> i'll have to figure that out. as a family we start to the about this stuff. >> i'm on two hours sleep. fair to say what i'm looking for is a nap will. >> meanwhile, another 2016 hopeful. senator ron paul came out swinging last night. and it was rather odd. >> i think it is a rechb did you mean on the president's policies but also hillary clinton. hillary clinton was very active in the state. she was a clinton democrat, not an obama democrat. no matter what kind of democrat she was, it didn't seem hillary clinton or the president had coat fails were present tonight. >> hillary? what in the world is that about? it certainly looks and feel like this race is on. will will joining me now, thank

you both for being here. >> great to be here. >> as the race for 20 canada is unofficially begun? >> oh, may gosh, has it? i think we saw last night, the republicans are already piling on, trying to get one over and erase the weirdness of 2014. they're going to have a really up-hill battle tad this. last night was as good as it gets for republicans. what did they run on? what did they win on? other than a map and an electorate that won't repeat itself in two years, they don't have a consistent sale to make to the american people when we have frankly more of them voting. i think we'll rush to define what it all meant really fast. it will look a little odd in the process and i'm looking forward to it. >> we mentioned chris christie, jamal, and he was doing the media rounds. on the "today" show he was asked

about the, his outburst last week. when he told a heckler to sit down and shut up. here is his response. >> that kind of response is something your staunch supporters love. it makes other people queasy. are you going to have to control that side of your personality to be seen as presidential outside the rough and fwlum world of new jersey politics? >> first of all, you're assuming i wasn't controlled. and i sat and took it for a whale. the others deserve to hear what we had to say. i sat and listened to it. it was time to sit down. you i won't change. this is who i am. maybe i should have said instead of controlling that side, do you have to hide that side in. >> there's no hope of that. >> you know, this won't go away. not the one outburst. but his kind of, the way come back and the give and take in your face kind of thing.

how do you see that playing out? >> i thought it was an awesome answer. the one thing about chris christie on the first level that is endearing, he seem like, i am who i am, i say what i say. i'll do what i do. over time, i think that starts to wear thin on people. all it takes is one town hall meeting in iowa where he speaks ill to some very nice, you know, middle age laud in iowa. like teachers in new jersey. >> exactly. then he is the charming chris christie turns him into a bully that nobody ever wants to spend time with. >> let me go with this. you heard rand paul attack hillary clinton. he also posted a series of photographs on his facebook page. endorsing candidates who didn't win with the #hillary's losers. hillary clinton hasn't even declared she is in for 2016.

what do you make of this? >> i think it is not a terribly adult ma nra for somebody who is trying to position. they to be leader of the free world. hillary clinton was one of the strongest voices on the stump for candidates will area and it was because she articulated a message of economic security for women and families. now, republicans tried copy some of this message. they ended by running ads saying they were in favor of equal pay. and they pretended they were pro minimum wage. it was the strangest thing. so now we need to see, what is rand paul going to do when he has to stop talking and start governing? in 2010, we saw republicans talk a get job. talk a pretty good game on jobs. once they won and tack over the house, we saw exactly how extremist and reactionary they were. it we'll see the same thing happen in the senate. 3 guys who have been leading in the rhetoric will have to be grown-ups. and frankly, they haven't shown

they're terribly willing to do that. >> jamal, last night on the panel, we debated a little about rand paul. do you think he is a serious candidate? >> i think so. i think he suppose the a very particular part of the republican base. i have to tell you, i am rate now very charmed and interested in the. a time he is spending in african-american communities talking about criminal justice, economic development. i don't think as he messenger for that. soonler or later, some republican will say if they started putting for the an agenda in urban communities about economic develop many, education reform. >> is he introducing any leg? >> what i'm more interested in now the day after the election, i want the democrats to come one that agenda. i want to see when white democrats who run around for

senate or the governor to talk to americans regardless of the color of their skin. talk about an economic sgrend will lead us to have a berry more opportunity and more jobs. i'm not sure we're seeing that. >> you're not sure? i am. we'll be watching. thank you to jamal simmons is that jesse mcintosh. both of you for your time. coming up, the democrats shoot. they in the foot by running away from president obama. he talked about it today. and about what is really important? plus strks president not ready to have a bill mitch mcconnell? the answer is yes. but not a bill. [singing to himself] "here she comes now sayin' mony mony". ["mony mony" by billy idol kicks in on car stereo] ♪don't stop now come on mony♪ ♪come on yeah ♪i say yeah

♪yeah ♪yeah ♪yeah ♪yeah ♪yeah ♪yeah ♪'cause you make me feel like a pony♪ ♪so good ♪like your pony ♪so good ♪ride the pony the sentra, with bose audio and nissanconnect technology. spread your joy. nissan. innovation that excites. [singing] ♪mony mony health can change in a minute. so cvs health is changing healthcare. making it more accessible and affordable, with over 900 locations for walk-in medical care. and more on the way. minuteclinic. another innovation from cvs health. because health is everything. get to the terminal across town. are all the green lights you? no. it's called grid iq.

the 4:51 is leaving at 4:51. ♪ they cut the power. it'll fix itself. power's back on. quick thinking traffic lights and self correcting power grids make the world predictable. thrillingly predictable. for over 19 million people. [ alex ] transamerica helped provide a lifetime of retirement income. so i can focus on what matters most. [ female announcer ] everyone has a moment when tomorrow becomes real. transamerica. [ female announcer ] everyone has a moment when tomorrow becomes real. maestro of project management. baron of the build-out. you need a permit... to be this awesome.

and you...rent from national. because only national lets you choose any car in the aisle... and go. you can even take a full-size or above, and still pay the mid-size price. (aaron) purrrfect. (vo) meee-ow, business pro. meee-ow. go national. go like a pro. twhat do i do?. you need to catch the 4:10 huh? the equipment tracking system will get you to the loading dock. ♪ there should be a truck leaving now. i got it. now jump off the bridge. what? in 3...2...1... are you kidding me? go. right on time. right now, over 20,000 trains are running reliably. we call that predictable. thrillingly predictable.

we're back with a special political decision of conversation nation. joining, our democratic strategist and former congressman patrick murphy. thank you both for being here. today many democrats are wondering if democratic candidates should have run on president obama's policies and achievement. the president was asked about it today. >> as i think some of you saw when i was out on the campaign trail, i love campaigning. i love talking to ordinary people. but i'm also a practical guy. and ultimately, every candidate out there had to make their own

decisions about what they thought would be most helpful for them. i wanted to make sure that i'm respectful of their particular region or state or congressional district. if it was more helpful for them to be behind the scenes, i'm happy to do it. >> there is no doubt his approval rating is down. should we have heard more about an economy coming back from the brink or more on the obamacare success? this is what we saw on the trail. >> did you vote for president obama in 2008, 2012? >> you know, this election isn't about the president. >> do you think that the obama administration has done an appropriate job handling the ebola crisis? >> i would say that it is hard to know. >> the white house when they look down the front lawn, the last person they want to see

coming is me. >> i've opposed the president on things that weren't good for north carolina. >> i don't even campaign. i need to change policies. >> i'll make sure president obama gets the message. >> again, i don't think that the president is on the ballot as much as much mcconnell might want him to be. >> these candidates lost last night. and many democrats and pundits are saying today, democrats made a mistake running away from president obama. should the democrats have run with the president and not against him? >> they have to stand up for what they believe. in you can't have step it. people will see character, leadership, and if you want to represent them. whether it is 750 people in a congressional district or 10 million across the state. when you say, hey, liberty do you want mitt romney? it is democrats under president obama.

if you like people to be employed in jobs, how about the unemployment rate that was over eight. >> and the record is, as the congressman was pointing out, the record is impressive. but doesn't it also insult some of the voters when they know that you're in a party and you're trying to have it both ways. isn't it a little offensive and give the appearance that's you're not authentic to try to play like, i'm not really with president obama? even though i'm a democrat? >> well, you hit the nail on the head. you pounded the all in on the head. that's correct. here's the irony. president obama's policy does win last night. minimum wage swept all the states where there was a ballot initiative. it swept those states. other policy that's were republican policies failed like the person hood amendment in

colorado. that failed. so president obama's policies are popular because they won the day last night in the form of ballot unusual i have thes which he has championed. point two. one of the biggest knocks is that the democratic party does not have enough back bone. so by definition, grime would not say she voted for president obama. i believe at one point she was an obama delegate. for him to not say whether she voted for him, that makes her look like she has no back bone, no kofrl that's one of the biggest knock on the party. >> you've run -- >> my dad used to tell me, a philadelphia police officer. if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. you can disagree with him. but when kay hagan meets the president at the north carolina airport and she says he hasn't done that for veterans. i'm not happy what happened in

phoenix. but this is the man, the largest uncrease in veterans benefits, this is man that brought our troops home from iraq so more sons and daughters -- >> the economy. you're a strategist. don't you also hurt yourself with some voters that you may not get to come out because now they're feeling that you're not really loyal to what they fwlaef? because some of the elections last night, not all, some were close. if there had been more of a turnout, that could have come from the base that was coming out. which is a little more, they may have won. for example, i asked the president on may radio show about nose were not campaigning with them or seemed to be shining away. and this was on my syndicated radio show. towed try to give a rationale for female support them. even during campaign which he had to defend that.

hoping we would go out and a lot of people wouldn't by a it. >> if you talk to anyone on the street, not people had a are heavily involved in poly. just regular everyday folk on the street. particularly black americans were offensed. they were offended by the fact these democrats ran from the proceeds a record that by any measure, any reasonable, rational measure, this economy is doing better. with that said, is there more work that needs to be done? are there people still suffering? absolutely, you can say that. you can say the economy is doing well but here are policies to help those of you who haven't been touched get there. get to the finish line with the rest of the people had a have made it. that's where you can, that's where all you have to do is say it. it is ball messaging and message pen trying. and that's where the democrats tend to fall short, on the messaging. >> those folks in alaska, senator prayer in, a, who tried to play nice.

after sandy hook, after the if you are graders were murdered. wouldn't stand with joe manchin or pat toomey. they put millions of dollars into those races. >> it is a wise sage once told me, if you walk down the middle of the street, you'll get hit by traffic on both sides. thank you for your time. coming up, president obama talks about who he is focused on in his last final two years. and we have some big news tonight on that presidential beer mitch mcconnell. your goals, ence. your shoppers, our technology. your data, our insights. introducing synchrony financial, bringing new meaning to the word partnership.

banking. loyalty. analytics. synchrony financial. engage with us. thank you. ordering chinese food is a very predictable experience. i order b14. i get b14. no surprises. buying business internet, on the other hand, can be a roller coaster white knuckle thrill ride. you're promised one speed. but do you consistently get it? you do with comcast business. and often even more. it's reliable. just like kung pao fish. thank you, ping.

reliably fast internet starts at $89.95 a month. comcast business. built for business. >> between them at meetings. even president obama joked about it last night. >> some folks still don't think i spend enough time with congress. why don't you get a drink with mitch mcconnell, they ask? really? why don't you get a drink with mitch mcconnell?

>> well, senator mcconnell was ready for that beer. but it never happened. last night, mitch mcconnell sounded different during his acceptance speech. he sound like he maybe ready to work together. so could that beer become a reality now? >> you know, actually, i would enjoy having some kentucky bourbon with mitch mcconnell. >> well, i'll believe it when i see it but it's fun to think about. this could be on. and could it mean actually something gets done? can something come out of a bourbon summit? i make a lot of purchases for my business.

and i get a lot in return with ink plus from chase. like 50,000 bonus points when i spent $5,000 in the first 3 months after i opened my account. and i earn 5 times the rewards on internet, phone services and at office supply stores. with ink plus i can choose how to redeem my points. travel, gift cards, even cash back. and my rewards points won't expire. so you can make owning a business even more rewarding. ink from chase. so you can. i hait's tough, but severi've managed.ease. but managing my symptoms was all i was doing. so when i finally told my doctor, he said humira is for adults like me who have tried other medications but still experience the symptoms of moderate to severe crohn's disease. and that in clinical studies, the majority of patients on humira saw significant symptom relief. and many achieved remission. humira can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. serious, sometimes fatal infections and cancers,

including lymphoma, have happened; as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. before treatment, get tested for tb. tell your doctor if you've been to areas where certain fungal infections are common, and if you've had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have flu-like symptoms or sores. don't start humira if you have an infection. if you're still just managing your symptoms, ask your gastroenterologist about humira. with humira, remission is possible. wouldn't it be great if hiring plumbers, shopping online is as easy as it gets. carpenters and even piano tuners were just as simple? thanks to angie's list, now it is. start shopping online from a list of top-rated providers. visit angieslist.com today. finally, i want to talk about what really matters. the big picture. today, president obama looked

past all the second-guessing and finger pointing that comes after the gop wins in the mid terms. he talked about his commitment to the american people. >> every day, i'm going to be filling up my time trying to figure out how i can make their lives better. and if i'm doing that, at the end of my presidency, i will say we played that fourth quarter well. and we played the game well. the only difference between basketball and politics is that the will only score that matters is how did somebody else do? not how you did. that's the score i'm keeping. what's most important keeping your eye on the ball. getting some good numbers. >> are you actually getting some good dunk? that's the only score that matters. that is correct. i remember police coretta scott king once said to me, you can't

be big and small at the same time. it is a big thing to rise above the daily back and forward and the petty politics. and remember, you are there to help people. people that believe in you and trust in you. keep the big picture in you and you can make big thing happen. thanks for watching. i'm al sharpton. "hardball" starts right now. which republicans won last night? the doers or the destroyers? >> good evening. i'm chris matthews in new york still. the republican wave last night was even nastier than the projections out there. one senate race in alaska is still to be called and another in louisiana is heading for a run-off buit