it. gentlemen, great to have you with us. bob shrum and david corn here on "the ed show." and that is it. "politicsnation" with reverend al sharpton starts right now. good evening. >> good evening, ed. thanks for tuning in. we start with more breaking news. president obama is hailing the potential historic framework for a nuclear agreement with iran. it's an agreement that could stop iran from getting a nuclear bomb, help stabilize the middle east and secure a lasting foreign policy legacy for president obama. >> after many months of tough, principled diplomacy, we have achieved the framework for that deal. and it is a good deal. a deal that meets our core objectives. this framework would cut off every path way that iran could take to a nuclear weapon.

>> there's still a lot of work to do and this agreement could still fall apart before the next deadline on june 30th. but it's a key milestone and today the president had a message for the critics. >> when you hear the inevitable critics of the deal signed off, ask them a simple question. do you really think that this verifiable deal if fully implemented, backed by the world's major powers is a worse option than the risk of another war in the middle east? i will underscore that the issues at stake here are bigger than politics. these are matters of war and peace. if congress kills this deal not based on expert analysis and without offering any reasonable alternative, then it's the united states that will be blamed for the failure of diplomacy. >> secretary of state john kerry pulled an all nighter to hammer out the final details. undider this framework, iran would cut back its nuclear

stockpile, let inspectors in to all nuclear facilities and into their supply chain and ship its spent reactor fuel out of the country. in return the u.s. and u.n. will gradually ease the economic sanctions on iran. we're covering all of the angles tonight from diplomacy to politics. we start with nbc's kristen welker at the white house. kristen, is this the agreement that the white house wanted? >> reporter: well reverend al i think the white house believes this is the best deal they could get. you heard president obama in the rose garden calling this an historic day, touting the fact that this deal is a good deal and now the hard work begins for president obama. he's got to sell this to the american people and to a very skeptical congress. he's already started that outreach today, placing calls to congressional leaders and he is highlighting what he believes

will be some of the biggest selling points. first, the fact that in his words, this deal is not about trusting iran. it is about verification almost anticipating some of the criticism that he's going to get from those that will say that iran can't be trusted. also touting the fact that iran has agreed to decrease its centrifuges by two-thirds and that it would increase the breakout time for iran to get a nuclear weapon from two to three months where it's estimated right now to a year or more. also, the point of sanctions. this had been a major sticking point. iran wanted sanctions lifted immediately. the united states and it is european counterparts saying no way. it could only be lifted gradually and over time and once it was cleared that iran was following through with the terms of this agreement. so the fact that the white house got eastern to agree to having sanctions lifted gradually, the white house will argue it's a major victory. senior administration officials

say president obama wasn't in switzerland but he was being kept up to date moment by moment as they occurred. in fact we were told that he got a phone call as late as midnight last night on one of the key sticking points. reaction has been coming in to capitol hill, as you can imagine. democrats have been largely supportive. house speaker john boehner says quote, the parameters represent an alarming departure from the white house's initial goals. senator bob corker was more muted and intends to move forward with legislation that would ultimately give congress the final say on any final deal. president obama today reiterating he will veto any legislation the congress brings. the white house feels that could undercut the final deal. remember, this is a framework for the final bill. the deadline is june 30th. this is very much a legacy issue for president obama. he wants to see this done before

he leaves office reverend al. >> kristen welker thank you for your reporting tonight. now let's bring in e.j. dionne "the washington post" and msnbc contributor and steve clemons of "the atlantic." thank you both for being here. steve, big picture, what do you think of this blueprint? >> i think it's a staggeringly great accomplishment, when you think of leaders as ronald reagan even the two bush presidents, it's hard to imagine that they would have put anything in this deal that barack obama didn't achieve. when you go through the fact sheet line by line i can't find anything that we didn't get that we wanted. so it is a very historic deal and it changes -- it has the potential, if we do the deal on june 30th of changing the way global gravity works because it gives us an opportunity to bring back iran into the community of nations and to show the world

that america is back in the seat as the nation that can most shape global affairs in a benign and positive way, more than any other nation in the world. so it's very important, even beyond the nuclear deal. >> e.j. when you look at the fact that israeli prime minister netanyahu has been critical the president addressed the criticism from netanyahu head on today. listen to this. >> there's no doubt that we don't agree on the iranian issue. if in fact prime minister netanyahu is looking for the most effective way to ensure that iran doesn't get a nuclear weapon this is the best option. >> one of the big questions raised is will netanyahu try to pressure the u.s. congress to oppose this framework? >> you know you'd have to bet that he will. but i think what's striking about this -- and i basically

agree with what steve said earlier -- what's striking about this is that i think it is both a better deal and a more comprehensive deal than a lot of the critics of this process said. in other words, almost everybody that you're going to hear from in the next two or three days are going to speak, in part from where they were before a single word of this agreement. and so you have to look back and look at the people who didn't expect much and they are really struck by the cutting of the centrifuges, the limits on enriching uranium and the facility that everybody was afraid of they are transferring that to peaceful uses. and what looked like very intrusive inspections. and the french were people -- the french were not eager to make this deal. they were sort of more critical of this process and even they are at least partly -- they are open to this.

they've gone along with this. that's a signal that this is a pretty tough deal. so prime minister netanyahu, it wouldn't shock me if he continues to push against it. the key politically is can president obama at least get enough democrats so that if there is a bill that would undercut this, he can veto it and be sustained? the toughness of this deal makes that very possible now. >> now, secretary john kerry -- secretary of state john kerry spoke to our andrea mitchell about what is next with congress. listen to this. >> what about congress? they are not always the knowledgeable, scientific community. >> the congress i know will spend the time and look at this closely and some have already made up their minds and there is sort of an automatic response. we understand that. but i think most senators and congressman are going to want to see this examine it talk to people listen to the experts and that's what we asked them to

do. >> so it appears steve, that the secretary of state feels that there is enough there that if the senators and members of congress really look at it they can at least get the numbers where they can sustain a veto if it is necessary by the president. >> well i think every member who votes on this if they do take it to a vote senator corker has said is going to have to answer that question. are they a know nothing senator or are they going to know something about the deal? and i think they have to come forward with something and say what is the better option? the president was very clear, three options, either try and get a very good deal lots of inspections that take that netanyahu bomb that he showed in the u.n. when you're right at the blowup point, you bring it down 97% and say we're either going to have that kind of deal or we're just going to put sanctions on the no end which will put iran into the bomb track or we're going to go to war with iran. i think when you begin looking at this this is not an

appeasement deal when you look at the contours and detail. they are going to have to basically comment, each and every person who votes, on what their alternate would be and i think that's going to focus the mind unless they want to be know nothing senators. >> now, e.j. the polls show that the american people backed the president in terms of having a plan. 59% support a diplomatic solution. this has the support of the voters. it has the support of the international community. will congress really stand in the way of all of this? >> well these days nothing congress does surprises me. >> that's true. >> but what's striking about those polls is a lot of republicans support this deal and you've got almost half of republicans saying that they prefer a diplomatic solution. and i'd like to take a little bit of comfort in the fact that senator corker did not just jump

right out and say this is an outrage. yes, he said he's going to go ahead with the vote. but he is a serious guy on foreign policy and i'd like to think there is a shot that he will take very seriously the tough parts of this deal. he may, in the end, still push ahead. but the fact that he's a little bit restrained at the outset is a mildly -- gives me a very very, very guarded optimism. how many times can i say the word "very"? >> you said it a few times. but steve, you're -- i always looked at you as a big picture guy. one more time -- i'm out of time -- but the big picture, how historic is this and if it sticks in june and it should -- >> this is as big as nixon goes to china. it changes the game. america is back after a lot of bad years with the perception of america as a weak and less significant power reverses. and i think when you look at

what obama said today not just about iran but what he's going to do with the jcc countries and saudis and camp david, there's no difference between israeli security. this is a masterful chess player back in the game. and so i think it is a truly significant day, particularly if the deal is done on june 30th. >> big as nixon going to china. that's pretty big. e.j. dionne and steve clemons, thank you both for your time tonight. >> thank you rev. >> good to be with you, reverend. straight ahead, more on the breaking news and the political reaction from the iran nuclear deal. also breaking today, loretta lynch now has the votes for attorney general. a somewhat surprising announcement today. so when will mitch mcconnell schedule a vote? plus jeb bush monday meet jeb bush wednesday. why indiana's freedom religious

law has him flip-flopping. and first first lady michelle obama is in the building. she'll visit jimmy fallon will be on "the tonight show" and rumor has it they will be dancing. ♪ you can call me shallow... but, i have a wandering eye. i mean, come on. national gives me the control to choose any car in the aisle i want. i could choose you... or i could choose her if i like her more. and i do. oh, the silent treatment. real mature. so you wanna get out of here? go national. go like a pro. in new york state, we're reinventing how we do business so businesses can reinvent the world. from pharmaceuticals to 3d prototyping, biotech to clean energy.

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we're following breaking news out of kenya. a siege has just ended at a college campus after terrorists stormed a dorm targeting christian students. at least 147 people have been confirmed killed including four gunmen. the al shabab group, an affiliate of al qaeda, is claiming responsibility. it's the same group that claimed responsibility for the 2013

attacks on a shopping mall in nairobi, kenya. leaving 67 dead. the attack comes just days after president obama announced he would visit kenya this summer. wow. sweet new subaru, huh mitch? yep. you're selling the mitchmobile!? man, we had a lot of good times in this baby. what's your dad want for it? ..like a hundred and fifty grand, two hundred if they want that tape deck. you're not going to tell your dad about the time my hamster had babies in the backseat, are you?! that's just normal wear and tear, dude. (vo) subaru has the highest resale value of any brand... ...according to kelley blue book ...and mitch. love. it's what makes a subaru a subaru. anyone have occasional constipation diarrhea, gas, bloating? yes!

one phillips' colon health probiotic cap each day helps defend against these occasional digestive issues... with 3 types of good bacteria. live the regular life. phillips' breaking news tonight, loretta lynch has the votes to become our next attorney general. the only thing between her and the justice department is senator mitch mcconnell scheduling a vote. before today, 49 senators including four republicans, committed to voting for her.

the only democratic hold-out was new jersey's bob menendez. but last night, a spokeswoman told politico, "senator menendez looks forward to voting in favor of ms. lynch when her confirmation vote comes to the floor." now, that would be 50 votes for miss lynch. a tie that vice president biden could break. but this afternoon, illinois republican mark kirk had this to say. >> loretta did a very good job with me and because she was so good on this subject, i'm going to vote for loretta lynch's confirmation. >> that's 51 votes. senator mcconnell get out your calendar. set a date for a vote because it's time -- past time for loretta lynch to be confirmed. joining me now is joe madison.

thank you for being here joe. >> thank you. >> will senator mcconnell drag this out any longer or is he out of excuses? >> he's out of excuses. we know it would take now probably 15 minutes to take that vote. actually, they could take the vote before they leave for the easter recess, reverend sharpton. >> well, they left last friday but back on the 13th a monday i think they can do it right then. but let me ask you this joe. senator kirk has a tough re-election next year but there are several other republican senators up for election in states that president obama won. some of them not announced how they will vote. do you think anybody will follow kirk's lead now that he's stepped out there? some of them are in the same political kind of environment. >> well the one that comes to my mind though is not in that

same political environment and the fact that he has to seek re-election is mississippi senator who, as you know would not be sitting as a senator now if it hadn't been for the african-american vote. he really owes his seat to african-americans but there are several senators in ohio for example, the senators up for re-election. when you look at my home town of dayton cleveland, cincinnati the african-american vote is critical in that state. so i think while they are home, they better take the pulse of those cities to determine whether or not the vote. they are saying that they don't want loretta lynch to be

confirmed. >> it doesn't even make it more difficult politically if you now have kirk coming out, you are counting 51 votes, she appears to be confirmed anyway. why would you not vote for her when you're going to lose anyway and then you lose the vote and you would lose the base. >> because they are appealing to a different base and their concern, i think, would be the primary. that's their concern. that this -- their base would be -- are the primary -- the very active people within the republican party and that's what really has them frightened. but this is really good news. you know i was able to get one of these bracelets that i have here free eric holder. and, you know thank goodness that we can now maybe take these bracelets off. because what a -- i mean what a predictament they are in.

they don't want eric holder in there but, at the same time they cannot convince america that this isn't one of the most qualified individuals for this office. so they really have a problem here. so ohio mississippi, a few other states you can listen to your one-sided base. you might get through the primary but you can very well lose the general election if you vote the wrong way. >> and that is the very very serious dilemma that a lot of them are in and by kirk coming on board, i think their dilemma just got more serious. i think attorney general holder that you mentioned, he's joked that they are only keeping him around. >> given the senate's scheduling

and delays and considering loretta lynch's nomination it's almost as if republicans in congress have discovered a new fondness. where was all of this affection over the last six years, you know? >> there's no -- it's no secret that i've been very supportive of a lot of what eric holder has done. >> sure. >> but i'll be glad to see him freed and see an immediate vote so we can move on. >> then we can take these off then right? free eric holder. >> thank you for your time tonight, joe madison. >> happy easter. still ahead, jeb is backing down and ted is doubling down. also we'll tell you why a new poll has them smiling tonight in clintonland. and should david letterman

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breaking news any moment now, indiana governor mike pence is expected to speak after signing a measure to designed to, quote, clarify the state's controversial religious freedom bill. this comes after a ground swell of outrage with critics saying the law discriminates against gays and lesbians. some critics say it doesn't go far enough but its backers say it contains anti-discrimination safeguards. >> it was clear that the perception had to be addressed. the inclusion, welcoming

attitude. >> and late this afternoon, the republican governor of arkansas signing a revised version of that state's bill into law. a day after demanding concerns about discrimination. is it enough to take the heat off of gop, including national republicans hoping to win in 2016? it's already got them tap dancing. that's next. biotech to clean energy. whether your business is moving, expanding or just getting started... only new york offers you zero taxes for 10 years with startup ny business incubators that partner companies with universities, and venture capital funding for high growth industries. see how new york can grow your business and create jobs. visit ny.gov/business introducing the new can-am spyder f3. with a cruising riding position and the most advanced vehicle stability system in the industry...

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just days ago, he praised the law and indiana's governor for signing it. >> i think governor pence has done the right thing. this is simply allowing people of -- people of faith space to be able to express their beliefs, to be able to be people of conscience. i think once the facts are established, people aren't going to see this as discriminatory at all. >> it was the right thing. not discriminatory. against gays and lesbians. but last night, bush pack pedalled saying quote, the better approach would have been the approach that is more consensus-oriented approach i think. it's a shift in tone and message. scott walker is also tied up in not supporting the law but saying to a spokesman, quote, as

a matter of principle, governor walker believes in broad religious freedom. one republican who is not backing off, take a guess. >> he's a good man. i admire him for standing up for legislation and it was the right thing to do. >> joining me now are joy readid and bill press. thank you for being here. >> thank you rev. >> joy, in the span of just two days, jeb bush had a pretty big change of heart on this controversial bill. what explains it? >> so jeb bush i think occupies the most odd and precarious position of potential nominees because he's trying to be the candidate that can make the party palpable in the suburbs and stand up for what they see

is the erosion of their religious liberty and no one willing to steadfastly stand for christian conservatism. somebody is going to wind up and choosing a challenge for that part of the base to jeb bush so he's always got to watch that right fling because keep in mind he's a catholic. he's got to balance that catholic tradition which has some parts of it that are, for instance caring for the poor and he's always worried someone is going to get to his right. >> he's got to worry about the primaries and those far right. >> exactly. >> bill pensgovernor pence just signed a fixer kind of bill. will this take some of the heat off of the national republican potential candidates like jeb bush or is it too little too late? >> exactly. that was a phrase i was going to use. i think it's too little too late. i think the damage has already been done not only to mike pence.

forget about running for president. i think a lot of damage as joy just pointed out, this was a moment for him to show some leadership and some adulthood, if you will. he could have said i know what they are trying to do but this bill goes too far. if they can fix it it might be okay. instead, he went full-throated in support of mike pence and then when he gets to california in front of a different audience, right, as you pointed out, in front of tech leaders who have been critical of the bill, then he changes his tune. he's got to learn at this day and age you can't say one thing in front of one audience and one thing in another because, reverend al you and i are watching him every step. the other thing i've got to say, this is damaging for the republican party but not talking economy, not talking jobs they are back to the party of pat buchanan and the culture wars of the 1990s and 1980s and that is a losing strategy for november. >> hurt the republican party, joy. you know, "the washington post"

reports, quote, some republicans also fear that indiana is only the first in a series of brush fires that could engulf the party as it struggles to adapt to the nation's rapidly changing demographics and social morals. is the 2016 campaign going to present the gop with lots of issues like the one that sprang up in indiana? >> you have to head to south carolina and for a republican to not be right and jeb bush cannot afford to do a rudy giuliani and wait for florida to come to life. i think it's going to be really hard particularly for ted cruz as you just showed is willing to occupy that far right space and say i'm the guy that is going to do what george w. bush

promised to do in 2000 which is to be the person that stands forthrightly for christian conservatives to get them to come out and vote and join the coalition. it was george w. bush who largely awakened evangelical christians and made them become political. jeb bush really can't afford to let them completely go. but, remember these are two wings of the party fighting each other. >> you also can't have it both ways bill. >> exactly. >> and hillary clinton wasn't vague at all about where she stands. she tweeted "like in law, arkansas bill goes beyond religion, would permit unfair discrimination against lgbt americans, i urge to veto." >> this is going to -- yeah i think it's going to continue because it will be other issues. and joy just touched on it. there's a fight, a real battle

between two wings of the republican party. one wing that says listen we're going to start addressing the needs of today's america and the other in the cultural wars. i don't know which one is going to win out. i think these republicans have got to remember the day to end same-sex marriage that was a 2004 agenda. it worked for george w. bush. it is over. 70% of americans live today in states that recognize legally marriage equality same-sex marriage. that battle was lost. they've got to move on although they are done they are done as a national party. >> but the public opinion on same-sex marriage and a lot of these issues has changed a lot in the public. >> absolutely. >> which means that you are playing a to a far right in the primaries that almost guarantees that you can lose in the generals. >> exactly. the cultural wars have long been over. we're fighting the insurge general see which is located in

the base of the republican party. they have a corporate wing that wants to move forward and evangelical core that is not getting with the new modern changes to things like marriage and they want someone to fight for them. as long as someone is willing to keep fighting for them the jeb bushes of the world, scott walkers of the world cannot avoid the issue. >> joy reid and bill press, thank you both for your time tonight. >> all right, reverend al. thank you. >> straight ahead, the republican reaction to the historic nuclear agreement with iran. plus a new poll brings some good and some bad news for hillary clinton. we will see an announcement soon. huh? maybe. we'll talk about it. and how about senator david letterman? another comedian who made the career switch is calling for it. "conversation nation" is next. in small business you have to work hard, know your numbers, and stay focused. i was determined to create new york city's first self-serve frozen yogurt franchise.

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time now for "conversation nation." joining me tonight maria teresa kumar, mark hanna and margie omero, democratic strategist and host of "the posters." thank you all for being here we

start with iran a deal that could prevent them from developing a nuclear weapon but the blow-back from the right came right away. house speaker john boehner tweeted the parameters for a final iran deal represents an alarming departure from the goals. americans and our allies have the right to be wary of a nuclear deal with iran that is riddled with concessions by the obama administration. senator david vitter tweeted, despite the objections the obama administration has made a deal with iran on their nuclear program. actually, nearly 60% of americans support this deal. margie, where is this going? >> well i think the issue here is it looks like you're going to see a lot of republicans trying to play politics with this.

washington post had a poll this week. there's been consistent support for negotiating with iran. on top of that, there has actually been pretty consistent bipartisan support. "the washington post" abc poll shows in fact half of republicans say they want to see negotiations with iran. so what people are really sick of is this reflexive knee-bent issue, even the most complicated and tricky ones. and if you see some republicans really going that route, they are going to lose a lot of people who say we need to be political. >> i think some republicans in congress want to see the president fail more than they want to see america succeed.

it's also a victory for the american people to have iran not seeking nuclear arms. this curbs iran's nuclear ambitions more than any administration has done in the past 40 years. and so this would be a moment of real joy and happiness. i think you're going to see a lot of moderates and independents and come out and -- >> but you're going to see a lot of different people but the options are war or some kind of deal. >> you know there's a difference between let's wait and see the details as they get hammered out and have a real question about it and this

immediate no. and you put that on the heels of the letter of the 47 senators that was seen really as a failure and there's no medium. >> this could be a huge deal i'm told and the alternative is, what going to war? >> they are aligning themselves with the extreme right and the easternen community. and do you really want to have that alignment? when you actually look at the fact that we've had over 30 years of sanctions with iran yes, it's able to alleviate some of the pressure and put a pressure on the easterneniranian people. they are excited and they want to embrace this because they see it as an opportunity to get into the 21st century. the fact that you have again, the possibility of peace and to actually try something different because clearly the other wasn't working is an incredible opportunity. not just for the american people

but also for the iranians and it sends a signal. >> to answer your question rev, it is true. the republicans want more. we saw john bolton who was honest in a "new york times" op-ed, he said we should be bombing iran. >> he was not even subtle about it. >> not at all. no. >> at least he was honest. and the american people don't want that. they frankly, are -- >> let's move on to -- >> they are also sending a clear signal to the middle east that they are willing to negotiate when people come to the table with something that is fair and constructive. >> all right. let me move on to hillary clinton. hillary clinton is leading big over potential gop contenders. a new poll shows her favorability at 49%, easily surpassing her close gop opposition with jeb bush at 33% and followed by rapd paul at 29%. but it's the first time a favorable rating has dropped

below 50% since april of 2008. so will an announcement be coming? she was asked about that wednesday in brooklyn. >> all in good time. all in good time. >> mark what's your take? do you think those poll numbers will affect herring? timing? >> i don't think so, rev. a lot of the american people are not really paying attention. they will, frankly, when she does announce. there could be strategic considerations there but i think the american people are ready for candidates and they know it's coming. i see whether they agree with her or not or see her as a strong leader as experienced in a dangerous world. we don't want that. >> i think that people are -- maybe the only reason the poll numbers are dropping is because they are tired of the speculation of the american people. they say enough already. just announce.

i think that's what most folks are waiting for. >> all right. everybody stay with me. we'll be right back with david letterman. will you want him to be a u.s. senator? and get ready for a new mom dance. stay with us. three times the speed of a fastball. take care of your brain with centrum silver men. multivitamins with 20% more vitamin d. my heart beats 100,000 times a day sending oxygen to my muscles... again! ...so i can lift even the most demanding weights. take care of your heart with centrum silver men. multivitamins for the most important parts of you.

we're back with our panel maria, mark and margorie. we're getting close to the end of an era. next month, david letterman will

step down as host of "the late show" and asked folk what should he do next? >> retire and lots of happiness. >> that's very sweet. >> do you realize every step you walk you're walking in david letterman's shadow? should david letterman do a podcast now? >> sure. it's a nice day out. >> but senator al franken had a different idea. >> when people come to me they say young people say have you become the united states senator and i say 30 40 years of comedy and then run for the senate. i think you should run. i would like for you.

>> margie can you see david letterman running? >> i think if he runs he should have billy on his street be his advance guy and staff him wherever he goes because that bit was really hilarious. >> mark? >> i don't think he's going to do it. i think he would get board out of his mind out of his goard going through the legislative process. but to see somebody like him be such an advocate and social commentator and knows more about that than most of the senators do right now. >> maria, he could have it be exciting if he brought paul schafer with him. >> it would be amazing. if he brought the band he could liven it up. seriously, if he were to consider it he'd have not only name recognition but an incredible fundraising machine and this crowded 2015 field when

all eyes are on hillary and candidates will have a hard time running for anything. and michelle obama is on the tonight show. they always put on a great show. remember mom dancing? ♪ ♪ >> maria that's why she's on it. she's created an incredible

initiative for young people. that's what we're going to see and i think that we finally have -- we're finally seeing a really good food movement and it's actually -- i congratulate her but congratulate the fact that so many people have been inspired in jumping on that wagon. >> margie? >> well i hope she does some lip syncing. i really love how the first lady is so at ease on these shows. i mean it's not just one time. every time she goes on whatever show, she really loosens up in a way that is not easy. >> mark real quick. >> she's hilarious. she's got a star quality. i was backstage with her on the letterman show and she has interacted in this format so well, she's a rock star. >> name dropping for you. maria, mark and margie thank

you for your time tonight. >> thank you. >> we'll be right back. biotech to clean energy. whether your business is moving, expanding or just getting started... only new york offers you zero taxes for 10 years with startup ny business incubators that partner companies with universities, and venture capital funding for high growth industries. see how new york can grow your business and create jobs. visit ny.gov/business anyone have occasional constipation diarrhea, gas, bloating? yes! one phillips' colon health probiotic cap each day helps defend against these occasional digestive issues... with 3 types of good bacteria. live the regular life. phillips' 19 years ago we thought, "wow, how is there no way to tell the good from the bad?" so we gave people the power of the review. and now angie's list... is revolutionizing local service again. you can easily buy and schedule... ...services from top-rated providers. conveniently stay up to date on progress. and effortlessly turn your photos into

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finally tonight, a follow up on a powerful story we did last night that's sparking conversation about the criminal justice system. a former prosecutor apologizing for sending an innocent man to death row for 30 years. i asked him what advice he would give to young prosecutors today. >> a prosecutor is there to do justice, not to win convictions, and i think they should take heed in the fact that if something does go wrong, like happened in this case it will be with them to the day they leave this earth and the fact i am gratified that mr. ford was released but it doesn't take away the pain that i feel that i've caused that man. >> this story is a perfect example of why we need to reform the criminal justice system in

this country. there have been a total of 337 exonerations in the united states with exonerees serving an average of 14 years in prison for crimes they didn't commit and we're learning an alabama inmate end inmate introducing legislation that would wrongly convict people with a chance to clear their names through a separate court. this is not just having a weak heart for those accused of a crime. those that are hard on crime need to understand for every person we put in jail that is innocent, the guilty person is still out and still able to commit crimes. and you make sure that the right people pay for crime and innocent people are not put away

for things they didn't do while murderers and other criminals are walking away free. that's being hard on crime. thanks for watching. "hardball" starts right now. leadership. let's play "hardball." ♪ good evening. i'm chris matthews in washington. today the president of the united states delivered on his promise of the country that twice elected him. the world partners on a course towards peace, he brought us hope. he will be chapped, of course and with iran and in your face challenge to the people who surrounded and ruined the last presidency. the neocons and their blimps