the chief white house correspondent mike allen joins us to talk about how the issues are intertwined. morning. >> i want to ask there's been a lot of press with the elections coming up. president obama is trying to set himself apart from the republicans by hammering out education. do you think this had work? >> i think that is a good point and it is one of their strongest issues, a way for the president to talk about the economy in a way that is favorable to him. so tomorrow we will have the first ever white house community college summit led by dr. joe biden who is a community college professor in nova then the president had make self announcements about education. one today they call it a skills for america program and it will be training with companies at the gap for instance in seven markets including d.c. people able to shadow people there and get help with their job training and resumes. and the aspen institute will help run this. so it is a white house initiative. >> you mentioned the gap and there are other big businesses that are already putting their names in the hat for thi

mike allen is here to tell us. >> plus, the latest on this morning's top stories and your traffic anelcome back, everybody. it's a new breed of candidate, and they have certainly got game. making the move from the court in the field to politics. in oregon, republican chris and-necks ain a neck- race. if he wins, he will join a crop of athletes-turned-politicians, from detroit mayor take being -- athletes have won big and rated. >> name recognition is very valuable. not enough to win, but it is enough for a good head start. >> former nfl linemen john runyon is running for congress in new jersey, and former nba- er shawn bradley is running for state senate in utah. let's begin with lisa baden watching things on the roadway this morning. >>> hello. 270 southbound, out of germantown, leaving father hurley boulevard. travel times -- kind of typical over on 66. 95, the lays out of dale city to get into lorton. springfield onto 395, no disruption out of dulles airport, the dallas green way, the dulles toll road. 28 traffic out of sterling heading over to tysons, no problems to report on 7 t

mike allen has a preview. >> it is time to turn the table. christian, thank you for coming on.dterm elections, which races are you watching this closely? >> the democrats want to hold onto their majority and the republicans want to push the democrats out. i have looked at the senate race in connecticut. it is a very tight race. he has had a 41-point lead in january, which has whittled down. according to his own campaign, it was not double digits, but they say could be lower. the question of who will win and how and what strategy is there for the debate. we had interviews, we spoke with voters, and we also talked to independents who seemed to be favoring republican candidates. we will see how that turns out. basically, the campaign it boils down to he is pro-business, wants to create jobs, and that is what the state needs now. obviously, a colorful and controversial past with world wrestling entertainment, and the people know him and he spent two decades fighting special interests on behalf of the people of connecticut. we will see how that boils down. obama will campaign for bl

any big interests that want to repeal the estate tax or have the bush tax cuts -- >> according to mike allen in "politico.com" money is pouring in. >> it is hard to imagine congress being more paralyzed than it is. >> you may not like what congress has done in the last two years, but they did stuff. it passed health reform, a financial institution reform. these are big accomplishments. these are big accomplishments, and big interests don't like them. big financial interests don't like them. >> it is really hard to ask for sacrifice in making tough votes. >> what you are missing is the major accomplishments, and they were. health care reform is a historic accomplishment. i think it's a mistake, but it was historic financial reform, health care, stimulus, cap-and- trade, which was half a successful, at least in the house, is what has stirred the anger and resentment and pushback. this is what the election is about. >> you think that is true? >> it is exactly over what this administration and congress have done. >> the key to success is to do nothing? >> no, if you do something, you do somethin

mike allen, happy friday. thanks for being with us. >> happy weekend. >> thank you, mike. >>> hold on. i'm a "mad man" aficionado. i've seen it from the beginning. i don't even see it -- >> do you want to be the don draper guy? >> i don't think he does. >> hell no. this is, by the way, the best "mad man" season. it keeps getting better. >> i was going to start on the playbook. >> it's been unbelievable. >> i was going to say something about john boehner. >> you can. >> to go back to his question. the biggest problem i think in the economy right now is we need consistency and the business community needs to know what's coming down the pike. boehner and the president have to join hands in january and get that done. >> they've got no choice. >> they have totally diametrically opposed views about what the government should do. >> so did newt gingrich and bill clinton. they've got no choice, right? >>> coming up, a paper trail reveals that thousands of government stimulus checks were sent to dead people. >> it happ

and now, let's go to michael allen. mike unnoticed by spoker nancy pelosi. >> that's right. i guess you could tell us what happens when you run afoul from your leaders. a number of democrats have been told to keep their points to policies, but some exchangings have gotten personal. bright talked about when asked her -- he said, well, she might get sick. she might die. >> wow. >> so, these have gotten very personal, so if democrats keep control, they're still going to have pelosi as their leader. her style is more than blatant punishment. shooting a prisoner in the backyard. if you need money, you might have trouble getting your allowance. >> that's pretty rough. >> i have this impromptu press conference that speaker pelosi had with some columnists on friday. she made it clear. do what you need to do to win your race, democrats. attack me. do what you want. i just want to win. so, if people take pot shots at her, i think she'll let it fly if it means she gets to be speaker rather than mi torty leader. it >> it is a rough seas

and with us now, chief correspondent for politico, mike allen, who's here with the morning playbook. earance for the democratic senate candidate, i should say, chris coons, who's run against christine o'donnell. why are they both going to delaware? are they worried? >> they're not worried at all. this is almost a sure win for democrats, so the white house wants to ensure that they get credit for it, bring up that win/loss percentage, because you well know when all is said and done, the press is going to look at where the president appeared and see what the effect is. so by having the president and vice president there today, they're planting their flag, saying, we were a part of this vaer victory. and because it's the vice president's home state, he wants to get a little credit for his son. and on sunday the president will be making his first joint political appearance with the first lady since 2008. >> with michelle obama, that's right, in the state of ohio. >> that's right. and we'll see the president out focusing on democrats, getting up democratic turnout, reminding people why the

. >> politico's mike allen heard this is being discussed mainly out of finance circles in the democraticiscussed the issue. it's not sure who may have vetted it through gibbs or whether gibbs had any even informal communications. he said he hasn't had any conversations about it. i don't know exactly what that means. but it is something that's attractive to some elements on the party. on the other hand there is the fight being the professional left as gibbs called it. they're not so excited about this idea. >> okay. to be watched. stay tuned. thanks so much, josh gerstein. still ahead, the first monday in october, so what has changed? well, a lot. plus europe on high alert for terror attacks, but with no specifics on where or when, why issue those new warnings now? >>> and sending your thoughts, you can find me on twitter @mitchell reports. [ security agent ] right. you never kick off with sales figures. kicking off with sales figures! i'm yawning. i'm yawning some more. aaaaaaaand... [ snores ] i see your point. yeah. [ snores ] [ male announcer ] we understand.® you need a partner who d

we are going to have that and more at 6:00, allen. >> dana, we will see you then in 30 minutes. as mike sugerman was tell us, the game is over. the giants game is over but we got a giants forecast. >> we do have a giants forecast for tomorrow night. actually, today we had lots of bright sunshine but tomorrow we are looking at clouds moving in a little bit after that first pitch. and it looks like game time temperature will be right around 59 degrees. so if you are heading out to the giants game, have your favorite jacket bundle up, dress in layers. and you know what i would suggest taking? >> what? >> your panda hat. >> because the padres are coming to town. >> you need them to support the panda. >> "cbs evening news with katie couric" is next. and believe it or not, one. stories, the flintstones 50 years. i always thought stone phillips had the best news name. >> ian ba dab ba do! >> people used to say i looked like betty rubble. ,, [ male announcer ] as the ceo of hp, carly fiorina laid off 30,000 workers. when you're talking about massive layoffs, which we did... perhaps the work nee

. >> let's go to politico, joining us now, chief white house correspondent for politico, mike allen, e democrats trying to temper expectations for a republican surge in the midterms. what are party leaders saying about the early data that they are seeing? >> you know, mika, senate democrats are saying, where it's surge? looking that the early voting data, they are saying that more democrats than republicans have voted in california, nevada, they are saying this more likely dems have voted than likely rs in illinois, wisconsin. i got an e-mail that is going to put a little cold shower on this where's the surge question. a republican who was in the fight back in '06 said, we felt great about our turnout in republican areas. we felt great about republican ballots and then the exit polls started to come back and we had a horrible realization. they were voting against us. so, democratic turnout is good as long as they are voting d. >> wow. mike, you guys have your new battle ground poll out, talking to jim about this a couple of hours ago, the way independent voters swinging and it looks l

mike? >> reporter: pretty well, allen. you know what i like about texas? very little. you know, barbecue and austin maybe. but they have big cities, nobody walks in. there is no public transit. it's hot and muggy. it's a culture clash when we go to texas and texans come here. it's going to happen for the next couple of days. hey, texas ranger fans. welcome to san francisco! parts of it you might not be used to. let me give you a little guide. what should they know about san francisco? >> weed. >> reporter: weed? >> gays and weed. >> and the giants. giants. [ laughter ] they are taking it all the way. >> reporter: even our famed homeless street people are giants fans these days. gays and weed, that's a complete stereotype. but then stereotypes exist for a reason. and the differences are of course in the eye of the beholder. >> so weed was different. a little dry, you know, not too good. >> reporter: the weed was different in texas. >> yeah. it was dry. it wasn't very good. i wasn't satisfied with the bag i bought, now. >> reporter: chris apparently spent some cotton mou

mike allen with a look at the morning playbook. >> good morning. >> yesterday, reporting that sharronllion over the last three months in her effort to knock off harry reid. you say she still has yet to win support from a lot of republicans in her own state. >> she does. it's normal that after a primary everybody rallies around the republican nominee. you figure you're stuck with them for better or for worse. that's not happening in nevada. in nevada you're having republicans really going at each other about whether or not they should support sharron angle. it's very surprising because she has a remarkably good chance. harry reid still far under 50% and we've talked about his strategy which is to push up that "none of the above" vote. so he thinks he could win with only 43%. sharron angle still very much in the hunt. on thursday, a debate between these guys is going to be big. there's always the chance that sharron angle is going do say something unhelpful, to say the least. so both sides just trying to avoid disaster with that debate. >> mike, your friend and ours, mark halperin sent

] fun too [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> from political could he's mike allen today, exactly one wake week from today voters will be heading to the polls to choose their candidates for congress. republicans will pick up a net gain of 51 house seats. only 39 needed to control the chamber. over in the senate he's predicting a pickup of eight seats where 10 are needed for control. here are a couple of hunches for two high-profile races. senate majority leader harry reid could still win his bid for re-election in nevada. and democratic representative joe sestak could still win the open senate seat in pennsylvania against republican pat toomey again more of that store in politico d.n.a. on that story in politico. >> a reminder each night here on c-span we are showing debates from key races around the country. here's our lineup for tonight. beginning at 7:00 p.m. eastern. live coverage of a debate between candidates to be south carolina's next governor. an hour later the focus is indiana senate race. and tonight we'll also show you a discussion withal russo from -- w

allen? >> you know, mike, the beards we can handle. you're getting dangerously close in the story to the tmi situation. >> reporter: what was? >> the commando part. >> reporter: let me for the record -- >> you don't need to explain. enough. all right, mike sugerman thank you. >>> a big part of the fun at tonight's game may include a hot dog or brat but there is a way to feel a little less guilty chowing down on the side of garlic fries along with that. dr. kim mulvihill. what's for dinner? >> reporter: whether you're at home or at the ballpark, a squirt of mustard, a splash of ketchup or even sauerkraut may do your body good. >> reporter: when you think health, you probably don't think of hot dogs. but guilty pleasures can come with a surprising health benefit. >> cumin, coriander, mustard, ketchup. >> reporter: condiments can boost your help. janet lost more than 40 pounds even enjoying an occasional hot dog. >> i'm one of these unusual people that puts sauerkraut and mustard and ketchup at the same time. >> reporter: in ketchup, for

next to roger carrie brown who covers politics and also policy on capitol hill for politico, mike allenchief white house correspond dent, jonathan martin, senior political reporter, and another senior political reporter who has just joined politico this year, a new addition, she brings you'll be happy to know an outside the beltway perspective. she represents the real america, maggie lives in new york city. [laughter] >> anyway, before i go on i want to recognize and thank very much our sponsor for today's events, the national cable and telecommunications association. i don't think anybody or any organization is doing more to help cable television than politico. particularly roger and mike, who are on all the time, although the rest of these guys are all pretty familiar faces. you know, i like to work behind the scenes. anyway, thank you very much. we're really glad that you could help us sponsor this event and be here with us today. ok. let's start out. jonathan we have news this morning in the form of a nbc news-wall street journal poll that shows that there continues to be a 7 point

mike allen is reporting today that senator robert menendez from new jersey is unveiling a memo that asksthe search? despite national momentum for republicans, he says rick publicademocrats have passed moe ballots than republicans. how is the use of social media impact of this year's races? live programming continues later with a panel discussion on social media and the 2010 elections posted by politico.com facebook, and george washington university. that will get underway at 6:30 eastern on c-span. >> this week on "the communicators. : " mark mclaughlin will talk about internet tonight on c-span2. >> next, a debate between the candidates present in mississippi's congressional district. travis childers and alan m. chellie. -- alan nunnelee. a poll showed mr. nunnelee leading mr. childers. and this rate has been rated as a tossup. this is just over an hour. >> will come. i am curtis will curse. i will be the referee today. i want to thank you all for coming and when to let you know there will be a reception in the lobby after worse. just to tell you that this debate is sponsored by the lea

mike: cal hosting asu. a little vereen shuffle and fines the end zone. good day for the bears. allen yard touchdown, 16-3 cal. next possession, play action to jones who got behind the defense. great adjustment here on the catch. 26-3 cal at the half. special teams firing on all cylinders, the punt is blocked. cal wins it 50-17. they improve to 4-#, -- 4-3, and they sent a message. >> nothing but negative all week long. the only ones that believed were in the locker room. >> people questioning he team's heart and that's the biggest criticism you can have. >> mike: bug dolls -- bull dogs and a little razzle dazzle. evans walks in. 43-yard touchdown, the bulldogs too much for sparty, 33-18 your final. >>> the sharks staying limber in edmonton. a little joe pavelski puts in his own rebound. ed -- edmonton winning. giants and texas in the world series wednesday at 4:00 p.m. at that at at&t park. we have the national league championship t-shirt right there you're front texas. >> alan: i'm a convert. don't try to out me. >> mike: have to pull for the giants. >> alan: go giants. good [ male

allen sloan. we don't have him miked up, he can't talk to us. but not good news regarding the economy. going to take some time to get it back. let me show you another thing online here. you need to get this mobile application. it allows you to follow the elections minute by minute. you can find out polling, the latest in news, you don't have to be at your computer, you don't have to be in front of your tv. let me bring in steve bruskin. over the next 48 hours, tell us the big three political events. >> bill clinton campaigning for democratic candidates is going to be in california tonight. one of the stops with jerry brown, trying to help his bid for governor. they're coming together tonight to make this happen. sarah palin, lots of events with her, usually on her own behalf. today this weekend for the first time, she's helping the republican national committee, fund-raiser, big one in anaheim, california. and we'll see the obamas for the first time together on sunday. president obama and michelle obama teaming up for events in ohio, big rally in columbus. >> big weekend in political,

also lee allen jones and mike labnow. a quick note on procedure. this is not a formal debate.here are no opening and closing statements and answers will not be time. our goal is to better inform our audience about the candidates and issues. we have a limited amount of time and so we've asked the candidates to be sustained. if they begin to make a speech, we know that date -- i will cut them off. a lot of voters have been turned off by the negativity of this campaign. can you say one thing you admire about the other? >> yes, i lost my stepfather earlier in the campaign, and alexi offered his condolences, and i took that to heart. >> i think congressman kirk is a hard worker. well i fundamentally disagree on policies, i think he is -- while i fundamentally disagree on politics, i think he is a hard worker. >> there is an unprecedented amount of so-called mystery money pouring into states from groups that do not disclose donors. most of it seems to go, congressman kirk, should that concern voters? >> i broke with my party early to back the mccain-fine gold campaign finance reform

also lee allen jones and mike labnow. a quick note on procedure. this is not a formal debate. there are no opening and closing statements and answers will not be time. our goal is to bter inform our audience about the candidates and issues. have a limited amount of time and so we've asked the candidates to be sustained. if they begin to make a speech, we know that date -- i will cut them off. a lot of voters have been turned off by the negativity of this campaign. can you say one thing you admire about the other? >> yes, i lost my stepfather earlier in the campaign, and alexi offered his condolences, and i took that to heart. >> i think congressman kirk is a hard worker. well i fundamentally disagree on policies, i think he is -- while i fundamentally disagree on politics, i think he is a hard worker. >> there is an unprecedented amount of so-called mystery money pouring into states from groups that do not disclose donors. most of it seems to go, congressman kirk, should that concern voters? >> i broke with my party ear to back the mccain-fine gold campaign finance reform law.

allen martin. >> i'm dana king. drive around any bay area city and you'll see campaign signs everywhere. this years residents say there are more than ever and they are not happy about it. mikeoins from us concord where some say enough is enough! mike. >> reporter: well, dana, it was the canadian rock group five- man electrical band who first

mike. thanks. she really understands business. is your small business ready for something better? switch to regions. who was appointed to replace ken salazar beats back a tough challenge from insurgent allenweek ago that the political pundits and the washington oddsmakers started counting us out of this race. >> it is the first time he has ever run for let alone won an election. >> so so the pundits and the talking heads i have a simple message. welcome to colorado! >> you know, we all protested on april 15 and the funny thing, they heard us. but they ignored us. >> reporter: on the republican side, tea party favorite ken buck narrowly defeats the establishment favorite former lieutenant governor jane norton. >> you know what, folks in november we will not be ignored any more. [ applause ] >> reporter: both men come out swinging the next morning. >> i would not have voted for the stimulus bill. i would not have voted for the healthcare plan. we disagree about the direction the country needs to go. >> screaming and yelling is not what people want. they want practical solutions to try to figure out how to create an economy in the 21st century that will support our kids. >> reporter: august