>> guest: the aft is about a million, and the nea is about two million. c-span: what's the difference between the organizations? >> guest: well, at this point, there's not a lot of difference; just size would be the big one, and the fact that the aft is mainly an urban union, and the nea is--is mainly not. but they did try to merge a couple--last year, i think, and the--the merger didn't go off. they'll probably try again. i don't think there's a great deal of difference between them c-span: are all teachers democrats? >> guest: no, i don't think so. c-span: why are the unions so democratic? >> guest: well, the unions are, i'd say, largely democratic because education's run by the government, and so--and the--the union, therefore, has an interest in seeing government spending more on schools. it's g--can mean more--more programs, more money. and if education weren't run by the government, they probably wouldn't be. c-span: and is--is it a good idea, in your opinion, that the him nea and the aft ad--endorse a candidate, a national candidate, in the presiden

the president of the nea joins me now. good morning, sir. thanks for joining us. is -- >> thank you for having me. >> are you losing sleep at all over the thought of a president promises? >> well, you know, governor romney has a very different for america than president obama disenfranchisement -- president obama does. our educators believe in president obama's vision for america. when you listen to prime minister romney he believes students should have all the education they can afford or if you're having trouble with higher education, ask your parents for a loan. he's really disconnected with most of the families we deal and students. >> this is a tough time for education. 300,000 education jobs gone since 2009, you disagree with part of the program raise to the top, particularly expansion of charter schools and tying teacher compensation to student performance. president obama has even endorsed firing teachers at an underperforming school in central falls, rhode island but you're still endorsing the president. is the question the candidate you least like most? d

. >>> all the way down to the nea is metal >>> this law on this car runs down his leg cancer has left the new york city firemen with a metal hip and thigh bone he blames the disease on the month at grant's 0 searching for men he work with and lost >>> it was a toxic mess how many fluorescent bulbs were crushed that is mercury how many computers ... >>> he has paid thousands in copays medicine and test firefighters held a fund-raiser to help pay for new metal shoulder. the federal government does not include cancer related to 911 he was shut out of the victims' compensation fund. on the eve of the 11th anniversary the federal government added that the types of cancer to the list of 911 illnesses. this doctor tracks those who of god said from the air after 911 he anticipates more cancer. >>> where coming into the time we will see an upsurge >>> fivers says he will not hold his breath for financial help even as he worries this stage four cancer has spread to his lungs. still he knows he's luckier than many >>> i had 11 more years with my family, these guys killed on 911 i had to 11 years

with my association, the utah education association, which is an affiliate of the nea, we could see thathese kids needed something very, very different. but what we wanted to focus on was how do you make every public school as good as the best public school. because that's the real answer that no one wants to deal with. we want every school to be a school of choice. we've really worked hard to make choices within the public system something that was meaningful for those families. so we get concerned when we stop talking about how do you make the system better, how do you make every school a choice school? when you get into private management and someone has to make a profit off of it and here's a franchise school, then we get very worried. then you're ignoring the bigger system where most of our kids, especially our kids in need are going to go. >> it breaks my heart to do this. i'm going to give you the last word. i want to ask you on exactly this issue of when there is profit motivation involved, doesn't that sort of corrupt what we're about in this public education? >> i agree with al

is in public school, there is a good chance that the teacher in front of the class is a member of the neamillion members, by far the largest teachers' union in the

the president of the national education association, the nea, the federation, the american federation of teachers, we'll call it that, they're in for 400 grand a year. and teachers unions, by the way, this is where it really gets good. teachers unions overall collect more than 2, 2 i'm just going to use this, teachers unions collect 2 billion dollars in dues each year. think about that. 2 billion dollars in dues. now, that money is going to liberal politicians, for example, president obama, his signature health care law designed to unionize, does this new book, 21 million health care workers. 21 million health care workers. is this starting to come together for everybody? we're starting to see this web of interest and direction? and why? because for every million of these workers unionized in the 27 nonright to work states, unions stand to earn a billion dollars in dues. do you get the feeling that there's a little at stake here when we talk about obama care, health care workers, unionizing as many as 21 million health care workers? well, if you're trying to catch your breath after ta

to the nea and other teacher's unions.rganized labor all published articles. criticized outlets that disagreed with these articles and attacked fox news directly 29 of 41 articles. one of the interesting things is, vince. the nea made this to quote a political organization. of course media matters calls itself a charitable organization. 501 c 3 tax exempt nonprofit. are those two things at odds? >> well, i mean, they claim to be some sort of like -- first of all, they claim to be educational charitable organization. and they came to be this arbiter of objectivity that he they're out there trying to correct misinformation. when you are taking the the nea talking points and publish them on wrowrp web site. it doesn't sound like you are arbitrating anything. duplicating talking points. it's a huge question mark because now you have them advocating for the nea. giving money to what they call a political organization. meanwhile media matters does not pay taxes nor do its donors when they contribute to media matters. it is a rem

at the nea and the federation of teachers headquarters over half of the employees take over 75,000 substantially more proof. >> so, in alabama -- it's good to be a shadow box. it's good. including benefits. including benefits, expenses, the unions and hotels, a big hotel in the area in florida and in the country clubs it's just not good to be a union member particularly if you don't want to be because it is almost impossible to get out of it. and if you do get out of the union they still charged money in those 22 states that are forced dues to keep a job. you cannot be a part of the union, and what happens then is you have to pay the union still feel very close to the and then you can't have any say what goes on in the union. so then you have to pay and still not have any say. i agree with you. yes, sir? >> can you discuss the role of pensions in the deficits in the states and cities? >> you are asking me a question that i know very well you could discuss far better than i could. but thank view. i'm at the podium, thank you for that. i can see a great job putting the numbers together. i don't ha

what strategists had in the nea generation after the end of the second world war had to sort of gas at, -- had to guess at. what would happen if this, and if that? now, another half-century having passed since the cuban missile crisis there's enough historical experience to enable us to look at the fundamental problems that nuclear weapons had posed in the two-thirds century they had been part of since they changed the world forever. the first explosion in new mexico. and, therefore, we can take an integrated look at these problems of high level look, to help into were necessary for illustration, but presented and integration set of problems and what lessons we can learn from them. and there is an umbrella lesson, 12 lesson at the end, that i come up with which is that the fundamental thrust of nuclear policy is to avoid what i call the apocalyptic trinity. the apocalyptic trinity is that of genocide, suicide and surrender. you want want to have non-apocalyptic choices. i'll return to that a couple times during my remarks, but there's also may be a 13th lesson which is never write a bo

>> it is sounding to me like the ayes and nea were very close but since passing the motion has been prescripted-- i can only say tie goes to the prompter. on the bright side we have finally discovered the evidence of democratic voter fraud republicans were always complaining about. there was only one man, one man who could rescue the day. the big dog! 42, mr. hillary rodham clinton! >> we are here to nominate a president. (cheers and applause) i want barack obama to be the next president of the united states. >> four more years! >> jon: no, no you know, i can't, i already served my two terms. no, i get it, i get what you're saying, man, but jus just-- the constitution is what-- oh, you me-- oh, okay. (laughter) bill clinton feeds off an audience like superman drawing power from the earth. yellow sun. that obligation will be determined by their salary. this will change the future for young americans. (cheers and applause) >> jon: whoo! so after an inspiring but tight 35 minutes stem winder-- what, that wasn't the end, now that brings me to health care. >> jon: 35 minutes into this thing are you

the nea is helping to turnaround these schools. ed a school where they brought in more social workers. the head of the union stood up and said this is the hardest thing i have done in my career, but i had to do it. the kids deserve it. i have talked to and visited dozens of schools around the country. i hear the students talked about what is different from today. one man told me he was a senior going on to graduate. he said it was fantastic and he wished we had done it sooner because he would have more friends with him instead of on the street. we have to push harder in this area. the waivers and flexibility provided around no child left behind has been fascinating. we wanted congress to fix the law. it is broken in many ways. i think the law was impeding progress and innovation. we have approved waivers to 33 states. we have another dozen we're working through the process. these states are showing great courage moving away from a focus on one test score but looking at how much a student is improving and looking at a set of other me

the president of the national education association, the nea, the federation, the american federation of teachers, we'll call it that, they're in for 400 grand a year. and teachers unions, by the way, this is where it really gets good. teachers unions overall collect more than 2, 2 i'm just going to use this, teachers unions collect 2 billion dollars in dues each year. think about that. 2 billion dollars in dues. now, that money is going to liberal politicians, for example, president obama, his signature health care law designed to unionize, does this new book, 21 million health care workers. 21 million health care workers. is this starting to come together for everybody? we're starting to see this web of interest and direction? and why? because for every million of these workers unionized in the 27 nonright to work states, unions stand to earn a billion dollars in dues. do you get the feeling that there's a little at stake here when we talk about obama care, health care workers, unionizing as many as 21 million health care workers? well, if you're trying to catch your breath after ta

we will have a conversation with the head of the nea later in the program, as well as with bill bennettthis, from the twitter page -- host: the cover story that is out today, the president in cairo -- host: the president using his weekly address to talk about the middle east. [video clip] >> i have made it clear that the united states has a profound respect for people of all faith. we stand for religious freedom and we reject the denigration of any religion, including islam. but there is never any justification for violence. there is no religion that condones the targeting of innocent men and women. no excuse for attacks on the embassies and convoys. the united states will never tolerate efforts to harm fellow americans. right now we're doing what we can to protect americans who are serving abroad, in contact with governments around the globe to underscore that every nation has a responsibility to help us protect our people. we have moved forward with an effort to see that justice has been done and we will not rest until our work is done. most of all, we must reaffirm that we will carry

through the years from insurance to investment management, from real estate to retirement solutions, we have developed nea ideas for the financial challenges ahead. this rock has never stood still. and that's one thing that will never change. prudential. >> additional corporate funding for "washington week" is provided by norfolk southern and american queen steamboat company. additional funding is provided by the annen burg foundation, the corporation for public broadcasting and contributions from viewers like you. thank you. once again from the performing arts center from the university of missouri, st. louis, moderator, gwen ifill. gwen: hello, st. louis. welcome. thank you for coming out and thanks for joining us here at the university of missouri. the presidential race is shifting before our eyes and it's all about the numbers. mitt romney is working to regain ground. barack obama is pouring millions of dollars into ads to steal the deal. voters are heading to the polls in two dozen states and both sides are bracing for the unexpected, especially when it comes to the economy. and that's with less than

. >> we're in the city of ammee in louisiana. thousands of people liveing nea the banks of tangipahoa were ordered to evacuate. there was fear a dam might break. as you mentioned, positive news to report tonight. they're pumping the water out of that lake and it appears that cutting a hole in the dam may no longer be necessary. this has just been one of the many lingering effects from hurricane isaac. hurricane isaac descended on louisiana tuesday night, nearly seven years to the day that hurricane katrina struck. isaac wasn't such a monster but it was still a killer. parked on top of louisiana, mississippi and parts of alabama. hundreds had to be rescued. >> what's it like back there now? >> sad. water's over the top of the roof. we had to break through the ceiling. and gone through the attic. >> reporter: others weren't so lucky. the category 1 hurricane has claimed at least four lives in the u.s. and some, like jean oto were trapped in their own homes. >> right now, i'm in my attic with my wife and my year and a half old baby. the local police came around ab

i will tell you about the swger. ey a nea swaggering. they are terrified of complacence.ey beat it into their staff and to their volunteers, do not get complacent, it is not over. >> one of the things th we de incredible effort to restore the position of vice president to wing man in chief. >> literally. >> quayle was not, bush had a difficult time with it. this is a guy, look at convention speech,ook at that, he is ke,phph and potsie to richie. he's gone out of his way to make sure we know what the job is. >> he's like goose in "top gun" standing on the steps of air force 2 in aviator glass saying "let's d this g. biden's gaffe gate, he's not lost an hour of time. >> they are embracing the image. >> yes. >> you go with what you got. and people find him endearing and charming. it's a great story in the "new york" magazine a couple of weeks ago by johneilennf y , om away thinking the guy is who he is he's going to say some things you might not look but he's real, people relate to it. what a rehabilitation if he had to do, if he had to do anything, he's done. >> his speech

the popular vote excluded woodrow wilson. woodrow wson charted arican hiy t neaat the list that's used democratic. out of ten, only three are republicans. >> yeah. i mean the people, four were republicans, but wi biand large you have toook at who the puican a yo a g warren harding who was always drunk and making love in a closet. corrupt. you've got herbert hoover, decent made who made a screw -u on the depression. andalvicoolidge. he gave his wife a present, a bag of socks. 53 socks, darned the holes in them. that was the kind of imagination calvin cool lilk had. then you have george -- and in the poll, i have to say ion't think "newsweek" would mind this comi b i wasd tt among the worst presidents they chose the worst presidents. there were two. republicans. warren harding of the drunking whiskey party and george w. bush. >> really. from the hiorians. that's from t hioria >>hat c yel us that "newsweek" might not want us to know? >> i don't know. my lips o sealed. it's an incredibly interesting poll because if you go back -- if you goback, youet washington,jeffe

if you ask the aft and nea, teachers unions where they believe this administration has been on theiritions, on their agenda, you will find some very interesting answers to that question. they are not supportive of a lot of reforms the administration has called for, tying teacher support to performance. so this notion there is this collaboration between the unions and obama administration is laughable. >> did you not watch your convention in charlotte? i. >> i watched my convention. i did watch my convention. >> all i side union sign after union sign. >> they are supporting the president as alternative to mitt romney. doesn't mean they agree with everything he is advancing but prefer him to mitt romney. that is why they supported, they support the obama administration. jon: ironies are so thick here. chicago is the president's adoptive hometown. >> yeah. jon: his former chief of staff is the mayor. his education secretary comes from there. and yet, when 400,000 students have no place to go because the teachers union is on strike, the president doesn't have an opinion on that? >> well,

the filmmaker says his nea few ran around like that for 15 minutes before the cops arrived. got the first 911 call they were on the scene. the nephew was not arrested because he was carrying a toy. but the cops say it's lucky he wasn't run down or shot on the spot. >> it's very fortunate no one didn't take matters that their own hands and kill those individuals involved. if they did i think it would be difficulter to anyone to feel it was nothing more than justified realizing there was potentially an immediate threat with someone carrying a rocket propelled grenade. >> reporter: police didn't know they were being tested until this thing hit youtube and the filmmaker fessed up. now he's facing four fell any counts. his nephew said he knew it was dangerous going in. megyn: the uncle approved it. what about the kid's parent? >> reporter: we don't know because there has been no comment at all. this happened in july. he just came out and said it was me, i did it. megyn: i can't imagine a mother or father agreeing have their child parading around like a terrorist who could get sho

the south. >>> and we have some wonderful nea who's co--anchored "world news now" in the not too distant past. delivering devon rodgers, held there by diana's husband deuces. >> works at our philadelphia nation. devon arrived yesterday at 9:36 a.m., with a full head of hair, weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces. >> dad is a sports anchor, he is already dream ing big dreams. and everyone is healthy and happy. congratulations to them. >> and i can't believe that she anchored this show, what two weeks ago? >> two weeks ago, right? >> right before i gave birth two weeks i was such a whale. i mean i gained like 70 pounds. i was so uncomfortable. >> probably up watching right now. she will not sleep for another what, six month? >> couple months. she looked good. you looked good. >> yeah. pton. >>> coming up, the trip from the fashion runway to style magazines to your wardrobe. >>> outrage at the atm. who's paying the biggest fees for push-button cash, checking accounts, and why. you're watching "world news now." ♪ >> announcer: "world news now" weather brought to you by -- colonial penn life insurance. colo

there ne wom that braved all of that to set up a free schoolor girls nea she is this week's cnn hero. >>> in afghanistan most of thee no voice. th used as property of a family. the piure is very grim.s the founder of a girls school in afghanistan. when we opened the school in 2008, 90% of em could not write the name. than ad00% of them are educate they can write. i lived in the u.s. for over8 9/11. but i was really affected i really wanted to prove that muslims are not terrorists. i came back he in 2002. have been the most oppressed, and i thoughtave to do mething. it was a struggle inthe beginning. uld si with these men, and i would tell them don't marry thhey're 14 years old. they want to rnea>> h do you wr father's name? after ve years t n, they're proud of their girls. when they theelvesan write >> very good. >> still, we have to takeis th and give girls options. so many people are so much against girls getting educated. we provide free education to over 350 girls. i think it is like a fire that will grow every year my hope becomes more, i think, i can see the future. >>> top 10 cnn hero honorees for 2012 have

for example, yesterday, i came out of the washington post, me and a democrat from colorado. he works with nead there was running for school board. >> the short interest in politics extend only to barack obama, or are you now hooked? >> no, i want to go on. i want to make a difference. i got that because he ran, and he is making such a difference in the lives of people. i want to make a difference also, and the way i can do that is in education. my children, i want them to graduate. they object out grants. i am pushing them to be the best they can be. >> first-time member at the delegation, thank you for talking to us. >> trying to warm up the crowd. let's go back to david for some final points before we let you go. something barack obama familiar with in the key part of this campaign, including targeting in stateside virginia, all i know, must-win states. >> absolutely. not only was barack obama a community organizer, but this is the leader of project vote in chicago of 1992, where he went into areas and was registering voters for that election. they understand very deeply that this election

the other piece about this as you have cited economist, but the reality is we tried this and for congressmen bass or nea republicans to double down or trickle-down, we know it doesn't work. if we worked, we wouldn't be in this position. we've had tax breaks for a long time now and they are not creating jobs. so 98% of americans would get tax relief. 97% of small businesses get tax relief, but honestly for serious about cutting deficits, we cannot afford the trillion dollar break. >> wealthy individuals get to pay more by how much. president obama by 39.6%. is that proper for americans to pay? >> what i would do is go back to quit in tax rates, which weighed a booming economy at that point. we created 23 million jobs and most americans would be comfortable returning to that tax rate and making sure that, you know, everyone in the economy look at the tax rate up to two and $50,000 in income and that's a comfortable standard of living here in new hampshire and beyond that, people are willing to pay their fair share. >> if i could just briefly comment. it isn't about millionaires versus everybody else. it's

our members know we are the nea. >> bill: you cannot be proteacher and anti-teacher union. >> no. e into the union in the first place my first year of teaching, i wanted to work hard enough and care enough and deliver for every one of my kids. you soon learn you can't. you need a voice. when public policymakers are making decisions that impact your room, i needed someone to give my voice to policymakers that when you decide this policy, this is how it impacts my students. either positively or negatively. my union did that. that's why i'm there. and that's why i got involved. i wanted my voice heard. >> bill: last night talking about our voice being heard. bill clinton's voice was certainly heard. you were there. and he singled out education. the importance of education. like julian castro had before, the importance of investing in education. pretty powerful message last night. >> i think bill clinton's speech should be required reading for anyone who's voting in this election. >> bill: amen! >> maybe it is the math teacher in me, the anal retentiveness but i get tired of 30 second

in our student program in the national education association, we have about 70,000 college students who are members of nea who is planning to be teachers and when i talk to them and the levels of their debt when they graduate from college you just wonder how in the world do you go into a teaching job and succeed when you have that kind of debt hanging over your head. college affordability and access is a huge issue in the year ahead. host: one comparison, georgetown university, 12 years ago, just tuition, not room and board, was $25,000. it's now $43,000. and university of maryland, an in-state tuition was about $6300. it's now nearly $9000. at university of virginia, 12 years ago, it was just under $4500 a year, now it is in excess of $12,000 in state, much more for out of state at these public institutions, private institutions going up more than doubled in the last 10-12 years. so what we've done as a society is taken the responsibility of providing education to our young people and shift thunderstorm to them and said if you want to be educated you need to pay for it. it is a formula for disaster. as w