policy institute, the purpose of which is to inspire public service and that is exactly wh lly what aip here. as current and future leaders come together. you send a strong and an unmistakable signal to the entire world, the united states and israel stand together, our shared values, our shared interests, and our shared desire to work together are absolutely essential to the securities interests of both nations and to a peaceful and prosperous middle east, as a former member of congress, representing the central coast of california for over 16 years. [ applause [ applause ] thank you california. i've had a long standing respect foray -- for, aipac and its organization. as chairman of the house budget committee in the 1980s and 1990s and then later as omb director, i had the opportunity to work on budget issues, regarding military and economic assistance to israel. one of my warmest memories is working closely as a member of congress with my dear friends naomi, lauder, she was special to me, she served as the regional director based out of san francisco, i understand her son is here and

aip apac is powerful looking for a tough message in terms of what are his red lines that he would approve of israel launching a preemptive strike against iran to fend off its nuclear program or perhaps even take part in such a program. as you know, the administration has been working on this sanctions campaign very tough sanctions against the iranian regime that the administration feels are -- iran is starting to feel the heat and hope that that will get around back to the table and try and negotiate an end to its nuclear program but israel is saying, listen, this is an existential threat to israel. we cannot wait. it's a race against time and i think this is the question now. is israel going to take an attack against iran and can president obama say, listen, the sanctions are working. diplomacy is working. give me a little bit more time. i think it's very careful line that the president is going to be balancing today. >> now, elise, the republican presidential candidates have made a big deal about saying on the campaign trail that they don't believe that barack obama has been supportive

here's what the candidates are saying this morning, starting with mitt romney, by stall from aip aipac. >> i'm sorry i can't be with you in person. >> this is a somewhat important day in my life today. we have a whole lot of primaries going on all across the nation. >> somebody once said i was the bruce willis character in "the sixth sense." i was the only guy in the room that didn't know i was dead. >> joining me now, dan rather and chuck todd, nbc's political director. and major garrett, the white house correspondent "the national journal". >> i think i said the bruce willis line about -- i think i did do that, yeah. >> chuck, since you just got called out, i'll call you out first. how much of tonight is about delegates? it's the biggest prize so far and how much of it is about perception? >> it should be about the delegates. this is what it's about. >> but do you think the folks back in zanesville, ohio, are looking at the delegate count? >> no, they're not. and i think that's what's the challenge for romney tonight. if he somehow has as good of a night on delegates as i think he's