conference in maryland political journalist leann caldwell, who had a chance to sit down with arthur brooks. how did mr. brooks find himself the poverty guru of the right? >> mr. brooks is someone who actually has the power and the influence to convince republicans to talk about this issue. not only is he passionate about it and energetic, he's really convincing. but also he's head of one of the most influential conservative think tanks in washington, d.c. the american enterprise institute. in the five years he's been there, he's doubled their fundraising from $20 million to $40 million based mostly on his belief that poverty is an issue that the republicans need to take up. in addition, he has the ear of nearly every single potential republican presidential candidate and they are listening to him. >> so here's part of what i want to know then. when i listen to mr. brooks, it sounds like he's interest. ed in this question as a fundamental question of how the democracy and our economy works. but i wonder if the candidates with whom he is in conversation are really much more interested here i