that was what they asked congress -- congress asked for documents on that. are making a big deal out of something that is frankly not that big a deal. >> kimberly: it is a big deal, bob. >> eric: i disagree. >> kimberly: people died. this is serious. >> bob: i understand about the border agent. i feel for. that but they would have been -- there would have been guns there anyway. this is a setup by darrell issa. he has been doing it for a year. >> dana: bob, if the shoe were on the other foot and it was a republican president and the same situation had happened you would be singing a different tune. that is what makes people mad about washington. when you say that you didn't know anything about it, several months later you have to send a letter saying sorry, we did know about it. the congress has a right to know what happened in the intervening period. >> bob: if you look at the tape, i defended karl rove that he had every right in the world to replace attorneys general. >> dana: this is apples and oranges. >> eric: no one died under bush regarding this, bob.

is your problem that that is limited to just those members of congress although i believe if another member asked the congress, it would be up to the chairman to make that decision. is it your objection that that is too limited and that those of us on the committees either don't have the competence or it should be expanded or that the public should have that information as well? >> i think it's the latter. cly

to take an action that will be for the first time in the history of this country that we ask congress to hold the sitting attorney, the united states attorney general in contempt. i know there's a dispute also as to how cooperative the attorney general is and not very, but in the record of eight different appearances before congress, and the production of thousands of pages of documents and e-mails. that's not a defense not providing everything that we can legitimately ask, but it's a relevant factor in terms of whether or not there's an ability to get to an agreement the final point is that you raised a point about privilege log and there will be withholding of documents that are titled to a log. i agree with that. but so much has happened since last friday where the nature of the subpoena has significantly changed that i do have a question as to do we really have to do this now or does it make sense to take a little bit more time to work this out in a way that meets the committee requirements, but stops short of what is going to be an unprecedented action. >> would the gentleman yie

i have asked congress to help speed up this process. once the state set up the health insurance marketplace is known as exchanges, insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against any american with a pre-existing health condition. they will not be able to charge you more because you were a woman. -- you are a woman. if you are sick, you have the same chance to get quality, affordable health care as everyone else. if you cannot afford the premiums, you will receive a credit that helps to pay for it. today the supreme court upheld the principle of the people that can afford health insurance should take the response to buy healthibility insurance. this is important because one uninsured people get sick and show up at the emergency care for coverage, we end up paying in the form of higher premiums. second, if you ask insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing conditions but do not expect those that can afford it to not have insurance, those might wait till they are sick. that is why even though i knew it would n

the president wrapped up his campaign at the university of nevada, he is asking congress to pass legislation to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling at the end of the month. tuesday's voter turn out was the lowest in state history. preliminary counts show low numbers across the bay area, with sonoma having the highest turnout at 37%. on the peninsula, 28% of the voters went to the polls and the turn out in in santa clara county, the same, 25%, aa25%,al county had just 21% showing up at the ballot box. harsh words from the secretary of defense, the united states is losing patience with pakistan. leon panetta made that comment. he said it's hard to pull troops out of the country while pakistan is a safe haven for terrorists. a drone attack recently killed al qaeda's number two leader. a strike that panetta joked about. >> the worst job you can get these days is to be a deputy leader in al qaeda. >> it was no laughing matter for former secretary of state colin powell as he recalled one of the most difficult days on the job, his 2003 speech before the u.n. claping that iraq had weap

student the student debt i mean how realistic do you think it is that congress would go for something like this it's actually not asking that of congress at all it's basically asking for fair repayment on a ten ten platform so you pay for ten years that ten percent of your income and then the remainder of your debt is forgiven so it's not asking for a blanket reform or blanket forgiveness it's asking basically for fairer repayment which there's nothing wrong with that i think that's something that student loan should have from the beginning you have a fair repayment on your credit cards you have there are consumer protections that protect you in case you lose your job or you need to file bankruptcy student loan borrowers have none of that and if it's something that is terrifying to us and so i think the least we could do as americans and the least congress could do is pass something that pushes for fair repayment and restoration of basic consumer protection like bankruptcy something needs to be done because a lot of people are suffering right thanks so much for coming on the show that was re-enrolled the founder of loa

to pass resolutions asking congress to overturn this. but the money is a problem but also the voter id it's a problem of wisconsin you know you have gathered there are thousands of students that are. thousands of low income people just locked out of the system and then you know this is in the seniors too because of course seniors are the strongest opponents of you know medicare medicaid social security republicans want to dismantle them and so voter id hurts seems quite a bit many of them born at home don't have a lot of these records you need to go get these i.d.'s and if you look at the program this case is so. disenfranchised many of them are scenes that are having a very much with what the older population with young people what do you think we've had a lot of bad economic news lately to not just the u.s. it's europe as well as the rest of the world but you know you recently said when you were on the hill that you're not here to say the republicans are sabotaging the economy but a lot of people think that's the case but do you think

you ask congress have the power to stop them. but it can't just be this dozen members of congress, however many people it was, suing to do. you i should have to take action as congress which means you have to act by majority vote. it's in yourself as an institution to stop the president from doing this thing. to your job. and every bucket of cold water, but that's true. i don't expect any president, no matter, you know, you can reincarnate cheeses and a leg president jesus but maybe that would work. aside from president jesus i don't expect any president would give back power that the executive branch had accrued through the president of the actions of previous presidents. nobody gives way power. if you're president you think at the country's best interest at heart and your stomach all the time of the people who don't want the best interest for the country. you will not give way power to get something done if you believe that you are doing what's right and other people are stopping you. presidents don't give power away, like an ag

i've asked congress for the authority to reorganize the federal government and that was built for the last century, and i want to make it work for the 21st century. a federal government that is lean leaner and more responsive to the american people. i signed a law that cuts spending and reduces the deficit by $2 trillion. my own deficit plan would strengthen medicare and medicaid for the long haul by slowing the growth and the health care cost and not shifting to seniors and families. [ applause ] and my plan would reduce our yearly domestic spending to its lowest level in the economy in nearly 60 years. so, no, i don't believe the government is the answer to all our problems and i don't believe every regulation is smart or that every tax dollar is spent wisely. i don't believe that we should be in the business of helping people who refuse to help themselves. but i do share the belief of our first republican president from my home state, abraham lincoln, that through government we should do together what we cannot do as well for ourselves. that's how we built this country, together, h

. >> the national park service is asking congress to help serisk historic sites like camp richie. >>> microsoft readies for a big tech battle. the rumor mill is turning. the software giant dropped the bomb shell. >>> and a poor duckling mistakes a young man for his mom. the fluffy duck frantically chases the man in the park and the man starts running, the duck trying to -- tries to keep up. up.  [ male announcer ] knowing your customers is important to any successful business. which is why at wells fargo, we work with you to get to know the unique aspects of your business. we can recommend financial solutions that can work for you that have helped millions of business owners save time, reduce expenses, and maximize cash flow. as the number one small business lender for nine years running... we're with you when you need us. so you can be there for your customers. wells fargo. together we'll go far. . >>> google is facing mounting international pressure to cut some of the continues. several governments claim the information the search engine provides goes aga

and i've asked congress to speed up that congress and give flexibility in year one. once states set up these health insurance marketplaces known as exchanges, insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against any american with the pre-existing health condition. they won't charge you more just because you're a woman and they won't be able to bill you into bankruptcy. if you're sick, you'll finally have the same chance to get quality, affordable healthcare as everyone else. if you can't afford the premiums you'll receive a credit that helps pay for it. today, the supreme court also upheld the principle that people who can afford health insurance should take the responsibility to buy health insurance. this is important for two reasons. first, when uninsured people who can afford coverage get sick and show up at the emergency room for care, the rest of us end up paying for their care in the form of higher premiums and success, if you ask insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing conditions and don't require people who can afford it to buy the

epa should be here asking congress for such authority. manufacturers need predictability from the regulatory process. a problem system of checks and balances will ensure that problem will not happen again. >> thank you for your testimony. we l now hear from ms. gunno. >> i'm from boon county west virginia and i help to represent the appalachian communities where coal mining -- thank each of you for allowing me the opportunity to speak to you again today. i appreciate your obligations and responsibilities in protecting and serving all u.s. citizens. my hope is that you listen and hear the pleas for our lives in southern appalachia where these atrocious mountain top mining -- the stream and the people of flair seem unpossibility to most people in this courtroom. but to me and the people of blair, the stream is a part of our home. when mountain top removal is permitted near your home, you will soon be forced to leave what is the birth place of your family and your children's birth rights as heirs to your family dream. you are forced by destr

epa should be here asking congress for this authority and should debate the merits of such decision. they need regulatory process. a proper system of checks and balances will ensure that the uncertainty is caused will not happen again. thank you for allowing me to testify here today. i look forward to any questions that you might have. >> thank you for your testimony, mr. eisenberg. we will now hear from miss gunnoe. >> i'm mere yeah gunnoe. i helped represent the communities where coal mining impacts are killing people and depopulating. thank you for allowing me to speak to you again today. i appreciate your obligations and responsibilities in protecting all u.s. citizens. my hope is that you listen and hear the pleas for our lives in southern appalaichan where the atrocious mountain top removal permits are permitted. the spruce one permit is in the hedgewater of the pigeon bruce creek. the people seem unimportant to most people in this room but to me and the people of blair, this stream is a part of our home. when mountain top removal is permitted near your home, you will soon be f

i have asked congress to speed up the process, and giving states this flexibility in year one. once these marketplaces are set up insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against any americans with a pre-existing health condition charging more because you are a woman, bill you into bankruptcy -- if you are sick, you will have the same chance to get quality, affordable health care as everyone else. if you cannot afford premiums, you will receive credit. the supreme court also upheld the principle that people who can't afford health insurance should take the responsibility to -- who can afford health insurance should take the responsibility to buy health insurance, which is important because when people without health insurance show wapiti emergency room the rest of us pay for their care in the form of higher premiums. if you ask insurance companies to cover people with pre- existing conditions, some might wait until they are sick to buy the care they need. even though i knew it would not be politically popular and resisted the idea when i ran for this office, w

epa should be here asking congress for this authority and congress should debate the merits of such a decision. manufacturers need the regulatory process. a proper system of checks and balances would ensure the spruce mine veto and the uncertainty it caused will not happen again. thank you for allowing me to testify here today. i look forward to the questions you may have. >> thank you for your testimony, mr. eisenberg. we will now hear from ms. gunno. >> i'm maria gunno, and i'm from west virginia and i represent the appalachian communities where coal mining impacts are affecting people. thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak to you again today. i appreciate your obligations and responsibilities in protecting and serving all u.s. citizens. my hope is that you hear the pleas for our lives in southern an appalachia, and it's in the headwars of the pigeon roost creek, the stream and the people of blare and porton are not important to the people in this room, but to me it's a part of our home. you will soon be forced to leave what is the birthplace of your family and your chi

i have asked congress to help speed up that process and give states this flexibility in year one. once states set up these health insurance market places, known as exchanges, insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against any american with a preexisting health condition. they won't be able to charge you more just because you are a woman. they won't be able to bill you into bankruptcy. if you are sick, you'll finally have the same chance to get quality, fordable healthcare as anyone else. and if you can't afford the premiums, you'll receive a credit that helps pay for it. today the supreme court also upheld the principle that people who can afford health insurance should take the responsibility to buy health insurance. this is important for two reasons. first, when uninsured people who can afford coverage get sick and show up at the emergency room for care, the rest of us end up paying for their care in the form of higher premiums. and second, if you ask insurance company to cover people with preexisting conditions but don't require people who can afford it to b

and i've asked congress to help speed up that process and give states the flexibility in year one.nce states set up these health insurance marketplaces known as exchanges insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against any american with a pre-existing health condition they won't be able to charge you more because you're a woman. they won't be able to bill you into bankruptcy. if you're sick, you'll finally have the same chance to get quality affordable health care as anyone else. and if you can't afford the premiums, you'll receive a credit that helps pay for it. today the supreme court also upheld the principle that people who can afford health insurance should take the responsibility to buy health insurance. this is important for two reasons. first, when uninsured people who can afford coverage get sick and show up at the emergency room for care the rest of us end up paying for their care in the form of higheróñ second, if you ask insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing conditions but don't require people who can afford it to buy their own insuran

any benefit to attempting to do tax reform in lame duck or do we need to do, as kim dixon asked, ask congress to force the next congress to deal with this issue? >> but you mean force in what sense? a statute? >> something as part of the fiscal cliff agreement. >> stop sign, stop light? >> i think -- i don't think this will happen but i think a possible approach with something like what the gang of six proposed last summer, where basically, no one thinks you're going to rewrite the whole tax code and do the tax reform bill in the lame duck. the tax code's very complicated and frankly, it will be even more complicated than in '86 because '86 was revenue neutral. in fact, there was a reduction on the individual side offset by an increase in revenue on the corporate side. >> one thing, bob, nobody realized how much fat there was. in 1985, the top corporate rate was 46%. the bill cuts it finally to 33% in the senate, raises $140 billion in taxes on business even though we cut the rate and we used that to offset a lot of the cuts in the individuals and two-thirds of the business community supporte

i've asked congress to help speed up that process and gives states this flexibility in here one. once states set up these health insurance marketplaces, known as exchanges, insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against any american with a pre-existing health condition. they won't be able to charge them or just because you are a woman. they won't be able to build you into bankruptcy. if you are sick, you will finally have the same chance to get quality, affordable health care as everyone else. if you can afford the premiums, you will receive a credit that helps pay for it. today the supreme court also upheld the principle that people can afford health insurance should take the responsibility to buy health insurance. this is important for two reasons. first, when uninsured people who can afford coverage get sick and show up at the emergency room for care, the rest of us end up paying for their care in the form of higher premiums. second, it is you ask insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing conditions but don't require people who can afford it to

party needs to defend that particular politician well they just point to precedent oh i forgot to ask congress to vote on declaring war will guess what the other guy did it to now that's not an excuse and we all know it but the partisan hacks out there refuse to step back try to think about what's better for all of us for the country as a whole now i would argue that's transparency checks on power but these days nobody wants to check that power because both parties want secrecy to prevail why do you think there's a bipartisan group of congress members going after the administration over the leaks why do you think we have a national security state that keeps expanding the courts are complicit and letting the state secrets privilege be used time and time again since the war on terror began and the mainstream media well in distracting from the real issue going crazy when it suits their partisan line they're just as guilty and so all i'm asking for . a little bit of discussion a few questions to be asked about what we think the executive should and should be able to do you know how i feel about hi

in just a few days, we'll know who fill s gabby giffords' seat in congress. we'll ask him about that provocative ad that plays off soft sympathy for giffords and attacks his opponent. does it go too far? >>> and a tragic statistic. suicides among american troops are surging. just about one per day this year. that's far more deaths than troops killed in action. >>> good morning from washington. it's friday, june 8th, 2012. this is "the daily rundown." i'm chuck todd. of course, stay with us this morning. the president will be making a statement in the press briefing room, also expected to take a few questions. let's get right to my first reads of the morning. presidential campaign is a marathon, and this is the week mitt romney caught up with the president. not just the national polls have been tightening for a while, but now romney has pulled even in a handful of key areas. most important is money. the president has had a big appraisering advantage, and even had his biggest fund-raising month in may. that didn't matter. romney and the rnc out-raised president obama by

on capitol hilll.. áandá in the votiig out and ask congress to take we're still gonna fight hard . for here."melinda roeder... fox 45 news at ttn. the... o'malley admmnistration... &p praises... the... ruling...//.. myranda... stephens ...is... at the state house... officials think... áallá... marylanders... benefit... from this.... 3 &pmyranda 1509 lieutenant goverror anthony brown calls today's supreme ourt decision people, ssecifically those here in maryland 18 flanked by some of maryland's kky health care reform advocatess.. the lieutenant governor ssid he and governor martin o'mallee pave been pushing for health caar reeorr in maryllnd since 2007. he says the ruling noo takes their efforts to the next level. 53:11 so while there's debate around the affordable care act, there's very little debate around affordable health care and that's wwat marylanders want, and today's decision eliminates that cloud as tt whether or not more and more to affordable health coverage 26 but ealth care advocates say despite this major victtry - there's still a lot more work to be done. 14:48 because w

he authorized military action in libya without asking congress for approval.s kucinich had to remind him of that. he authorized the killing of a very bad dude. they're supposed to get fifth amendment rights. for a guy who should be well apprised of the limitations of our constitution, he was after all a constitutional law professor, obama sure can't seem to live within his means. some of you will call me a obstructionist, partisan hack or result to total desperation and call me a racist, but the truth is, if a republican president overreached in his authority as much as obama has, you'd be calling for his impeachment. >> president bush did overreach just the same amount. remember the patriot act. this sort of imperial approach to the presidency goes back to fdr. you just don't like president obama being in charge. >> hold on. catholic church. that is not a, that is not a freedom of religion issue. no, who's being forced to violate their religious tenant? nobody's being forced to take birth control. and -- >> maybe health care will be unconstitutional, which it

he criticized the president for having done it himself as president instead of asking congress to do it. >> it's disappointing that president obama even though he had a democratic congress for the first two years of administration promised the country and particularly the hiss pang community he would enact comprehensive immigration reform and he dint it. he come us up with the executive order. we have to do a comprehensive immigration reform plan. >> that's exactly wrong. that's exactly opposite to what really happened. i mean, the republicans are trying to say here, or at least trying to avoid saying whether they agree with the president's policy. they're just saying he should have done it through congress, and never tried to do it through congress. that's wrong. when democrats controlled both houses of congress, they actually passed the dream act. that's nancy pelosi when the democrats had the house when it passed. she's happy becausist a democratic idea and president obama supported it. they passed it in the house and it went to the senate, and democrats were, in fact, in control o

i've asked congress for the authority to reorganize the federal government that was built for the last century -- i want to make it work for the 21st century. [applause] a federal government that is leaner and more efficient, and more responsive to the american people. i've signed a law that cuts spending and reduces our deficit by $2 trillion. my own deficit plan would strengthen medicare and medicaid for the long haul by slowing the growth of health care costs -- not shifting them to seniors and vulnerable families. [applause] and my plan would reduce our yearly domestic spending to its lowest level as a share of the economy in nearly 60 years. so, no, i don't believe the government is the answer to all our problems. i don't believe every regulation is smart, or that every tax dollar is spent wisely. i don't believe that we should be in the business of helping people who refuse to help themselves. [applause] but i do share the belief of our first republican president, from my home state -- abraham lincoln -- that through government, we should do together what we cannot do as well for

that's precisely why i asked congress to start taking some steps that can make a difference. >> jennifer: if today's republican responses are any indication we can expect a lot of more pettiness between now and election day and i know you're shocked. every campaign has it's off moments. you just don't want too many of them. tonight in the war room we're going to strategize a bit where and what the obama war room has to do this summer to insure a fall win. summer is not the time to unleash some big agenda, unlike what many people have been saying because nobody is paying attention. summer is also not the time to spend big money unless there's some major shift in public opinion somewhere. for the most part you try to raise money and you shore up your operation, and you continue to take the pulse of the nation through polling. you get free media. you take advantage of events. for example, this month we're going to have the healthcare division by the supreme court. the president has an opportunity there to frame that as an economic issue. so you take advantage of those moments, and you do en

congress to have your problem solved. you can do it right there at home and states are. but, if you call your congressman and you ask your congressman to solve your problem for you, i promise you your congress is going to go to work to do it. but when they do it they are likely to craft something that destroys the system it was meant to save. and then where will we be as 315 million americans? well, i'll give you a little insight into just what i'm thinking, mr. speaker. i'm not trying to associate my thoughts with the whole of the freshmen class or the whole of the congress. but there was a study out the other day that went to the fortune 100 companies, mr. speaker, and they said, what are you going to do if the supreme court upholds the president's health care bill and all of these mandate goes into effect? only 71 answered that survey. and every single one of those 71 fortune 100 companies said, we'll do better to cancel every insurance policy we have in our company and pay the fine than we will to continue to provide insurance to our employees. you remember the promise, mr. speaker, that the president made . if

i've asked congress for the authority to reorganize the federal government. t. was bill for the last country. i want to make it work for the 21st century. a federal government that is leaner and more efficient and more responsive to the american people. i've signed a law that cuts spending and reduces our deficit by $2 trillion. my own deficit plan would strengthen medicare and medicaid in the long haul shifting the de debt. and my plan would reduce our yearly domestic spending to its lowest level in nearly 60 years. so, no, i don't believe the government is the answer to all of our problems. i don't believe every regulation is smart or that every tax dollar is spent wisely. i don't believe that we should be in the business of helping people who refuse to help themselves. but i do share the belief of our first republican president, from my home state, abraham lincoln, that through government, we should do together what we cannot do as well for ourselves. that's how we built this country. together. we constructed railroads and highways, the hoover dam and the gol

and that's precisely why i asked congress to start taking some stepping that can make a difference.k at what i said this morning and what i've been saying consistently over the last year, we've actually seen some good momentum in the private sector. >> stay tuned fsh the response to the response to the response. why do people get so bent out of shape about politics? let's go to shannon travis at the conservative political action committee gathering at suburban chicago. so shannon, it's been a big day for rick santorum there. >> that's right. it's been a big day. he's emerged from a little bit of a private stretch out of the public eye. but he made some news. he announced the political action committee where he's going to promote some of his pet issues. but he had an interview with a local radio station here in chicago, just outside of chicago, wls, and he talked about mitt romney, holding mitt rom dmee's feet to the fire on conservative issues. obviously you know that rick an store rum has stressed that being staunchly conservative is the way to win in this 2012 election. sop that r

i'm steve handelsman, news 4, capitol hill. >>> president obama asked congress to approve a one halff 1% raise in pay rates for civilian federal employees, but it appears that a pay freeze may remain in effect for at least another year. >>> yesterday, the appropriations subcommittee approved a spending bill that ignores the request for an increase in january. spending bill for the department of homeland security also ignores the raise. and last week, the house passed a bill that does not contain funding for a raise for some of the workers at the defense department a the veteran affairs administration. federal union leaders are quite upset about the pay raise rejection. the white house also objects. >>> first lady michelle obama was in northern virginia today campaigning for the president there. the first lady spoke at vfw post 1503 in dale city reminding the people the president inherited a dying economy and has started to turn it around. she said voting for mitt romney would be a return to failed policies that sent the economy into recession. >> are we going to allow everything we f

the housing market is still weak, too many homes under water that is why i ask congress to take steps to make a difference. what i've been saying consistently over the past year, we have actually seen some good momentum in the private-sector. 4.3 million jobs created. 800,000 this year alone. record corporate profits. that has not been the biggest drag on the economy. >> while his comments drew widespread crew -- scrutiny, mitt romney drew far less attention after openly attacking the hiring of firefighters, police, and teachers. from the invoked the recent election in wisconsin to criticize obama, hoping states regain public sector jobs. >> he wants to hire more government workers. we need more policemen and teachers. did he not get the message in wisconsin? the american people did. it is time to cut back on the government and help the people. >> eric holder has appointed two people to look into leaks on classified government programs. he announced the investigation after bi-partisan anger over reports revealing obama's secret kill list as well as the use of cyberweapons. in appointi

. >> eliot: on one level he was not saying let's extend these-- these--god for bid we ask congress to make a few decisions in the course of a six weeks on issues that have been discussed parsed and analyzed, but congress can't do something between november and january 1st so kick the can further down the road is the notion. >> that's correct. >> eliot: having said that the white house does not yet buy in that. the extent that bill clinton was speaking to an emerging consensus on capitol hill the white house has not conceded to this. he was a little bit under cutting the negotiating posture by saying we can buy this intermediate position. >> there may have a been a strategic difference between what clinton was saying to what obama was saying. it's not a white house policy. if you have a real negotiating partner in republicans and you thought you could achieve a consensus deficit package with them over the course of four or five months would you be willing to extend the deadline into march or april, they would probably say yes under those circumstances we would. but they know as bill cl

the housing market is still weak and too many homes underwater, and that's precisely why i asked congress to start taking some steps that can make a difference. >> to discuss this, we welcome, of course, eleanor, we have to stop meeting like this "newsweek's" eleanor clift and from new orleans cenk uygur. eleanor, you wrote an article about how people are jittery about the jobs pros protect. >> the jobs numbers last week made people jittery it looks like jobs are stalling again. obama is toast is what i heard more than once. i think wisconsin you know, the outcome there was not great for democrats or for the president but i think that's pretty minor compared to the economy. actually, the exit polls in wisconsin look pretty good for obama, and the democrats took back the state senate seat. so the senate in the state is controlled by democrats which will put a crimp in scott walker's agenda. the bigger picture is the jobs situation. the white house seems sort of in a time warp. they're attached to the message that they've had for the last several months. there is steady progress. i just nee

congress. the president was talking about -- >> but brad, i'm asking you this question.s of the kind of discipline that republicans display? it may be absolute boulder dash, but at the end of the day, they repeat it, one after the other. >> look, i've always been amazed at how they're willing to distort the truth. i've always been amazed that mitt romney can stand up and say the president has run around apologizing. they have no bounds of decency when it comes to telling the truth. i wouldn't say i'm envious. i would say when we get an opportunity, we show that we can take advantage of it. but i mean, this is kind of ridiculous. the president always qualifies his remarks about the economy by saying that we need to do more. and the truth is, this republican congress needs to do more. >> indeed. today, the president responded to the suggestion that the white house has been leaking classified information in order to boost his prospects in the next election. just take a listen first, brad. >> the notion that my white house would purposely release classified national security