michelle bachman just said this.aren't ready for a woman president because there's no pent up desire. she has many issues with clinton, but there's a larger story about the gop here. it's not that hillary is a woman or a clinton. it's hillary increasingly looks like a winner and republicans can't stop talking about her in ways that are bad politics for them because they're worried two decades of creative attacks have not slowed hillary down. we have some new numbers on that in a moment. to give us a take on this, we have our rapid response panel. welcome to you both. karen, hillary clinton isn't just driving a conversation here, right? she's certainly not out trying to do a lot of things to get us or republicans talking. so why so much focus? >> because i think there's such a fascination with hillary and this question of will she or won't she. she's kept her head down and doing her work, which is what she did when she got to the senate and what she did when she became secretary of state. that's her way of doing thing

well, we lost there was a bid protest by bachman they protested every border this was a lower bidder than them and the city attorney's determined those with frivolous >> so the the confirmation was that the construction did attempt to change the sub contract amount at the time of the bid what was that all about. >> which page is that on? i'm reading the memo by the office of the city administrator contracting division >> uh-huh. >> which item? >> regarding the bachman bid protests. >> while that is true what happened it's true that while the there was an issue with the numbers in one of al tons in one it was that bachman had lodged that containment and a even though it was true that that particular lbe subcontractor that etc., e even if you throw that bid out because bowman is also an lbe contractor al tons bid was so much over the required percentage that by throwing it out al stone was still consistent. that was the concern for us we were concerned we would have to throw out the bids but we didn't have to redo that >> thank you. any other questions? and we've >> we've asked for any

those were surprising words when michelle bachman spoke them.o you think we're at the brink of brinkmanship being over? >> the problem is the arithmetic keeps getting harder and harder for john boehner. even though the tea party is reduced in its clout, they have enough numbers to make trouble, michelle bachman not with standing. everybody is assuming that john boehner is going to be able to convince 16 other republicans, only 16, assuming all the democrats vote for this debt ceiling increase, that's 200 votes right there. they still need 17 votes, and john boehner says he's voting for it, but my understanding is they're having a hard time rounding up at least the other 16. i guess they'll get there. but it's a further humiliation to john boehner that he can't even get up cleanly. it's not working out in that sense. he can't throw up his hands without their being obligations. the heritage action people and the club for growth people have said that they're going to, quote, score this. anybody who votes to increase the debt ceiling is going to be

. >> that's right, but even folks like michelle bachman, very conservative house member, quoted as saying that it's time for a fight. and for pragmatism, and when you say that, you have other republicans saying, let's get this done and move on to issues that we think we can win some approval ratings on. republicans are going to primaries, and there's a lot of concern on what raising the debt limit means, people think that it means you're going to spend more money. and they don't want those ads out there. but today, majority leader, nancy pelosi, pointed out that congress passed the bill for the debt. and they are saying we have to pay the bills. >> there are so many countries that have this sort of thing. most say, once you pass the bill, you pay the bill. it will be great to have you here in new york. >>> one thing that lawmakers in washington did accomplish today, they unanimously confirmed senator max bachus into the key post in montana. he said boosting trade will be a priority. it's something that he's familiar with after years as chairman of the finance committee. another record tra

. >> kelly bachman takes the lane less traveled. she is among the 1% of commuters who bike to work in los angeles. once a week she makes the two-mile trek with other cyclists looking to avoid the transfer. >> driving is so frustrating and unpredictable. >> the infamous traffic jams have created bike drain. >> riding a bike is extremely consist little. it's almost exactly always the same amount of time regardless of traffic or weather. >> the program teaches cyclists how to commute through l.a.'s busy streets. the ride and the training are free. experienced cyclists called conductors lead each route and riders break away once they reach their destination. l.a. has worked to make cycling safer doubling it stretch of bike lanes over the last five year to 345 miles. while the bike train's program has had some close calls, its riders remain accident free. that is givenna new appreciation of los angeles? >> it used to be cumbersome and overwhelming and very disjointed. now i can see how all these different neighbors and communities sort o

[ bells ringing ] >> my constituents absolutely can't understand why-- >> representative michelle bachmanressed yellen on a view held by some members of the g.o.p. that the fed is not transparent in what it does, and should be subject to audit, a notion yell done not oppose. we are audited, the books are independently reviewed. >> however, what i don't agree with and strongly oppose interfering with the independence of monetary policy by bringing political pressures to bear on the committees' judgment about what is the appropriate way to implement monetary policy. >> a democrat from texas was focused on the growing inequality in the country made worse been the great recession and asked if this is stifling economic growth? >> i think it's one of the most important issues, and one of the most disturbing trends facing the nation at the present time. there has been some discussion about the possibility that inequality is holding back, the recovery because the gains have been so unequally distributed. i think we don't have certainty about that. but certainly rising inequality is not--is partly

talked about your interaction with the colleagues, one of the colleagues in your delegation, mitchell bachman has accused you of having ties to the muslim braer -- brotherhood tex . you say when you see each other you are cordial. how does that work? >> she is pretty charming. we have serious disagreements on a whole range of things. and we couldn't be more different. we are day and night. but it isn't personal. it is just that, you know, i don't know, that is what it is. i think a lot of people who watch and here some of the fireworks that come out of congress and the political clashes and polarization might be under the impression there is personal animosity between members of congress. there may or may not be. i don't know have. but these are substance differences not personality differences. i don't have the problem of shaking a hand of a colleague i disagree with. or talking or getting along with them. i actually believe you should talk to people you have disagreements with and i am happy to do that. but the folks who watch congress from across the country should know it certainty person

mishte michella bachman vert >>> the tea party is turning five years young. it changed the balance of power in washington. but will the movement see its 10th birthday? many say it is history but what does michella bachman think about that? >> good morning, bill. good to be with you. >> where is the tea party today? >> it is alive and well and kicking. you see it reflected in the polls especially the one that showed 6-10 americans are disaffected with obamacare and 55% according to your own poll wish it was never passed. the tea party rose up because the american people were sick of the out of control spending. they believe we are taxed enough and should fall though constitution. >> are you arguing that you are as strong, getting stronger, or as strong? >> we are as strong as 2010 when we took the gavel out of nancy pelo pelosi's hands and i believe we can do the again. the american people don't want out of control spending. >> but the tea party has tried to knock off more established candidates on the republican party side and you have failed. what does that

bachman i think deserve a little bit more response. as you well know, dr. paul's legislation to audit the fed was the most co-sponsored bill in the 112th congress. very bipartisan. passed by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, and it did not talk about interfering with the day-to-day management and decision making of the fed, it was post-decision making audits. and seeing we're all government and official agencies under our dominion are subject to audit, it just seems very strange that the audit would object to having the logic behind their decisions and the many other of the litany of items you're exempted from being audited for deemed to be reasonable. >> so i think if members of congress can ask the gao to come into the federal reserve shortly after a meeting where we've made a difficult decision and to perhaps review transcripts and look at the debate that took place around a particular decisi decision, we release transcripts. we release minutes of our meetings, but to come in, review materials and say, no, we don't agree with a decision that was made at

mccain was responding to a question about my chemical bachman. michelle said many people aren't ready for a female commander and chief. >>> my chemical obama appeared on jimmy fallon's tonight show last night. >> when we're out of here, in a few years, you know, they've got to be able to function as normal people. so driving is a part of that. so we're going to have to figure that out. ladies and gentlemen in d.c., watch out. >> the first lady also -- look at this. this is hill layer just. she took part of this sketch. she told them that exercise is not eeeew. >> i think exercise is eeew too. >> oh my god. eeew. >> i was feeling it yesterday watching the u.s. hockey team. i had a big bet to be continued. i miss michaela pereira on the show. i love her like a sister. i would have to make good on my wanger if she -- wager if she were here. >> here are involved -- thank you for that giving that away. silver never tasted so bittersweet for the u.s. women's hockey team. this could have been their year for the women. they had to settle for second place

bachman. >> thank you, chairman. we're extremely grateful for you being here. also, good luck on your service as the head of the federal reserve. we want you to be successful. >> thank you. >> we asked our constituents what their number one question would be today. this is a historic opportunity to have a new federal reserve chair, and we had a plethora of responses from constituents with questions. but it was interesting that there was a commonality of the questions that came forth. one was really from our financial institutions and businesses. and the first was from individual constituents. so i would like to give you, first of all, the question that we received most from our individual constituents, and it was this. it was, you and other opponents of the audit the fed legislation have said that it threatens the independence of the federal reserve. could you please point to a specific section of the bill that allows congress to interfere with the ability of the federal reserve to determine monetary policy? my constituents absolutely can't understand why the f

bachman said a woman running for president would be a bigger disadvantage than barack obama was whenl thomas. i think there was a cachet about having an african-american the president because of the guilt. people don't hold guilt for a woman. i don't think there is a pent up desire for a woman president. i almost want to laugh. let's toss this around with kelly goff. we know a senior opinion editor at the washington times. obviously you may not find it funny. i do. there is so much irony in all of this. she doesn't think there could be a woman president and she ran for president. is there a chance that michele bachmann is taking a shot at hilary clinton? >> is there a chance? more than a chance here. this is more than a bit of sour grapes. as you pointed out, she ran and lot of badly. not because she was a woman, but because he ran a terrible campaign. there was a lot of enthusiasm and her undoing appears to be michele bachmann according to her aides. she ran a terrible campaign, the country as a whole is not ready for a female president. >> emily, i will ask you the same question. i

bachman for five minute. >> i want to thank and welcome to this committee the new chair of the federal reserve, extremely grateful for you being here and good luck on your service as head of the federal reserve. we want you to be successful. we asked our constituents, and a historic opportunity to have a new federal reserve share and we had a plethora of responses from constituents of questions but it was interesting that there was a commonality of the questions that came forth. ..t there was a commonality of the questions that came forth. one was really from our financial institutions and businesses. and the first was from individual constituents. so i would like to give you, first of all, the question that we received most from our individual constituents, and it was this. it was, you and other opponents of the audit the fed legislation have said that it threatens the independence of the federal reserve. could you please point to a specific section of the bill that allows congress to interfere with the ability of the federal reserve to determine monetary policy? my constituents absol

bachman i think deserve a little bit more response. as you well know, dr. paul's legislation to audit the fed was the most co-sponsored bill in the 112th congress. very bipartisan. passed by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, and it did not talk about interfering with the day-to-day management and decision making of the fed, it was post-decision making audits. and seeing we're all government and official agencies under our dominion are subject to audit, it just seems very strange that the audit would object to having the logic behind their decisions and the many other of the litany of items you're exempted from being audited for deemed to be reasonable. >> so i think if members of congress can ask the gao to come into the federal reserve shortly after a meeting where we've made a difficult decision and to perhaps review transcripts and look at the debate that took place around a particular decisi decision, we release transcripts. we release minutes of our meetings, but to come in, review materials and say, no, we don't agree with a decision that was made at