blumenthal has done. >> couric: how and why do you think that happened? >> on a number of occasions, a very small number compared to the hundreds of times they spoke about my military record, i inaccurately described it. it was unintentional. that's no excuse. i regret it. i take full responsibility, and i have apologized. >> and i guess blumenthal misspoke again. >> wow, i'm shocked. >> couric: the mcmahon campaign has made hay with blumenthal's gaffe but the democrats have been hitting back by circulating video clips of some of the roughest and raunchiest moments from the w.w.e. >> i sailed take it off! >> couric: many of them featuring mcmahon's controversial business partner. your husband vince is, how shall i say, colorful? >> that could describe vince. he's colorful. >> couric: he's been dogged by accusations of promoting steroid use. he's admitted to extra-marital affairs in the past. his yacht is called "sexy bitch." >> colorful. >> couric: is washington ready for vince mcmahon? >> vince isn't running for the senate, i am. >> couric: running and g

richard blumenthal is bringing in the big guns.morrow wonder if a presidential visit is worth the risk. white house correspondent mike emanuel has the story. >> president obama is heading back out on the campaign trial answer though his personal popularity dipped ten points from where it was during of 2008 campaign. mr. obama will hold fundraisers in connecticut for richard blumenthal the democratic candidate for senate and state democratic party and linda mcmahon shows he's the career politician in the race. >> it's interesting for mr. blumenthal who, you know, wants to be an outsider to washington and yet, he's thoroughly embracing, you know, the president coming in and you know, it's a big bear hug and embrace. >> it's time to shake things up. >> mcmahon is self-funded and used wealth from wrestling corporation, to fund. and a poll shows blumenthal's lead eroded from 41 points in january to 6 point lead. >> i'm actually a little ahead of where i expected to be at this particular time, but again, it's a little like being in a die

he retires and the attorney general blumenthal to walk away with this race. we find out about his military record. yes, he was in the service but no, he did not fight in vietnam but kept talking about it as if he did. >> yep. >> listen to this and see what you think. >> we have learned something very important since the day i served in vietnam and you xe exemplify it. >> i may have misspoken and i did misspeak on a few occasions out of hundreds that i have attended whether events or ceremonies and i will not allow anyone to take a few of those misplaced words and impugn my record of service. >> did they fight in southeast asia? was i gone for 2 1/2 years? i can't remember. >> this is the chief law know forceme -- enforcement officer, the attorney general of the united states. he is on record by saying when i came back from vietnam. when i served in vietnam. this is a smart guy, right? you would think he's probably thinking nobody is ever going to check. i served during that era. i wasn't technically there. but still, it is telling that the president of the un

one for senate candidate richard blumenthal. remember, blumenthal recently apologized for what he called misplaced words. when he claimed he had served in vietnam. he actually got five deferments and then served in the reserves here in the u.s. during the vietnam war. mike emanuel live at the white house for us now. what is the thinking, mike, about the obama factor in the connecticut contest? >> jon, for the blumenthal campaign, it means cash. it's a blue state, the president is getting a very warm reception in connecticut. but one expert of the political scene up there says there are risks. >> it's a calculated risk because although all of our surveys show that blumenthal is probably the most beloved public official in the state, we have to remember that we really are facing an anti-incumbent mood in the electorate even in connecticut. >> so linda mcmahan, the republican in the race known for being the c.e.o. of the world wrestling entertainment is using this to point at blumenthal and say he is an insider by bringing the pres

linda mcmahon, formerly of the w.w.e., tries to take down attorney general richard blumenthal. and it's fashion week, and plus-size women have arrived. captioning sponsored by cbs from cbs news world headquarters in new york, this is the "cbs evening news" with katie couric. >> couric: good evening, everyone. devastating news about the economy tonight. a new report just out from the census bureau shows one out of seven people in this country is living in poverty.

. $1,000 a plate in stanford is going to be welcomed by william blumenthal and the president will go to greenwich, connecticut. he will have a behind-the-scenes fund-raiser before returning to washington tonight, thomas. >> pricier than $30,000 a couple? >> pricier than $1,000 a plate. >> oh, gotcha. >> 30,400 is the limit. it's a quirky upper most limit that you see is the top price for most of these fund-raisers. >> i'm not going to go to any of those. mike, thanks so much.

> and connecticut i'm happy to see linda mcmahon, though not my number one choice, she crushing blumenthal and she deserves to. >> sean: you are optimistic republicans will take over the house. what do you see in the senate? >> i never thought we could take the statement. -- the senate. by the way establishment republicans not whining about christine o'donnell. >> sean: who would have thought russ feingold would be down eight points? >> that's a good example. i hope this fantastic republican running against him, johnson, a businessman and he's running -- fabulous speaker. i heard about him when i spoke in milwaukee this year. >> sean: i'm surprised you didn't go to madison with the president yesterday. >> at lost i could be sure feingold wouldn't be there. >> sean: i don't know if you saw politico today. a number of republicans in the senate are attacking jim demint. >> he's our hero. >> sean: i agree.

richard blumenthal there. a slight lead despite he lied about serving this country in vietnam. >> incredible new surveillance video, that massive gas explosion and fireball in california. it was all caught on a surveillance camera at a gas station. check this out. investigators trying to figure out what caused that blast. they're looking at weakness and pipe construction. gas company pg&e set up a $100 million fund for the victims. people whose homes were decimated will get $50,000 right away. the family of detained american hiker sarah shore said they can't afford to pay $500,000 for her release. they're asking to lower or drop the bail amount. she's been suffering from health problems. right now iran has no plans to release the other two hikers, one of them her fiancee. and those are your headlines. i think it's so weird because, come on, if iran believes these americans are spies they wouldn't release them for any amount of dough. it's so ridiculous. >> i never heard of a company wanting bail money. >> exto

blumenthal for an interview, his campaign declined our q. so that's why you're only hearing from the republican side of the ticket, jon. jon: but i presume, you know, the blumenthal campaign thinks the president can help. the indications are the public is restless. what are the risks and rewards of bringing in the president? >> reporter: well, the big issue or the big dilemma for the blumenthal campaign is linda mcmahon is self-funded, the woman who held build -- helped build the world wrestling empire and can put her own money in the campaign, he's been on the road relentlessly. what blumenthal needs is for president obama to raise money and a sitting president can raise a great deal of money for a candidate, but analysts say they don't want a big rally with the president on stage with blumenthal because mcmahon's campaign will use that against him, if you believe, to essentially say he's the washington insider, he's the establishment guy, i'm the outsider, vote for me. so there are risks and there are rewards with bringing a sitting presid

join senate candidate richard blumenth blumenthal. but ts trip is more about fundraisin fundraising. vick, connecticut is now part of save the senate fire wall for this democrat white house? >> right and democrats now thinking about turn thinkable, not only is president obama who won connecticut by 20 points just guys upside down in the polls in terms of his approval rating. but now richard blumenthal, the much beloved attorney general in connecticut ahead of worldwide wrestling entertainment linda mcmahon in that same latest poll. the president will be there for two fund-raisers. and he moves over to greenwich, connecticut for a private fund-raiser at a private home. don't know what the total haul is going to be, but blumenthal is going to need plenty of it. linda mcmahon has already thrown $20 million at her campaign. she's got ads, she's got yard signs. and that fight is on. it's a smackdown, can we call it a smackdown in connecticut? >> look, we're trying to keep the wrestling metaphors to a minimum. >> no, more wrestling metaphor

another poll came out that had dick blumenthal up by 12 points.e interesting thing is that linda mcmahon has a 4 % unfavorable rating. it's hard to win an election and get 50% of the vote when nearly half of the electric rat thinks you're repugnant. if they look at dick blumenthal, taking on the tobacco companies, the insurance companies, the big health care companies and looking at linda mcmahon an what she has done, running a circus sideshow with a number of people with drug abuse problems and treated very badly, this became apart again. >> how does a guy with a record, an attorney general in connecticut, public service, be this close to someone who's made a living in professional wrestling? these are strange times. >> i have two thoughts. first of all, if a candidate with only 44% approval who's considered repugnant, harry reid -- >> 44% disapproval. >> okay. well, it still fits my point, which is harry reid in nevada. those about his disapproval numbers action and they think he's repugnant, so i guess it plays both way, but the real point acti

blumenthal did not have the primary. this is a very expensive television market, fairfield market, and she has saturated the airwaves. >> let's show the latest from each candidate. >> my father started this company in 1923. >> general motors made an announcement. >> we were able to save our jobs and keep our business going. >> we are back, thanks to you. >> he is a fighter. he is not afraid to stand up to business. >> i am dick blumenthal, i approve this message. >> people ask me why i am running for senate. this lunch box represents a lot of people who have lost jobs. washington has created the perfect job killing storm with high taxes, deficit spending, and expensive mandates. we experienced careers in washington. i'm linda mcmahon. i approve this message because we need this lunch box and a lot more like it back at work. >> you noted linda mcmahon spent $20 million in the primary. how much so far in the general election, and how about her opponent? >> linda mcmahon says she is willing to spend up to $50 million on thi

blumenthal did not have the primary. this is a very expensive television market, fairfield market, and she has saturated the airwaves. >> let's show the latest from each candidate. >> my father started this company in 1923. >> general motors made an announcement. >> we were able to save our jobs and keep our business going. >> we are back, thanks to you. >> he is a fighter. he is not afraid to stand up to business. >> i am dick blumenthal, i approve this message. >> people ask me why i am running for senate. this lunch box represents a lot of people who have lost jobs. washington has created the perfect job killing storm with high taxes, deficit spending, and expensive mandates. we experienced careers in washington. i'm linda mcmahon. i approve this message because we need this lunch box and a lot more like it back at work. >> you noted linda mcmahon spent $20 million in the primary. how much so far in the general election, and how about her opponent? >> linda mcmahon says she is willing to spend up to $50 million on thi

. >> reporter: at a fund-raiser for democrat and attorney general general richard blumenthal, he warned voters on taking a chance on the republican candidate, the former professional wrestling executive who pumped millions into her campaign. >> i'm happy i can fund the race myself, money i've earned. >> no question we'll be out-spent but not out-worked. >> reporter: in a year where polls show many americans leaning toward political outsiders, blumenthal hopes his insider experience will be enough. and mcmahon's wealth was a very hot topic at yesterday's fun razor for about $12,000, you could have your picture taken with president obama. terrell, back to you. >> a hot ticket there. tara mergener in washington for us this morning. thank you so much. >>> the blown-out well in the gulf of mexico is one step closer to being permanently plugged this morning. the government said a relief well was connected to the blown-out well thursday. the next step is pumping cement and mud through the relief well to seal the damaged well from the bottom. the final seal should take place sunday. >>> also in

blumenthal. that is what i would do, just fix it.rdball" returns after this. >>> we had a long discussion of whether i should run for the senate. we decided together i should. we will have a long discussion whether that was a good discussion or not. i would like to thank the republican party for its support. >> wow. that is mike castle conceding defeat to tea party candidate christine o'donnell in the state of delaware. now we have new numbers from new hampshire. 43% reporting. ovide lamontane holds the lead over kelly ayotte. tea party candidates considered far to the right, christine o'donnell, sharron angle, rand paul, joe buck and joe miller are seriously challenging democrats for senate seats this november. is this a case being careful what you wish for? david corn writes for "mother jones" and steve karnake of salon.com. david first then steve. one of the oldest liberal misconceptions or self-delusions, if they run crazy against us we will beat them. >> i'm not sure if it is a liberal delusion. it is a democratic establishment

blumenthal's adversary in the race is former professional wrestling executive linda mcmahon.ds. >> reporter: but these days having long-time friends in government is seen more as a handicap than an asset, with an anti-washington, anti-incumbent wave rolling across the country, high unemployment, and a sputtering economic recovery don't work well for the party in power, the democrats. >> we are facing challenges we haven't seen since the great depression. >> reporter: and on the stump the president often makes clear voters shouldn't hand the republicans the keys to running congress. >> have you ever noticed, by the way, that if you want to go forward in a car you put your car in d? and if you want to go backwards, you put it in r? >> reporter: to keep democrats driving forward the president will keep hitting the road this fall, stumping for democrats in several states between now and november. rob, vinita? >>> there's been a major step forward in sealing off the gulf oil well that caused that huge environmental disaster in the gulf back in april. a relief well has now intersec

richard blu blumenthal is cash strapped.resident obama is going up there to raise money for the democrat running for the united states senate which is traditionally a blue state. we got a statement from the blumenthal campaign manager about the visit. oh the bottom line is the commander-in-chief is good that raising cash with loyal members of his party and that's what he's going to do for blum even mall tonight. megyn: what is linda mcmahon saying? >> reporter: many experts believe this will come down on support of independents. with independents president obama is not nearly as popular. so there is a struggle underway. so linda mcmahon says bring him to town, this will make the point that i'm the outsider. he's the career politician. here is more from linda mcmahon. >> we have been on a pails of closing the gap -- on a pails on a pace of closing the gap. it's like being on a diet and that last 10 pound is the hardest to lose. i'm going to continue to do what i'm doing. >> reporter: she is closing the gap from what she said

rich blumenthal had a lead over newcomer linda mcmahon. a new poll out today suggests it's too close to call and anger at the government is one reason why. >> gained fame and fortune in the form of wrestling. now lindamacman is going to give a blow to the democrats in the blue state. mcmahon has chipped away at what once was a wide lead held by democrat richard blumenthal, a popular attorney general seen by many as a shoe-in. a new quinnipiac poll shows blumenthal leading 49% to 46%. quinnipiac's polling director says independents are making the difference. >> an anti-government feeling that connecticut voters have a strong majority are dissatisfied with the way the federal government is working. a third say he's angry that they're winning those voters. >> mcmahon spent millions to portray herself as a washington outsider. she could wind up spending $50 million on the campaign. >> how can he fight the special interest ifs they're paying for his campaign. >> blumenthal has taken off the gloves. >> more false attacks from linda mcmahon's $50

blumenthal leads by just three percentage points, within the margin. >> mika, you've known richard blumenthalise, isn't it? >> it is. i would say he is popular in connecticut and known in connecticut as solid and trustworthy and having taken on everything from health care to other issues of consumers getting screwed on certain issues, this guy has been on the front lines of it, for decades. well-known, not fabulous on television. in connecticut, i could see how he could totally take this raceway. >> it's slipping away. in connecticut. do you remember about a month ago, a friend telling me about linda mcmahon, went to an appearance and he was shocked in that she didn't come off as a wild eye'd zeal lot. dick blumenthablumenthal's prob biggest problem might be he happens to be in office. this is a year where the rage of the elector raate is aimed at anyone on the ballot. >> bill clinton being called in, at a hool in new haven over the weekend stumping for dick blumenthal, a sign this election for him is in jeopardy. >> governor, it is tough out there for incumbents and really tough for democrat

i refused another award. >> richard blumenthal claimed he served in vietnam.rved during vietnam he never left the united states. he stepped up to the lie. >> i regret that and i take full responsibility. >> to interest pretty and vietnam was a place you probably wouldn't forget if you were actually in there. >> so will there are soldiers treated badly returned, that is your memory and every time you think you are remembering something you are reflecting something on the fly. what was in his mind at the time, that our generation was treated that way or the vietnam era soldiers were received poorly. those things combined to project that message. >> so we in the press spent a lot of time comparing to what candidates say to what actually happened. probably give them a pass? >> i wouldn't say don't give them a pass, but be aware that people can misremember things in a non-malicious way. it can show other things and it can build into our their memories change over time. >> whether they are lying to you or misremembering the facts, a lot of what you hear won't hold u

i refused another award. >> richard blumenthal claimed he served in vietnam. left the united states. he stepped up to the lie. >> i regret that and i take full responsibility. >> to interest pretty and vietnam was a place you probably wouldn't forget if you were actually in there. >> so will there are soldiers treated badly returned, that is your memory and every time you think you are remembering something you are reflecting something on the fly. what was in his mind at the time, that our generation was treated that way or the vietnam era soldiers were received poorly. those things combined to project that message. >> so we in the press spent a lot of time comparing to what candidates say to what actually happened. probably give them a pass? >> i wouldn't say don't give them a pass, but be aware that people can misremember things in a non-malicious way. it can show other things and it can build into our their memories change over time. >> whether they are lying to you or misremembering the facts, a lot of what you hear won't hold up to scrutiny. >> a tropical

blumenthal was up 33 points. republicans are making gains in several other states, that's the indication from the latest fox battle ground polls. correspondent molly henneberg reports they come at a time when president obama begins a quick four state trip to try to pump up his party's chances in november. >> president obama heading to a rally for democrats in wisconsin tonight. in part to try to help one of the top democrats in the state. senator russ finegold who is expected to attend the event. the polls show finegoaled trailing johnson, and political analysts say that democrats thought this would be a safe seat. >> it was assumed that he would win reelection in a state that the president carried by 14 points and he had already won three reelections. >> according to our poll 47% of wisconsin voters think that finegold is too liberal and in the middle column half of the voters think that johnson is about right on the issues. in colorado republican ken buck, a tea party favorite, is ahead of the incumbent democra

blumenthal who, you know, wants to be on outsider to washington and yet he's thoroughly embracing, you know, the president coming in. >> reporter: and the white house is planning a busy fall schedule for the president campaigning in california, nevada, wisconsin, illinois, ohio, pennsylvania, anywhere they feel he can do some good. george? >> jake, when i spoke to the president last week, he said he was looking forward to getting back out on the campaign trail. but a lot of outside strategists say maybe a rose garden strategy would make more sense. that it would make sense to nationalize the election around the president in that way. did the white house debate that out at all? and what do they think he can do on the campaign trail? >> reporter: they did debate it. they do think that he could do some good depending on the state, depending on the district. first of all, he can help with fund-raising, as he did in connecticut last night. second of all, they think he's good at framing the debate, such as the debate we've had over the last few weeks over the bush tax cuts for the wealthiest

we'll start with the connecticut senate race, where dick blumenthal leads linda mcmahon by just three points. joe sestak is now within five points of toomey. in missouri, a poll by has robin carnahan within striking distance of republican roy blunt. but in new hampshire it's republican ayotte with a 14-point lead over democrat hodes. we'll continue to check the hardball scoreboard each night. >>> joining me is josh marshall, founder and editor of "talking points memo" and joan walsh of salon. let me start with you, josh. this new appeal by the president, the vice president, speaking of talking points, they seem to have them. buck up. >> you know, they're in a tough position. they have to get their base out. frankly myself, i think they're right. if the people -- every democrat who supports those positions, those people need to show up. the problem is that the white house keeps coming into this with -- a lot of this comes down to tone. it's really tough for them to get the message out about without seeming dismissive or condescending. they've got their work cut out for them. they alrea

blumenthal is in trouble. i showed the -- polls -- gillibrand is in trouble. blumenthal is in trouble this is your party, the obama agenda they don't want to be seen with the president, why? >> well, sean it is economic down turn that's the bottom line. you are not going to find disagreement with me about the jeopardy democrats are in. not only will the house go to the republicans, but it is likely the senate will as well. if we look at what has happened in elections since world war ii, six times the house has changed hands. each of those six times the senate has also changed hands. even if it wasn't predicted. i think what we have is another 1994 republican revolution. i think it is the best thing that could happen. now the republicans can share some of this blame for the economic down turn. >> sean: nice try. i mean, the reality is kate, i thought this came out in this focus group frank luntz in a passionate way. you know, barack obama needs to stop blaming bush. his policies, his debt, his results. he refused to do so. keeps lashing out and blaming anybody

by only five points this is the closest that race has been since may when blumenthal's campaign was reeling from allegations that he lied about his service in vietnam. another race we are watching is in massachusetts. a stunning new poll has governor patrick leading his republican opponent charlie baker by only a single point. as we saw earlier this year with scott brown's come from behind victory, anything is possible even in the bluest of blue states. that includes california, where the longtime ultra liberal senator barbara boxer is in the fight for her political life. now the left leaning san francisco chronicle has announced for the first time it will not endorse boxer, saying she's responsible for "18 years of uninspired representation." not a ringing endorsement. here with us a author of 2010 take back america, dick morris. welcome back, good to see you. you are in pennsylvania toomey still up by eight points there. wisconsin, pennsylvania, ohio, certainly a bellwether for what we can expect in 36 days? >> absolutely. i'm here in pennsylvania. i was campaigning for kim burns

yeah. >> so blumenthal, i mean, he's been around for 20 years? yong year to stick his head out? >> he's never faced the -- his appearance on this show was critical for a lot of democrats. he's weak in that. he's never faced that kind of scrutiny and had that controversy about exaggerating over his war record and she has done a great job driving the anti-war message. >> a democratic mayor of washington d.c., mayor adrian fenty, facing a strong challenge in today's primary election there. >> what's going on, major. you got high marks from just about everybody i know that lives in d.c. i talked to. what's going on? >> i think -- good morning. i think it's really about a lot of tough decision making that we've made, that you guys are very familiar with our school reform efforts. when you make an omelet, you will break some eggs. we've done probably more school reform in 3 1/2 years than most jurisdictions have ever done. special interests aren't happy about it. it's the right thing to do. we made up a lot of ground over the past couple of weeks expla

republican nominee linda mcmahon in a dead heat with democrat nominee richard blumenthal.d her behind by six points. the state attorney general spent far less on his campaign, but has the backing of president obama. he also lied about serving in vietnam. >>> the c.i.a. stepping up drone attacks in the mountains of pakistan. the strikes part of an effort to cripple the taliban's stronghold being used to plan attacks against our troops in afghanistan. the c.i.a. launched 20 attacks in september. the most ever during a single month and more than twice the average. >>> imagine trying to fight a wild fire and doing it in 113-degree heat. that was the challenge for firefighters in thousand oak, california. this blaze you're seeing, burning 30 miles northwest of l.a yesterday was the hottest day there since 1877. the unbearable heat caused a bunch of power outages across southern cal. 30,000 homes lost power. >>> a jilted woman looking to prevent her e boyfriend from getting married calls in a bomb on his plane. the unidentified woman forced the pakistan international airline fli

the connecticut attorney general, richard blumenthal, takes credit for that action, but now wants to know if it's all for real. blumenthal said in a letter to craigslist, which he also released to the press, quote, i strongly urge you -- that'd be craigslist -- to make a public promise that the shutdown will be permanent and complete. now, craigslist isn't saying what's going on or what it plans to do, but i did sit down with the craigslist ceo, jim buckmaster for a whole half hour on television when this controversy first broke out, talking about craigslist's responsibilities. buckmaster said craigslist didn't particularly want adult ads, but by creating a special section, the website was able to keep the naughty ads separate and out of the, say, used sports equipment section, where they don't really belong. >> thank you very much. >>> well, you remember the renderings of the proposed san jose as ballpark we first brought to you a few weeks ago. well, now it's official. as' owner says they've hired a company to design two stadiums. cisco field for the as and also a new soccer stadiu

blumenthal is facing former pro wrestling executive linda mcmahon. >>> and the president admits thatne for working families in this country. and now new census figures found a record number of americans now living in poverty. david muir takes a look behind those astonishing numbers. >> reporter: it is the largest number of americans living in poverty since they began keeping track 50 years ago. an increase of 4 million in just one year. >> people who used to be solidly middle class, who are now looking over that cliff into the abyss. >> reporter: the government puts the poverty line at just under $22,000 a year for a family of four. with the recession stealing jobs, the number of americans without health insurance now has climbed to nearly 51 million, 4.4 million more in just a year. the rescue mission in los angeles told us they're seeing it. tents set up for families in the back of their chapel. the number of tents has multiplied from a half dozen a year ago to nearly 60. and something else in the report. more than a third of those in poverty are children. we could not forget that

>> well, he's there campaigning for richard blumenthal.rofessional wrestling pouring millions in that campaign. a critical race. the balance of the senate at stake heading to the november elections. so democrats are taking no chances. getting the charismatic figures out there. the blumenthal race is hot on the map. he had a visit from president obama days ago. shows a clear connecticut and headed to massachusetts. we wait for him to arrive in a few hours. >> jamie: taking no states for granted. thank you. we'll check back with you. big question leading to the november election what will be done about tax cuts? president obama wants to end the tax cut for wealthiest americans but many republicans say raising taxes just isn't the answer to fixing the financial problems. julie kirtz joins us live from washington with more on that. >> reporter: leading democrats in congress this morning telling us americans aren't likely to get an answer on that big tax question before they go to the polls in november. house majority leader steny hoyer on "fox

she is a republican, running as a business woman and blumenthal is the gentleman who stepped in afterodd realized he could not win re-election. blumenthal expected to sail to re-election to win the seat and mcmahon is a formidable candidate and this poll showing in two weeks that the race tightened from six points down to three. three points is within the margin of error. >> deep pockets for campaigning, no question about this. >> $50 million pledged to spend on the race. >> all right. mark preston, thanks so much. reminder for the latest political news gorks to cnnpolitics.com. >>> coming up on the most news in the morning. soldier story. patrolling in afghanistan. jason carroll gets a front row seat to the dangerous travel coming up next. what's her advantage? it's speedy alka-seltzer. alka-seltzer plus. rushes relief for all-over, achy colds. the official cold medicine of the u.s. ski team. alka-seltzer plus. >>> welcome back to the most news in the morning. it is an a.m. original now. we are following the story of army sergeant first class randy schroeder that returned to afghanis

what's blumenthal? the ultimate political insider in the state of connecticut.ore they attack linda mcmahon for being this -- part of this wrestling world, part of this, part of that, the one thing -- it helps her in the view of some of these fed-up voters, she's certainly an outsider. >> yeah. how do i say this -- >> let's just stick on bill clinton. what about bill clinton? over the past six months bill clinton has emerged as the most popular politician in america. >> we tested everybody from sarah palin, newt gingrich, mitt romney on the republican side. nancy pelosi, barack obama, and it's bill clinton. it's bill clinton by a mile. what's interesting. >> you like that, willie? >> even tea party supporters, even 30% of tea party supporters have a positive view of bill clinton. part of this is, guess what, he's not really in the fray, number one. last week obviously was this huge bill clinton week in many ways. clinton global initiative. you saw him on the air a lot. that's when we were in the field. he probably got a little bump on that. these are his best nu

another key race, where richard blumenthal is running against linda mcmahon. the visit comes in the wake of a visit from president obama ten days ago there. democrats are make invest in the the key races in new england. it will be interesting to see if they close the enthusiasm gap. >> thank you. >> this week, every republican in the senate voted against defense measure to repeal don't ask, don't tell. can the g.o.p. win over the gay community? is it even trying? joining us is the former communication director for governor corzine. joining us is the go-pac chairman donatelli. welcome to you both. frank, does the g.o.p. think it has a legitimate interest going after the segment of voters? >> the overwhelming of our time is end the disastrous economic policy of the administration. i'm in favor of reaching out to any group where there is a substantial number of voters that share that concern. there are a lot of gay americans who share that philosophy. you bet i'm trying to get their vote. >> shannon: gay marriage is a hot issue. and republicans uniformly stand ag

after that, president obama campaigns in connecticut for richard blumenthal. later, a conversation with vermont senator bernie sanders. >> for a when considering public service, the real question is do you have a positive vision for the direction the country should have? a specific idea that can implement that vision ensure that you can handle it and get it done? >> tim pawlenty on a potential presidential run, growing up in minnesota, and his eight years as governor. that is sunday on c-span. >> on tomorrow morning's "washington journal" donna edwards joins us to talk about her party's prospects in the november election. after that, david limbaugh discusses his new book. after that, brigham mccown will discuss last week's pipeline explosion in northern california. watched "washington journal" every morning at 7:00 eastern. the two major party candidates for iowa's governor met for their first debate this week in sioux city. chet culver, a democrat, is facing a former republican gov. terry branstad. this debate is courtesy of kcau television. >> good evening,