>> so you did meet caitlin, our daughter? >> she's terrific. >> i don't understand those majors. >> [inaudible] >> vanderbilt, she will be here for the summer but you won't be here, you will be in harvard, right? >> i come here. >> give her advice, will you? >> it sounds like she has launched. >> nice to see you. privileged. i am michael smerconish. >> it is a great pleasure to meet you. >> nice to see you. >> that could haunt you if the film that in your hand. [inaudible conversations] >> i was explaining to your wife there was a particular column i had written a few years ago reflecting on the midterm elections and how i felt the party had gotten off the rails and the republican party, right, and from that particular column spurring the idea laying off the road map and that was long before the 08 election so there's a chapter on substance followed by a chapter that tells a political story. the flip-flop between the two. >> he had an outline where he wanted to go. >> i can tell. >> just writing. >> i had great advice from an

. >> my name is caitlin from nebraska. i was wondering, what you guys think is the greatest lesson that students can take up -- can take away from the close-up academy? >> to challenge yourself and critically think about all of the important issues of the day, but not to buy into your own biases. >> accept the role of citizens. jimmy carter said that when leaving office. he was going to a more important office, the more important -- the office of citizen. there is a role for everyone if they choose to play it. >> play our role or don't, but stayed informed. i know what is going on, and know how things work. you need to cast a wise vote. >> i will ask you to give short responses to, what is the biggest thing that you personally are going to take away from your involvement with this program? >> i would say it has really been the involvement with the students on a weekly basis. it has a profound effect on your outlook and your life. >> i was going to say that, too. i will just say what a pleasure it has been being involved wi