charles koch, the koch brothers have been secretive over the years. they spent a lot of money but hadn't been out front personally. what do you think is the reason for charles koch coming out like this in an op-ped? >> i think they had been worried and worried for years asht th s these democratic attacks. they do polling fairly regularly as election cycles heat up on whether these attacks are getting traction, and as we see from the public polls, still most americans don't know who the koch brothers are, yet alone what the koch brothers make, so if they actually wanted to boycott and hit the koch brothers where it hurts in their bottom line, it's unlikely they would have much success by boycotting, say, some of the brands that are under the koch industry's umbrella like dixie paper products or brawny paper towels. those are not associated with the koch brothers. nonetheless, they continue to be nervous about their public image. so this is just one piecemeal step this "wall street journal" editorial that seeks to push back. i would be surprised if we s

today, charles koch wrote an op-ed piece attacking proept president obama and the democrademocrat and one republican senator decided the very best way to prove that he isn't in the pocket of billionaires was to go on to the senate floor and read the billionaire's op-ed piece word for word. >> the biggest story in american politics. >> the gop is addicted to koch. >> the koch brothers could spend hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars to elect right-wing candidates. >> in politic money talks and it just got a whole lot louder. >> now a person can contribute as much as they want. >> allows wealthy donors to contribute to as many political candidates and campaigns as this ept. -- they want. >> did anyone think we needed more money in politics? >> pushes the political system towards the concerns of rich people. >> bumping up against that six-figure ceiling, those folks now are free to be way, way, way, way more powerful. >> and away from people who can't give much or anything at all to politics. >> if citizens united opened a door to today's decision, it opened a flood

what charles koch really wants is freedom from criticism. the world took to the pages of "the wall street journal" to whine about those who dare to criticize him. mr. koch wrote, "rather than try to understand my vision for a free society or accurately report the facts about koch industries, our critics would have you believe we're unamerican and trying to rig the system, instead of encouraging free and open debate, collectivists strive to discredit and intimidate opponents. they engage in character assassination. i should know as the almost daily of their daily attacks. such tactics are the antithesis of what is required for a free society and telltale sign that the collectivists do not have good answers." to charles koch, a free society is where he and his brother can have a disproportionate affect on our election process. in charles koch's free society, he can pour millions of dollars into right wing front groupses like americans for prosperity. so far afp has mired than two times the number of spots as the senate majority pac. and more th

well, today charles koch wrote in an op-ed to try to set the record straight. we'll talk about that and how americans can fight back against the big money with the one and only chris matthews. that's next. from nationwide insurance and get $100 off for every year of safe driving. we put members first. join the nation. ♪ nationwide is on your side (agent) i understand. (dad) we've never sold a house before. (agent) i'll walk you guys through every step. (dad) so if we sell, do you think we can swing it? (agent) i have the numbers right here and based on the comps that i've found, the timing is perfect. ...there's a lot of buyers for a house like yours. (dad) that's good to know. (mom) i'm so excited. >>> congressman paul ryan's new budget is ruthless. it destroys the social safety net. but here is what makes it scary. next year congressman ryan hopes to chair the powerful ways and means committee, which has power over the tax code and safety net. "the new york times" says, quote, that would put a man with a very dangerous ideas in a position to do serious damage

today david koch and his brother charles have turned it into the republican orthodoxy. really taking to highlighting them specifically, highlighting the kochs specifically. why are you doing that? >> joy, i will tell you why. i feel very much, and i think people may think i'm overstating this, i fear very much that this country is losing its democratic foundations and moving toward a formal society where a handful of billionaires will control not only the economy but the political life of this nation. what you're looking at right now is an extreme right wing family who believe all the things that you've just indicated. they don't believe that we should simply not raise the minimum wage, these guys believe we should do away with the minimum wage. and if you had to work for $3 an hour, or $2 an hour, that's freedom. that's your freedom. and these guys believe we should privatize social security, massive cuts in medicaid. no support for women's rights, et cetera. they believe the federal government is terrible. and they want to move toward a society where the big money int

koch brothers on his senate website. it's all part of a concerted effort to make charles and david koch

a op-ed comes out after the supreme court decision, ghost written for charles koch. who knows who writes this stuff for him. he pays for it as if he is literate. i would like to put that guy in a room for an hour and see if he could actually write an op-ed piece. thank you donna edwards of maryland and the great john heilemann. >>> coming up, the blueprint that paul ryan put out this week. dick durbin put it best. thank you, thank you, paul ryan for reminding us what republicans would do if they had control. >>> plus truthers. they're the republicans that loved the enrollment figures when they were low. now that they're up, they're saying they are cooked. it's all a conspiracy. listen. >> everyone in the press, you rat bastards. every single one of you know what he is saying isn't true. >> hmm. >>> also, the dog whistle that always gets conservatives barking and howling, benghazi! don't believe me? check out the show trial they put on yesterday. >>> and i'm going to finish tonight on a national story, but close to home. yesterday kathleen led our family in interring

these attacks are working because charles koch wrote a bees for the "wall street journal" defending himself. that to me was a clear signal yet that the attacks from harry reid and the coming attacks from other democrats are working. >> and there is coordination as well because not long after that piece came out by charles koch, you saw the sort of army of conservatives who probably themselves don't know who he is themselves going after anyone on social media defending the great patriotic koch brothers. i want to read you something that chris eliza wrote about this. he is saying that reid's focus is not about making the koch brothers a household name for the ordinary voter. "they want to make sure the democratic activist base and the party's major donors know the kochs and what they believe, how much they're spending on the election. if the kochs make the base angry and passionate and open up the check books of democratic voters." isn't this what we're seeing here on the part of harry reid? >> i think he wants to put a face to it, and, again, you know, they try to do that with soros. i don't

. >>> charles koch responded to it as character assassination. senator reid didn't seem the least bit bothered by it. >> most people are familiar with the koch brothers. i helped make them more famous. i'm glad i've done that. these two men are a pair of billionaires spending millions of dollars to rig the political system. by every indication, my republican colleagues are falling all over themselves to advance their self-described radical philosophy. already we've had one senator run to the senate floor and read word for word the piece on the floor. >>> after two weeks on the job mozilla's new ceo stepped down. brendan eich stepped down. in 2008 he gave $1,000 to back a bill bang marriage equality. mozilla was aware of the donation and when he became ceo, half the company's board member quit the post. the dating website okay cupid.com, 8% of whom are gay or lesbian. the company said it is satisfied with the resignation. >>> earlier this week he said he would not resign. however, it became clear that the company felt the controversy was too much t

. >> charles koch responded to the criticism in a recent journal op-ed where he described the democratsttacks as character assassination. senator reid didn't seem the least bit bothered. >> most here say the koch brothers. i've made them a little more infamous and i'm glad i done that. they are rigging our political system and who does it help? them. by every indication, our republican colleagues are falling all over themselves to help advance their self-described radical -- already we have had one senator run to the center of the floor and he read word for word that op-ed piece on the floor. >> it's passing. it's really embarrassing. jim vandehei, i mean, my opinion is, i've said it clearly, that harry reid, what he is doing is beneath the dignity of the office you he is hold. he is lying about them. he is putting lies on his website that the white house itself discredited four years ago. harry reid still has on his website today that the koch brothers may not pay corporate taxes. that was a lie that was debunked four years ago and he is still pushing that lie today. then you got the s

>> read charles koch op-ed as well.e-by-side and charles koch talking about people like you. >> thank you. >> we will talk about the military spending coming up with senator james inhofe and the challenges facing our returning troops. we will be right back. ♪ (agent) i understand. (dad) we've never sold a house before. (agent) i'll walk you guys through every step. (dad) so if we sell, do you think we can swing it? (agent) i have the numbers right here and based on the comps that i've found, the timing is perfect. ...there's a lot of buyers for a house like yours. (dad) that's good to know. (mom) i'm so excited. ♪ aflac, aflac, aflac! ♪ [ both sigh ] ♪ ugh! ♪ you told me he was good, dude. yeah he stinks at golf. but he was great at getting my claim paid fast. how fast? mine got paid in 4 days. wow. that's awesome. is that legal? big fat no. [ male announcer ] find out how fast aflac can pay you at aflac.com. bob will retire when he's 153, which would be fine if bob were a vampire. but he's not. ♪ he's an architect with

you can imagine, right, so in an op-ed in the "wall street journal" charles koch writes, quote, i have devoted most of my life to understanding the principles that enable people to improve their lives. it is those principles, the principles of a free society, that have shaped my life, my family, our companrica itself. since when has it become a crime, a sin to spend your own money in this country to support a candidate or express the beliefs, you know, of a candidate basically that supports what you believe in, dana? why is this making a devil and a demon coming about here. >> bob, are you humming to yourself. >> a violin about the koch brothers and their americanism. >> okay, open secrets, the center for responsible politics, the koch brothers donations of federal candidates, parties and political action committees total $3.2 million from 1989 to 2012, for george soros, 4.5 million. individual donations of 527 campaigns, george soros, 35.8 to the koch brothers 3.9 millions. the interesting thing is that the democrats -- what they are reacting to is even thought the koch brothers spend

. >> are you saying donaldhn trump or charles koch, i think they're strivers. >> what about their re grandchildren? should they be able to inherit everything? >> inheritance tax is not a bigi factor in the tax revenue. >> all the tax playing that's done to help people avoid the estate tax involves enormous things with the income tax. in fact, the gift tax is to back up the income tax. and part of the problem here is that the political power thatr, you're seeing that's distortingg the system is really focused on protecting the existing wealth, not promotingwe the creation of new wealth. if we had integrity in the h system and simplicity and we focused on the strivers, we would be much better off in the long run.eufe >> you buy that? the- strivers?ve >> i absolutely buy that. we have multiple layers of tax on the strivers right from their first dollar of income there is a payroll tax issue then the income tax kicking in at all sorts of levels and loop holeses built into that. we need have something that's comprehensivible, something like a flat tax. >> this isn't comprehensible? >> not

. >> charles koch wants you to know that he likes liberty. >> are there no democrats that are backingis man? >> he's against collectivists and big government and -- >> why is harry reid doing this? because he has every single political incentive to do this. come on, guys, on the left, you have to pony up that kind of money to go after the koch brothers. >> we do feel the koch brothers are getting a fair amount of coverage, but when we get the choice, the influx of money into politics is a big issue on all sides of political spectrum so we always go with covering and that is therefore a story we'll stay with, democrats and republicans and big donors across the board. stay tuned next week because we are going to be look at your choices for the next underreported story. first ahead, on today's "rf daily", this week's call to action and your chance to learn what to do to keep our nation's students out of our nation's prisons. know what the experts at your ford dealer think? they think about tires. and what they've been through lately. polar vortexes, road construction, and gaping potholes

you may actually find that more the case after you check out charles koch's editorial today.ake a look. keep on voting everybody, go to the website and take our underreported stories poll and we'll cover the winning story for you. >>> coming up next, hash tag spy craft, something you use every single day inspires today's explosive revelations about secret american -- in cuba. what if you could shrink your pores just by washing your face? [ female announcer ] neutrogena® pore refining cleanser. alpha-hydroxy and exfoliating beads work to clean and tighten pores so they can look half their size. pores...shrink 'em down to size! [ female announcer ] pore refining cleanser. neutrogena®. i got this. [thinking] is it that time? the son picks up the check? [thinking] i'm still working. he's retired. i hope he's saving. i hope he saved enough. who matters most to you says the most about you. at massmutual we're owned by our policyowners, and they matter most to us. whether you're just starting your 401(k) or you are ready for retirement, we'll help you get there. >>> welcome back. ex

today, charles koch wrote an op-ed piece attacking proept president obama and the democrat and one republican ry

today, charles koch wrote an op-ed piece attacking proept president obama and the democrademocrat andor decided the very best way to prove that he i

tonight in austin, the charles koch institute is sponsoring a rule of law, how the criminal justice system well-being. the president of the naacp will join as an expert. they're also promoting the event using social media plus live streaming it on their website, showing that the u.s. disproportionally incarcerates its citizens particularly people of color. and if you do join this twitter discussion tonight, do tweet me and tell me what you think. by the way, gary bledsoe from the texas naacp will be here tomorrow to talk about this novel collaboration. >>> another famous conservative is jumping in on a heated debate. meanwhile, herman cain 999. instead of tackling a tough topic, the former presidential contender is styling himself as a shoo-truther. there is now a conspiracy that clinton staged the infamous shoe-throwing incident in las vegas last week. the reported shoe thrower has already been booked by authorities, and yes, she has a history of erratic behavior. that hasn't stopped some conservatives of accusing clinton of propping her up by creating a version of the infamous and oh so

. >> yesterday brother charles koch took to the editorial pages of the "wall street journal" to defendm quote collectivists who strive to discredit and intimidate opponents and engage in character assassination. his op ed was promptly read word for word on the senate floor by the head of the gop senate campaign committee, kansas senator jerry moran. republicans point to a poll last week that found 52% of americans had never heard of the koch brothers, citing that as evidence of a doomed democratic strategy. but chuck schumer, senator chuck schumer, saw things differently. quote when i read the numbers that 48% of americans knew who the koch brothers are, people said that's not great, that's fabulous. that's incredible. joining me now from washington, soon-to-be senior editor at the new republic, brian boitler. congrats on the upcoming new gig. we've gone from kochtopia to polling on whether or not americans note koch brothers. do you think this is a good strategy? this seems to be definitely a page from the bane capital play book of the 2012 election which seemed to work pretty well fo

this mritly active billionaire used a wall street journal op ed -- >> charles koch. >> correct. 300 pointhat last question has won the national championship with 1,300 points. it falls on the wrong person. what a touch. crystal. that last question gives you the title. 1,100. very close game. congratulating you. crystal, we have -- before we talk to you for a sec, our special guest tom is here, and he will tell you what you have just won. >> oh, my gosh. >> on behalf of everyone here at -- i wish to ebbing tend my most heart felt and sincere congralt las vegass to crystal ! on his or her victory in up against the clock. we look forward to seeing you for your victory dinner. >> we here at "the cycle" don't have the budget to give you the champion gift certificates but you won't leave empty-handed. gift certificate for you. very special from "the cycle" team. harry's italian pizza bar. >> i'm a big fan. >> a big fan. >> they have fantastic pizza. >> going the hand this to you. you can share it with all of us. >> this means a lot to me e. i really appreciate it. i have to tell you that game s

and david and charles koch are the most prominent donors. they are highly active in the politic, but for the presidential campaign, and for a primary, and primary super pacs and the fund-raising and the bundling, these people have not been tapped very much. >> and thank you both on a friday morning. >> checking the newsfeed right now, president obama is in south korea today against the backdrop of the deadly ferry tragedy gripping that country. the president led a moment of silence, and he offered several items of remembrance including a a magnolia tree from the white house lawn which symbolizes renewal and the deep sympathy of the american people. >> i want to express our deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones. i'm the father of two daughters of this same age or close to the same age as those who were lost, and so i can only imagine what the parents are going through at this point. the incredible heartache. >> families, frustrated by the pace of recovery efforts there confront and surrounded and then held the south korea ministrie

. >> reporter: david and charles koch are the businessmen behind koch industries a kansas-based conglomeratet employs 100,000 people and brings in $115 billion annually. the brothers are also are the chief backers for americans for prosperity. a powerful committee that spent $1 million -- >> basically giving them a bad guy that they're going to vote against as opposed to voting on the record which at this point does not look good for the president. he said republicans employed a similar strategy ten years ago against progressive billionaire george soros. . . democratic voters are less fired up to get out and vote. that's why democratic leaders are working hard to rile them up. that turnout could be the difference between holding on to the senate and losing it. >>> your local bank atm could be facing a new security threat. how an end of an era for windows software could impact is some money machines and yard own computer. that's next on "cbs this morning." [clucking]. everyone wants to be the cadbury bunny. cause only he brings delicious cadbury crÈme eggs, while others may keep trying. nobun

charles and david koch. the koch brothers. they will hear you on the other side of town. they're entertaining some of their friends over at the other town. i wanted to mention this. it gives you an idea. the koch brothers, they're struggling. they want to be the wealthiest family in america but they haven't made it yet. but they are doing okay. under that terrible obama administration, which is destroying all initiative and all wealth and which they hate with a passion. their wealth went up last year from 68 to $80 billion. $12billion increase in wealth in one year. our other good friend, sheldon adelson who owns the largest casino in the world. he is the eighth wealthiest person in the world. he is a poor cousin to the other giz. he's only worth $38 billion. the point is his wealth just last year, went up $11.5 billion. what about income? income is what you made last year. the last information we have covers the years 2009 and 2012. ...

charles and david koch. .he koch brothers [crowd they are entertaining some of their friends. this becauseention it gives you an idea what is going on in america. want to be the wealthiest family in america. they are doing ok. year world went up last from 68-80,000,000,000 dollars. -- their wealth went up last $80 from $68 billion to billion.

that mean there is nothing to stop some of america's top done ann romneys like larry elson, charles and dave kochand holly mogul steven spielberg from each spending millions on this year's campaign. the one silver lining is they will have to report it all. mike viqueira is covering the ruling from the supreme court. mike who in washington standings to gain from this, and who loses? >> well, there is something that happens every january when new house members come into office. they get an ore reenthation and handed a piece of paper, suggestions on how they should spending their time. all that is dwarf fed by the number of hours the party leaders suggest they go to raise money. four hours a day, is suggested, recommended even, that they spend dialing for dollars, trying to get donors to come to the party's aid. and it is very much a pay for play system. unless the supreme court has struck down the lawsover nature you and i know that that buys access and influence. and one of the big winners will be the leader, especially john boehner. why? because he has beener to meanted by these outside groups. t

. >> reporter: a new poll found that 52% of americans don't even know who the kochs are. charlesid koch are libertarian billionaires whose philanthropic giving ranges from cancer research, the new york city ballet, gay marriage and the repeal of obamacare. that last cause may explain harry reid's preoccupation. >> the strategy behind attacking the koch brothers and others is it's basic class warfare. they can't win on the argument about obamacare because obamacare presently is highly unpopular. >> reporter: the kochs are blanketing with ads like colorado incumbent senator mark udall now in a tough battle against corey gardner. >> i would do it again, yes. >> tell mark udall, stand with colorado and stop supporting obamacare. >> reporter: the koch ad money appears to be well spent. a new "usa today" poll shows how a candidate stands on obamacan care will be an important issue for 84% of registered voters and rate shock of rising insurance premiums may be driving a new voter anger. support of the law has fallen to 37%, the lowest since 2010. it helps to illustrate why harry reid ma

koch brothers trying to buy america. >> they are happy to put their hands out when it comes to accepting donations from charles and harryarry reid himself accepted 500 bucks from koch. president obama 5500 bucks. former defense secretary of state hillary clinton. 3500 john kerry secretary of state 1950. joe biden $750. the list goes on and on. look at the other democrats. peterson 50 grand. walk kins well-known niem 14,500. oh, yes, charles schumer $1,000. he just told us a few seconds ago that the koch brothers are wreaking havoc on our political system. you can criticize all you want but you better check your books before you make those accusations. >> a very long list. >> seems to be growing. >> ashley webster live with us this morning. good to see you. >>> coming up talk about the friendly skies. she was supposed to keep people safe but this flight attendant giving passengers a little something extra. >> you want to avoid the bickering with your spouse? i hope your answer is yes. what's already in your kitchen that is medically proven to keep the peace. >> now let's check in with brian kilmeade to see what's coming

senate majority leader has relished in making personal attacks on two private citizens, david and charles koch, on this senate floor. he has used the senate floor for the purpose of attempting to assassinate their character. they have committed no crimes, although the majority leader appears to treat it is a crime that they don't support him politically. many political observers can see this for exactly what it is -- a desperate political strategy designed to distract from the economic misery that is being visited on the american people by a failed economic agenda. the senate majority leader is using the senate floor to run a political campaign against entrepreneurs and philanthropists who have dared to stand up and speak out against the failed obama economic agenda. but the reason he is doing so should not surprise anyone. on substance, the record of this administration cannot be defended. they can't talk about how great obamacare is working because millions of americans have lost their health insurance plans and lost the doctors that they liked, despite the president's repeated promises to t

on wednesday charles koch pechbed an op ed where he wrote the central believe and the fatal con see the of the current administration is that you are incap panel of running your own life but those in power are capable of running it for you. this is the essence of big government and collectivism. instead of striving for -- i don't know senator reid but in this it seems like koch is telling you and the democrats, game on. i want to go back to the question of donors, there's a clear democratic strategy. call the republicans puppets of kocr. make him the bad guy and is that good strategy? >> i don't think you have anything to run on. rather than taut here are all the great things we have -- >> 1 million people who signed up for obamacare. >> then why aren't they talking about that? why isn't that -- >> they're talking about it. >> well, there's far more -- i mean, i've gone to a few democratic fundraisers. they talk far more about all the evil koch brothers than they talk about obamacare. >> why would you preach to the converted. >> also in part because i'm talking pure strategy. bad guys c

very carefully calculated political game aimed at demonizing republican supporters, david and charles kochrothers are about as unamerican as anyone that i can imagine. >> koch brothers and other wealthy donors have already reeked havoc on our political system. >> as you know, the koch brothers are trying to buy america. these really rich, rich, rich people like the koch brothers, they prefer to go along with women being paid less than men. >> like the white house. and what makes it so much worse, yesterday's news that harry reid has also benefited from the koch money in the past. fox news legal analyst peter johnson, jr. takes a closer look. >> what have we come to in this country? i look at the viewers at home. are you next? will you be demonized because of your political viewpoint? will you be demonized because you're watching fox news or reading breitbart or the daily caller or national review or evangelical christian? will democrats find you to be suspect and part of a suspect class like the koch brothers who have been condemned because of their private business interests? really becau

the koch' wealth is being used to squeeze the middle class very, very much. as long as charles and david koch are at the top looking down, who cares about the little people at the bottom, in their estimation? it's shameful that koch money has made its way into our nation's capital, our news and our homes. it's frustrating that as senate democrats look across the aisle, we don't see many willing partners in defending middle-class families in nevada and across the nation. but, mr. president, we're not going to be intimidated by these koch surrogates in the media or here in this chamber. we'll continue to fight. we'll do it even harder to protect americans from the greedy grasp of these billionaire oil barons. senate democrats will continue to pull the ladder from the koch brothers' fingers so every american family has a fair shot at climbing to the top. mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the republican leader. mr. mcconnell: for days now republicans have been coming to the floor to ask the democratic majority to work with us on jobs. this is the issue americans

the companystries, led by billionaires charles and david koch, is in discussions to buy a print groupthey are in discussion with the goldman sachs group private equity fund. it is likely to be more than the flint annual sales of $3 billion last year. the sales of coke industries and goldman sachs would mark the end of a years long attempt to exit flint, one of the world's biggest suppliers to the printing and packaging industry. it is time for the latin america report. wona rica opposition leader a landslide election victory and he promised to tackle the corruption that fueled the voter frustration with the government of the president. i history professor and former diplomat, he wants 70% of -- he won 70% of the vote in the runoff ballot. he will be sworn in on may 8. 2. smuggling tunnels with rail systems stretching hundreds of yards across the u.s.-mexico border have been discovered by law enforcement officials. no contraband was found in connection with the tunnels, which would've the linked warehouse -- which reportedly linked warehouses in a tijuana, mexico and san diego. coming

charles and david koch. .he koch brothers [crowd they are entertaining some of their friends. this becauseention it gives you an idea what is going on in america. want to be the wealthiest family in america. they are doing ok. year world went up last from 68-80,000,000,000 dollars. -- their wealth went up last $80 from $68 billion to billion. another owns the largest casinos in the world. worsenhe 8th wealthiest in the world. the point is, his -- wealthiest worsen in the world. the point is, his -- what about income? the income you made last year? in terms of income, the last bit of information we have 2009- 2012, 95% of all new income went to top 1%. new income went to the top 1%. people all over this country working hard. pay orction in their their health care costs went up. this includes federal employees, by the way. they are earning less at a time when 95% of all new income went to the top 1%. top 25 pitch fund managers made more than $24 billion last year. billion put into the real world is enough money to pay the full salaries of more than 425,000 public school teachers

for years, of course, billionaire brothers charles and david koch have backed a massive political network, dedicated to attacking democrats around the country. now democrats say it's time to give them a taste of their own medicine. according to the new york times sunday, quote, democrats believe they have finally found a way to fight back, attacking the brothers' sprawling business conglomerate as callous and indifferent to the lives of ordinary people while pursuing profit and power, paying attention to layoffs by koch subsidiaries across the country. a chemical plant in north carolina, a an oil refinery in alaska. democrats are seeking to make villains of the reclusive billionaires. in other words, the goal is to do to the koch brothers what the obama campaign did to bain capital in 2011. this morning, chuck schumer defended the strategy. >> what we're doing is we're showing that these ads that the koch brothers are largely responsible for are showing who's behind them, people who are closing, cutting jobs in alaska, north carolina. the koch brothers aren't just sitting there innocently

committee released a statement, republican senate conditions across the country are standing by charles and david kochand reckless agenda that hurts women and their families, while benefiting billionaires like the koches. let the campaigning begin. coming up, grand pooh-bah of tea party, jim demint, claims the federal government played no role in ending slavery. it is unclear whether they thinks the south may have also won the civil war. we'll talk american history 101 with the guardian. and just ahead, 50 years after lbj signed the civil rights you l act into law, now much closer are we? tting trapped. tting trapped. why's that? uh, mark? go get help! i have my reasons. look, you don't have to feel trapped with our raise your rate cd. if our rate on this cd goes up, yours can too. oh that sounds nice. don't feel trapped with the ally raise your rate cd. ally bank. your money needs an ally. sfx: car unlock beep. vo: david's heart attack didn't come with a warning. today his doctor has him on a bayer aspirin regimen to help reduce the risk of another one. if you've had a heart attack be sure to talk to

americans for prosperity, the conservative group funded by billionaire brothers charles and david koch in national politics promoting conservative causes. this kind of influence has caught the attention of democrats in washington, no doubt. >> democrats fighting for a fair shot for everyone while republicans are doing the bidding of the koch brothers, the wealthy and huge corporations. those people already have a fair shot. middle class people need a fair shot. that's the distinction we will draw in november. >> koch brothers have been neck-deep in politics in wisconsin for a long time, and they are major supporters of governor scott walker. now the koch brothers are getting involved in local politics in rural areas of the state. american americans for prosperity has jumped into a local election by attacking proponents of an iron ore mind. mailed flyers to voters ahead of today's election. the milwaukee sentinel journal reports americans for prosperity has also a field team on the ground, canvassing and making phone calls about the kenosha unified school board race. they're all over th

perhaps charles and david koch should share their night with one air mattress bike christina and her son and see what dignity there is. the koch brothers want america to be dignified as they lose their homes, their cars and security. >> that was harry reid continuing to wage his personal war against the koch brothers blaming them for the nation's unemployment rate and accusing them and calling them out for opposing unemployment insurance. right after that, the senate did hold an important vote, 59-38 to extend long-term unemployment benefits. every single democrat that was there voted for it and so did six republican senators. now, that bill would pay benefits to the unemployed until the end of may and would be retroactive to this past december. the bill will head to the house where its fate is at best uncertain. we'll be back with more news in the bridgegate scandal right after this. low testosterone, not age. we talked about axiron the only underarm low t treatment that can restore t levels to normal in about two weeks in most men. axiron is not for use in women or anyone younger t

the website thinkprogress, received critical backing from the billionaire republican donors charles and david koch. the koch brothers pushed lawmakers to vote for the bill and may have even sparked its introduction. chile has declared a state of emergency after a powerful earthquake triggered tsunami off its northern coast. the death toll stands at 5 so far. thousands of people have been evacuated from coastal areas. and those are some of the headlines. this is democracy now!, democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman with nermeen shaikh. >> welcome to all our listeners and viewers from around the country and around the world. the united nations top climate body has warned a human driven climate change has impacted every corner of the globe, with the poorest suffering the worst effects. in his latest report, the intergovernmental panel on climate change says greenhouse gases have driven up global temperatures and extreme weather, while threatening sources of food and water. in the worst is yet to come. the report declared -- "throughout the 21st century, climate change impacts ar

here's the exclusive first look at a new ad by a group funded by charles and david koch. >> it's shocking, campaign cash. health insurance companies got billions of taxpayer dollars and colorado families are paying the price. now he says -- >> i would do it again, yes. >> if there's any doubt, erases it. the big issue still, the number one issue, dominant issue in the campaign for the republicans is obamacare. i have to ask you, you have to give the president a little credit, 7.1 million signups after the disastrous start. they hit their number, they went past their number. >> about 800,000 of those people were previously uninsured. 800,000 out of 8 million. the huge bulk previously insured. big deal, he moved people from insurance plans they liked to force them to the exchange. you have to give the soviet union a lot of credit. 2 million people bought bread in grocery stores. if that is the only place to buy it. the debate is not over. the president tried to say it's over. no way, the obamacare debate is real. but on that ad, which i like, that's a response to the ads attacking the kochs

and the secretive david koch, along with his brother, charles, are also good for close to $100 million for the candidates who they say support core american values. democrats portray the kochs, as evil. >> these two men are a pair of shadow billionaires, spending millions of dollars to rig our political system. >> reporter: but the democrats have their own big money figures. california billionaire and environmental activist tom steyer has put out the word he, too, will put up about $100 million dollars for the coming elections cycle. and the son of billionaire george soros, jonathan, is promising to use his own money and access, ironically, to push for reforms that would undercut the role of big money and access in politics. are you using the system like those who are often criticized for it? >> yes, absolutely. i'm not going to pretend we are not. >> reporter: soros was the only one of the big-money players to agree to appear in our report tonight. of course, he's the one who is trying to end a system that many, including republicans and democrats, believe has made american politics a

charles and david koch. the koch brothers. they will hear you on the other side of town. they're entertaining some of their friends over at the other town. i wanted to mention this. it gives you an idea. the koch brothers, they're struggling. [laughter] they want to be the wealthiest family in america but they haven't made it yet. but they are doing okay. under that terrible obama administration, which is destroying all initiative and all wealth and which they hate with a passion. their wealth went up last year from 68 to $80 billion. $12 billion increase in wealth in one year. our other good friend, sheldon adelson who owns the largest casino in the world. he is the eighth wealthiest person in the world. he is a poor cousin to the other giz. he's only worth $38 billion. the point is his wealth just last year, went up $11.5 billion. what about income? income is what you made last year. the last information we have covers the years 2009 and 2012. -- newall low income income went to the top one percent. you have people in new hampshire working hard. they get a two percent r

koch brothers. it is interesting to give in mind and this is part of a political history, the democrats are really focused on making charles david koch central to this election, saying that republicans are doing the bidding of these out of touch billionaires, trying to cut programs like medicare and social security. there are questions about how effective it is going to be, but what is interesting to note is that harry reid doeis not shooting off at the hit here. as they calculated strategy for democrats of all kind. georgia, bobby is on our line for democrats. good morning. caller: good morning. yes, we do not believe anything those tea partiers say. one intolay any money any money one put entity canada, and we will still vote democrat. host: all right, on our twitter page -- are unions spending any money on candidates? guest: they are. he spending has not really been visible thus far. they do spend a great deal of cash on the elections. coming to remember about unions, so far we have really focused on advertising that goes on tv. that is obviously very visible. er morepref person to person come a knocking on people, the