dr. goodman and the staff of the ncpa in welcoming mr. erskine bowles and senator alan simpson. >> thank you, richard. even though it's snowing outside and sleeting outside, i'm glad we can give you that warm dallas welcome. alan simpson, you're a republican, erskine bowles, you're a democrat. in the time we've been here today i have not noticed a single cross word between the two of you. why are you two so different from everybody else in washington? >> when you're associated with someone and especially in a time of tension and trauma, you learn about friendship. when we started this, this was a suicide mission, still is, and erskine finally said one day, you know, what are you doing in here? how did you get in this? i said, biden called and said, i got a real deal for you, al. i said, thanks, joe.

dr. goodman and all the staff of the ncpa in welcoming dr. erskine bowles and senator alan simpson? [applause] kine bowles. >> even though it is snowing outside, i am happy to give you >> alan simpson you are a republican and erskine bowles you are a democrat and i have not noticed a single crossword between you. why are you to go so different for everyone in washington? >> when you are associated with someone especially in a time of tension and trauma, you learn about friendship. when we started this, this was a suicide mission and it still is [laughter] erskine bowles said what am i doing here? i said joe biden called. thanks, joe. erskine bowles is the co-chair of the first call i received was from bob and elizabeth dole defeated -- elisabeth defeated erskine bowles in north carolina i was bob's assistant for 10 years. this is the finest person we have ever known. that is good enough for me. it took us three months to establish that centrust in our commission. -- that same trust and our commission. trust is the coin of the roman politics. it is very tarnished now in washington. o