you have people like bevan dufty, david chiu, even john avalon's common john campos, and ross mirkarimi, all had indicated an interest. so you have people on the board who want to run for mayor. do they go for the caretaker mayor, or do they put those interests aside and best themselves with a politician that has a good chance of being elected? with that dilemma in front of them, we saw what happened. they could not put their egos aside. they generally would with the caretaker mayor. that person would pose no threat of running against them. >> when the board met next week on november 23, the clerk of the board proposed a process for nomination for mayor, which the board debated, amended, and eventually passed. >> a board member read the nominated may not produce pig in the discussion or vote on the competitor nominees. if the nominee of a board member nominee has been withdrawn, the board member may no longer have a conflict and could return to the room and to dissipate. >> basically, a process that i am proposing is one in which, one, would maximize per dissipation. members of the boar

joining us to talk about that is john avalon. he is a cnn contributor and senior political columnist for "newsweek" and "the daily beast." this plan from the so-called gang of six bipartisan senators seemed to be gaining traction. now, you know, lawmakers are starting to criticize it including reportedly ohioan republican representative jim jordan and representative and republican senator jeff sessions. so is there a chance that this deal really could succeed? >> of course there's still a chance. i think it's still the best deal that's put on the table. president obama has critically said that he would be willing to sign a short-term extension to the debt ceiling if it -- folks saying later on on this gang of six bipartisan deal. what's really discouraging and really the ultimate indictment of this atmosphere of high partisanship in washington is that a bipartisan deal, because it is embraced by president obama, is securing the broad outlines he supports, is being criticized by some republicans as, transfer, being impers missable

with us now to discuss this, are democratic strategist julie, comedian chuck and cnn contributor john avalonll of you good citizens who i know have over the last few months, you know, just shaken your heads at what's going on. julie, start with you, there was a time when a handshake with the president of the united states was a life inspiring moment as it was here for a young president bill clinton seen here meeting president kennedy. this debt ceiling debacle in washington, has the presidency itself lost some of its grav vi tus, not talking about the president, the presidency? >> i think the presidency has not lost its grav tus because the president is still the president. both parties are acting like school kids in junior high school trying to figure out who's going to ask who to the prom and playing hard to get. that's become increasingly frustrating to everybody, i don't care if you're democrat, republican or independent. everybody is fed up, sick of it. this is not high school, not even junior high school i'm going to give them too much credit saying they're in high school. suck it up a

joining me from washington is cnn contributor, john avalon, and in the studio, steve cornak. are people turning on the tea party because i hear rumbles of that? >> independent voters are starting to sway against the republican party especially when it comes to the question who will get the blame if default does occur? that's significant. and they voted decisively for the republican party in the mid-term 2011 elections. and the checks and balances that come with it. they voted for divided, not dysfunctional government. they see the far right of the republican party holing the country and congress hostage. >> you say the far right. when you say that, do you mean on this fiscal issue, the tea party? >> well, yeah. with the tea party it's important to put this in perspective. i do believe the tea party was isra initially founded by the debt, and then there was a real dislike of bipartisanship. >> let me bring in steve. can you say there are two types of tea party memberships, one is i want something like this, and then the other is i am against government, period, tea party. >> t

harsh words from john avalon with 23 days to go before america defaults on its debt. our cnn contributor doesn't stop there. he says childish rhetoric is pushing america to its brink. you never hold back. what the heck is going on, with all this back and forth? you have this looming deadline and meanwhile how are we going to play the bills? >> that's right, we're playing this game of chicken with the american economy. you need to have revenue increases, spending cuts and entitlement reforms. that's what's being put forward. however, liberals are opposing any spending cuts and conservatives are opposing any tax increases. >> is there anything that you think the president can say at this news conference at 11:00 am that would push the two sides into making a deal? >> i do. there are two things. one, to point out that the republican coalition is very focused on dealing with the deficit and the debt. if that's your number one priority, then you need to give a little. and tax reform, in particular, offers the opportunity to raise revenue without -- if you close tax loop ho

john avalon is a cnn contributor and columnist for "newsweek" and "the daily beast."nd. continue. >> it is. listen, our country is being held hostage by hyperpartsans. that is the simple fact. this is an unprecedented situation. raising the debt ceiling has been automatic, happened 17 times under the reagan administration. but right now we're coming closer and closer to a fiscal clip that will deepen the hole we are in as a country economically and the full faith and creddist the united states will be downgraded. this is no joke and it is because we're not only having an economic crisis but primarily a political crisis of governance. this should really wake folks up and make them angry. this is a self-inflicted wound. >> do you think there are other people across the country taking a look at the u.s. and going, what is the deal? can't they even govern themselves properly? what is going on here? >> i believe so, because look. this is a counter to our greatest traditions of reasoning together, being able to figure out how you can have principled compromise to finding co

. >> first let's bring in john avalon. he's a senior political columnist for "newsweek."oll found two-thirds of tea party members say it won't be a problem if we go past august 2nd without a dell ceiling deal. almost any economist strongly disagrees with that. how do republicans strike a deal and gain support among the tea party base? >> that's becoming a real problem. with the debt ceiling deniers, is a drain of populous. i think the tea party was reducing the debt. talking about generational theft. reality check here. tax revenues are as low as harry truman. and ronald reagan presided over 17 raises in the debt ceiling. to will's point, take a win. the gang of six deal which reduces tax rates and a dozen entitlement reform, this should be embraced. this all or nothing at attitude shows the real enemy is bipartisanship. not because a history of spending increases. in divided government in the past, we've had the highway built, the marshall plan, all of reagans terms essentially. the term for these folks is a dislike and distrust with bipartisanship. which is essential to

. >> first, let's bring in john avalon, a cnn contributor and a senior political columnist for "newsweekd "the daily beast." a pew research poll found two-thirds of tea party members say it won't be a problem if we go past august 2nd without a death debt ceiling deal. almost any economist and certainly the credit rating agencies strongly disagree with that. how do republicans strike a deal and still maintain support among the tea party base? >> that's becoming a real problem because with a rise of what i call debt ceiling deniers is a dominant strain among conservative pop lists. the tea party have been focused on reducing the deficit and the debt, rightly identifying it as generational theft. but it becomes a question of priorities. right now the divisions of the republicans are between anti-tax hawks and absolutists. ronald reagan presided over 17 rise increases in the debt ceiling. let's talk about accountability and a sense of perspective. to will's point, take a win. the gang of six deal which reduces tax rates and does entitlement reform, this is something that should be embraced.

. >> all right, joe, that's good, and i want to bring in john avalon, and we're running out of time here, john, and you have been very good about really expressing what so many people have been saying, which is eventually the outrage and the frustration about what is taking place on capitol hill here. are they at the point where it's too late? >> well, it's not too late, but we continue to pedal closer towards the cliff. the overwhelming atmosphere of uncertainty that exists in washington right now and the chaos that exists within the republican conference. speaker boehner is still trying to get the votes that he needs for his plan, and harry reid is saying it's doa in the senate. the competing partisan plans is where you begin in negotiation and not where you end. and there is no sign of a clear path where you seriously deal with the deficit and the debt and the american people are getting more frustrated and the markets are getting spooked, too. they are seeing maybe there's nothing you would assume. >> alison, how are the markets reacting to this? is it true what jay carney said where

cnn independent john avalon and political analyst will kane.n, how you and jay leno seem to be on the same page. >> you be quiet! >> you be quiet now! >> what's it going to take to break this impasse? who exactly was arguing there? would you like to name the leaders? >> i think one of them resembled eric cantor, but i'm not sure. look, stop the debt talk tantrumtantrum s negotiation 101. got to move the country forward. and republicans got to go for revenue increases or we're not dealing with the long-term deficit and debt. period. >> robert? >> with all due respect to john and jay, two political analysts i seldom disagree with, this is not about which side is being childish. president obama stood up and engaged in entitlements, proposed trillions in spending cuts. the republican leadership refuses to accept the premise that the debt creel lag to be ra raised and that it's negotiable. that's childish and needs to be put to a stop. >> will? >> robert's talking about this ideology, i've seen john talk about it, too, the republican party too crazy

and playing today's democratic strategi strategi strategist, roger zimmerman, john avalon and will kainent obama makes a prime time appearance trying to put john boehner on the defensive. did it work and are we any closer to a deal? i think i know the answer to this from all of you. robert. >> yes. of course we're going to have a deal. and while the president gave a fine speech last night, the problem is it was a month too late. because the only issue on the table now is whether we have a long-term solution or the republicans have their way and provide a solution that puts our full faith and credit of the united states in the middle of an election cycle. mcconnell and the candidates said they were poepzed to that. now they seem to be for it. that's putting party first and the country second. >> will. >> you know, kyra, the president has been reduced to cheering from the bench of his own team. judging from the speech on friday and then again last night, it seems like he's bought the hype that he's the only adult in the room. he's adopted this tone of condescensi condescension. i think he

cnn contributor john avalon says lawmakers have raised the debt ceiling 77 times including 8 tooils times under ronald reagan and back in the day politicians weren't quite so macho. many insist on standing on principal even though most americans stand on the side of good old fashioned compromise. two-thirds of americans want the president and republicans to compromise, rather than stand up for their beliefs to get things done. wow. a break from part is anship. perhaps the happiest outcome of the president's speech last night was when he urged you to contact your congressmen and you did. lawmaker's websites were crashing all over d.c. and here is your chance to sound off again on facebook and on cnn. and, yes, lawmakers do watch cnn, you bet they do. talk back today. what would you tell congress to do about the debt limit? facebook.com/carol.cnn. i'll read some of your comments later this hour. >> it's interesting, carol, it might be ironic that people, everyday folks by ourselves empowered by this crisis. we're more empowered to get those letters and e-mails to our lawmakers telling them,

despite john avalon not liking my poker comparisons, i'd say be cool, make the best deal you can, butually. rounders. >> in what world is this a motivational film? we're going to go hurt some people, don't ask any questions. pretty soon they're going to go with the bond film where he feeds the character to a bunch of piranhas. or like the last scene in saving private ryan. what are they thinking? this is insane. next time republicans complain about their bad rep, this is exhibit a. >> i think i have a few movies to rent this weekend. >> not distinguished gentlemen. >> that would be perfect for you three. thank you and thank you for being on time, roland. >> always, baby, always. i got you. did i show up? >> yes, you did. >> thank you very much. alison kosik has details on your money. you're always on time. let's talk about a possible debt downgrade for the u.s. government. what do you think every day americans should know when it comes to their investments right now? >> well, everybody's getting pummeled with the headlines. try to keep your eye on the long term. with that being said,

. >>> and the senior columnist for the daily beast, john avalon.f full disclosure, he's her husband. >> this is true. >> good morning to both of you. >> thank you for coming as well. raise your hand -- how many of you are surprised that washington has taken so long it will come up with a deal on this. >> interesting. are you listening, washington? >> yeah. >> second question for you. raise your hand. do you think politicians are more concerned with the party's agenda than they are with the opinions of the american people? just about everybody. everybody. are you listening, washington. what's going on? why do you think people feel this way. >> there's a huge disconnect. the parties are polarizing. there's an increasing sense of frustration about people putting special interests in front of the national interest. the whole symbol of debate is a symbol on that. >> there are principle decisions in the two parties -- sorry, differences between the two parties on how to handle the fiscal future of the country. the republicans are saying we can't just rai