we're joined by two political strategists, republican john brabender and democrat bob shrum. t me begin with you, john. should we take the threat seriously? or is this being used simply for fund raising purposes? i've got to believe for someone like ted cruz every time he talks about defunding government, there's a spike in his donations. >> well, i think you're 100% right. there are republican who's just want to burn everything down to stop it if that's what it takes. but i believe you have to separate politics from policy in this case. i do not believe there will be a shutdown. it's too risky for the 2014 elections. you're right. you can send an e-mail fund raiser and get people to sign petitions. it's great to get the base engaged and it keeps the issue alive. i think it's more about that than ultimately shutting down the government. >> what is the end game? how do these individuals calling for the shutdown extricate themselves from that at the right moment? >> there's a couple potential end games. one is to change everything in the 2014 and 2016 elections. a lot of republi

john brabender, it's great to have you on. and steve mcmahon. thank you. think we're getting to the point where all agree. >>> coming up, what patriots these republicans are. they're grateful that president obama canceled his summit with vladimir putin, not because they think it's good for the country but because they get to call it a foreign policy failure, just like they called getting along with putin timid. this president can't win on that side. >>> also, president obama goes on leno last night, and who comes up? hillary. reince priebus wants to take on cnn and nbc, the right wing is ready to take on someone. it's always hillary. all roads lead to hillary. republicans seem to be terrified of her. they keep going after her. >>> and looking for a leafy 16-room mansion in downtown washington, d.c. with lots of green and easy access to the subway? we know how much the white house might go for if it were up for sale. if it was on the block. >>> finally, let me finish tonight with my personal prediction on whom the republicans will run for president in 2016.