reminds me of the lunch i had with john gibson. man it was crazy. >> and gassy. >> that was me, by the way. >> mules -- >> donkies. >> mules are donkies. >> this has to be a walk in the park for a donkey. >> for a pack animal? pea saw it angry because the losers get turned too dog food. >> no. >> oh, i thought they would be turned into food and cans. >> it is a malicious and accurate rumor. >> they are pack animals that are used to carry things. i have to say, kimberly, this has -- high school has to be the coolest place for a lon key. they have nef seen cheerleaders or games or hung out with people or talked about people behind their backs. >> what is the big deal? an action alert? is that like a fox news alert. i think it means bad things are happening. >> bad things are happening in donkey land. >> that would be a great name for a movie, bad things happening in a donkey land. >> you have considered an ass whisperer. what is the word in the donkey community? >> i am an ass whisperer. we will discuss this after the show. >>> my po

on our panel this morning, john gibson, fox news radio host.dent with "u.s. news & world report" and democratic political strategist. good morning to all three of you. so great to see you on the couch. >> great to be on the curvy couch. >> what do you think about this? the republican party in a bit of a rest right now. some saying we should give this up. if it's a delay tactic and can't change this whole health care reform thing, we're wasting our time. >> they may be wasting their time. who says this bill doesn't need amendments? i mean, they're going to put all these amendments in because the republican base wants to know, are you guys trying to change this thing or just rolling over? there's a lot of anger. the republicans want to use it. last thing they want to do is give up and say to their people, we just let it go. the bill is flawed. everybody knows it. the polls show it. so what's wrong with the amendment? >> couldn't they be in trouble of then turning off some voters for things like pre-existing conditions? both republicans and democr

gibson, thanks very much. >> thank you. i >> lehrer: now, the battle between unions and school districts over new federal money. the newshour's special correspondent for education, john merrow, has our report. >> this is one of the largest investments in education reform in american history. >> reporter: when president obama announced the grant competition called "race to the top," educators across the country were eager to apply for a share of the $4.35 billion. >> finally, the federal government is really identifying... they're getting it. they're getting it. >> reporter: kerri leonard ellison, a member of the local school board in the small city of easton, pennsylvania, felt she was being heard at last. >> we want to be successful. we're determined to be successful. we need to be supported. >> reporter: with easton's one high school failing for the past six years, and only 50% of students scoring at grade level in math and reading, ellison felt the "race to the top" money could make the difference. >> this is huge. it's a huge opportunity for each and every child that's here. >> reporter: in early march, pennsylvania was one of 16 states chosen to come to washingt