senator lamar alexander.e ins us now to discuss sotomayor's confirmation and also the healthcare debate swirling all around washington. senator, thank you very much for joining us today. >> thank you for inviting me. >> let's start with healthcare, that is all congress can stalk about right now. what do you expect to anybody if anything before you head to our own senate recess. >> what we will all do and i'm glad to see it, i think we will have a chaness to go home for four or five weeks and talk to your constituents and i think they will say okay, this is too important, let's start in the right direction and get it right. >> there has been opposition within the democratic party that has polled them and there is polling that is turning against this from the american people who aren't crazy about the agenda. >> our job is to try to make sure that we get it right and the point that you made and sandra mcconnell said about the only bipartisan about the bills is the opposition to it. it the not too surprising bec

lamar alexander has been governor of the state of tennessee. was in the cabinet as secretary of education. and during the very difficult nuclear option, when there was a knock-down, drag-out fight that i felt would have ruled on the basic makeup of the senate and what the senate stood for, quietly it was him in the background who came up with the idea of the gang of 14. basically he said to me and others, why don't we have an equal number of democrats and republicans sit down and try to work this out. he, not in the limelight, stepped back and the process that he suggested went forward. he's decided to vote for sonia sotomayor. now, most of his colleagues are not going to do that. i'm sure if you ask lamar alexander why he decided to do that, of course her qualifications are fine. but i think one reason he wants to do it, he believes in having temperate suggestions on both sides of the aisle to make a better senate here. so, i am very fond of lamar alexander. i appreciate his ability to bring sides together. i appreciate his standing up in this

we just an half an hour with lamar alexander.re the opportunities and where the challenge is for republicans as the goins the august break? guest: by the opportunity is that they had into the august break with national public opinion polls showing the president becoming more of a human being and less of a political rock star. it shows that the public is very skeptical and concerned about the democratic plan for health care reform. republicans have a chance to the next month to solidify their standing as being opposed to what people don't like and to take a bandage of the anxiety out there. what they have to worry about is that one month is three light tons in politics. as fast as people have been worried and concerned about the president paz performance, democrats can turn that around. they are heading to the august break, changing the message from health care reform to help insurance reform. people do not like insurance companies. the republicans have to finance their opposition to democratic policies in a way that does not make

we will also hear from senate republicans lamar alexander and jon kyl on that topic, later. . . >> this is about 20 minutes. >> let me start by a welcoming minister judeh to the state department. our partnership is based on mutual respect and interest and our work together enhances the security and prosperity of both carnations, and we hope, the larger region and the world. today the foreign minister and i discussed a wide range of issues. i think the foreign minister -- i thank the foreign minister for jordan's help. the vision and courage of the late king hussein, and now under the courageous leadership of his majesty king of go up -- abdullah, jordan continues to plague of vital role. we're working with the israelis to help the palestinian authorities to take steps to make that policy. the foreign minister and i discuss this effort and i appreciated -- i expressed our deep appreciation of the jordan state working with other states in deeds as well as work. i also thanked the foreign minister for jordan's help in building a strong iraq and the assistance that they had given to iraqi r

susan collins and olympia snowe of maine, florida's mel martinez, richard lugar of indiana, and lamar alexander of tennessee. congress members will travel in style at your considerable expense and look at the politics involved in bill clinton's trip to get two american journalists back from north korea. come on. [ kissing ] come on. good girl. mollie's never looked better. i really was amazed to see the change in her coat. people stop us when we're walking, and they'll say, "did you shine up her spots?" [ woman announcing ] just another way purina one... unlocks the brilliance of nature... to transform the life of your dog. for us to see the difference in mollie-- we were really excited about it. it just makes you feel wonderful. [ announcer ] it's amazing what one can do. bret: reporters held prisoners in north korea are sprenning their first days back in the u.s. and bill clinton is being lauded for his efforts for retrieving them. jennifer griffin reports on what happened behind summary scenes to make the homecoming possible. >> when the two american journalists emerged from the plane, there

tennessee's lamar alexander said he's open to discussing it. and oklahoma's tom coburn asked if a vote is possible before the end of the week, said i don't know why not. now republican and democratic leaders in the senate say a vote is likely before the senate leaves town. >> we will pass the cash for clunkers. >> when will you do that? >> before we leave here. >> what i anticipate is it will be completed before the end of the week. >> reporter: republicans are demanding votes on changes they want to make to the bill, but those proposed changes are not expected to pass. and if they did, the senate would have to work out the differences with the house passed bill and cash for clunkers could run out of money over the next month because the house has already left town. >> and to think this wasn't a popular program. the white house going along with it reluctantly, initially, and the senate holding their noses for the most part. quite a remarkable turn around, isn't it? >> reporter: it is. certainly a very popular program, democrats and republicans

susan collins and olympia snowe of maine, florida's mel martinez, richard lugar of indiana, and lamar alexander of tennessee. congress members will travel in style at your considerable expense and look at the politics involved in bill ♪ meet jack. recently turned 65. glad he's now got medicare on his side. but jack knows that medicare doesn't take care of everything. in fact, part b covers only... 80% of medical expenses. so, he got himself an aarp... medicare supplement insurance plan -- insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company. yep, when it comes to jack's health, it's all about team effort. ( team cheering ) a medicare supplement plan... allows you to keep your own doctor, helps you budget medical costs, and it picks up some of that 20%, potentially saving you thousands of dollars... out of your own pocket. smart choice. if you're turning 65, or are 65 already, call now for this free information kit... and medicare guide... and learn more about aarp medicare supplement insurance. you'll enjoy a wide range of coverage options... to help meet your personal needs. and competitive pricing t

to the woodshed in that meeting but up on capitol hill on the senate floor, republican senator lamar alexander says that he thinks that they were reprimanded and he believes that it is irresponsible for this administration to say that they can do all those things that they currently have on their plate, like health care reform, without touching middle class americans. lou? >> well, dan, there is also the comment by the president, as you know, on july 22nd, and that press conference where he said that he would be opposed to anything in which the tax increases for health care came down disproportionately on the middle class, seemingly accepting the idea that the middle class would receive part of any tax increase. >> reporter: right, but any time you do address a question to the president or this administration, specifically robert gibbs, they will come back time and time again and say, listen, the president has said that he is not going to hit middle-class taxpayers and he is talking -- the number three threw out there is those making less than $250,000 with additional taxes. now, i guess, the

we'll talk live with republican senator lamar alexander about the odds of that happening. 12, too young to be branded sex offender for the rest of your life? we have that coming up in about 20 minutes and much more. >> jamie: one of president obama's big selling point for the massive $787 billion stimulus package was that some of the money was going to go to fixing bridges in dire need of repair. across the country, thousands of bridges are in decay. jeopardizing the safety of millions of drivers who ride on them every day. but they aren't getting much help. the states are instead spending billions of the stimulus money on bridges that are already in good shape. or they're just repaving roads. why would they ignore the hazard that endanger us? let's ask mantel williams, communication director for the transportation association. good to see you. >> good morning. >> first question, when i look at the numbers, it turns out in 24 states in my research, half on the bridges worked on with stimulus money were found not to be deficient, by the federal government own report. in 15

robert gibbs briefing continues now to turn towards guantanamo, let's bring in tennessee senator, lamar alexandermember of the senate health committee. senator, did you hear enough from robert gibbs to make it clear that the president is not going to raise taxes on the, quote, middle class, which means people earning $250,000 or less, as defined by the white house? >> i find that very remarkable, andrea. for example, the health care plan that the democratic bill proposed will shift to the states so much new cost for medicaid that in tennessee, it would be at least a 5% new state income tax. and if they also pay doctors to take care of the low-income people they put on medicaid, it would be a 10%. middle class will pay that. and this weekend, isabel sawhill, who's in the clinton administration, many others were saying, in order to pass the obama agenda, you're going to have to tax the middle class. so i thought the comments yesterday were honest and i think the comments today are s misleading. >> well, they do say that they would eventually save money if the health reform does, so-called, bend the

newsmakers with lamar alexander, today at 6:00 p.m. eastern on c- span.riday, the joint economic committee was given the latest monthly unemployment figures. keith hall, detailed the numbers for july. this last about one hour 25 minutes. >> evidence that the stimulus bill is taking hold is starting to emerge. the economy dramatically improved during the seventh quarter of the share, and the pace of job loss has moderated in recent months. but the trend is toward recovery. i am optimistic that more americans will be heading back to work, as more stimulus projects get under way. while we welcome these signs of improvement, this morning's unemployment report reminds us of the height told that the recession has had in millions of working americans. this recession which began in december, 2007, is now the longest and deepest in the post world war ii. . the duration has led to long spells of unemployment for law -- for workers. with six unemployed workers for each opening, people are finding it difficult to find jobs. more than one-third of the unemployed, 5 mi

republican senator lamar alexander of tennessee, appropriations committee ranking member, republican,ator kent conrad of north dakota, budget committee chairman and finance committee senior member. senator kay bale hutchinson, senator bingaman, this is his room, senator judd gregg of new hampshire, republican budget committee ranking member and senator jack reed of rhode island, serves on appropriations and banking committees. senator bingaman, has anything like this ever been put together, as far as you know? >> as far as i know it hasn't, but i haven't -- i've only been here for 27 years. >> what do you to want talk about first? >> i don't know. >> i think health care. >> that might make sense. >> senator conrad, let's start with you, i guess. without trying to make this too formal, how do you think recess is going to go and how do you think september's going to shape up? >> my own view is that actually it's a good thing we're going to have this break and listen to the people that sent us here and have a chance to further refine the plan that we're working on ppt finance committee,

we'll have judd gregg, lamar alexander, and kay bailey hutchinson. there's a lot hal happening here. as the senate has to tackle cash for clunkers, they've got a lot of things on their desk this morning. >> we are in the dierkson senate building. i don't think any live television program, other than the hearings themselves, has ever come out of this room. >> hasn't been done. >> and they didn't know what they were in for because already we figured out how to use the microphones. >> i like -- the teleprompter is so far away. if we say something that makes no sense, it's because we're reading absolutely no idea what it says. what about if it was 6 members host house? 1.3%, i think. >> and then we're going to move down here where we're going to have some senators up here and i hope they start asking me questions like they did those poor banking executive peps. >> well, also, boone pickens has testified here severales

. >> this week and sees impose a newsmaker, lamar alexander on health care, the economy, and legislative priorities when congress returns. >> the democrats are feeling the fire by saying it a punch, punch back. they are raising the issue. they are calling protesters names. everybody needs to settle down. good manners are a good thing. first amendment rights are important. if you shoot someone down, you are distorting -- destroying that person and what they have to say. we should not be calling these protesters and names. -- names because they do not like being dumped in a government program. they are scared. they are wary. they saw congress tried to run through a bill they did not like and they wanted to find out more about the wanted officials to know how they felt about it. good manners are important. other than that, we have the right to say how we feel and most of us are rigorous exchanges. b>> this sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. eastern. >> now a panel discussion on a concerted college literature. it is part of the 31st natural conservative student conference. this is just over

let me say that the republican leader john bay nor, the republican whip in the senator lamar alexandervernor mitch daniel all encouraged me to undertake this project with reverend sharpton and secretary duncan. i think there will be real bipartisanship on education, and there could be real bipartisanship on health care. >> you guys make a good team. it's nice to see you together. >> i've got to work on newt on health care. >> as i said, there are a lot of things you don't agree on. >> absolutely. >> reverend al sharpton, newt gingrich. appreciate it. >>> still ahead a mother tasered by police during a traffic stop and it happened in front of her children. she'll be with us for an children. she'll be with us for an exclusiviv oh, hi! welcome back to progressive.com! how's that car insurance? great! just bought a house... and you just heard progressive offers homeowner's insurance. yeah! i also heard i could save a bundle -- because progressive already insures your car. yeah, and i like -- one-stop shopping! right. i know! anything else i should know? yes -- make sure you stay away from

they approve senator max baucus and the tennessee senator lamar alexander. in the washington times. last call on the jobless benefits from north carolina. welcome. . . . host: we will speak with john mercurio. be right back. ♪ >> starting tuesday, the full senate debate for the nomination of sonia sotomayor for supreme court justice. watch it live. coming this fall, toward the home to america's highest court, the supreme court. >> he signed the declaration of independence and was also murdered. tonight, this author. the killings that shocked the nation, tonight at 8:00 p.m. eastern >> today, join the conversation on race relations. live it today at noon eastern on c-span2. an executive with the nation's largest cable provider, comcast. their new take on the future of broadband in the u.s. "washington journal" continues. host: at the table this morning is john mercurio, executive editor of the hotline. here to talk about governor races in virginia and new jersey. the national implications of all of this. what do this year's governor's races mean broadly speak

judd gregg, kay bailey hutchison, lamar alexander who all said that's the type of idea you might be abletand, this is a government-sponsored enterprise they are talking about. this is fanny med in every state they are talking about. we see what it's done to our financial markets. we cannot afford the same concept applied in health care. if we want competition between insurance companies let's take away the barriers for interstate competition. it makes no sense to create a government plan to have competition when we won't let insurance companies compete across state lines. >> i guess my question, where are you willing to give. if you're looking for a compromise, where would you be willing to reach out? >> we don't need to sit down and compromise about what type of insurance plan to have. any republican that does that should not be a republican. we need to talk about how to get health care in the hands of every american. no american should go uninsured. there are ways to do that. but the fact you can look at this legislation and there's no reform of lawsuit abuse tells you that this is not

. >> newsmakers with lamar alexander, this sunday at 10:00 a.m.-span. >> "washington journal" continues. host: william is the cherry elect of the national council of higher education loan programs. tell us about your organization. guest: it represents a nonprofit constituents that provide the student loan services. we are made up of servicers, lenders and we specialize in in ministering servicing collecting student loans. host: from wednesday's "washington post" we have this article. student loan measure clears house panel. it would remove private lenders, generating an estimated $86 billion savings over 10 years to find more government grants. explain what this program is. guest: what the bill is referencing is student loan reform. it is actually the elimination of the federal loan program that has been around for 40 years. this is a successful public- private partnership where organizations like ours, credit unions, banks have worked with colleges to make loans for our residents. this bill will actually eliminate this entire program. the governm

on the senate floor, republican senator lamar alexander said that he thinks that they were reprimanded and he believes that it's misleading for this administration to say that they can do all these things including health care reform without hitting the middle class. suzanne? >> all right, dan. thank you so much. >>> we are counting down the second 100 days of the obama administration, and this thursday night we'll issue a new national report card on the president. what kind of grades is he earning? you can cast your vote right now. you go to cnn.com/reportcard and get the results thursday night at 8:00 eastern. >>> the president is touting changes to the g.i. bill that offer expanded benefits to people who serve at least three years in the military after the 9/11 terror attacks. up to a full scholarship at any state university or they can transfer it to family members. the president calls it an investment in america. >> all our discourse produced more heat than light, especially in washington, but they have put their very lives on the line for america. they've borne the responsibility

the republicans were senator lamar alexander of tennessee, chris bond of missouri, susan collins of maine. judd greg of new hampshire, senator richard lugar of indiana. editorial pages on all this, "the baltimore sun" calls it a wise validation. the senate confirmation of judge sotomayor is a welcome decision, but her overheated opponents now have some explaining to do of their own." that is "the baltimore sun," and the "wall street journal" editorial put it this way." "and undulate -- she nonetheless becomes the first hispanic justice. we can not help but contrast her treatment with the way democrats neared and filibustered appellate court nominee miguel estrada in 2001. he might otherwise have become the first hispanic justice in george w. bush's second term. but judge sotomayor's confirmation is a rifle source of pride to the port reading community. we wish her good judgment." annandale, virginia, back to this question on language -- " war on terrorism" being dropped. caller: first of all, i would like to say that if the first to go colors were a professor and a writer, i will eat my h

let me say that the republican leader john bay nor, the republican whip in the senator lamar alexandervernor mitch daniel all encouraged me to undertake this project with reverend sharpton and secretary duncan. i think there will be real bipartisanship on education, and there could be real bipartisanship on health care. >> you guys make a good team. it's nice to see you together. >> i've got to work on newt on health care. >> as i said, there are a lot of things you don't agree on. >> absolutely. >> reverend al sharpton, newt gingrich. appreciate it. >>> still ahead a mother tasered by police during a traffic stop and it happened in front of herl ildr >>> just ahead, hoarding. we're going to meet a woman who collected so much that her children could barely walk around their home. >> plus kelly clarkson says that she ha roem wh her weight. so why did the magazine magically trim a few pounds off her for a cover photo? but nasonex relief may i say... bee-utiful! prescription nasonex is proven to help relieve indoor and outdoor nasal allergy symptoms like congestion, runny and itchy nose a

today on c-span's newsmakers -- lamar alexander on health care, the economy, and his party's legislative priorities when congress returns, as well as recent protests at congressional town hall meetings across the country. >> the democrats are raising the issue and calling protestors names. i think everyone needs to settle down. good hearnes is -- are a good thing. first amendment rights are important but if you shout someone down you're destroying that person's first amendment rights too, and town hall meetings are a very important part of the american fabric but we shouldn't be calling these protestors names. they're scared. they're worried, their terrified. they saw congress try to ram through a bill they knew they didn't like and they want to find out more about it and let their senator or congressman know how they feel about it. i think good hearnes are important. other than that, we have the right to say how we feel and most of us in public life are used to vigorous exchanges back and forth. >> newsmakers today at 6:00 p.m. eastern on c-span. >> how is c-span funded? >> by donations

lamar alexander on health care, the economy and his ideas about -- >> democrats are fueling the fire by saying punch -- by saying if a punch, punch back. i think everybody needs to settle down. good manners are a good thing. first amendment rights are important, but if you shout someone down, you're destroying that person's first amendment opportunity, too. town halls are a very important part of the american fabric. we should not be calling these protesters names just because they do not like the idea of a government program. they saw congress tried to ram through a bill they knew they did not like. they want to find more out about that. i think good manners are important. other than that, we have the right to say how we feel. most of us in public life have vigorous exchanges back and forth. >> this sunday at 10:00 a.m. at 6:00 p.m. eastern on c-span. >> sunday, frank rich reflects on 15 years of political columns for the "new york times." including his look at the future of the internet, the whitewater hearings, and his column following 9/11. >> how is c-span funded? >> donations.