coming up next, newsmakers with republican national committee platform marsha blackburn. later, walter pincus. >> our guest this week is congresswoman marsha blackburn who represents tennessee's 10th district. thank you. to get started, give us an outline of the rnc platform. >> from what we are hearing, jobs in the economy and government reform. we have a web site set up. we have had thousands of individuals on that website from individuals giving us their input it. item #1 is jobs and the economy. i think we all would have expected that. >> could you provide this detail on what the plan would be? i know the republican party has accused president obama very hard for unemployment. he is also receiving criticism for not coming up with a concrete alternative. can you tell us what the economic platform will look like? >> i think what you're going to see is a basic awareness that we do not create the jobs. the private sector creates those jobs. it is government's response ability to create the environment for jobs growth to take place. we know the best economic theory is to g

we'll go over that when marsha blackburn is our guest in a few minutes.nn learned president obama authorized covert support for syrian rebels in an effort to oust the dictator bashar al assad. it killed people nationwide yesterday and they testified before the senate urging the obama administration to increase support of the armed opposition. >> at this point given the direction of the conflict i think what we need to do is assess which groups could we arm it and should we arm at what point and make that decision? i think we're at that decision given where the conflict is going. >> foreign affairs reporter elise levitt is live from washington, d.c. let's start with what that means, the covert support. what specific support is that? >> i think it is exactly what andre tab ler was talking about and we're not sure really when president obama signed this intelligence finding, but we assume it is in the last few months and what it means is the u.s. will use more intelligence assets to find out more about these groups. the u.s. isn't arming them but saudi arabi

and representative marsha blackburn of tennessee. in a minute. the 2012 c-class with over 2,000 refinements. it's amazing...inside and out. ♪ join mercedes-benz usa on facebook for the best summer sweepstakes. but proven technologiesa allow natural gas producers to supply affordable, cleaner energy, while protecting our environment. across america, these technologies protect air - by monitoring air quality and reducing emissions... ...protect water - through conservation and self-contained recycling systems... ... and protect land - by reducing our footprint and respecting wildlife. america's natural gas... domestic, abundant, clean energy to power our lives... that's smarter power today. joining me haley barbour, former chairman of the republican national commit. reince priebus, the current chair, and representative marsha blackburn who is the chair of the republican platform committee for this convention. mr. priebus, let me start with you. let's talk about the weather first. you canceled tomorrow's activities. is there a chance you may have to

. >> marsha blackburn joining us from tennessee. we are about a week out from the convention in tampa. we now return to our guest reporters. basic voice from the discussion? i think we will be talking about jobs and the economy. it is the issue people care most about. when asked about social issues, they're not in a social issues specific. we will probably not hear a lot of discussions on those issues. they are not winners for the republican party. they can be a big divisive. >> when congressman ryan can on the ticket, there were accusations [inaudible] will we be hearing more specifics on the issue? >> no. that is to be expected. i do not think they're going to come out with any bold ideas or initiatives on that. right now the mode is to play itself. >> a lot of people are asking for details of the press conference in south carolina when he is trying to make it clear and he did not. they're not going to give any specifics. instead of a platform with this is what we want to do, we are left wondering what changes would be made and wh

up next we'll talk with the cochair of the rnc platform committee, congresswoman marsha blackburn willme after the break. but first there is a lot going on today. here are some things we just thought you should know. a documentary critical of president obama is set to be released nationwide this weekend. the film 2016. obama's america. it's based on a book "the roots of obama's rage." here is a look at the trailer if you have not seen it. >> obama has a dream, a dream from his father. that the sins of colonialism be set right and america be downsized. which dream will be carried into 2016? >> so the film has already become a number two grossing documentary of the year. but it has yet to break even. it's also been highly criticized for inaccuracies. andy schneider from the group twisted sister is telling paul ryan to stop the music. he wants the vp hopeful to stop playing his 1984 hit "we're not going to take it" at campaign rallies. in a statement dee snider says, quote, i emphatically refuse paul ryan's use of my song recorded by my band twisted sister. there is almost nothing to know

>> reporter: marsha blackburn is scheduled to speak today. >> you'll hear me talk about the great opportunity party and about recommitting and revitalizing the american dream. >> reporter: and wrapping it up tonight, new jersey governor chris christie after denying reports that he privately predicted romney won't win. >> much of what was said wasn't true. and they never talked to me. >> reporter: delegates after a one-day delay are eager to get started. ? they will be filling up the chairs later this afternoon. when the session gets underway, one of the things we'll be looking for, the roll call vote for the nomination for president and vice president, that usually happens later in the process and in the week, but because of the delay, it is happening today. >> all right, tracie potts there for us in tampa. thanks so much. >>> well, now for a look at some of the other stories making news early today in america, in oregon, surveillance video captured the dramatic end to an attempted child abduction. the alleged kidnapper was cornered by neighbors after trying to snatch a 6-year-old little girl

schieffer: we'll also talk to key republicans, party chair reince priebus, party platform chair marsha blackburn, and former mississippi governor, haley barbour. about a campaign that suddenly shifted from jobs and the economy to medicare and abortion. for analysis, we'll be joined by peggy noonan of the "wall street journal." richard lowry of the "national review," fox news, and "time" magazine. dan balz of the "washington post," and our own norah o'donnell and john dickerson. get to the high ground, and we'll talk some politics because this is "face the nation." captioning sponsored by cbs >> schieffer: and good morning again. we are here on the floor of the republican convention in tampa, but just to see what may be headed our way, we want to start by going to dave bernard of our miami station wfor, for the very latest on this storm track. david, what do you know? >> good morning, bob. tropical storm isaac is moving across south florida this morning. the worst the storm has to offer, moving through miami and also the florida keys as we speak. the latest position on the storm, about 135 miles

republican congressman marsha blackburn, former u.s. ambassador to india, tim roemer, rebecca soni and if that's not justify jordyn wieber. >> we're excited. it is thursday, august 9th. "starting point" beginning right now. >>> our starting point, gas prices heading higher. they're up another 1.5 cents over night for national average of 3.66 a gallon and a fire in california is about to make things worse. >> here is why. you see these pictures? you see the flames? this is chevron's richmond, california, oil refinery. this is a devastating fire. it happened monday. look at the smoke. partially shutting down the facility, dramatically cutting production at one of the region's biggest fuel suppliers. it is expected to send gas prices sky rockets, not just in california, folks, across the country. >> and ed is joining us live from dallas, texas. we have a couple of things going on here. obviously health concerns over the people in richmond, california, near that refinery fire plus the financial hit we're all going to take if gas prices spik

we have marsha blackburn from tennessee. great to see you again. is this a political move on the part of obama's? it could have been. >> exactly. this is something clinton did look at when that spr has been opened. you know, obama is considering it with the price of a gallon of guest. gas has doubled and it is too much. gerri: $3.76 per gallon and it is a time we cannot afford it. what do we need to do to increase drilling? will romney take care of the problem? >> and the. the platform today has an entire section devoted to energy and agriculture. we have specific steps like the keystone pipeline. looking at our reserves, the outer continental shelf, alaska, all steps that should be taken to reduce the work that goes into the permit. so much we could do with our natural resources for the president to talk about tapping that the 30 spr it is a political move to seven. gerri: now tropical storm isaac has been upgraded to a hurricane taking 90% production out of the of calexico. >> also look at north dakota and what they're doing on land. there are st

let's first begin with congresswoman marsha blackburn.erday with regard to abortion, no exceptions, she voted for that, obviously, as the coco-chair. she's saying hang on a second, i want to distance myself from that. >> absolutely. i spoke with her. she's the only woman in the key chairman roles. the platform is split 50/50, men and women. in terms of leadership, she's it. i said to her, to you support an issue like todd akin where there would be no exception any case. she said, no, i support exceptions in the case of rape or incest as do many republicans. you know, 67% of republicans agree with that exception. 75% of independents and 59% of people who say they're pro-life. most americans aggress with that point of view. the words in that platform that she voted for, this is what they want the amendment to say in the constitution. affirm the unborn child has a fundamental right of life that cannot be infringed. >> she voted for. >> we spoke to jeff toobin. he said if that were to pass, there would be no exception in the case of rape or i

. >> reporter: on face the nation, representative marsha blackburn said most women are concerned about the economy. >> the number one issue with women, jobs, the economy. number two is getting obama care off the books. women are the drivers when it comes to health care. all these distractions, they look at as distractions and they're saying, how do we get this at any time back to work. >> reporter: political analysts say florida has to be part of the plan, if romney and ryan are to win in november. the big question, how will republican policies on immigration and medicare play? >> the theme in the hispanic community is to leave their kids better off than themselves. >> polls show the romney ryan ticket is doing better in older voters than younger voters. >> reporter: tuesday mitt romney will accept the republican nomination with one thing in the back of his mind -- >> can i win this thing? can i be successful replacing president obama? i don't feel, you know, aren't i great for having got this? i feel, wow, a people are counting on me. they're hoping i'll be able to win. >> reporter: w

congresswoman marsha blackburn. >> i think you have to ask the question. >> thank you so much. we appreciate the conversation. >> good to be with you. >> we'll keep going joining me live from virginia this morning. as i mentioned a moment ago from team obama tim roemer will join us, former congressman and former ambassador to india. >>> the shakeup in the world's biggest cancer charity months after mixed up in abortion politics. the question is why now? the reporter that broke the story in february is next. you're watching "starting point." [ female announcer ] how do you define your moment? the blissful pause just before that rich sweetness touches your lips. the delightful discovery, the mid-sweetening realization that you have the house all to yourself. well, almost. the sweet reward, making a delicious choice that's also a smart choice. splenda no-calorie sweetener. with the original sugar-like taste you love and trust. splenda makes the moment yours. ♪ i'd do anything for you, dear ♪ ♪ anything 'cause you mean everything to me ♪ ♪ i'd know that i'd go anywhere ♪ ♪ for your

. >> talking about that statement, terry, congresswoman marsha blackburn was asked to respond to romney'sments on romney care. let me play you what she said. >> i didn't hear the full interview. and i haven't seen the tweet. but i can tell you what i know about the obama care plan. i know that it is already doubled in cost. >> but you bring up the fact he could have gone to massachusetts and he would have been covered with insurance under governor romney's plan. she brings up romney care. >> president obama's -- president obama's plan is going to limit access to health care delivery. >> but we're talking about mitt romney here. >> it's going to increase -- >> with all due respect, we're talking about mitt romney. we're talking about a mitt romney spokesperson -- i'm specifically asking you to react to her comment. we played the sound bite where she basically is saying if this man had been in massachusetts where he would have had health care, perhaps that would have prevented his wife's death. this has nothing to do with obama care. >> the point remains obama care is what is on the table.

>> i think it's marsha blackburn from tennessee, and she's talking about jobs and the grand opportunity party, i think is what she called it. >> now president obama is making this election so far about taxes and the wealthy, do you think that's a good strategy? >> i don't think so, i don't think most americans are persuaded that raising taxes is a job creation strategy. when you come year after year now, 40 some months of unemployment over 8%, a reduced participation in the work force, and very, i think mediocre gdp around 2%, that's not enough. so the strategy has not worked the way it needs to. imagine if we can get back, this is the weakest recovery in any post world war ii recovery. the challenges relative to long-term deficit reduction got easier. 1% gdp is about a billion dollars in revenue. >> every politician you hear from these days, the first word out of their mouth is jobs. they want to create jobs. those politicians not in office at this time will find a way to create jobs. governor, you've run a state and especially a hard hit state when it comes to labor there in michigan.

this weekend i talked to the congresswoman, marsha blackburn, the co-chair of the rnc platform committeee says the party is focused on women and their pocketbooks. >> number one job with women in this country is jobs in the economy. that's the number one issue with them. women want to get back to work. the obama economy, if you will, has been very unkind to women. we've had 800,000 women lose their jobs. household income has decreased, cost of health insurance has increased. so when we're talking to women, and as you look at polling of women, jobs and economy is issue number one. look at the platform, i'm a woman. i am a -- an elected female representative. i have been in the work force for a long time. you better believe i'm going to be writing and looking at a platform that is going to be focused on the issues that women want, conservative are, we're wives, mothers, businesswomen, teachers, we're physicians, we're chief financial officers of companies and what we want to do is make certain that we address the fiscal health of this nation. >> do others in the republican party worry that

. >> and it is interesting, because we will look at some of this and you hear marsha blackburn having to do something she does not want to do which is yes, i support the exemptions or i would allow exceptions this the case of incest or rape, and now they will have to show what painfully mitt romney said the other day his view is on abortion that we just read. >> well, moments ago, virginia governor bob mcdonald the chairman of the committee appointed by mitt romney and the national republican committee and worked with congresswoman blackburn and john hogan on this issue, and i asked him directly do you think that mitt romney will read this platform before accepting the nomination next week and he pause and said that i'm sure that the staffers will look at it. mcdonald was careful to use the words like this platform represented the views of grass roots leaders and not specifically the romney campaign, but saying that this is our general statement of principles that many candidates can take a look at and decide where they stand, but look, make no mistake the romney campaign was involved

the gop convention we have tennessee republican congresswoman and platform committee cochair marsha blackburns, it's great to hear from uh you. tell me this is true. a gold commission on the party platform? you have no idea how happy this makes me. >> well, larry, what i can tell you is that at 2:00 on monday the platform will be in the seats. the members -- the delegation members for the convention. shortly after that it's going to be up on the internet for people to read. i can tell you this area's language in there deals with auditing the fed. people believe we need to do something about the fed. we need to do something about inflation. there was lots of discussion and a desire from many who were platform committee delegates to do what reagan did. look at what he did with the gold commission. and the reason for that is people have been warn out with what has happened with this economy over the last three years. the obama economy isn't working for many people. they want -- when you know things you are doing aren't working you start looking at options. just like reagan did. if he was trying

but that's not what marsha blackburn who cochairs the gop's party platform says. says, quote, these were adopted because they are things that republicans agree on. this is something we think needs to be done. one of those house republicans who helped pass that bill is paul ryan. to my knowledge ryan has not, in fact, endorsed an actual gold standard. he's frankly too smart for that. instead, he endorsed something that sounds better than a gold standard but is basically the same and perhaps even a little bit worse. he wants to tie the dollar to quote, a basket of commodities. and nothing gets the ratings up like a basket of commodities, but we do need to explain this for a second because it's very important. a gold standard means it's dollars backed by gold. but problems with the gold standard are legion, but our currency would fluctuate with the global price of gold as opposed to the needs of our economy. south africa finds a new gold mine, currency's all different. pegging the dollar to a basket of commodities works the same way. now the currency fluctuates along

this week on c-span's " newsmakers" -- our guest is marsha blackburn, co-tier of the republican nationalttee's platform committee. she is from tennessee. that committee's hearing starts on monday. the congresswoman spoke with reporters about the platform and the convention. here is a listen. [video clip] >> i think there is agreement and unity that what we need to make certain we do is continue medicare and as it is. for those that are 55 and above. and allow those seniors to have that certainty. i have to tell you when i'm talking to my constituents, some might seniors are saying we want more choice and more options. they would like to see some more choice and options available to them. what we want to make certain we do is to provide stability and certainty in the medicare process. you know, we have to realize the medicare trustees have told us that we are spending more money than we are taking in and we have to be mindful of putting this on a stable platform and returning that medicare program to fiscal health. it means we do need to go through some reforms that will provide some cert

cheers and applause] it is my great pleasure to introduce my fellow co-chair, representative marsha blackburnatform committee has been a great honor. has also been a lot of work, and i will have to tell you, a whole lot of fun. it can be so proud of the members of your state delegations. they were smart, conscientious, and in the very best way, they were opinionated. they knew what they and you believe and they were not afraid to tell us so. neither were the thousands of american people who responded to our call for social media. they went to the website, facebook, twitter.com that offered solutions to the challenges that face our country. i have to tell you, this has been a remarkable exercise in grass-roots democracy, and from this day forward, the gop will be known as the great opportunity party. [applause] now, if you want to know how our economy can create the millions of jobs that we need in order to get america back to work, if you want to know how we are going to get the unlimited energy we need to power this economy, so that indeed, this is truly an american century, if you are alarm

congresswoman marsha blackburn who co-chairs the platform committee said this is not an indication to replicate libertarian ron paul. what do you think? a gold standard would force an end to wasteful spending otherwise the u.s. will lose its reserve currency status. we would like to know what do you think of this plan? is it a good idea? is it even feasible at all or would you want to link to it a commodity. if you do join the conversation here on "worldwide exchange". get in touch with us, e-mail worldwide@cnbc.com or by twitter at cnbcwex.com or, indeed you can come direct to me @rosswestga @rosswestgate. u.s. markets, ftse 100 is now flat. central dax down .1%. cac down .2%. ibex down a third. spanish yields have fallen a little bit today down 6.4%. we're lower on yields in germany and on gilt as well after gdp was revised to contract 5% from a previous .7% yields in italy slightly hire. still to come on the show, mitt romney is hoping to shake up the presidential race when all eyes are on the republican convention in tampa next week. let's hope the tropical storm doesn't disrupt t

i talked with marsha blackburn. she was the co-chair.ns need to do better with women. >> we have some very articulate accomplished women who are elected officials at the local, state and federal level. they have all shown the ability to lead and i think what people are wanting to do is to see women step forward and take a more prominent role in our party. >> reporter: carol, people i have talked to in the past several days were frustrated that they were not successful to get akin out of the race. they hope they were successful in separating the republicans to make him look like a liar and clear to the women voters that they don't believe in what he said. >> that is hard to do. didn't republicans back him in his run for the u.s. senate? they are not backing him now, but they gave him money to run. >> reporter: interestingly, he was the last choice for republican leaders. they had hoped that other republicans who were running in the primary -- they preferred those two over him. that is one of the reasons, i'm told, why he has his heels dug

marsha blackburn said she would like to see the romney campaign do something else. >> a couple of thingscifically that he needs to do. the republican party has some great women. those women need to be moved to the forefront. they need to tell their story. reporter: move to the forefront even more than they are. a big program, a very powerful, prominent way. jenna: just for the record, and rightfully so. [laughter] jenna: only the facts are. john, interesting report now. jon: let's talk about the role of women in the rnc. joining us now is eight national political reporter. aaron, we had on a poll that showed in the low 60% of the country, thinks we are in the low percentage of the track. can you explain the disparity? >> part of the reason is that president obama talks about his wife and daughters all the time. all kinds of issues that he talks about. the way that mitt romney tries to talk about it is that under president obama's administration from the unemployment rate has gone up with women. the obama campaign has tried to bounce back and say that those numbers are not quite right. bu

women who are down in tampa getting ready for the convention, and the republican congresswoman marsha blackburn who is anti-abortion and republican who is for abortion rights and both of them, both of them admitted that it is going to be very problematic for getting the swing voters and the other thing they pointed out interestingly is that women tend to be the last to decide who to vote for, and that is not good if they don't separate mitt romney and paul ryan and other republican candidates from todd akin. >> that is a popular expression that my mom says all of the time, you have the right to change your mind. so there you go. thank you, dana. appreciate it. >>> just days before the start of the political conventions, and president obama and mitt romney locked in a neck and neck race and this is a new nbc news/"wall street journal" poll, and the obama teams leads romney and ryan 48% to 44%, and that is within the poll's sampling error so the president is on the campaign trail right now, and mitt romney is also speaking at a rally later this afternoon and we will go to both of the events live.

i am joined right now by tennessee representative marsha blackburn, a congresswoman on the platform committeeou were in the house last night. paul ryan, they loved him. >> the floor did love him and i think the american people will realize how genuine he is in trying to solve our nation's fiscal woes. paul is a guy of big ideas and he is not afraid to put something out there and say let's consider this or let's think about this or let's have a discussion on this issue. >> he is a guy with big ideas and also he gets praise a lot for being a man of specific ideas, but not a lot of specificity. the "washington post" has written recently about the ron paul ticket and says if mr. ryan and romney want credit for not ducking and believe the voters are entitled to the clearest possible choice it would behoove the candidates to offer more details about what precisely voters are choosing. paul ryan is known for making cuts on taxes and medicare and what do we talk about budget cuts. >> look at the ryan budget the house has brought forward. look at the way we have addressed across the board spending cut

marsha blackburn is here to set the stage and talk about women in the republican party. you. good to be with you. >> so can you imagine how ann romney is feeling right about now? >> well, i think ann romney is very well prepared. and i think she's probably a little bit excited, don't you? she's going to be able to talk about her husband. and talk about their life. and how they have reared these children, how they have built these businesses. talk about the importance of those grandchildren in the life of their family. so big day for her. and i think an incredibly exciting day. >> the democrats have managed to paint a pretty grim picture of who mitt romney is. even some republican analysts say that the republicans have let that go on too long. i mean, what can ann romney say tonight that will change the perception in americans' minds about her husband? >> well, i think she's going to talk about what makes mitt romney unique. and talk about the relationship that the two of them have. and what he can do for the country. his commitment to his country. and, you know, i have t

. >> with me now is representative marsha blackburn, a republican congresswoman from tennessee and co-chairpublican platform committee. when the former secretary of state started speaking during the convention last night seemed to me that someone flipped a switch and light came over that hall. >> absolutely it did. she energized that hall. it was a remarkable speech. i think she laid out what -- how our domestic problems affect us and on the global stage, and she did that very well, but didn't you love how she brought it back to a personal story at the end? >> an amazing personal story and growing up in alabama ultimately and going from foggy bottom. my colleague wolf blitzer commented during the coverage, he said isn't it interesting the biggest and best and most well received speeches in the convention so far seem to be from women? >> indeed they are. i think there is a reason for that. there are so many accomplished, qualified women in the republican party. if you want to say why don't all of these women come to the forefront as regularly as they should, i think that our republican leade

republican congressman marsha blackburn, former u.s.ng point, gas prices heading higher. they're up another 1.5 cents over night for national average of 3.66 a gallon and a fire in california is about to make things worse. >> here is why. you see these pictures? you see the flames? this is chevron's richmond, california, oil refinery. this is a devastating fire. it happened monday. look at the smoke. partially shutting down the facility, dramatically cutting production at one of the region's biggest fuel suppliers. it is expected to send gas prices sky rockets, not just in california, folks, across the country. >> and ed is joining us live from dallas, texas. we have a couple of things going on here. obviously health concerns over the people in richmond, california, near that refinery fire plus the financial hit we're all going to take if gas prices spike make above $4 a gallon. >> it has been going on for several weeks now. you blinked and it seems like you missed it. over the course of the last month or so gas prices have gone up abou

caller: i've been thinking about this and i finally have some sort of a name marsha blackburn from tennessee. what we really need a moderate female that the democrats cannot attack unless they want to kill the women's vote and who has some knowledge of things going on and can sit into the vice president seat without attracting a lot of attention from the left. and i think someone along the mold of marsha who you listen to her she talks sense she's not overbearing she's not a radical attack dog or anything like that. so some female in our ranks that could qualify under those terms i think would p great. host: thanks for the call. our question this morning who do you think mitt romney should select as his running mate? one name also often mentioned is the former minnesota governor and one time 2012 presidential candidate tim pawlenty. >> americans who are hurting and who are in need, need more than speeches. they need results. that's what we're trying to articulate or to represent to the people of the country that governor romney has a better way. that president obama's had his chance it didn'

host: from twitter -- host: this week's "newsmakers" tomorrow features marsha blackburn, the republican from tennessee and serving as the convention co-chair of the platform committee at the republican national convention. in our interview, she talks about the convention, the platform, and related issues. she was asked about if romney should release more of his tax records. [video clip] >> look at what he has had in the public domain from the time that he was governor. i do not know if there is a way that it is ever going to be put to rest. the media continues to talk about it. when i am out and about and with my colleagues in their districts, people are talking about that. that is not their topic of conversation. there topic of conversation is what will be done to get this country back to work? they know that the obama economy has not served them well. host: that topic and others tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from "the wall street journal" -- host: arizona. this is michael. independent line. caller: hello, pedro. good morning. i am a true independent. for all the republicans and

. >> reporter: even congresswoman marsha blackburn who co-chaired the gop platform committee admits her party has a problem. >> we have some very articulate, accomplished women who are elected officials at the local, the state and the federal level. they have all shown the ability to lead. and i think what people are wanting to do is to see women step forward and take a more prominent leadership role in our party. >> what blackburn and other gop officials tell me is that even though they did not succeed in forcing akin to drop his bid for senate, they hope they at least were successful in signaling to those key swing voters, especially women, they don't stand for what he said. as far as akin's future goes, republican officials tell me that they're just waiting to watch a couple of key dynamics play out. those dynamics are first of all how much support he really thinks he has now that he's back from his consultant's office in ohio. he's back in missouri. secondly, most importantly, money. whether or not given the fact that the national party key outside groups have said they're not givin

tremendous work and great leadership of my two co-chairman, senator john hoeven and congresswoman marsha blackburn . didn't they do a great job? [applause] i would also like to recognize all of you. you have heard them speak, but the subcommittee chairs put in special effort and multiple phone conferences and trips to washington, their leadership, so if they would stand, please, and jonathan barnett, lynn fitch, jim talent, tom luna, caroline measuring elkharty, congressman ed whitfield, rachel kemp. well done. thank you all very much. [applause] well done. i specifically want to thank ryan for asking me to be a chairman. elected 21 years ago into the legislature in virginia. i never in my wildest dreams thought i would have the same seat held by thomas jefferson and patrick henry. did i mention jefferson and henry? i never thought i would have the opportunity to lead what is perhaps one of the most important things the republican national committee ever does. that is every four years to embody in a short order what we believe in. it is an extraordinary political privilege. the reason it has gone