host: matthew strawn? guest: thank you for the call. we talk about how republicans talk about making barack obama a one-term president. i think america needs to make barack obama a one-term president because when we go into the general election, it will be a referendum on his failed leadership. here in iowa, one thing we are seeing in the caucus process is the prosecution of the failed record. $15 trillion debt that the president wants another $1.50 trillion at it on top of that. we see a private sector economy not creating jobs because of the uncertainty. i know you mentioned big business -- but when you look at a place like iowa, two-thirds of the jobs here are created by small businesses and right now on our main streets and there is tremendous uncertainty with a small businesses that are not hiring, not investing, not buying equipment manufactured by american workers. that uncertainty comes from financial regulations where we've got tightening lending requirements with our community bankers. it comes f

host: matthew strawn? guest: thank you for the call. we talk about how republicans talk about making barack obama a one-term president. i think america needs to make barack obama a one-term president because when we go into the general election, it will be a referendum on his failed leadership. here in iowa, one thing we are seeing in the caucus process is the prosecution of the failed record. $15 trillion debt and the president wants another $1.50 trillion added on top of that. we see a private sector economy not creating jobs because of the uncertainty. i know you mentioned big business -- but when you look at a place like iowa, two-thirds of the jobs here are created by small businesses and right now on our main streets and there is tremendous uncertainty with a small businesses that are not hiring, not investing, not buying equipment manufactured by american workers. that uncertainty comes from financial regulations where we've got tightening lending requirements with our community bankers. it comes fr

host: matthew strawn? guest: i think the one thing i will point out when it comes to increasing the debt on not just our current generation but future generations in washington, i think a lot of that, when you look at the debt that has accrued over the last two and a half years will bring three years of your the obama administration is frightening, starting with the stimulus that unfortunately did not stimulate anything. i do hope we can get serious about that. and it should not be about pointing fingers, but it does lay at the feet of the obama administration. but we need to get serious about cutting spending in washington. that is what our republican candidates are talking about and making sure we do it in a way that makes sense, make government more lean and efficient and identify where the waste is an start returning some of the power back to the states and individuals so we have a government in washington that and live within its means. host: you started this segment by talking about the unseasonably

we turn now to two people on the ground in the hawkeye state, state republican party chairman matthew strawn and o.kay henderson the news director of radio iowa, a statewide news network. she's been covering iowa politics for more than 25 years. we thank you both. matt strawn, i'm going to start with you. we keep hearing about how many undecided republicans there are in the state. my question is, why is that? they've had a year or more to get to know these candidates. what's going on? >> i think first and foremost iowa republicans aren't making this decision in a vacuum. we understand what four more years of barack obama's policies mean to america so we understand what is at stake and we understand the decision we make on january 3 extends far beyond the borders of just our state here in the midwest. we want to make sure we get the decision right. we want to i guess really take that final measure of each of these candidates as they come to the state. there's been no question the retail aspect hasn't pen as robust. many iowa activists are just getting that opportunity now in the closing week

then republican party chairman matthew strawn and what his thoughts are concerning the current gop fieldjohns hopkins university professor robert means of u.s. ethanol policy and the impact it has had on energy and the environment. plus your phone calls and acoming up next is ed fallon, one e-mails. "washington journal," live at 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. >> are c-span cameras are calling the candidates throughout the state. we are taking your calls on the "washington journal." kegan stay up-to-date on our website with new features with videos from campaign stops. you can see what the candidates have said on issues important to you. read what the candidates, political reporters, and people like you are saying on sites like facebook and twitter.com of all act -- all at c-span.org /campaign2012. >> live from iowa state fair grounds in the morning, representative ron paul. mitt romney also spent the morning and iowa, speaking at clinton. earlier in the day, mr. romney took a jab at mr. paul, who has emerged as his chief rival in iowa, saying he thinks it is ok for iran to have a nuclear w

. >> on tomorrows "washington journal" alice stewart, matthew strawn and robert means.shington journal" begins live it 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. >> with the iowa caucuses next week and the new hampshire and florida primaries later, c- span's series "the contenders" looks back of 14 candidates to ran -- who ran for president and lost. friday, george wallace. on saturday, george mcgovern followed by billionaire businessman ross perot. "the contenders" every night 10:00 p.m. eastern. >> no. an interview with the president of the group the family leader. they endorsed rick santorum. this is 45 minutes. host: that is a live picture of the i was state capital. the capital is a but let. they're on your screen is bob. he is the president and ceo of the family leader. we do it through civic engagement. which is why we are heavily involved. >> when you look at issues, what are the issues that are important to your group? guest: anything that in past the family, peter. a lot of people say that has to be the sanctity of human life -- it is. we believe life begins at conception a

matthew strawn. and robert means about u.s. ethanol policy. like a 7:00 a.m. eastern. >> it is a three day holiday weekend on book tv. the 3000 new history of jerusalem saturday night at 9:00 p.m. eastern. afterward, michael on free will and the science of the brain at o'clock p.m.. monday at 7:00 p.m., marc stein believes the u.s. is destined for collapse in decline if current trends continue. also this weekend, sunday lead at noon, your calls and e-mails in depth with pulitzer prize winner chris hedes. he right about war. his latest is "the war as it is." every weekend on c-span2. >> at the iowa caucuses, c-span cameras are following candidates and events. every morning, political guess are taking your calls. he can also stay up-to-date with the c-span campaign in 2012 website. there's also biography information. candidates on the issues and to see what the candidates have said i'd issues important to you. read what the reporters like you are saying on sites like facebook and twitter. it is all at c-span.org/ campaign2012. >> no. newt gingri