michelle bachman just said this.aren't ready for a woman president because there's no pent up desire. she has many issues with clinton, but there's a larger story about the gop here. it's not that hillary is a woman or a clinton. it's hillary increasingly looks like a winner and republicans can't stop talking about her in ways that are bad politics for them because they're worried two decades of creative attacks have not slowed hillary down. we have some new numbers on that in a moment. to give us a take on this, we have our rapid response panel. welcome to you both. karen, hillary clinton isn't just driving a conversation here, right? she's certainly not out trying to do a lot of things to get us or republicans talking. so why so much focus? >> because i think there's such a fascination with hillary and this question of will she or won't she. she's kept her head down and doing her work, which is what she did when she got to the senate and what she did when she became secretary of state. that's her way of doing thing

those were surprising words when michelle bachman spoke them.o you think we're at the brink of brinkmanship being over? >> the problem is the arithmetic keeps getting harder and harder for john boehner. even though the tea party is reduced in its clout, they have enough numbers to make trouble, michelle bachman not with standing. everybody is assuming that john boehner is going to be able to convince 16 other republicans, only 16, assuming all the democrats vote for this debt ceiling increase, that's 200 votes right there. they still need 17 votes, and john boehner says he's voting for it, but my understanding is they're having a hard time rounding up at least the other 16. i guess they'll get there. but it's a further humiliation to john boehner that he can't even get up cleanly. it's not working out in that sense. he can't throw up his hands without their being obligations. the heritage action people and the club for growth people have said that they're going to, quote, score this. anybody who votes to increase the debt ceiling is going to be

. >> that's right, but even folks like michelle bachman, very conservative house member, quoted as saying that it's time for a fight. and for pragmatism, and when you say that, you have other republicans saying, let's get this done and move on to issues that we think we can win some approval ratings on. republicans are going to primaries, and there's a lot of concern on what raising the debt limit means, people think that it means you're going to spend more money. and they don't want those ads out there. but today, majority leader, nancy pelosi, pointed out that congress passed the bill for the debt. and they are saying we have to pay the bills. >> there are so many countries that have this sort of thing. most say, once you pass the bill, you pay the bill. it will be great to have you here in new york. >>> one thing that lawmakers in washington did accomplish today, they unanimously confirmed senator max bachus into the key post in montana. he said boosting trade will be a priority. it's something that he's familiar with after years as chairman of the finance committee. another record tra

day. [ bells ringing ] >> my constituents absolutely can't understand why-- >> representative michelle bachmanressed yellen on a view held by some members of the g.o.p. that the fed is not transparent in what it does, and should be subject to audit, a notion yell done not oppose. we are audited, the books are independently reviewed. >> however, what i don't agree with and strongly oppose interfering with the independence of monetary policy by bringing political pressures to bear on the committees' judgment about what is the appropriate way to implement monetary policy. >> a democrat from texas was focused on the growing inequality in the country made worse been the great recession and asked if this is stifling economic growth? >> i think it's one of the most important issues, and one of the most disturbing trends facing the nation at the present time. there has been some discussion about the possibility that inequality is holding back, the recovery because the gains have been so unequally distributed. i think we don't have certainty about that. but certainly rising inequality is not--is partly

mccain was responding to a question about my chemical bachman. michelle said many people aren't ready for a female commander and chief. >>> my chemical obama appeared on jimmy fallon's tonight show last night. >> when we're out of here, in a few years, you know, they've got to be able to function as normal people. so driving is a part of that. so we're going to have to figure that out. ladies and gentlemen in d.c., watch out. >> the first lady also -- look at this. this is hill layer just. she took part of this sketch. she told them that exercise is not eeeew. >> i think exercise is eeew too. >> oh my god. eeew. >> i was feeling it yesterday watching the u.s. hockey team. i had a big bet to be continued. i miss michaela pereira on the show. i love her like a sister. i would have to make good on my wanger if she -- wager if she were here. >> here are involved -- thank you for that giving that away. silver never tasted so bittersweet for the u.s. women's hockey team. this could have been their year for the women. they had to settle for second place blowing

michelle bachmann is live next. michella bachmanw oker sauce. by the time you get home, dinner is practically done. mishte michella bachman vert >>> the tea party is turning five years young. it changed the balance of power in washington. but will the movement see its 10th birthday? many say it is history but what does michella bachman think about that? >> good morning, bill. good to be with you. >> where is the tea party today? >> it is alive and well and kicking. you see it reflected in the polls especially the one that showed 6-10 americans are disaffected with obamacare and 55% according to your own poll wish it was never passed. the tea party rose up because the american people were sick of the out of control spending. they believe we are taxed enough and should fall though constitution. >> are you arguing that you are as strong, getting stronger, or as strong? >> we are as strong as 2010 when we took the gavel out of nancy pelo pelosi's hands and i believe we can do the again. the american people don't want out of control spending. >> but the tea party has tried to knock off more established candidates on the republ