but the big news today came from the iowa state fair in des moines where in an attempt to appeal to more voters, ron paul had himself batter dipped and deep fat fried. (laughter) that was good. more chipotle sauce. meanwhile mitt romney was at the state fair in his every man dungarees when he was ambushed by liberal activists with a gotcha question about social security. and with his answer, romney proved he didn't just dress like the average joe, he understands the average joe. >> we have to make sure that the promises we make in social security, medicaid and medicare are promises we can keep. and there are various ways of doing that. one is we could raise taxes on people. -- >> corporations. >> corporations are people, my friend. >> stephen: yes. corporations are people, my friend. they're like members of your family. your brother, fax machine. your uncle ben, your auntannie, your mam ma celeste, your go daddy. folks, i have been fighting this good fight for years. corporations are legally people in the united states. >> no. >> corporations are people. >> corporations are people. >> co

and anne seltzer this is "andrea mitchell reports" live in des moines at jo gentleman voes on moinessnbc the i love that my daughter's part fish. specialists, lots of doctors, lots of advice... and my hands were full. i couldn't sort through it all. with unitedhealthcare, it's different. we have access to great specialists, and our pediatrician gets all the information. everyone works as a team. and i only need to talk to one person about her care. we're more than 78,000 people looking out for 70 million americans. that's health in numbers. unitedhealthcare. >>> we're liver in des moines. we're at java joes. republicans are out campaigning for one more day had of tomorrow's straw poll. what can we expect. with me now are two at the best at breaking down the scenarios. anne selgtser who correctly predicted the outcome of the 2008 iowa caucuses. kand charlie cook msnbc political analyst. charlie looking at the debate, what did you find surprising? where was jon huntsman, is mitt romney flying over the field? >> i think mitt romney and michele bachmann held their own at the top tier. i

the team at woi, des moines aes news leader. i'm talking amanda, rachel, john walters on sports and brad edwards at the weather map. and you know who i think could really get to the bottom of this, intrepid reporter katie eastman. she has proven that she is a journalistic bloodhound. >> the city of des moines has been talking about this park for a long time now. and dog owners of des moines couldn't be happier that the park is finally here. >> stephen: thanks, katie. (cheers and applause) thanks, katie with. that kind of doggie scoop, i smell a poolitzer. you're welcome. woi news team, you find out how many people voted for perry with an "a" and you can broadcast those results on my show. or i'll broadcast the shows on your show. (cheers and applause) find out the truth. it's out there. so is the fried butter. anybody else? what if someone steals from you? like a lot. then they go away for a long time. [ siren wails ] [ helicopter blades whirring ] [ officer ] put the fork down. [ male announcer ] kraft macaroni & cheese. you kn

more coverage from the des moines soapbox. on the democratic side, we will hear from schultz and the chair of the national democratic committee. live coverage throughout the day. your chance to phone in with your comments on sunday morning. richmond, virginia, republican line. >> i believe that we need more free market freedom in this country and less class warfare. class warfare and the blame game is a game that no one can win. the american people need to go back to what works. and what works is freedom and people going out and earning their own paycheck and paying their own way and being responsible contributors and stop criticizing everybody who disagrees with you and trying to shout over people and shot them down and embraced the fact that america is a great caplets country. it will not be socialized. we will not stand for it. if you do not like america, you should leave and stop trying to change it into a progressive socialist country. >> family from memphis, tenn., democrats line print your reaction to former gov. mitt r

politico's chief white house reporter joins us from des moines.is really sort of -- could set off a brush fire among fellow republicans. take me through it. >> well, politico's ben smith put in a freedom of information request for this 2004 report and in then governor romney's power point, he gave to standard & poor to successfully save that credit rating, he pointed to a balanced approach. that's what president obama's buzzword has been for the idea of having some new revenues as part of his equation. the romney campaign says the then governor didn't push to raise taxes, but what we learned from this is that governing is harder than it looks. it's harder to be in washington trying to come up with some sort of grand bargain as opposed to being on hay bales in des moines as we saw mitt romney today. as we saw in those clips, mitt romney really ate his wheaties before this appearance, not only mixing it up a little with some of the people in the front row but also trying out some of his new lines, including saying that we need to send citizens to wa

he will be speaking at the des moines register soapboxes area. speakers throughout the day include rick santorum, ron paul, tim pawlenty, and many others. you are watching live coverage on c-span. >> i appreciate you, sir. >> thank you. >> your name is -- >> carol. >> nice to meet you carol. >> you spoke to our reporter here, joshed. >> i remember joshed. he tried to ask me a couple of gotcha questions, but he is fine. now, he was a good guy. >> we had a quite extensive rendition, a piece talking about your cancer fight. we had a profile of you in the paper. >> so what is this crowd looking for, red meat? >> mitt romney was our first soapboxes speaker yesterday. something unusual happened. there were some hecklers out in front. >> did we make sure to check for him this time? >> that was unusual for us. although they did not interrupt him when he spoke, it was during the question and answer session when things got kind of lively. so you will try to have to control that if it comes. is it 20 minutes and then questions? >> i am doing peachy keen. >>

don't forget to watch woi des moines. [squeaking and thudding] [indistinct chatter] - i'm open. i'm open. - come on, guys. [squeaking and thudding continues] clang! smack! clang! smack! [muffled squeaking and shouting] [bell rings] [whistle blows] [rapid tapping] [whistle blows] thud! thud! thud! thud! thud! thud! ding! - what is this?

don't forget to watch woi des moines.

she's arrived in des moines. listen here, some folks are saying that palin continues to crash other people's parties. remember, let me take you back. she turned up in new hampshire, the very day that mitt romney announced he was running for president and then she turned up in iowa as michele bachmann made her announcement. peter hamby in that same spot in des moines. sarah palin certainly has an interesting sense of timing, does she not? >> reporter: she really does. if you'll recall in her last bus tour around memorial day, on the same day mitt romney announced for president, sarah palin came out and she told me she trashed his healthcare plan in massachusetts. again, she shows up here in iowa when the political universe is here, every reporter from washington is out here in iowa, every presidential candidate and voila, here she is. she's a master of getting attention but she's good at it. aefrlier today, tim pawlenty was walking around the fairgrounds, went unnoticed and minutes later, sarah palin shows up, she

so let's see what the team has dug up live via satellite to the report's local affiliate in des moines woi, the iowa caucus station. amanda, rachel, thanks for joining us. >> good evening, stephen. >> stephen: the top story tonight is, of course, parry with an a gate but first rachel, what is the latest on the st. edward elementary school closing in waterloo? >> well, as you know, stephen t was closed last week when officials saw mold spores. >> and that can be dangerous to our children who i believe are the future. >> well said. officials hope to reopen the school next week once they've removed the mold. >> stephen: great report, rachel. of course mold is a fungi so let's check in with one real fungi, two-time iowa sportscaster of the year and the voice of the iowa state cyclones john walters. john, i know you think the people have the right to know the full results of the straw poll. >> i've always said sunlight is the best disinfectant. >> kneeor spor in. but first what is the latest news from the gridiron. >> there's good news for football fans. the part owned by the iowa gop matth

tonight the road to 2012 has brought us to the iowa state fair grounds in beautiful des moines, iowa.[ cheering ] >> sean: thousands to kickoff this special show. she is on the latest leg of her one nation bus tour. once again turning heads with a visit to this very key state. joining us now, sarah palin. [ cheering and applause ] >> sean: i could save the best question for last. but we have a straw poll tomorrow. you are here at the fairgrounds. i think a lot of people might want an answer to this one question. are you considering a run for the presidency of the united states? >> i am still considering a run, sean. [ cheering and applause ] >> i think the good folks near iowa, you can ask be in here and i think they would tell you, it is time this country is put back on the right track. [ inaudible ] >> they are ready for positive change from washington, d.c.. >> sean: obama said in february of '09 when he got into office, that he would be -- it would be a one-term proposition if he does not turn the economy around in three years. he's had three years. the economy has gotten worse. i

harpist not included. ♪ >> sean: we are live from beautiful des moines, iowa.t is a big week it continues tomorrow with a critical straw poll that will help set the stage for the up coming primary season. joining me with his insight into tomorrow's big event your governor the great governor of the state of iowa, governor grand standard is here. [ cheering and applause [ >>> the food here i have never had better food. >> you bet. >> sean: thank god mrs. obama is not here to tell me what i can and cannot eat. >> you will work it off. >> sean: how do you fry butter? >> i don't know. >> sean: did have a tried twinkie and porkchop on a stick, so i'm getting there. look, iowa is always going to be first. that's just the way it is going to be. >> we are working hard to keep that it way iowans care deeply about this process. iowans ask the tough questions. we had the debate last night. eight people out competing of course the straw poll tomorrow. this is where it started. if people want to be president of the united states they need to come out here, meet real people a

moines. they find the republican race pretty exciting. they're paying close attention to it. they understand they're going to face a stark choice in november of 2012. that's motivational to folks who have a -- a much different view than the views that are being articulated here behind me tonight. >> i want to read you something maureen dowd wrote on saturday. she said the white house is counting on the katherine bigelow and mark bowles big screen viewing of bin laden to counter obama's growing reputation. the movie is expected to open on october 12, 2012. perfectly timed to give a home stretch boost to a campaign that's grown tougher. is the obama campaign relying on hollywood to save it in the end? >> you're no hollywood guy. you know that would be a bad strategy to hitch our wagon to that. the truth is i didn't know about this movie until i read about it in maureen's column. maureen is a great friend of mine and a really talented writer. she pays a lot of attention to that stuff. i don't. t

moines. >> start with you.bout this thing and the importance of tonight . put it in perspective for people who don't live here! >> i covered the straw polls and this is the biggest and huge. never had a traw poll combined with the debate so close to it . so how the candidates perform is going to impact the ruls on saturday. candidate makes a mistake no time to recover and a candidate who does well has the momentum going into the poll. >> kathy. >> if you are watching and committed to a candidate and a ticket to the straw poll, you want the candidate to do well . conversely there is time for you to decide to come if someone lights your fire. >> and dave? >> so many dynamibs. those who campaign invested heavily in the straw poll and others thinking ahead to the cackuses and still others thinking beyond iowa . all of those factions going at it tonight. >> would you say more people are undecided when they arrive or come to the debate or watch it and go to the straw poll. people we talk to are fishing. >> they are u

just last month the des moines register showed us in sixth or seventh place.n four weeks going from sixth or seventh to first would be a big challenge. look, we hope to show real movement on saturday and believe we're going to do that. we've got a good team on the ground. our ads effective. most importantly, our candidate, traveled 2,600 miles throughout iowa is beginning to resonate. >> you went all-in on the straw poll? >> made a big investment in the straw poll, feel it's the kickoff to the campaign season and we needed to show real movement. >> nick ayers, see you tomorrow. >> the sonic slush, two popular bands, the big hit, the dairy queen blizzard. >> by the way, we should wish sarah huckabee a happy birthdays. >> happy birthdays. >>> up next, joini ining our kaffeeklatsch. sharing wisdom, and ask about his trip to the state fair with mitt romney, and what he thinks of the entire 2012 field and what his fave rid fried item is. >>> first a look ahead at the president's schedule, kind of a quiet day today. we'll see. he honors the green bay packers. it's k

we'll get a live rural route fr from des moines. >>> and we're live in austin for the latest on rick perry. >>> tragedy in afghanistan. the latest on that chopper downed by taliban fire. 38 people killed, 30 of them american service members, including some of the most elite navy s.e.a.l.s. the single deadliest day in our nation's longest running war. >>> it's monday, august 8th, 2011. i'm chuck todd. quite the packed monday. let's get right to my first read of the morning and it starts with the downgrade. economic uncertainty could be the greatest obstacle for president obama's re-election campaign and standard & poor's decision to downgrade the country's credit rating for the first time ever doesn't help that anxiety. here's s&p's managing director, john chachambers, on the substa of their decision. >> we have a negative outlook, which speaks to a longer time frame, from 6 months to 24 months. and if the fiscal position of the united states deteriorates further or if the political gridlock becomes more entrenched, then that could lead to a downgrade. >> here's former fed chairman al

salonpas. >>> you're looking at the iowa state fair in des moines, iowa.e waiting for mitt romney to address the crowd. he's also taking part in tonight's debate with the other candidates. when he takes to the stand, we're going to go ahead and take some of his comments live for you. >>> the dell ceiling crisis and recent downgrade of america's credit happen has been a serious debate nationwide. but in iowa, the only state where the entire delegation voted against the debt ceiling hike, that discussion is especially relevant as gop hopefuls plead their case to angry voter this weekend. al alex, what's the reception been like amongst iowa voters at these events? >> he's had a very warm reception here, they're excited about this weekend t iowa state fair kicked off earlier today, as you mentioned, mitt romney, we should hear him any moment. other candidates will be speaking tomorrow at the state fair and then this weekend really, they're excited by the straw poll. it's therai-raiser for the iowa gop and a lot of activists are really looking forward, there's

. -- des moines area. the numbers are on your screen. we will get more of your phone calls. up, from california. go ahead, please. while we watch the scene outside, we will get the calls lined up and we will be with you in another minute or two. >> live coverage on c-span. the first call is from california. go ahead, please. caller: two comments. it looks like the new republican talking points on jobs has to do with offshore drilling and oil and natural gas exploration and very little about infrastructure improvement. the second quick comment is ron paul is for a limited or no government as it has introduced the abortion question as government intrusion of the bed blum -- bedroom. host: republican line. what did you see and hear today, caroline? if you are there, please go ahead. next is the vienna in dayton, ohio. -- vivian in ohio. >> we are back live at the iowa straw poll on the campus of iowa state university. 202-624-1115 for democrats -- for republicans. the line for democrats is 202- 624-1111. this is the first test of organizational strength for the republican candi

dave price, political reporter for who tv in des moines.ws director for radio iowa. thank you for being here. you know, as you see the candidates out and about, let's start with you. do you think -- give us a sense of what the feeling is ahead of the debate, how important is it for the candidates, and who stands to gain the most. >> it's really important for candidates and not just because the straw poll follows it. there are two dynamics. one, you have a national debate with a national field of candidates and then a mini debate going on with the candidates who need to do well in the straw poll. so, you know, i think that people are going to be using this debate to try to advance different campaign purposes. it will be interesting to see how the dynamic plays out. >> bret: dave, with all the turmoil in the markets, the focus on the economy, you know, how does that play here? how important is all of that? obviously, important across the country, but here in iowa. >> that is what they are talking about now. it doesn't matter who you go see, b

mitchell reports," live from des moines, iowa, we are one day away from the ames straw poll.can contenders faced off in their final debate. and for minnesota rivals michele bachmann and tim pawlenty it got personal. >> it's an undisputable fact that in congress her record of accomplishment and results is nonexistent.

in des moines. come on down and watch the show, you iowans. and on saturday, don't miss a special primetime edition of "the daily rundown." we'll be the results show for the ames straw poll. we'll be right back. what's up, smart? oh, just booked a summer vaycay. ooo. sounds pricey? nah, with the hotels.com summer sale, you can find awesome deals for places nearby. interesting... wow, i'm blown away. you look great. hotels.com summer sale, save up to 30%. and get a free kindle. hotels.com. be smart. book smart. ♪ [ male announcer ] you've reached the age where you don't back down from a challenge. this is the age of knowing how to make things happen. so, why would you let something like erectile dysfunction get in your way? isn't it time you talked to your doctor about viagra? 20 million men already have. with every age comes responsibility. ask your doctor if your heart is healthy enough for sex. do not take viagra if you take nitrates for chest pain, as it may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. side effects may include headache, flushing

it is about what 30 minute drive from des moines to ames, iowa. the results will be announced at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow evening. represented michele bachmann is participating in the straw poll tomorrow. she is appearing on all five sunday shows. you can hear of those programs on c-span radio starting at noon eastern time. next is yvonne and joining us from tarzan of, california. >> thank you for taking my call. first of all, i would like to say i would not vote for any of those people in the republican party, because i am a democrat. i want to say that my father in birmingham, alabama, worked for 55 years of job where he made $5 a day. he had children to take care of. he was also an architect there and built many homes and buildings all over the state. they are talking about -- i heard the callers talk about how the flash black people, and i heard the woman say welfare queen. the people who are getting the welfare or other corporations and the companies, because if we are going to be the united states of america, we should be united, and that includes

nick's first call was to an nbc affiliate in des moines, iowa, who-tv. a guy who picked up the phone in the newsdesk if anyone there happened to notice the colbert super pac ad running on our affiliate or any other iowa station. the guy at the newsdesk said, immediately, quote, yeah, it ran during our 5:00 newscast yesterday. now, this does not mean stephen colbert is to be trusted. it means that we here at "the last word" have now proven that stephen colbert has told the truth exactly once in his life. well, two if you count his testimony to congress which, as viewers of this show already know, i was really impressed with. but because colbert told the truth about his super pac wasting its dirty filthy super pac money by putting a silly ad on iowa tv, colbert has earned the privilege of us, once again, showing a colbert super pac ad. it is, like the first one, an ad for rick perry. or against rick perry -- or against super pacs, or against political tv ads in general. or maybe even against iowa. and america. it's an ad like you've never seen before. unle

it's where we begin tonight with nbc's andrea mitchell in des moines. andrea, good evening. >> reporter: good evening. it was arguably the most memorable moment of that debate, brian. it was the question to michele bachmann about her marriage, her faith and how it would affect her ability to be president. today people were talking about whether women politicians are still being treated differently than men. >> did anybody catch the debate last night? >> reporter: she is the front-runner in iowa, but on stage last night, for michele bachmann, a political debate unexpectedly turned personal. >> can you describe the moment in your life when your husband said you should study for a degree in tax law. you said you hated the idea, but you explained, quote, but the lord said, be submissive, wives you are to be sub miss sif to your husband. as president, would you be submissive to your husband? >> thank you for that question, byron. marcus and i will be married for 33 years this september 10, i'm in love with him. i'm so proud of him and both he and i, what sub

we also have "the new york times" political reporter jeb zoni in des moines. i want you to look at this. during the fox news debate last night moderator brent baird asked all the candidates if they'd turn down a deal that cut $10 in spending for every $1 raised in taxes. take a look at what happened. >> if you raise your hand if you feel so strongly about not raising taxes you'd walk away. >> that's frightening. chuck, that shows -- i said today and i mean it. that was one of those reverend sun myung moon weddings whether everybody gets married at the same time. wait a minute. 10-1, would any member of congress or senator turn down a deal like that? seems like even jim demint would look twice at that deal. >> i have a feeling two-fold on this issue. number one is, i'm betting that a couple of these candidates will end up backtracking on this. maybe not for four months, but that was an odd moment. it was one of those where i'm thinking did they not hear that it was 10 to 1? did they not hear that was the ratio? clearly you heard david axelrod, president obama's

morning, everyone and welcome to the des moines register soapbox.ng, everyone and welcome to the des moines register soapbox. i'm carol hunter, the politics editor and we are glad to welcome our first soapboxes the speaker of the affair. it is and mitt romney, a former governor of massachusetts. [applause] mr. romney is speak -- seeking the republican nomination for a presidency. let's give him in iowa or welcome. [applause] >> thank you, carole. thank you for the work of the desk moines register, one of the grape pickers in america the kids our democracy free and open. i appreciate the free press and the work you do. it is good to have so many friends here today. what a great day. this is fabulous. last and i was here four years ago, i will speak louder -- does that work better? there is brian kennedy. it looks like he stacked the crowd with a couple of old friends. i appreciate your help. this is a challenging time. i wish i could start off with terrific news about how the country is doing and what bright prospects people fill in their hearts but

and on i-80, from omaha to des moines. i-70, from kansas city to st. louis. wet on i-95,rom maine to washington. and on i-10, from jacksonville to d.c. and some slick roads in the southwest. >> if you're taking to the sky, airport delays are possible in minneapolis, kansas city, memphis, boston and new york. >>> wellll a small ohio town is reeling from a shooting rampage that has left eight people dead. stunned neighbors gathered at sunset last night for a candlelight vigil. police say the gunman killed his girlfriend, members of her family and several others in three, different places, before he, himself, was killed. >> eight deaths, one that went to thehe hospital. we understand that at some point in time, the shooter was chasing somebody. so, our job is extremely complicated right now because we actually have four, different scenes that we're processing. >> i'm probably in shock right now. just imagining what could have went on. it's a tragedy. it's pretty bad. >> police are working to sort out what happened and why. they have not yet identified the victim

thunderstorms and showers around minneapolis, kansas city, des moines and chicago. heavy rain in the four corners of the southwest. >> 109 in phoenix. 91 in albuquerque and 88 in salt lake city. dallas heats up to 105. omaha, 82, detroit, 86, but it is cooler in the northeast with 74 in boston and 82 here in new york. >> 82 sounds rather nice. >> it certainly does. >> all right. well, still ahead, we're tracking overseas stock, plus expert advice on how to keep your money safe in this volatile market. >>> also, his followers believe he's a prophet but now a court says he's a pedophile. what's next for warren jeffs? >>> and this day didn't go their way exactly. trouble for these two window washers. >>> welcome back. the penalty phase of warren jeffs' trial resumes. the polygamist sect leader was found guilty of sexually assaulting two young girls s h had taken as his wife. diana alvear has more. >> reporter: it took a texas jury only a few hours to convict warren jeffs of sexually assaulting two young girls. >> i think there's a whole lot more victims in this than th

good to be with you from des moines. >> greta: good to have you here. today's news, people trying to sell stocks. how did we get into this mess? is this something we should have predicted or are we just so interlocked with the rest of the world we feel the impact of them and they feel the impact of us? >> it obviously a global economy. the bottom line is the united states is doing nothing to help the world in pulling out of this recovery. we've seen anemic growth. policies of this administration strangling business, doing everything they can to stunt with big government programs like obamacare and dodd-frank and others things that are constricting the economy. when america is sick the rest of the world gets very sick. >> greta: families wondering how this impacts them. some are lucky enough to have a 401(k). people have money in the stock market. a lot of people don't have money in the stock market, some don't have jobs if you are watching and you don't have a job how does this affect your family? >> it affects you because people who do have money in th

. >> the des moines register calls him a conservative blow torch. >> the problem pawlenty has is he didn't stand up to the high school quarterback and now he's picking on the captain of the cheerleading squad. >> now he's back on the radio air waves and that's bad news for the republican presidential field. >> what i want to do this time is traumatize pretty much all of them. >> he's part of a new iowa breed of republican activists. >> there is a new crop of evangelical conservatives who are unbending, uncompromising, and are tired of being told one thing when another thing happens and he is the mouthpiece of that movement. >> tim has seen when that mouthpiece can do. he worked for mitt romney's 08 iowa campaign and dace detests romney. >> with mitt romney, he has no record on any issue, from the bush tax cuts to immigration amnesty, to life, to marriage, he has no record at all. >> so starting in late 2007 from his old station, who in des moines, dace launched his personal air war pummeling romney. >> we knew what he was saying and he helped turn out a new breed of evangelical voters. >>