not a perfect union, but a more perfect union. all right?. >> needless to say, the washington media wasn't expecting all this on a summer friday. our friend jonathan capehart from "the washington post" was inform the room for the president's remarks. jonathan, i'll start with you. i mentioned this earlier. this column from your colleague at "the washington post" jeanne robinson this morning, the timing of this is interesting in light of what happened this afternoon. the headline on his column was "obama is the wrong person to lead a discussion about race." i mentioned this earlier. one of the lines is, the unfortunate fact is that obama's aim is to promote dialogue about race, speaking his monday is demon st demonstrably counterproductive. just wondering what your take is. >> well, i'm hoping history will prove gene wrong. it was incredibly powerful to be there in the room when the president gave these remarks. his coming into the room was a surprise, but i think what he had to say was even more surprising. the press core always pays attenti

we're becoming a more perfect union. not a perfect union. but a more perfect union. ♪ makes you want to holler, throw up both my hands ♪ ♪ it make me want to holler throw up both my hands ♪ >> it was unexpected. he took all of us by surprise but nearly a week after a verdict that royaled the nation and highlighted racial disparities in the criminal justice system, the president this afternoon offered his first response to the acquittal of george zimmerman. with precious little warning, the president arrived in the white house briefing room delivering a statement that will vet quickly became deeply personal. >> when trayvon martin was first shot, i said that this could have been my son. another way of saying that is, trayvon martin could have been me 35 years ago. >> the president ticked through a litany of average encounters for an african-american male being followed shopping in a store, hearing door locks click as you walk by, a woman holding her purse close in an elevator, all of which the president said were personal experiences for him

along this long, difficult journey, we're becoming a more perfect union. not a perfect union. but a more perfect union. >> you know, victoria, when i think about that, i think about grant park and just the diversity of the electorate in 2008 and 2012 which is such a broad coalition of americans. and when i hear some of the reaction to what the president said, to me, it sounds like again, the same people who are afraid of the reality that this is america today. this is not, we talk about being a majority/minority country. we're here and we're not going anywhere, right? >> going forward, there will be more and more change. we'll see more majority/minority cities. what i found so interesting that the president did yesterday, it wasn't just him putting on his personal hat. he also put on a bit of a professorial hat. we're looking forward to the changes demographically will be in the country but we cannot move forward until we look back. and he said that sociology, history, professor hat on saying, look, we have had a history of racial divisions in this country. we are not that far

not a perfect union. but more perfect union. >>. >> we're becoming a more perfect union. we've made progress. yes, we have. and people have said since the verdict it's not as bad as it was. but the reason it didn't resonate is because they wouldn't deal with the context as they measured the progress. the reason what the president said could make us hopeful is he dealt with the reality and then said yes things are better, because they are. and yes, they are better. the fact that we can do things our parents couldn't and that their parents couldn't is undeniable. but don't use it as an excuse to stop the move toward progress. use that to inspire that if they could do it, why can't we? and that's why him putting the context and baring the facts was how you move the country forward. because we never moved forward by making excuses that we've already made enough progress. and as we prepare to rally in 100 cities tomorrow in the wake of the trayvon martin verdict, the president addressed the big questions. why does this divide exist? how can we address it without becoming acrim

. >> the president expressed optimism ask said we're becoming a more perfect union. not a perfect union but a more perfect one. >> leanne, thank you. >> the web site politico reports -- aids say he is reluctant to talk about the verdict. trayvon marptin's parents thanking president obama and they said it gives them strength. the brother of george zimmerman says he's glad the president spoke since many have been waiting for it but he says believes peak foekusing on race does a disservice to the country. >> businesses in oakland preparing for potential fallout this weekend. businesses boarding up their windows and installing surveillance cameras. police are expected to be out in force. last weekend, protests turned violent when demonstrators threw rocks and damaged property. >> bay area muslim sorgss say they're standing with those who are against the verdict in the trayvon martin murder case. >> we stand with brothers and sisters recognizing each communities alone cannot overcome racial injustice. and violence against our communities but that together, we can make a d

not a perfect union. but a more perfect union. all right? thank you, guys. >> you've been watching the president's reaction to the george zimmerman verdict six days after the jury found zimmerman not guilty in the death of trayvon martin, the martin family has just issued their own reaction to the president's remarks. we are deeply honored and moved that obama took the time to speak publicly about this. we ask for your prayers as well as we continue to move forward. we know that the death of our c son trayvon and the trial have been difficult for many people. we know our family has become a conduit for people to talk about race in our country. what touches people is that our son trayvon benjamin martin could have been their son, president obama sees himself and identifies with him. this is a beautiful tribute to our boy. trayvon's life was cut short, but we hope that his death will make our communities -- to encourage an open and difficult dialogue. our family is committed to this dialogue through the work of the trayvon martin foundation. w

not a perfect union, but a more perfect union. >> perfecting the union with our power panel including one time member of the black panthers in the turbulent '60s. and new beginning grish. plus inside the minds of the first african american president with president obama's long time mentor professor charles oig he will tree. and race relations five years after john mccain conceded victory to barack obama. >> we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation, the memory of them still had the power to wound. >> our exclusive with senator mccain with his take on race in the obama era. i'm candy crowley. this is state of the union. issues of race and guns have dominated the public conversation in more than 100 cities thousands took part in justice for trayvon rallies. . his father offered his thoughts. >> it sends a message to the nation that we're not going to sit back and let our children be killed and don't say anything about it. >> the subject of race is not always front burner, but it always simmers. joining me now

. >> we're becoming a more perfect union. not a perfect union. but a more perfect union. >> in our program today, we'll continue the conversation the president sparked on friday. we begin with this week's headline from what's been called america's most racially pol polarized city. detroit declared bankruptcy, the largest city to do so. mayor bing, i know you resisted the bankruptcy option, but are you convinced it's going to bring a new start to the people of detroit? >> i'm hoping this will be a new start. detroiters are a very resilient people. and we have a, you know, we had chrysler and general motors that the federal government helped in their bankruptcy, they came back and they are doing well. detroit is an iconic city, worldwide, and our people will fight through this and we will come back. >> the auto industry came back with federal help. but vice president biden says we don't know how the federal government can help. i know you have been in contact with white house and administration officials, have you asked for federal assistance and w

not a perfect union.ct union. >> that phrase, a more perfect union, is not just part of the preamble to the constitution of the united states. that phrase is how then senator barack obama began his other definitive about race. it is now we refer to a speech he ghaf march ave in march of 2 philadelphia. in that speech, senator obama described the nation's black/white divide as, quote, a racial stalemate. we have been stuck in for years. joining us now is michael, msnbc presidential historian and author of nine books on american politics and political figures. thank you for being here tonight. >> a pleasure. >> other presidents have addressed race. exactly 50 years ago in june, jfk stood and discussed race. what makes this president's address on race different? >> well, what makes it different is one overwhelming fact and that is for first 220 years of american presidents, a lot of speeches given on civil rights but they were all given by people who may have had the best intentions and kindness and empathy

not a perfect union. at it's doig to your pores. [ female announcer ] neutrogena® oil free moisture hydrates without clogging pores. 100% free of oil, fragrance and dyes. oil free. worry free. [ female announcer ] oil free moisture. neutrogena®. >> welcome back to "hardball." the scene of president obama's surprise comments on race was casual, informal, a sharp contrast with the gravity, the magnitude, the importance of the words themselves which could well mark a defining cultural moment for his political legacy. the question is why did the president choose to get in front of this very complex topic then and there and what will it mean for the future of politics not only for him but for both parties. not surprisingly the reaction from some conservatives has already been critical can todd starnes a conservative rao host with foxnous saying "president obama is now our race baitner chief. his remarks on the trayvon martin tragedy are beyond reprehensible." eugene robinson wrote a column yesterday entitled o

not a perfect union, but a more perfect union. >> perfecting the union with our power panel includingrbulent '60s. and

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. >> we are about becoming a more perfect union not a perfect union but more perfect union. >> this isews washington. >> remarkable day at the white house. web site political reports that obama staff cheered and did fist pump during this morning unscripted comments. aide say he expressed strong opinion privately and reluctance to talk about the verdict surprised them. trayvon martin parents release a statement thanking him for saying what he said about their son. they said it gives them strength. and the brothers of george zimmerman says he too is glad the president spoke since so many people have been waiting for it. but robert zimmerman says he believes focusing on race alone quote does a disservice to the country. in response to the martin killing oakland students march in support of peace today. kid from oakland freedom school carried signs that said i deserve life and i am trayvon martin. and my life matters. we also talked to youth mentor who says he sees the effects of violence on black youth almost every day in his job at oakland funeral home. >> too much killing going on. doin

-- not a perfect union, but a more perfect union.you, guys. >> next on c-span, "washington phonel," live with your calls. and then the senate confirmation hearing for u.n. ambassador power.e samantha in about 45 minutes, a discussion of stand your ground laws. on therg news reporter securities and exchange commission case against the goldman sachs bond trader in his role in the 2008 financial crisis. a discussion on the unit -- u.n. ambassador nominee. >> when trayvon martin was first shot i said this could have been my son. another way of saying that is trayvon martin could have been me. obama offering comments not only on the trayvon martin case but the skies and a larger issue of race and race relations during a 20 minute speech at the white house yesterday. reaction has been mixed. we w

. >> we're becoming a perfect -- more perfect union, not a perfect union. >> reporter: the president came to the press room carrying notes. no script. no teleprompter. his aids say he was speaking from the heart, we know he was speaking off the cuff. diane? >> jim avila reporting in tonight. thank you, jim. >>> as we said, we wanted to take a closer look at questions of race and bias in america. and abc senior justice corespondent pierre thomas has that. >> reporter: the last image of trayvon martin was of him buying tea and candy. and minutes later, when george zimmerman saw him, he was committing no crime. many african-americans believe he was racially profiled. today, the nation's first african-american president talked about the indignity of being profiled and it got personal. he made it clear, it's happened to him. >> there are very few african-american men who haven't had the experience of walking across the street and hearing the locks click on the doors of cars. >> reporter: the slights are daily and they don't go away, the president said. telling the country the african-amer

. >> we're a more perfect union. not a perfect union.ut a more perfect union. >> powerful words are now being translated into action. in reaction to the george zimmerman acquittal as it reverberates from the streets to the white house to the halls of congress. last night it was an emotionally charged special order of the congressional black caucus with passionate calls for change from the house floor. >> i don't know why people shoot each other, but i know one thing. who doesn't shoot each other? a young kids inspired they got education, they got families, they got a country that's the wind behind their wings that want to make a contribution to this great country. they can walk anywhere, talk anywhere, and nobody's going to be following them to talk about you look like someone that may hurt somebody. >> those bold sentiments from congressman charlie rangel were echoed by thousands taking to the streets this weekend. with marches in for man 100 citicity s honoring the memory of trayvon martin and calling for changes in stand your grounds.

, not a perfect union, but a more perfect union.? thank you guys. now you can -- >> that was president obama, a very reflective, sue, and personal president obama giving his first extended comments post the trayvon martin verdict. >> absolutely. >> that came down last saturday. it was very interesting. he went to some of the historical reasons for the way people in the african-american community feel and have reacted to that verdict and then laid out some of the things that he thinks we as a nation ought to be thinking about and doing with respect to -- in the wake of that -- of that case. >> absolutely. basically a four-part proposal, if you will. as you said, it's not necessarily a plan but some of the things that he's been thinking about. we should note this was completely unexpected. the president usually does not attend the briefings, and he just walked in, and even the wires said surprise visit by president obama with these comments obviously, as you mentioned, ty, very reflective. and it will be interesting to see where the c

not a perfect union but a more perfect union. all right?nk you, guys. >> and that was extraordinary. unannounced, the president walking into the briefing room and talking about race, talking about trayvon martin, and concluding by saying that we should have a conversation on race but that he doesn't want one that is stilted and that, in fact, in listening to his daughters, he realizes, and we shouldn't forget that things are getting better. he says there is a role for the federal government, that there are questions that need to be asked about stand your ground laws. i thought kristen welker, who is standing by at the white house, and toure in new york at 30 rock, one of the moments where e he said, what if trayvon martin had been armed? this has obviously been percolating for a while. there were a lot of suggestions we needed to hear from the president. what is the back story here as to why he decided to come out today and now? >> reporter: well, look, andrea, all week long the white house has been fielding questions about why president ob

not a perfect union, but a more perfect union. all right? thank you, guys. now you can talk to jay. >> did you talk to the martin family, plchl president? >> we're going to have full analysis of president obama's remarks with melissa harris perry, joy reid, and james peterson up next. stick around. [ male announcer ] if you're taking multiple medications, does your mouth often feel dry? a dry mouth can be a side effect of many medications but it can also lead to tooth decay and bad breath. that's why there's biotene. available as an oral rinse, toothpaste, spray or gel, biotene can provide soothing relief, and it helps keep your mouth healthy, too. remember, while your medication is doing you good, a dry mouth isn't. biotene -- for people who suffer from dry mouth. >>> we have an amazing panel lined up tonight to talk about the president's remarks. their reaction and their analysis is up next. which is why he's investing in his heart health by eating kellogg's raisin bran®. mom make you eat that? i happen to like raisins. [ male announcer ] invest in your he

. >> professor ogle tree, the president ended talking about a more perfect union.lked about this speech not written beforehand, it was delivered to a large, somewhat empty room. but the theme of it i think cuts to the core of the obama presidency which is trying to create a more perfect union but a presidency that's inherently optimistic about the future. he talked about malia and sasha, his daughters. he fundamentally believes we are getting better as a society. when you think about the president thinking about his legacy, that would seem to be part of it, is that he worked to move the ball forward. >> it is. i've known barack obama for 25 years, since he was a student at harvard. he's always talked about bringing folks together. i think this idea of a more perfect union is exactly what he's talking about and i think a lot of us are going to get on the train, get on the bus, wherever we have to go to make this happen, not just have a conversation but to really move for change. i think that's going to happen in our lifetime. >> harvard law school professor charles

to move this country toward a more perfect union. when i was growing up in church, we used to sing the song "this little light of mine, i'm going let it shine." let's all take the darkness on by shining our light on a better way and a way to make this nation what should it be. thanks for watching. i'm al sharpton. "hardball" starts right now. >> the president, the zimmerman trial and race. let's play "hardball." >>> good evening. i'm michael smerconish in for chris matthews. what we saw at the white house today was something that many people have been waiting for, president obama speaking out clearly, forcefully, and emotionally about the trayvon martin case. it was the president addressing race in a way that only he, uniquely among american presidents, could giving his first on-camera comments about a story that has sparked a national dialogue over the last week. president obama today said the country needed to do some soul-searching, and he spoke about the case in starkly personal terms. >> you know, when trayvon martin was first s

well, it was to form a more perfect union to ensure domestic tranquility, and to provide for the common defense. to do that, he -- he had to seize powers that were not his under the constitution, and he seized powers in seven areas. in the new book "mr. president," i call them the seven pillars of power that continued to hold -- to hold up the et phac of the presidency today. >> well, what was one of the first actions george washington took to increase the power of the presidency? >> interestingly enough, he took us to war without consent of the congress. congress was not even in session, but the indians in the west and the indians considered foreign nations then, the indians in the west were attacking american settlers in the wilderness, and he just wouldn't tolerate that, and he told general wayne, mad anthony wayne, to raise an army, and go to war with the indians, and that's exactly what wayne did. people said that president nixon took us to war illegally in cambodia, that george w. bush took us to war illegally and iraq, and they did, but washington was first, and he set the preced

not a perfect union, but a more perfect union. all right? speaking freely without tell prompter he talked for 20 deeply personal minutes. >> the reason i actually wanted to come out today is not to take questions, but to speak to an issue that obviously has gotten a lot of attention over the course of the last week, the issue of the trayvon martin ruling. i gave a preliminary statement right after the ruling on sunday, but watching the debate over the course of the last week, i thought it might be useful for me to expand on my thoughts a little bit. first of all, you know, i want to ever sure that once again, i send my thoughts and prayers, as well as michelle's to the family of trayvon martin, and to remark on the incredible grace and dignity with which they have dealt with the entire situation. i can only imagine what they are going through, and it's remarkable how they have handled it. the second, to reiterate what i said sunday. there will be a lot of arguments about the legal issues in the case. i'll let all the legal analysts and talki

part of a more perfect union. >> i'm going to quote the world only spins forward. to keep fighting more progress. >> cenk: and shana fought not only for herds but all americans because civil rights aren't just for minorities, it's for every american. thank you, shana. everybody else, bye bye! [ ♪ theme music ♪ ] >> john: thank you, turks, good evening, millions of egyptians are protesting the regime of mohammed morsi and the military gives him an ultimatum. morsi said he'll consider proving denial as president of egypt. and he snowden wait forgive asylum. and hillary clinton she's too old. how the party of old white men are trying to sneer

not a perfect union, but a more perfect union. all right?

we're always striving to form a more perfect union.ssed moved un -- moved past unfair tariffs and 3/5 of a person, beyond denying women a right to vote and beyond the control of jim crow. now we must fight against criminal injustice and economic inequality. we fight for equal rights for all americans, for gays, for new immigrants, for women to earn pay for equal work. sure it makes some people uncomfortable. but this country has always evolved because people stood up, addressed the problems of their time, and fought to change them. that's the greatest of america. now you know, bill. sincerely yours, reverend al. >>> joining me now is martin luther king iii. thanks for being here, first of all, martin. >> thank you, rev. >> you know, protests over injustice is a key part of our history and of yours personally. >> it certainly is. and in fact that is part of what we're doing on august 24th as we reenact the march on washington. my dad always used those techniques. he also had a public policy agenda that he had in place that would ultimat

not a perfect union. the pursuit of a better life for our children is something we all share. but who can help prepare them for the opportunities ahead? who can show them how to build on your success, but not rely on it. who can focus on making your legacy last for generations to come? that someone is a morgan stanley financial advisor. and we're ready to work for you. and experience the connectivity of the available lexus enform, including the es and rx. ♪ this is the pursuit of perfection. >>> president obama says that race releases are improving and according to gallop polling he may be right at least in one key way. gallup found that african-americans are a lot less likely to cite discrimination to the fact that blacks generally have worse jobs, income and housing than whites. 37% of african-americans say discrimination is the main reason for that, while 60% of african-americans say it's mostly due to something else. 20 years ago, those numbers were a lot closer together. polling from 1993 found 44% cited discrimination versus 48% who said something else. we'll be right ba

but a more perfect union. all right? thank you, guys. now you can -- >> have you talked to the martin family, mr. president? have you talked to the martin family? >> there you stee the president of the united states. jay carney, his press secretary. let's listen for a minute to see if he does any questions about this. especially the question shouted, has he spoken to trayvon martin's family. >> i would understand if folks need to go file. that's fine. i leave it to our friends in the front row to tell me how brief we can keep this. >> keep it short. >> keep it short. let me go to julie. >> i guess just to start off, can you tell us a little bit about the process of having that -- why did the president have to do it at the end of the week? >> i'll say a couple things. because the process is far less important than the words the president spoke. and he -- he wanted to say something, and he came out and said it. he's obviously mindful of the discussions that have been going on. i think some of us had discussions earlier this week. he was ce

and along this long difficult journey, we're becoming a more perfect union. not a perfect union. the zimmerman case after all, there say justice department investigation underway. but he made enough of a statement that the defense team fired out saying it took courage for our president to address the zimmerman case. while we acknowledge the racial context of the case they say we hope that the president was not suggesting that this case fits a pattern of racial disparity because we strongly contend that it does not. the president believes that race relations in this country are improving. he used his daughters and their friends as an example saying that their generation each successive generation, he said seems to be making progress in changing attitudes. vinita maurice. >> jeff pegues at the white house. thank you very much. >>> while much of the eastern united states continues to bake under high temperatures and high humidity the thermometer reaching well into the upper 90s all week with heat indexes making it feel hotter. the heat wave stretches from the northeast but good news

not a perfect union, but a more perfect union. all right?m the president of the united states. he was president obama's special assistant, personal aide. so, what does reggie love make of the president's remarks? we'll speak with him. >>> and quick criticism of the president from one republican senator, ted cruz. vo: traveling you definitely end up meeting a lot more people but a friend under water is something completely different. i met a turtle friend today so, you don't get that very often. it seemed like it was more than happy to have us in his home. so beautiful. avo: more travel. more options. more personal. whatever you're looking for expedia has more ways to help you find yours. [ male announcer ] you wait all year for summer. ♪ this summer was definitely worth the wait. ♪ summer's best event from cadillac. let summer try and pass you by. lease this all-new cadillac ats for around $299 per month or purchase for 0% apr for 60 months. come in now for the best offers of the model year. peoi go to angie's listt for all kinds of reasons.

main points of the constitution of the united states of america states that in order to form more perfect union we need to promote general welfare. the declaration of independence states all men are created equal under life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. if our use for -- excuse me. if our use [inaudible]. >> thank you. >> thank you. that's your time. thank you. (applause) >> next speaker. >>> [inaudible] current student at san francisco state. i'm taking classes at city college to fulfill some requirements because there are some classes i am unable to get at san francisco state. so, if city college were to close, some students from san francisco state would be adversely affected. it's not just some, however. i'm also taking -- well, let me start this again. i ask that you guys do all that you can in your power to ensure city college remains open in its current state and form. not [speaker not understood], not privatized. city college serves a diverse range of demographics. not only for those who transfer, but newcomers who don't yet know english. my mom is one great example. not only

, but a more perfect union. thank you guys. talk to jay. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2013] which crimes were you referring to? which decisions were taken by the current administration would you recommend? >> thank you, senator. thank you for giving me the occasion to respond to that. i come as an immigrant to this country, i think it is the greatest country on earth. never apologize for america. it is the light of the world. we have freedoms and opportunities here that people don't have a broad. -- abroad. with regard to that quote, on of the things that moved me, it has been written critically about the clinton administration's response. president clinton himself had come forward and expressed his regret that he said the united states did not do more in face of the genocide. when i travel to rwanda and having been critical, i was stunned to see the degree to which clinton's visit to rwanda and his apology for not having done more and how it had resonated with rwandans. thehis weekend on c

, not a perfect union, but a more perfect union. all right. thank you, guys. now you can talk -- >> have you talked to the martin family, mr. president? >> next on c-span, the house veterans affairs community hears from military sexual assault victims. how leaders discuss the congressional agenda and ted cruz talks to republicans in owa. on the next "washington journal." we'll sit down with john lily and john lott to discuss stand your ground laws in states across the country. vorris talks about the 2008 financial meltdown. after that the senior correspondent for "newsweek daily beast" a u.n. ambassador to the u.n. samantha power and the challenges she faces if confirmed by the senate. "washington journal" beginning at 7:00 on c-span. >> in 2003, in an article you recommended a historical reckoning with crimes permitted by the united states. which crimes were you refering to and which decisions taken by the current administration would you recommend for such a reckoning? >> thank you, senator. and again, thank you for giving me occa

more than our parents did or our grandparents did and that along this long, difficult journey, perfect unionrfectore union. but a more perfect union. all right? thank you, guys. now you can, now you can -- >> mr. president, have you talked to the martin family? lori: okay, the president, president obama saying president obama could have been me 35 years ago. addressing the george zimmerman trial, the outcome and issues of race in our country. the president making previously unscheduled appearance at regularly scheduled press conference briefing that happens friday afternoon. dennis: we'll see how the coverage follows up. this could be a extraordinary moment in the obama presidency. some people said they hasn't talked about more race relations. but he came out today directly and honestly than he many other cases. he saiddit could have been me escalation it could have been my son. he tried to put it in context black america is angry about the verdict. very few african-american american have not walked into store without being watched or for shoplifting. woman grabbing her purse when a african-

. >> reporter: for others the reenactment serves as a reminder for a struggle for a more perfect union. people came from all over the world to witness this reenactment. >> the older i get the more i respect the field for what happened here. my dad was in the war. he was in normandy. i lost two brothers in vietnam. when i look at this reenactment today it means a lot what we sacrifice for. >> reporter: that gettysburg man told us that his father played a confederate general during the 1963 reenactment. his coach on how to behave as a general on the battlefield a gettysburg neighbor by the name of dwight eisenhower who led the allies to victory in world war ii. the second reenactment of the day has just begun. i am going to give you a view of this incredible battlefield scene from gettysburg. >> it is a beautiful scene. thank you for bringing us the stories the last couple of days from there. >>> still ahead dishonor over the medal of honor. helping war heroes gain some of their independence back home. i want to make things more secure. [ whirring ] [ dog barks ] i want to treat mo dogs.

mean-spirited country and we are going backwards when in fact every single year we get more closer to a perfect unionwe strive for. >> stuart: i have a bite where he is talking about social tension. i want your comment on it. roll it, please. >> if we stand by and do nothing in the face of immense change, understand that the part of our character will be lost. our founding precepts about wide open opportunity, each generation doing better than the last, that lab myth, not reality. the position of the middle-class will erode further. inequality will continue to increase. money power will disported our politics even more. social tensions will rise as various groups fight to leold on to what they have or start blaming somebody else for why their position is not improving. >> stuart: social tensions will rise, what do you make of that? >> in my mind, i think president obama would like to see civil unrest very much like the arab spring. i think what he is trying to do is spark this revolution against the wealthy, against the 1 percent who are holding us back. the democrats used this in a speech talk about

and we are here to try and lay out a road map for how we can get closer to a more perfect union here in america. i'm pleased today that we have been joined by the chairwoman of the congressional black caucus, the distinguished gentlelady from ohio who has been such a tremendous, eloquent, forceful leader in her position as chair of the c.b.c. and i now yield to her such time as she may consume. ms. fudge: i thank you so much. and i want to thank you, congressman jeffries, for leading the congressional black caucus special order on this very important topic tonight, a topic that has once again captured national attention and sparked a dialogue in communities across this nation. on friday, president obama helped provide context to the emotion african-americans and particularly african-american men have had around the tragedy of trayvon martin. over the weekend people of all ages and races gathered at government buildings to stand together to rise up for justice and in honor of trayvon. to many, the verdict we all heard on saturday july 13, was a miscaurge of justice. a consistent failu

background is and that is the ideals of the constitution and we are, obviously, striving to be a more perfect unionot there yet but regardless of whether you're black or white or gay or straight or a woman, whatever the case may be, you should have the right to vote. you should do so and you should be able to do so in a nonintimidating manner and what we should do regardless whether you're republican or democrat. >> robert, thank you. marjorie, you too. have a good day. >>> a washington, d.c. vandal caught green-handed? police arrested 58-year-old jamal for allegedly splattering green paint across the walls of the national cathedral and pipe organ. the latest of spraying on a landmark including the lincoln memorial. police are investigating whether they are linked. >>> tropical storm flossie will weaken into a tropical depression today. >>> milan was hit by several tornadoes yesterday. the storm sent debris flying through the air and damaging several buildings. at least 12 people were hurt in those. >>> it's getting real for two stars of the show "real housewives of new jersey." take eresa and her

must always remain our common cause, the enduring pursuit of a more equitable, more just and more perfect unionause] ♪ ♪ >> federal reserve chair ben bernanke will continue his testimony on capitol hill today before the senate banking committee. watch live coverage at 10:30 a.m. eastern on c-span3. >>> now, immigration policy with chicago mayor rahm emanuel and americans for tax reform president grover norquist. they sat down monday with the atlantic's washington editor at large, steve clemons. this is just under an hour. [applause] >> thanks to all of you for being here. i'm steve clemons, washington editor at large of the atlantic, and i have a real privilege today to engage in conversation, and later we'll include you as well, two people who are ostensibly two of the leading, most powerful political players in america. and both of you were telling me it was slightly ap out of body experience -- an out of body experience being here. i didn't know whether to have grover and rahm right next to each other but, of course, rahm emanuel, former white house chief of staff, three-term member of congr

what he is trying to do is make this a more perfect union. unless we talk about this, as we focus on how african-american men are feeling, i know that i surely have experienced racial profiling. here in new york city where we have this huge debate because of the way the mayor has gone with racial profiling and talking to individuals, we've got to make sure that this conversation happens. we've got to make sure that we stay with it until such time that we get rid of those laws like stand your ground. >> how do we get rift racial profiling? you have to make it illegal. number one. that's the trayvon martin situation, the prosecutors tried to avoid the discussion the jurors said they did not recognize it. and the defendant tried to delete it. can you imagine if you have a trial in florida where you had six black jurors as opposed to six white jurors, the prosecutor would accept that arrangement? the jury should have been black, white, male and female. it was very unrepresentative. you have a conclusion that was, imagine again, an all black juror

this indication, but frankly, to pushing this country to get better and better, to become a more perfect unionto move closer to that day when we will truly be one nation. and, you know, the reality is, that today, our country is safer. sanford is safer. new york city is safer because this family stood up, and because people across this country stood up with them and pushed and built a movement for justice that will continue. >> big thanks to both of you. >> thank you, craig. >> thank you. >>> folks, we've been asking a very simple question op the website, do you agree with the jury's verdict? very simple question. the results so far, you can take part in our online poll at tv.msnbc.com. you're watching live special coverage of the acquittal of george zimmerman. ♪ [ slap! ] [ male announcer ] your favorite foods fighting you? fight back fast with tums. calcium-rich tums starts working so fast you'll forget you had heartburn. ♪ tum tum tum tum tums [ laughing ] ...is the crackle of the campfire. it can be a million years old... cool. ...or a few weeks young. ♪ [ laughs ] away beckons from orion'

-- not a perfect perfect but a more union. all right. guys.you, now you can -- >> mr. president, have you talked to the martin family? >> this morning on "washington "time" " we spoke with magazine reporter elizabeth dias about her cover story after trayvon. the cover story of "time" magazine, after trayvon. and center. front the trial is ended but the repercussions of a florida only just h have begun. in the body of this story, dias writes, there about a new discussion how america handles its diversity. longer be the population. within a year, a majority of willren under the age of 5 be minority groups, the promise of tomorrow changed little in the present. dias joining us live on the phone. thank you for being with us. me. ank you for having >> as you put the cover story together and we put on the screen some of the figures about the changing demographics of learn?, what have you >> a great question, you know, he day after the verdict was announced was sunday. and 80% of blacks in america say is very important in their lives

laws to change some of those policies and i think that's what has to happen to make us a more perfect union. >> let me switch gears and talk about the big issue, health care, house voted yesterday to delay not only the employer mandate but the individual mandate and i want to play for you what speaker boehner said. >> to say that well we're going to relax this mandate for a year on american business but we'll don't stick it to individuals and families is strictly and simply unfair to the american people. >> what do you say to speaker boehner, congressman? >> what the speaker and republicans this is the 38th and 39th time we had a vote on the house floor basically to try to drawback or take back the affordable care act. stop chasing the ghost, mr. speaker. the people have spoken already. when in fact they re-elected president obama just yesterday the "new york times" showed in new york alone that the cost of health insurance will go down 50% because of the affordable care act. this will make health care affordable and more americans that have health care the cheaper it is for all of us, it's

for this country to have a mature conversation, serious dialogue on making the country a more perfect unione becoming president, he never really talked about it. there are obvious reasons why. the backlash he ended up getting from weighing into the henry wage lewis jr. arrest. what he talked about in 2008, what a lot of people wanted him to talk about, i think we got today. that's why we're continuing to talk about this. we're going to be talking about it over the weekend. it's a big moment. looking back in history, i can think of looking at dwight eisenhow eisenhower's speech on the military industrial complex, where you get honest, surprising remarks from somebody who isn't running for re-election again. i think that's the impact of today's speech. >> it makes me think about the president's comments on the affordable health care act. he said people on capitol hill oppose it because his name is attached to it. we're told the president has stayed out of the immigration debate because if his name is associated with it, we might not see a bipartisan deal struck if it gets through the house. a

you will love this country's potential and do your part in ensuring a more perfect union.e to you by the time you can understand the contents of this letter. that will mean we finally stopped singing "we shall overcome" and actual le began to love it. love always, mom. >>> and the people said amen. thank you so much. >>> good afternoon, it's thursday, july 25th. the gloves are off, and this president is for something. >>> endsless -- phony scandals. >> president obama looks like he's ready for a fight. >> it's a hollow shell. it's an easter egg, and difference to get in our way. >> the speech turned out to be all sizzle and no steak. >> it gets you right here. >> the president wants to re-slice the case. conservatives want to grow the capes. >> here they are. the card is right here. >> if you want to grow the cake, you use convection, my wife says. >> you can't just be against something, you have to be forsomething. >> eyeroll. a bipartisan eyeroll. >> i have. ♪ spread yourself ♪ whatever you do ♪ do it good >>> this is the president's most important attempt. or in the wor

event in recent history how do we break down social barriers and come together to form a more perfect union as dr cornell west conversations great minds after this break . that was a new alert animation scripts scare me a little. there is breaking news tonight and we are continuing to follow the breaking news. alexander's family cry tears are still alive and in the grave things out there that tragic and theatrical render at the core of what. is the story. playing out in real life. i think a little worse for those. white house because it. never seen anything like this. is it possible to navigate the economy with all the details such as dixon misinformation and media hype will keep you up to date by decoding the mainstream had. it been your. furtherance conversations with great minds i'm joined by dr cornel west a self described champion of justice through the traditions of the black church dr west is one of america's most important public intellectuals and a fierce advocate for democracy he currently serves as the professor of philosophy and christian practice at union theological seminary a