have a position -- you know how it goes. >> in the administration. >> in the administration, but salazar no, i'm staying. >> well, that's a lot of dominos to fall, alex. >> right, right. >> and ritter's decision coming on the heels of these other two, you know, i think again a little bit of a blow. but i think he's looking to go out into the private sector probably to enjoy his life a little bit would be my guess with dorgan. >> okay. >> and salazar, of course, has said he's not going to run for governorship. >> yeah. go ahead, pat. i think you wanted to jump in there. >> yeah. look, there have been some democrats, almost a dozen or something, who are stepping down in the house and they've got some problems in the senate. but i really think republicans ought not to get in too cocky about this. the probability, i think, alex, now is they could carry as many as 25, 26 seats, which is the same number as ronald reagan lost in the bad times in '82. but i think this idea that somehow we're going to capture the 39 in the house or 40 in the house you need or the 10 in the senate i think is almos

. >> now can salazar holds a town hall meeting for employees of his department. -- can salazar -- kens a town hall meeting. >> i am laura davis, the associate secretary of the interior. it is great to see you here. this is a wonderful occasion for us as we gather here to talk about the work the interior has done in the last year and the agenda president obama and secretary salazar have for the year ahead. having had the privilege to come here with the secretary last year i can tellw3 you i am amazd at whatt( the secretary has accomplished in a short 12 months. he has an incredible work ethic and a passion for all of the issues that matter to us. i remember onw3 that first day e told us that he would work for more proactive and balanced stewardship to protect our national parks, restore our nation's rivers, result our water supply challenges and address the challenges faced by our native american communities. is he a true to his word or what? [applause] he also told us our department,3 the department of america, will be leading the way in changing the world for the better. under his gu

it is an inspiration and honor every day to work for secretary salazar and serve the president.ry for the opportunity to be here with you. [applause] >> thank you, laura. we have had a great 2009 and we are fired up and ready to go for 2010. i am fired up. are you? [applause] come on. [applause] our work truly has just begun. i want to say at the outset that it would not have battled been possible to do the great things we did in 2009 -- it would not have been at all possible to do the greatÑi things we did in 209 without the people in the department of the interior. i said i would not run for the governorship of colorado because i wanted to be with you. [cheers and applause] this department, as the custodian of america's natural resources, as the custodian of america's history, really does so much for the 300 million americans that was really proud to be at the helm. i want to thank everybody that was here and who is watching us around the country. before i begin, i want to briefly recognize everyone in the department. forethoughts under pressure with the people of haiti today.

i got a call last night, it was late, i was surprised, from secretary ken salazar. told me to make sure that you tell everybody you have been more diverse in the united states senate than anyone else put together. that is where we are and i will move forward and get health care done the next couple of weeks. >> you apologized to president barack obama and black leaders. what about of butter is? do you think you owe them an apology? -- what about the voters? >> i talked to the national leaders in the last few days. the african american leaders in nevada, i told them just to call me. the present majority leader of the senate in nevada is one of my proteges. i am very proud of him. i am not going to dwell on this anymore. it is in the book. thank you all very much. >> did you know that the number one free application for your iphone is cspan radio? you can get quick and easy access to three streaming audio programs. there's also a tablet links to all of our podcast, including q&a and afterwards. it is free and available from the at store. -- the app store. >> "washingt

can salazar, former senator from colorado -- ken salazar.ere are rumors about attorney general but more focus on the interior. he ultimately accepted the job at interior. a very difficult decision for him. he made good inroads in the senate. alternately took that job and now democrats are trying to retain that seat. he is the big name coming up now that ritter is not going to seek reelection. he would be considered the favorite also -- as the denver mayor, could also step in -- and republicans, former congressman scott mcinnis and another former congressman could make a play. but richard was suffering from low approval ratings and many people thought that if he ran he would have lost. host: republicans are suggested -- suggest king -- suggesting they would capture state houses. guest: the reason why it is so significant is because of the senate. the state legislatures and governors races. i think you will see a lot more federal money or money that usually goes to federal campaign committees going to the states because it is so vital and peop

later, interior secretary ken salazar speaks at a town hall meeting for interior department employeeshington journal", we will talk to greg ip. larry burns of the director of the council on hemispheric affairs will discuss haiti. we will look at cia operations in afghanistan and pakistan with "the new york times" national security correspondent. ç"washington journal" is like each morning beginning at 7:00 eastern time here on c-span. >> this weekend, tufts university history professor on the 1965 voting rights act, the role it played in black radical politics and how it paved the way for future african american leadership. he will discuss his book on "after words." >> oregon senator ron widen posted a town hall meeting last weekend to discuss proposed health care legislation. senator ron wyden co-sponsored an amendment that allow workers to opt out of their employers sponsor -- employer sponsored plan and allow them to get coverage from health exchanges. >> good afternoon. can you hear me in the back of the room? great. i would like to welcome everyone to this middle school. this is

i have absolutely no knowledge of what secretary salazar is likely to do. he has got a great job. yes. >> another platts person, christine with platts, carbon market editor. >> you guys must be doing really well. >> actually energy is not doing too bad nowadays. a follow-up to the question about the necessity for cap-and-trade and then the question i have is that, is it critical for congress to pass the cap-and-trade build not energy only are some other type of dividend bill but cap-and-trade specifically in order to ease these international talks and i am specifically thinking of the carbon offsets situation where that is the main way to funnel funds and without cap-and-trade, it is essentially checks to developing countries with nothing in return. >> the most important signal is the signal that the u.s. is taking action to make the reductions that we were committed to making. the declaration doesn't specify the source of the funding, so i don't think it is absolutely essential for international purposes that it be a cap-and-trade built. looks just like waxman-markey. the problem

until then, interior secretary ken salazar held a town hall meeting for employees. we'll show you as much about this hour-long event we can. >> it is really great to see you of you here, it is a full house. this is really wonderful occasion for us as we gather to talk about the work interior has done in the last year the agenda that president obama and secretary salazar have for the year ahead. having had privilege of coming here with the secretary on day one of year, i can tell you that, i'm amazed at what the secretary has accomplished in a short 12 months. he has an incredible work ethic, and a passion for all of the issues that matter to of us. i remember on that very first he told us that he would work for more proactive and balanced stewardship to protect our national parks and open spaces, restore our nation's rivers, resolve our water supply challenges, and, address the challenges faced by our native-american communities. is he true to his word or what? [applause] he also told us our department, the department of america, would be lead leading the way and ch

i have absolutely no knowledge of what secretary salazar is likely to do. he has got a great job.ther platts person. christine with platts. i am carbon market editor. i have a question to follow up on-- >> you guys must be doing very well. >> energy is not doing too bad these days. follow-up on the necessity for cap-and-trade and the question i had is, is it critical for congress to pass a cap-and-trade build not energy only, but they cap-and-trade specifically in order to ease these international talks and i am specifically thinking of the carbon offsets situation where that is the main way to funnel funds to developing countries and without cap-and-trade you know it is essentially tracked to developing countries with nothing in return. >> the most important signal is a signal that the u.s. is taking action to make the reductions that were committed to making, the declaration doesn't specify the source of funding. so, i don't think it is absolutely essential for international purposes that it be a cap-and-trade bill. it looks just like waxman-markey. the problem that members of c

. >> has the president talked to secretary salazar about his future? does he want to keep the secretary in the cabinet? >> i think secretary salazar is a friend of the president's that came to the senate at the same time. we think he is doing a viable work. he has not had a conversation with him recently about politics. >> you are enunciating it could be a platform for a midterm campaign. how much do think the president is. to be out there campaigning for people in his party? >> i think he will weigh in. we have done our part in raising some funds for candidates for the democratic party. i suspect that will continue. i have seen it -- i have not seen a detailed plan of what happens 11 months from now. >> go back to review that they are going to announce tomorrow. can you give us some sense as to just generally what issues this thing is going to cover? you have this review and then the final review. maybe there will be an interim review. how far as this one going to go, addressing human and systemic failures? >> this will be very comprehensive. the pres

can salazar, former senator from colorado --@@@@@@":::: he altman the accepted the job, but it was a very difficult decision. he ultimately took the job and now democrats are trying to take that seat. he is the big name that is coming up now that ritter is not seeking reelection. the favorite also -- as the denver mayor, could also step in -- and republicans, former congressman scott mcinnis and another former congressman could make a play. but richard was suffering from low approval ratings and many people thought that if he ran he would have lost. host: republicans are suggested -- suggest king -- suggesting they would capture state houses. guest: the reason why it is so significant is because of the senate. the state legislatures and governors races. i think you will see a lot more federal money or money that usually goes to federal campaign committees going to the states because it is so vital and people on both sides already have keep people watching the senses because it is so important. host: we got a lot of long time politics watchers the people -- explain why the census matt

i have of absolutely no knowledge of what secretary salazar is likely to do. he's got a great job.yes? >> christine with platts. i have a followup -- >> you guys must be doing really well. >> we are, energy isn't doing too that nowadays. negative follow-up on the necessity of cap-and-trade, and the question i had is is it critical for congress to pass a cap-and-trade bill, not energy only or some other cat dividend bill but cap-and-trade specifically in order to ease these international talks and i'm specifically thinking of the carbon offset situation where that is the main way to funnel funds to developing countries and without cap-and-trade, you know, it is essentially checks to countries without return. >> the most important signal is a signal that the u.s. is taking action to make the reductions that were committed to making the declaration doesn't specify the source of funding, so i don't think is absolutely essential for international purposes that it be a cap-and-trade bill. it just looks like waxman-markey. the problem that members of congress and counter when they want a

clear desires of the people of virginia. [ applause ] i have written to secretary of interior ken salazar have let our congressional delegation know that this is a priority for our commonwealth, consistent with president obama's commitment to make our nation more energy secure. several studies show that environmentally-safe offshore exploration and production will create thousands of jobs, put hundreds of millions into our depleted state coffers, and spur billions in capital investment in the old dominion. there are many unemployed virginians who are ready to work in the oil and gas production industry. and we must continue to prepare for the reality of offshore production this session by mandating that 20% of the new tax revenues we generate, and any future royalties we receive, will be invested in renewable energy projects, with the other 80% going to transportation. [cheers and applause] we must also promote virginia's coal and natural gas industries in southwest virginia [ applause ] as carbon sequestration and coal gasification technologies become cost-efficient, coal production can

these issues that generally come under the nameç of the adaptation to climate change, so secretary salazars launched an initiative on this. the agriculture department is it different methods and ways of adapting to forest fires and managing forests to minimize the impact. host: we are talking about the president's, the agenda with juliet i'll parent of "the washington post." next, tom, from texas. on the republican line. caller: first of all, the climate change that the lady here is talking about is posted and directed by the builder bird -- the bilderberg group. everybody knows that al gore stands to gain a very huge amount of money if this were ever to be passed. the other thing is, mr. cannon, who was on their earlier, he said something about part d. when that was added by president bush, that did not have a penalty to pay a fine or go to prison with. and to this day, you can still not have part d if you so choose not to. host: thanks, we're going to leave it there. this concerns about the president -- former vice president gore? guest: i have never heard of that group. in terms of al g

it was late and i was surprised at was awake from secretary salazar. he told me to make sure that i should tell people that i have done more for diversity in the senate then everyone else put together. that is where we are and i'm going to more free to move forward to get health care done. -- and i am going to move forward. >> apologized to president obama and to community leaders. what about the voters? the implication is it that a dark skinned man that -- could not be here voted president? >> i have talked to leaders in the last few days. the african-american leaders in nevada have been wonderful. we know we have worked on together. the present majority leader of the senate here in nevada is one of my proteges and i am very proud of him and what we have been able to do together. i'm not going to dwell on this any more. it is in the books. thank you all very much. >> the senate returns from recess next wednesday, january 20th. they will work on a judicial nomination in legislation to raise the federal debt limit. the house is back tomorrow at noon. le

it was late, from secretary salazar. he said to make sure you tell everyone you have done more for diversity in the senate then all the rest of them put together. that is where we are and i will move forward and get health care done in the next couple weeks. >> what about the voters? to you owe the voters an apology? the implication is a dark skinned man could not be elected president. >> i talked about the national leaders i have talked to the last few days. african-american leaders in nevada have been wonderful. the present majority leader of the senate in nevada, he is one of my proteges. i am proud of what we have been able to do together. i am not going to dwell on this anymore. it is in the books. thank you very much. >> what did you mean by the comment? >> the u.s. senate returns from its winter recess next wednesday, january 20. it will work on a judicial nomination and legislation to raise the federal debt limit. the house is back tomorrow at noon eastern. legislative business begins wednesday. democratic leader

say i know my response is not to be my colleague to the right, but i had a conversation with tony salazari said i will be doing this response wit) things. in some cases we are very guilty. rick, i appreciate you putting this conference together with support. it is necessary we have these conversations. i agree with lily that they were informative and helpful. it was a good outline what the issue is and good suggestions on how to solve it. i typically find when i'm dealing with educators and we respond in a lynn rar way and respond based on what we know. i found that the responses were the same and figured out a better way to do it and sometimes it's based on that we call it something different. i would like to start out like i did in colorado. i have found that if i start most sentences with all due respect, i already achieved permission for things i might say that they may not agree with. to this group with all due respect, i think there some elephants in the room that we have addressed on a small scale and haven't jumped with both feet in. some of those have been mentioned certainly and

salazar, he came down here and changed -- he shut down a bunch of our oil rigs because they're too closeo our parks. we we went from a 50 to 250,000-dollar per but here in colorado. >> host: steve, why don't you go to your question? >> caller: okay. i think it's a big deal that our government has been working on this for a while. also, just one real quick question for you. okay, if it doesn't make any difference if they were republican or democrat, do you think they have a better chance of being elected? >> guest: just to the first question. hopefully, i'm getting at the thrust of what he's talking about. but i think in all the discussion about creating jobs and jobs program, that there is very little attention paid to the jobs that government has destroyed. and i think he mentioned, i think he was referring to the central valley, where there's been a huge artificially created drought. and its environmental regulatory excess that has created this artificial problem and has put so many farmers and ranchers out of work. and it's unfortunate that at these job summit, which are essentially d

[applause] sylvia salazar and so many others, i could go on. and at the heart of the mission of both organizations is developing the leadership, soy and power -- voice and power of communities of color. and why is this so important? because we are the future of this country. we are shaping the country now, and we have the power to shape it even more in years to come if we're prepared and strategic and engaged. we all know the demographics, you know, people of color make up a third of the u.s. population, and we're expected to grow and exceed 50% by the year 2050 although i think it's going to be sooner. we may have the numbers, and we have some access now, but we're still fighting to have our voices heard and our power is certainly not commensurate with our numbers. you know that the leadership picture of america doesn't reflect the demographic picture. and in the political arena we've heard figures, you know, 15% members of congress and similar number in federal and state office are people of color. in the nonprofit sector very, very low numbe

salazar admitted that the obama administration has the authority to turn the pumps back on but chooses not to do so because that would be, quote, like admitting failure. there is some good news this afternoon, the day after our forum in fresno, the interior secretary relented to the extent of releasing 350,000 to 400,000 acre-feet of already allocated water to the central valley, having demonstrated the authority to release water that central farmers already own he now needs to follow through and release the watter that is being held hostage to the delta smelt. meanwhile, mr. nunes of california has introduced h.r. 3105, the turn on the pumps act which does exactly the same thing congress did under far less severe circumstances several years ago for the farmers of new mexico. mr. nunes has filed a discharge petition to bypass the subcommittee and bring the bill directly to the house for a vote. it needs 218 signatures. so far, it has 105. 104 republicans and one democrat. madam speaker, i assure you that it's not only the central valley suffering. the willful destruction of 500,000 acr

serve on the federal court in the state of nevada was [inaudible] >i got a call is not from secretary salazaro said harry, you make sure you tell everyone that you have done more for diversity in the u.s. senate then all the people put together. so, that is where we are and we'll try to get health care done in the next few weeks. [ chatter] >> what about the voters? and you owe them an apology? >> i have talked about the national leaders. the african-american leaders in nevada have been wonderful. joannie said to have anyone call her. the majority leader of the senate ofin nevada, stephen, he is one of my proteges. i am not going to dwell on this anymore. it is on the books. i have made all the statements that i will. >> majority leader harry reid just a short time ago. and join us later today for the arizona governor and her state of the state address, live beginning at 3:30 p.m. eastern. later, the candidates to succeed at ted kennedy in the u.s. and the >> are set to debate. they will discuss the issues like at 7:00 p.m. eastern. -- they are set to debate. going on now, an education forum.

response is not to be to my colleagues directly to the right, but i did have a conversation with tony salazarhis c ebay president in colorado and i said, so i will be doing this response with lily. tell me a little bit about her and she said-- he said she is very good and he said she will connect with the crowd and book connect with you right away. i said wow, so when she first pat-down guess the first question she asked me? how about those cowboys? she knows i'm a big dallas cowboys fan and that is just amazing so very, very good. and immediately she became my friend just cheering for the cowboys. thank you very much for this opportunity to respond on behalf of the department of education. both of us get a chance to respond on these papers many times are blamed for a lot of things, and in some cases we are very guilty. rick, i certainly appreciate you putting this conference together with support. it is necessary that we have these kinds of conversations. also, i would certainly like to go on record with staceyann chin for their papers, i agree but lily they were very informative and helpful

captioning performed by national captioning institute] >> on c-span today, interior secretary ken salazar speaks at a meeting for employees. a political debate between candidates for texas governor followed by today's live "washington journal." on this morning's "washington journal" we'll talk with greg ip of the economist magazine, larry birns will discuss haiti and we'll look at c.i.a. operations in afghanistan and pakistan with mark mazzetti. "washington journal" is live each morning beginning at 7:00 eastern time here on c-span. >> middle and high school students, just a few days left to enter c stan's student cam contest. -- c-span's student cam contest. get it to c-span for your chance to wind a grand prize of $5,000. don't delay. enter today. make sure to upload your project by midnight wednesday at studentcam.org. >> interior secretary ken salazar spoke to employees yesterday where he discussed management and goals. this lasts about aven hour. -- an hour. >> i'm laura davis, the associate deputy secretary of the interior and it is really great to see all of you here. this is a rea