sharpton, reverend sharpton, wouldn't that be a great thing? >> would what would be a great thing is if we were able to deal in a rational way where american people are protected, that are working class people. and not just protecting one end of the american economic ladder, those of the wealthy. would you say, right now, looking at the american people that you just talked about, that you would go foreseeing those at that are wealthy, begin to pay their fair share? just go back to the taxes they had before they got a cut. don't raise their taxes. let's just go back to to the normal taxes they paid before they were given a tax break. would you agree to that? >> again i think -- >> would you agree to that, congressman? >> hold on, reverend. we would solve the deficit crisis again if the nation had a dollar every time the president raised a tax on private jet owners. he's not serious. >> i didn't ask you about the president. i asked you about congressman walsh. >> i'm telling you he is playing politics. >> would you look at that camera and tell th

in the al sharpton hour, but there were some reports that sharpton had blessed the nbc which owns msnbcbe pay back for the comcast deal. >> and a write are for "new york times" made that point. and suspicion is worth falling up. it's public record or it should be. >> why does

>> yeah, i actually do, reverend sharpton. i think this very serious time and the united states never failed it pay its bills in 235 years. i think if we failed now it would have negative consequences for the economy. >> you heard boehner, your speaker, the speaker of the house say, these consequences are gave and you've heard everybody say there must be shared sacrifice. why is it so hard to come to an agreement on shared sacrifice. which means it has to come from the upper income levels as well as working poor. not just the working and the poor class opinion i mean, what is the prob problem with dealing with revenues as well as dealing with some of the entitlement programs? >> i think we will deal with revenues eventually. but part of the problem is here through the call. the president put kut a deal last year on taxes that were supposed to last two years. it is hard to come in july and change a deal that was not supposed to be looked at for another 18 months. most of the problem we have is a spending problem. even if the pr

that's a great point, reverend sharpton. trying to do is say look, because it's been perceived that barack obama is offlimits, that president obama, we can't talk about him as a black person because the media is hyper sensitive, the liberal media won't allow us to interrogate him to the same degree we would somebody else, so now her man cain steps in as a symbolic representative of the fear of republicans but now the courage of republicans to step forward and say we're going to take president obama on. so denouncing race and then pretending he won't speak about it, he uses it to attack obama. he's trying to show he's the strong man needed in the republican party. >> thank you for joining us. we have more proof that wall street traders are responsible for high gas prices. but will the latest news lead to proper regulation? and steve colbert takes on the federal election commission and wins. we'll play his victory speech coming up. >> expensive speculation by wall street traders is driving the high cost of gasoline, but republ

right now, al sharpton paks up our coverage. >>> good evening. i'm al sharpton. we begin with breaking news. president obama is set to make a statement any moment. it comes after another day of rangeling over the debt limit talks. the president went out to college park maryland and spoke at an open town hall meeting. he's been bringing his case to the people on the other side, the republicans have been going back and forward. their bill went before the senate. it was defeated today. there's been rangeling all over capitol hill. but, we understand that speaker boehner has walked out of talks and we are waiting on the president to make a statement. let's go live right now to nbc newsy o'nnell who's been coring those talks. kelly, what can you tell us? >> reporter: it's a bulletin reverend al. speaker boehner is breaking off talks with president obama. we learned this a short time ago. they alerted members of the house and reached out to majority leader reid and republican leader mitch mcconnell. speaker boehner saying he will abandon white house negotiations and tu

i'm al sharpton. tonight's lead, president obama ramps up pressure on republicans to do their job in the debt fight. this afternoon, the president pressed congress to make a long-term deal on the debt ceiling. >> i don't think the american people here sent us here to avoid tough problems. that's in fact what drives them nuts about washington, when both parties simply take the path of least resistance. >> the president says he's willing to compromise, but are the republicans? >> it's my hope that everybody's going to leave their ultimate mate tums at the door, leave the political rhetoric at the door and we're going to do what's best for our economy and what's best for our people. >> the president spoke, as it's becoming clear that the republican leaders are feeling the heat, facing tough new criticism for not being willing to compromise. today in "new york times," conservative columnist david brooks wrote, quote, if responsible republicans don't take control, independents will conclude republican fana

sharpton. >> thank you. >> what i would say is, no. we are serious as the freshman class member of the house of representatives, we are serious about getting our fiscal house in order so we can get this american economy going and bring certainty and confidence back it america and to the private sector. >> as you bring certainty back, you talk about in the balanced budget amendments that went through the house today, cutting $111 billion, is that right? in some of the expenditures you want cut for immediate spending cuts. you want to protect tax breaks for the rich and corporations, cuts up to 20% and social security and medicaid by 2021. i mean, how do you expect to restore balance with shared sacrifice when it seems the rich and corporations are giving up nothing. in fact, they are getting something. and you're cutting social security. you cut medicare. you're cutting medicaid. >> i understand your concern but all can i tell is you that that's just not accurate. we put a proposal out of the house, cut cap and balance that we sent to t

i'm al sharpton. tonight's lead, the white house signals it may veto john boehner's debt plan, but it's not clear that boehner could even get his own party to support it. in a speech last night, he tried to selling his vision to skeptical republicans by pinning the blame on the president. >> i'll tell you, i gave it my all. unfortunately the president would not take yes for an answer. >> mr. speaker, it's your party, they said no, no to the reid plan, no to the president's grand bargain, no to the gang of six plan, no to mcconned's plan b. last night the president challenged americans to send a message to republicans, saying no is not a policy. >> so i'm asking you all to make your voice heard. if you have a balanced approach, let wlur member of congress know. if you believe we can solve this problem through compromise, send that message. >> and america has responded. capitol hill phones are lighting up. 40,000 calls went in during the lunch hour today, and web sites for boehner, michele bachmann, and

i'm al sharpton. to nights's lead. just how much is president obama willing to compromise in the debt fight? the president obama met today with leaders of both parties at the white house. and he said, everyone must sacrifice to make a deal. >> nothing is agreed to until everything's agreed to. and the parties are still far apart on a wide range ever issues. everybody acknowledged that there is going to be pain involved politically on all sides. but our biggest obligation is to make sure that we're doing the right thing by the american people. >> but democrats are nervous that the white house may agree to as much as $4 trillion in cuts over ten years. under that plan, democrats would agree to cuts in social security, medicare, and medicaid. in return, republicans would sign off on up to a trillion dollars in new revenue. which they don't seem willing to do. >> everything is on the table except raising taxes on the american people. >> we, as republicans, are not going to support tax increases. >> joining me now is indepe

i'm al sharpton. tonight's lead, president obama goes prime time.in three hours, the president will address the nation on the debt crisis. it comes as republicans reject another, yet another, fad deal from the democrats. today, senator harry reid offered a proposal that cuts the deficit, doesn't raise taxes, so surely speaker boehner is delighted, right? wrong. >> i believe that the plan is full of gimmicks and doesn't deal with the biggest drivers of our deficit and our debt, that would be entitlement programs. >> instead, boehner is pushing a short term proposal. which the white house and democrats say is a nonstopper. and up until a month ago, it was a nonstarter for republicans as well. >> the uncertainty that's out there is not going to be overcome by, you know, another little short term gimmick. >> i think the president put it best on friday. >> you know, at some point, i think if you want to be a leader, then you got to lead. >> joining me now, democratic strategist bob shrum. also from the washington post, dana mi dana millbank. bob, what do

i'm al sharpton. tonight's lead, i think we may have found the answer to what's happening to the republican party. they've been drinking so much tea, i think they may be dizzy. at this hour, house republicans are debating and are expected to vote for the most extreme budget plan in years. it's the tea party's cut, cap and balance bill. earlier today, president obama set it was a political effort, not a serious one. >> that is not an approach that could pass both chambers, not an approach i would sign and it's not balanced. we don't have any more time to engage in symbolic gestures. we don't have any more time to posture. >>> republican leaders are holding this vote in a desperate attempt to stop a civil war within the gop. the tea party and its corporate backers have declared open season on any gop lawmaker who supports another budget alternative. mitch mcconnell's plan to raise the debt limit, sending a warning letter to every republican in congress saying, quote -- we will refrain from backing any m

wait until you hear this one. >>> welcome to the show, i'm al sharpton.tonight's lead, republicans going to town on the "american idol" can people. john boehner delayed a vote on list debt plan until tomorrow because budget experts say his math literally doesn't add up. but something else doesn't add up. the votes. in fact, the speaker is so desperate to build unity, that at a gop meeting last night, party leaders used a bank robber movie as inspiration. >> i need your help. i can't tell you what it is. you can never ask me about it later. and we're going to hurt some people.ç >> who's car we gonna take. >> the we're gonna lurt hurt some people, obviously got tlem riled pup. so much more that the congressman said, we're going it drive the car. what smor interesting is that the next scene in the movie, take a look at this. is. >> who is it? >> open up. >> [ bleep ]. >> is this really what republicans want to do to the american people? and who are they doing all of this for? the far right of their base. the tea party. well, let's take a look at the massive

more politics ahead with al sharpton. >>> after all their talk the republicans still can't pass their own plan? breaking news tonight, speaker boehner delays the big vote indicating he does not have votes to pass it. it all raises the big question, has the tea party taken control of boehner's house? >>> plus, wouldn't you love to know what mr. economy thinks about all this? too bad. because mr. romney is not talking. how's that for leadership. >>> and waiting with wait until you meet the latest extremist to log on to perry's prayer route. i'm al sharpton. breaking news. boehner abruptly delayed a make or break vote on his own debt plan. the speaker frantically been trying to whip up support from tea party republicans all day long. it is an indication that he simply does not have the votes to pass his plan. it is unclear when the vote will happen. the fear here would be a stunning setback for his leadership and for the g oo p establishment as it battles with party members. joining me is nbc's luke russell live on capitol hill. luke, can you tell us what is happening here? >> good eveni

i don't -- i didn't sign the pledge, reverend sharpton.hat kind of statement right now is needlessly devicive. >> what does it say about bachmann that she signed the statement, john? what does it say about bachmann that she signed the statement to you, victoria? >> the statement, if you read it, it also denounces sha rea islam and includes stuff about the economy. it is this catch-all pledge about making the stand with c conservatism. i don't know la to think about the pledges. we sought abortion pledge and now this pledge. it could be important in helping frame republican voters. it is an informational queue they look to. i think we will see other pledges and they will not become important. they did d this now in the hopes of standing out and cementing her lead. but i really think it'll be useless at the end of the day. >> christina, if she becomes a major player, if she comes out of iowa a winner or second, and she is taking pledges like this, does she not hurt the main stream republican party and becomes what conservatives like brooks s

. >>> welcome to the show, i'm al sharpton. tonight's lead, president obama is vowing to veto what some are calling the republican's worst idea yet. it's the so-called cut, cap and balance bill. a tea party plan that's even more extreme than the ryan he budget. here is the -- >> classic washington posturing ka bookie theater. you know, this is a measure that's designed to duck, dodge and dismantle. duck responsibility, dodge on obligations and dismantle, law, which would require the dismantlement of our social safety met wp social security, medicare and medicaid. >> even though american people rejected their agenda, a new poll shows 71% disapprove of how republicans are handling the debt talks. much worse than for democrats or the president. in fact, 51% of republicans don't even like where the gop is doing. 73% of independents feel the same way. joining me now, is democratic strategist bob an former rnc chairman michael steele now an mooes moo msnbc contributor. bob, do they get copies at rnc or don't they care about what the

joining me now is the founder and president of the national action network, reverend al sharpton hereht. and also professor of sociology at georgetown university, michael aaron diyson. the markets are going to be very interesting tomorrow. we're going to find out just how nervous this country is. what do you anticipate? >> well, there's going to be a lot of nervousness and anxiety and market insecurity. i think this shows, as you know, robert reich just said, that this small splinter group has taken american hostage. john boehner cannot rally his troops together. he can not galvanize his troops in a way that proves his authority. he's been critical of obama for not having leadership and exercising legitimate authority. here it is he can't get his stray cats together to stand together shoulder to shoulder. i think this says to the nation that we don't have a leading party, a speaker of the house who's concerned about the ultimate good of the people or at least the tea party spt. he's capitulating to them in a very vicious way. i think this strengthens the democrats if they can stand to

you know, a friend of mine just suggested that i watch the "60 minutes" piece by al sharpton around iys he's decided not to criticize the president about anything. so the guy who was criticizing the p is out, even though he had really good ratings, and the guy who has decided not to criticize the president about anything is in. >> msnbc in talks with al sharpton to take over that 6:00 p.m. show, and that probably will happen. the msnbc statement. there was an offer on the table for you to remain a contributor and do a weekend show. you chose not to do that. what about this notion that, you know, you just decided to go negative and rip them? >> all right. well, look, here's the thing. they say it's baseless, except they don't specify what's baseless about it. they have acknowledged that conversation took place. they just say that insider/outsider conversation, we meant your producer said that, which, again, does not seem credible at all, right? so they've actually acknowledged every single part of the story, so i don't know what they're saying is is baseless. second of all, yes, there

is i know al sharpton has a feeling for the people. i am hoping he will raise up the issues, talk to some of the people who have issues or problems and deserve to be heard. we all need to be clear about the way we deserve to be heard and we will create our own strategies. again, probably not the place to be as vulnerable -- this hurts me. it hurts me to see people of african descent at the periphery of our economy understanding the many ways we have been central. understanding in so many ways to work that we have to do and understanding no one is going to do it for us. there are a series of demographics that are frightening. we are not the biggest minority any more and we are now the fastest-growing. the latino population -- we are not mad at them but they are where they are and who they are and how they are and we need to figure out how to work with them. we also need to figure out how to get our fair share of this economy that we have created a foundation for. that is what part of the challenge is. i look at the next five years for t

well no it's not it's not as i said i am sure you didn't look like al sharpton years ago here so you can. bet and doesn't necessarily equate to but here's the question you know what i would. to the news coverage of this in fact we've got you know sixty seconds of silence which i'm not going to run here because i don't want to cut into your time but but we we played in three d. last night on the show we played all the news coverage of the firebombing of the planned parenthood clinic which was not an abortion clinic it was a place where women got mammograms and things and and never did they mention the word terrorist and then this muslim guy gets busted with some guns and bombs and all of a sudden the word terrorist is appearing in every other sentence right the double standard you know it's sometimes it is hard to say the media tends to pick up things at different places and then in terms of what's within somebody's purview and how the media reads you know whether or not it be interesting to people it changes all kind of because what i find interesting i do agree with you tom i find i

and sharpton. they will shoot to the rhythm of the whole the whole deal with the whole they will shoot through the. our mother took us inside the room in the corner and then the table so as to protect us here cook was one of seven hundred thousand palestinians who became a refugee in one nine hundred forty eight his childhood home was quickly absorbed by the newly established jewish state almost inevitable as the man who lived his house in london for. if he was forced to do just because he was three it and he is considered as absentee and he lost the property in the early one nine hundred fifty s. jews moved into the abandoned homes like you only your husband's parents they were also refugees fleeing arab countries we life had become dangerous after israel was created these really government sent them to live in lifter the only says to prevent arab owners from returning or in their came here on may fourth live here years without water without electricity the came here. for the memory here is a very

kids go we found out the james there would be leaving m s n b c or is began swirling after al sharpton was filling in where of the story would as it was due to james poor ratings at the six o'clock hour prove the other night that was nowhere near true his ratings were good they were more than good turns out the m.s.m. dc's president phil griffin told rank the people in washington didn't like his telling that he needed to have more republicans on the program and perhaps most damning the wall being an outsider is good and i said d.c. in griffin's words is the establishment now something of those of us who observe the mainstream media could have told you from their coverage because they could. when they actually admit to it and act on it themselves and as we asked yesterday how long for that establishment mentality really last before viewers wise up and start turning to other alternatives joining me from our studio in lassen los angeles is frank you're i think young parents again thank you so much for joining us we're happy that you've chosen us to be one of the places where you can come

sharpton? >> i don't think anybody does. he is the king of quid pro, quo. >> i'm jon scott. mike emanuel has the latest developments in a moment. plus we get answers when i talk exclusively to congressman david dreier about why he introduced a carbon copy of the harry reid bill to the bill today. also the co-aah tore of cut, cap and balance. and charlie gasparino. we are live from new york in a special moment as we watch the unfolding of the debt crisis deal. the deficits presence between campaigning and governing is simple. you frame the entire message. you drive the points that you think are important. and you ignore things that you either don't care about or that, frankly, you don't understand. if the result of the campaign is that you are elected then you have to shift gears to governing mode and that is as big a shift as killing a deer in the woods and then having to cook it in the kitchen. the tools that you use to kill the deer are different than the ones you use to cook it and serve it. or at least they better be. we have folks that successfully campaigned but don't

sharpton? >> i don't think anybody does. he is the king of quid pro, quo. >> i'm jon scott. see you next week. >> john: it's not that people don't know. the battle is over all television. people know the president but do they know his opponent. >> you are spending more money than taking in you need to spend less of this. who is this guy? do you know who this is? yes, of course. >> john boehner. >> lots of people didn't know him. >> i don't know who that is. >> or anything about the debt problem zbloojtsd what is the debt limit. what are they fighting about? >> i don't know. >> okay, tonight we'll explained and we'll talk about the debt. it's into the hard. the debt and the stossel solution. that is our show tonight. >> john: look at that, they need more? if they don't get more money they won't be able to send social security checks and pay veterans' benefits our veterans deserve. really? isn't $2 trillion isn't enough? they can pay social security and medicare and the interest on the debt and still have hundreds of billions left over. two trillion is plenty. it's billions mo

i'm al sharpton. "hardball" starts right now. >>> performance art. let's play "hardball." good evening. i'm crist matthews in san francisco. leading off tonight, the cut, cap and balanced caper. it's been a huge debate tonight. this evening house republicans are expected to vote for something they call cut, cap and balance. talk about performance art. this is the stuff you see on psych walks on the weekend, miming, pretending to be doing something. bumping into walls that aren't really there. the republican plan has no specifics on what to cut, to cut below 20% by gdp, ten years from now and demands a two thirds vote for back a balanced budget amendment to the constitution. it has no chance whatsoever of being a bipartisan deal. this afternoon president obama announced the gang of six has come up with a plan of spending cuts, changes to medicare and medicaid, and taxes. at the top of the show we'll talk to a tea party republican, who says no to taxes, and don't worry about default, spiking interest rates or an american downgrade. our new poll shows the public is taking sid

i'm al sharpton, "hardball" starts right now. > the leading six-pack. let's play "hardball." >>> good evening, i'm crist matthews in san francisco. leading off tonight, the gang of six has a plan. president obama endorsed it in principle. conservative republicans helped draft it and a deadline looms with certain economic consequences on the other side of august 2nd. so how long can the tea party republicans stand in the door and say no? give us everything we want, we'll give you nothing, and then we'll have a deal. how much longer can they say they won't accept any plan that president obama would agree to? of course, that's our top story tonight. >>> plus what would ronald reagan think of the debt fight? he would be seen by today's republicans as a hopeless moderate. republicans talk about the party of reagan, but wasn't the great communicator also in several cases a great compromiser? and across the country republican governors and legislators are rewriting voting eligibility rules with one thing in mind, lowering the turnout, making it easier for repu

. >>> coming up, the reverend al sharpton sitting on for ed schultz tonight.s been amazing the last couple of nights. i recommend checking it out right after we are done. >>> but before that, the best new thing in the world today is really great. and i can't say it. and i hope i'm going to be able to say it by the time we get to the end of the show, because i can't say it right now. it's there on the teleprompter, but i can't say it. sorry. >> announcer: this past year alone there's been a 67% spike in companies embracing the cloud-- big clouds, small ones, public, private, even hybrid. your data and apps must move easily and securely to reach many clouds, not just one. that's why the network that connects, protects, and lets your data move fearlessly through the clouds means more than ever. [ female announcer ] it follows you wherever you go. it's a cloud of depression. and although you've been on an antidepressant for at least six weeks, you're frustrated that your depressive symptoms are still with you. seroquel xr, when added to an antidepressant, is appro

i'm al sharpton. "hardball" starts right now. fshs. >> the tea party gets its way for now, let's play some "hardball." >>> good evening. i'm michael smerconish in for chris matthews. leading off tonight, if at first you don't succeed, add a balanced budget amendment. that's what speaker boehner did last night after hes debt ceiling bill didn't pass. he guaranteed failure in the senate. no democrats voted yes only 22 republicans voted no. what happens next? the senate takes the weekend for possible late night votes. we will get the latest in just a moment. plus how far will tea party republicans go to get what they want? is it really a conservative proposition to risk default? we have two tea partiers here tonight. is anyone winning politically in president obama is trying it position himself as the adult in the room but the economy tarvegs doesn't his prospect tanks with it? have you had enough yet? if people are fed up with dem krts an republicans is there a third way? a group called americans elect says yes and it may have the

. >>> coming up, the reverend al sharpton sitting on for ed schultz tonight.ast couple of nights. i recommend checking it out right after we are done. >>> but before that, the best new thing in the world today is really great. and i can't say it. and i hope i'm going to be able to say it by the time we get to the end of the show, because i can't say it right now. it's there on the teleprompter, but i can't say it. sorry. >> one of the things that former minnesota governor tim pawlenty has been bragging about running for president is that he brought minnesota to brink of government shutdown. his home state of minnesota tonight is on the brink of a government shutdown. state parks and campgrounds in minnesota have already closed in anticipation of a shutdown that is happening because of a budget standoff between the democratic governor of minnesota, mark dayton and the republican-controlled legislature. republican legislative leaders have been keeping quiet about the state of negotiations. late today, they did start talking to the press in an effort to try to nu

thanks for watching, i'm al sharpton. "hardball" starts right now. >>> too much tea, let's play "hardball." >>> good evening. i'm chris matthews's in washington. even if the boehner bill passes the house tonight there are more tough hikes ahead. one u.s. senators need to find a bipartisan alternative to the boehner bill capable of getting the 60 votes you need. that means senators need to get their heads and numbers together. the next fight is the conference between the house and senate that has to find a compromise between the two bills, house and senate that is capable of getting 60 votes if senate again and 216 in the houses. that means a compromise capable of drawing it up democratic house members to r for the loss of republican house members for any compromise to the left of the bill which manages to pass tonight. also, holding the economy hostage, are some republicans willing to see the u.s. defalt or lose its credit rating if they don't see everything they want, don't get everything they want? we will talk it a tea

i'm al sharpton. have a great weekend. "hardball" starts right now. >>> bad numbers. let's play "hardball." >>> good evening, i'm chris matthews in washington. leading off tonight, you can just imagine the glee republicans felt this morning when the terrible jobs numbers came out. the unemployment rate ticking up a tenth of a point and only 18,000 jobs created last month. tim pawlenty, romney, all them had to say this. could that be the new republican talking point, that the economy is struggling because the poor aren't paying enough in taxes? the economy and the race for the white house is our top story tonight. >>> also, is president obama ready to give away too much in talks with republicans? some democrats worry the president will give away the store on medicare, medicaid and social security without getting much in return. are they right? could he get a better deal? could he avoid default? >>> right off the cliff. are republicans so terrified of the tea party, they're willing to tank the economy in order to avoid a challenge from the right? we'll debate that one.

welcome to the show, i'm al sharpton. tonight's lead, breaking news once again, which is moments away from a house vote on speaker boehner's debt plan. the vote he failed to do last night because tea party republicans reviews to get in line. after that embarrassment, boehner revote wroet his bill to make it even more extreme adding, listen to this, a balanced budget amendment that would cripple social security and medicare. it's shocking new evidence that the tea party extremists now control the gop. and they would rather drive the economy off the cliff than than compromise. let's go to nbc's luke russet live on capitol hill. luke, is boehner certain that he has the votes this time? >> he absolutely is, reverend al. i spoke to a few gop aides before i came over here and throughout the day. it was basically widespread knowledge that if boehner did not have the votes for this proposal after he specifically reconfigured it to adhere to the desires of the more conservative part of his conference, then he would have been in de

i'm al sharpton, thanks for watching. "hardball" starts right now. >>> gop meets government on protests. let's play "hardball." >>> good evening. i'm chris matthews in san francisco. leading off today, my way or nothing, what the republicans are telling president obama these days. do things entirely our way or we'll put the government in default. the republican party shown it's not an opposition party looking to govern or even co-govern. it's a protest party. a party neither makes or takes responsibility for its actions. in a poll out today showing voters are not supporting this republican tea party approach. plus, pay attention to the man behind the curtain. really pay attention. the gop the refusal to raise any taxes under any circumstances is matching the clear purposes the man pushing republican tax policy right now. one man. grover norquist, the most powerful man most americans have never heard of plays "hardball" here tonight. >>> plus, another day, another resignation in the murdoch scandal. this time the number tw

i'm al sharpton. "hardball" starts right now. >>> is rogue in vogue? let's play "hardball." >>> good evening, i'm crist matthews in washington. leading off tonight, republicans gone rogue. if this deficit crisis were a game of chicken, by now the republicans would have tossed the steering wheel out the window, dumped a cinder block on the accelerator and beyahooing like sam pickens riding the bomb at the end of "dr. strangelove." how do you negotiate with people who are happy to cut the baby in two, happy to see the economy destroyed as long as they get to hot dog over the rubble? that's where we are, because they think their leader's plan, the we win/you lose offer, is too liberal. that's our top story tonight. also, who's to blame? last night we showed you this graphic on how revenues, the black line, have not kept up with spending. what happened to the money? three words, bush tax cuts. the tax cuts that many republicans insisted would magically bring in new revenue, did the opposite. but none of this is helping president obama. his numbers are slip

i'm al sharpton. "hardball" starts right now. >>> right wing dictatorship. let's play "hardball." >>> good evening. i'm chris matthews in washington. leading off tonight -- the republicans on the verge of victory. looks as if the tea party already won. last night president obama argued the wealthy should be asked to pay their fair share in taxes, but taxes aren't even in the boehner plan, and they aren't in the reid plan. it's all spending cuts. and there's serious talk about a short-term deal eric cantor would force the president to debate entitlements, taxes and spending all over again in six months. what exactly has president obama won in return? >>> plus, watching the obama/boehner face-off last night, it was hard to believe what we were watching. the republicans are on the brink of winning the battle, in which the very rich will be asked to contribute nada. nothing. and everyone else will be asked to contribute everything. how did we get here? >>> also, silence of the lambs. where are the republican candidates for president? michele bachmann, of course,

i'm al sharpton. "hardball" starts right now. >>> it's jul25th. do you know where your debt ceiling is? let's play "hardball." >>> good evening. i'm chris matthews. down in washington, leading off tonight, bad behavior. i've long understood the two parties have different roles to play. democrats focus on the needs of people, health care, the challenges of getting old, urgency of keeping poor people up to some basic level of human existence. republicans focus on, well, the punishment of criminals. a beefy defense policy. lower taxes. fair enough. our country makes it. we decide things out of this back and forth advocacy. whose turn is, noisy democracy at work.ç now a level to one side of this argument right now that's negative, nasty, out of hand. it's threatening to destroy and behaving like the little rich kid who wants to leave the game, take his ball and go home. remember that kid? it's my ball and i want to go home. he's grown up now and says it's my money, and i want to go home and i want it all. is it really the main purpose of the united s

. >> obviously you couldn't make a speech, the reverend al sharpton, go in a trailer and talk about ag in the trailer who has absolutely no hope and say, this is an american who needs help. -- there is some discussion or some idea that maybe african-americans, i guess, the underserved communities in the african-american community, music may be more visible so the perception that he's talking to black people is real. but the fact is, all of america is suffering. the underserved need his help and he needs to stand up for them. and i think that's what this discussion is about. he needs to stand up with them and for them. >> and, by the way, how then could the republicans turn away? >> that's right. >> from that argument? because that would look extremely -- i don't even want to think -- the last time i used this word it ended up -- >> but be careful. >> beyond insensitive. >> but pat buchanan, though, the fact is the way our political system is set up these days, let's face it, campaigns for democrats and republicans are funded by wall street. by the hedge fund guys that get these outrag