the spd@25.5%. below the fdp important 5% threshold, and no longer in parliament as they are. 8.5%.ft party at the greens at 8.4%. the brand no eurosceptic -- new eurosceptic party a bit further away now. 4.8 at the moment. what does it mean in terms of seed distribution? -- seat distribution? cdu is below the needed number of seats. coalitions,possible we are back to the mice -- most likely coalition, a grand coalition. in terms of numbers, it would be to join for the cdu/csu forces with the greens. both sides did not seem to be that keen on that possibility. >> thank you. we will have more as the evening progresses. angela merkel has hailed her conservative's victory. rival, peeremocrat steinbruck, coming in second place. greeted angelay merkel at the headquarters of her cdu party in berlin. a landslide like this was beyond their wildest dreams. results, a resounding endorsement for chancellor .erkel and her policies >> dear friends, your cheers show us that we can all celebrate. this is a super r

>> is closer to the spd -- he is closer to the spd than the green. he has to deal with angle merkel -- angela merkel. this is the best chance, i think. >> the time is not right yet. where the greens takeover sociologically, politically speaking. the role of a liberal left-wing -- what used to be called the left wing of the spd. we will have to wait for it 2017 to see the probability. xd you agree, it is the spd or nothing when it comes to that coalition? >> they ought to be very open to discuss what can be achieved together with the greens and the spd. i would invite us to discuss those and not to exclude one partner but the greens have to show that they are interested. the social democrats also. we have to think about germany and the european union, we need a stable german government. we cannot go ahead without knowing what happens in germany. therefore it is now the responsibility of everybody. i would prefer a little bit of the socialists because they have been very reliable partners. we had very good experience with the socialists. this experienc

these days fishermen is like the social democratic party or spd.ver the years the daily catch he gathers with his son is getting smaller and smaller. the same goes for spd and the haul of voters and they used to vote for the party, no longer. >> translator: they are no longer the party of the little man. all they are interested in is power. >> hamburg is a city of sailors, dock workers and that discussion of left wing politics going back to the 19th century and the creation of the modern welfare state so you think of the campaign promises of wage and taxing the rich could find a lot of support but there are problems. their leader has come under fire for making paid speeches for big business and making repeated gafs in the campaign and they lost the faith when the last chancellor introduced painful welfare and job market reforms in 2004 and they are bearing fruit now but the chancellor is getting political benefits. in this campaign she is borrowering a plan for minimum wage and other ideas for democratic to win over voters which are working class a

we are very much for participation in the spd. that's the right path. >> hardy leaders and members will thrash out their strategy behind closed doors, but there's already speculation that the first talks between germany's's two main parties could take off as early as next week. >> all right, our man at the s beattie is terry martin. he is standing by at headquarters for us in berlin. good evening to you. it has been almost a week since the election. why do you think it has taken peer steinbrueck so long to let the country know that he is basically done with frontline politics? >> well, the social democrats in germany are still in a state of shock after that election result on sunday. they were given their second worst election result in the party's history, so i think it takes a bit to digest what they have come up against over the past several months. that election defeat for them was really extremely bitter, so i think peer steinbrueck had to first come to terms with what has happened. he has been consulting, of course, with oth

the spd is so outraged at the massive data surveillance by the u.s. national security agency that it has questioned the wisdom of going forward with the free trade negotiations. >> i would freeze the talks until the u.s. says whether the german government and european institutions are being bugged and spied on. >> chancellor merkel's conservatives have toughened their language as well but stopped short of confrontation. >> just because we favor data protection does not mean we should call off read -- free trade negotiations. >> no matter who occupies the chancellor's office, berlin is almost certain to pursue friendly ties with washington. the u.s. and germany have too many shared interests. u.s. leaders should have no reason to fear any major change of course. >> joining us now with more from washington is jackson james with the american institute for contemporary german studies. how closely is washington following this election in germany? >> not very. i think that basically, there's an assumption that merkel is probably going to get a third term, a

merkel got the credit. >> if the spd does go into a coalition, what would they be looking for? >> the social justice issues they have been pushing in their campaign in particular, the minimum wage that they want. >> john barrett, thank you for that. let's look at the latest business news. >> first, a look at what else is making the news right now. >> hundreds of migrants have arrived in italy by boat. some 400 people fleeing the conflict in syria in the number of asylum seekers has increased radically since last year. most travel by boat to suddenly -- sicily. >> floods have killed at least two dead people in western india. the water has inundated homes and roads and swept away bridges cutting off several villages. some 15,000 people have been evacuated. >> israeli police have clashed with worshipers in the clashes broke out when a group of jewish visitors tried to enter the compound known as the temple mount to jews and the sanctuary. two palestinians were arrested. a german market research institute says consumer confidence in the country is higher than at any other time sinc

but the spd is still the lesser evil. especially for workers.think the party should defend workers rights more. not just claim they do. >> reporter: polls suggest voters trust merkle as much as the spd to bring about social justice. to win voters back, the social democrats need to cast their net wider possibly by wooing big business, hard to do without being seen as losing your social democratic soul. on the next step of our tour through germany ahead of the vote, we'll be visiting a poor down, looking at voters who are tempted by political extremes. >> the inventor of the dole by sound system as died at the age of 80. he pioneered a noise reduction method that resulted in crystal clear found he founded his company in 1965, and decades later, dole by technology is widely used the audio master won a grammy, two emmies and an as ca are fooscar for his mine ear. twitter says it plans to go public the stock offering is the most anticipated since facebook listed its shares last year old. here we explain why in 140 characters. >> reporter: these days

. >> but the spd may be facing a tough choice after sunday's vote. joint with the cdu, or spend another four years in opposition. a grand coalition is the most likely outcome, with angela merkel as counselor -- chancellor. >> our political correspondent joins us from our parliamentary studio. what is so wrong about a grand coalition? >> the spd began the election campaign by saying they wanted to replace angela merkel with the social democrat chancellor. they could only do that with the help of the green party. when you start up an election machine and it is running at full throttle, you can't stop it a few days before the election. they are sticking to their guns on that. i would suspect that the social democrat party headquarters, they are probably talking right now about who is likely to hold what post in angela merkel's cabinet. >> whenever conversations may be going on there, there is also a lot of focus on the smaller parties. a lot of action going on there in that last week of campaigning. >> that's right. with germany's system of her personal

. >> reporter: spd or social democrats, merkel's opponents on the center left and emerged bruised andhed from merkel's party four years ago and will bargain hard this time for a better deal. >> translator: the spd is not standing in line or applying after ms. merkel ruined her previous partner to line up now, it's not our intention and so we are going into talks very calmly and will agree on the next steps and process with spd representatives at the party convention of friday. >> reporter: and they are throwing itself at the arrangement and she is guaranteed another four years in the building, the chancellor's office if she can get majority in parliament and she has the best chance of that but the talks will be tough and lasting many weeks and won't want to give away political capital than she has to and they want as much as they can get. merkel will see the election result as a powerful endorsement of strategy and financial rescues in exchange for austerity and what could complicate it is an euro party and narrowly missed making it in parliament this time but the party touched a nerv

. >> but the spd may be facing a tough choice after sunday's vote. joint with the cdu, or spend another four years in opposition. a grand coalition is the most likely outcome, with angela merkel as counselor -- chancellor. >> our political correspondent joins us from our parliamentary studio. what is so wrong about a grand coalition? >> the spd began the election campaign by saying they wanted to replace angela merkel with the social democrat chancellor. they could only do that with the help of the green party. when you start up an election machine and it is running at full throttle, you can't stop it a few days before the election. they are sticking to their guns on that. i would suspect that the social democrat party headquarters, they are probably talking right now about who is likely to hold what post in angela merkel's cabinet. >> whenever conversations may be going on there, there is also a lot of focus on the smaller parties. a lot of action going on there in that last week of campaigning. >> that's right. with germany's system of her personal

. >> reporter: the spd or social democrats, angela merkel's opponents on the central left.rged bruised and diminished from a grand coalition with chancellor merkel's party four years ago and will bargain hard this time for a better deal. >> the spd is not standing in line aura plying. after ms. merkel ruined her previous coalition partner to lineup now, so to speak a successor is not our intention, we are going in to the talks very calmly and will agree on the next steps of the process with spd representatives at the party convention on friday. >> reporter: neither side is throwing itself at the arrangement. sunday's win for angela merkel and her party guarantees her another four years in that building. the chancellor's office. provided she can get a majority over there in parliament. her opponents offer her the best chance of that, but the talks will be tough, possibly lasting many weeks. she won't want to give away anymore political capital than she has to, they will want as much as they can get. on europe manslaughter merkel will see the election result as a powerful end

i get a sense the spd wants it.it's the most powerful part of the government, the most powerful seat at the table. in the past they wanted to be foreign minister. i think finance minister is the new foreign minister. germany's money is what gives it clout. in the spd gets finance minister, i don't think the brot outline would change. germany might be a bit less insistent on austerity. it might be a bit more skeptical on the banking union. they would have to move aside the few nans minister. >> i have to break this to you, annette. i'm not sure if you're aware, but internationally the germans are not known particularly for their sense of humor. >> yeah. i know. >> or -- >> i'm humor free. >> or their jokey approach to life. i know you're an exception to the rule here, but it is interesting that already, ross, and let's go on this trifling issue for the moment, that this election result has spawned some internet humor and some twitter humor. there are some jokes. i'll try these ones out on our audience, and i've just

of the defining fiscal policy differences between the conservatives and is good democrats, and the spd is refusing to budge. >> taxing top bracket incomes to reduce debt and finance more investment is part of the spd election platform and remains one of our demands. >> merkel's return will not be easy. the debate over tax increases shows the debate ahead may well be slippery. >> as coalition talks draw closer, both sides had better tread carefully. that slippery path could feature a few snares. >> coalitions are not marriages made in heaven, and coalition talks often resemble a poker game. this is beginning to look like one even before talks have actually begun. germany's social democrats made it a key aspect of their political platform leading up to last sunday's elections, but they want to raise the taxes on germany's higher wage earners. that was very unpopular, and voters punished them for it. now, angela merkel's finance minister says perhaps conservatives would be prepared to agree to higher taxes if that was the condition for the social democrats forming a grand coalition. that'

. >> i want to give you a simple reason why i want you to vote for spd candidates -- after the election i want them to be in parliament to vote me in as chancellor of the federal republic of germany. thank you very much. >> the pre-election polls say that is unlikely to happen, but steinbrueck is convinced that a high turnout could swing the vote in his favor. the race is far from over. >> for some analysis now, we are joined by our political correspondent. why are so many voters telling us that they are undecided? have the candidates and parties failed to inspire? >> i suppose it could be that and -- that in part, but it is a remarkable number, 30% still undecided. it's not unusual in germany. a lot of people tend to leave it to the last minute to make up their mind how they are going to vote if they go to the polling stations at all. voter turnout in general elections has been all in for decades in germany. -- falling for decades in germany. one thing to say is that the conservatives, many of their natural supporters feel they have moved away from their core positions, and they do not

how tempting might it be to have a green coalition and ignore the spd? >> well, i think just on the ifo for a moment, ross, i think this is fascinating how this may now play into some "o" negotiations. what you've got in the greens and the spd are two parties effectively that think the rich should pay more, but also there should be at this point more public spending to help stimulate stronger growth. so on the one hand, you might argue that weaker economic indicators plays into their hands a little bit here. but on the other side of that, maybe merkel can say, you know what? look how fragile things are. we don't want to start tinkering around, raising taxes, putting in place minimum wages that could be costly for companies. so this does help guide the negotiation strategy a little bit. >> well, actually, the social democrats are very much, as you pointed out, in favor of more spending. but at the same time, they are, as well, in favor of more spending most likely for the eurozone. so this is actually one of the critical discussion points between angela m

the spd's preferred coalition partner, the green party, seem to have regained hope that they could be part of the next government. >> yesterday's debate proved that the selection is still open. >> with 20 days ago until the elections, the spd is in a race to get undecided voters on its side. cording to the polls, there is still -- according to the polls, they are still 19% behind. >> we spoke with a professor of political communication. we began by asking whether there was a clear winner of last night's debate. >> i would not say that. i would say it was a tie. an interesting strategy that worked out for him. his strategy was to attack merkel without being aggressive. he did that a couple of times quite well. merkel's strategy also worked. her strategy was to embrace the candidates quite often in terms of showing or linking the debate to policies they did together during the grand coalition. while doing so, opening up the possibility of another grand coalition. i would say it was a tie. >> what about the format of this debate? there were four moderators asking these candidates questio

spd's rival accused her of giving them a deadly dose of austerity.clashed on low wage jobs and syria. a snap poll in the aftermath appeared that steinbrueck had edged her out. annette has been watching it. is steinbrueck seen as a winner and if so, has it made any difference in the polls? >> reporter: it's very funny with the polls. there are two polls. one poll says merkel is the winner and the other poll says steinbrueck is the winner. take your pick. what happened yesterday, steinbrueck's performance was better than expected. merkel kind of started off a bit on the lame side of things but got better during the course of the debate at least what i saw. take a listen first of all what they had in terms of positions with them. >> translator: germany's the motor of growth. germany is the anchor of stability in europe. i want to continue this cause. i think what we've shown has convinced people. >> translator: i'm motivated by the image of a country which is economically strong. you can invest more in its economic wealth and social cooperation. i have

the spd doesn't want to go into a coalition and be bear hugged by merkel again. that's what they feel happened last time. the cdu/csu have to give ground on something they don't want to do. it appears at the moment, what they're saying is we won't give ground on the tax issues which means they're then going to have to go to the other issue, which is also not popular with the party bases, and that is on the minimum wage. merkel and cdu and csu are absolutely opposed to it. the spd are demanding that. with the greens, the main issue would be sorting out energy policy. there is major reform needed particularly in terms of what the consumers are talking about. >> which is huge. >> which is huge. a lot of businesses are exempted. there are businesses being exempted which they're seeing -- >> i think a huge competitive disadvantage comes in terms of paying 60, 70% more than the americans. >> but it's all part of the changeover process. they're not going to go back on that. that's the key issue here. along with the negative message that was sent by the labor party here

but let's listen in to what pierre steinbrueck of the spd had to say about germany's role in europe. >> translator: our germany will only do well if our neighbors do well. it will result in a great coresponsibility in europe to keep this conference together. you'll be deciding about that when you vote on september 22nd. >> angela merkel, when it comes to euro politics, always likes to refer to they have to do their homework .they need to cut government debt because she really doesn't like these high debt levels, as well, in other eurozone countries. as well in germany we have something called debt break. so we are obeying to the rules and so she wants the others, as well, to obey to the rules. that is probably the biggest montra she has. we are helping, but they have to do something, as well. it's not unconditional love. take a listen. >> translator: solidarity and individual responsibility of the effective countries. ask for service in return, tw sides of the same coin. no euro bonds, no collective thinking funds. instead, everyone mutt do their own homework so all of us in europe e

vote, the party leader said the final decision would rest with the spd rank- and-file. wille coalition talks culminate in a ballot have our members and that will be binding. the goal is not to join a government at all cost, but we will not be scared of entering government either. we enter these talks with the message is clear -- either the coalition treaty contains key demands or the party will not approve it. coalition talks are set to begin shortly. climate express delivered a stark warning on friday, saying they are 95% certain global warming is being caused by human activity. the intergovernmental handle on climate change said the world is producing far too much greenhouse gas. could risesea levels 82 centimeters by the end of the century, wiping many islands and coastal areas off the map. berlin, german environment minister called for a new international treaty on climate change. experts say it is vital to limit global warming by the end of the century to two degrees celsius if the worst effects are to be avoided during that is considered impossible without a bindi

. >> the biggest number of germans would like to see a grand coalition with the spd, social democrats. what kind of direction would that take germany and europe - were this to be formed. >> for europe it would be a good decision. the social democrats backing angela merkel's crisis management and they are pro institutional reforms. they had a broad chapter in their manifesto on european affairs. that will be a good day for europe for the next four years. >> would it suffer austerity in places like greece? ? >> yes, they were specific parts in the sdp. he made it clear that he disliked austerity. that will be a good time for more stimulation and growth in europe. >> thank you. that was the european council of former relations - talking about the coalitions that may be announced later in germany. >> at least 20 people have been killed in southern china after typhoon usagi made landfall. that makes it the deadliest storm so far this year. winds of up to 165kph grounded flights and forced the closure of roads across the region. typhoon usagi has been downgraded to a tropical storm. scott h

the spd is up slightly with 28%. the greens remain at 10%. the left party is eight percent, and the ftp has five percent, just enough to scrape into parliament. that gives chancellor merkel's coalition with the ftp 45%, not enough or a majority. the three opposition parties combined have a slight lead, but steinberg has ruled out any coalition involving the left party. with many voters undecided, it's likely to be a close call on election day. >> now for some analysis, let's bring in our political correspondent. how damaging is this episode? he won some support in recent days, hadn't he? >> yes, he was gaining ground in opinion polls to some degree. his personal pops up -- popularity was rising, but i do not think he has done himself or his party any favors with this photo op you are referring to. the gesture he is seen to be making there is considered rude if not obscene, and german voters simply do not want to see their chancellor candidates making that kind of gesture. many are shocked. the overwhelming reaction is negative. >> as we head

it was a company called spd.t deliveries. >> you deliver all sorts of things or something in specific? >> boxes. >> just boxes? >> boxes of stuff. i never got to find out. >> the story is not at all interesting except for the fact that you're telling it. [ applause ] >> tell me more about these boxes. tonight we're going to continue chatting in just a moment. i have more stupid questions for you. this is the new album called "new." it comes out october 15. paul mccartney. we'll be right back. >> tonight's concert is brought to you by guinness. made of more. about our one hand adjuster... 'll tell you on our exclusive kenmore elite dishwasher. it's amazing what'll happen when... tall things have the right space. also amazing, jd power ranks... kenmore elite highest in customer satisfaction. one appliance store helps more people... find savings and solutions than any other. this is sears. it's as much as you like, any way you like. try classic garlic shrimp scampi and more. only $15.99, offer ends soon. so come in

they need to have the support of the spd. it gets into parliament or not, i suspect it will, is not going to help them to deliver on that. above all, it's likely to continue to stall on banking may prove to be a bit of a disappointment, particularly given other developments that we've got in portugal, italy, spain. >> that's what we're hearing as well. martin, good to see you today. >>> we've just had to announce concerning a u.n. resolution. france and the united states have agreed to press for strong u.n. resolution on syria with binding dates. there is a meeting today going on with secretary of state john kerry due to hold a press conference from france at about 1:30. that statement is coming out from the french president's office. we'll await for more. >>> now the salvage operation to refloat the "costa concordia" has begun in italy. it took 32 lives. experts believe they can right the vessel in around 12 hours. the operation may allow bodies of two of the dead to be recovered. joining us now is nbc news's claudia lavania

. >> the spd or social democrats, angela merkel's opponents on the center left, with chancellor merkel's party four years ago and will bargain hard this time for a better deal. >> the sbd is not standing in line or applying. after ms. merkel ruined her former coalition partner, to line up now so to speak as a success is not our intention, so we're going into the talks very calmly and will agree with sbd representatives at the party friday. >> neither is throwing itself into the arrangement. a win by angela merkel guarantees her four more years in that building, the chancellor's office. the talks will be tough possibly lasting many weeks. she won't want to give away any more political capital than she has to. they will want as much as they can get. in europe, mrs. merkel will find her win a powerful endorsement for a single currents. alternative for germany narrowly missed making it into plairnlt t thiplacement -- parliament. the christians democrats will have to explain why it makes sense not only politically and historically but also economically to support greece and portugal and give

trade unions close to the working class suggest the spd may have only itself to blame. >> from my perspective there is a lot to criticize but the sdp is still the lesser evil for workers. but i think the party show defend workers' rights more. he. >> he suggests that voters trust angela merkel as much as the sdp to bring about social justice. social democrats will need to cast their net wider possibly wooing big business. hard to do without seeming to lose your social soul. >>> we will go to meklenberg. >> many people were forced to leave their homes in the ukraine after swelling rivers caused the collapse of the region. the emergency ministry said 250 homes are flooded and 30 are at risk of being washed away. >>> former u.s. secretary of state hillary clinton has received the honorary degree from scotland's st. andrew's university. it was awarded in recognition of ms. clinton's achievements as a politician and diplomat. it's her first foreign trip since sending her four year term in politics. >>> training rodents to track out gun violence. we are on the case in rotterdam. >> reporter: meet m

. >> polls from germany show the spd is meeting today to pick a party strategy. results for the opposition were that they had a bit of an increase. they don't necessarily want a grand coalition. where does this leave us post election? >> well, actually, it's still a lot of insecurity surrounding that coalition bid. as you said, the social democrats are convening tonight to cut the potential of a referendum. and a lot of their party members are actually against the grand coalition because the last time they went together with angela merkel's party, they ended that coalition being extremely bruised. and so there's not a lot of sympathy for that option. on the other side, we as well are having a discussion among the christian democrats now as they might go with a tax hike. angela merkel was promising there wouldn't be any tax hike. we caught up earlier this week with the deputy chairman and i asked him whether he could envision a coalition with the green who are, as well, in favor of tax hikes. so take a listen what he said. >> the greens are, first of all, as far a

the spd, the social democrats have been here before with angela merkel.they came off rather the worse for wear in that coalition. now, this time, they will demand the minimum wage, the talks could go on for weeks. last sometime they went on for two months. likely they'll continue in germany over the makeup of a government not necessarily who will need that government. angela merkel will remain chancellor merkel. >> serving flood damage in colorado. the politician who wants to see the damage in person. sweden's top of golfer has done something no other european player has ever done. michael eaves joins us next with sports. >> every sunday night al jazeera america presents gripping films, from the worlds top documentary directors >> this is just the beginning of somthing much bigger... >> coming up next, the premier of... "do the math" >> these companies are a rogue force... >> one environmentalist says fossil fuels equal disaster... will his movement add up add up to change? >> we will fight it together... al jazeera america presents... "do the math" premi

second, a grand coalition between the two largest parties, the cdu and the spd.r, polls have repeatedly shown this being the most popular option. in polls for germany, though, there have only been two grand coalitions. there are three more options, a red/green tie-up between the spd and the greens, which in the past led to successful governments. a red coalition between the left and the green which has never happened at the national level or the sds, the green t and the left form a lebanese coalition referring to the colors of the lebanese flag. the with a combined 332 seats form the government while the fdp is the strongest opposition with 146 seats. left and the greens make up the rest. in total, at least 598 members of the dundestag are elected. in addition, there are circumstances in which candidates win overhang seats are allocated because all directly elected candidates are guaranteed seats. so let's finally look at how the system works. the german voter has a first and a second vote, each serving a district purpose. the first is intended to personalize the

spd will not be a -- with angela merkel again.. >> it's clear that all the members have made et clear they're backing the very successful cdu liberal coalition. >> we get enough votes, we get enough votes and that's not a question of sympathy. >> of course we're always in favor of talking to everybody. i spoke today with members of the christian democrat party. that's normal for democrats. but here we are speaking about the formation of a government. those talks will probably be rather short. >> all right. annette is in berlin with her own thoughts on this. the coalition is looking more likely than not, annette ya. what would that mean in terms of the big policy decision particularly towards the rest of europe? >> well actually the big coalition or the grand coalition, as we call it is it's becoming more likely because the levels are extremely weak. in the recent polls. the christian democrats have some sort of weakness if you look at the last pull by the institute. but nevertheless, the call is very close when it comes to the ele

the spd has its conference friday, maybe we'll get further details.eachers today. the troika arrived there. remember the creditors? the finance minister says to everybody else that they will have a budget surplus, primary budget surplus this year. if they achieve that, they can unlock the further billion dollars that is due next month. >> right. an important one. surplus, finally. at least a step in right direction. >> how crucifying for an economy like greece to run a surplus. they don't run that in france. they don't run that here. what are we at, 4%, 5%? >> six years of recession. >> crazy. >> thoughts on merkel's victory, rick santelli. >> excellent. i'd like to welcome my guest, mark grant, southwest securities. thanks for taking time post election monday. >> welcome. happy to be with you, my friend. >> all right. i read your piece today. i want you to share that with the radio listeners and viewers. what's your perception of merkel's victory and your assessment of what we will be looking at with regard to europe and their economies? >> well, you

so that spd that chairman royce, some of my colleagues here are a co-sponsor of. i want to specifically look at a couple of things that really hopefully will keep us from repeating this tragedy. and i want to address what is w known as the memo that was brought forth under secretary madeleine albright. it made some recommendations that we had an undersecretary for diplomatic security that report directly to the secretary and ambassador pickering, i want to address this question to you. if you would put a slide up on the screen so that we can know what we're talking about there. if i can ask the committee to do that. in that, you were copied on a memo because you were the undersecretary for political affairs. it talked about the issue and quote the issue of the d.s. or diplomatic security reporting to the secretary of state was controversial with the corporate board. what is the corporate board? >> i suppose that under secretary cohen was referring to group group of people on the seventh floor, undersecretaries who were close to the secretary an perhaps some of her