about the political situation in iowa. not talk so talking points, they're just based on a measure of the objective distinctions between the party platforms and their policy objectives. the iowa democrat party is a coalition of the gay lobby, the abortion lobby, gambling lot, and the state employees union, which includes the state teachers' union and open borders community. the iowa republican party is generally pro-life, traditional family, limited government, balanced budget, and pro- business. the iowa republican party is a moderate by temperament, but contains a constantly irritated and frustrated hard core committed conservative base. the best example of i will pose a cultural war in action in a recent dustup over the same- gender merritt issue. a few months ago after three terms of democrat majority, the gay lobby, try to challenge the iowa defense of marriage act and the iowa supreme court voted to declare its illegal and to unleash same-gender merits. that decision set off a firestorm. it cost the last governor his

on monday, the fourthest digs of the iowa -- the fourth edition of the iowa public rankings. this is not a scientific rate of voters. the power rankings are put out by a non-profit independent news network called the iowa independent. they're taken from staff members of the iowa independent, from state political reporters, part of the activists, academics, elected officials, political consultants, other sort of insiders. they're all invited to participate by answering a question that is asked every two weeks and this week's question was, if the iowa caucus was held tonight, what would the results be? in fact, the iowa caucus is about nine months away. tim haggle shall you were involved with this power ranking and were on one of the panels. >> as i was saying during the break, i don't look at it in terms of if the caucuses were held today what would be the rankings, but i look at it in the long term but the panelists will contribute a variety of bits of information that i summarize and talk about that and talk about how it has moved people up or down, pro and con and even beyon

suprisingly, perhaps, the official answer from iowa is: not really. website makes clear the "conviction that writing cannot be taught but that writers can be encouraged." >> we try as hard as we can to take everybody's work seriously, to respect the writer's intentions, to discuss technical and non-technical elements of the work. having said that, i sometimes feel that if i just walked into the room and fed them chicken soup, they would get better anyway. >> reporter: really? >> yes! the elements of, you know, that go into creating a great writer are completely mysterious and nobody really knows what they are. >> reporter: of course, one way to learn is through careful reading. mark levine, also an iowa alum, teaches a poetry workshop, as well as seminars on past masters. here, the odes of keats. he says he works on technical aspects of writing, but there's more, things like character, courage, confidence, and honesty. >> one of the acts of faith in the exchange between the student and the teacher and other members of the class is to be honest. and the

the iowa caucuses will be in about 10 months. we're pretty late in this game for someone to begin a campaign right now. i think we have seen the few we will have. i think it's a little late for somebody else to try to enter the field, unless that person was an overarching big-name that could bring that to the race. i do not see that type a personality right now. host: mike glover, what you think the potential of daniels out of indiana? guest: he could be a formidable candidate. he's a midwesterners. we relate to midwesterners. he brings a name i.d. he brings a financial thing to the field. i have to tell you, mitch daniels did himself some harm with social conservatives when he said it was time for republicans to "call a truce on debating social issues." a lot of people -- a big applause line that you hear at republican events ispeople undel conservatives do not like it. he would have a big hurdle to overcome social conservatives. host: what do you think? guest: obviously he is a social conservative. i believe the republican caucu

they're saying wait a minute, the iowa caucuses are almost a year away. by this time four years ago we had almost 20 declared presidential candidates and when they held the first republican debate in may of 2007 on the stage of the reagan library, there were 10 republicans standing on that stage. gwen: with the big plane? >> that's right. this week they announced they're going to have to put that debate off until september, but -- because they don't have any declared candidates out there. and there are a number of things going on. one, the whole dynamic of a presidential contest, when you are running against an incumbent is very, very different. that is why in 1991 bill clinton didn't even announce until october. mario cuomo didn't announce he wasn't running until december. it's a different kind of calculation you have to make. one of the lessons from 2008 was it started too early and went on too long. there's only a certain amount of money to be raised and once you start one are -- running you start spending. which is why we saw john mccain, the frontrunn

the iowa caucuses will be in about 10 months. e pretty late in this game for someone to begin a campaign right now. i think we have seen the few we will have. i think it's a little late for somebody else to try to enter the field, unless that person was an overarching big-name that could bring that to the race. i do not see that type a personality right now. host: mike glover, what you think the potential of daniels out of indiana? guest: he could be a formidable candidate. he's a midwesterners. we relate to midwesterners. he brings a name i.d. he brings a financial thing to the field. i have to tell you, mitch daniels did himself some harm with social conservatives when he said it was time for republicans to "call a truce on debating social issues." a lot of people -- a big applause line that you hear at republican events ispeople undel conservatives do not like it. he would have a big hurdle to overcome social conservatives. host: what do you think? guest: obviously he is a social conservative. i believe the republican caucus go

that is the impact he has with the voters in iowa. he does not seem to be registering with them, does he? >> he has not shown up yet. i think to have an impact on the caucuses, one of the main requirements is that you show up. you cannot generally run a television campaign and do well in the iowa caucuses. you have to put your feet on the ground to register with voters. i do think some people are probably interested in seeing him, if for no other reason than -- >> status, he has got it right now. huckabee seems to be the favorite on the republican side. >> the polls have shown him to be doing well nationwide. i believe the iowa polls have shown him to be doing well. nobody knows if he will run. it is very early. a lot of what you are seeing are people talking about, expecting preferences along the lines of name recognition. for celebrityg status as opposed to the inmates support in february. >> do you think some of the guys that ran before understand that they came out too quickly? they may be sitting back and waiting a bit now? you do

the iowa party will be doing a debate. we're not talking about adding another debate. bartok thing about the republican national committee coming in and assisting the state of iowa in that particular debate. we might do a fund-raiser, maybe we do, maybe we down. >> so that was not a take-it-or- leave-it, or the suggestion of ideas -- >> of course it is not take it or leave it. we will try to act in the best interest of our candidates. we need to communicate with them what the ideas are and how we can be helpful. the same thing that dnc did. they did this and more. >> office to you want -- do you want to see more conservative figures moderate the debates? >> that is something they can decide. >> what do you believe right now that president obama's biggest strengths are and will make the most difficult path to be him? speech good at giving a and he is good at making money. i think he's terrible following through on promises. i think he's been awful for our economy and i think those issues will from his ability to raise money. >> do you believe his segue since the midterm

like, for example, the iowa party, they'll be doing a debate at the straw poll. we're not talking of adding another debate. we're talking about the republican national committee coming in, persisting the state of iowa in that particular debate. and it in ames iowa we might do a fundraiser, maybe we do, did we don't. >> so that proposal last weekend was not a take it or leave document but was more a suggestion of a just. >> guest: that's why. of course, it's not a take it or leave it because we will do and we'll try to act in the best interests of our candidates. so we need to indicate with them as to what their ideas are and what are ways that we can be helpful. the same thing the dnc did by the way in '07 and away. they did exactly this and more. [inaudible] >> guest: i think that can be something the campaign decides. >> host: six minutes left. >> what do you believe right now that president obama's biggest strengths are and will make the most difficult perhaps, what you believe his strongest suit is right now? and what i think he's good at giving a speech and

in the upper plains, the surging rivers now well above flood stage. and in western iowa, the governor has declared a state of emergency after tornadoes touched down. a hug there, their home gone. the one next door, still standing. barbara pinto leads us off, beginning with the dramatic pictures in iowa. >> reporter: terror rained from the skies in iowa. >> get back! >> reporter: at least 11 twisters were spotted. one took direct aim at mapleton, iowa. >> we kind of hid out up in the house, but we had blankets and stuff over our head, over our body and stuff so we didn't get glass. >> reporter: the tornado, a quarter of a mile wide, ripped through this small town, flattening more than 100 homes. leaving more than half of mapleton in ruins. >> i think that we should have had fatalities and didn't. so, i guess, i believe in the good lord and he saved this town. >> reporter: in west texas, it's wind whipping grass fires. this one burned out of control for the fourth straight day. 2,500 acres now scorched along with at least 20 homes. >> it could be one of the worst grass fir

from the flattened towns in iowa, we head north to where they're under water. the red river crested over the weekend spawning the fourth largest flood ever. those rivers aren't dropping anytime soon. it's the third year in a row barbara pinto has braved the flood zone. she's in harwood, north dakota tonight. barbara. >> reporter: i'm on the second family of this home. here in harwood. like house after house here, the rising red river has turned it into an island. this is what it looks like from above. part of north dakota is a giant lake. on the ground, it's sleepless nights. justin lenox and his dad take turns looking for leaks in their plywood moat. >> you keep a check list? >> yeah, a check list making sure there's no major leaks. >> reporter: the red river is literally lapping at their door. how high is the water here? >> it's about 4 1/2 feet or so. >> reporter: and the only thing between you and it is -- >> the wood here. >> reporter: now, people here are tired. this is the third year of historic flooding in a row, george. >> okay, barbara, and you've been

the move. after all, tornado season isn't over. i'm yuny deni nies in iowa. >>> thanks. just ahead, desiree rogers tells her side of the story. an abc news exclusive. i have what science calls the "nightly stuffy nose thing": i can't breathe... so i can't sleep... and the next day i pay for it. i tried decongestants... i tossed & turned... i even vaporized! and then i fought back: with drug-free breathe right advanced. these nasal strips instantly opened my nose, like a breath of fresh air. i was breathing and sleeping better! [ female announcer ] exercise your right to breathe right... get two free strips at breatheright.com. hey, it's your right to breathe right! wonder where the durango's been for the last two years? well, it toured around europe, getting handling and steering lessons on those sporty european roads. it went back to school, got an advanced degree in technology. it's been working out -- more muscle and less fat. it's only been two years, but it's done more in two years than most cars do in a lifetime. how can expedia now save me even more on my hotel?o y

i think they are playing the iowa barnstormers. yeah. are going to be wearing those sabre cat jerseys. keep that in mind moving through the area. livermore is smooth out of the altamont pass. a 14-minute drive. this will extend for another half hour until the speeds start to slow down for this friday. the rest of the approach to the bay bridge is looking nice for 580 and 880 through oakland. the east shore freeway, no major issues approaching the toll plaza. light volume there with no issues of concern. it is a smooth drive, including out of the area. here's a look at antioch where we'll look at the speed limit going on past l street. that's a 66. interesting, look at the 56 through bay point. watch for additional slowing. so far it is just a blip going on. the j mack ferry is still out of service. take the road as you have for the last few days. there are lights out near civic center going on this morning. christie smith is on the scene to tell us what's happening there. this is all the way west to laguna. on saturday i'll be in japantow

the precinct votes. it's a very unique style in iowa. republicans, a little more straightforward, but the other thing is you have the straw poll which is coming up in august which is a first indicator of what is going to be happening here in the state of iowa when it comes to these candidates. you're kind of watching this mini show here on c-span as the folks across the country are getting a little taste of what goes on here in middle america. by the way, what is the tampa bay, cara? 47 -- what is the temperature kara? 47. we're going from winter into summer. we're not going to have a spring here. it is cold. >> 4:48 here on "the jim fisher show." i'm dan kennedy, c-span, the folks are here. they have been here all day. we appreciate or they have been here since the start of the program. john marks, a columnist filled in the first hour and then ed tibbets from the quad city times was here for an hour and a half. we have been taking calls from all over the country. let's see, we have got ruth from alabama. ruth, good afternoon. >> good aft

the next step. i will do that in new hampshire, south carolina, and iowa. my exploration is whether i can learn to read a bicycle again. it has been 20 years. hpolitics is much faster. the speed of politics is what enables me to think about this. the internet is my friend. we bank there. we have grown my bank there. we have used the internet. i am doing the same thing in my campaign. i have contributions from 37 different states after a few weeks. i have only been 23. three.ve only been towe my words go further than they used to. i want to emphasize the money with the phrase "to read a rising nation." use the internet, associates, those who believe as i do and come together with the critical mass. it will take a while. the first pole i show up on will be victory. that is the way i ran for governor. i was in sixth place for one year. i went from 1% to 6%. i knew i was going to win at 6%. i have to reach a critical mass. do not judge roemer by the others standards. they all have pacs, staff, and big payrolls. no, that is what is wrong with the government. i do

that's the iowa caucus votes. keep an eye on her. if she runs she could be a real factor. trump will get all the headlines out of this poll. michele bachmann could have staying power. >> chuck todd with the new numbers just out tonight. chuck, thanks. >>> one more note here on donald trump who, of course, has a show "celebrity apprentice" that airs on this network. while we've talked with president obama about his birth in america, that has not stopped the group trump today called the birthers from stirring up doubts or charging outright that the president was born overseas and thus is ineligible to be president. in a boisterous interview with meredith vieira today here in new york that will air tomorrow morning on "today," trump continued on this issue that has given him some traction. we've just seen among some in the so-called birther movement. >> he spent $2 million in legal fees trying to get away from this issue. and if he weren't lying, why wouldn't he just solve it? and i wish he would. because if he doesn't, it's one of the greatest scams in the history of politics

. >> coming up next at six, authorities are adding up the damage in iowa where a tornado wiped out motor of a small town. and a father who hugs his children who were missing for more than 40 hours this weekend.

that the people are all different makes it more interesting to work with them thanks to the life of the iowa says it is not boring crew members or older friends each has his own interests that we share experience and information with each other. and the fact that all of us are different makes life on the station more interesting. say alexander invention cosmological hero of the soviet union and me to come back to the commander of our expedition twenty seven today i assess spotlight will be back shortly after a break so stay with us will continue in less than an. chosen from among many. he was given a clear cut mission. the mission he successfully accomplished. became the first ever again under space. of the soviet union one of the best known persons in the whole world. all his thoughts were focused on flight. could he ever think that his life's work would cost him his life. one happened in those few seconds. and what secrets sealed barrels still. keurig are in. place on r.g.p. . download the official and see how to make a show on the phone called touch from the i choose our. lunch on sea lif

the damage. there are a lot of toppled trees, destroyed grain bins. iowa's governor has issued a disaster proclamation. >>> hot, dry weather has kept fires burning in texas. one in the ft. davis area has burned more than 2500-acres and destroyed 50 homes. other fires are burning in mostly rural areas. the largest spans 125 square miles. it has been burning since wednesday, sparked by somebody cutting pipe. >>> sure sign spring has arrived. we'll take you to the cherry blossom special. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, kicked off this weekend in san francisco's japantown... with performanc the 44th northern california cherry blossom festival kicked off with performances, food. the celebration celebrates japanese and japanese-american culture. it's said to be the second largest festival outside of washington, dc. the festival continues next weekend with the grand parade on april 17th. >>> all right. lawrence is joining us. we have had a beautiful weekend. is that about to come to a screeching halt? >> yes, the clouds are gathering out there right now. it doesn't look like anythi

and we're going to motivate them and show them that they are not alone in the state of iowa but there are over three hundred thousand atheists doesn't the state alone isn't conventionally bringing about six hundred seven hundred people at sony does that mean that their cells are a bit of taboo surrounding atheism that people don't necessarily want to shell up or be public about it. there's a tremendous amount of taboo on being in atheism and that's one of the in fact that is the number one thing we're trying to fight there's absolutely nothing wrong with being an atheist statistically speaking there are more atheists in this country than there are jews plus looms plus hindus plus buddhists combined and doubled yet nobody thinks they know they know any atheists in fact every single person in this country knows more than the think they know because so much of us so many of us are closet and private and that is the problem now we're having in this country the reason that we see such infringements on separation of church and state is not because there are so many more of them going to us

the nation. i'm veronica delacruz. this morning a trail of destruction. in iowa a state of emergency in parts of that state where a tornado hit a 5th of one town. >> get back! >> reporter: the tornado slammed into iowa saturday evening without warning. >> it happened so fast. we were about 50 yards away from it. we had a dust swirl and before we knew it, we had a full blown tornado on the ground. >> reporter: leaving blocks of the small town shattered. hail and a sunday full of cleaning up to parts of the carolinas and virginia. >> the storm follows days and heat in some places. >> spans wildfires, a foot of snow in arizona. >> this time of year, we see the temperature swings driven by a jet stream moving from the winter into the summer mode. and the battle is what is helping to fuel the storms. >> forecasters warn the danger is not over yet. bringing the potential for dangversus weather to 40 million people across 20 states. frances coe, nbc news. >> in washington, the government may have averted a shut done. but already a battle is brewing. one in which the pre

a frightening glimpse into the tornadoes that devastated mapleton, iowa, over the weekend. a double funnel that could be seen in the sudden flashes of lightning. >>> ovhowever, iowa was not the only place to get tornadoes over the weekend. look at cleveland county. people inside the homes said that when the storm struck, they were grateful to be alive. >> for a look at morning road conditions. i-40 could be slick. i-80 from cleveland across pennsylvania could be tough going today. i-5 in the northwest could be a little wet as well. >> if you're flying, take a look at the airport delays, possible in detroit, memphis, atlanta, charlotte, and new orleans. >>> the man hunt for a serial killer in new york is now intensifying. eight bodies have been found so far. officials worry there could be more. >> get this. who might be responsible is especially disturbing. jeremy hubbard takes a look. >> reporter: it's an unthinkable prospect. could the long island serial killer be one of their own? >> it could be law enforcement. someone that works a civil servant. a code enforcement perso

he will announce the iowa campaign team. tea party supporters and finished fifth. >>> and nfl quarterback michael vick is leading the charge against the cell phone app against a google software that glorifies dog fighting. in a statement posted on the human society's website. vick said the app sends the wrong message. vick served 18 months in prison on a dog fighting conviction. the app said it is only a game . there is foe comment from google. >> a third air tracker controller was fired for falling asleep on the job not once but twice. they think there is a solution. let air controllers take a nap. short naps helps them to remain alert. they are pressing the faa to allow naps in the overnight ships and 20 or 30 minute breaks. the obama administration is against the idea. >> abc news at 6:00, taking the decision away from parents. a controversial medical procedure that voters may be asking to ban . >> a court decision that could have nfl players showing up for work even though team owners have locked them out. >>> and live i

the earthquake. >>> there were tornadoes in iowa last night. the damage is still being [ female announcer ] most women in america aren't getting the calcium they need. but yoplait wants to change that. only yoplait original has twice the calcium of the leading yogurt. that's 50% of the daily value ♪ so pass on the news and we can help close this calcium gap together. to get you started, we're giving away a million free cups at yoplait dot com. the yoplait you love, now in a 4-pack. try it today. you want that? you want a warm, super-delicious strawberry toaster strudel yeah but now i have nothing to eat sureou do. hey! you can have the pop tart! pillsbury toaster strudel. the one kids want to eat than listening there'to our favorite songs. there's nothing we love more than listening to our favorite songs. but our favorite thing is eating totino's pizza rolls. but our favorite thing is eating totino's pizza rolls. ♪ we're the kids in america ♪ oh, oh, oh >> a tornado that swept through a small town in iowa left behind a path of destruction. one o

>>> this is amateur video of a twister as it hits the town of mapletown, iowa last night witness says the tornado appeared to be a quarter of a mile wide. mapleton will be without utilities for the next two weeks. several homes and other buildings were destroyed over 15 blocks, but fortunately no one was killed. today the 1200 people returned there to assess the damage. there were a lot of toppled trees, destroyed grain bins and damage to many homes. a disaster proclamation has been issued for that tornado. there are nine fires burning right now. one in the ft. davis area has burned 125 acres and burned 50 homes. the largest fire spans 125 square miles. it has been burning since wednesday, sparked by somebody cutting pipe. >>> lawrence is here. yes, we've had a beautiful weekend and, guess what? >> back to work monday. we've got a chance of rain. it doesn't look like a huge storm. that's the good new, but there's a chance of showers making their way into the bay area. it was fantastic weekend. winds kicking around a little bit. we've got mostly clear skies there. little h

the campaign trail. i went to lichfield, ky. we are a lot like iowa, i grew up in a small town. think we were on our bus tour, and a woman comes up to me and grabs me by the hair and says, i just wanted to see if it was a toupee or not. the things you have to put up with to get elected. i said, give me a break, i am having a bad hair day. i was lucky enough, when i was elected, that i get a special desk. it is just the way it works. i get the desk of henry clay. it goes to the senior senator from kentucky. that is mitch mcconnell, but he sits at another desk. i was intrigued by the history of this, so i told one of the other republican senators, i will be sitting at henry clay's desk. he said, will you be the great compromiser? i thought about that for a bit. there is a new biography about henry clay. in that, i learned he became speaker of the house, i think, in his first term. he was president of the senate. he ran four times for president and almost 1. he lost to james polk. i learned about him being a great compromiser. my history textbooks, one of the growing up, would say i

i owe it to all of you and hundreds of dozens of people who are not here for giving me the privilege of serving iowa in the united states senate, and to all of you people once again, thank you very much. [applause] to make sure that we get turned around, and we will turn around. if there is one thing if you do not remember anything else, these are three months into this session, and we have got another 18 months to go before the next election. there are things that the democratic congress and president have forced on the people, 22% on top of a $814 billion deficit, or, i mean, stimulus that did not work, keeping the unemployment not under 8% back always over 8%, and also, for the debt we have for about 50 years, and maybe most of you think that is too much, but today, it is 65% and is on a path to be 95%. over the next two years, to preempt that at 22%, get back to a 2008 or 2000 level of expenditures and freeze for five years after that, and maybe even do better if we can, but at least i'm telling you what my goal is, of and also, to get this debt down so we do not leave it to our kids. i want to

the presidency. probably had good reaction in iowa. what is the status? >> we had a great reaction. met with a lot of people from different walks of life. we said if i make a decision to throw my hat in we'll make it probably early summer in iowa the straw poll is in august. there needs to be lead time to get ready. if i decide to jump in, it will be in early summer. >> sean: what the considerations that are running through your mind? obviously a big decision. are you looking at the other candidates? are there one, two or three people if they get in, maybe you will say okay i'm content that there are good people in the race? >> it really isn't about other people or what their decision will be. i already think there are a lot of great people out there. what i'm looking at is whether or not i think this is the right thing that i need to do with the message i'm bringing forth. and whether the people in iowa and other states see me as someone they want to get behind and support. >> sean: steny hoyer said the odds of a government shutdown now are increasing. there are articles how democr

captioning brought to >> alan: the home video shows a tornado as it barreled toward the town of napeletop in western iowa. the twister damaged halve -- half of the town. the tornado either severe he dammed or destroyed homes. over a dozen people were hurt. the most serious injury was a broken leg. the mayor estimates one-fifth of the town is flat and the century old maple trees are gone. >> trees everywhere in metal and lines, just destroyed. pretty bad. >> alan: the national weather service believes the tornado reached a wid of three-quarters of a mile and winds reached speech -- speed between 135 and 165-miles-an-hour. >>> in texas, a very different problem. firefighters say this is the single worst fire day the state has ever seen. more than 60,000 acres are burning in west texas. flames have destroyed 20 homes in fort davis, 200 miles southwest of el paso. firefighters from 25 states are helping out but can't use air tankers to drop water because of wind gusts as high as 50 miles-per-hour. >>> another reminder high fortunate to be in the bay area. another beautiful day. but there's chance of rain in

live coverage of major general richard mills on the war in afghanistan and then a live simulcast of the iowaublic radio programs, " the exchange," with a look at the 2012 presidential campaign. then ben bernanke will take questions from reporters when he announces that policy on interest rates. on c-span 2, the prime minister questions is getting underway. we have live coverage from the british house of commons in london. later on c-span 3, more from the british house of commons as their defense committee looks into military operations in libya. that is live at 9:30 eastern.

the campaign trail. kentucky is a lot like iowa. we are world. i grew up in a small town. we were on our bus tour. came up to me and grabs me by the hair and said she wanted to know if it was a to toupee or not. the things you have to put up with to get elected. i told her to give me a break because i was having a bad hair day. i get a special desk. i get henry clay's desperate egos to the senior senator from kentucky. -- i get henry clay's desk because it goes to the senior senator from kentucky. someone asked me if i was going to be the great compromiser. i had to think about that. there is a new biography about henry clay. i learned he became speaker of the house in his first term. he was president of the senate. he ran four times for president and almost one. he lost by 38,000 votes to james polk. i learned about him being the great compromiser. i thought about it. my history textbooks when i was growing up would say that henry clay kept the union together by his compromises, by rising above strive to keep the union together. that could be true. history has another analysis as well. from my poi

the damascus center of studies in syria and later, a preview of the 2012 presidential campaign and the iowa caucuses will go live to the jim fischer radio show at woc in davenport, iowa at 3:00 eastern here on c-span. coming up this hour, more about yesterday's news conference with german ben bernanke

the iowa caucuses 10 months away, we will take you live this morning to the radio show for a previewthe 2012 campaign live from who in des moines. at 10:30 eastern. coming at this hour, the former head of the federal aviation administration will discuss some of the latest air traffic control tower incidents in the news. after that, the electronic privacy

now, that's the iowa wing, which really refers to the 2012 presidential campaign. that's michele bachmann already campaigning for caucus votes in iowa in 2012. then you have jim demint who's from south carolina, another key presidential primary state, who's also banging his fist on the table saying you've got to get the 61 billion. meanwhile, the presidential candidates are for the most part staying silent. but i don't know how much pressure demint and bachmann really have on john boehner or even eric cantor in the end. boehner's going to cut the deal. eric cantor's going to squawk but he's probably going to go along with it in the end even as he tells the tea party people that he's sorry. >> howard fineman of the huffington post and msnbc, thanks for joining us tonight, howard. >> thank you, lawrence. >>> michele bachmann called the tea party to action at the capitol today to rally in favor of drastic spending cuts. exactly how many people have to show up to call something a rally? slate's dave weigel was there, and he joins us. plus, a critical look at the man who

the utility. >>> in western iowa residents are facing the task of rebuilding after a tornado leveled much of their community. this home video shows a tornado barreling toward maple ton, iowa. last night's twister damaged more than half of the town and destroyed many of its name sake century's old maple trees. more than a dozen people were hurt, but the most serious injury was a broken leg. maple ton's mayor says one/5 of his town is almost flat. the tornado drove at least 500 people from their homes. >> trees are everywhere and metal and lines and everything is just destroyed. it is pretty bad. >> the national weather service believes the tornado reached a width of three quarters of a mile at one point. the winds reached between 135 and 165 miles per hour. several other twisters also touched down in other parts of iowa. >> and in texas a very -- >>> in texas a very different problem. this is the worst single fire day this date has ever seen. more than 60,000 acres are burning in west texas. the flames have destroyed 20 homes in fort davis, 200 miles east of el paso. firefighters from 25 states are

i've been involved in treasure island since 1978. 1948 when i first came here on the battleship iowa and landed here at treasure island. i think the project is very exciting. i think there are many rewards and i certainly am not opposed to making opportunities for people to have low-cost housing and jobs and especially the playing fields. it is a good way to keep people out of trouble, but in the morning newspaper, the "morning examiner" there is a map of treasure island but there is not indication that there is a sea wall around it. i think the one thing that they have learned, especially in japan in the last six weeks, is that tsunamis are very serious business. the full expectation is that the normal sea level will rise six or eights or 10 feet. these are predictable that it will happen sometime in the next 100 years. and i'm really concerned about who'll pay the cost of putting that sea wall up, which i think is going to be inevitable and what responsibility will the city of san francisco have if there is a devastating tsunami that wipes out all of that real estate without being b

a camera was placed near the nest in iowa. was laid it to you stream footage has been viewed by 11 million people from 130 different countries. the first day catch friday into saturday the second half sunday. viewers are eagerly and anxiously awaiting the third a attached. an in-depth look at the giants as to make another run for the title. april the 10th at 10:00 p.m. right here on kron 4. we'll be right back. [ buzzer sounds ] [ cheers and applause ] ♪ hey marcel, watch this! yeah, marcel! -marcel! -hey marcel! are you listening to me? marcel! [ male announcer ] only at&t u-verse lets you follow your favorite channels on one screen. just $29 a month for the first six months -- dvr included. in the network there are no hard choices. >>pam: turning now to the barry bonds perjury trial. joining us is michael cardozo. for you surprised the judge did not allow the doctor arthur, hoskins audio recording? >> in a word, yes. it was like a fastball at barry bonds had any dodged it. that fastball was the tape in this case. it remember

. >> what is going on in washington -- >> where is the -- >> no support in washington, but in this primary states, iowa, they're talking about the same things that trump is driving, and helen. -- palin. >> the face of the republican party will not be polite or john boehner, it will be the republican nominee for a 2012. >> it will not be donald trump to it that is why it is a farce -- it will not be donald trump. that is what it is a farce. >> what about mike huckabee? is he a serious candidate? >> he is not running. he is too happy to run. >> enormously serious candidate if he runs. i aee with charles and nina, i would bet that he would not run. >> he is a big star on fox, popular, and building a dream house in florida. he would be gnuts to run. >> he would be taking a pay cut. >> exactly. >> any party has problems went fringe, many people become part of the action even for a little while. >> who is this serious front runner? >> mitt romney. >> absolutely. "wall street journal"/nbc poll has it and a 40%, if you take into consideration that newt gingrich and tim pawlenty, the people who are really going