please give tim kane a great round of applause. [applause] part of the reason he is such a good governor is because he took notes while being lieutenant governor to the former governor and now-a senator from the state of virginia, outstanding public servant, mark warner. [applause] and three outstanding members of congress, bobby scott, jim moran, gerry connolly. thank you so much for the great job you do every day. [applause] i know there is all kinds of stuff that valerie was explaining. don't worry. she is in charge, so she will organize this. i want to give a few remarks at the outset, and then we will save most of the time for questions. first of all, it is wonderful to be here in annandale. i am looking forward to answering questions about what is obviously one of the most important issues facing american families, american businesses, and the american government. but before i began, i just want to say a few words about where we are as a nation. and where we need to go. we are living through extraordinary times. i don't need

joining us now is governor tim kane of virginia, chairman of the democratic party. thank you so much for joining us tonight. >> good to be back, rachel. thanks. >> you're the head of the democratic party, governor of virginia. you've been stumping with president obama about why we need health care reform. who do you think is the other side in this debate? how do you think that you plan to beat them? >> well, you put your finger on it. there are special interests inside the beltway and primarily insurance companies who are doing great. they do better if they can kick people off insurance or not cover people who they say have preexisting conditions and they've been doing quite well even in a tough economy. and they fought against it very, very hard in the 1990s and are fighting against it now. but what we see is the overwhelming majority of the american public think the system is broken and want health insurance reform. they want a public option to put some real competition into the system so these interests aren't running the show and basically controlling the dialog

tim kane on the importance of activism. -- tim kaine. >> health care legislation continues to be the focus of the weekly online addresses. you'll hear two perspectives of what democratic proposals would me to small business. first, president obama followed by cathy rodgers. >> i recently heard from a small business owner from new jersey who wrote that he employs eight people and provides health insurance for all of them. this policy goes up 20% each year, and today it costs $1,400 a family per month. his ties business expense beside seller. he has already had to let two of them go and be forced to eliminate health insurance. he wrote, i am not looking for free health care. i would just like to get my premiums reduced enough to be able to afford it. day after day, i hear from people just like him. workers worried they may lose coverage if they become too sick or lose their job or change jobs. tennis to fear they may not be able to get insurance or change insurance. and small business owners trying to make a living and do right by the people they employ. these are the mom and pop store

>> kane says the archdiocese will help students enroll in new schools but many catholic schools face the same challenges that closed towson catholic. a rally at the school is planned this morning. tim tooten will be there and we will bring you the latest at 5:00. >> in 24 hours baltimore could lose another historic site to auction. the ambassador theatre on liberty heights avenue is expected to be auctioned off. it last operated in 1968 as a theatre. it has housed self businesses. it is now empty. it is sort of a sister theatre to senator which is set to be auctioned off july 22. one we can after fire destroyed a steeple. the leaders of bethel a.m.e. church will have a press conference. they plan to discuss details regarding future plans on how to better the baltimore region. it will begin at 10:00. >> some 20,000 people gathered to honor the king of pop michael jackson. a collection of hollywood's biggest stars shared their personal stories, condolences and heart-warming musical performances. near the conclusion his daughter paris took the stage speaking publicly for the first time. >> ever since i was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine, and i just want to

. >> kane says the archdiocese will help students enroll in new schools but many schools face the same challenges that closed towson catholic. a rally at the school is planned for this morning. timoten will be there and bring you the latest on the situation tonight on 11 news at 5:00. >> with baltimore witness to several recent disturbing acts of animal cruelty including the burning of a pit bull mayor dixon is taking measures to stop it. she will announce the formation of a an anti-animal abuse task force charged with studying ways to prevent the mistreatment of animals. it will suggest legislation to toughen laws prosecuting abusers. >> baltimore county homeowners should soon see less of unsolicited fliers on cars and doorsteps of the council approved legislation that limits the distribution of unsolicited menus and other circulars. that means businesses can't leave leaflets on homes, apartments or windshields. advertisers will be required to include a toll-free number on each flier that residents can use to stop the deliveries. violators would face fines of at least $500. the measure takes effect august 20. >> back in early may donna hamilton was anchoring the 5:00 p.m. news