>> when we return, tom steyer's paradise.ning this huge ranch, how is it different than running a hedge fund, a $20 billion hedge fund? ♪ >> the northern california coast is one of the most picturesque places in the united states, so it is no wonder this is where billionaire tom steyer spends his time. a few miles inland from the pacific is the 1,800 acre ranch steyer and his wife kathryn taylor bought in 2002. only an hour outside of san francisco, it's a world away. buying this ranch, was it your idea or your wife's idea? >> i think you can only blame my wife for that one. originally we bought it because the land had been so misused, you could dump stuff here if you paid them a fee. there had been a d.e.a. raid. they had people -- >> why? >> i think they were growing dope. >> oh. running this huge ranch, how is it different than running a hedge fund, a $20 billion hedge fund? >> i'll tell you how it's the same and how it's incredibly different. it's the same in the sense that you think this looks like an asset, but it's act

actually believe that the solution for our energy problem is going to be corporate america. ♪ >> tom steyerlaims money didn't motivate him, but he was incredibly good at making it. the investment firm he founded, farallon capital management, has a market value of almost $4 billion, and that has made steyer a very wealthy man. if you didn't really like using money as a benchmark for your success, you still made a lot of it. how did that work? >> for better or worse, i am competitive. >> competitive and diversified. steyer's investment fund, farallon, invests in energy companies. including kinder morgan, a canadian operator that transports oil sands. but steyer promised to divest from his kinder morgan holdings and pledged to donate money to the victims of wildfires. he looks to the oil industry for answers. >> how do you take the incident that happened in mayflower and what happened to peoples' lives there, how do you apply that to the work you're doing now against the keystone pipeline? >> let's step back for a second, which is this. i actually believe the solution for our energy problems i

tom steyer actually spoke of the democratic national convention. can you imagine what would happen if a coke brother spoke? he spoke on global warming. i don't think there is any equivalent in the way they have been able to highlight donors on their side compared to the gop. the gop, of course the coke brothers donate conservative causes but don't host at the democratic convention. >> their team says there was a decision that delayed the pipeline there by about six months, i think, it was and blaming it on that. the timing is coincident l. >> what is interesting, megyn, in february when the decision came down, the white house said they will not play a role to approve it or not. it's only now they are bringing it up. >> that's tough for them. tough. jamie, good to see you. >> good to see you. >> up next, reports that one major news network was so concerned about one of the main anchors it hired a shrink to run tests. we'll tell you who it is. is it me? [ laughter ] >> why they were so concerned. you won't believe this. >>> plus, how did one teen man

i'll be chatting with businessman turned environmental activist tom steyer.teyer was born and raised in the financial capital of the u.s., new york city, but chose to open his company, farallon, in san francisco.

i'll be chatting with businessman turned environmental activist tom steyer.r was born and raised in the financial capital of the u.s., new york city, but chose to open his company, farallon, in san francisco. he founded farallon in 1986 with $8 million, and by the time he stepped down he turned the initial investment into $30 billion, making it the fourth-largest hedge fund in the world. his personal fortune is an estimated $2.6 billion.

i'll be chatting with businessman turned environmental activist tom steyer.teyer was born and raised in the financial capital of the u.s., new york city, but chose to open his company, farallon, in san francisco. he founded farallon in 1986 with $8 million, and by the time he stepped down he turned the initial investment into $30 billion, making it the fourth-largest hedge fund in the world. his personal fortune is an estimated $2.6 billion.

the koch brothers against tom steyer how do you view that? it's clear that the koch brothers are going to profit from the keystone pipeline project. >> i think the framework for this is a bunch of baloney, too. the fact of the matter, the president of the united states and the state department are making an important decision on our future. and people tend to focus on our pipeline as in we're either going to build or allow the keystone xl pipeline to go in or nothing is going to happen. and that's absolutely false. the fact of the matter is, this is a chance for the united states to move in with a much more innovative and search-based policy for to us generate in the united states of america clean energy, and produce a ton of jobs doing it. and give ourselves a chance to really be energy independent. and to do it in a clean way that doesn't is hurt our land. and set ourselves up for the next century, instead of going with a very dirty status quo that really isn't going to help our jobs, it's going to hurt our environment and it's going to lea

the senate chamber was held open all nighter so they could appease tom steyer. he's worried about the environment. we're going to have this discussion on global warming, spend the whole nate there, just to get his money. in the meantime, on the other side, it happens on the other side and it's unamerican. the other politics. president obama said we need to wait for the state department's analysis of what is the environmental effect of keystone pipeline. they got that a couple of months ago. the state department said there's no environmental impact. the obama administration says let's give it a few more months. we have a few more questions to answer. >> i think they will approve it after the mid terms because i think it will help hillary clinton in the presidential election if president obama takes the hit in the last two years. >> after they get the money from steyer. >> the punt came up short. >> nice sports metaphor. which sport was it? >> it's football. >> it's football. obama punts more than the baltimore ravens. >> what's a helpful little -- >> you came to

delayed decision on the keystone xl pipeline. >> the koch brother do get a lot of attention and tom steyermillion is a lot of money in senate races and because of the coverage the koch brothers get it's fair to say, look, this is guy who made quite clear his feeling on climate and environmental activists and $100 million when senate democrats go to the floor, harry reid going to the floor at least once a week condemning republicans and trying to gin up money from their donor base. you know, give and take is very fair in this situation. i don't think it's an unfair comparison. when you make decisions like this in an election year and it is as you point out andrea, an issue that they've spent a not inconsiderable amount of time considering, there's going to be the call of politics there and i think the obama administration probably knew that and was still willing to take the hit for it. >> which is not to discount karen, the koch brothers doing much more money up front. so they've had a big impact already in these races. >> where you've seen that is already, you're seeing it already on the a

we need to counter balance that with $100 million from tom steyer. they are making the calculation that's more important than another sort of hit against conservative state democrats, landrieu, pryor, i don't know if they are right about that. they may be wrong ultimately, but clearly they have made the decision. you can hang one piece of substance, you can say you are delaying this because of in nebraska the court has said we're going to review the process by which this was approved to go through nebraska keystone. so that doesn't mean the administration couldn't say right now we are for it, but at least it gives them the peg to say, we're unsure what's going to happen. there could be a new route based on what happens in nebraska. so we'll wait until this court plays its way out. it is totally politics but they have this to hang it to say this is why we are doing it. >> karen, do we get a decision ever on keystone pipeline? >> unfortunately, becky, i'm not sure we ever get a decision on anything let alone keystone pipeline. i think that's the big is

. >> tom steyer is the founder and president of nextgen climate and action. thank you for being with us on "newsmakers." >> totally my pleasure. >> we will continue the conversation. let me begin with you. it is clear he is willing to make the investment in his passive about these issues. >> which race is he going to play? $120 million is a lot of money to throw around. how much money as he going to spend and where? he is concerned with wins nd losses. >> it sounds that he is willing to spend even more, both he and his fellow investors. >> he definitely indicated there is no minimum or maximum. he's a billionaire. he is lots of money. he is always competing with this conservative side of the aisle when it comes to big-money spending. one of the other interesting things he said is there's going to be a lot of races were climate change just is not going to be the kind of clinch issue. he's going to have to pick and choose what races he actually gets into. >> you have had the chance to sit down and talk with him in a number of occasions. for our viewers watching

california billionaire and environmental activist tom steyer has put out the word he, too, will put up about $100 million dollars for the coming elections cycle. and the son of billionaire george soros, jonathan, is promising to use his own money and access, ironically, to push for reforms that would undercut the role of big money and access in politics. are you using the system like those who are often criticized for it? >> yes, absolutely. i'm not going to pretend we are not. >> reporter: soros was the only one of the big-money players to agree to appear in our report tonight. of course, he's the one who is trying to end a system that many, including republicans and democrats, believe has made american politics a private playground for the rich. diane? >> brian ross, reporting in. thank you, brian. >>> and next, tonight, we're going to take you inside the big-league battle. the baseball player who became a lightning rod when he chose his new baby over showing up for the game. it is a red-hot argument over paternity leave and why most new dads rush back to work. we're back in two minu

interdependent world and the fact that environmentalists and the democratic party and one big donor, tom steyere effectively a veto is very did he tell tri mental to the united states. >> keystone is an example of corruption in both political parties. >> well, it is an example of corruption. you have one boil ordinary -- billionaire threatening up to saying i don't want keystone. the president obama has decided to politically delay things to keep his couldn't at this time went sis and candidates happy. this is going on and on what he's doing is trading jobs for their support and they have the biggest spot. when a billionaire can threaten to buy the government actions on the best, what is best for the united states of america, politics is corrupt and i can point equally to the republican party too, and by the way, it seems that mr. steyer who claims to be of pure heart has some business interests in this as we found in the wall street journal would suggest, he's also fethering his nest. >> more important issue, canada is one of our closest allies, they want us to have this energy. we've had pipe

it's been wildly reported that tom steyer personally asked the president to reject the pipeline, that has pledged to spend $100 billion to support candidates who back policies that fight climate change. given that, is this in your opinion a political move? >> this is worrying me that one person or more than 500 billionaires and millionaires can have so much influence. i want to talk to jimmy carter. he's had the security briefings. he ran on conservation. i want to talk to him and a nobel lawyer yet who said wait a minute, this will endanger our environment. and i'm not sneering at 45,000 jobs that the u.s. department said this could give us. i want permanent jobs. i want us to look toward permanent jobs which is where we need to move anyway. >> so if we awant the project t be successful, how do we get to where it's environmentally sound and economically sound? >> every study has indicated that it's safe. we have the history also of the alaskan pipeline which is fine. this is politics. and i think you should talk to jimmy carter who remembers what gas rationing was all about. and this

he said "if you think people like sheldon or george soros or tom steyer are going to be influenced, they'reoing to do the best and right thing to do." has sheldon adelson learned anything from newt gingrich? >> 1995, gingrich was speaker and they developed a relationship over the issue we were just talking about, israel. it was a deeply personal commitment he had to gingrich. people will not believe this, but sheldon adelson was naive about what would happen once he gave all that money to that group helping newt gingrich and change the dynamic in south carolina. he didn't expect to become a focal point. if he didn't expect to become a focus of national media attention back then, think what's going to happen in 2016 when he says he's going to spend a lot more money and when it won't be personal. now he wants to back someone who will win. i have to tell you, i talked to somebody very close to sheldon adelson who said he met with all these guys while they were out here. there was no clear favorite. let's face it. look what the date is. it's march 31st of 2014. this guy could change his mind si

. >> and tom steyer who is a big environmentalist said he's planning on spending as much as $100 millionthe subject of climate change. tell me if i'm wrong here, it feels like liberals and progressive donors are more willing to give money to causes that do not benefit the economic interests compared to folks like the koch brothers. >> well, i think it's a mix. i don't think the koch brothers look at this in some totally cynical way where they say, here, let's try to advance policy that advances our personal business interest. now, much of the policy they advocate is in line with their business interests. but it's a lot easier to sort of develop a world view that is to your advantage than to decide that you're going to promote a world view that you think is morally correct. >> isn't it the chicken and the egg? it's like we're going to get a lot more money if we advocate for drilling anywhere and everywhere, that's part of our ethos of the market and deciding on corporations. >> i guess the question is what we're trying to figure out here. i don't know it matters that much in terms of publ

for example, billionaire tom steyer and george soros. this tilt towards the republicans, 57% of the money goes to the rs, to their candidates. that may not seem like a lot, but it's against 43%. that's quite a spread, quite a gap. >> yeah, it's quite a gap, chris. and there is no doubt that when it comes to the realm of plutocrats in americans, there are more republicans than democrats. but it is true, as you mentioned, both sorrows and steyer. and there are plenty others on wall street. we've seen plenty of democrats playing this game. the plutocracy may be tilted towards the republicans, but it's a bipartisan class, and the democrats, starting with the president of the united states, who has raised more money more successfully at the presidential level than any candidate in either party from private interests, democrats have played this well pretty well. this is a systemic problem. it's a problem right now that benefits republicans. but it's a problem that both parties have nursed at this trough for a long time. and it's been a problem

some believe it is because of the multibillionaire, tom steyer, who talked to the president specifically vote for this, i'm going to give your party $100 million. >> how much? >> $100 million. $50 million of his own money and then $50 million from his super pac. >> he's a big green guy and there's a number of big donors who have said, if you go forward with the keystone pipeline, you can count on democrats not getting any money from us. jim pinkerton is having a debate about this. listen. >> this has been a republican donor and republican president making a regulatory decision on a pipeline and the president done with the donor wanted, the mainstream media, we talk about impeachment. instead, we are talking about the court's decision, blah, blah, blah, we all know this is a green zealot to close down the economy. they want to grasp at every straw to shut down the pipeline, and i think the problem for the democrats is the voters are in favor of the pipe line. and so democrats like hagan of north carolina and handreau of louisiana are in trouble because they are sacrificing their own voter

he's taking money from another billionaire, the liberal tom steyer, because he opposes the keep keystoneout there but you have to have the skills. time to bring back shop class he says. we'll be right back. along with support, chantix varenline is pron to help peop quit smoking. chantix reduced the urge for me to smoke. it actually caught me by surprise. [ male announcer ] some people had changes in behavior, thinking, or mood, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after opping chantix. ifou notice any of these, stop chaix and call your doctor right away. tell your doctor about any history of mental-health problems, which could get worse whe taking chantix. don't ke chantix if youe d a serious allergi or skin reaction to it. if you develop these, stop chantix and see your doctor right away, as some can be life-threatening. tell your doctor if you ha a history of heart or blood-vessel proble or if you develop new worse symptoms. get medicalelp right away if you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. use caution when driving or operating

after that "newsmakers" with tom steyer. then new jersey governor chris hristie. >> i remember on saturday the first conversation i had with a group of people at that table with the 2 on it, it wasn't about where you're from, what's your school like but it was about ukraine. it was about politics. it was about our beliefs on education and religion and i was after that moment i was like, wow, this week's going to be intense. but it's been really cool to see the evolution of all of our friendships, all of our bonds. you know, from just talking about politics. we've been talking about our experiences, what we've learned, who we've met and this is an experience i'll never ever forget. >> i've always kind of been really cynical about it. i always thought i can never really go that far in politics and politics is such a caustic environment. but kind of slowly throughout the week different speakers and people i've met have chipped away at that opinion. that has been so ingrained in my head. i thought maybe i do want to make a diffe