trent lott has this thing on your wall in which he said...w back in power as the number-two man in the senate ino which he says "if they onlynl knew." what did he mean? >> well, it's that there are people here, trent lott, a number of very fine republicans, colleagues as well, that really want to make the institution work and find ways to try and work together. i've tried that in the uniteded states senate, i'm trying it now i'm very port gnat to have a good colleague, senator enzi is our ranking member, he was the chairman.as and we're working very closely together and we're hopefully'r getting things done. we'll be down just below the surface but we'll be gettinge' some things done. and i think that's the way it will be. we'll be up at the top, too, to sound off. but in the meantime, hopefully we'll get some things done in these areas: education, health, others.he >> rose: there have been many eloquent things said about teddy kennedy and more will comeke certainly between now and the time of his funeral and for a long time because it is the

his topics include bob dole, team sex, trent lott and coloring books. that's next. his words.ar before i go on stage. being on when i'm feeling low can be like a rollercoaster. it does at times feel like my body is telling me to do one thing... and, my mind, my heart is telling me to do something else. managing my highs and lows is super important. with my contour meter i can personalize my high/lo settings so it really does micromanage where my blood sugar needs to be. i'm nick jonas and never slowing down is my simple win. hi urbeteop you? yes, i hear progressive has lots of discounts on car insurance. can i get in on that? are you a safe driver? yes. discount! do you own a home? yes. discount! are you going to buy online? yes! discount! isn't getting discounts great? yes! there's no discount for agreeing with me. yeah, i got carried away. happens to me all the time. helping you save money -- now, that's progressive. call or click today. >>> i'm glad to be with yo. trent lott came back, his house had been destroyed by a hurricane and it destroyed his entire library. both boo

trent lott has this thingon your wall in which haid...ow bk in power as t number-two man inhe senate inwo which says "if the onlynl knew." what did he mean? >> well, it that there are people here trent lt, a number of ve fine replicans, colleagues well, that rlly nt to make thenstitution rk and find ways to try and ork together. i've trd that in the uteded states senate, i'm trying it no i'mery port gnat to have a good colleae, senator enzi is our rking member, he was the chairman.as and we're working very clely together and we're hopefully'r tting things done. we'll bdown just bew the suace but we'll be gettinge' some things ne. and i think tha's the way it ll be. we'll be up at the top, too, to sound o. but in the meantime, hopefully 'll get some thingsone in these areas: education, health, hers.he >> rose: there have ben many eloquent thin said about teddy kennedy and more wi comeke certainly betweenow and the time of his funeral and for a longime because i is the arc of a life that found meaning a expression in the unite states senate

>> things have changed quite a bi ihink it was former senar trent lott who recently t things inashington are not what theused to be. they have bece so lean, and the interaction, the partisanship between parties had ju gotte so much at loggerheads. its hard to see how there would be a way to break that. nator kennedy himself was very well known for managg to reach out across pty lines and make deals i notice toee the big picturto get aiece of legislatn passed. many people said that h he been welenough to work on the netiations of heth care reform, rhaps there would have been an agreement right now because he had that gift of being able to work wi republicans and docrats to reach consensus. >> there is another who, and that was the ibility of the administration t get tom daschle's concern. they thought he an knedy would be ablto move tis thing through,nd of crse, these two genels were missing. >> the interesng irony -he is a complicated character, d did you look back, that which nnedy drove and in many ways really changed the tone of litics in wasngton, a personalttack -- it has become a c

but when trent lott made a comment about strom thurmond 40 years ago, he had to resign his post as majorityeader. so, i mean, there's certainly a double standard, but what else is going on here is i agree with karen that the country is becoming actually more racially hypersensitive than before as opposed to obama's presidency transcending race. i think it's become even more racially divisive, not necessarily because of what republicans are doing but because of what barack obama is doing and the people he surrounded himself with and the people he's put in very prominent positions, and what they want to do with race-based policies in this country doesn't sit very well with the average white american and understandably. >> for goodness sake, are we gog to blame the victim? >> seriously, irene, i remember wondering when he was running for the nomination thinking, is america ready for this, and will there be a backlash? so are we seeing a backlash? >> well, let me just say that alooalot of these comments haven emanating around the whole healthcare issue, and there have been some -- >> that had n

i think it was former senator trent lott who recently set things in washington are not what they used to be. they have become so lean, and the interaction, the partisanship between parties had just gotten so much at loggerheads. it is hard to see how there would be a way to break that. senator kennedy himself was very well known for managing to reach out across party lines and make deals i notice to see the big picture to get a piece of legislation passed. many people said that had he been well enough to work on the negotiations of health care reform, perhaps there would have been an agreement right now because he had that gift of being able to work with republicans and democrats to reach consensus. >> there is another whole, and that was the inability of the administration to get tom daschle's concern. they thought he and kennedy would be able to move this thing through, and of course, these two generals were missing. >> the interesting irony -- he is a complicated character, and did you look back, that which kennedy drove and in many ways really changed the tone of politics in washi

trent lott wanted to have it, mcconnell which want have it, and harry reid has it, but once you have is a difficult job. a bunch ofhere are more senior democrats that have liberalç viewpoint then reid. is sort of a western or he came as a western monarch -- have a more liberal viewpoint then harry reidç -- than harry reid. they let him have it. as a result, he has always had of a weak control over his caucus. again, i do not waná to talk about the specifics, but i am about this and my book because he would say, "i will do x," but he had no ability to do x, and the democrats would say, harry trying to create atl." greta: karl rove, thank you -- just terry tried to create a deal -- just harry trying to eate a deal. and there is a dispute going on ñÑ introducing the all new chevy equinox. with an epa estimated 32 miles per gallon. and up to 60miles between fill ups. it's the most fuel efficient crossover on the highway. better than honda cr-v, toyota rav4 and even the ford escape hybrid. the all new chevy equinox. greta: all right, you all knows steve moore. is here m&a and nine. sift

trent lott wanted to have it, and senator mcconnell which want to have it, and harry reid has it, but, it is a difficult job. remember, there are a bunch of more senior democrats that have a more liberalç viewpoint then harry reid. he is sort of a western moderate, or he came as a western monarch -- have a more liberal viewpoint then harry reidç -- than harry reid. they let him have it. as a result, he has always had sort of a weak control over his caucus. again, i do not waná to talk about the specifics, but i am talking about this and my book because he would say, "i will do x," but he had no ability to do x, and the democrats would say, "that is just harry trying to create atl." greta: karl rove, thank you -- just terry tried to create a deal -- just harry trying to create a deal. and there is a dispute going on with the libyan leader and new jersey. i was in the grocery store when i had a heart attack. my daughter was with me. i took a bayer aspirin out of my purse and chewed it. my doctor said the bayer aspirin saved my life. please talk to your doctor about aspirin and your he

then trent lott accused of creating big government. >> the way it was originally designed it was the hatch/kennedy bill. we wrote it together. that plan basically provided block grants to states. according to their own demographics. it worked amazingly well until the liberals started to push more medicaid people into the c.h.i.p. program. we did c.h.i.p. for the kids, the only kids left out of the health care system. children of the working poor. now it's being used to push medicaid people into it. everything democrats are doing, is a single-payer system. this public plan, this public government plan, don't think for a minute, that will not destroy the current insurance system. 8 out of 10 americans are basically placed with their health care. they would like to have choice. 64% of them they would prefer that over a government plan. we're just pushing like mad to get a government plan here. >> 79% of americans say their premiums are high. >> we all agree with that. >> what needs to be done to contain health care costs, senator specter? what tangible things need to be done to bring co

trent lott raised millions to run against kennedy. could work with. orrin hatch first ran for congress running against ted kennedy. became his best friend. worked on major pieces of legislation. s-chip for children, poor children so they could have health insurance. no children left behind. even john mccain was co-sponsoring legislation with teddy kennedy on immigration reform. mccain was excoriated for that to team up with the liberal line of the senate, ted kennedy. i think that's one remarkable piece of his history. he's had a mixed bag, his personal life, struggles with alcohol, women and other issues. there was something that he learned from that. he tried to change his life and he was acutely aware of pain because of the tragedy in his own life. he tried to have personal and good relations with people in the senate, people who trusted him. that's why he was able to get stuff done. >> no doubt about it. norah o'donnell, thank you so much. let's bring in john meacham. john, i read the book on bobby kennedy when i was a teenager. i

trent lott when he was minority leader at the house and whip and then ultimately -- he said the house was like a flat. you'd go on a raid and do it all together. in the senate you're dealing like independent countries. rulers of independent nations. and i don't think rahm is quite use to the independence of the senators. sean: let me ask this because the dems are talking about dropping the public option. i agree with you it's very deceptive and we'll get to that in a minute. but, for example, ratting out their neighbors, the death panels they've gotten rid of. they've really pulled back -- go ahead. >> the death pan ems are not gotten rid of. there never is a panel that will say "die." sean: in provision 425 of the house bill. >> for counseling which isn't a bad idea. the point about these death panels is it you restrict the amount -- the lifesaving surgeries and you tell someone no, you can't have that bypass surgery, but i'm going to die if i don't have it, well, here's the aggressive counselor. that will happen. and whether they fund the grief counselor or the end of life counselor

this was a place that was steeped in racial history and trent lott brought him to give a speech and he said like you i believe in states' rights which he could have meant any number of things but the certain message was kerry fourth. >>host: what is a state in your view of the new right or conservative movement? >> we're in a "twilight" of the reagan revolution many soldiers say the same thing starting with newt gingrich and others, i think what happens in american political history is certain ideas dominates and certain political imperatives shape the landscape and overtime they began to wane as new political questions and a surplus time it -- circumstances arise to change political identity and i think now in some ways like democratic liberalism in the '70s the republican right has run out of gas or is a splintering with major internal strife over the future direction of the party. it was interesting to see in the republican primary you have a whole range of candidates but none could claim conservative credentials but yet all of them invoking reagan over and over. >>host: what does t

then senate majority leader trent lott accused you of creating big government. >> the way it was originally designed it was the hatch/kennedy bill. we wrote it together. i have to say, that plan basically provided block grants to states. for the states, according that own demographics to set up their own children programs. it worked amazingly well until the liberals started to push more medicaid people into the we did c.h.i.p. for the kids, the ononly kids lele outf the health carare e systemem. chilen othe rking pooror. w, it's being used to pushsh medicaid peoplplinto it. everytng t the democrats are doing, i is pushing tords a single-payayer system.m. everything.ogovernmement control this p public plan, this p publi gogovernment plan, donon't thinr a nu, that that willll not syemy the current ininsurance 8 out of 1amerericans are basiy pleded with their r he care. they would like to improve it healtharee problems areakenen care of. we all want to do that. 64% of them they would prefer that over a government plan. we're just pushing like mad to get a government plan here. >> 79% of americ

we keep going back to the letter that trent lott wrote him.if everybody else knew what i knew about you. if america knew what you were like, one on one, personally. i would tell people about my encounters with him. just a few. but what a warm, wonderful guy, with a great sense of humor. again, guy on the opposite side politically of me, but a guy with no problem trying to reach out with republicans who used him as a punch line. >> you were talking a while ago about the issue of guns and the second amendment and conservatives and republicans. we don't know what the president is going to say when he steps up in front of the cameras at 9:30 or there abouts. one thing you can say about ted kennedy, take it to the bank truth, he was a man without cynicism. he was a man with no hate in his heart. in this day and age, when the bloggers and some of the cable chatter and the divisions in this country is so deep at that level, at the media level and the things that were written and said about him, right up until the moment he died. he had no hate in him

it was signed by trent lott, the republican leader of the senate. indeed, if everyone only knew. when george wallace was wounded in the assassination attempt, the first to visit him was ted kennedy. when joe biden underwent brain surgery for an aneurysm, the first to board the train to wilmington was ted kennedy. when jesse helm underwent heart valve surgery, he told his constituents back in north carolina, it's no piece of cake, but it sure beats listening to ted kennedy on the senate floor. so ted wrote a note to jesse saying, i'd be happy to send you tapes of my recent senate speeches if that will help your speedy recovery. and just two weeks ago when i was in the hospital after hip surgery, just like chris dodd, there was ted kennedy on the phone asking how i was doing with all that he was dealing with. in his life, as we all know, ted knew the dark knight of loss. and i think that's why his empathy was global and deeply personal. after my father died of cancer just days before the convention in 2000, there was a knock at the door completely unexpected and standing there on t

trent lott, he had a lobbying gig lined up, it was obviously for the money in that case. i think martinez, from what i hear, he's sick of being in d.c., sick of being in the senate. his alma mater, florida state, the presidency has opened down there, keep that in mind. he quit the rnc early. now he's quitting the senate. i think he wants to get out of dodge. there's a cuban-american writing for that, marco rubio. problem is heeg running into the governor of florida, charlie crist, in a primary. the cuban-american leaving the senate is probably not going to be replaced by one. >> let me ask you the question of the republican party. doug, do you think it's become too much the right wing right party? >> remember when ronald reagan, chris, gone the governorship in 1966. that was the goldwater conservatives taking over. but you still had eisenhower republicans. that very year, people like charles percy or brooke up in massachusetts, howard baker in tennessee, they won senate seats. and you're starting to not see where that opening is. you have two republican senators from main

in 1963 and it was a place steeped in racial history and steeped in meaning for mississippi and trent lott brought him to give a speech there and reagan says in the speech, like you i believe in states rights which is, he could have meant any number of things but a certain message was carried forth in that moment. >> what is the state in your view of state today's new right or the conservative movement? >> i think we are kind of in a twilight of the reagan revolution and, in fact, many of the soldiers of the revolution say the same thing, pat buchanan, newt gingrich and others, that i think what happens in american political history is that certain ideas dominate and certain political imperatives shape the landscape, and then over time they start to wayne as new political question arise and circumstances arise and new players come onto the scene to change political identities. and i think now, in some ways, like democratic liberalism in the 1970s, the republican right has kind of run out of gas or is in an era of splintering and major internal fights, over the future direction of the part

here the two sides even where we had daschell and trent lott debating discussing. certainly came into this as an artist, but i think i've had a unique opportunity to learn journalism from the people who actually, who i worked with. both the photo journalist and the written journalists, they've helped me understand my purpose and my responsiblity in telling the story accurately and truthfully honestly and as responsibly as you can. >> lehrer: and finally tonight, remembering les paul, guitar player and inventor extraordinary. among other things, he and his wife, the singer mary ford, had a popular television program. here they perform the hit "the world is waiting for the sunrise." >> i tied the string around my finker to remember to tell you something when you got back from shopping. i forgot what it was. >> oh, not again. let's sing while you try and think of it. ♪ and while the world is waiting for the sunrise, my heart is calling you. ♪ . ♪ ♪ while the world is waiting for the sunrise, every little flower is covered with dew and my heart is calling for you. ♪ ♪

as well, an assistant to trent lott. jason, let's go to you first.or this president if he wants health care reform passed. your assessment? >> i think it will be important not just for president obama, but all democrats, to frame the issue in a way that makes sense for americans with insurance. all americans care about is the cost of insurance. a lot of americans do not like paying rising premiums and a rising copays into a system that does not necessarily provide effective coverage. as long as democrats can stay focused on those types of issues, they should be able to keep reform on track. jon: they do not like to see the deficit numbers as well, $9 trillion over the next decade. if you throw health care into that, doesn't it just get worse? >> yes, this is about president obama tried to save face. first the democrats tried to ram the bill through before the august break. they received some tremendous negative reaction. now they are thinking about doing the same in the senate, which i imagine would be an even greater reaction. 70% of the american pe

also in the former communications director for trent lott. we also have a democratic consultant.tched claire mccaskill, arlen specter, the president's town hall meetings. we have very different scenes. >> let me say first of all this whole process has been extremely insulting to the american people. first the democrats try to ram a health care bill through august. this is the buzz saw they have ran into because more than 70% of the american people are satisfied with health care. now we are seeing those in the media say, wait, those in the media may not know their health care plan. those people may not be smart enough to know, therefore, why should they question a healthcare bill? this process has been put in play by democrats who are trying to put in that the genie in the bottle. when you or holding a town hall meeting, you are not going to get great feedback, and now you are getting terrible feedback because they are not doing a good job managing the process. in addition, nancy pelosi is calling these protesters un- american. i feel bad for the american people that they have to

t itis trent lott wrote him a letter basically said "dear ted, if they only knw you the w we do."e mean by that, al? >> wll, that he was... he was delitful company, everyone loved to be around him. he's a guy that as we discussed the la few minutes o this sh who could coromise. he was not unasonable. he didn't demonize peop at all. he dmonized positions but n people. bob bourqumight have been a rare exption of that. and almost ever senator at i ever talke to really led ted kennedy. charlie, we onheutside just... you kn, we observe and we hear om other reporters... or excuse me, hear fromother of s colleagues but when i w on that prole inourage coittee and have been for themm last seven years, i had sort of an inside glpse. it was a nber of quite a pressive people, present companyxcluded, on that company.ed senatored that cochran and olympia snowe, grat historians andhis beloveniece caroline. sotimes we would beeadlocks ecause there were lots ofreat nomation and ted kennedy would then weigh . in t beginning it was confusi where he was going. in a couple mites you knew exactly where

it was signed by trent lott, republican leader of the senate. surgery for an aneurysm, the first to board the train to wilmington was ted kennedy. when jesse helms announced he had to undergo heart surgery, heartfelt surgery, helms pulled his constituents back in north carolina, it is no piece of cake, but it sure beats listening to said -- to ted kennedy in the senate floor. ted wrote a net 2 jesse sang, "i would be happy to send you notes of my recent speeches if that would help your speedy recovery." [laughter] two weeks ago, when i was in hospital after hip surgery, just like chris dodd, there was ted kennedy on the phone, asking how i was doing with all that he was dealing with. in his life, as we all know, ted knew the dark night of loss. i think that is why his empathy was global. and deeply personal. after my father died of cancer just days before the convention in 2000, there was a knock at the door, completely unexpected. standing there on the front porch was ted kennedy, a trucking by -- dropping by to hug and talk and pastime. 25 yea

did he remain a cheerful ted kennedy that when i first got to congress i heard conservatives like trent lottd man. he's somebody you can work with. you'll like him. >> i'm delighted to hear they were saying that in private. wasn't quite what they always said in public but nevertheless republicans on the senate floor have told me that when teddy got up to speak they gathered around to listen because they knew he'd done his homework and they knew he had one of the best staffs in the senate. >> he really did, peggy. that is another thing you heard from the very beginning when you got to washington, that ted kennedy staff was the best. >> yeah. it was a real farm team for the democratic party. it has been said. i think, also, part of ted's talent, the thing that helped him so much in the u.s. senate, is that teddy came from long line of practical politicians. the kennedys were not dreamy about politics. they knew it was a matter of numbers, getting support, building coalitions so he brought that into the senate and kept him from being i suspect as a tack tirn blinded by ideology and the differen

it was signed by trent lott, republican leader of the senate.surgery for an aneurysm, the first to board the train to wilmington was ted kennedy. when jesse helms announced he had to undergo heart surgery, heartfelt surgery, helms pulled his constituents back in north carolina, it is no piece of cake, but it sure beats listening to said -- to ted kennedy in the senate floor. ted wrote a net 2 jesse sang, "i would be happy to send you notes of my recent speeches if that would help your speedy recovery." [laughter] two weeks ago, when i was in hospital after hip surgery, just like chris dodd, there was ted kennedy on the phone, asking how i was doing with all that he was dealing with. in his life, as we all know, ted knew the dark night of loss. i think that is why his empathy was global. and deeply personal. after my father died of cancer just days before the convention in 2000, there was a knock at the door, completely unexpected. standing there on the front porch was ted kennedy, a trucking by -- dropping by to hug and talk and pastime. 25 year

it was signed by trent lott, republican leader of the senate. was ted kennedy. when jesse helms announced he had to undergo heart surgery, heartfelt surgery, helms pulled his constituents back in north carolina, it is no piece of cake, but it sure beats listening to said -- to ted kennedy in the senate floor. ted wrote a net 2 jesse sang, "i would be happy to send you notes of my recent speeches if that would help your speedy recovery." [laughter] two weeks ago, when i was in hospital after hip surgery, just like chris dodd, there was ted kennedy on the phone, asking how i was doing with all that he was dealing with. in his life, as we all know, ted knew the dark night of loss. i think that is why his empathy was global. and deeply personal. after my father died of cancer just days before the convention in 2000, there was a knock at the door, completely unexpected. standing there on the front porch was ted kennedy, a trucking by -- dropping by to hug and talk and pastime. 25 years i was privileged work by his side, learning from the master. over

can you imagine if trent lott secretary of defense that when he had the job?ing anything like that. we report. you decide. steve: peta's brand new billboard calls overweight women whales. does it get the point across or does it cross the line? a fair and balanced debate straight ahead. when this shoe store added aflac to its employee benefits package no direct cost the company... it was a perfect fit. find out more at aflac!... ...forbusiness.com i hate my phone. what do i do? ( shouting ) this is crazy. you. let's run a free upgrade check. see if you're due for a new smartphone. don't i need to go to my carrier's store for that? no, you don't have to. we sell phones and plans on all the major networks. ok. well, is time travel possible? yes, i am from the future. announcer: phones, plans, and advice from thousands of people eager to help. into an incredibly strong, healthy cat.he has blossomed... his coat is incredibly shiny and soft and very thick. everybody thinks he's the most handsome cat they've ever seen. [ woman announcing ] purina one for indoor cats.

but trent lott i have a lot of dealings with him. you gave me complete freedom on the floor so i made a lot of compromises with senator lott that i would take to you for approval i found him to be a joy to work with. a card carrying conservative and pragmatic and wanted to get things done. now i am working with senator mcconnell, senator frist i talk about and in some detail in my book. the doctor is a wonderful man but did not have the experience to be the leader. the first time in history that president bush said you will be the leader it never happened before and he was not ready frankly all of those before were experienced legislators a great family and wonderful human being by told you about his shortcomings. working with mitch mcconnell now he is a very nice man but i think the book is still out on him i am anxious for the new congress to come to see if we can accomplish more. bush is gone not taking directions from him i hope the next two years will be better than the next two and that is enough to say. >>host: what is the pros