. >> david damore, professor of political science at unlv. this is "washington today". the chill newspaper taking a look back at what happened 15 years ago, a story first reported by the hill newspaper and it rocked washington d.c., newt gingrich was facing an ouster within his own party. the headline the gop coupe, the talk of the 2008 p-- 2002 primary. it's sparked debate 15 years ago. topic of conversation today in this 2012 race. the story of the secret plot in 1997 was something that impacted newt gingrich, it did name him politically, he was out of office just a year later. this morning, bob cusack sharing his insights. >> you report that leadership had split with newt gingrich a month before the coup over the issue of how to deal with it. were there also policies debates? >> yes, there was. that was the problem, most of the problem was policy oriented. that kind of -- in a similar way with republicans now in congress, they're frustrated that they have had to compromise so much with president obama, they were frustrated that the republican congress had to find com

unlv's only lost three games.t basketball. i've never seen a more avid fan of university of louisville. he, of course, follows the university of kentucky, which is easy to follow because their teams are always so good. but so is louisville's team. and louisville and unlv have had in recent years some very, very tight basketball battles. so, mr. president, i just want you and everyone else to know that senator mcconnell and i do on occasion divert from the business of the senate. mr. mcconnell: mr. president, i would just add that -- the presiding officer: the republican leader -- mr. mcconnell: -- we do enjoy our sports discussions. the -- of course, i always have the ultimate trump, which is the university of kentucky's won seven ncaa championships. university of louisville, two. and so my friend is always trying to catch up. and i would say that -- mr. reid: only eight more to go. mr. mcconnell: unlv has a good team this year. probably not as good as kentuc kentucky. maybe as good as louisville. but it does give