armando varricchio: ambassador for sure -- ambassador armando varricchio: pressure. italians are excited. to see president obama and the first lady together with the prime minister and his spouse, they will be seen together at the white house, i think this will be a great image. the four of them will give a sign of a strong field and our fellow italians will love it. >> mr. ambassador, thank you for your time. ambassador armando varricchio: thank you. at 6:30 p.m. today eastern for the white house state dinner for italian prime minister matteo renzi. our live coverage includes the arrival of the prime minister and his wife, dinner guest arrivals to the east wing, the grand staircase official photo and the dinner toast offered by president obama and prime minister renzi. socialobama white house secretary will join us to talk about food, decor, entertainment and protocol for the state visit. also visit previous state dinners under the obama administration and talk to the italian ambassador to the u.s., armando varricchio, and "washington post" fashion critic will revie

. >> ambassador armando varricchio. how did the state visit come agent with the italian prime minister? >> it is an important event that is a sign of a special relationship between the united states and also have to say a special relationship between president barack obama and the prime minister. >> how did italy get selected for what could be the president's last state dinner? >> long standing traditions between italy and the united states. we are partners with allies. we have very strong and important community in the states. our leaders share the same view of international topics. they do consider that democracies have to stand together and both the united states and italy have a special responsibility. >> why do you think now? why now? you know, it's been eight years, why now, italy? >> italy will chair the g-7. there will be members of the security council. next year in march, celebrating six years of eu. italy is a prominent member of the eu and importance of integration. i think, also, this european framework ran

we'll talk to the italian ambassador to the u.s., armando varricchio, and robin givhan will review michelle obama's fashion at state dinners for the last eight years. >>> a group of radio talk show hosts from around the country gather to talk about the 2016 presidential election and the state of their industry. among the participants hugh hewitt and thom hartman, joe madison, and larry o'connor. the forum was cohosted by hillsdale college and talkers magazine. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> good morning, i'm the associate vice president for hillsdale college here in washington, d.c. welcome to the allen p. kirby center for constitutional studies and citizenship. hillsdale college is an old college based in hillsdale, michigan, founded in 1844. grateful to god for the blessings of civil and religious liberty. it was the first college to prohibit chartered discrimination by race, religion, or sex and was an advocate very much involved in the abolition of slavery. it was also the second college in the nation to grant four-year liberal arts degrees to women. we accept no money from the fe