both support dr. jackson or oppose him. they have been in lock step on this. a decision to come out with this joint statement this morning confirms this. the department of veterans affairs is the second agency in the government. this is a big deal. despite the state of cabinet nominees who have been coming up here for confirmation and will continue to in a few weeks, senators take their responsibilities on this very, very seriously. i suspect we will learn much more about dr. jackson's background whether this nomination goes forward or not. we have now gotten so deep into this with the hearing supposed to be wednesday now on indefinite hold. >> peter, what are you hearing about this? >> i was in the pool spray when the president calmed out questions he didn't answer. this is something that would be embarrassing to the president. it's hard blow for him if his nomination doesn't go forward because he forged a personal