Speaker of the house john boehner said, lets not kid ourselves theres a stalemate. I think were going to get there. I mean, just inevitably a little bit of political theater. Sometimes thats a sign of progress. I think were making some progress, but were still some distance apart. Whats at stake here is very important. Were trying not just to prevent a tax increase on 98 of americans, were trying to go beyond thats going to be good for the long term american economy. But you said youre getting closer, theyre saying youre getting much farther apart. They say that this is not a serious proposal. We have a very good plan. We have a very good mix of tax reforms that raise a modest amount of revenues on the wealthy 2 of americans. Combined with very comprehensive, very detailed savings that get us back to the point where the debt is stable and favorable. If we can do that carefully, we can invest in things to make america stronger. We can rebuild infrastructure. We think those are Good Investments in america and we think we can afford them. Lets look at an outline of what republicans said they heard in the meeting. 1. 6 trillion in tax increases over the next ten years. 50 billion in stimulus spending right now. 400 billion in unspecified medicare cuts. Over the next ten years. And then, Permanent Authority to increase the debt limit the president wants that authority. They look at that 1. 6 trillion in revenue and say its twice as much you get from raising taxes on the wealthy and much more than democrats would ever accept in the senate. Thats why they say this is not serious. But let me start with what you said, were making the threat of default. We propose to take an idea that senator mcconnell proposed in the summer of 2011 and extend that. What that does, it lifts the cloud of default over the economy. The president has increased the debt limit. Congress has a chance to express approval of that. Its a very smart way by the senator with impeccable credentials to lift this threat. You said that he never intended it to be permanent . But, again, it was a good idea then, its a good idea going forward. It came from him. It wasnt our idea. That makes a lot of sense. What you said that wasnt quite right, what we laid out for them was, a detailed set of reforms in health programs, Government Programs over ten years, which are going to be tough, but we think they make sense. They dont like all those changes, they might want to go beyond that. But they have to tell us what those things are. Youre right on the revenue side. Were proposing to let the rates go back to clinton levels. That would be a good thing to do as a sensible economic policy, and we want to combine that with tax reforms that will limit deductions. Theres no surprise in this. We have been proposing this for a very long time. The president campaigned on it and i think thats where were going to end up. And i think thats there going to be very broad support from the Business Community and from the American People for an agreement with roughly that shape. When you talked about limiting the deductions there have been proposals from governor romney during the president ial campaign, and from other republicans, when you talk about those limitations on deductions, do you include the charitable deduction and the Home Mortgage deduction . I think youre right to point out the essential problem in this, which is, if you try to limit deductions with a 25,000 cap, what you do is you end up hitting millions and millions actually 17 million americans a huge part of the revenue comes from that basic fact, which were not prepared to do it completely eliminates the incentives for wealthy americans to give to charities and if you protect the charitable contributions you reduce. So, those proposals, they may be worth considering, but if you design them carefully, they dont raise revenue you need to get us back to a fiscally responsible position. Are you saying that the charitable deductions should be off the table . We propose a percentage limit on the value of all of the deductions and inclusions for 2 of americans. What that does is, it preserves a very significant economic incentive for americans to give to charities. Of course, thats very important for all universities across americans and all hospitals and millions and millions nonprofit entities across the country. We think thats a better way to do it. That slightly reduces the marginable benefit of the deductions. One of the things that the republicans want to know is, if the president is still behind the idea, for example, gradually raising the eligibility age for medicare, this adjustment in Social Security payments and socalled change that would adjust the cost of living adjustments, is the president still behind those ideas . There are other things that we can do to strengthen medicare and strengthen Social Security. What i can do is to tell you the merit of the specific things we proposed. Which, again, are very substantial savings over ten years. And when republicans come to us and say, we would like to do Something Different or beyond that, and if it meets our basic values and our test well give it serious consideration. Youre willing to consider new restrictions on Social Security no, i didnt say that. Let me clarify. Thank you for asking. What the president is willing to do is to work with democrats and republicans to strengthen Social Security for future generations. So americans can approach retirement with dignity and the confidence they can retire with a modest guaranteed benefit. But we think you have to do that in a separate process so that our seniors dont face the concern that were somehow going to find savings in Social Security benefits to help reduce the other deficits. To be clear thats one thing thats clearly off the table. Social security is off the tables in these negotiations. In a separate process to strengthen Social Security not as a process to reduce the deficit. On the issues of taxes, is there any flexibility on the president s position . Does it have to go all the way back to the tax rates on the wealthy to the clinton levels . Again, george, we think the best way to do this is to have those tax rates go back to where and one of the best, at one of the most prosperous times in recent American History to combine that reforms that limit reductions for 2 , im deeply skeptical about ways to get through this without that mix of rates and reforms. And if congress doesnt agree, youre comfortable going over that cliff on january 1st . Theres no reason why 98 of americans have to see their taxes go up because some members of congress on the republican side want to block tax rate increase for 2 of the wealthy americans. Remember, those tax cuts cost a trillion dollars over ten years. There is no responsible way we can govern this country at a time of enormous threat, risk, challenge, uncertainty, millions of americans retire, huge levels of poverty, with those low rates in place for future generations, those rates will have to go up. Thats an essential part. Lot of democrats think if the republicans do indeed dig in on those tax rates, its far preferable to go over the cliff than to reach a different kind of deal . Do you agree . I dont think thats going to happen. It certainly doesnt need to happen. Well work hard to make sure it doesnt happen. Well try to do something good for the longterm. What would happen to the economy if we do go over the cliff . It would be very damaging to average americans. Theres no doubt about it. But theres no reason why it has to happen. Were going to work hard to prevent it. The only reason that would happen if a small group of congress theyll block an agreement because theyre not prepare to see tax rates raise modestly for just 2 of americans. I hear you speak theyre going to work hard. But republicans saying youre going backwards not forward. What is the specific next step to get this back on track . Is the president ready to meet face to face with the speaker, face to face with the republican leader in the senate to try to nail this down . Of course he is. Well do that when it makes sense. At this point, though, you got to recognize that theyre in a very difficult place. And they recognize theyll have to move in a bunch of things, they dont know how to do it yet. So, what were going to do is to continue look for ways to solve this problem. But, ultimately, they have to come to us and tell us what they need. What we cant do is to keep guessing about what the ball is in their court . Absolutely. Absolutely. They understand that. When they come back to us and say, we would like you to consider this and that, well take a look at that. One final question, this is your last assignment for the president , wrapping up these negotiations, so, how much longer youre going to be staying . Interesting to see this week, Warren Buffett thinks your best replacement would be the head of hp, jamie dimon. I think he, if we did run into problems in markets i think he would be the best person we could have. Any chance of that . George, the president is going to choose somebody very talented to lead the treasury for his next four years. Im very fortunate, i have been able to work with him to help solve these problems for the country over this period of time and im very confident hes going to have somebody in place in january to succeed me. I didnt think you were going to bite on that. Thanks for your time this morning. Mr. Secretary, thank you. Thanks, george. Our powerhouse roundtable is coming right up. Well get their take on secretary geithner. The tax debates thats dividing the gop. Are they forcing a deal or poisoning the wealth . All that in just 90 seconds. [ male announcer ] navigating your future can be daunting without a financial plan. Your plan should be built to your specific needs so that it lasts through every stage of your life. At pacific life, we can give you the tools to help you achieve financial independence. Tools that help you protect your family, supplement your retirement, build your business, and plan your legacy. For more than 140 years, pacific life has assisted families and businesses in meeting their goals, even in uncertain economic times. Let us help protect the things that you work so hard for. To find out how, visit pacificlife. Com. Pacific life. The power to help you succeed. Aids is not going to take my baby. Aids will not take our future. Our weapons are testing. Education, care and support. And aids. Aids is going to lose. Aids is going to lose. Roundtable time now. George will is off. Glad to have Cokie Roberts here. Also dan senor. Steve rattner and two congressmen, congressman tom cole of oklahoma, also a member of the Republican Leadership, and keith ellison, chair of the progressive caucus. Cokie, tim geithner said theyre making progress. Congressman cole does, too. I want to hear that. But it hasnt been a very encouraging week for people who think that the fiscal cliff is not something that we want to go over and i think that the president s proposal that was put on the table was something that republicans were not going to accept, even close to accept, so it had the air of bizarre. You know, bargaining. But put a really high price out there so that when you start the negotiating when will the real negotiating begin . Congressman cole . I want to thank the president and secretary geithner for reuniting and reenergizing the republican caucus. Because that offer they must think that john boehner is santa claus, because it was a Christmas Wish list, it wasnt a real proposal. At the end of the day, do i think well arrive at a deal . I do. But you heard secretary geithner right there, and i want to get congressman ellison in this as well. Theyre not going to come forward with anything new right now . I dont know theres a little bit of chicken going on here in terms of gamesmanship. Well have a lot of discussion. I dont think we need to put a formal proposal out on the table. Speakers already said that revenue is on the table. He has an idea about how to get there in terms of not raising rates but finding it in other ways in terms of tax code reforms. Thats a adorable thing. Beyond that, you know, well wait and see how the negotiations go. We heard from secretary geithner, congressman ellison, Social Security for now is off the table in these negotiations but talking about significance cuts in medicare, can your caucus accept those . I was meeting with seniors in my district just yesterday, theyre very worried. We have seniors already paying more than they can afford for medications. Already worried about that. Im not going to tell them theyre going to do less. While were not going to raise taxes on the top 2. Thats just ridiculous. You know, i think i think toms right. Well probably end up with some kind of a deal. But not on the backs of the most vulnerable people. Dan senor, that conflicts with a lot of the reporting that i had on capitol hill. You saw significant numbers of republicans and democrats more willing to accept the idea of going over the cliff at least for a few days . Yeah, i think, as one Republican House member said to me, good lesson in negotiating is not make your opening offer one of humiliation. I think theres a sense now, republicans i have spoken to, particularly in the leadership, have said, look, if we go over the cliff, were going to get blamed. The view is shifting a little bit now, where theres a sense that, if president obama goes into his second term and poisons the environment so much that he cant get a deal and we go over the cliff its going to be so toxic for year two, year three and year four. The president has to worry about his legacy. Even though republicans might get blamed, this whole idea of the president bringing this country together, democrats have to be wary of. Isnt it . I dont see it that way at all. Look, the president has made a proposal. It may not be what everyone likes. I dont think it was an outrageous proposal. Its consistent with everything he said before. Its a proposal, a real proposal. The republicans have put nothing on the table. If we go over the cliff, its not at all clear to the American People are going to blame the president as opposed to a party. The blame is real dispiriting because the idea of whos going to get the blame instead of figuring out how to keep it from happening is exactly what drives voters nuts. They might have to be aware of whos going to get the blame before they come to a deal. One proposal came, from your congressman cole, youre saying accept part of president s proposal, pass right now, an extension of the tax cuts for 98 for americans and then fight over the rest later. What Speaker Boehner said about that. I told tom earlier in our conference meeting, youre not going to grow the economy if you raise tax rates on the top two rates. It will hurt Small Businesses it will hurt your economy, thats why this is not the right approach. I saw he disagreed. Other republicans coming forward including bill kristol but, look, i actually do believe that we should take things where we agree with the president and we do agree on this and take them off the table one at a time. This will actually strengthen our position in the course of negotiations. The president hasnt been very specific. Entitlement reforms and it leaves us free to still fight to keep rates constant. Try to reach revenue in another way. At the end of the day, again, these rates hit every single american at the end of the month. Not as if congress has to do something to keep that from happening. I mean politically smart move. Dan would say that. 98 of americans then know that their taxes arent going to go up in january. Their payroll taxes might. Their income taxes are not. And that is huge. And the truth is, from what im hearing, the top 2 better start making financial plans. Theres no question about that. Whats wrong with this proposal . Look, there are parts of this proposals are reasonable. The bigger problem here is, if the president is sticking to this position, at least for the time being that he outlined last week, would be the equivalent of the republicans saying we want the ryan budget, we want marginal tax rates cut across the board 20 . Ill tell you, steve, i think he has dug in, he spent more time on the phone this week from what i understand with steve israel, chairman of the democrat chair than he did with john boehner. Tell me what hes telling those hard left groups about his position and how he can walk back to something more reasonable like something that toms for. Given what hes saying with these hard left groups. Hes trying to do Something Different than hes done before. Which is take his message outside the beltway, outside of capitol hill, and try to bring it to the people. Im totally in favor of that. Look, in the negotiations, Speaker Boehner was reportedly offered revenue. The president s asked for 1. 6 trillion in revenue. Theres a bid. Theres an ask. Let me bring that to congressman ellison, we started to see the beginnings of a counteroffer from mitch mcconnell. He offered three things. He said that hes gradual increase in the eligibility age for medicare. Some adjustments to Social Security cola. I believe those are all nonstarters to you and the progressive caucus. Those would be a problem because raising rates and increasing eligibility age is going to hurt people across income scales. Particularly low income seniors and people like that. That wouldnt work for us. The president has been open to some of that before. Heres the deal, the people of the United States believe that medicare is an important program. They dont want to see beneficiaries cut. If we find cuts that dont result in cuts to beneficiaries thats one thing. But were not going to go after seeing the president win this election, we won the white house, turn right around and undermine the people who helped put us there. You know, it is interesting. The older voters did vote republican and medicare was out there. I mean, paul ryan budget was there. And the older voters went for governor romney. Remember, he won with fewer voters. The republican performance was better than it was four years ago. The reality is, nobody can look at this budget and think that if you dont reform entitlements you can balance it. But its a matter of where do you balance it . Do you balance it on the backs on the people who can least afford it . But to get a deal, we have a divided government. The president won. We can argue about whether its a mandate. There will have to be compromise. 16 trillion debt. Trillion a year deficit. Youre not going to solve all that with tax increases and cutting discretionary programs. We have to fix the intitlement programs. We can talk about how we do it. You have to be specific, steve. Because when you talk about fixing the entitlement programs, were clear, Social Security is off the table. What do you mean . What secretary geithner said is on a separate process. Were talking about between now and 30 days from now. This is preeminently where a president has to lead and be specific. You cant expect the republicans to lead on an area that hes dominated in politically. Heres an entitlement idea, a way to help support medicare, let them dictate price drug prices. Steve, this, to me, is a much more interesting debate than tom and dan. Because i think the president has done exactly what hes done in the past in this negotiating. Hes not grinding it out with Speaker Boehner. Hes out giving speeches, rallying his base. Meeting with groups like moveon. Org. How will he be able to walk back from the position hes taken . With the base of your conference feel like he caved. The president just won this historic reelection, how can he walk back now after he won reelection from this position . You know, i think that hes got the wind at his back. The American People want him to stand up for these essential programs. Now, look, American People do want to see cost containment. We can do that in ways that doesnt result in cuts to beneficiaries. Well have to take a break. Right now, lot more roundtable ahead. Whats ahead for susan rice . Mitt romneys team takes on the critics and what really happened when the rivals had lunch. Both men acted graciously, after lunch, mitt romney extend a return invitation to the president to visit him and his money at the cayman island. Its a nice gesture for the president considering that he hasnt let joe biden have lunch with him even once. That he hasnt let joe biden have lunch with him even once. As you heard, we have lots more to talk about with our roundtable right after this from our abc stations. But, the problem with controlling costs you can only do that to some degree. Every single year we go back and do the doc fix and well do it between now and january 1st. That is all always a phoney that congress is going to cut payments to doctors and doctors pull out of the medicare program. And the money is restored. Its hard to do this without structural reforms. Let me, if you dont mind, we have seen peoples retirement package reduced. We have seen peoples individual savings, go down. You cant keep on seeing 401 k s go down and then say, were going to cut the other stuff that people count on. The numbers have to work. I want to turn to the tax debate as well. You guys are sitting back. Lets get to the tax debate. You have seen Speaker Boehner, and other republicans say, more revenues, but drawing the line on tax rate increases and Grover Norquist has come out hard again saying that republicans have to stand by the pledge. If the republicans lose in such a way that they got their fingerprints on the murder weapon then you have a problem. Bush couldnt run again in 1992 successfully because he had his fingerprints on a very bad deal. Bad on spending and bad on savings. Is he right about those politics . You know, i think not actually, but i think you have to remember our fingerprints arent on this if we cooperate with the president and make 80 of the bush tax cuts permanent for the 98 of the American People. Thats a victory not a loss. Were still free to fight the fight over higher rates. Offering revenue, which the speaker has put on the table. I think we have the opportunity to take the initiative and actually, again, move the the discussion on discussion on entitlements. And dan, Something Else that republicans are worried about, not 92 but 1994 when the government shut down, Newt Gingrich was blamed. Trust me, you talk to republicans, no matter how this shakes off, if we go over the fiscal cliff, we are to blame. I hear that over and over. Something to what tom said, its an amazing notion that a justelected democrat president is necessary to make permanent the bush tax cuts. They were tax rate cuts across the board. The idea that most of them could be made permanent bush couldnt have gotten that done in 2004 after being reelected. I do think that republicans should take a victory lap in that regard. It is really politically smart to do this. You know, but its also particularly smart to cut the knees out from under Grover Norquist. Who is he . Hes an unelected its not him. He represents something thats real. He represents something thats real. I think everybody recognizes to get these numbers to work you have to have revenue increases. The question is, do you need tax rate increases or not . I think its very tough to make the math work. Honestly, i think and i like grover, but there is a big but theres a big, big difference between not being able to extend our temporary tax cuts. That to me isnt a violation of the pledge. I didnt sign a pledge i have to extend every temporary tax cut. And i think youre not for that . Well, look, if you can find a way, great, but i dont like cutting payroll taxes because the cut is always temporary. You have to fund Social Security and medicare. No. What about the pledge to the American People to act fiscally responsibly for everybody, i mean, i actually think that its great that you made that proposal. But the reality is, most of the congressional districts that are republicans are today they are a lot of them are more concerned about a primary challenge to the reelection than to a general challenge to the general election. Youre talking about real politics on the ground in these congressional districts. A number of these members ran on strong, you know, fiscal responsible progrowth agendas. Its not about Grover Norquist. You can make a case that its not fiscally responsible. I think its going to be very hard for the republicans at the end to resist some rate increase. Its very hard to argue why the top 2 shouldnt see some increase. Basically, what congressman cole was saying. Compromise involves compromise in both directions. Youre talking about a very small change in marginal rates. I have been in the working world in the 30 years. I dont see their attitude changing. People are paying off of dividends and income and not just payroll. Its not about the rich people. Lot of businesses and Small Businesses let me say i agree with you, i do think that the Republican Leadership at some point here needs to put forward publicly its plan. I mean thats something its sort of an awkward negotiation. I think the president has gone too far out on the left. I think youre seeing the beginnings of it. Small pieces. To be fair to leader mcconnell hes always been very forthright. Entitlement reforms take both sides. I think he very much. I want to move on. Let me go quickly around the table, does this get done before january 1st or not . Yes. Probably. If shay so, i believe it. Yes. Probably. Wow, im going to be the only no. Lets see what happens. Really . Lets move on to susan rice. Right now, you saw last week on suggested that they would be more open to the idea at least that she might be secretary of state. Then she went up to capitol hill this weekend and listen to the senators after the meeting with the u. N. Ambassador rice. I continue to be troubled by the fact that the u. N. Ambassador decided to play what was essentially a political role. Were significantly troubled by many of the answers that we got and some that we didnt get. The concerns i have are greater today than they were before. I got to say, cokie, i was surprised by all that. Usually you dont go to a meeting like that unless you have an idea of how its going to turn out. It is surprising. What were dealing with, to some degree, something that dan was just talking about, that republicans, particularly senator graham, are more worried about their primaries than their general elections and there is some amount of trying to prove your conservative credentials here. And i think that senator graham has been out there on issues like immigration and other issues where conservatives arent with him. To go the attack on ambassador rice its not just senator graham. Its susan collins, a moderate from maine, who introduced susan rice at her combination hearing. Its bob corker. Very much a moderate, very much works across party lines. I know that steve has worked with him. These are people not worried about primary challenges. I spoke to one senator this week, this consequences, this individual conveyed was that these meetings did not go well. Benghazi was a serious issue. We can debate whether or not susan rice should be blamed for it. But she was front and center. And i think the administration has handled this terribly. They have put her out there as though shes going to be a nominee but they havent nominated her. John carney is being asked questions about her. Now shes under the media onslaught for her investments. Companies in iran. Investments in canada. She gets all of the downside of being a nominee without any of the infrastructure and support for her. We can talk about that and debate that. But what i believe, i think what she did was entirely appropriate. She was given a set of talking points, to the best of our knowledge the white house used one world. She went out there and did it. Now shes being torn apart for it. Its as if, when george was interviewing tim geithner was supposed to have gone and add up the numbers for their budget and make sure it was right. If she was a nominee there would be a whole infrastructure to support her. Right. None of that is the case. I think that shes being treated horribly. By the administration too . Well, i think shes done good work. She helped get the consequences for the nofly zone in libya. That was hard work to do. She came through for the people attacking her right now, like senator mccain. I think its an urn fortunate circumstance. The woman is great. How much of this is about the merits and some of the Senate Politics . I would like to believe that not much has to deal with politics. Theres a legitimate concern, that, five days after the fact, propagated a story that we should have known at the time wasnt the case. Some serious questions about our own intelligence people. Maybe we should ask those guys some questions. But, you want a secretary of state in the end, that can unite you not divide you. Secretary clinton has managed to do that. Cokie, what if the president what should the president do right now . He hadnt made up his mind to choose susan rice. It was between susan rice and john kerry. You can look at the politics on either way. Boy you cant back down on this opposition, on the other hand, is this a fight he wants to have . To have a nomination fight over secretary of state is really an unusual and shocking thing. And so, i think that, probably in the end, he doesnt do it. But i do think that it is but he, again, he put her in this position and then then she gets the opposition and then he says, well, i cant name you. Its unfair. Maybe in the end, he realizes that. Well, i dont think we should link whether or not she what happened in benghazi and whether she gets the nomination. I would hate to conclude that the reason she doesnt get that nomination is because of this stuff that just happened. Theyre not necessarily connected. I just want to talk radio is just full of benghazi. It is a big issue. Which is amazing to me. In 1982, we lost 241 marines in lebanon and the country came around president reagan, you didnt see all of this partisan bickering wait. Wait a minute. We came together and said that this is a National Tragedy and blame was not parcelled out the way it is now. I think its unfortunate. You look at 1982, there actually an airing. There was accountability. Part of the problem here, in the leadup to the election when benghazi got a lot of attention, the president said dont talk about benghazi, if you were youre politicizing the issue. Here we are after the election, and theres no full airing. We still dont know exactly what happened. Hold on. Wait a second. That may be true, but is it really what happened on a sunday show . What was the security situation at the mission in benghazi . But thats not her job. True. What happened in benghazi. Theres an investigation going on from two highlevel people. Well get the report and then we can debate. I dont believe whats being done to susan rice right now is fair, its politics and its ugly. It may force the president not to nominate her. This Political Part about it is not only just the upset over benghazi, theres the internal Senate Politics, and john kerry, now hes not always been a favorite of his colleagues, but they seem to be supporting him now, but theres also the question, if he leaves the senate, who gets elected in massachusetts . Look, i think everyone understands that john kerry is going to be nominated for something. If not for secretary of state, it could be for secretary of defense. This idea theyre holding up susan rice because of this plan to get scott brown maybe elected thats too much much. Look, there is this investigation going on in this benghazi. There was a complete security vacuum in libya before september 11th, 2012. There was. I mean, there were transactional terror groups were able to fill that vacuum. Our security was dependent on those locals. These are things that we know. What happened on september 11th . These are things that he knows. What happened after september 11th . In terms of how the administration communicated to the American People. These are basic questions that can be answered and they havent been, which is why you see one opening which is this possible nomination of susan rice and that nomination would become an entire investigation of benghazi. Thats what that nomination would become. Susan rice wasnt responsible for benghazi. I understand that. They have all of those good questions, they should ask those questions. The president has to make a decision here, do i really want this fight . Is this really going to be helpful . Is this in the best interest of the country . Do i void the fight . Find somebody else thats perfectly acceptable . My money is that he probably comes down there. Hell have plenty of fights. This isnt one i would pick. Couple of minutes left. That picture of mitt romney and president obama in the oval office and ask dan senor, the statement that came out of the white house is, maybe if something comes up in the future they can work together, any insight into what really happened . Not much that i can get into, other than to say no, no, they both actually, both president obama and governor romney agreed that they would keep it close. I think it was an nteresting discussion, probably more interesting than some of the images that you showed earlier of gore and bush. I take president obama for his word. What he said publicly at that press conference after his elections. They may have talked about some of those issues. I think theyll have an open channel of communication. What are republicans going to be looking for mitt romney to do in the future . Probably raise more money. He had a Great Campaign team and staff around him. You know, who he supports in 2016 will matter. If he chooses to do that. Okay, we have to take one more quick break. As we look at this Good Samaritan picture, the roundtable is going to weigh in on where they find hope in politics. Thats next. Two years ago, the people of bp made a commitment to the gulf. Bp has paid over twentythree billion dollars to help those affected and to cover cleanup costs. Today, the beaches and gulf are open, and many areas are reporting their best tourism seasons in years. And bps also committed to america. We support nearly 250,000 jobs and invest more here than anywhere else. Were working to fuel america for generations to come. Our commitment has never been stronger. Ii invest in what i know. R. I turned 65 last week. Im getting married. Planning a life. There are risks, sure. But, theres no reward without it. I want to be prepared for the long haul. I see a world bursting with opportunities. India, china, brazil, ishares, smallcaps, largecaps, ishares. Industrials. Low cost. Every dollar counts. Ishares. Income. Dividends. 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And that simple act of kindness from the officer went around the world. It has been seen millions and millions of time. Right now, it gives us the opportunity here, to identify some things that are giving you hope in the political world. In the political world . Im just back from vietnam, where i was doing some work for save the children, eventually we get it right. It takes a long time some times. Were doing Wonderful Development work there. Were putting shoes all kinds of people, especially little children. Dan . This week, the Jack Kemp Foundation is having its inaugural conference and people like paul ryan and marco rubio are speaking at it, you look at their speeches, its all about the war on poverty. Its all about strengthening civil society. You look at these ideas, he said that this is something that we could do. Strangely theres a war on Poverty Campaign that democrats and republicans could find common ground. What gives me hope that we had an election that was hardfought. In the end, the American People basically made a statement that they believe in government, they believe that government can still help solve programs. They believe its governments job to focus on those most in need. Look, i think i agree. The American People, i think, told us they want us to work together. The great thing about our system is, over time the will of American People always works through it. You got some checks and some balances. But in the end, politicians do what people tell them to do. I think you got a Public Employee going above and beyond the call of duty to help a homeless person just makes me think our government workers are pretty good people. No question about that. One of this things that i was encouraged looking back at the election, we actually saw that young people stayed engaged this time around. Their share of the electorate actually went up over 2000 and thats a hopeful sign to have continued participation going forward. Thank you all very much. Great roundtable. Dan is going to stick around and answer questions. Thats this week web extra. When we come back ill take your questions. Ill take your questions. One is for a clean, wedomestic Energy Future that puts us in control. Our abundant natural gas is already saving us money, producing cleaner electricity, putting us to work here in america and supporting wind and solar. Though all Energy Development comes with some risk, were committed to safely and responsibly producing natural gas. Its not a dream. Americas natural gas. Putting us in control of our Energy Future, now. And now, we honor our fellow americans who serve and sacrifice. This week, the pentagon released the names of two Service Members killed in afghanistan. The names of two Service Members killed in afghanistan. And when we come back, this question, of all of the american president s, who would you like to interview . Made a commitment to the gulf. Bp has paid over twentythree billion dollars to help those affected and to cover cleanup costs. Today, the beaches and gulf are open, and many areas are reporting their best tourism seasons in years. And bps also committed to america. We support nearly 250,000 jobs and invest more here than anywhere else. Were working to fuel america for generations to come. Our commitment has never been stronger. Music is a universal language. But when i was in an accident. I was worried the Health Care System spoke a language all its own with unitedhealthcare, i got help that fit my life. Information on my phone. Connection to doctors who get where im from. And tools to estimate what my care may cost. So i never missed a beat. Were more than 78,000 people looking out for more than 70 million americans. Thats health in numbers. Unitedhealthcare. Finally, your voice this week. Todays question comes from robert day. If you could go back in time what president would you interview and why . Any and all is the easy answer. Here are a few. Who wouldnt want to hear abe lincoln explain all of the agonizing compromises to keep our country whole. Thomas jefferson, to reconcile his immortal words from the declaration of independence. For his unapologetic ownership of slaves. Those are just a few of my picks. And thats all for us today. Thanks for sharing part of your sunday with us. Check out world news with david muir tonight and ill see you tomorrow on good morning america. [ male announcer ] introducing. A new way to save on your prescriptions. Its the aarp medicarerx saver plus plan from unitedhealthcare. With this plan, you can get copays as low as a dollar through a preferred Network Pharmacy like walgreens where youll find 8,000 convenient locations. Best of all, this plan has the lowest part d premium in the United States only 15 a month