early here s two races. we ll start in connecticut, democrat susan bias awitch, a former secretary of state. she announced today she will run for the senate seat currently held by the democrat turned independent joe lieberman. guess what, joe lieberman heads home to connecticut tomorrow to announce his attentions for 2012. he says if he runs he would most likely run again as an independent but he hasn t been definitive. we ll get the word tomorrow. another 2012 calculation, veteran democratic senator kent conrad of north dakota announcing he will finish his term but not seek reelection in 2012. senator conrad is a big voice on cutting the deficit. debt issues, fiscal responsibility issues. he says he ll focus on the issues but he would have faced a tough race. john, thanks so much for that. i want to go to our los angeles bureau, casey wian is there, following the shooting in los angeles, gardena high school. what have you got, casey?
with a bang. the democrats first order of business, they want to change the filibuster rules. lamar alexander spoke out tuesday about this change saying their power grab could come back to haunt them in 2012. senator lamar alexander joins us now. senator, good morning. i actually want to read a quote from you before the heritage group yesterday. you said, quote, those who want to create a freight train running through the senate today as it does in the house, might think about whether they will want that freight train in two years when the freight train might be the tea party express. i guess what democrats would say is look. we re not trying to get rid of the 60/40 rule here. we re just saying let s have more accountability. if you want to filibuster, come on the floor, stand there and filibuster. what we re saying is, let the senate operate like it s supposed to. let us offer amendments. i wasn t set up here to sit on a log. and what s happened say record number of times, the ma
and will chair the democrats campaign efforts in 2012. senator murray, it s good to have you with us. good morning to both of you. well, senator, let s start with kind of a status update in your chamber on this tax compromise. number one, if you haven t said so yet, will you support it. and, number two, do you think democrats are starting to coalesce around this proposal or are they going to try to change it in significant ways? look, we all know in my caucus that middle class american families have been struggling, and that it s very important that we give them the ability to get back on their feet and some of these tax cuts, which we all support for those families under $250,000 are extremely important to that. and we want to support that. we are concerned about the prospect of giving something away to wealthy americans and adding to our debt. but it s a hobson s choice today because we know how important the economy is. so we are working now to take a look at the details of th
didn t wan to debate illegal immigration said the law may not pass legal muster. i think is unconstitutional. it didn t represent the best way forward. quite frankly, madam secretary, we ve got a long way to go. but once we get there, comprehensive reform should come up, will come up. i believe we can do it by 2012. senator lindsey graham there. celebrities now getting in on the act. that s actress eva longoria parker of desperate housewives. she says she hopes the feds will get involved in the fight. i m really concerned for a lot of people. i think if anything it s going to make a stronger call to the federal administration to even hips don t lie singer shakira planning to meet with phoenix s mayor tomorrow to talk about the law. she ll be in town to campaign against the crackdown on illegal
waffling a bit because the bill in the senate bill that they ll be asked to vote on does in fact have federal funding for abortion. here for a fair and balanced debate, former new york senator al d amato and former advisor to bill clinton, doug shone and they have unique opinions you haven t heard on the sunday talk shows, so pay attention. doug, start with you. it appears they are going to try to pass the bill, nancy trying to get the votes and make changes through reconciliation, you say a bad idea why. for two reasons, first, i m not sure they can get it through the house and not is your that reconciliation is the appropriate way to go. whatever happens i m sure it s going to create a political firestorm for the democrats. in 2010. absolutely, yes. and perhaps 2012. senator, i think your take is unique as well. you think perhaps if they do force this thing through with 51 reconciliation, it could actually benefit the republicans in the long run, why? absolutely, you ve g