history when he went in with russians and ultimately felt very badly how the taliban was able to come back in with the success they had with the soviet union. again, it s an epic struggle in that part of the world. polls are showing people are feeling again, afghanistan somehow has to be put to the focus of our debate about money and what our national moral crisis is as we try to move forward. it s not, though, our own budgets and wallets, in washington, that s what they re bickering about with a deadline for deficit looming. meeting with the caucus union the past two days and budget gathering led by vice president biden continues to sound hopeful about a possible deal. optimisms an occupational requirement. i remain optimistic. had a really good discussion set a date for the next meeting. we re making real progress.