could it be any clearer that stew -- that stupak is afraid of facing his constituents. tonight we are coming to you live from new orleans tonight. [ cheering ] >> [ inaudible ] michael steele, welcome! [ cheering ] >> who dat! >> sean: your reaction to just -- justice stevens. >> it gives the president an opportunity to show he is serious about the supreme court. do we have an activist left leaning court or a court focused on governing, not governing, but leading the people through legislation. >> sean: the bottom line is barack obama showed no signs except to be the rigid ideologue that he is. why would america expect anything other than than an extreme justice? would you want the republicans, if he appoints a radical left winger to oppose -- >> absolutely we will be engaged very closely, very effectively in this debate. this is an opportunity to change the direction of the court. i know a lot of folks want to lay this off, you are going to replace a liberal with a liberal that is not the idea this is the difference between a court that is going to focus on the rule of law and working that way or activist court that is going to try to legislate from the bench. the rnc will be prepared to fight any effort to put a left leaning activist judge on this court. >> sean: i think the crowd is happy about that. [ cheering ] >> sean: bart stupak -- by the way, i'm not going to pat myself on the back. i said from the beginning he would cave. i knew he would give in just as nelson was bought off. do you think he's afraid to run in this reelection? >> absolutely. because of these folks right here. [ cheering ] >> the people have been sending a signal for some time you better listen to us or you will pay the price at the ballot box. he saw that coming and he got out of town as fast as he could. >> sean: everywhere we've been we've watched this with the tea party movement around the country. massive crowds, massive intensity does that translate what happened in virginia, massachusetts, new jersey? >> absolutely it does. >> sean: does this intensity hold through november? >> this intensity had better hold through november, yes. [ inaudible ] >> we have an unprecedented opportunity sean to take this country back. you have laid out clearly in your book the way to do that how you can get principled conservative leadership back in washington to change the course of this station and it stars with these folks right here. >> sean: you walked out here tonight and got a massive reception from the crowd here in new orleans. you had a strong defense from newt gingrich. governor palin defended you. some have attacked you. some have gone after you. what is your reaction to that and response? >> i'm trying to do the best i can as national chairman. >> sean: you have three victories under your belt. >> new jersey, massachusetts and virginia. [ cheering ] >> this is the bottom line. i stay focused very much on winning in november. i'm going to work very hard to make sure more republicans, more conservatives get into the senate and then to congress in the governorships and state legislatures this november this is the battle for the direction and freedoms of this country and we should be engaged. >> sean: one of the things i'm afraid of this circular fire squad that conservatives have against each other. it seems the democratic party and the president now are at a record low. there was a fox news poll that came out today, newt gingrich said that barack obama is the most radical president we've ever seen in american history. liz cheney said that barack obama has put america on a path to decline. rush limbaugh inflicting untold damage on this country. governor palin, it is like a kid you punch me and i won't retaliate, a line that -- >> i think from gingrich to palin they've laid out the indictment against this administration. the direction in which it has taken this country on foreign and domestic policy. the battle we have now and when i say that every god fearing conservative, republican out there and independent around this country, this is a chance for us to move this country in a new direction. it is not about michael steele not about an individual, it is about a nation that -- >> sean: let me ask you this. we saw stories this week where people were saying, health care where do i sign up for my free obama health care? we saw stories, 50% of american households no longer pay tax. what does that mean for america if you have a voting electorate that is not paying any taxes? >> how do you sustain yourself going into the future if you are giving more government welfare, encouraging more people to be dependent on government instead of self-reliance, fulfilling in terms of the direction they want to go. this is not about government takeover this is about empowering people. that's what the tea parties have been about. >> sean: 40% of the tea party movement, independent and democrats which think think is interesting. as you heading into the election there's been a lot of talk, i called for this in my book, newt talked about it is it time late up summer, early september for a contract with america or something like that? >> it is time to talk about and clearly define to this nation those ideals and opportunities that this country affords every sit doesn't, black, white or -- citizen, black, white or otherwise. this is the people's moment. >> sean: there's a little controversy. when you said it is a little tougher for me and barack obama. it got a lot of play. what did you mean by that and do you stand by that remark? >> what i mean was look, in this job it is unique to have both of us at this point in our american history. a lot of people are coming to grips with a new reality now with obama on the left and steele on the right. this is a testament to the grayness of this nation that's what it is all about. a lot more to do and get done and it starts this november folks. don't forget, this november, let's get it done. >> sean: all right. >> the president: last i checked palin is not much of an expert on nuclear issues. >> sean: anointed one slams sarah palin for comments she said here on the hannity program. we are going to discuss that plus we are joined by governor jindal, haley barbour, all coming up on tonight's show. it is time for our text vote question do you that i bart stupak is another casualty of health care reform? the results as we continue live from new orleans at the southern republican leadership conference. ñyyup> i never as a woman thought i'd get a heart attack. just, out of the blue at 43. now i'm on an aspirin regimen because it helps me live the life i want to live. 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[ female announcer ] for a fresh breath feeling that lasts up to 5 times longer, there's new scope outlast. . >> sean: this is a fox news alert. supreme court justice john paul stevens announced he will retire from the supreme court this summer. he's the oldest member of the court his departure has been rumored for some time. since his nomination in 1975 he has developed a reputation for being the core's most liberal justice. it will give president obama a golden opportunity to push his radical agenda forward this summer. a brand new fox news poll tells us exactly what the american people are looking for in that nominee. 52% say they want president to nominate somebody who is more of a conservative. 29% say they want the nominee to be more of a liberal. will the president list don't american people or will he turn his back on the will of the american people just as with health care? joining me now live in new orleans, governor of the great state of louisiana. [ cheering ] >> we've got some of the greatest activists conservatives from 38 states largest that has attended a republican conference, southern leadership republican conference over 3800 folks here. picture perfect weather, 70°, great day to talk about how do we take our country back. how do we make sure the health care bill does not stan. what is amazing you've got folks in washington, d.c. ignored the second amendment to the constitution. never read the 10th amendment to the contusion. they pass this unconstitutional bill, two trillion in spending half a trillion in tax increases and cuts in medicare. you have thousands of americans right here in new orleans gathering together to say let's take congress back and repeal this bill. >> sean: we were in grand rapids, michigan yesterday the state has a 14.1% unemployment rate. if you look nationally, add the under employed those that have given up looking for work it is close to 20% of the country. what is the adjusted gross income? >> largest drop in unemployment all in louisiana, lowest unemployment rate. you've got gallup says third best state creating jobs. second best economy during the recession. moody's says one of 11 states coming out of the national recession. [ inaudible ] we've been lower than the southern and national unemployment rate every month for the entire recession because we cut spending applying conservative principles. >> sean: this is interesting. you cut taxes, you cut spending. the same principles ronald reagan applied when he was president of the united states. quote reagan a lot. i quote ray dan a lot. i think -- i quote reagan a lot. i think he's the greatest person we've had. on the national level we have a president doing the opposite. how bad do you think barack obama is in terms of his governing in this country? >> last time we did -- you were right. i said he campaigned he had wonderful rhetoric about bringing us together about the change we were waiting for. he has ed -- i -- he has governed even more far to the left you saw the health care bill. last time i was with you on air you pointed this out, you saw this during the campaign. i didn't vote for him. but the reality is, he's been more to the left, more radical. they ignored the will of the people with speaker pelosi, majority leader harry reid they are saying we see the results in virginia, new jersey, we don't care. >> sean: i think the president is a radical that wants to transform america. he said during the campaign. i've seen nothing that shows any sign of moderation from this president. his entire career i don't expect we are going to have a moderate justice that's points to the supreme court. so the question is, what is the best way to stop this agenda? >> two things we to win these elections november. we to take our country back. repeal this health care bill. put a stop to this borrowing and spending. this is [ inaudible ] this is a critical young if you are for -- critical juncture for our country. going up to 26 trillion dollars they are spending our grand children's money trying to push us to be more like europe with more spending, more taxes. the supreme court nomination -- [ inaudible ] american people want a supreme court justice who is going to read the constitution. the american people have more confidence in our founding fathers than today's politicians. let's get a supreme court justice who will read the constitution and remember the 10th amendment. the commerce clause doesn't give congress the ability to do whatever they want. >> sean: i asked michael steele this question. the subtitle of my book defeating obama's radical agent -- agenda. liz cheney said he's putting america on a path of decline. newt gingrich said he's the most radical president in american history. is that accurate in your mind? >> make no mistake if we continue down this path what i fear for my children and grandchildren, more [ inaudible ] if we don't -- we are going to be the first generation that leaves fewer opportunities for our children this is the greatest country in the history of the world we are abandoning limit government principles our founding fathers put in place that made this such a great country. that's why we are trying to stop this health care bill. [ inaudible ] we are going to do everything we can to repeal and replace this health care bill. >> sean: great to see you. ladies and gentlemen, the governor. [ cheering ] >> sean: coming up the man who was [ inaudible ] mississippi governor haley barbour will be joining us. later texas governor rick perry. mike pence. rick santorum, jc what thes as we continue from the southern -- --. [ inaudible ] i'm gonna take allison jenkins to the senior prom in this. one day, i'll park this in a spot reserved for me. it's got 26,000 miles on it now, but i'm gonna take it to a thousand million. [ male announcer ] when you own a certified pre-owned mercedes-benz, chances are they'll own it one day, too. which is why it undergoes such a rigorous inspection to meet our uncompromising standards. one day, i'm gonna drive this to vegas. [ male announcer ] hurry in to your authorized mercedes-benz dealer for 1.99% financing during our certified pre-owned sales event through april 30th. and transforming it an impossible dream? with olay, challenge what's possible. challenge skin creams costing up to $700. olay regenerist outperformed them. challenge the leading prescription wrinkle regimen with olay pro-x. clinically proven as effective at reducing the look of wrinkles. and challenge anyone who says you can't fight 7 signs of aging all-in-one with olay total effects. love how you see yourself and feel about yourself more than you dreamed possible. with olay, challenge what's possible. . if the democratic party members have heard from the tea parties, town hall meetings from the polls, from virginia, from new jersey and now from massachusetts, surely they will understand that there's a message here. and they did it took them about a week. about a week they were sometime immediate and sat in a room in the white house and said we are going to run over the entire country. >> sean: former house speaker newt gingrich speaking yesterday at the southern republican leadership conference. we are live tonight from new orleans. joining me the man who [ inaudible ] [ cheering ] >> sean: mississippi governor haley barbour. governor how are you? >> i'm great sean. >> sean: 1969 you had your first. >> first conference was held in new orleans in 1969. today the largest crowd by far we've ever had. i don't have to explain the enthusiasm to you. sean no. let me start with newt gingrich said. he's been going around the country quoting you saying numbers are better now than they were in 1994 when republicans took over 54 seats. is that overly optimistic? >> the fact is that today in april of 2010 the political environment is better for republicans than in april of 1994. there is no question about that it is not even close. the issue of course is, seven months to the election. what are our people gonna do for the next seven months to be sure that the win is just as much [ inaudible ] >> sean: what is interesting is after the bribery for health care. after cap and tax, stimulus, unemployment 9.7%, weakening of our national defenses. i see more enthusiasm. gallup poll came out 28% of the american people think -- say most members of congress do not deserve to be reelected. only 28% think they should be reelected. >> no question the pelosi congress, pelosi house and the reid senate are the most unpopular ever. the numbers are out the bottom. people don't dislike president obama. they dislike his policy. they are not against him, they know that the policies that he's -- [ inaudible ] >> sean: is it all about obama -- did he run as a different type of candidate? he read his teleprompter well, people were fainting in large news anchors around the country getting thrills up and down their leg every time he spoke. we only have one unscripted moment. we are going to spread the wealth. run as a different candidate? >> no question people heard the policies pursued are the biggest lurch to the left american political history. there has never been as left wing a president of the united states. those policies are what help -- people know we can't spend ourselves rich, sean. they know 3.8 trillion dollar budget with a 1.6 billion dollar deficit, in 1997 the whole budget wasn't -- [ inaudible ] >> sean: you were there in 1994. did a lot of research about the contract, 10 items in 100 days all voted on, 9 out of 10 items passed. do you like the idea, because i do, because i think the republican party in some ways did lose their way on spending. do you like the idea to get back the faith and confidence in the american people to show they are going back to their conservative roots republicans need to put their signature on a dotted line similar to a contract, you were there, were you chairman. >> contract with america i was a strong advocate of, in fact bankrolled as chairman of the rnc played a huge role in the '94 election. it gave people something to vote for. people were down on the clinton administration they wanted to get rid of the democrats like you are hearing today. when september comes, contract with america was published the last week of september 1994. when september comes i think we need again give america something to vote for. don't believe this party of no stuff. the american people want us to stop bad policy they will reward us. >> sean: governor palin has a good line. we are not the party of no, we are the party of hell no! you may jump in the ring and go for the republican nomination for president in 2012. i'm figuring tonight might be the night in front of a large crowd here in new orleans you might want to make that announcement, just asking? >> seriously as i can be, every republican who cares about our country needs to be focused on the 2010 election. we can't wait until 2012. it is this election, this year. [ cheering ] >> sean: i would agree. i think is the most important midterm election that we have seen in our lifetime. for those of us who think america is on the wrong track we are ruining hope and opportunity and the economy and national security is being weakened, i think this is a defining moment in history. >> for our children and grandchildren the stakes are incredibly high this november. >> sean: i'll take that as a maybe. thank you governor. coming up, sarah palin appeared on this show early this week. she managed to get under the anointed one's skin. wait until you see what he had to say about her. j.c. watts, rick perry will join us live. we are asking if you think bart stupak is another casualty of health care reform? results coming up live at the end of our program as we continue from new orleans, hannity on the road. gecko: uh, you wanted to see me sir? boss: come on in, i had some other things you can tell people about geico - great claims service and a 97% customer satisfaction rate. show people really trust us. gecko: yeah right, that makes sense. boss: trust is key when talking about geico. you gotta feel it. why don't you and i practice that with a little exercise where i fall backwards and you catch me. gecko: uh no sir, honestly... uh...i don't think...uh... boss: no, no. we can do this. gecko: oh dear. vo: geico. fifteen minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance. here's what we can do with 4g from sprint. using the overdrive 4g mobi hotspot, jimmy's playing some video game online, jenny's video-chatting with a friend, nd i'm downlding a huge presentati. and while that's happening, we'll enjoy some family time. 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