In 2009 Father Albert Cutié left the Roman Catholic Church after a tabloid published photos of him with his girlfriend on the beach and it was discovered that he was in love with her.

Roland Martin talks with Father Albert Cutié about his new book, Dilemma: A Priest’s Struggle with Faith and Love.

In his new book, Dilemma, Father Albert Cutié details the devastating struggle between upholding his sacred promises as a priest and falling in love. Already conflicted with growing ideological differences with the Church, Cutié was forced to abruptly change his life the day that he was photographed on the beach, embracing the woman he would later call his wife.

Once a poster boy of the Roman Catholic Church-loved and admired by millions-Cutié found that he was not happy and able to live as a celibate priest, especially having to defend the number of positions he was no longer in agreement with. For years he kept his relationship a secret, while he soul searched and prayed for answers. The love that he deemed a blessing was bringing him closer to God, but further from the Church. In Dilemma, Cutié tells about breaking that promise, reigniting the very heated debate over mandatory celibacy for Catholic priests, beginning a new way of life and discovering a new way of serving God.

Roland Martin talks with Russell Simmons about his new book, Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All.

Russell Simmons–rap impresario and founder of Def Jam Records, Phat Farm, and the Hip-Hop Summit, and with Morrow coauthor of Do You!–explores what it means to be truly rich and fulfilled through two tenets. The twin paths to enlightenment, according to Simmons, are, first, remaining fully conscious and connected to the world, and second, believing that the universe will then reward and flood you with gifts and opportunity–the second precept drawing heavily from the laws of attraction found in such books as The Secret. While these lofty ambitions may seem too fanciful, the steps are sensible and actionable. He encourages readers to re-evaluate what being prosperous means to them and incorporate giving back. Simmons urges readers to move to self-acceptance, live without regrets, and move past worry. With personal stories, he offers insight into his personal striving for peace and prosperity, and offers those willing to put in the effort an opportunity to achieve that same abundance.

Source: Publishers Weekly

Michael Fosberg joins Roland Martin on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. For 32 years Fosberg believed he was a Caucasian American who grew up middle class white family. Then he found out who is father was and discovered that he is really an African-American man.

For more information about Michael Fosberg and his book Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self-Discovery, visit http://www.incognitotheplay.com/

Congressman Charles Rangel joins Roland Martin on the Tom Joyner Morning Show to discuss the ethics committee trial, verdict and subsequent ruling to censure him.

Roland asked Congressman Rangel what has been the sentiment expressed to him from his continuance, fellow members of Congress after what took place this past Thursday. Congressman Rangel told Roland “my wife and community now know the nightmare is over.”

Rangel explained the reason behind he referred the case to the committee was to show that he was not self-enriched, he did not make any money and did not deliberately avoid paying taxes or try to deceive any of his holdings. He also highlighted that the chief council of the committee said that there was no corruption and that his biggest problem was that he was over zealous in trying to raise money for the students of the City College of New York, sloppy and depended upon others to do things that he should have done himself.

When asked what was next for him, Rangel said, “I think we have a lot of work, I want to pick up the pieces, I want to move forward and then we’ll see what the future holds. But I think it would be dramatically unfair to the people who had confidence in me and voted for me to just wake up and quit at a time when they need me the most.”

Listen to Roland Martin’s entire interview with Congressman Charles Rangel. Roland and Congressman Rangel discuss if Rangel had admitted to the various charges made against him would things have ended the way that it did, the proposed settlement agreement and the CBC’s claims of being unfairly targeted.

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Roland Martin talks with April Ryan, White House Correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks about the censure of Charles Rangel and the debate of the Bush tax cuts.

Yesterday, Congress voted overwhelmingly the House voted to censure Rangel 333 – 79. Ryan explained that many in Washington have said that this could have ended a long time ago with out this embarrassment.

According to Ryan the ethics panel asked Rangel to give them all of the information to avoid the full extent of a trial. At the last minute, Rangel gave them a little bit of information but not everything that they needed.

Ryan told Roland that the censure is just for this session of Congress. Rangel cannot serve as a ranking member or chairman of any committee until January. Ryan said, “It all goes away in January with the 112 Congress.” Rangel can run in January for a ranking member position but cannot run for Chairman of any committee.

Roland and Ryan also discussed yesterday’s vote on the Bush tax cuts. Democrats voted to extend the tax cuts for Americans making less than $250,000 a year. Roland asked Ryan if President Obama will hold the line on the tax cuts for the wealthy or will he compromise on this issue and accept the GOP “so called compromise” to extend the tax cuts for everyone.

Ryan said, “I don’t know if he will cave, but right now its in the area of compromise.”

Listen to Roland Martin’s entire TJMS interview with April Ryan.

Download audio file (martintjmsaprilryanrangelbushtaxcuts.mp3)

Julianne Malveaux joins Roland Martin on the Tom Joyner Morning Show to discuss the current conditions in Haiti. Malveaux explained that she had an opportunity to visit one of the tent camps while in Haiti. She said “you can’t imagine anything more demoralizing – ditry water, people just crowded on top of each another …”

Roland asked Malveaux about the lack of international aid coming to Haiti. Malveaux said, “People are extraordinarily frustrated.” When she was in Haiti back in October, Malveaux stated that she had a meeting with the US ambassador to Haiti and they were still talking about planning. Malveaux explained that the first contract to remove rubble was not set until August and the first contractor to remove rubble was not on the ground until October 15th. Malveaux said, “No money is flowing.”

According to Malveaux there are very competent people on the ground from the United States and there are some real issues. “People believe that Haiti is corrupt so they don’t want to give them the money. So actually the US is asking people to prove they’re not corrupt,” said Malveaux. She also explained the international community had committed over $5 billion dollars and very little of it has been given to Haiti.

The United States has committed $1.5 billion dollars to aid in rebuilding Haiti, but Congress is currently holding up the money.

Listen to Roland Martin’s entire interview with Julianne Malveaux.

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Roland Martin talks with former Congressman, Harold Ford about his new book More Davids Than Goliaths.

In More Davids Than Goliaths, Ford reflects on what he’s learned from his extended political family, the slings and arrows of the campaign trail, and those across our nation who inspire him.

During the TJMS interview, Ford recounts a conversation that he had with his father as an intern in his father’s office. His father told him, “You should always remember there are more Davids than Goliaths … remember all Goliaths are not bad but all Davids are good and if you are fortunate to be in politics your job is to always give voice and to follow through on what you promised to do for David.”

Ford also discussed the political landscape after the midterm elections and what President Obama needs to do to position himself for 2012. Ford said people want President Obama to focus on jobs and described this moment as “halftime moment.” Ford said, “The President started the game with a great plan … he’s now down maybe a touchdown if not more. He has to go in the locker room and a great coach drafts a new plan. He still has the intention of winning the game but he’s got to adjust to what his opponent is doing on the other side.”

When asked about the Bush tax cuts, Ford said that all of the tax cuts should be extended for two years. At the end of the two years the highest earners at $1 million dollars and above should be taxed at 39.5 percent; the top rate that it was when President Clinton was in office.

Listen to Roland Martin’s entire TJMS interview with Harold Ford.

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Roland Martin talks with Republican National Committee Chairman, Michael Steele about the results of the 2010-midterm elections.

Steele explained where Republicans were just a year ago, saying the GOP had lost a lot of their base supporters and walked away from their message. In getting back to their message, Steele said he decided to “put the party in the streets.”

Steele told Roland on his second day as RNC Chair, he went to Harlem and people asked why he went there. Steele said because voters are there, “the goal was to put the party where it was uncomfortable with itself because it had to get outside of its comfort zone and go to people and talk to people it hadn’t done before and because we did I think we won.”

Roland asked Steele about Mitch McConnell’s comments about making President Obama a one-term president. Steele said, “I think McConnell was talking in political terms. Look, at the end of the day he is the opposition leader. His goal is not to sit there and say, ‘Oh yeah I’m going to be supporting the re-election of the opposition. So you have to put it in context.” Steele also explained, “it is part of the politics and the political aspects of both Obama’s job and Mitch McConnell’s job.”

Listen to Roland Martin’s entire TJMS interview with RNC Chair, Michael Steele. Roland and Steele discuss Republican engaging minority voters, African-American Republicans who were elected to office this past Tuesday, what are Republicans going to do to get America back to work as well as get the economy back on track and how Republicans and Democrats can work together.

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Roland Martin talks with Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown about ballot initiative in Florida that would create compact congressional districts as opposed to the bugsplat districts. Congresswoman Brown is against this measure because it would reslut in fewer minorities in Congress.

Congresswoman Brown told Roland if this measure passes African-Americans “will have less members, not just in Congress but every level.” She also said, “… if you have this measure in the Constitution, then the voting rights measure does not apply. And so we could regress …”

Brown said, “It is very important that we as a people don’t go back.” She explained there is a similar measure in California that would affect African-Americans as well as Latinos because “… we do not live in compact districts.”

Listen to Roland Martin’s entire TJMS interview with Congresswoman Corrine Brown. Roland and Congresswoman Corrine Brown continue the discussion on bugsplat districts and the effect it could have on African-American political power.

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Dr. Cecilia Rouse, a member of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisors joins Roland Martin on the set of Washington Watch to discuss the White House’s economic policies, jobs and tax cuts.

President Obama has touted recent private-sector job growth, but the unemployment numbers remain the same. The public is saying the unemployment numbers have not moved, we don’t see anything-positive happening. How can the Obama Administration balance the employment numbers and get Americans back to work?

WATCH: Where Are The Jobs?

Jason L. Riley recently wrote a piece in the Wall Street Journal that questioned the need for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Lezli Baskerville, NAFEO President & CEO, joined Roland Martin on the Tom Joyner morning show to discuss Riley’s piece in the Wall Street Journal and the role of HBCUs.

When asked what Baskerville thought of the piece, she told Roland that she was astounded by the tone of the piece. She said, “it was venomous and incendiary and it was ripe with misinformation.”

Baskerville explained Riley’s article talks about HBCUs failing and being academically inferior. According to Baskerville, “HBCUs are making tremendous progress and are shifting to meet today’s needs.”

Listen to Roland Martin’s entire TJMS interview with Lezli Baskerville. Roland and Lezli Baskerville continue to discuss the Riley article and the status of NAFEO’s commitment made during measuring the Movement.

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Desirée Rogers reflects on the time that she spent in the White House as Social Secretary, the Obama Administration and the controversy surrounding the infamous State dinner where the Salahis gained access to the high profile dignitaries.

WATCH: Desirée Rogers: White House Reflections

Roland Martin talks with Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile about the upcoming 2010-midterm elections, which are just a month away.

Brazile has been critical of Democrats in saying they should stop attacking their base by telling them to stop whining and stop complaining. Attacking their base is not going to get voters to the polls in November.

Brazile told Roland, voters need to know exactly what Democrats have done for them. She said, “They [Democrats] need to talk about the issues. They need to go back and explain to these voters that it has been the Democrats that have moved America forward. It has been Democrats that have put policy forward for job creation, job growth, education, health care, the environment. They need to talk about what will happen if Republicans take control of the Congress.”

“If people don’t get out and vote … we’re going to be in a whole lot of trouble. They’ll be whining and complaining for sure, but this time the whining will be starting at the top not just the people in the neighborhood,” said Brazile.

Listen to Roland Martin’s entire TJMS interview with Donna Brazile as she and Roland discuss what Democrats need to do to keep Republicans from taking over the Congress, Sen. Tom Coburn, Sen. Richard Shelby, Sen. Jim Bunning and individuals that want to see President Barack Obama fail.

Download audio file (martintjmsdonnabrazile2010midterms100810.mp3)
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Roland Martin talks with Shanae Hall radio personality from Los Angeles and former NFL wife about her new book, “Why Do I Have To Think Like A Man?: How To Think Like A Lady And Still Get The Man.” Hall stated that her book is the response to Steve Harvey’s book, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man”

In the book, Hall conducted over 300 interviews where she emphasized that women should be women and not try to think like a man. Hall told Roland, “Unless times have changed from biblical times to where now we have to think like a man to get a man. I never thought that was our area of needing help.”

Roland asks Hall if she think part of the problem when men and women are looking for someone is that people are looking for the one thing that somehow will be like manna from heaven, drop from the sky and be the one solution, when it is really a series of things where people are attracted to one another. Hall explained that she agreed with that statement and that is why people are going out buying the male books because they think ‘my goodness if I can think like a man, now I’m in the head of a man … and I can go out and find marital bliss.” Hall said, “Finding a man is finding yourself first. Getting yourself esteem, your standards and your life together and then going out and saying this is what I’m worth.” She also said, “You attract whatever it is that your value deems you should have … that is not something that a man can give you.”

When looking for a mate or spouse Hall states that in her book there is a chapter called Setting Your Standards, which helps women outline what it is that they want in a man. She said, “When you go through that, its spiritual, its emotional, its physical, its everything that you personally want. So if you have a navigation of what you’re looking for you can find it a whole lot easier…” According to Haul its easier because you know what you are looking for.

Listen to Roland Martin’s entire TJMS interview with Shanae Hall as she and Roland discuss wants verses needs, is there enough Black men as well as men and women wanting to be in relationships.

For more information about Shanae Hall and her book, “Why Do I Have To Think Like A Man?: How To Think Like A Lady And Still Get The Man” visit http://www.lovingmefirst.com

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Michelle Rhee a featured player in the new documentary “Waiting for Superman” discusses the movie, charter schools, school vouchers and are D.C. public schools good enough for high profile politicians’ children.

Should school vouchers be made available if a student is not selected to attend a charter school?

WATCH: Michelle Rhee Discusses “Waiting for Superman,” Charter Schools And School Vouchers

Roland Martin talks with CNN’s Soledad O’Brien about her interview last night with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf on Larry King Live.

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf framed this in terms of national security, saying that if they are forced to move it will embolden Muslims extremist around the world. O’Brien said, “I think what he was saying that Americans have to realize that Muslims around the globe watch everything that we do and say here.” O’Brien continued saying, “While he certainly regretted and I think would if he could take back the decision” to build the Islamic center near Ground Zero.

O’Brien explained that extremist may use this controversy to say Americans hate Muslims and America is at war with Islam. O’Brien said this could “fuel other extremist events and attacks.”

Listen to Roland Martin’s entire TJMS interview with Soledad O’Brien.

Download audio file (martintjms090910soledadobrienimam.mp3)

Roland Martin talks with Congressman Kendrick Meek at the TJMS Family Reunion, Friday, September 3, 2010.

Congressman Meek recently won the Democratic nomination to run for US Senate in the state of Florida in the 2010 midterm elections.

Roland began his conversation with Meek by asking him what is the number one issue in the upcoming elections, is it the economy, terrorism, healthcare, the ground zero mosque, is President Obama a Muslim and what would he do about jobs if he were to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

Meek told Roland, “The economy is going to be the driving issue and it will be until we get no only Florida back to work but this country back to work.” He continued to explain there are corporations that are withholding money, not investing, not hiring. Meek said, “I think they are waiting until the end of the election, but we must stimulate the middle class.”

Meek commented on the U.S. deficit saying, “No was concerned about a deficit when it was time to go to war. Everyone was [like] let’s borrow the money, let’s go to war, let’s do whatever we have to do but when it comes down to domestic investment and infrastructure and training and making sure that we stand up for those that are looking for jobs right now folks are having a problem with it.” Meek highlighted that that Democrats passed PAYGO, where if government spends money they have to pay for it. Meek said, “… its very important that we go head to head on that argument.”

Yesterday Al Lawson, a prominent African-American state Democratic leader, endorsed Meek’s opponent Charlie Crist. If Congressman Meek is not elected there will be no African-Americans in the Senate. Roland asked Meek how did he feel about Democrats in his own state who are not willing to support the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate? Meek replied. “It’s disappointing … he endorsed a Republican in my opinion.”

Meek is scheduled to debate Marco Rubio this Sunday on Meet The Press.

For more information about Congressman Kendrick Meek visit KendrickMeek.com.

Listen to Roland Martin’s TJMS interview with Congressman Kendrick Meek from the Tom Joyner Family Reunion.

Download audio file (martintjmskendrickmeek090310.mp3)

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Last week the Pew Center released a report that showed18 percent of Americans believe that President Barack Obama is a Muslim. This figure is up from 11 percent last year. In last year’s poll, 48 percent thought that he was a Christian, this year only 34 percent believe that he is a Christian. 43 percent claimed they have no idea what President Obama’s faith is.

Roland Martin talks with Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell about Americans questioning President Obama’s faith and could this have a political impact on him. Pastor Caldwell is the pastor of the largest Methodist church in the country, Windsor Village. He was spiritual adviser to President George W. Bush and has often prayed with President Barack Obama.

Pastor Caldwell calls this controversy “amazingly ridiculous.” 60 percent of those polled said they got the information about President Obama being a Muslim from the media. Caldwell said he was glad that the “Tom Joyner show and brother Roland Martin are addressing this issue head on.”

Caldwell told Roland, “At the end of the day, we all know that if your opponent can attack what you do and who you are they have laid the foundation for your defeat. So this whole politics of personal faith destruction is simply a strategy to defeat who the president says he is.”

Listen to Roland’s entire interview with Pastor Kirby Jon Caldwell.

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Roland Martin talks with Congressman Kendrick Meek about his campaign for U.S. Senate and his opponent, billionaire, Jeff Greene.

According to the poling data at the time of this interview, Congressman Meek had an 11-point lead in the polls. Roland asks Congressman Meek what has happened in the last few weeks of his campaign.

Meek states that people have gravitated to the campaign’s message of getting people back to work, health care and protecting the environment. He told Roland that there were two visits, one from President Clinton and President Obama, who came to Florida to raise money for the Democratic Party.

Meek said, “the President and I were able to grab a sandwich after that event and that made news and we have been working hard throughout the state.”

According to Meek, Jeff Greene is outspending him 6 to 1 by pumping $27 million into the campaign. Meek explains that his campaign has put very little into it because of limited resources.

Roland said, “This is a national election because … when Roland Burris leaves there will be no African-Americans in the U.S. Senate,” unless Meek is able to win in Florida. That makes this race a “huge deal beyond just the State of Florida.”

Meek requested that the people of Florida get out and vote on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 between 7 am and 7 pm.

For more information about Kendrick Meek and to support his campaign visit KendrickMeek.com

Download audio file (martintjmskendrickmeek082310.mp3)

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Roland Martin talked with Spike Lee about his new documentary “If God is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise”, which airs on HBO August 23rd and 24th. This documentary is a follow up to Lee’s award winning documentary, “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts”, which detailed the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Lee explained the one thing that stood out to him and connected “When the Levees Broke” with his new documentary is greed. He said, people are so greedy it ends up with people getting hurt and killed, “It was the greed of the Army Corps of Engineers and cutting corners that brought about the dismantling of the levees and … BP threw caution and safety to the wind for profits. And eleven families now have lost members because of total out and out greed.”

Lee stated he wanted people to be aware that “this is a great part of this country and for too long people just pushed New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf states to the side like they didn’t matter.” Lee said, “Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, every year they fight off, neck and neck for the poorest, worst educated … so whatever is last those three states are always battling it out.”

Don’t miss Spike Lee’s new documentary, “If God is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise” August 23rd and 24th on HBO.

Download audio file (martintjmsSpikeLeeDocumentary081810.mp3)

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Comedian George Wilborn was recently denied an opportunity to buy a $1.7 million home in Bridgeport, IL. The Department of Urban Housing and Development has filed a administrative complaint against the homeowners, the real estate agent and his firm, Prudential Rubloff Properties.

Roland Martin talks with James Perry, Board Member and Executive Director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center about how you can protect yourself from housing discrimination.

Yearly, millions of people are victims of housing discrimination. Perry explains that even though there are four million violations of the Federal Fair Housing Act every year, only 30,000 claims are actually filed. Perry said, “people experience discrimination, but they don’t act on it”.

The most important thing anyone can do, if they fell that they have been discriminated against, is to call the National Fair Housing Alliance or HUD and file a complaint. There is an investigation process in place to determine whether or not a person has been discriminated against.

For more information about housing discrimination visit NationalFairhousing.org.

Download audio file (martintjmsgeorgewilbornhousingdiscrimination081210.mp3)

In an exclusive TJMS interview, Roland Martin talks with Rep. Maxine Waters about the ethics charges that have been brought against her. The House Ethics Committee has charged Waters with three ethics violations, saying she used her position to influence a minority owned Boston bank. Her husband used to sit on the board of directors of this particular Bank. Waters has been adamant about the case, stating that she has done nothing wrong.

Waters explains why she wants a public trial and why she has been so vocal about the charges. Waters stated that there is an OCE Report, which contains findings from when the ethics investigation first started. According to Waters the report does not say what she was charged for or when there would be a public hearing. Waters said of the OCE Report, “I wanted it to be made public. I wanted it to be known, what it is they are charging me with and I want them to set a date for a trial”.

“The formal charges came out yesterday and there are these kind of blanket charges that says you kind of used your influence, you got something to benefit yourself and you brought discredit on the House”. Waters continued on to say, “basically what they are saying is, Maxine Waters, we really can’t find anything to charge you with, but AH HA, you didn’t instruct your staff not to continue to try and help this OneUnited Bank”.

Waters details the history of the situation, explaining that she set up a meeting between Secretary Paulson and the representatives of the National Bankers Association. The National Bankers Association is a trade association that represents over 103 minority banks.

Waters said, “Some of the officers, at least one of the officers of OneUnited Bank happens to be the chairman of the NBA”. She details what transpired at that point saying the NBA came in to ask the treasury to assist them. Many of the banks had invested their money in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Waters said, “We put Fannie and Freddie into a conservatorship and the minority banks wanted to know what is going to happen to us if we have our capital there”.

“The meeting was set up for NBA, for all of the minority bankers”. Waters said, “… they spent 75 percent of the time talking about the bankers. OneUnited then spoke up, Kevin Cohee said, ‘I’m an example of what’s happening with minority banks’ and went on to try and make his case for the fact that OneUnited was loosing $50 million dollars that they had invested in Fannie Mae,” Waters said, he spoke up for himself.

According to Waters, at the time of this meeting the TARP was not in existence. Once TARP came into existence a few weeks later and she heard that OneUnited Bank was interested in trying to obtain TARP funds, she went to Barney Frank. Waters said that she told Frank that OneUnited Bank is a part of his constituency and they are trying to obtain TARP funds. Waters said, “We’re representing the National Bankers Association, so they are asking for help and you need to take a look at this”.

In response to the ethics charges, Waters said, “No, I’m not guilty or any violations, and if you are going to wrap this all around, creating these violations because I failed to supervise my staff, it doesn’t hold water. They don’t have any proof of that and I maintain that I want to go to trial, or whatever they want to call it. A judicatory hearing because I think I don’t deserve this”.

Later on during the interview Waters stated that she is not going agree to any violation that she has not committed, “I will not be a sacrificial lamb, for anybody”.

Download audio file (martintjmsmaxinewaters081010.mp3)
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Roland Martin talks with US Trade Rep. Ambassador Ron Kirk about the African Growth and Opportunities Act Forum that is taking place in Washington DC and Kansas City this week.

Prior to discussing the AGOA Forum, Roland and Ron Kirk discuss a recent auto accident that Kirk is recovering from. Kirk said that he is doing well and is exceptionally blessed. A 10’ ladder hit Kirk after it crashed through his windshield, impaling his left arm.

Roland and Kirk go on to discuss the African Growth and Opportunities Act Forum. Kirk said there are 35 trade ministers, ambassadors, government officials from 35 sub-Saharan African countries that have gathered for the 10th anniversary forum. This partnership started under President Clinton with the passage of the AGOA Act.

“… we are trying to transform this relationship … from a historic paternalistic aid based relationship to one that’s based on mutual economic interest”, Kirk explained, “by every measure this has been a huge success, as our trade with Africa has quadrupled to over $60 billion dollars”.

According to Kirk, Africa is a continent with over 700 million people and a $2 trillion economy. Comparing these numbers to the amount of trade that transpires between the US and Africa, Kirk said “… that really is nothing”.

Kirk stated, “One of our challenges is how we take this to the next level, the next decade and increase opportunities for businesses in both Africa and the United States”.

For more information visit http://www.ustr.gov

Download audio file (martintjmsronkirkagoaforum080210.mp3)

Roland Martin talks with Bob Butler of KBCS Radio about the BART shooting verdict. A white police officer, Johannes Mehserle, testified that he mistakenly drew a pistol instead of his taser and shot Oscar Grant. Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Butler details the events in the streets of Oakland after the verdict was released. Butler said, “as people started gathering, you saw these people walk up, dressed all in black and had bandanas on their faces and they were wearing hoods.” Butler states that he identified them as the Anarchist, also known as Black Bloc. Butler explained that they are the ones who usually cause trouble. Butler said, “… they caused trouble back in 2009, and as the sun went down last night, the same thing happened.”

Butler explains that there were people looting a Footlocker store. He questioned some of the looters who felt that it was OK because they were doing it for Oscar Grant.

Download audio file (martintjmsbobbartonbartshootins070910.mp3)

Roland Martin talks with John Boyd President of the National Black Farmers Association about the $1.2 billion settlement for the Black farmers. The bill was passed and is now attached to the war bill as a rider.

Boyd explains that people should contact Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnel to voice their support for the bill. Boyd went on to say, “… the Republicans should not play politics with peoples lives…” Boyd is hopeful that the funds for the Black farmers will not be stripped from the war bill. The bill passed in the House but now the bill needs to be passed in the Senate. If it is not passed in the Senate, the Black farmers will not receive their compensation.

Call your United States senator and voice your support for the war bill in order to help the Black farmers.

Download audio file (martintjmsjohnboydblackfarmers070710.mp3)

Roland Martin talks with Stephen Hill about the year after Michael Jackson’s death. Hill explains that after Jackson’s daughter talked about what a wonderful dad he was, and after stories came out depicting the kind of father that he was; Jackson’s image was completely recast.

Hill said that Jackson’s “… true legacy has come to bear in the last year and I as a fan am certainly glad to have seen that happen”.

The BET Awards is coming up on June 27th, 2010. Alicia Keys, Usher, T.I., Eminem and Trey Songz are scheduled to  make appearances on this years BET Awards. Prince will receive the Life Time Achievement Award. For more information about the BET Awards visit http://www.bet.com/.

Download audio file (martintjmsstephenhillbetawardsjackson062410.mp3)

Roland Martin talks with April Ryan, White House Correspondent for  American Urban Radio Networks about General McChrystal’s comments against President Obama and other individuals in the Obama administration. Ryan stated that General McChrystal has left the President no choice. If the President were to fire him, you can’t say that the President fired him, he fired himself. Ryan also states that no one in the White House has confidence in the General.

Download audio file (martintjmsaprilryangenmcchrystal062310.mp3)

Roland Martin talks with Dr. Benjamin Wilson about the new documentary, Up From the Bottoms. Up From the Bottoms tells the story of the northern migration of African Americans through the personal accounts of people who migrated to Muskegon, Michigan to work in factories during the 1940’s. Narrated by Cicely Tyson and featuring Dick Gregory.

For more information about this documentary visit http://www.upfromthebottoms.com

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With so much attention being focused on the oil disaster in the Gulf, there is another disaster that we still continue to face: our economy. While the economic outlook is improving, the fact still remains, millions of people — especially African-Americans — are jobless and struggling. What can be done, and what should be done, to fix this problem? Dr. Peter Morici an economics professor at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, and Michael Ettlinger vice president for economic policy at the Center for American Progress, a progressive think-tank have some answers.

Sound off: What can the public and private sectors do to spur job growth and get Americans back to work?

WATCH: Part 1 – What Can Be Done to Fix the US Economy?

WATCH: Part 2 – What Can Be Done to Fix the US Economy?

Roland Martin talks with Alvin Green, the mystery SC Democratic Senate primary winner about his campaign for US Senate. Greene states that he used old fashion campaigning to win the Democratic nomination. Greene says that his campaign is about jobs, education and justice. Greene explains that he is the best candidate for US Senate in South Carolina because he identifies with the constituents more than any of his opponents.

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Roland Martin talks with Tim Wise about President Obama’s recent ‘whose ass to kick’ comments and the perception of angry Black men. Wise explains that its understandable for people to want the President to take a situation as serious as this and express some real anger, but as a Black man the President has to mindful of how his anger will be viewed.

Wise explains that when President Obama said what he said to Matt Lauer, in a very calm way, it still did not come across as a particularly angry thing.

Wise also states that a white President can be big, bad and angry and they call him a cowboy; who has come to save the day. If a man of color does it, the perception is often very different.

Tim Wise it the author of Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama. For more information about this book visit http://www.timwise.org

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At the top of our agenda this week, a fourth straight month of strong job creation, but is it reaching the African-American community? A new crop of African-Americans are running as Republicans for office. Will it divide the Black vote? And what can the foiled New York City terror plot teach us about staying safe at home? Our “Washington Watch” newsmaker this week: Dr. Stephen Flynn, president of the Center for National Policy on playing your part to keep your family and America safe from attack. In our “Washington Watch” roundtable, Deborah Mathis, BlackAmericaWeb.com contributor; Hazel Trice Edney, editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service; Robert Traynham, host of “Roll Call TV” on the Comcast Network; and Cornell Belcher, Democratic political strategist and pollster.

And, no, he didn’t. The Daily Show ‘s Jon Stewart has the nerve to attack Roland Martin on his style of dress. Roland has something to say about that! All that and more today on “Washington Watch.”

CLICK HERE to download the transcript.

Roland talks with author Wes Moore about his new book The Other Wes Moore. Moore explains that he shares the same name with drug dealer, thief and convicted killer. Both men are from Baltimore who roughly have the same background but two different outcomes.

For more information about Wes More and his new book visit http://theotherwesmoore.com/

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Roland talks with now Florida State Senator, Kendrick Meek about this run for US Senate. In the wake of Charlie Crist quitting the GOP to run for the same seat as an Independent, Meek explains that he needs a little less than 50% + 1 to win the election.

All eyes will be on this contest as Republicans look to take back the Senate. Get off the couch and Vote in November.

Visit KendrickMeek.com for more information and to support the campaign.

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At the top of our agenda this week, after days of blocking debate on financial reform, Senate Republicans give up. Now the hard work of getting a good bill begins. The GOP says Democrats and the President are playing the race card to gain votes in the midterm election, and Arizona’s controversial immigration law raises important questions for African-Americans.

Our “Washington Watch” newsmaker this week – Austan Goolsbee, of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, breaks down the financial reform bill and explains how it could protect ordinary citizens from paying the price of big-bank greed. Plus, Baltimore congressman Elijah Cummings on what can be done to cut down the epidemic of street violence in our cities. And in our “Washington Watch” roundtable, April Ryan, White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks; Karen Finney, Democratic political strategist and MSNBC contributor; and Deborah Simmons, senior correspondent for The Washington Times. Plus, the nation says so long to civil rights icon Dr. Dorothy Height. All that and more today on “Washington Watch.”

CLICK HERE to download the transcript.

R + R: Roland Martin appears on Rick’s List with Rick Sanchez to discuss Charlie Crist leaving the GOP. 04.28.10

Roland talks with US Trade Representative, Ron Kirk about growing small businesses and getting Americans back to work through exports.

President Obama has set a goal to double US exports in a effort to help create 2 million jobs. According to Kirk, 97% of companies that export are small businesses. Funding is being substantially increased for the Small Business Administration to help small businesses.

If you have a product that can be exported and need capital, the Small Business Administration  will help you finance your growth. Secondly the US Department of Commerce has established a Gold Key Program that will help you find customers outside of the United States to purchase your product.

For more information visit http://www.USTR.gov or http://www.export.gov.

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Roland talks with Wilbert Rideau, author of In the Place of Justice: A Story of Punishment and Deliverance about rehabilitating prisoners.

Rideau, often called the most rehabilitated man in America, once shot a bank teller in the aftermath of a botched bank robbery. He was convicted by an all-white, all-male jury of murder and sentenced to die.

Rideau lived on death row at Louisiana State Penitentiary from the time he was 19 until he was 31. In 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court abolished the death penalty as it was then practiced, and his sentence was commuted to life in prison.

In 2000, Rideau’s original murder conviction was overturned because of racial discrimination in a previous trial’s grand jury process. He was tried again, found guilty of manslaughter and re-sentenced to 21 years. Because Rideau had already served 44 years, he was freed.

In the interview, Roland asks Riedu about what message did he have for state facilities across the country as it relates to  rehabilitating criminals.

Rideau expresses that state facilities are not trying to rehabilitate prisoners. Most of the people who he served time with wanted to be become better people. The problem is there are no opportunities, except to get tough, take away everything from them, give them nothing and believes that this is a suicidal social policy. Rideau goes on to explain that at some point 95% of those incarcerated are going to come back home.

Wouldn’t you want someone who was sent to prison to come back rehabilitated?

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Wilber Rideau’s new book: In the Place of Justice: A Story of Punishment and Deliverance

At the top of our agenda this week, President Barack Obama tackles financial reform. Can Wall Street and the GOP stop him? Who will be the President’s next Supreme Court nominee? Liberal? Centrist? Woman? African- American? The pressure’s on from all sides. And “Measuring the Movement” – we’ll hear what you had to say about last week’s live forum in Harlem, folks coming together to bring about real change in the Black community.

Our “Washington Watch” newsmaker this week: Delaware senator Ted Kaufman on why financial reform is needed now and why the big Wall Street banks need to be cut down to size. Plus, our “Washington Watch” roundtable: April Ryan, White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks; Armstrong Williams, host of “The Right Side” radio and TV show; Robert Traynham, host of “Roll Call TV” on the Comcast Network; and syndicated columnist George Curry.

And she dedicated her life to fighting for equality and human rights. Today we honor civil rights pioneer Dr. Dorothy Height, who passed last week at the age of 98. All that and more today on “Washington Watch.”

CLICK HERE to download the transcript.

Roland talks with Constitutional Lawyer, Michael Gross about two women who were denied employment at Six Flags because of their dreadlocks. Gross states that this is discrimination when it comes to dreadlocks. Dreadlocks are not a matter of inappropriate grooming or cleanliness. There is nothing inappropriate, unclean or dangerous about them. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in employment hiring practices based upon race, creed, color, country of national origin.

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Roland talks with john Boyd about the settlement for the Black Farmers which has yet to be delivered. Boyd explains that there has been some movement on the issue and they still need people to reach out to leadership and ask them to appropriate the $1.25 billion dollars. Boyd details that many of the Black farmers are dying before this issue can be resolved. Farmers are not able to obtain farm loans and thousands of acres of land are being lost. Boyd believes that the government needs to show them some signs and secure the funding for the settlement.

For more information visit www.BlackFamers.org

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Roland talks with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton about the death of Dr. Dorothy Height. Congresswoman Norton details Dr. Height’s influence on generations and her belief in human rights for all people.

Dr. Height was president of the National Council of Negro Women. She had  worked with presidents and first ladies going all the way back to President Franklin Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.  Dr. Height  had counseled every president since Dwight D. Eisenhower to Barack Obama. She was the only woman to be a part of the civil rights movement Big Six.

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United States Trade Representative, Ron Kirk discusses how vital international trade is to job creation in America. Kirk expresses that 25% of all manufacturing jobs are related to the U.S. ability to export. Kirk details that that U.S. is still the most productive manufacturing economy in the world. Kirk goes on to explain that we are now in a completely global economy. We can not nor should we detach from that because 95% of the worlds consumers live outside of the United States. We have to learn how to compete more effectively and invest in education.

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At the top of our agenda this week, with the announcement that Justice John Paul Stevens is retiring, will we see a second African-American on the Supreme Court? Virginia governor Bob McDonnell declares April Confederate History Month, and he forgets to mention slavery. Will Republican National Chairman Michael Steele be able to survive recent controversies? Our “Washington Watch” newsmaker for this week: Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Congressman Chaka Fattah.

And our “Washington Watch” news panel: Art Fennell, host of “Art Fennel Reports” on the Comcast Network; Elmer Smith, columnist and editorial board member for the Philadelphia Daily News; and Jerry Mondesire, editor and publisher of The Philadelphia Sunday Sun. Plus, Politico.com’s Nia-Malika Henderson on the First Family’s choice of a church for Easter Sunday – all that and more today on “Washington Watch” from Philadelphia.

CLICK HERE to download the transcript.

Congressman Kendrick Meek discusses the importance of filling out the census forms. Meek expresses that even though a lot of people have filled out and returned the form more people need to do so. Congressman Meek also details the response from Southern Florida and attempts to inform African-Americans about the census.

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Don Lemon revisits Roland Martin’s comments about Confederate history month and calling the Confederate army American terrorists. Rev. Jesse Jackson also weighs in on the topic. 04.08.10

Ben Jealous expresses concern about low Census return numbers. The NAACP is going door to door in 78 counties throughout the country, targeting the poorest and hardest to count neighborhoods. Their goal is to increase the census count by 5% over 2000’s numbers.

Jealous goes on to state that there are population shifts happening all over the place. In some cases, prisoners have been categorized as being a part of districts where they are being held and not from where they were taken from.

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Roland Martin appears on CNN’s Rick’s List with Don Lemon to discuss Augusta chairman  Billy Payne’s criticism of Tiger Woods

Roland talks with Mario Van Peebles, who directed New Jack City;Antoine Fuqua, director of Training Day and Brooklyns Finest; plus Will Packer, producer of Stomp the Yard and co-founder of Rainforest films; and, of course, Reginald Hudlin, director of House Party and Boomerang.

What do you think about the visceral reaction to the movie ‘Precious’?

Roland talks with Roy Johnson, Editor in chief of Men’s Fitness, about Tiger Woods’ return to golf. On Monday, April 5th, 2010, Tiger Woods held a press conference to answer questions just prior to The Masters tournament. This will be the first time that Tiger has answered questions from the media since his cheating scandal made news last November.

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Roland Martin talks with Harry Johnson about the King Memorial Foundation and the construction of the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial.

Construction has begun to build Dr. King’s Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Johnson explains that they are working to raise another $14 million to reach the goal of $120 million and looks to have the dedication of the memorial in August of 2011. Johnson discusses the Kids for King program, where students from grades 3 – 12 can submit their thoughts on what Dr. King means to them. The winners will receive prizes and a trip to the King Memorial dedication.

For more information visit www.buildthedream.org.

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Roland talks to Virginia Congressman, Bobby Scott about President Obama’s offshore drilling plan. Scott explains that the East Coast environment should be protected just as the West cost is being protected. Scott states that there is very little benefit from this plan. The oil that results from drilling will not have any impact on the global price of oil. Scott also questions if Republicans will actually support Obama’s offshore drilling plan.

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Roland talks with Melanie L. Campbell, Executive Director and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation about the 2010 Census. Campbell explains that African-Americans should be counted. The  Census has a direct effect on congressional districts, the redrawing of districts, representation in Congress and a share of $400 billion dollars in funding for communities.

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At the top of the agenda this week, the talk is over. The House vote for healthcare is not. Will healthcare become a reality, or will the President be dealt a huge blow?

They’ve trained generations of Black professionals, but can historically Black colleges and universities survive in this so-called “post-racial” America? And Winnie Mandela of South Africa on turning the talk of change into lasting action.

The “Washington Watch” newsmaker this week: California congresswoman Barbara Lee, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, who is right in the middle of the battle for healthcare reform and job creation in the Black community. And in the “Washington Watch” news panel: Robert Traynham of “Roll Call TV” on the Comcast Network; Deborah Mathis, contributor to BlackAmericaWeb.com; Michelle Bernard, MSNBC contributor and president of the Independent Women’s Forum; and the “Black Eagle,” Joe Madison, talk show host on Sirius/XM Radio. Plus, Politico.com’s Nia-Malika Henderson reports on First Lady Michelle Obama’s charge to the nation’s grocers to get moving on providing healthier foods for our children.

CLICK HERE to download the transcript.

Roland appears on The Mo’Nique Show to discuss Washington Watch and new his book, “The First: President Barack Obama’s Road to the White House”. 03.18.10

Roland talks with Tom Burrell, author of “Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority”. Burrell explains that negative images of African-Americans have been distributed for 400 years. Through the distribution of these images the myth of Black inferiority was created. The myth was sold to America in order to justify the profound contradiction of democracy and slavery. Making slaves look like something other than human was the beginning of the most successful marketing campaign in history.

Burrell states later on in the conversation that the abused become apart of the abusing team, where we are perpetrating the myth. Burrell explains that his book, “Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority”, is a guide on how to fight back against this.

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Avi Lewis talks to Cornel West, professor of African American Studies at Princeton, hip hop artist, and one of the most controversial academics in the US about the state of democracy for African-Americans in the US today, US foreign policy, global recession, and his dispute with Lawrence Summers.

Roland talks with Russlynn H. Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. Ali states that the Office of Civil Rights works to ensure that children are free from discrimination. The OCR looks at access and career ready curriculum, how students are disciplined and if discrimination is present, the OCR wants to know why and will look to remedy it. Ali also discusses how the OCR handles school closings and states that there are reasons for closing some of the lower performing schools.

The Office of Civil Rights has jurisdiction over schools, colleges, and universities that receive federal funds.

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Roland discusses his interview with Winnie Mandela. Mandela explained during the interview that expecting massive change one year after the election of President Barack Obama is impossible. How can you ask this President to enact that kind of change when he is following the bad deeds of 43 other Presidents.

Mandela also talks about the danger in South Africa of young people not knowing the struggle for freedom and the struggle against apartheid. The last point Mandela makes during this interview is that obtaining political freedom is one thing but you must also have economic freedom.

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Roland talks with Dr. Michal Young, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Howard University College of Medicine, Interim Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, Director of the Newborn Services at Howard University Hospital, and Director of the B.L.E.S.S. (Breastfeeding Lactation Education Support Services) Initiative at Howard University Hospital.

Dr. Young discusses comments made by Dr. Terry Mason. She explains issues concerning breastfeeding and how long mothers should breastfeed their children. Dr Young also discusses the of benefits that result from brestfeeding.

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Roland continues his discussion with Dr. Terry Mason, Chief Medical Officer for Cook County, IL about the benefits of breastfeeding. Dr. Mason explains that the African-Americna community has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in America. He goes on to explain that breastfeeding helps to lower the risk of certain health problems.

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Roland talks with Dr. Terry Mason, Chief Medical Officer for Cook County, IL about Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ program. Mason explains that Mrs. Obama’s program is an excellent opportunity to highlight childhood obesity. Mason goes on to explain that corporations also need to be accountable for the goods that they are producing for consumption. Physical education should be reinstated in schools that have removed it for budgetary reasons.

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Roland S. Martin/Tom Joyner Morning Show, ‘Living in America’ Roland S. Martin Interview Mix. In this special mix of interviews, Roland talks with Congressman John Lewis, Representative Maxine Waters, journalist Steven A. Smith and April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks.

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MR. ROLAND MARTIN:  Folks, we’re now joined by Education Secretary Arne Duncan here on “Washington Watch.”

Welcome to the show.

SEC’Y. ARNE DUNCAN:  Thanks so much for having me.  I appreciate –

MR. MARTIN:  All right.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — it.

MR. MARTIN:  Glad to have you.   Look.  Education is a huge issue for me, because I fundamentally believe that that is the one issue that can absolutely change the condition of Black America.  So many different things the administration is doing – you guys are catching a whole lot of heat.  Let’s – let’s jump right into this whole notion of challenging people to raise their expectations – parents, students, school districts, teachers, unions – you name it.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  We all have to step up, Roland – all of us:  you, me, everybody.  Nobody gets a pass in this.  We have to educate our way to a better economy.  I’m – I’m absolutely convinced education is the civil rights issue of our generation.  You’re not free – if you can ride the front of the bus, but you can’t read, you’re not free.  You’re still in shackles.  This –

MR. MARTIN:  You can’t read the sign.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — you can’t read the sign.  This is the only way we get there, so we’re pushing extraordinarily hard at every level:  early childhood education, K to 12, higher ed.  The only way to end poverty, the only way to get away from social failure, the only way to have a chance to enter the middle class, to pursue your dreams is by getting a great education; and we all have to do some things very, very differently to get the dramatically better results our children and our country desperately need.

MR. MARTIN:  There were a lot of things that the President talked about in the State of the Union.  Education was one of them.  Here’s what he had to say the other night.

[VIDEO CLIP.]

PRES. BARACK OBAMA:  In the 21st century, the best anti-poverty program around is a world-class education.

[APPLAUSE.]

PRES. OBAMA:  … And in this country, the success of our children cannot depend more on where they live than on their potential.

[END OF VIDEO CLIP.]

MR. MARTIN:  Some 14 – what – billion dollars – new dollars – in terms of targeting this whole issue, to speak to what the President talked about; but what, though, has been the response from districts, people you talk to who said, “Look.  This stuff is not going to work”?  Are they all of a sudden changing their tune?

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  I- — it’s been amazing to see the outpouring of support.  People know we have to get better.  We’re not just wanna – we don’t want to just put more money into education.  We have to invest in reform – not in the status quo – and we’re pushing states and districts very, very hard to change behavior; to raise the bar; to raise expectations, [as] you talked about; to r- – to honestly put children first; and to have high expectations for every, single child – not just some, not just a few.  And I’m unbelievably c- — hopeful about where, as a country, we can go.  Folks want to move.  Folks want to get better.  We’re challenging them to step up to the plate.

MR. MARTIN:  Here’s what I found to be interesting.  I was at the Congressional Black Caucus, and I – I – I met some folks from the California teachers union, and they said, “Man!  These charter schools” – you know, “We’re going to fight this thing.  This is” – “This is George W. Bush, III.”  Frankly, that’s what they’re calling President Barack Obama – a third-term George W. Bush – when it comes to education.

And I said, “Stop.”  I’m saying, “Let me be honest.  I need you to back the hell up.”

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  [Chuckles.]

MR. MARTIN:  I said, “I’m sorry.  I don’t care if it’s home school, charter schools, vouchers, online, public schools, private.”  I said, “There’s no one way to educate a child, and as long as you keep saying, ‘Keep it the same.  Just give us more money, and then be quiet’” – I said, “I’m sorry.  It’s clear.  Our kids are not graduating.”

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  We have a 27 percent dropout rate around the country.  In the Black community, it’s closer to 50 percent.  How can those children get a good job without a high school diploma?  It’s impossible.

What I always think in our country, Roland, is what’s been good for the wealthy in our country is probably good enough for poor folks.  Wealthy folks have had a choice of two, three, four great schools to go to for – for centuries.  Poor folks often have had one school to go to, one choice – and often, frankly, that’s not been a good one.   What if every poor family had two, three, four good schools in their neighborhood to choose from – different types of schools?  That’d be a great, great thing.  We have to empower parents.  We have to create different models of schools.  What works – let’s do more of it.  What doesn’t work – let’s close them down.  I’ve said good charter schools are a big part of the solution.  Bad charter schools are part of the problem.

MR. MARTIN:  Now, I was talking to James Carville and Mary Matalin.  They’re, of course, very involved in what’s happening in New Orleans, and what’s amazing is New Orleans was devastated because of hurricane Katrina, but because everything was wiped out, in essence, you are building from ground zero to change the i- — the dynamics of education in that city.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  It’s a fascinating one.  I spent a lot of time in New Orleans, and this is a tough thing to say, but let me be really honest.  I think the best thing that happened to the education system in New Orleans was hurricane Katrina.  That e- — education system was a disaster, and it took hurricane Katrina to wake up the community to say that “we have to do better.”  And the progress that they’ve made in four years since the hurricane is unbelievable.  They have a chance to create a phenomenal school district.  Long way to go, but that – that city was not serious about its education.  Those children were being desperately underserved prior, and the amount of progress and the amount of reform we’ve seen in a short amount of time has been absolutely amazing.

I have so much respect for the adults, the teachers, the principals that are working hard.  I spent a lot of time talking to students at John – John Mack High School there, many of whom had missed school for six months, eight months, 13 months after the hurricane and still came back to get an education.  Children in our country, they want to learn.  They’re resilient.  They’re tough.  We have to meet them halfway.  We have to give them an opportunity, and New Orleans is doing a phenomenal job of getting that system to an entirely different level.

MR. MARTIN:  You know how I feel about parental responsibility.  When you ran Chicago Public Schools, my wife and I raised my four nieces, took them from my sister and her husband because they were not doing their job when it came to dealing with those children after school.  They were failing, and now they’ve caught up.  They’re doing much better.

You’ve to- — focused on, obviously, the infrastructure; but how do you get through to a single mother, or a father, or even two parents, to understand that the education does not end when the school day ends; that they have to be ha- — they have to have their children reading and writing and going over those things at home as well?  Ho- — how do we get the parent to understand that?

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  Well, I have so much respect for you and what – what you and your wife did.  It’s just a – a remarkable thing that’s going to change those students’ – tho- — those children’s lives forever.

We have to look those parents in the eye.  We have to not sit in our school doors and wait from them to come in.  We have to go knock on doors.  We have to be in Laundromats.  We have to be in beauty salones [phonetic] – salons.  We have to be at churches on Sundays.  We have to be telling parents repeatedly [that] parents are always going to be their children’s most important teachers.  They’re obviously their first teachers.  When parents come to school only to curse out the teacher – [chuckles] – that’s not a partnership; that’s not going to work.

When parents and teachers are locked together in collaboration, those students are going to do very, very well.  Parents have to turn the TVs off at night.  They have to read to their children.  They have to get to know their teachers.  They have to be actively engaged, not just picking up report cards once or twice a year, but every single day.  And we need to be working – and – and let’s be honest.  We have some parents who could do a much, much better job.  We need to challenge them.  We have some children where mom might be on crack.  Dad’s in jail.  The community’s got to step up.  We can’t let that child fall through the cracks.  I think in many communities, we’re being out-hustled.  We’re being out-worked by the gangs.  They’re out there every, single day, on the corner.  They know what children don’t go h- — aren’t going home –

MR. MARTIN:  Right.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — to a family.

MR. MARTIN:  And they’re filling a void.

SEC’Y DUNCAN:  They – they’re right there.  They’re out-h- — they’re out-working us.  So, whether it’s community groups, whether it’s churches, whether it’s school counselors, whether it’s social workers, whether it’s teachers taking children under – under their wing – and we have so many examples of people who’re doing just an extraordinary job.  Nothing to do with their job description.  You know, working huge numbers of hours because they want to make a difference.  And we have to do that child by child, school by school, block by block.

MR. MARTIN:  The changes are not just about what’s happening in elementary school, middle school and high school.  We also see it’s happening in colleges.  The administration took a huge hit [from] a lot of folks in the historically Black [college] community in the first year because – in terms of funding.  What is happening on that front in terms of the funding of HBCUs from – from this administration?

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  We actually have great news that – that, going forward, we’re proposing in the budget an increase of $98 million annually for HBCUs, so it’s a tremendous commitment.  I said from day one we desperately need HBCUs not just to survive, but to thrive.  Half – half of our African-American teachers nationwide come out of HBCUs.  That’s our pipeline.  And so this is a huge commitment that the President is making.  That’s for the institutions themselves.  On top of that, with all the work we’re going to do to increase Pell grants, Perkins Loans, tuition tax credits, we’re basically going to almost double Pell grant opportunities for students going to HBCUs.  So, we want to support the institutions.  We’re going to make sure many more students can go through.

One other point I’d like to make, Roland, is at the back end.  We need to get students into college.  They need to graduate.  At the back end, we’ve put in place something called “income-based repayment,” IBR, which most folks don’t know about yet.

MR. MARTIN:  Um-hum.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  Income-based repayment says we’re going to index your loan repayments to your income, and if you work in the public sector, if you become a teacher, after ten years, those loans are going to be erased.  They’re going to be absolutely forgiven.

MR. MARTIN:  Okay.  So – so, basically, i- — if – if you – I – I – you know, let me just – for the person sitting at home, trying to understand it – and that is just like how we deal with public housing for so many years.  You make X amount of income –

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  Yes.

MR. MARTIN:  — this is – this is the subsidy, if you will.  This is what you – you’re going to be able to pay for – for – for your mortgage.  So, if you g- — come out, and you have a $20,000-a-year job –

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  Right.

MR. MARTIN:  — your friend has a $50,000-a-year job, the person making $20,000 will be then paying less on those student loans than the person making 50.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  That’s exactly right, and then after ten years, if you’re in public service –

MR. MARTIN:  My math teachers –

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — if you’re a teacher –

MR. MARTIN:  — are real impressed right now –

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — [chuckles] –

MR. MARTIN:  — but go ahead.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  You’re do- –

MR. MARTIN:  [Laughs.]

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — you’re doing well.  You’re doing well.  After ten years – not only will those monthly payments be reduced, after ten years they’ll all be forgiven.

We’re going to need a million teachers in our country over the next five, six, eight years.  We have a baby boomer generation retiring.

MR. MARTIN:  Right.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  We want to get this next generation of talent, the hardest-working, the most committed, the people that really believe that every child can be successful, who want to come work in tough communities – in inner-city and disadvantaged areas, rural as well – we want to get the best and brightest, the hardest-working into education; and we’re trying to remove the financial impediments for doing that.  Many folks historically wanted to teach, had a heart for it –

MR. MARTIN:  Right.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — or, a passion for it, but they came out of school with $20,000 in loans, or $100,000 –

MR. MARTIN:  Right.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — in loans.  They simply couldn’t afford it.

MR. MARTIN:  But – but you –

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  We’re removing that barrier.

MR. MARTIN:  — but you also – but – but that’s where the incentives also come in, because let’s just be honest.  We live in a capitalistic society.  When you say “signing bonuses” –

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  Yes.

MR. MARTIN:  — I’m sorry.  That gets people’s –

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  That helps.

MR. MARTIN:  — attention.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  Yeah.  And so we’re saying, “We’ll take away those impediments.  You come teach, we’re going to dramatically reduce your loans.  At the end of the day, they’re all erased.”

MR. MARTIN:  In terms of tracking these things, in terms of – it’s all a matter – a question of progress.  How do you ensure that happens?  Because a lot of times, you can spend money.  Then it’s kind of like, well, you know, a year later, “What really happened?”  And so what are the accountability measures to make sure that things are working?  And if something that you’re – in the – you’re – you’re doing that’s not working, do you –

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  You[‘ve] got –

MR. MARTIN:  — stop doing it?

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — to change.  You[‘ve] got to change.  So, our budget, as you said, got a significant increase.  We’re actually eliminating six programs, and we’re consolidating 38 others.  We can’t just keep feeding the beast.  We can’t perpetuate the status quo.  We have to push a very strong reform agenda, so every, single year, we’re going to be absolutely transparent about what’s working, what’s not.  What you’re seeing through our Race to the Top initiative is tremendous changes in behavior:  state laws changing, higher standards – 48 states working together to raise the bar for students.  We’re going to hold ourselves accountable every, single year to say, “This is what’s working, this is what’s not, and here’s where we’re going to change.”

MR. MARTIN:  Well, let me be clear.  I’m sure there’re some teachers who’re watching, and – and my position is very clear, and that is I fundamentally believe in teachers.  My brother, two of my – no, all three of my sisters – all of them are teachers.  I[‘ve] got four teachers in my family.  I’m the only one not teaching.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  [Chuckles.]

MR. MARTIN:  But the reality is this here:  that there are teachers they’re working alongside who are sorry and who are not educating the children.  I believe the good teachers need to tell the bad ones, “You need to go,” and stop supporting them and keeping them in those systems.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  I think we need to do a couple of things.  Teachers who simply shouldn’t be teaching, after help, after support, they need to find another career.  This is –

MR. MARTIN:  Right.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — too important.  They need to –

MR. MARTIN:  “Nothing personal” –

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  — find something else to do.

MR. MARTIN:  — “but you got to go.”

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  The flipside is where you have phenomenal teachers, phenomenal principals, great schools, great school districts where the average child is gaining two years of growth for two years of instr- — for – for a year’s instruction, where they’re accelerating student achievement, where dropout rates are going down, graduation rates are going up – we need to reward those guys.  We need to learn from them.  We need to recognize them.  We need to pay them more money.  We need to pay math and science teachers more money.

MR. MARTIN:  Right.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  We have a shortage.  So, we need to reward excellence, we need to challenge the middle to continue to improve, and those at the bottom – they[‘ve] got to find something else to do.

MR. MARTIN:  Gotta get our folks educated.  We certainly appreciate it.  Thanks a bunch.

SEC’Y. DUNCAN:  Thanks so much for having me.

[THE TWO SHAKE HANDS.]

MR. MARTIN:  All right.  Thank you.

[END OF SEGMENT.]

Roland S. Martin talks with William A Darity of Duke University about the economic issues that President Obama established during the State of the Union Address. Darity explains that if we are going to address the joblessness crisis we to need to adopt a federal job guarantee for all citizens. A federal job guarantee would assure that the government is the employer of last resort. Those employed by this program would work to create the infrastructure of the future.

Roland talks to Frank Martin producer of For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots. At the center of this multi-faceted initiative is a four-hour, High Definition, two-part documentary television series Executive Produced by Louis Gossett Jr., introduced by Colin Powell and hosted on-camera by Halle Berry. Ten years in the making, the film uses letters, diaries, speeches, journalistic accounts, historical text and military records to document and acknowledge the sacrifices and accomplishments of African-American service men and women since the earliest days of the republic. The story spans the Revolution to the Inauguration of Barack Obama and examines why, despite enormous injustice, these heroic men and women fought so valiantly for freedoms they themselves did not enjoy. The project’s goal is to raise public consciousness and shed light on an extraordinary and relatively unexplored aspect of our nation’s history. The central theme of the initiative, the price of liberty, is relevant to all Americans.

The documentary premieres February 8th, 2010 on PBS.

For more information about this documentary visit http://forloveofliberty.org

DOWNLOAD Transcript | Show Airing Jan. 24, 2010

MR. ROLAND MARTIN: At the top of our agenda this week: the upset victory of

Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts forces a major shift in President Barack Obama’s agenda and political strategy; and finally the Obama administration is taking on the big banks just as the big bonuses are about to be paid. And the people of Haiti remain in dire need. What more can be done? We’ll talk to a writer who was on the ground as the earthquake hit.

Our “Washington Watch” newsmaker this week: White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod on the pressures of the presidency now that the change President Obama campaigned for isn’t happening as fast as the American people expected. In our “Washington Watch” news panel, Sonya Ross, news editor for the Associated Press; Robert Traynham, host of “Roll Call TV” on the Comcast Network; Karen Finney, political strategist and former director of communications for the DNC, as well as MSNBC contributor; and Cornell Belcher, Democratic strategist and pollster. And is the enthusiasm still there among America’s youth, who were part of the Obama Movement, that put him in the White House?

(SEGMENT 1)

MR. MARTIN: Joining me now on “Washington Watch” is White House Senior

Advisor David Axelrod. David, welcome to the show.

MR. DAVID AXELROD: Thank you.

MR. MARTIN: Before we –

MR. AXELROD: Good to be here.

MR. MARTIN: — start talking about politics this week, I want to deal with the whole issue of Haiti in terms of what is happening there. So many people still need food and shelter. They need medicine. Should the United States have gone with the U.S. military at the outset, versus USAID, in order to put the infrastructure in to get the needed supplies there?

MR. AXELROD: Roland, I can tell you that I sat in the Situation Room at the

White House as – shortly after this tragedy unfolded, and there were representatives of the military, of USAID and every – FEMA – every agency that could conceivably have an involvement in this, and all resources were deployed. The problem was that it took some time to move the necessary equipment and manpower into the region. There are some 14,000 troops there now, but we were told that, “No, it’s going to take a little while to get the aircraft carrier down there,” to do all the things that were necessary.

There – it’s been a massive mobilization, and now, you know, I think we’ve delivered — 600,000 bottles of water, 400,000 meals. We’ve treated thousands of people for medical care. We’ve got search and rescue crews in there, and the military is very much there. But we – we – we moved as quickly as was humanly possible to respond, and the President had, you know, really – would – could not have been clearer to everyone in that room that this was a top priority and that no – no time was to be spared.

MR. MARTIN: Lives are, obviously, still most important to be saved, but you have – some UN folks are saying there should be a Marshall Plan for Haiti. That’s obviously long term, but should people be thinking alo- — along those terms: how do you rebuild that country after this devastation?

MR. AXELROD: Well, I think that, obviously, the – the long term is a – is a concern, and not just a concern of ours, but a concern – should be a concern of the region and – and the international –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. AXELROD: — community. And there’s no doubt we should – that we need to be thinking along – and we are thinking along, but the – the immediate crisis is so overwhelming, that the important thing right now is to get – is to get our emergency crews wherever they’re needed.

MR. MARTIN: That’s a crisis offshore in terms of what’s happening in Haiti. Some folks say there’s a crisis in the United States when it comes to the Democratic party. This week, a big upset in Massachusetts. Martha Coakley losing to Scott Brown. Have the American people lost confidence in this president a- — and the Democratic party by controlling the House and controlling the Senate in terms of putting this country in the right direction? Because according to the polling numbers, they say it’s not going in the right direction.

MR. AXELROD: Well, I don’t know why anybody would feel like it was going in the right direction when we’re in the middle of a terribly difficult economic time. We walked in the door into the greatest recession since the Great Depression, and we knew then – I told the President the day we got the economic forecast, which was mid-December, before he took office – I said, “Well, enjoy your poll numbers, because they’re not going to be this way a year from now.” You can’t govern in an economy like this and maintain those numbers, because people understandably are – are – restless and – and eager for improvement – and a- — as are we.

We’ve obviously made some improvement in the sense that we’ve broken the back of the – of the worst of the recession, but the storm did so much damage – 7 million jobs lost – that it’s going to take some time. We knew that.

Now, in terms of Massachusetts, I do want to point out that Senator-elect Brown himself said that he didn’t think the race was a referendum on the President. The President’s approval numbers were actually quite high in Massachusetts.

MR. MARTIN: Those are –

MR. AXELROD: That’s not –

MR. MARTIN: — those are –

MR. AXELROD: — not to say that there –

MR. MARTIN: — those are policies. I mean the whole issue of the reaction to Wall Street – the anger there, in ter- — in terms of healthcare – those things. I mean, look. The President came out strongly against the banks last week, but let’s just be honest. We s- — we heard nine months of, you know, “The bonuses are too high,” but there was not definitive action to target the banks, and I think people were saying, “Look. What are you going to do?”

MR. AXELROD: Roland, well, I – I would say this. We’ve been aware of – of this for some time. We knew back in the – when we came to office, we were told that the financial system was on the verge of collapse, that there was a real threat of another Great Depression. The previous administration started this TARP program to try and stabilize the banks. We, I think, managed it much more effectively, and we’ve gotten a lot of that money back, but we knew it wasn’t popular then. Who would be happy about having to stabilize an industry where the reckless speculation helped create the – the crisis that we’re all suffering through? We always understood that.

In terms of bonuses, we said then, and we took some tough steps then to say,

“No short-term cash bonuses.” You know, “Put most of the money in stock. You have”

– “You have to have a stake in the success of your company.” A lot of those firms followed that, but nobody can condone $145 billion in bonuses in an environment like this.

MR. MARTIN: So much time and attention and political capital was put into healthcare, obviously. Looking back, was it a mistake not to be as – as – as focused in terms – and as public – when it came to the economy? And are you looking at changing the political strategy, knowing full well you’re not going to have the super majority in the Senate to be able to move legislation through in terms of combating a filibuster?

MR. AXELROD: Well, obviously, we need to consider what the implications of – of the Republican strategy is. The Republican strategy in the Senate is to turn 50 into 60. In other words, no longer do you need a majority to carry the day in the Senate.

You need 60 votes for everything, because the Republicans are filibustering every single bill, using a procedural device to slow everything down – even stuff they support. You know, they’ve slowed down for weeks bills that they then all voted for –

MR. MARTIN: Bu- — bu- — but –

MR. AXELROD: — simply to disrupt the process. W- — we need to call that out,

and we need to – they need to explain to the American people whether throwing a

wrench into everything at a – at a time of national emergency is the appropriate policy.

MR. MARTIN: — but the Demo- –

MR. AXELROD: They –

MR. MARTIN: — -crats –

MR. AXELROD: — want – they want to win an election and take us back to the policies that got us into this mess in the first –

MR. MARTIN: — but the –

MR. AXELROD: — place.

MR. MARTIN: — Democrats still have [an] 18-vote margin, and so, therefore, why is it that – why aren’t the Democrats being even more aggressive? Because, look, President George W. Bush never had a[n] 18-vote margin in the Senate, and he was still able to get bills through. So, d- — are the Democrats willing to be tough enough to go against the Republicans?

MR. AXELROD: Well, Roland, we – we’ve gotten some very difficult things through, and certainly we’re going to be willing – we’re tough enough to challenge them on – o- — on any matter, but the reality is that they have used the filibuster in ways that they’ve never been used before, and we’re going to have to – we’re going to have to work through what the implications of that are. If they continue in that strategy, we’re going to have to have a public discussion about exactly what they’re up to at a time, as I said, of great national need and great national emergency.

MR. MARTIN: All right. Going back – a- — again, when it comes to political strategy –

MR. AXELROD: Yes.

MR. MARTIN: — looking back, how do you then move forward? Because Republicans are saying, “Work with us,” but we’ve heard “no,” “no,” no” all year. Is the President going to pull them in and begin to truly make this whole – reach this whole notion of bipartisanship? Or, do you expect Republicans to continue on –

MR. AXELROD: Well, we’re –

MR. MARTIN: — the path that –

MR. AXELROD: — we – we’re – look, we’re going to give them the opportunity to be as good as their word, but we’re prepared that they’re – that they may not be. If, in fact, they want to slow down health insurance reform, the question is, “Give us your plan to deal with the problem of people who have preexisting conditions, who can’t get insurance.” “Give us your plan to deal with rescission, so that when people get sick they don’t get thrown off their insurance.” “Give us your plan to” – “to cap the po-“ –  “out-of-pocket expenses for people, so if they get seriously ill, they won’t go broke.”

“Give us your plan to deal with all these problems that ‘re afflicting middle-class people and – a– and others all over this country.”

MR. MARTIN: Now, that’s Republicans. How do you deal with your own party? It seems that – that the President and the administration is – is dealing with a Democratic party that has no understanding of unity. You have folks with all kind[s] of different ideas in the House and the Senate, and so i- — in many ways, your problem with healthcare this year wasn’t with Republicans; it was trying to pull your own party together. How do you make it happen with so many of them saying now every seat’s now in play, and they’re all freaking out because of what happened in Massachusetts?

MR. AXELROD: Well, let me say this. You know, I – I understand the – the nature of politics. I understand that events shape people, and this is a – this is a – a scary event for people. I don’t think the answer is to be timid. I don’t think the answer is to run in another direction. The – th- — our efforts on health insurance reform were the most – they – they were valuable, they were important, and they – and when you tell people –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. AXELROD: — what was in the bill, they’re well appreciated. But what’s going to happen is if we don’t move forward, and we don’t produce something, the American people are going to believe the caricature that was –

MR. MARTIN: On healthcare.

MR. AXELROD: — drawn by Republicans and the health insurance industry. I think that’s a terrible mistake. Pass the bill, and when people realize that they have new power relative to their insurance companies; when they realize that, if they’re a senior citizen, they’ve got new coverage on prescription drugs – no more huge donut hole; when people realize there’s a cap on their out-of- pocket expenses, let – let the opponents of health insurance reform say, “No. We want to take that away from you.” That would be good politics.

MR. MARTIN: ‘Bout 30 seconds. Are we going to see the President strike a populist tone in his State of the Union address Wednesday night?

MR. AXELROD: Roland, the President of the United States ran for president to

–      to – to – to create jobs, but also to raise incomes, to make sure that this economy works for everyone, and not just a fortunate few. And he will address that in the State of the Union.

–

MR. MARTIN: Okay. We’ll see what happens next. David Axelrod, we certainly appreciate it. Thanks a lot.

MR. AXELROD: Great. Great to be with you.

MR. MARTIN: Folks, the mood of the country seems angry and frustrated with Washington and the President. How will that affect the President’s plans and policies? Our “Washington Watch” panel this week: Sonya Ross, of the Associated Press;

Robert Traynham, host of “Roll Call TV”; Karen Finney, Democratic political strategist; and Cornell Belcher, a pollster in the Obama campaign – they’re all talking about that and much more. Plus, heartbreak from Haiti. We’ll talk to a journalist who is using the Internet to let people know that help is still needed in Haiti.

[END OF SEGMENT.]

Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré was highly praised for his leadership of recovery efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, so he’s well-versed in what works and what doesn’t in disaster management.

The general told CNN last week that the U.S. military should have responded sooner to the earthquake in Haiti because “time is of the essence” in helping quake survivors.

CNN’s Nicole Dow talked to Gen. Honoré Wednesday about his assessment of the situation in Haiti since he made those remarks.

CNN: There are reports of looting in Haiti. Is it looting, or an attempt at survival?

Gen. Russel Honoré: In the first days after a disaster, people are generally scavenging for food. They are trying to find food where they can. People are going into survival mode.

Due to challenges and logistical issues, they use the food they have and what they can get their hands on. I would use the word “looting” lightly — these people are surviving. It’s reminiscent of what was seen during Katrina in the convention center. They survived because they found food in the surrounding areas.

CNN: With the potential for violence running high, how can civilians protect themselves?

Honoré: People should stay in their family groups and be with people they trust. During a disaster, in the case of not having enough communication, some of the information coming out is speculation and rumor.

The role of the military is to provide a sense of order and try to keep people from becoming too excited when food and water are distributed. They also assure that help is on the way.

To read the entire interview visit CNN

CNN’s John King sits down with Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton about President Obama’s first year and the situation in Haiti.

Roland talks with Mike Hammer, Sr. Director of Press and Communications for the National Security Council about President Obama and the U.S. response to the crisis in Haiti. The delivery of aid and the conditions on the ground that can possibly hamper the relief effort.

Roland talks with Florida Kendrick Meek about U.S. resources and aid that is being sent to Haiti. Former President, Bill Clinton and President Obama’s call to help the people of Haiti. TJMS will travel to Haiti and establish an internet cafe to help Haitians contact family members around the world.

Roland S. Martin discusses his interview with President Barack Obama for the upcoming MLK TV One special and response to Sen. Harry Reid’s comments.

There’s only one place to see President Obama talk candidly about the Harry Reid debacle and that’s on TV One.

Roland Martin sat down with the president to talk about his first year in office, the continuing issue of race and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. See the full interview on January 18 at 8pm and 11pm(ET).

What did Armstrong Williams just say about fellow African-American republican, Michael Steele? Watch as Roland and the panel discuss Steele’s latest statements and how he’s bucking against his own party.

MR. ROLAND MARTIN: At the top of our agenda this week: the Christmas terror plot that should have been stopped. Plus, was the President’s response the right one? And the nation loses another 85,000 jobs in December.

Our “Washington Watch” newsmakers this week: Austan Goolsbee, Chief Economist of President Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board. Also joining us, Mississippi congressman Bennie Thompson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in the House. With our “Washington Watch” panel: Armstrong Williams, syndicated TV and radio host of “The Right Side”; Deborah Mathis, former White House correspondent and BlackAmericaWeb.com contributor; Ana Marie Cox, national correspondent for Air America Radio; and Robert Traynham, host of “Roll Call TV” on the Comcast Network.

And in our “Obama Watch,” The Washington Post’s Robin Givhan reviews the first lady, Michelle Obama, ‘s first year and what she needs to do now. And Sirius XM Radio host Joe Madison on the President’s safety. All that and more today on “Washington Watch.”

(SEGMENT 1)*

MR. MARTIN: Joining me today is Austan Goolsbee, Director and Chief Economist of the Economic Recovery Advisory Board and a member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors.

Austan, welcome to “Washington Watch.”

MR. AUSTAN GOOLSBEE: Thanks for having me.

MR. MARTIN: Jump right into it. Some troubling numbers, if you will, on Friday – unemployment numbers. Lost 85,000 jobs in December, but the unemployment rate remains the same at 10 percent – not the numbers you guys were looking for.

MR. GOOLSBEE: Yeah, that’s certainly fair. You know, the – the President’s always said it’s going to be a bumpy road. This is the worst recession since 1929. Started in 2007, and I think it’s clear the trend is broadly the right way. When the President took office, we were losing 700,000 jobs a month. The last three months, you know, we’re down to something like one tenth of that, but it’s not near enough. Ten percent unemployment rate is way too high. The President every day – you know, we’re – we – he – he’s coming at it, and he’s called for a jobs package. Just on Friday, you saw him outlining further Recovery Act steps for this clean energy manufacturing, trying to generate jobs there. And so I – you know, you’re going to see a lot more in i- — in a lot of those areas.

MR. MARTIN: Well, on the political side, Democrats, though, are very concerned, saying, “Look. We are not going to be able to afford going down this road and not seeing any improvement.” They think that, look, if you don’t see significant gains in the economy, you’re going to see major losses in the House and the Senate come November. Is the White House concerned about that?

MR. GOOLSBEE: I’m not on the political side; I’m just on the policy side, but they’re right. We do need substantial gains in employment. The President’s totally not satisfied with the unemployment rate staying at 10 percent and us losing jobs. The trend is going in the right way, but we’ve got to do far more than that.

We don’t have a healthy economy until we[‘ve] got healthy job growth, so I – I think that tends to point to the President’s jobs package, continuing to get the recovery money out the door. The whole second wave of projects of the Recovery Act – we[’ve] got to be mindful and try to get that out in the economy, and tha- — that’s what we[‘ve] got to do every day, because I – I think separate from just the politics; on straight content grounds, it’s not enough. We[‘ve] got the – having smaller amounts [sic] of job loss – sure, that’s better, but that’s not good. We can’t – you – you can’t lose thousands of jobs and be happy.

MR. MARTIN: [The] unemployment rate remains the same, at 10 percent, but for Black unemployment it rose: 15.6 percent –

MR. GOOLSBEE: Yep.

MR. MARTIN: — to 16.2 percent. Can there be a – a specific plan – granted, you have a[n] overall plan to increase jobs, but can there be, and will there be, something targeted to deal with this – this significant unemployment among African-Americans? We saw the report on Detroit. Fifty percent of people in that particular city are unemployed. You know, a majority Black city. What about Black unemployment? What can this administration do specifically?

MR. GOOLSBEE: Well, I’d say a couple of things about that. A- — as you say, the President ha- — the President’s view is that if we improve the economy, that’s going to benefit all groups, and that we’ve got to put a focus on general job growth for the economy. Historically, among minority groups, recessions are particularly devastating; and this, being the worst recession since 1929, has been especially hard-hit among African-Americans –

MR. MARTIN: Absolutely.

MR. GOOLSBEE: — Hispanics; and young workers especially have been it has well.

I would say the President – if – if you look in Congress, they have a jobs package that are [sic] targeted to disadvantaged areas, and the President has expressed support for – for what they have in Congress, but I think the – that, specifically, one of the most important things is the President’s increasing focus on loosening up small business credit. Small business ha- — is disproportionately minority employment, and disadvantaged areas tend to be a – have more of a small business focus, and they’ve been the hardest-hit in this credit crunch. You see, big business, they have access to capital markets in a way that small business does not, so they’ve had – they’ve been able to come back somewhat more quickly than others have. So, I think the President’s efforts in that area are one.

The second is the contracting and construction jobs – government contracting and other construction coming out of the Recovery Act. You’ve seen a big push in that area. A lot of that money is coming online in 2010 –

MR. MARTIN: But wo- — but one of the –

MR. GOOLSBEE: — and –

MR. MARTIN: — things I’m hearing –

MR. GOOLSBEE: — yeah?

MR. MARTIN: — on that particular point, though, is that many states are not even meeting their minority contracting goals. And so how – how is this administration going to make sure that, look, if you’re funneling these billions of dollars for these construction projects at the African- –

MR. GOOLSBEE: They’re hitting –

MR. MARTIN: — -Americans and other –

MR. GOOLSBEE: — their goals.

MR. MARTIN: — minorities –

MR. GOOLSBEE: Look, uh –

MR. MARTIN: — are getting –

MR. GOOLSBEE: — th- –

MR. MARTIN: — environmental contracts, construction contracts, that they are participating in this recovery?

MR. GOOLSBEE: I agree with that, and I would say two things about it. The first is the data varies by state. Some states are hitting it. On – as an overall target, the share of the contracts going to small business and to – to disadvantaged economic groups have [sic] been at or above the targets on a – on an overall basis, but it hasn’t been enough, and you saw Secretary of Transportation – Secretary LaHood – send a letter out to all the governors, instructing them, “Look, we want you to break some of these big contracts up into smaller pieces to give more opportunity to small businesses to bid on these contracts,” ‘cause if the contract’s for a billion dollars, small –

MR. MARTIN: Precisely.

MR. GOOLSBEE: — business can’t do it. And so y- — I think you have seen that. That’s an area of concern, but I think you’ve seen some progress in that.

And as I say, the first wave of the Recovery Act tended to concentrate more on the – getting the tax cuts out, where they cut taxes for 95 percent of workers. G- — some of the incent- — money to – to the state governments and some of the incentives. And now in this second wave, you’re seeing a lot of the construction projects and infrastructure; and so, you know, I’m kind of hopeful that it’s going to be i- — there’s going to be some – some in that.

MR. MARTIN: You talked about the issue of the banks and loosening credit. The President met with a lot of the major bankers prior to the holidays, but what more is he going to do? Is he going to put some serious pressure on these banks? Because, look, the – their – their stocks are rebounding.

MR. GOOLSBEE: Right.

MR. MARTIN: They’re making money because –

MR. GOOLSBEE: Right.

MR. MARTIN: — the American people bailed them out, and it seems as if they’re sitting back, holding that money, hoarding the cash, waiting for things to get better, while small businesses and Main Street and MLK Street are getting totally screwed in this economy.

MR. GOOLSBEE: I- — w- — without using that exact language, that’s exactly what the President told the bankers. He said, “Look, we” – you know, “We saved your bacon, and you have both a moral and a[n] economic obligation, as” – “as a form of repayment of that debt, to help the American economy, and especially small business.’

So, I think you saw a l- — ha- — have seen a lot of pressure – moral suasion kind of pressure, but in addition to that, a series of programs that the President has outlined, some carrots, some sticks, saying, “Here’s how we want to facilitate you getting lending out to small business, especially, but credit, in general. And if you’re not going to do it,” y- — you know, “there is going to be” – “there’s going to be some downsides to you.” They’re – they’re going to look askance.

Now –

MR. MARTIN: S- –

MR. GOOLSBEE: — it’s not a bad thing that the –

MR. MARTIN: — right.

MR. GOOLSBEE: — banks are paying back the money. We want them to pay –

MR. MARTIN: All right. Right.

MR. GOOLSBEE: — back the money, with interest. Pay the – look, they got a lot, and what was a $700 billion program, now they’re down to – CBO, I believe, i- — is expecting losses to be in the $130 billion range. Look, that’s good, but y- — we – we[‘ve] got to do more, and the banks need to do more to –

MR. MARTIN: Well I – I –

MR. GOOLSBEE: — get the economy.

MR. MARTIN: — say you[‘ve] got a carrot and a stick. Maybe somebody’s gotta need a sledgehammer.

MR. GOOLSBEE: [Chuckles.] Right.

MR. MARTIN: Austan Goolsbee, we certainly appreciate it. Thanks a lot.

MR. GOOLSBEE: Yeah, great to see you –

MR. MARTIN: All right.

MR. GOOLSBEE: — again –

MR. MARTIN: Thank you.

MR. GOOLSBEE: — Roland.

MR. MARTIN: Good to have you back.

[END OF SEGMENT.]

(SEGMENT 2)*

MR. MARTIN: Folks, no shortage of big news this week, and right in the middle of it is the chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson, who joins us via satellite from Jackson, Mississippi.

Congressman, how’s it going?

REP. BENNIE THOMPSON: Doing all right. How are you today, Roland?

MR. MARTIN: Doing great, sir. On Friday, the President listed four actions he was taking to make the intelligence system work better. And as he was talking, I was thinking, “Wow. These are things that they have been outlining for the last eight years, and we thought they should have been done.”

Here’s what he had to say. Take a listen.

[VIDEO CLIP.]

PRES. BARACK OBAMA: First, I’m directing that our intelligence community immediately begin assigning specific responsibility for

investigating all leads on high-priority threats, so that these leads are pursued and acted upon aggressively. Second, I’m directing that intelligence reports, especially those involving potential threats to the United States, be distributed more rapidly and more widely. Third, I’m directing that we strengthen the analytical process, how our analysis – how – how our analysts process and integrate the intelligence that they receive. And, finally, I’m ordering an immediate effort to strengthen the criteria used to add individuals to our terrorist watch list – especially the no fly list.

[END, VIDEO CLIP.]

MR. MARTIN: Chairman Thompson, didn’t the 9-11 commission cover this? Why are we repeating the same things again eight years after the attacks on September 11^th, 2001?

REP. THOMPSON: Roland, that’s because those legacy organizations tend to hunker down and stovepipe information and intelligence. We’ve discussed this ever since 9-11. As you said, we’ve held hearings, we’ve passed legislation, but in the end, it’s those agencies having the will and the desire to make it happen.

I’m happy that President Obama is now coming out and assuming personal responsibility, as the commander-in-chief, to say to his people, “Do it.” Congress has been saying it all along, but obviously, it’s been falling on deaf ears.

MR. MARTIN: You’re going to hold a hearing on the Christmas Day attempted attack on the plane landing in Detroit. What are you looking for? What are you trying to ascertain in that hearing for the – is – is it [an] effort to satisfy the American people? Is it to assess blame? What are you looking for?

REP. THOMPSON: Well, it’s a combination of all of that. First of all, we want to know how this gentleman fell through the cracks, how somebody who should have been on everyone’s radar screen was not. The other thing we want to look at is could technology presently deployed [have] prevented it. We’re not sure. The other issue is to what extent did human error or human omission cause this situation to develop. So, from a[n] oversight perspective, we’ll look at all of it.

But [it’s] clear – you know, the President’s a good guy. He’s taking the blame. You know, the guy at the top should do it. But, clearly, there were some professionals in the system who should have made absolutely positive that something like this should not have happened.

MR. MARTIN: The President said no one will be losing their jobs over this, but should heads roll? Should individuals who’re responsible be put out to pasture by not “connecting the dots,” as the President said?

REP. THOMPSON: Well, those four issues the President outlined are issues that are already in law. We’ve invested hundreds of millions of dollars in technology. We have hundreds of analysts in the system. So, again, it’s nice that he’s taking the – the brunt of the – the responsibility, but there are people downstream in the system who should have been able to connect the dots. Now, if he’s willing to let people off, he’s in charge; but, ultimately, we have, as I said, hundreds of people who could’ve picked up some of this information and shared it, and they didn’t.

MR. MARTIN: There’s no doubt that – that Republicans are taking advantage of this, trying to portray Democrats as being weak on national security, on terrorism. The first year of the President’s administration was all about healthcare. They want right now to be all about jobs, but is this incident going to push national security to the top of the agenda? And will this administration have to be more forceful in dealing with national security, dealing with terrorism and the War on Terror, which the fre- — President even used that phrase is a surprise to many, in his comments calling it a “war on terror.”

REP. THOMPSON: Well, clearly, it’s an issue. The – the Christmas Day event triggered a – a number of – of reviews. Clearly, the war in Afghanistan, the arisings [sic] that we’re seeing in Yemen and Somalia and other places cause us great concern. I’m convinced that the President, in his leadership capacity – he has the bully pulpit – he has to make the case. National security is an issue, but it’s a complicated issue. There are a number of committees of jurisdiction in the United States House of Representatives and in the Senate. The President has to bring all those committees together, and talk about that vision.

I anticipate some of that to come in the State of the Union message, which he will bring within the next month. But national security is a big issue, but we can’t just throw money –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

REP. THOMPSON: — at the problem.

MR. MARTIN: About – I[‘ve] got about fo- –

REP. THOMPSON: One of our challenges, as you – a- — as you know, Roland, is we have a history of throwing money at the problem and still not fixing the problem.

MR. MARTIN: — right.

REP. THOMPSON: My committee is interested in fixing the problem.

MR. MARTIN: I[‘ve] got about 30 seconds left. What about the President using the bully pulpit to challenge the American people? It seems Americans flying in airports don’t want to be inconvenienced. They really don’t want to go through the onerous searches, the whole issue of bags – things along those lines. Is it time for the American people – look – look at the whole issue of body scanners? Isn’t it time for the American people to stop complaining about security and recognize it’s a matter of their safety, as opposed to convenience?

REP. THOMPSON: Absolutely, and if you want safety, you’re going to have to compromise convenience. You’ll never be able to travel like you have been in the past. Times are different.

MR. MARTIN: Congressman Bennie Thompson, we certainly appreciate it. Thanks a lot for joining us.

REP. THOMPSON: Thank you for having me.

MR. MARTIN: Folks, up next: our “Washington Watch” panel with syndicated TV and radio host of “The Right Side,” Armstrong Williams; BlackAmericaWeb.com columnist Deborah Mathis; national correspondent for Air America Ana Marie Cox; and “Roll Call TV” host Robert Traynham. And a little later on, the Black Eagle, Joe Madison, is here, and he wants to know “how safe is President Obama?”

[END OF SEGMENT.]

(SEGMENT 3)

MR. MARTIN: All right, folks. Our “Washington Watch” panel is ready for the new year and the new challenges facing our country. Joining me to talk about some of the issues today is Armstrong Williams, syndicated TV and radio host of “The Right Side”; Deborah Mathis, always an introvert, former White House correspondent and BlackAmericaWeb.com contributor; Ana Marie Cox – she’s a newbie on the panel – national correspondent for Air America Radio. We haze all of our newbies, Ana. And Robert Traynham, host of “Roll Call TV” on the Comcast Network.

All right. Let’s jump right into it. [The] President comes out. He does not pull a – [unintelligible] – mystical move, saying, “It ain’t my fault.” He came out, said, “It’s my fault. Hey, I” – “The buck stops with me.” Smart move or not – him accepting blame for the lack of connecting the dots with our inte- — intelligence community?

MS. DEBORAH MATHIS: It was a smart move, and –

MR. MARTIN: You liked it?

MS. MATHIS: — absolutely. I mean I don’t think he – any real man –

MS. ANA MARIE COX: [Chuckles.]

MS. MATHIS: — had a choice but to do that. And so I’m glad that he did that front and center. I remember when I was covering the White House in – in ’93, with Waco. One of the problems was is that Janet Reno took responsibility for that happening – that whole conflagration in Waco, and the criticism was on Bill Clinton for not doing the same thing.

MR. MARTIN: Um-m-m.

MR. ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS: You – you know, the problem, though, is he didn’t do enough. You know, you accept his apology. He showed leadership. Let me tell you, man. Heads needed to roll over this. Someone needed to be fired, terminated. Someone needed to be made an example of. There is no way after a father goes and plead[s] to one of our embassies that his son may be a terrorist and pleads to make sure that this kid does not get on an airplane, and all the security breaches, for this man to get on an airplane and for Napolitano to get – and having these press conferences where she keeps contradicting herself is inexcusable. Heads needed to roll! This –

MR. MARTIN: Ana, that’s a na- –

MR. WILLIAMS: — was serious!

MR. MARTIN: — is a Wa- — a natural Washington response to fire people. This president went out of his way to say, “Look. I’m going to fix the problem,” versus automatically jump to getting rid of someone.

MS. COX: Yeah, and – and look at the m- — the – what they released is actually really remarkable. The – the amount we know about what went wrong is – is, to – in contrast to what the Bush administration would’ve released, and what they have released, is really – it’s really striking – especially when you consider the lack of transparency on healthcare – [chuckles] – reform. We know more about what happened at this –

MR. MARTIN: [Laughs.]

MS. COX: — this – this terror plot than we do about healthcare negotiations, which is great. I mean I feel the more information, the better.

And I also have to say, like, I was at that briefing where Brennan and Napolitano came out and talked about it. And Brennan, I – I tell you, I think he wanted his head to roll. Like, I mean these people take this very seriously.

MR. MARTIN: He said he told the President –

MS. COX: Right.

MR. MARTIN: — “I failed you.”

MS. COX: Yeah. He said he – the President – failed, and if you watch his body language, you watch the seriousness with which he takes this, it’s really, really –

MS. MATHIS: And it was –

MS. COX: — striking, and it – it – and it makes me glad he’s on our side.

MS. MATHIS: — and I – [crosstalk]- –

MS. COX: I want –

MR. ROBERT TRAYNHAM: From a –

MS. COX: — these people –

MR. MARTIN: Robert?

MS. COX: — on our side.

MR. TRAYNHAM: — from a leadership standpoint, the President did the right thing. It’s – it’s refreshing to see our leader take responsibility for something, because ultimately the buck does stop with him.

From a political standpoint, it was playing Russian roulette. There’s no question about it. Here’s why – is because you have a staff around you that are supposed to take the bullets for you, literally and figuratively, when something does go wrong. And it also sends a message to the other staffers, Roland, as well as to your political adversaries, that you mean business, and you mean what you say.

Back in 1981, when Ronald Reagan said, “I will fire you, air traffic controllers, if you do not come back to work,” guess what he did? He fired them, and it sent a message throughout the whole, entire bureaucracy that “this man mea-” – “means business.”

MR. MARTIN: But I think this president’s sending a different message, and that is – by him coming out, saying, “Look, I’m accepting responsibility,” first of all, he immediately ends all the process stories of who should go, when they should go – that whole kind of deal. He then tan- — changes the focus solely on how do we move forward in terms of making this whole thing better. That, to me, seemed to be the plan here, because the moment he did that, look, it ended all the debate about, well, who should – who really messed up. He said, “Now, let’s fix something.”

[CROSSTALK.]

MR. WILLIAMS: But wait a minute. What – what about – what about, then – if that is the case, he needs to get his attorney general, Eric Holder, under control. Here he is Mirandarizing [sic] the rights, saying that this man is entitled to a lawyer. He’s entitled to rights that Americans would have if they’re facing a crime. It is a fact that this kid committed this crime. It is a fact he was a knucklehead. It is a fact he tried to blow up the aircraft. And here you’re telling me that he needs a lawyer? He needs to have rights? No! This guy should be tried in a military tribunal. It’s the –

MR. MARTIN: But – but – but –

MR. WILLIAMS: — wrong message!

MR. MARTIN: — this administration has made it perfectly clear that we are going to do this differently than the – than the Bush administration.

MS. MATHIS: Yeah, and I – I will tell you that I do part company with them in this area. I think there is a distinction between somebody who commits a crime as we have on our statutes – federal, state and local – and someone who commits an act, or attempts to commit an act, of terror. I have a 14-month-old granddaughter. He would have bombed her out of the sky for all he cares. I – you know, to attack totally innocent strangers for something you believe in, because it is your firm belief – that is a different caliber, to me, and I think it is an act of war, and they should be treated differently and not treated the same –

MS. COX: I – I –

MS. MATHIS: — as –

MS. COX: — disagree.

MS. MATHIS: — another criminal.

MS. COX: I respectfully disagree, because I think if you start defining acts of terror as different – as different than an act of crime, you start have to doing [sic] mind reading. You start creating kind of a thought crime –

MS. MATHIS: I understand.

MS. COX: — because like you said – you were saying his intent was to create terror. Well, then we have to, like, go through each person that cre- — creates – that commits –

MS. MATHIS: But, see –

MS. COX: — a crime.

MS. MATHIS: — we’ve done that with hate crimes.

MS. COX: And I’m also –

MS. MATHIS: We’ve taken –

MS. COX: — against hate crimes.

MS. MATHIS: — we’ve ta- –

MS. COX: I’m sorry – [chuckles].

MS. MATHIS: — we’ve taken hate crimes, and we’ve do- — oh, well – well, then you’re –

MR. TRAYNHAM: It’s premeditated.

MS. MATHIS: — you’re consistent.

MR. TRAYNHAM: It’s premeditated, which is –

MS. MATHIS: And I –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — [crosstalk].

MS. MATHIS: — understand –

MR. MARTIN: This is a president, though, who has been very clear as relates to what makes America America is how we operate, the whole –

MS. COX: The rule of law.

MR. MARTIN: — issue of due process and the rule of law, and that – that seems to be what – the message they’re sending on this.

MS. MATHIS: But crimes –

MS. COX: I think that’s true.

MS. MATHIS: — of war –

MR. WILLIAMS: War.

MS. MATHIS: — are considered –

MR. WILLIAMS: Certainly –

MS. MATHIS: — different.

MR. WILLIAMS: — different –

MS. MATHIS: They have –

MR. WILLIAMS: — and they –

MS. MATHIS: — always –

MR. WILLIAMS: — are.

MS. MATHIS: — the rules of war are different.

MR. WILLIAMS: Different.

MR. TRAYNHAM: Exa- — exactly. And here – here’s –

MR. WILLIAMS: Yes.

MR. TRAYNHAM: — here’s the premise. The – the Obama administration – rightfully or wrongfully – believes that you’re still innocent until proven guilty. That is the overall fabric of who we are, as Americans.

MR. MARTIN: Well, actually –

MR. TRAYNHAM: However –

MR. MARTIN: — a- — I d- –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — however –

MR. MARTIN: — well, actually –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — when you are on a plane, and you intentionally want to blow something up, are you still innocent?

MR. MARTIN: — actually, well, first of all, you – [crosstalk] — remember they –

MS. COX: It’s a – [crosstalk] –

MR. MARTIN: — were talking –

MS. COX: — mystery.

MR. TRAYNHAM: [Chuckles.]

MR. MARTIN: — remember – remember they were talking about the t- — the terror trials in New York that – which will be held.

MR. TRAYNHAM: That’s right.

MR. MARTIN: The President said –

MR. TRAYNHAM: [Crosstalk] – problem.

MR. MARTIN: — “We will hold the triers [sic]” – “trials” –

MS. COX: And – [crosstalk] –

MR. MARTIN: — “They will” –

MS. COX: — guilty. [Chuckles.]

MR. MARTIN: — “be found guilty.” So – and he was very clear –

MS. COX: Well, that was –

MR. MARTIN: — that it wasn’t innocent –

MR. TRAYNHAM: But w- — but wait a minute –

MR. MARTIN: — ‘til proven –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — Roland.

MR. TRAYNHAM: — guilty.

[CROSSTALK.]

MS. COX: ‘Scuse me.

MR. TRAYNHAM: It’s guilty. You will be guilty.

MR. TRAYNHAM: But, Roland, it sends a – it sends a – a conflicting message to our enemies out there by saying, “Okay. You know what? We’re going to blow you up, but we als-” – “but we also are guaranteed rights.”

MR. MARTIN: Let me say this.

MR. TRAYNHAM: Well, s- –

MR. MARTIN: I – I think f- — I think – I think a mistake is being made, and that is I think you have to separate the actions after he was arrested from the failures prior to him getting –

MR. TRAYNHAM: Absolutely.

MR. MARTIN: — on the plane.

MS. COX: And I think that’s what they’re –

MR. MARTIN: And so the –

MS. COX: — trying to do.

MR. MARTIN: — and that’s what the pro- — so, what – as what’s ha- — the Republicans have immediately jumped on terror trials, giving him a lawyer. You know what? We can deal with that. We’ve got –

MR. WILLIAMS: I agree.

MR. MARTIN: — to deal with the failure –

MS. COX: That’s right.

MR. MARTIN: — before the guy –

MR. TRAYNHAM: But –

MR. MARTIN: — got –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — but –

MR. MARTIN: — on the plane.

MR. TRAYNHAM: — yeah, right. And here – here’s another element about this, and I think this is where it’s a little bit murkier – is because, as Armstrong mentioned a few moments ago, you have the – the secretary of Homeland Security come out and saying, “The system worked.”

Well, the system did not work. The bottom line is that the dots were connected, but the issue really was – is that the information was not passed on to the right people.

MR. MARTIN: A- — A- –

MS. MATHIS: [Crosstalk] – say – [crosstalk] –

MR. MARTIN: — final comment on this –

MS. MATHIS: — only reason –

MR. MARTIN: — [crosstalk].

MS. MATHIS: — only reason that I’m willing to give Janet Napolitano more time – because I was disgusted by her performance, to be honest with you – is that nobody did get hurt, and nobody did die. Had that happened, we’d be talking a whole –

MR. TRAYNHAM: Yeah, but you now –

MS. MATHIS: — different ballgame.

MR. TRAYNHAM: — Deborah, there – [crosstalk] –

MR. WILLIAMS: But why didn’t they get –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — [crosstalk].

MR. WILLIAMS: — hurt is not because the man did not –

MS. MATHIS: She lucked out.

MR. WILLIAMS: — try. He did not know what he was doing. He –

MS. MATHIS: She lucked –

MR. WILLIAMS: — was not trained.

MS. MATHIS: — out on –

MR. WILLIAMS: If you had –

MS. MATHIS: — this time.

MR. WILLIAMS: — a pro and an expert on that aircraft, people would have died. So, what are you now saying? Let people die, and then let us get –

MS. MATHIS: No.

MR. WILLIAMS: — serious?

MS. MATHIS: I’m saying –

MR. WILLIAMS: I don’t think so.

MS. MATHIS: — let’s fix it. Let’s – let’s fix it. Let’s believe that we’re going to get it fixed. And, you know, she lucked out that nothing really happened, that he was the only one that –

MR. MARTIN: S- — speaking of –

MS. MATHIS: — got burned.

MR. MARTIN: — getting something fixed, can somebody please fix the relationship between Michael Steele and the Republican party?

[LAUGHTER.]

MR. MARTIN: I mean the chairman of the Republican –

MS. MATHIS: [Crosstalk.]

MR. MARTIN: — National Committee came out this week, and he basically said, “Either get with this or shut the hell up, or fire me.” I mean so what is going on with this civil war in the Republican party? You know, he had a little controversy on this show when he said White Republicans are scared of him. The House and Senate folks get a phone call, and the aides are not particularly happy with him. This is not a marriage made in heaven. This is –

MR. WILLIAMS: Well, look.

MR. MARTIN: — probably like Tiger and Elin going on –

MR. WILLIAMS: Absolutely.

MR. MARTIN: — right here.

MR. WILLIAMS: Well, Michael Steele certainly has his issues, ‘cause he loves the sound of his voice. But –

MS. COX: [Chuckles.]

MR. WILLIAMS: — beside[s] all that, Michael Steele has had the very – some very good successes in terms of elections. Michael Steele has raised more money than the past chairman. Michael Steele has kept this organization together. Yes, he does have foot-and-mouth disease, but when –

MR. MARTIN: Which we don’t mind –

MR. WILLIAMS: — it’s all said and done –

MR. MARTIN: — in the media.

MR. WILLIAMS: — [crosstalk] – yeah.

MR. MARTIN: We – we kinda like it.

[CROSSTALK.]

MR. WILLIAMS: But when it’s all said and done, he’s done a very good job as chairman, in that leadership role. And that’s what –

MS. MATHIS: Yes.

MR. WILLIAMS: — matters.

MR. TRAYNHAM: Roland, $80 million has been raised –

MR. WILLIAMS: Yes.

MR. TRAYNHAM: — since he has been chairman. He has won two gubernatorial races and a state that Democrats outnumber Republicans 9 to 1.

MR. WILLIAMS: New Jersey.

MR. MARTIN: Well, tell the –

MR. TRAYNHAM: However –

MR. MARTIN: — tell the House and –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — however –

MR. MARTIN: — the Senate Republicans, ‘cause they cannot stand him. They –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — how- –

MR. MARTIN: — keep telling him, “Stay on a policy,” “Shut your mouth.” They’re mad with him about a pr- — the predictions in November, midterm. They don’t want him talking.

MR. TRAYNHAM: — how- — however, the chairman does – he’s very honest. He’s a very honest politician, which is something that we don’t –

MR. WILLIAMS: Refreshing.

MR. TRAYNHAM: — see a lot.

MR. MARTIN: Hon- — hon- –

MR. TRAYNHAM: He te- –

MR. MARTIN: — do you like the honesty?

MR. TRAYNHAM: — he tells –

MS. COX: I –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — you what he really thinks.

MS. COX: — I really like him. I actually think, in some ways, he’s exactly the chairman they need. They nee- – the – the Republicans need some tough love. And if they don’t want the kind of things that he’s saying, then they need to get rid of –

MR. MARTIN: And they –

MS. COX: — him.

MR. MARTIN: — and they need a little flava, too. Know what I mean? Come on.

MS. MATHIS: Yeah!

MR. WILLIAMS: Michael Steele –

MR. MARTIN: [Crosstalk] –

[CHUCKLING.]

MR. MARTIN: — Michael Steele is not gonna be nobody’s slave, especially the Republican party.

MR. MARTIN: Oo-oo-ooh! Deborah?

MS. MATHIS: Well –

MR. MARTIN: I –

MS. MATHIS: — good. And so –

MR. MARTIN: — like that.

MS. MATHIS: — I like that, too, and – and I do like the point –you know, and this happens a lot of time – a lot of times. You[‘ve] got to be careful what you wish for. You had – you wanted a brother in here, and I firmly believe it’s because they thought, “This is the only one that can really safely criticize this first Black president without being called a racist, so let’s have him for cover.” And he showed out on ‘em.

MS. COX: Yes.

MS. MATHIS: So, that th- — you know, they — they ended up with more than they bargained for.

MR. TRAYNHAM: But you know what it is, Roland? This is a man who says, “I’m going to beat to my own drum. You elected me. You kn-” – “I’m real, and you knew” – “you knew this about me, going in.”

And so having said that, he said it. He says, “Look. Get out of my way, or you fire me.” And that’s – [chuckles] –

MS. MATHIS: They thought he was –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — just to –

MS. MATHIS: — going to be a – [crosstalk].

MR. TRAYNHAM: — say something like that, I –

MS. MATHIS: They thought he –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — mean look. [Chuckles.]

MS. MATHIS: — was going to be – [crosstalk].

[CROSSTALK.]

MR. WILLIAMS: Michael Steele –

MS. COX: — taking responsibility.

MR. WILLIAMS: — is running the Republican party like Obama is running the country.

MR. TRAYNHAM: Let me say the –

MR. MARTIN: Well –

[CHUCKLING.]

MR. MARTIN: — first of all, I – I mean –

[CROSSTALK.]

MR. MARTIN: — I – I don’t know –

MS. COX: Here, here.

[CROSSTALK.]

MR. MARTIN: — right. I don’t know –

MS. MATHIS: What does that mean?

MR. MARTIN: — what the heck that means.

[LAUGHTER.]

MR. MARTIN: All I gotta say to Republicans: Y’all got a bruh as your chairman.

[CHUCKLING.]

MS. MATHIS: You got it.

MR. MARTIN: All right. Let’s go to this here: New York. Later in the week, we find out Harold Ford, Jr., former congressman, saying he may run for the U.S. Senate. Senator Schumer’s not happy. The White House is not particularly sure with this. What do you make of Harold Ford, Jr., who ra- — lost a close race in Tennessee for the Senate, possibly competing against a Democrat in New York?

MR. WILLIAMS: Somebody told me that during Percy Sutton’s funeral this past week, Mr. Ford and his blond-eyed [sic] wife was there, campaigning together, and –

MR. TRAYNHAM: Harsh[?] – [unintelligible].

MR. WILLIAMS: — but look. Look.

[LAUGHTER.]

MS. COX: You had to get “blonde” in – didn’t you?

MR. WILLIAMS: [Chuckles.]

MR. TRAYNHAM: [Laughs.]

MR. WILLIAMS: That’s –

MS. MATHIS: Wait a minute.

MR. WILLIAMS: — that’s – [crosstalk] –

MS. MATHIS: Wait a minute. He said “blond-eyed.” [Chuckles.]

MR. WILLIAMS: All right. Well, they were campaigning together. But look.

[CHUCKLING.]

MR. WILLIAMS: If the Clintons can do it, if the Kennedys can do it, why can’t Harold Ford do it?

MS. COX: But you don’t run to the –

MR. WILLIAMS: What is the difference?

MS. COX: — you don’t run to the right of a moderate Democrat in New York. I mean, like, that’s – that’s crazy.

MR. WILLIAMS: But there’s prece- –

MS. COX: Kirsten Gillibrand is –

MR. WILLIAMS: — -dent for him to do it.

MS. COX: Oh! If you’re –

MR. WILLIAMS: But why –

MS. COX: — no. No. I’m not –

MR. WILLIAMS: — what – [crosstalk] –

MS. COX: — criticizing.

MR. WILLIAMS: — [crosstalk].

MS. COX: I’m not criticizing him. I’m just –

MR. WILLIAMS: Yes. He can do it.

MS. COX: — saying, like, he’s a – he’s an incredibly moderate – he’s a conservative Democrat –

MR. MARTIN: Bu- — but lemme s- –

MS. COX: — and you don’t run to the right of somebody on the Democratic ticket in New York.

MR. MARTIN: — but – but here’s the deal, though, and it’s very interesting. And we saw it when the White House went after David Patterson, the governor of New York.

MS. COX: They lo-o-ove to –

MR. MARTIN: Now – and –

MS. COX: — get involved – [crosstalk].

MR. MARTIN: — now you also have an African-American member of the U.S. Senate. Roland Burris is leaving, from Illinois. There’s be no African-Americans in the Senate. You have –

MR. TRAYNHAM: That’s right.

MR. MARTIN: — Cheryle Jackson running in Illinois. And so you have the racial dynamics. Rev. Al Sharpton already said he won’t necessarily oppose a Harold Ford campaign. He’s talking to African-American and Puerto Rican pastors. It might be a very interesting dynamic –

MR. TRAYNHAM: Right.

MR. MARTIN: — if he goes to the next step. And he has a lot of major Democratic fundraisers who’re pushing him, so money –

MR. TRAYNHAM: Right.

MR. MARTIN: — may not be an issue.

MR. TRAYNHAM: Well – and here’s the thing. I mean you also mention – and there’s Kendrick Meek, as well, who’s running for the Senate.

MR. MARTIN: Yes, he is.

MR. TRAYNHAM: So –

MR. MARTIN: Kendrick Meek –

MR. TRAYNHAM: — so – so, it – it increases the chances of – of an African-American potentially being in the Senate s- — in the next congress.

Here’s the interesting trajectory here. Harold Ford is a mainstream candidate. He looks the part. He acts the part. He sounds the part.

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. TRAYNHAM: And – and that’s the main reason why he was very close to winning in Tennessee – is because he’s a different – he’s good copy. And so for him running in New York – I think it’s interesting, because he very well may win – the nomination. In terms of the general election, who knows?

But having said that, good for him for trying. There’s nothing wrong with that.

MR. MARTIN: Well, don’t te- –

MR. WILLIAMS: Well, I – I think –

MR. MARTIN: — d- — real quick. Real quick – [crosstalk].

MR. WILLIAMS: — I think it’s all good for the Republican party in New York for Mr. Ford to be in this race.

MR. MARTIN: [Laughs.] Right! Okay, sure!

[CHUCKLING.]

MR. MARTIN: He ain’t winnin’ jack in New York. Whatever!

[CHUCKLING.]

MR. MARTIN: All right. For – [chuckles] – Armstrong, Deborah, Ana, Robert – we certainly appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.

Folk, disagree with something said during our panel discussion? I’m sure you did. Let me know. Long on to TVOneOnline.com and leave your comment there.

Coming up, The Washington Post’s Robin Givhan shares her views on Michelle Obama’s first year as the First Lady. That’s next in our “Obama Watch.”

[END OF SEGMENT.]

(SEGMENT 4)

MR. MARTIN: The President’s safety, the role of the First Lady, two big issues in our “Obama Watch.” We welcome Pulitzer Prize winner Robin Givhan, who, among other things, covers the First Lady for The Washington Post; as well as Sirius XM Radio host Joe Madison.

Robin, I want to start with you. All last year, I – I – I heard a lot of Black women say – a lot of women, in general – that, okay, the First Lady – the hair, the fashion – that’s all great. But they say this is an accomplished woman. What about her truly being involved in some serious policy, and you wrote this: “Obama did not attempt to convert audiences of nonbelievers on issues ranging from healthcare reform to gender equity. The provocative campaigner, professional advocate, one-time community healthcare liaison and rock of the Obama family has presided over events that often seem more dutiful than inspired.”

Sh- — so, are you saying she should be more aggressive in terms of laying out a policy foundation?

MS. ROBIN GIVHAN: Well, I mean I don’t want to use – I wouldn’t – I wouldn’t use the term “aggressive,” only because I – [chuckles] – think –

MR. MARTIN: Assertive.

MS. GIVHAN: – that’s a little bit a –

MR. MARTIN: Assertive.

MS. GIVHAN: — a loaded term.

MR. MARTIN: Assertive.

MS. GIVHAN: Yeah. I mean I think that what a lot of women expected to see from her, based on her background and her resumé, was someone who was going to come out and who was going to really advocate for very specific issues and really choose issues that touched on a broad range of women. And I think when she said that she wanted to be mom-in-chief as the – as her first priority, I think that sort of disappointed a lot of women – rightly or wrongly. But I do think that what they want is to see someone who is, perhaps, a little bit more in the Hillary Clinton model and less –

MR. MARTIN: Eleanor Roosevelt?

MS. GIVHAN: — in the Laura – exactly.

MR. MARTIN: But, Joe, didn’t she have to, I guess, make this move? Because she got far more scrutiny than typical spouses of candidates during the campaign, being attacked left and right. So, she had to build up that approval rating, which right now, frankly, is higher than the President’s, to probably move to that next level.

MR. JOE MADISON: Well, you know, having approval ratings higher than your spouse – all of us have spouses that l- — people love more than they love us. [Chuckles.]

MR. MARTIN: [Laughs.]

MR. MADISON: And I mean that’s just the –

MR. MARTIN: Touché.

MR. MADISON: — that’s – that’s just the nature –

MR. MARTIN: Gotcha.

MR. MADISON: — that’s just the nature –

MR. MARTIN: Gotcha.

MR. MADISON: — of – of the game.

I didn’t have a problem with the “mom-in-chief” piece, because it as the first time in a very long time, you have to remember, that we had young children in the –

MR. MARTIN: True.

MR. MADISON: — in the White House. So, I think she was sending a message that, “I’ve got two, small children here growing right before our eyes very rapidly, that I am going to take care of.”

But I – I – I – I agree in – in – in a way. Here you have this professional lawyer, a brilliant mind, educated; and – but it’s only been a year.

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. MADISON: So, when you walk into Washington, D.C., from the South Side or West Side of Chicago –

MR. MARTIN: South Side of Chicago. She – she –

MR. MADISON: — that[?] –

MR. MARTIN: — will correct you on that real quick.

MR. MADISON: Yes.

MR. MARTIN: South Side.

MR. MADISON: South Side of Chicago –

MR. MARTIN: [Chuckles.]

MR. MADISON: — I only said “West Side,” because I assumed she dabbled on the West Side a little bit.

[CHUCKLING.]

MR. MADISON: But – but – but –

MR. MARTIN: They get real personal with that South Side, West Side stuff, but gotcha.

MR. MADISON: — but the reality is it – it – you – you[‘ve] got to find your way. That – that has happened with every first lady. Rosalynn Carter – it took her almost the last year before she said, “You know, I’m here.” Same thing with Hillary Clinton. And I think they don’t want to make the mistake that the Clintons made –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. MADISON: — when, you know, Hillary Clinton jumped out there –

MR. MARTIN: [Crosstalk] – get two for –

MR. MADISON: — and the first thing folks did, “Back up!” And they kind of had that expectation –

MS. GIVHAN: Well, I – [crosstalk] –

MR. MADISON: — of the first lady, though, and I think they wanted to hold off –

MR. MARTIN: — okay.

MR. MADISON: — the enemies that were loaded and ready to shoot her down.

MS. GIVHAN: — well, I definitely think that the first rule for the first lady is “Do no harm.” And –

MR. MARTIN: Yeah.

MS. GIVHAN: — they clearly wanted to avoid that, but –

MR. MARTIN: Well, this is a different first lady. I mean, look.

[CROSSTALK.]

MR. MADISON: In more –

MR. MARTIN: I – I –

MR. MADISON: — ways than one.

MR. MARTIN: — I – I’ve told the then president – I mean the – I mean the then senator – I said, “Look. I mean, Doc[?], she give[s] a much better speech than you do.” I mean she is an amazing – I mean when you hear her talk, it is even more personal. It is even more amazing, and – and – and so is this – I understand the sentiment of, “Hey, maximize that.”

MS. GIVHAN: Um-hum.

MR. MARTIN: “Do” – “If you’re there, do something with it – [crosstalk]-” –

MR. MADISON: But she will, I think. Don’t you –

MS. GIVHAN: I think –

MR. MADISON: — think so?

MS. GIVHAN: — she will, but I also think that in this first – in her first year, that we haven’t seen as much of that sort of dazzling speaker –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MS. GIVHAN: — that we saw during the campaign. We haven’t –

MR. MARTIN: Very scripted, very –

MS. GIVHAN: — seen her go out there and – and really sort of embrace an audience and bring that audience along with her. A lot of it has been very scripted, and her most impressive and most powerful moments have been when she’s been able to go off script. And that’s often been with children.

MR. MARTIN: She’s also – [crosstalk]- –

MR. MADISON: But – but n- — no first lady – th- — whenever presidents or first ladies – candidates can go off script.

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. MADISON: And first ladies can go –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. MADISON: — off script, and there’s often a price to pay. But I – I – I think what people need to understand [is] when you’re in that White House, you’ve got this – this roomful of advisors who are telling you precedent[?]. “You can’t say this.” “You can’t do that.” “You can’t do this.” And you really have to get your feet wet –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. MADISON: — to – before you feel comfortable enough to sometimes tell those advisors, “You know what? Forget it.”

But I can’t wait ‘til the day when she – what – and I hear what you’re saying. The day she does that is the day we’re all probably going to say, “Now, there’s the real” –

MR. MARTIN: Well, first of all –

MR. MADISON: — “Michelle” –

MR. MARTIN: — we als- –

MR. MADISON: — “Obama.”

MR. MARTIN: — we also saw a change in terms of her chief of staff. We saw someone who truly knows her take place [sic] in the first year. Susan Sher is now –

MS. GIVHAN: Right.

MR. MARTIN: — running the show and also may play a role in that.

During the campaign, the Senator – then senator – often said that if Michelle said that, “Hey, I’m not interested” – “interested in you running,” he probably wouldn’t ‘ve run.

One of the issues: security. And [with] African-Americans, that is a huge issue you’re hearing on your radio show constantly.

MR. MADISON: Big-time.

MR. MARTIN: You have a third person coming out as a White House crasher. This – this concern with safety is very interesting. A December poll by Fox News Opinion Dynamics showed that 40 percent of Black respondents were just “somewhat” or “not at all” confident in the Secret Service’s ability to protect the President, compared with 37 percent, for instance, who answered the same question earlier in the year.

MR. MADISON: I got – look, let me tell you something. On my show – it’s not scientific – I’ve never had an issue where 100 percent of the callers agreed on this – this issue of security breach. One hundred percent – to the point when – when we had Bennie Thompson, the chairman of Homeland Security, on, saying that he was going to have hearings – and I think he’s supposed to have them around the 20^th –

MR. MARTIN: Um-hum.

MR. MADISON: — of – of January, which, ironically, i- — i- — you know, may be close to the King holiday, we’re reminded, as African-Americans, of our historical leaders who have been assassinated. I’ve been around long enough to know w- — Malcolm, Martin. We’ve seen the – the Medgar Evers of the world sh- — and – shot down in front of us, and we’re very, very concerned that the Secret Service – and this is what I’m hearing –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. MADISON: — they need to step up the game. It’s not that they’re saying these aren’t dedicated men and women –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. MADISON: — but there’s a uniqueness about –

MR. MARTIN: True.

MR. MADISON: — President Barack Obama’s presidency that doesn’t apply to any other president before him. There are people in this country and the world who cannot wrap their heads around the fact that this Black man is President of the United States and leader of the free world.

MR. MARTIN: Well, the Secret Service, of course, in the same hearing said that, hey, they have not seen that 400 percent increase. Early on, you – [unintelligible] – increases.

MR. MADISON: Ron Kessler saw it, and he wrote about it –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. MADISON: — in his –

MR. MARTIN: But – but –

MR. MADISON: — book.

MR. MARTIN: — but the reality is – you’re right. An African-American – this is one issue when it comes to our leaders – extremely sensitive about security and protecting them.

Robin, Joe, we certainly appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.

MR. MADISON: Thank you.

MS. GIVHAN: Thanks.

MR. MARTIN: All right. We look to have – forward to having you back. Also, it’s was your first time. You’re a newbie. We didn’t ha- –

MR. MADISON: [Chuckles.]

MR. MARTIN: — we – we – we didn’t haze you as much as we normally do.

MS. GIVHAN: [Chuckles.]

MR. MARTIN: Smokey Fontaine’s got the hot Twitter feed between NBA star Gilbert Arenas and the – and the Rev. Al Sharpton over guns in the locker room – coming up next.

[END OF SEGMENT.]

(SEGMENT 5)

MR. MARTIN: To say Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas is upset with Rev. Al Sharpton is putting it mildly. Skyping in today with more on the war of words is NewsOne’s Smokey Fontaine.

Hey, Smokey.

MR. SMOKEY FONTAINE: How are you, sir?

MR. MARTIN: All good. Gilbert Arenas suspended indefinitely by the NBA because he had three guns in the locker room, but, man, he has been duking it out in cyberspace.

MR. FONTAINE: He’s decided to take his – his conflict with the world on Twitter, and he went toe to toe with Al Sharpton this week. Al Sharpton wrote a really good blog on NewsOne talking about his frustration with gun violence and why he said this issue is not creating more of a stir in our community, asking us if this was a White player who pulled a gun, or – or – or a White player pulled a gun on a Black player, we’d be up in arms. Right now, we’re acting cavalierly about it.

Arenas shot back directly to Al Sharpton and said, “You don’t know me. No one gave me the memo that” – “that you’re a Black leader,” and reminded him that he has all of our Black leaders – Martin Luther King, Malcolm X – tattooed on his arm. He calls it “The Black Rushmore.”

MR. MARTIN: Yeah, but did he also say that none of them carried guns? [Chuckles.]

MR. FONTAINE: [Chuckles.] He was not reminded that none of them carried guns. Look, the Web has not been kind to Arenas. Everyone is talking about how foolish he is, how naïve he’s being. He’s really making us look bad.

The Root had an interesting blog, saying this is about race, that it’s because he’s a Black athlete that he’s being criticized. But everywhere else online has really said that Arenas is going to go down. He’s going to lose $146,000 per game, and it’s likely the NBA is going to suspend him for the rest of the year.

MR. MARTIN: Even other NBA players have been tweeting he was in the wrong.

All right, Smokey. Let’s go to the Census. The form came out this week, and they have the terms “black,” “African American,” and “Negro” on the form. Some folks are not happy. What’s the deal?

MR. FONTAINE: Roland, I’m just curious about this. Does the term “Negro” offend you?

MR. MARTIN: Well, I don’t use it, so don’t call me “Negro.” I mean it’s – we’ve outgrown the – I mean that – that phrase is like a 1940s, ‘50s, ‘60s word.

MR. FONTAINE: The – the Census claimed that because there’re still older African-Americans that use it, we – they wanted it on the form. You can check right now for race “black,” “African American,” or “Negro.”

Interesting[ly] enough, we did a poll on Black Planet, and 70 percent of our audience said they are not offended by the term “Negro.” I have a feeling, however, if we rephrased that question and said, “If a White person called you a Negro, would that offend you?” I think we’d get some different answers.

MR. MARTIN: Yeah, so why don’t you rephrase that and then give us that result next week? ‘Cause I think you’re right. They absolutely probably have a problem with being called a “Negro.”

MR. FONTAINE: But this is printed. It’s going out. It’s part of the 2010 Census. There’s nothing we can do about it.

Glenn Beck, of course, this morning, however, is – is rabblerousing by saying –

MR. MARTIN: Right.

MR. FONTAINE: — he’s okay with the term “Negro,” and – because he doesn’t think the term “African-American” is actually a race.

MR. MARTIN: Well, Glenn Beck is an absolute idiot, because he even said himself he has no Black friends, because he doe- — doesn’t want to say the wrong thing. So, this is one area he should shut up.

Smokey Fontaine, NewsOne.com, we appreciate it.

MR. FONTAINE: Thank you, sir.

MR. MARTIN: All right, folks. When we come back, we say so long to three African-American pioneers.

[END OF SEGMENT.]

(SEGMENT 6)

MR. MARTIN: It’s time now for “My Perspective.”

The last week of 2009 and the first few days of 2010 saw the loss of three amazing pioneers. Bill Powell died New Year’s Eve. You may not have heard of the 93-year-old African-American, but he was the first African-American to build his own golf course. He plowed the Ohio tract himself, carving out nine holes and later expanding to 18. The course was integrated from day one, and he fought for respectability among golf’s White establishment.

We also lost Percy Sutton, the New York political and business broker. His career is amazing: lawyer to Malcolm X, Manhattan borough president, radio station owner – one of the kings of New York. He was a legendary figure, a true Renaissance man who understood and defined Black Power.

And then there was Eunice Johnson. Yes, she was the long-time wife of Ebony founder John H. Johnson, but she was a pioneer in fashion. She created the Ebony Fashion Fair, the world’s largest traveling fashion tour, raising millions of dollars for charities. Her work opened the door for Black fashion models and designers, and she made it clear to the White fashion houses that Black women deserve to be showcased as much as anyone else.

We certainly mourn the passing of these legends, and we’ll never forget their amazing legacy.

That’s my perspective. What’s yours?

We’ll be right back.

[END OF SEGMENT.]

(CLOSE)

MR. MARTIN: Okay, folks. I’ve got my new HP Touch Screen, and let’s take a look at what our viewers are saying about the show. Here’s what Emma Barry had to say. “I refuse to join the bandwagon against President Obama. As a grassroots volunteer, my experience over the past six months has been to sadly witness the extreme apathy by black and some white people over healthcare reform, the TARP program and anything else.” She continues, “The President was in the Senate when the TARP was put into place. It is not his or his administration’s fault that proper accountability was not placed on bankers at the time the money was given out.”

Very true, Emma, but the reality is they can make changes to the TARP program right now, and people are criticizing[?],* seeing[?]* they have not done that.

Let’s go to our next viewer here, and that is – here is what Dorothy Banks had to say. “George Bush was a decider who decided the banks should be bailed out, thus giving them over $300 billion with no strings attached. When Barack Obama became president, the free ride for the banks stopped, and he put stipulations on them for getting more money, which is the reason they hurried to repay the money.”

Actually, they’re re- — repaying that money, because they don’t want any federal oversight in terms of how they spend it.

And our last viewer, Dewey Edwards, writes, “The bankers are out of control and need strong, behind-the-woodshed actions, but many in Congress whom the bankers and others own need to be exposed publicly and fired.”

Great point there, Dewey. I appreciate it.

“Washington Watch,” folks isn’t one of those shows that refuses to let your – le- — let viewer- — viewers have your say. We encourage it, so keep the comments coming. Just long on to TVOneOnline.com and leave it there along with your name and where you live.

That’s it for this edition of TV One’s “Washington Watch.”

I’m Roland Martin. Goodbye, and have a blessed week.

[END.]

Roland S. Martin talks to Charles Robinson, Political Reporter for Maryland Public Television. Robinson analyzes Baltimore’s 1st female mayor, Sheila Dixon resignation over a $500 gift card scandal despite her high approval ratings. Mayor Dixon will step down February 4th, 2010.

Roland S. Martin talks to Houston Yates Principal, Ronald Mumphery about alleged unsportsman like conduct during a recent basketball game. The Yates basketball team is being accused of running up the score (170 – 35) against Houston Lee during a recent game.

Roland S. Martin talks with Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security concerning the intelligence failures as it relates to the Christmas Day Bomber.

Roland S. Martin talks with Gen. Colin Powell about Veterans Day, the military as a career option, and what he said to President Barack Obama about his decision on what is happening in Afghanistan.

NEWS FROM THIS SUNDAY’S “WASHINGTON WATCH WITH ROLAND MARTIN”

REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN MICHAEL STEELE AND DR. MICHAEL ERIC DYSON TO APPEAR ON NEW TV ONE PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM, AIRING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT 11AM ET

Excerpts for Immediate Release:

REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN MICHAEL STEELE
On whether Republicans are scared of the Black community:
You’re absolutely right. I mean I’ve been in the room, and they’ve been scared of me. I’m like, “I’m on your side!”…You saw in [Chris] Christie, and you saw in [Bob] McDonnell a door open, because they went in and engaged. [Bob] McDonnell was very deliberate about spending. Sheila Johnson was on his team…That was a big deal. That’s because he engaged her, and she helped navigate him through that relationship.

On what issues Republicans can effectively reach black voters:
Education and the economy, education and jobs, education and small business.

On telling other Republicans whether to be a guest on “Washington Watch with Roland Martin”: “This is the place to be. If you want to talk to the Black community, this is one of the stops you[‘ve] got to make.”

DR. MICHAEL ERIC DYSON On whether President Obama needs to address the issue of race: “If the President were a white woman, I would expect the President to address race. If the President is a black man, I can’t exempt the President who happens to be a black man because of sensitivities that he may have, or others around him, from speaking out about race. I know that it’s tough, but it’s tough on the economy, it’s tough on dealing with cap and trade, it’s tough with giving the notorious AIG a break and seeing what they are doing with their executives; so it’s tough, but that’s the job.”

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Roland S. Martin talks with Gary Flowers, executive director and CEO of the Black Leadership Forum, about their “war room” dealing with healthcare reform and the public option.

BET founder Bob Johnson didn’t even give Sen. Barack Obama 24 hours to bask in the glow of winning the Democratic presidential nomination before he began to try to get him to choose his candidate, Sen. Hillary Clinton, as the vice presidential nominee.

I went toe-to-toe with Johnson today on my WVON-AM/Chicago show. Listen below.

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With his stunning victory in the Iowa Caucus, Sen. Barack Obama has moved on to New Hampshire with its primary slated for Tuesday, January 8.In his only extensive interview since his victory, Obama talks with award-winning journalist regarding the win.

He speaks about his electability; plan of action if he becomes president; and what white voters supporting him in Iowa means for future black support.

Click here to listen to the exclusive interview. You can also check out Roland’s blog posts on Essence.com related to the Iowa Caucus.