>> i don't know, chris. here's the fundamental -- >> that is the question. you don't want to answer it, fine. john, where would you go? down the middle, off to the right or somewhere in the middle? >> i believe trying to do something down the middle. >> down the middle? >> some measures that republicans would have no excuse not to support. republican ideas. but if you ask for a national audience, if you say, i want to speak to the congress and the whole country, you've got to -- that's a big moment. you've got to fill that moment. i don't believe it's all going to be kind of incremental -- >> okay. back to john. more time with that one. i'm trying to find out whether he wants to get something across the plate the batter can swing at, republicans. or a bad pitch. we know you won't give me help. let's not kid ourselves. i'll give you something ed shultz will love? >> this is the contradiction, though, chris. i think the president and people recognize the likelihood of republicans approving anything that would substantial alter economic conditions in the united states and election day is zero, and that would require a big figure to get passed and