I wish you had pointed out that the majority of the American people is asking for a balanced budget. So who is the "American People" who is asking for the no-tax pledge? Anyone can gather a group of people and construe them as the American People. Are the "Occupy Wall Street" American People?

Any member of Congress who pledges allegiance to Grover Norquist not to raise taxes is, in my view, a traitor. The interests of America should always take precedence over the views of any one individual, and to pledge otherwise is both treasonous and unforgivable.

Just think how good it would be for the American people if Grover Norquist had some sort of "Accident" and wasn't around any more to command the spinless Republican congressman he owns. We can hope because it's very evident that those spineless congressmen are very afraid of this guy who when it comes down to it is a nobody and he is holding our country hostage. I hope he doesn't become a target of someone that's really mad at him. Yeah Good luck with that.

I don't know why we need a congress at all. All they do is spend our money on private deals that various PACs pay them for. The government has sufficient agencies that control the economy, the environment, immigration, education, etc., so who needs them? Since last summer, Belgium has been without an official government and guess what? The country is running quite well despite the need for any Congress.

Over the last 60 years we have tax revenues of 18-20% of GDP regardless of the tax RATES. Now due to the economic slowdown we are at 17% but we have gone from 20% spending of GDP to 25% of GDP. The problem is we are spending too much. If you raise tax RATES you will be stuck with a smaller economy, less jobs and less revenues. We need to increase the wealth of the nation which government spending will not do. Do you really think if we take money out of private sector and give it to government we will increase the private sector?? Cut/hold spending down and grow the economy and grow out of this debt. We should not spend more than 20% of GDP. I would rather have a producing nation not a consuming nation. The Dems want to take from producers and give to consumers-if your economy is based on consumption you end up eat yourself. Spending not tax RATES is the problem. Increase revenues by growing economy and creating more PRIVATE sector jobs

Ron Paul wants to cut a trillion dollars (not the rate on increase) out of gov't the first year and has been consistent the last 20 years. Both Newt & Mitt are flip floppers. The MSM is overhyping yet another flavor of the day candidate.

You glossed over what Dyson was trying to tell you - - RACISM is a big factor in this year's presidential race not the economy. That is why Republicans have done everything to stall the economy so that they can say that a black man can't really be an effective president. Norquist is a symptom of what is wrong with the Republican party - and what is wrong with the country in general. TAXES are the price we pay for a functioning government - why didn't you ask him how a government could function without taxes. Also you noticed that he was most strenuous about having the Capital Gains tax cut - that is more support for the 1% - why didn't you call him on that?

The idea that taxes cut jobs is nonsense. There's not a businessman who wouldn't take that extra dollar no matter if he had to pay part of it to Uncle Sam.  He gets to keep the rest. And in fact, there's more chance of job growth when taxes are high. Then businessmen leave money in the business to build its future value. When taxes are low, they withdraw the money to pay for personal luxuries. Ask Grover about those concepts sometime.

Payroll FICA Tax Cut, get real, any savings were added to your income and taxed at your Federal, State, and Local tax rate.

Giving norquist too much airtime feeds into his disproportionate influence over the republicans, this will help th democrats in the end.

Dyson was the most interesting - he has a very useful perspective. Would be good to continue to include more perspectives.

The cat was out the bag over a week ago when Grover Norquist said he owned the 6 GOP Super Committee members and they would vote No. Long before the end of the discussions as it turned out Grover was right. Norquist gave proof of the ownership as the list shows 236 GOP Rep./Congress signed the pledge and 41 GOP Senators. Along with 2 Democrat Rep./Congress and 1 Democrat Senator signed Grover's pledge. We have learned just how much power and why our law makers can't represent the people who elected them. Even candidate running for President have signed the pledge. The terrorist are embedded with Corporation/Banks and inside trading by Law Makers is common. Newt Gingrich lobbyed Fannie/Freddie and received 1.8 million over 5 years as he set up the Housing crisis. We learned even respected Journalist have played a part on the corruption as their spouses worked for profit to help bring the Recession. Used car salesman turned Congressman Issa used his criminal skills to earn 300 million with only 10 years in office while still having a criminal conviction on his record. People have lost trust in the Media/Press after learning many are on the pay roll of people like Norquist/Koch bros/Corporation/Banks. Americans are told President Obama isn't pass bills for Jobs/Recovery of the Economy when it's the House/Congress/Senate who vote and pass bills while the President is given those bills to sign. Like other US President since George Washington per the US Constitution a President can help with discussions but has NO VOTE. The corruption is so deep in our government and the snakes are slowly retiring. Some current Law Makers want out of the signed pledge but Norquist has put them on notice he will make sure they will not get re elected. What's really sad is when the foreign press gives honest US news and we can't get it until much later from our own Media/Press. This is a US Revolution to get our country back. President Obama is right to tell the people to contact their elected Law Makers because they are the ones who vote on the bills. It's common knowledge the plan set out on Jan. 2009 was to make sure Obama and the US failed and Norquist is making it known he's in charge and the GOP will follow his orders.

Today’s show was dismal in both conduct and content. David Gregory is allowing, more and more, the spouting of political mantra and talking points during the program without the interjection of reason and critical analysis the program was once known for. This show is becoming no better than any other "news" or talk show when it fails to insert a simple "Stop", "No", or "You are wrong, sir" when either political party starts its preplanned diatribe of propaganda or half truths. The best moderator is a great debater, well educated and willing to interrupt to ensure the quality of the discussion. He shows no bias and hold all accountable to exacting standards. Mr. Gregory, you can do better.

Norquist lied when he said that it was a Democratic congress that raised taxes during Reagan's term. The tax hikes were championed by Bob Dole. Reagan raised taxes eleven times when it became apparent that the tax cuts were creating a growing economic problem.

And I agree. ANY elected official who follows an oath to Norquist instead of the one taked to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States is committing treason and should be punished accordingly.

Republican's need to remember the old saying ( watch what you wish for you might just get it ). They want deficit reduction, well come January 1st 2013 they will get $6.2 trillion worth of cuts. $1 trillion dollars they agreed on just to raise the debt. ceiling. The $1.2 trillion in automatic cuts the supercommittee couldn't agree on and the $4 trillion in Bush tax cuts that expire on that same day. That all totals to $6.2 trillion and President Obama doesn't have to do anything to get them. Obama played the Republican's like a real pro and they didn't even realize it.

Its always interesting to watch David Gregory pitch softballs to guys like Grover Noquist and elevate him to political figure as if he is an elected official and not a common lobbyist in the mold of an Abramoff or Gingrich. He points out that about 55% of republicans disagree with the no tax policy while failing to note almost 80% of the electorate disagree with Norquist.D.Gregory is Fox news material.

Frank Q, I totally agree. David sets up the interviewer then either misses with the question or refuses to fire the fastball by them. Here are three glaring mistakes made during Sunday's interview with Grover Norquist:

1. When Norquist said that the economy was going well "until the Democrats took over in 2008" was wrong. Did we forget about the grandstand that John McCain made in postponing his campaign to rush to Washington to "solve the problem?" Not only did McCain stay in NYC and do an interview with Katie Couric, but he blew off David Letterman in the process. Further, TARP was voted on by the the REPUBLICAN-controlled congress and signed by the REPUBLICAN president. David should not have allowed that talking point to proceed without correction!
2. "We just spent $800 billion on stimulus that increased the debt," is also wrong. I think it was $375 billion of that was tax credits, the same as he claims was under George H.W. Bush. Why did David not challenge that if Bush did it and it was all right, then why is it when the Democrats do the same thing, it is not a good thing?
3. Why is it when someone like Norquist talks about the past benefits of tax cuts, why does nobody challenge them to remind them that we have the lowest marginal tax rates since the 1940s? Why not remind them that Kennedy's tax plan cut the top marginal rate from 90-percent? Or that tax reform in the 1980s cut the top marginal rate down to 35-percent?

David does not go far enough. He dips his foot in the water and does not close the deal in the way his predecessor did. David allows those appearing on MTP to continue their talking points without challenging them. I wish he would take that extra step and challenge those talking points!

Mr. Gregory,

To your question about Payroll Tax Holiday to Grover Norquist, the respondent spun his argument around the idea that a "holiday" is not permanent by definition and therefore this tax is not in same category as the Bush tax cuts. BUT the Bush tax cuts were set to expire at a given date, and I was disappointed that you did not point out to Norquist that that fact makes them essentially temporary too. I can't stand seeing these guys hijacking not only this country but the media "watchdogs" as well.

really great round table discussion this week; could there BE anyone better than doris kearns goodwin? no. her insights, historical references and keen perspectives are 'off the chart'. thanks, david for having her on frequently. dmm

As a previously HUGE fan of Tim Russert, I was hoping to get the same sort of investigative reporting from David Gregory, but was infuriated by the interview with Grover Norquist. He was questioned as if he is an elected represntative of the American people, not the power wielding lobbyist that he is! Why wasn't he asked about the hold he apparently has on those who signed his pledge? Why wasn't he asked how many people contribute to his "Americans For Tax Reform, i.e., how many "voters" does he actually represent, what their averge contribution is, and how much did his organization give to the campaigns of those he supports? Why wasn't he asked what the consequences would be to those who signed his pledge if they failed to uphold it? Where was the "investigative" reporting that I'm sure would have been in play if Russert had been doing the interview? I have only one vote, as do all other Americans. It is appalling to me that Grover Norquist can and does invalidate the power of so many voters, an issue that David Gregory should have pursued.