SAN ANTONIO, Texas—Every association meeting has its mix ofbusiness and fun, and occasionally offers insights into the greaterworld around us.

The 86^th annual meeting of the American Associationof Managing General Agents is no exception. More than 900 delegatesattended this year's conference in San Antonio, Texas held May 6-9at the JW Marriott San Antonio, a 600 acre resort hotel 20 minutesoutside of downtown San Antonio.

This year's AAMGA meeting featured three well know figures fromthe world of politics and sports.

Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson spoke on Monday discussing theissues that they believe will define and decide this year'spresidential election.

On Tuesday, former Pittsburgh Steeler's National Football Leaguequarterback and current sports commentator for Fox NFL Sunday,Terry Bradshaw, imparted his view on life's lessons toattendees.

A former aide to President Bill Clinton, and commentator on CNN,Paul Begala (left) represented the Democratic-liberal view of thecurrent presidential race between President Barack Obama, aDemocrat, and assumed Republican presidential candidate MittRomney.

Tucker Carlson (right), a conservative news correspondent andhost of several cable news shows over the years, is currently onFOX News, represented the Republican-conservative view of therace.

Both described themselves as good friends and shared hostingduties on CNN's Crossfire. They were less than charitable about thechances for either candidate to be elected and challenges theyface.

Begala, who says he supports President Obama, says that all thepolling indicating how close the election is today between Obamaand Romney is useless. What will matter is the direction the peoplefeel the country is moving in as the election draws close inNovember.

He says the people will vote either to “stay the course or it istime for a change.”

The president's major problem is that he set the expectation bartoo high during his first election and the economic numbers havenot moved to a point where people feel secure in the country'sfuture, meaning the president's chances for re-election are notassured.

On the positive side for Obama, Republicans are not enthusiasticabout their candidate and their primary process has hurt the party,he says.

He says the election will be coin toss. If 40 percent or more ofthe country feels the country is moving in the right direction, thepresident will be re-elected. Below 40 percent, he will not winanother term.

Tucker says the true direction of the race will not bedetermined until early October. One of the indicators about who isahead in the race will focus on press coverage. If the news isfocused on the incumbent, Obama loses. If the news is all aboutRomney, Obama wins.

Republicans have some baggage coming into this election thatcould help Obama, says Tucker. The Republican Party istraditionally an orderly organization with a minimal amount ofdrama. The party today, he says, is in transition and Romney has aproblem with elements within the party focused on ideologicalpurity.

Tucker says another problem for Romney is that he can't runagainst Obama over the healthcare mandate. Why? Because only twopeople in the country have signed legislation authorizinghealthcare mandates and Romney is one of them from his time asgovernor of Massachusetts.

“What should be an easy election will be a tough one,” saysTucker.

Both men agreed that people need to broaden their consumption ofmedia and understand the views of the opposing side. People shouldmake themselves uncomfortable and know what the other side thinks,says Begala.

Tucker says it is important to know what the opposition issaying because it makes one sharper about understanding their ownviews and allows individuals to get to the truth on complex issuesthat the nation faces today.

Terry Bradshaw, the former quarterback and author of the book“Keep It Simple,” says he has learned several lessons about lifethat he tries to impart every day.

The first is that smiling is very important because a happyperson lives longer. He says the best way to keep smiling is tokeep life simple, which he has learned to do over the years.

It is equally important to appreciate the people around you,because no one achieves success without someone else being there tohelp them.

“We have to understand that in life it is okay to admit that youhave a weakness,” says Bradshaw. “You got to be happy. Keep itsimple.”