welcome back to "face the nation." we want to bring in our political team. robert costa is our chief election and campaign correspondent. major garrett is our chief washington correspondent. nicole killian our congressional correspondent and ed o'keefe our senior white house and political correspondent. thank you all for being here in your holiday best. >> great to be here. >> you know, 2023, nicole, kept

you very busy. you had a new speaker of the house, this record number of retirements, resignations, departures, and now we start the new year potentially on the cusp of another government shutdown. will they be able to legislate in 2024? >> well, i think that's the million dollar question. one would hope, but the reality is, it's going to be a very heavy lift for congress in the new year, not only trying to fund the government, but dealing with this unresolved issue of the national security supplemental, whether they can get an agreement on the border. they have ten legislature days before the government funding deadline. >> the issue is very real world implications. ed, some of these border figures are pretty staggering. 10,000 people per day at a time crossing. does the president need to get directly involved to close this deal or is it too politically

complicated for him to do so? >> i think they're trying to keep him from having to engage in the particulars and trying to bring him in towards the end. in the closing days of the year it was the homeland security secretary and the chief of staff doing much of the negotiating. that was a signal they were working through the details and mechanics of what it would mean at the department of homeland security and other agencies to get certain changes made and whether the lawyers were okay with it. >> for the first time in decades. >> the politics are so much more difficult for the president. he will promise first with democrats especially progressives who don't want to see semblance of trump era immigration policy enacted, but more importantly on the margins, latino lawmakers say you're going after a values proposition with a key block of voters that need to support you if you expect to win again. there was concerns they weren't consulted in the beginning. >> there's a political incentive to close a deal here. >> if he can. what's important about the immigration conversation of

course it's not like the ones we've gone through where we talk about comprehensive meeting. the right gets something and the left gets something. the contours are all on what republicans want and demanding on a policy side not just about money. that's a seismic shift and it is something that white house has come to terms with, but hasn't found a legislative solution or a political way of talking about it. if there's been one issue for this white house that has been, i think a blind spot, it has been immigration. all of that political upheaval is coming home to the white house and they're on the cusp of, as ed indicated, major concessions that will bring policy close to if not identical to trump policy. >> when you talk to senators about what this will look like, what do we know? >> we don't know a lot. we know, for instance, that, you know, the white house has put on the table a willingness to accept limits on asylum, expand detention and deportation

efforts, but there's also this sticking point of parole which the biden administration has been using particularly to help, for instance, afghan evacuees, ukranians displaced by the war, and republicans feel that is being abused. that has slowed down the negotiations. >> president zelenskyy said it was an issue of morale, not just money. that it was a statement that the united states was backing away potentially from ukraine, even if that wasn't the intention. what are you hearing from your sources on capitol hill because against the backdrop of all these really important issues, we now also have some pretty tricky politics in the house that a new speaker would have to navigate if they get that deal in the senate. >> it's beyond almost something that's tricky politically. it's foundationally now complicated for president biden as he interacts with the republican party leadership. he has a willing partner in senate republican leader mitch mcconnell, who looks at ukraine

as a traditional republican on foreign policy, believes the united states has a role in western europe, encountering russian influence in the region. president biden is also dealing with the new speaker of the house, mike johnson, who comes from the trump wing of the party and that trump wing is now fueled by this sense of nationalism, sometimes incoherent, but very certain in its direction in not wanting to give more aid to u.s. allies, to nato countries, and in this case to ukraine, and that's something that's going to confront president biden for the rest of his presidency, whether it's until the end of this term or through a second term. >> part of this is mechanics what does speaker johnson want to do and be? he's from the more conservative element of the party, the freedom caucus. make if he could be ousted like kevin mccarthy? >> what choices can he make? based on a narrow majority when he became speaker by two seats

and what will the caucus or the conference rather that used a tool to oust the previous speaker because he cut a deal with democrats to keep the government open, what if mike johnson is in a position where to keep the government open, my goodness, he has to cut a deal with democrats. how do you look at that existential issue? >> we did see that when they passed the laddered or two-tiered cr. more democrats voted for it -- >> exactly. >> it's possible that may have to happen again. speaker johnson has made clear that he does not want to do any more short-term fixes and so if they can't figure out this appropriations process, then both republicans and democrats may have to accept across-the-board cuts which neither side wants to do. if you look at speaker johnson's leadership he has shown times where he's been able to wrangle republicans together, most notably with the impeachment vote, where republicans voted unanimously for it. it is a very narrow tight rope

that the speaker has to walk, but ultimately i think he's shown he can toe both lines when necessary so we have to see how he plays things come the new year. >> to the campaign trail. bob costa you have been out there a fair amount. what are you taking away from what people across the country are hearing? they've written off washington as broken a long time ago, night what are they focused on? >> republican voters are looking to see if president trump is going to remain in the front running position through the iowa caucuses and primary. it's evident based on cbs's polling in my conversation with chris sununu and others in that state that nikki haley is getting a foothold in new hampshire. in the coming weeks can she move from 25 to 30% of support among republicans in new hampshire to 45 to 50 to 50 plus and really make new hampshire a place where she gets a bounce into her home state of south carolina and then later into super tuesday.

talking to sources on wall street there's likely going to be a migration of cash toward haley in the coming weeks to help her survive late into the race. but ultimately, when i'm talking to republican voters they still have the same grievances in many cases that trump has when it comes to the perception of a political establishment, a legal establishment. they believe aligned against the republican party. those grievances are fueling trump's support at this time even as he faces so many other issues. >> it's interesting that that sense of grievance, you're saying, is what's resonating above kitchen table issues, above national security issues? where is that coming from? >> it comes from how so many voters channel trump's own anger over the 2020 elections, some share his false claims that he won the election in 2020, he did not, and they believe he deserves a second shot. it's so unusual to have a former president running for the nomination again. i can't even imagine jimmy carter running in 1984, george h.w. bush running in 1996.

it's historically almost unconceivable, but it's happening and republican voters, for the most part are looking at him. i have detected the support for trump in some places, especially new hampshire, noticeably soft. they like trump but not totally committed to voting for him at this late juncture. >> there is a component of trump's message that does address two things, i'm not going to get you in wars, we didn't have wars when i was president, on the national security isolationist or nationalist approach, and better off with trump. they just rolled that campaign slogan out recently. meaning, economically you were happier, more secure, felt better, when i was there. so he is trying to address that. but the grievance is the thing that is the rocket fuel and has solidified him through the summer of indictments. >> tell me what the president's message for his re-election is. i was speaking to someone at the white house told me two issues of concern to him are gas prices and the numbers at the border leading up to the election. >> it's an economic an sort of public safety government management argument, right.

is what they've been trying to make. if you look at the economic indicators, inflation is going down, unemployment staying low, consumer confidence is up. that's a good thing. border security, crime, are two issues they certainly worry about because on the margins independent voters all over the country, the republicans that might be compelled to vote for him, could be dissuaded if they see those things. he knows he has to deal with immigration because it is a base issue of concern not only an issue for independent voters. they fully expect that it will be trump. they fully expect to be able to throw up the contrast and say the economy is in better shape, pandemic is over, we're dealing with the global challenges that have occurred. he would do a worse job of it. and you should stick with this guy. >> and abortion -- >> and abortion and democracy. >> that's what they're hoping. >> they will be there. those are acts second and third. >> kamala harris is going to be out front on abortion rights. >> can she motivate the young

voters they need to be excited? >> there is evidence that she can. they came out of this college tour she did this fall quite impressed and pleased with the reaction. it's part of why there's a plan for a college tour focused on abortion services, mostly in battleground states to draw attention to it. absolutely. they saw something there that said she can bring back women, bring back younger voters, and service as that sort of partisan that a running mate does -- >> that coalition is going to be key for biden if he's looking to be re-elected in young voters and voters of color in particular, but, you know, some of that support has softened and so while the biden campaign argues well people just still need to hear our message, we need to get our message out, understand what we've a done and accomplished, part of that is using the vice president, i think, to convey that message, but it is one that they've they are going to have to hammer home. there are many voters saying we

may sit this one out. we don't necessarily like trump and we may not vote for biden and that will be a hurdle for the biden campaign as they move forward. >> i want to ask you, because i know you have spent a lot of time talking to election officials. we heard this incredible warning from microsoft about foreign interference, but domestically there's concern -- >> foreign interference will be a concern and it is. we all love campaigns. for most of my political coverage career i took the process by which we run elections for granted. overlooking the hundreds of thousands of americans who do this work either as an election administrators, poll observers or workers. i have a deeper appreciation now than ever before after 2020. they're stressed. many of them are retiring or just quitting under that stress. that is a problem for institutional knowledge in a lot of swing states, people in this space who watch election administration closely are worried about. they're under resourced. there's no federal management of

elections. we have a lot, they're costly, local and complex. those are weaknesses and strengths. we do it pretty well but this particular part of america that does this heroic work often times unnoticed is under scrutiny, stress, anxiety, and some are leaving and that does create a gap of knowledge, a gap of experience, that may not help us through 2024. it's an open question, but there are those in the space that are nervous. >> i'm sure they are. and very real threats as we saw in the last election. >> threats that manifest themselves in lots of ways. if you're an election worker doesn't matter if it's a text message or a phone call, you feel threatened. they walk to their cars wondering should they be looking over -- they are looking over their shoulders. that's not a space we want our fellow americans, our neighbors, our friends, to be in when they're doing this work of

helping us cast, count, and certify our votes. >> it is incredible. to your point about the -- i remember talking to the arizona secretary of state, all of what happened in the last four or five years is coinciding with people just aging out. it's not even that they're quitting because they're intimidated. it's time to retire. time to not do this anymore and pass it to the next generation. the next generation is going to be wearing blue or red visors an sunglasses while counting the votes. >> we have to leave this part of the conversation here. we'll continue our conversation after a quick break. we'll be right back. [♪♪] looking for better hydration at half the price? try curél ultra healing lotion. the dermatologist-tested formula contains an advanced ceramide complex, and provides 2-times more hydration at half the price. try curél. meet mixtiles. they stick, and re-stick. choose from dozens of sizes, frames, and styles. go to mixtiles.com, upload

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we're back with more from our panel of political correspondents. this is one of my favorite parts. you guys get to predict the future. what do you expect in 2024? >> there's been a lot of talk about micro targets and the ways

candidates will try to reach the voters. i predict one of the tried and true pieces of presidential campaigns will endure and that there will be at least one televiced debate between the democrat and republican presidential nominees >> which would be standard fare. >> it would be. >> but despite -- >> very much uncertain. >> right now given concerns about the nonpartisan commission on presidential debates. >> the willingness of the potential nominees as we imagine them. >> if it's biden and trump they can't help themselves and they will want one go at it. >> anything is possible this year. nicole? >> if former president trump ends up being the republican nominee i predict he will pick a female running mate and there are a number of females that are being talked about, female lawmakers, elise stefanik, nancy mace, you have governor sarah huckabee sanders, it makes sense. >> kristi noem. >> another one. >> governor of south dakota. a lot of options.

remains to be seen. but i think there will be a woman on the ticket. >> mike pence not the running mate. >> no, not the running mate. my prediction is kind of 30,000 foot. i think we're going to look back at 2024 as the year when our relationship to social media changed fundamentally as a country, not only economics, politics, conversation, up until -- for the last ten years i think our net idea about it was ubiquitous and positive. i think in 2024 it will still be ubiquitous but net negative and elites are pulling away from social media platforms, concers about children being on too much, too much distraction, data scraping, privacy concerns. there will be behaviorally a pulling back and reassessment of social media and all our behaviors and patterns. >> all right. and this year we have a new idea, which is to try to find something good and something positive. >> it was hard. >> for people at home, it is overwhelming.

it is overwhelming for us in this industry as well, the amount of change, and what a difficult year it has been. >> yeah. >> ed, do you have a glimmer of hope? >> took a few days. i'm not going to lie. i did come up with a story that i was reminded of that happened here in the washington region to some extent. there's a guy named don scott poised to become the speaker of the house of delegates next year. he would become the first african american man to hold that position, but more importantly the first former felon. he went through the process in virginia of getting his record cleared and it was cleared by a former republican governor who became an attorney, got elected and has risen through the ranks in the state legislature to serve in that role. set his partisanship and other history aside it's nice to see somebody given a second chance to do something and in the public realm. >> new beginnings. >> bob and i both spent a lot of time at the beginning of this year in georgia, plains georgia, more specifically when we got that scare about former president jimmy carter when he

entered hospice care and the fact that he was able to make it for the better part of this year, made it to his 99th birthday, made it to the peanut festival in plains, georgia, and the tragic news of his wife's passing, made it to that trip in atlanta to watch her memorial, i think is a testament to his strength and his grit and continues to be an inspiration for a lot of americans. >> continues his public service in many ways. major? >> my positive story, my good news story is forbearance and the power of concessions. two gubernatorial elections in 2023 in kentucky and mississippi. republican in kentucky lost. conceded, wished his victor well. in mississippi, brandon presley, the democrat lost, wished his republican well on behalf of the state and they both conceded. willingly. eagerly. and importantly wished their opponent well on behalf of their state.

that is a fundamental strength of our democracy. it's coming back. it needs to be encouraged everywhere it's seen. >> bob? >> i'm hopeful about younger people in this country, teenagers, college students, so often they're portrayed in the media, frankly, as people who are addicted to their phones, living on tiktok, and instagram, but when we're on the campaign trail, we're often encountering younger people attending events, who are knowledgeable about politics, following, you know, their civic culture in wherever they live, and i'm hopeful whenever i meet some of these younger people, that not everything is going to be negative, that the younger generation does care. we just got to listen to them. >> that's the only way democracy continues to function. if you continue to participate in it. that's a good, bright note. thank you. >> thanks to all of you for that. we'll be back in a moment.

here on "face the nation," we've covered a lot of tough stories this year, so we asked mark strassmann to go back and recap some of the good news. ♪ >> reporter: ladies first. women headlined all over in

2023, taylor and her jubilant swifties. >> it's amazing that like everybody comes together, and we're all dressed up and participate. >> reporter: beyonce and the beehive. both tours generated billions for local economies mostly from women cheering their heros. >> i have never been more confident and proud to be in my own skin because of her. ♪ >> reporter: barbie, not just a hollywood hit, a cultural conversation. >> barbie is like such a strong and hard woman. she has like 90 jobs. >> reporter: good news speaking of jobs, in 2023, america's rate of working women between 25 and 54 hit a record high, and the overall economy, inflation is down, recession fears faded. >> we're seeing inflation making real progress. these are the things we've been wanting to see. >> reporter: core inflation is down to 4%. back in january, it was 5.6%. >> no justice. >> no peace.

>> reporter: 2023 emboldened workers especially union workers on strike, nurses, autoworkers, hollywood, and they all picketed a path to a happy ending on payday. >> we were realizing wait, we know our worth. >> reporter: fans of come up and telling the truth hit the jackpot. rudy giuliani ordered to pay millions for lie hess told about two georgia election workers. and george santos, the prince of make believe, run out of congress. in entertainment, michelle yo became the first asian woman to win the best-actress oscar, and a salute to first ever female member of the joint chiefs of staff. in sports damar hamlin played again in an nfl game, ten months after he nearly died after cardiac arrest on the football field. >> to be able to still do what i

love at the highest level in the world is amazing. >> reporter: brittney griner playing again in the wnba after languishing for ten months in russian custody. >> love from the fans when i came out was amazing. >> reporter: finally 2023 was a great year for 10 americans released last week from venezuelan custody and five americans released in september by iran. home in time for the holidays. >> and we'll be right back. hi, i'm norma, and i lost 53 pounds on golo. (soft music) a lot of people expect to fall apart as they age, but since taking release, my energy's improved, my skin's improved. i've never felt better. ♪ i got this $1,000 camera for only $41 on dealdash.

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that's it for us today. we want to wish you all a very happy holiday and we'll see you again next sunday. for "face the nation," i'm margaret brennan. york.

>> announcer: this is the "cbs overnight news." tonight, there's a major storm blowing through the midwest. this is nebraska. blizzard warnings are up in some areas of the state. air travel is treacherous. we'll have the latest on the weather threat coming up, but we begin in the middle east. today israel says 15 soldiers

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