♪ >> larry: you go, girl. you go, girl. good evening, i'm kathleen parker. >> i'm elliott spitszer. thanks for joining us. >> it's been a rough couple weeks for poor president barack obama. he gets the sh lacking in the midterms, then criticized for the qe 2. >> the vote ain't big enough. >> it ain't big enough. now, he's in south korea and he's going to have to come home without the prize he went over there to get, only to come home to a debt commission report that everybody hates.

>> kathleen, you are right. it has been a tough two years, let alone two weeks. put that aside, the debt commission may be his ticket back. here is why. it recommends a lot of tough medicine. everybody is criticizing it. democrats saying nancy pelosi, no way, no how. union leaders. republicans are saying because of the tax increase, no way we will do it. he can play the sen tryst in the middle saying everybody needs to take a little medicine. we have to bear pain. he can say i'm the one in the middle. forget the voices on either side. her is the road back to recovery. >> that is music to my ears. i love the idea of radical sen centrism. when he's at the democratic party 2004, he set it up. when elected, no left, no right, we are going to pull together. it hasn't happened, yet.

this time, everybody's got to pay a little bit. there's going to be pain to go around for everyone. >> there's an interpretation of what he's done that fits that mold. let's not fight. going forward with the deficit is what everybody is fighting about now. they do a big job saving $4 trillion in the deficit in the proposals. two-thirds of it spending cuts. one-third, tax increases. that's why everybody is upset. >> one of the people criticizing him is sarah palin. she, by the way, a new poll came out saying she is the most recognizable as well as the most polarizing figure. >> no surprise there. >> among the republican presidential contenders for 2012. >> that's no surprise. look who is out there. a bunch of nobodies. they are not well known to the public. huckabee, the governor of

arkansas, wonderful guy, but doesn't have the profile of sarah palin. >> sarah palin has been helped and hurt by the media. john ziegler has a new movie out talking about the assassination of sarah palin by media. it's a rousing interview. >> it's part of reporting the case this election. the feeling most people get when they hear barack obama's speech. i felt this thrill going up my leg. >> i interviewed lee cowan. he says to me, it's hard to stay objective covering this guy. >> with every victory, obama's congregation is growing. >> it's like being 13 and seeing sean kassidy and we are all on board. we are on board the scott baio train. we are not embarrassed. we talk about how much we love obama. >> i would tlouf find something to criticize about it.

got anything? >> no. i have been criticized for saying he inspires me. to hell with my critics. >> john ziegler is a former conservative talk show host turned film maker. he funded media malpractice out of his pocket. welcome john ziegler. we agree, that clip showed, as nicolle wallace says, it's like running against god. the media, we are in love. i have a tingle up my leg having you sit at my table. >> not sure how to take that. >> i'm between you guys. >> really. >> i'm for truth. i'm for honesty. >> part of the film is how obama got elected and palin was targeted. you essentially bought into the obama myth. >> no, i didn't. you didn't read my earlier

columns. i was writing about him before anyone new who he was. i have never endorsed a candidate. >> read the column you wrote before the election. you didn't buy into the obama moderation myth. >> i did. >> you were duked by the media. >> i thought this is a guy talking not a red or blue america. >> you were duked. >> i was at the 2004 convention. >> were you duped? >> new york city i wasn't duped. i'm the interviewer here. >> i'm just watching. >> this is fun. i wrote critical things of him and i still write critical things of him. >> you endorsed him before the election. >> i did not endorse. >> you took part in the assassination of sarah palin. >> actually, i did not take part in it. i led it. let's be clear. let's get the facts straight. >> you led the assassination.

did you clean the blood off your clothes, yet? >> i said she was out of her league. i have rested my case so many times, i don't need to bring that up, again. >> you were duped into that as well. >> some people came after her in a vicious way. i was not one of them. >> really? >> no, i didn't. did you come here to attack me or are you going to let me interview you? >> i want to understand how someone as smart as you can be duped by the media believing obama is a moderate, not a socialist and sarah palin was not in her league as you said? >> every column i write is a true essay in that moment. i change my mind. i will say if i change my mind. i have not changed my mind about whether sarah palin was ready to be president. i hold john mccain accountable. i think she could have been great. >> here is where i have to jump in.

i will speak for many americans when i say sarah palin was not ready to be president. not ready to be vice president of the united states based on her inability -- her lack of knowledge, lack of understanding. >> based on what? >> we're not going to go there. the other thing i cannot let slide by is your comment about the president of the united states being a socialist. it's ill founded, out of line. i want to talk about your movie for a second. here -- >> you did a great job. >> here is my question. the media is bias. >> right. >> it's always been true and always will be true. there's fox. and then there's msnbc. i'm not saying we are a sense of purity, we are cnn, down the middle. every person in his own way views the world through a prison >> sure. >> isn't it better to say understand that than to live in a world where you pretend

there's objectivity. >> it may be the only thing we agree on. >> i rest my case. >> nobody is objective in totality. i'm for freedom and disclosure. i think it was ridiculous keith olbermann got suspended for doing the most honest thing he did on the air. he's a left winger. he's donating to democrats. big deal. at least we know about that because that's the system. however, you mentioned fox and msnbc. there's no question, the mainstream, how you define that is becoming more and more difficult. the mainstream is still far left. >> stop, stop. >> the 2008 election was so enamored. they were in love. it was sexual. >> wait a second. first of all -- >> i think the media did fall in love with obama. >> i'm not disagreeing with that. >> you guys did, too. >> they fall in love with politicians on both sides. >> he used to be in love with

john mccain. >> these are the rhythms of politics. >> i'm waiting for a republican president after reagan. give me one after reagan. >> george bush. >> i don't think you would find -- listen, listen. i wrote many, many columns favorably about george w. bush. he will tell you that. >> you were conservative before you were on cnn. >> it has nothing to do with cnn. i'm an opinion writer. my opinions are not stationary. by the way, i'm not the mainstream media as in a straight forward reporter. i have been doing it for 23 years. you have a lot of catching up to do if you think i'm a left-wing socialist. >> you endorsed one. >> you are ridiculous. >> george bush got great coverage about his personality, charming demeanor.

he got the problems john kerry never got in the '04 race. >> you think the media was in favor of george w. bush in 2004? >> the coverage he got in 2000. >> right after 9/11 in 2001. >> in 2000 he was embraced by the media that loved him and found him charming. al gore couldn't talk his way anywhere. the media will fall in love, will fall out of love. it's the nature of the first amendment. >> who do you consider mainstream immediate yao? television, newspapers or what? >> here is how i define it. people who do not obsess about politics on a daily basis like we do. it dictates elections. fox news channel has no impact on a general election. they have a huge impact on a

primary election. in a general election, very, very little. it is actually, i believe it is the entertainment shows, the comedy shows with way more influence. we saw it with the assassination of sarah palin in 2008. who destroyed her? tina fey. "snl" ruined here. >> tina fey was adorable in the same ways sarah is adorable. >> i'm sure you enjoyed it in 2008. >> i enjoyed when they were on the show together. >> i asked her to same thing in my interview. this movie is largely based on a 15-minute interview i did with governor palin. >> after the election before she quit her job. >> exactly. early 2009. it's the most comprehensive interview she's done on the 2008 election.

by the way, the entire interview is available in stores nationwide. >> i thought she was very gracious in that interview, i have to say. >> i was wondering the same thing, why did you go on that show. here is what amazed me. i don't think we understand just how small the bubble is in that campaign. i played for her clips for her to react to during the interview that she never saw before. tina fey, this is important. tina fey made an inappropriate joke about her own daughter on "snl" which sarah palin never even saw when she went on the show. she wouldn't have gone on. >> they properly apologized for that. i want to ask a separate question. if you believe the media has a bias and conspiracy -- >> i don't believe in conspiracies.

>> how has sarah palin continued to dominate the political theme. >> great question. i have an answer chltd. >> hold that thought one minute. we have to take a quick break. we'll be back with john ziegler. >> the sarah palin of today is not the sarah palin of the 2008 election. sarah palin 1.0 was assassinated by people like kathleen and others. >> come on. todd palin called me recently. >> do you think he had a history of your columns. let me tell you about a very important phone call i made.

when i got my medicare card, i realized i needed an aarp... medicare supplement insurance card, too. medicare is one of the great things about turning 65, but it doesn't cover everything. in fact, it only pays up to 80% of your part b expenses. if you're already on or eligible for medicare, call now to find out how an aarp... medicare supplement insurance plan, insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company, helps cover some of the medical expenses... not paid by medicare part b. that can save you from paying up to thousands of dollars... out of your own pocket. these are the only medicare supplement insurance plans... exclusively endorsed by aarp. when you call now, you'll get this free information kit... with all you need to enroll.

put their trust in aarp medicare supplement insurance. plus you'll get this free guide to understanding medicare. the prices are competitive. i can keep my own doctor. and i don't need a referral to see a specialist. call now to get a free information kit. plus you'll get this free guide to understanding medicare. and the advantages don't end there. choose from a range of medicare supplement plans... that are all competitively priced. we have a plan for almost everyone, so you can find one that fits your needs and budget. with all medicare supplement plans, there are virtually no claim forms to fill out. plus you can keep your own doctor and hospital that accepts medicare. and best of all, these plans are... the only medicare supplement plans endorsed by aarp. when they told me these plans were endorsed by aarp... i had only one thing to say... sign me up. call the number on your screen now... and find out about an aarp medicare supplement insurance plan.

you'll get this free information kit... and guide to understanding medicare, to help you choose the plan that's right for you. as with all medicare supplement plans, you can keep your own doctor and hospital that accepts medicare, get help paying for what medicare doesn't... and save up to thousands of dollars. call this toll-free number now. we are back with john ziegler. john. >> there's two things you need to understand. the sarah palin of today is not the sarah palin of the 2008 election. sarah palin 1.0 was assassinated by people like kathleen and others. >> come on. todd palin called me recently. >> you think he had a history of columns? >> yeah. he did. i'm saying, if they thought i was the evil doer, they wouldn't have done it. >> they don't have a table of the promedian people.

>> it's pretty limited. >> that's true. here is the answer to the question. sarah palin 2.0, which began the day she took the job at fox news channel and one the media is in love with because it's all about ratings. she is ratings gold for you guys. it's why you talk about her. >> it's why you are here. >> if i was worried about ratings, i wouldn't come on this show. >> our ratings. >> let me ask you a question, why, if they are obsessed with ratings, during the campaign were they malicious to her? >> it's exactly what they were after. it was a perfect storm. >> change perspective? >> it was an ideological bias against her combined with oh, my god, we are going to help obama win and we get huge ratings because she's beautiful. this is the gratest thing you have asked for. >> let me tell you where i think you are wrong.

sarah palin was dealt with in a way every politician was made with. >> they are? compare her statements to joe bidens. >> know biden has been put through the wringer. every politician from bill clinton down has been put in the wringer. she got the treatment based on her answers. that's how the media responded. the other thing i would say is there has not been a transformation of sarah palin. >> she's a totally different person now. >> i think she's decided to be her own person. >> the notion that somehow this is the same entity that got assassinated could it have been the next ronald reagan. she was dealt this hand of cards by the media, she's turned a negative into a positive for her, her family and parts of her cause. it does not mean it's conducive to a presidential run.

>> i agree with you. how did you get into this. how did you come to sarah palin and say let me do this? >> i did something stupid, in retro spect. i decided to make the movie back when hillary clinton was getting jobbed. i'm no fan of the clintons. i bought the domain name how obama got elected in june, 2008. i was that positive that is what was going to happen. i spent at the time $250,000 on this film. if sarah palin had not done the interview with me, i probably would have lost the whole thing. she said i want to do anything i can to help with media accountable. i believed her word. i went up to wasilla. it was amazing. the media went nuts with it. we are releasing it nationwide. it's on video on demand. we can reach the mainstream.

>> you know sarah palin maybe better than anybody. is she going to run in 2012? >> i would have to say it's 60/40 no. if she does run, it's because she feels it's the best way for her to remain relevant over the next year or so when she would announce between that time and the primaries. i think she's smart enough to realize she is not the best person to go after barack obama in a general election. if she's not smart enough, i will have misjudged her greatly. she's not the best to go after obama. >> one last question. what do you think sarah palin wants to accomplish? what is her agenda? >> i believe her agenda is to do it best for her country, her family and herself. that's what i believe her agenda is and she's pursuing it well now. >> she's certainly doing well. i can't deny her that.

>> a lot of democrats hoping she runs. barack obama hoping she runs. john, thank you. >> see, the media wants her to run. >> see "media malpractice." john, thank you for coming by. >> thank you. >> we'll be right back. >> usa, usa, usa! >> no mosque here. sweet! [ female announcer ] tastes like sugar and has 3 grams of fiber per tablespoon. use it almost anywhere you use sugar. even in cooking and baking. sweet! [ female announcer ] splenda® granulated with fiber.

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tonight's person of interest was the focus of a nationwide controversy this past summer that divided our country. the developer for the ground zero community center. sharif, thank you for being here. >> kathleen, eliot, thank you for having me. >> things quieted down. it was a source of media, hysteria. where are things now. $100 million a big knot. how close are you to doing something? >> we are in the process of making it happen. we are very happy that the spotlight has moved on to other issues which are more relevant

and more important. we are happy the media decided to focus on other things. but, we are in the process of developing our board and putting together the nonfor profit and focusing on the real work ahead of us. some of the questions were whether some of the islamic groups would have access or make contributions. you have to raise $100 million. how will you know. you said you would not accept money from organizations with terrorist associations. how will you know money is not tainted? >> i'm going to ask eliot to help me out. having a process, there's three points i want to make in respect to that. we are not taking money from iran or organizations with un-american values or that -- this is an american project. you know, everyone has to

remember that, you know, this is an american project that is going to serve the needs of lower manhattan, the fastest growing residential neighborhood in the burrows in manhattan demographically speaking. you know, cb one, community board one, has 50,000 residents that reside there. this is about serving the needs of american citizens and americans that live in lower manhattan. it's a muslim led project like a jcc or ymca. it caters to the people living in the neighborhood. >> right. >> $100 million is a big number. when the media hysteria was going on, should you, the constitutional issues. put it aside. how much money do you have now to move forward? >> you are from a family of real estate developers. it's about putting together a

capital stock. we are not putting in $100 million of cash to build the community center. there are different components to it whether debt or equity. the economic development corp. that sponsors the projects. >> we don't want to do that, how much -- >> thank god. >> it could be useful for a lot of folks. how much equity do you need? >> we need to raise between $20 million to $30 million. >> how much do you have in the bank now? >> we have expressions of interest from the most prominent people around the country who want to get involved in the project. we are putting together our board. it's going to be an essential component of the responsibility for how the money is coming in and the money coming in. >> do you have a chairman of the board, a chairwoman, the chairperson?

>> the chairman the board. >> who is he? >> an american. an american who has been a fabric of lower manhattan for the last 30 years. >> who is in charge of the fund raising? i'm trying to get my arms around the money here. given the controversy and the money, are you going to be able to do it? for those who believe you should and your rights have been trampled on, where is the money to quote a famous line in a movie. show us the money. is it there? >> absolutely. we haven't started the fund raising process yet. we were trying to understand what's happening for the last couple months. today, we are finalizing the non-for-profit, putting together the elements to empower us to go out on our campaign and raise the funds.

>> doesn't sound like there's money yet, at all. >> not yet. no, no, no. >> one more question on the money because it's been out there. real estate taxes owed on this piece of property. are they in arrears? >> nope. we are in -- right now, we have a process that we have entered into with the department of finance. we did not pay the real estate taxes because as a developer, you challenge the city for the assessment of a vacant piece of real estate. we have entered into a payment plan and we are current. there are no issues from a tax perspective. >> you have paid off the $225,000, approximately, in taxes. >> we have entered into an agreement. we are challenging the assessment of the real estate taxes on this piece of real estate. as a real estate guy, from a real estate family, it's a process you enter into when you

buy a piece of real estate. >> not to correct you, but we always pay the taxes first. if you go to the city's website, right now, it indicates you are in arrears for $226,000. >> we are not in arrears. we have entered into an agreement and we are in compliance. >> looking back, after all the controversy, is there anything you would have done differently to preempt the public outcry? any way to make it more accepted? >> it's been an eye opener to me to see how my country looks at islam. >> you are an all american story. you were born in this country. >> i was born in a brooklyn hospital. my wife is a young lady from east hampton, new york. i'm an american.

i'm a new yorker. this is my city. i'm a real estate developer. this has been an eye-opener for me. >> i'm sure. as a piece of real estate, is this the best use for that property for you? is this driven in part by your wish to have an islamic center verses a gap or something in this building? >> this started out -- this is an idea and a concept we feel is going to help revitalize lower manhattan. the community board voted twice in favor of the project. the mayor, our local elected officials are behind this project. this is a project that lower manhattan and new york wants. >> having said that, have you seen dissipation in any of the international support because of

the media hysteria? there are headlines about certain saudi princes that were big potential backers moving away. >> this is an american project that is going to be funded and run in new york city, not anywhere else. this is not an international issue. this is an american product about serving the needs of a community in lower manhattan. >> the community itself. what is your sensibility when you deal with the community board members? are they still behind you? let's move forward? >> we are meeting with them and getting them involved. they can't wait for this to be built. >> all right, sharif el-gamal. stay with us, we will be right back. >> you're single. >> yes. >> could you date a democrat? i see carvel -- >> if that democrat doesn't mind being wrong a lot, sure. sure i could.

>> can you separate it? there you go. opposites, they say opposites attract. could you date a person with completely opposite views of you? >> just when i vote, when i'm looking for in a man is character. let me tell you about a very important phone call i made.

when i got my medicare card, i realized i needed an aarp... medicare supplement insurance card, too. medicare is one of the great things about turning 65, but it doesn't cover everything. in fact, it only pays up to 80% of your part b expenses. if you're already on or eligible for medicare, call now to find out how an aarp... medicare supplement insurance plan, insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company, helps cover some of the medical expenses... not paid by medicare part b. that can save you from paying up to thousands of dollars... out of your own pocket. these are the only medicare supplement insurance plans... exclusively endorsed by aarp. when you call now, you'll get this free information kit... with all you need to enroll. put their trust in aarp medicare supplement insurance. plus you'll get this free guide to understanding medicare. the prices are competitive. i can keep my own doctor. and i don't need a referral to see a specialist. call now to get a free information kit.

plus you'll get this free guide to understanding medicare. and the advantages don't end there. choose from a range of medicare supplement plans... that are all competitively priced. we have a plan for almost everyone, so you can find one that fits your needs and budget. with all medicare supplement plans, there are virtually no claim forms to fill out. plus you can keep your own doctor and hospital that accepts medicare. and best of all, these plans are... the only medicare supplement plans endorsed by aarp. when they told me these plans were endorsed by aarp... i had only one thing to say... sign me up. call the number on your screen now... and find out about an aarp medicare supplement insurance plan. you'll get this free information kit... and guide to understanding medicare, to help you choose the plan that's right for you. as with all medicare supplement plans, you can keep your own doctor and hospital that accepts medicare, get help paying for what medicare doesn't... and save up to thousands of dollars. call this toll-free number now.

it's time to have fun with politics. who better to bring the fun than christine o'donnell. she stopped by "the tonight show" to chat with jay leno. now, she's ready to talk about the important stuff, dating. >> you are single, right? >> yes. >> could you date a democrat? >> if that democrat doesn't mind being wrong a lot, sure. >> could you date a person with completely opposite views as you? >> just when i vote, what i'm looking for in a man is character. it's all about character. character and confidence. there's a big difference in good character and being confident and an egomaniac. >> russ meets her character and confidence cry tier that. >> i have a better one. george clooney.

she's open to dating democrats. why not give hollywood's number one bachelor a try. two great choices. take your pick. you have to take the plunge. it's easier than figuring out the old first amendment. >> we'll be right back. >> i want to know, who convinced the president to go overseas after the midterm election? it makes no sense at all, after what happened. after the clear identification of the problems at home, how people are feeling about this administration, about the democrats, you leave and go to india that is identified with outsourcing jobs. [ male announcer ] it's a rule of nature. you don't decide when vegetables reach the peak of perfection. the vegetables do. at green giant, we pick vegetables only when they're perfect. then freeze them fast so they're are as nutritious as fresh. [ green giant ] ho ho ho. ♪ green giant

the president's debt commissions newly released road map is facing fierce criticism. several interest groups attacking it. >> this as the president is returning from a setback overseas this sa stalled trade agreement with south korea. a disappointing development for the white house. >> it's been difficult for the president. arianna huffington is with us and chrystia freeland. thank you for being here. >> before you launch, may i say

how happy i am that i'm at a table with two women and you. usually, i'm swimming, pedalling and treading water. >> i'm fighting up hill already. >> you are going to be singing opera before we are done with you. >> we are talking about tough economic issues. it's nice it's a female dominated panel. >> i'm breaking out in hives. >> we can segway from hair to qe 2. >> it's a boat, right? let's bring this back to reality, please. what's happening here? arianna -- >> i'm surprised you went there. >> i just read the script. i go off-script too often. the debt commission. do you buy the notion it could be a political ticket back for barack obama, but some back in the limelight in the position of leadership.

>> it would have been possible if there was a jobs commission at the same time. the problem is, before we see the debt commission report, the fact there's no jobs commission and the emphasis is on the deficit rather than creating jobs is a problem. the reference points of that commission, we are talking 2037. that's when they are talking about balancing the budget. it's not the short term. the short term, the national conversation should be been about job creation. >> fascinating point. that's right. >> the white house has been reluctant to step forward. health care comes to mind. can president obama enact a series of unpopular proposals. >> he made it an art form. >> one thing you can't criticize him for is reluctant to take unpopular decisions.

he's done an amazing thing of being criticized fiercely by the right, the former wall street constituents. i don't think we can accuse him of pandering. to your point, eliot, about the deficit commission. he created it, right? this is actually, it's not as if it came from outer space. this is something he created. i think the white house did it intentional to come at this moment in the political cycle. i'm not saying they had a crystal ball, but they wanted it to happen now because they believe it is a big issue and they wanted to have as much distance between the midterms and 2012. >> yes. >> also, i think, to move the conversation on to what they thought was the next issue. >> arianna's point is powerful. everybody is focused on jobs, not the deficit. do you need to deal with jobs before you make the hard decisions?

>> for reasons. the truth is, everybody would agree, we would never be able to solve the deficit problem if we don't rebuild the economy. it's not going to happen. the numbers are too huge. what are we doing to rebuild the economy? nobody can tell you how we are going to get to 8% em let alone 5%. >> let's switch gears and go overseas. the president fled the country after the midterm elections? has this been a disaster? he gets nothing from south korea. he goes to g-20 and they are about to attack us. what is happening? is this an uprising of the world against us financially? >> i want to know, who convinced the president to go overseas after the midterm election? it doesn't make any sense at all. after what happened. after the clear identification of the problems we are having at

home of how people are feeling about this administration, about the democrats, you leave and go to india, identified in people's minds as outsourcing jobs. >> he thought his job was outsourced? >> i'm not going to defend the egghead people in the white house. i'm not saying politically it wasn't a mistake because it looks like it was. beforehand, i thought it was smart to do. it showed america is part of the global economy, reaching out to india, which i think is an incredibly important emerging market. this is the biggest democracy. they are growing so fast. >> chrystia, you spend too much time with the foreign relations. this is approved 80-1. >> actually, the key -- >> time ing is everything. >> the view that argues, i think is kind of the easy one that

there are going to be made in america solutions to america's huge problems. that's going to be wrong. the problems obama is facing at the g-20 are the first big wake up call to america. it no longer rules the economy. we have to figure out how to operate in the new environment. >> that's the critical point. the g-20 is suddenly, the president of the united states doesn't show up and they say yes, sir, yes, ma'am. how do we respond to you. they are attacking us saying your policies are wrong. >> your policies and your whole way you run your economy. to me, the most important two statements have been the state endorsed ratings agency in china said the u.s. economic system doesn't work. we are downgrading the u.s. that is huge. then you had the german foreign

minister saying i don't like the way the u.s. economy works. >> can i ask a question? did they know the mortgage debt was going to go bad, too? are they people we have to rely on, too. >> i think america does have to rely on them. they are huge consumers of huge u.s. debt. they have a good reason to be scared by the fed pumping money into the economy. it means america gets to pay china back and devalue u.s. dollars. >> don't worry about the fed pumping $600 billion into the economy in the way they are doing it. again, we benefit the people, the most resources, the banks. the same beneficiaries. aren't there other ways to do that? how about buying municipal bonds? surely, the fed has tools at its disposal rather than help build grass and the banks, again.

>> it's not so much a question of whether the fed has other tools. it's a question of whether you are a believer in stimulus, there should be fiscal stimulus as well as on the monetary side. >> even within the terms of mandatory policy. i agree, there has to be fiscal stimulus. with what the fed is doing, the fed is doing things that i don't see how they are going to help mainstream and the middle class. >> let's put this back. you are right. fiscal policy is not viable. they are out of tools to use. they are trying this qe-2 stuff. this is the single largest transfer of wealth from the middle class to the rich. the banks are making a ton of money these days. it's not focused on enough. >> it's good for corporations. you can borrow huge amounts of money at cheaper rates. >> you have been talking to sarah palin.

>> we are not going down that path. >> sarah palin has a point in terms of the interest of her actual constituency. i'll probably define as lower middle classish. the people that tend to be on fixed incomes, not a lot of debt. that particular slice of america is going to be hurt if you see an inflationary policy. >> you are right. sarah palin is ahead of the white house. politically, sarah palin picked up the support of everybody grabbing a pitch fork to point it at somebody. the white house is having it pointed at them. instead of leading the charge carrying the pitch fork. >> it's a lot of pitch forks. >> there are a lot of pitch forks out there now and they have it wrong. it's the problem. >> what is going on with david axelrod. he said they were willing to extend the tax cuts, the bush tax cuts then today he said no, he was mischaracterized. what is going on here?

>> the fact is, we are going to know they are going to cave. this is obvious. again, if they were going to cave, why didn't they take the initiative and work out a compromise where they wouldn't be appearing to be surrendering and out of options. it's unfortunate here. there was a moment, before the election when john boehner was on one of the sunday shows saying maybe we shouldn't go all the way and extend all the bush tax cuts. they never took advantage of that moment. >> isn't caving better than not caving at this point if you are worried about the state of the u.s. economy? >> it speaks to their inability of being able to negotiate. >> for the common good. >> it's the same thing that happened with the stimulus. $300 billion of tax cuts in the

stimulus that are now seen by everybody as being stimulus and nobody can tell you among the average voter they were $300 billion of tax cuts. they caved. >> fascinating conversation. we'll be right back. icare part. we're ready, and we can't wait to switch. [ male announcer ] make the switch to an aarp medicarerx plan, insured through unitedhealthcare. call now for a free information kit. discover why these part d plans are so popular with over 4.3 million members. [ man ] what i wanted was simple. the most value for my dollar. so now that it's time, we're making the move to a plan that really works for us. plus, we'll be covered at like 60,000 pharmacies. [ male announcer ] call now and get predictable copays with no annual deductible, which means you could start saving with your first prescription. aarp medicarerx plans include nearly all the drugs covered by medicare part d. so, why wait? call now.

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hello, i'm jo johns. "parker spitzer" is back in a moment. first, the latest. >> on this veterans day, vice president, joe biden led a wreath laying ceremony. the vice president called more than 23 million surviving veterans the heart and soul of the nation. in san diego more than 3,000 carnival cruise ship passengers are on land after a fire that stranded them at sea. they spent three days without air-conditioning, hot showers and meals. three days that seemed like three years. >> it was like gilligan's island. i felt like maroon on a ship. i had mayo sandwiches and backed

up toilets. it was bad all the way around. we are keeping them honest. amazon.com condoning two books of of pedestrian feel ya. we'll show our efforts to contact the companies executives to get a response. john walsh, host of "america's most wanted" joins us later. "parker spitzer" continues now.

before we go, a postscript. it's veterans day. we were searching for a way to honor the men and women who wake up each morning to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. >> troops have been returning for their loved ones. robin meade of headline news was there when a sergeant came home after a six-month deployment in afghanistan. take a look.

>> you have never held him in your arms. what is this moment like for you? >> meet the little one and see my daughter after her birthday, it was a blessing, truly. >> to finally have dad right here? >> great. >> it was great, wasn't it? gonna hold this moment like a picture snoet. >> it's a hard choice. every time it comes up, to know that some of that time will be away. it's what's best for my family. welcome home