attorney jenner i can holder refused demands that he apoint special counsel to investigate recent leaks of sensitive national security information. >> two people i pointed to look into matters are first rate prosecutors. >> special counsel, somebody new other than the two people that all of us could buy into? >> senator, i think you're missing something here. >> i think you're missing something here. i think you're missing the fact that this is a very big deal, and you're handling it in a way that creates suspicions where there should not be. >> republicans also confronted the attorney general over a program called fast and furious, it was designed to trace weapon smuggling, but ended up helping mexican drug cartels get guns from the united states, one of the guns found at the scene of a murdered u.s. border patrol agents. they may cite holder for contempt next week for what they see as lack of cooperation with their investigation.

senators made clear, they noticed too. >> you still resist coming clean about what you knew and when you knew it with regard to operation fast and furious. you won't cooperate with legitimate congressional investigation and won't hold anyone, including yourself accountable. mr. attorney general, it is more with sorrow than regret, than anger i would say you leave me no alternative but to join those that call upon you to resign your office. >> look at this image here. there's the attorney general looking just like that during senator cornyn's nearly four minute tirade. here is his answer. >> with all due respect, senator, there's so much that's factually wrong with the premise that you started your statement with. you know, it is almost breathtaking. so i don't have any intention of resigning. >> dana bash was on hand for the fireworks. how much of this legitimate policy disagreements and how much is partisan politics?

>> i think republicans do have a couple of legitimate policy differences. first of all, let's just talk about the leaks. they have a legitimate argument to make that any administration simply cannot and should not investigate itself. these leaks, people here believe in a bipartisan way really hurt national security, so republicans like democrats did in republican administrations, saying why not have somebody completely independent, whether it was kplit cli motivated or not, let somebody independent decide. on fast and furious, you describe the program, republicans again have a legitimate argument that they are pretty miffed that the justice department is simply not giving them documents to explain why they actually really misinformed congress saying they didn't believe this program existed the way it did. so they want to know why. the issue though, john, is frankly the messengers. you saw john cornyn there, he certainly has credentials, was attorney general in texas, from

that border state, but he is also somebody who is in charge politically of getting republicans elected. so that taints that right away. and on the other issue, the whole idea of wanting to appoint a special counsel, john mccain has been leading the charge on that. he has credentials on national security, nobody disputes that, he was also the president's opponent four years ago. >> as we try to sort this out, there's possibility of contempt citation as early as next week. if you talk to the attorney general's people, they are going out of the way to heap praise on the leadership. john boehner saying there could be good faith negotiations over resolving this. >> i don't think so. you talk to the leadership in the house, they believe the reason they rejected that offer right away, they believe what eric holder was trying to do was drive a wedge between the speaker and darrell issa, the chairman of the committee that will hold this contempt vote next week.

they believe holder was trying to drive that wedge because they saw in the press, something according to my reporting and others happens to be true, that the speaker was really reluctant to take this very important, significant move and call this vote to hold the attorney general in contempt, but what the speaker's office will say is that the attorney general, the justice department and obama administration don't understand that now that the speaker is on board, he is not going to let go, and he wants to move forward unless they get all the documents. >> dana bash, thanks. shifting to the big trial in pennsylvania. the 18-year-old that triggered the trial against jerry sandusky wept on the stand. the prosecution identifies him as victim one. he just graduated high school last weekend. reporters in the courtroom say he stopped and stared at the former penn state football coach while testifying about an alleged sex act. sarah, i want to read part of his testimony. a lot of it was graphic. let's read this part, while he

was recalling an alleged sex act. i just kind of blacked out and didn't want it to happen. i froze. you were in the courtroom today, sarah. what was it like when victim number one cried on the stand? >> reporter: he was very emotional. i saw many of the jurors with their hands up to their faces, turned in their chairs, staring intently at him, captivated and engaged by his testimony. he broke down more than once. he really had a hard time from the beginning. you could tell from the moment he walked through the courtroom door that he was tortured, and overwhelmed. very soft spoken in the beginning, although he got his confidence a little on cross examination, and challenged the defense attorney a little bit, but jerry sandusky was leaned up against the table, staring back at him, including the time like you mentioned when he had sobbed. had his head in his hands, he looked up, he looked directly at jerry sandusky, was staring directly at jerry sandusky, and

seemed to get strength from that to continue his testimony. >> a man many consider the prosecution's star witness, at least a key witness. the assistant coach, mike mcqueary on the stand today as well. tell us about that testimony. >> reporter: you know, his testimony was very predictable to be honest with you. he told that story on the stand before, we all heard it back in december when he testified at a hearing for the two penn state officials charged with perjury and failing to report this incident. he has told this story to his father, to a family confidant, to joe paterno, to penn state officials, he has written it in a police statement that was made public. we heard it all before, wasn't a whole lot that was new. it was interesting to see prosecutors put photos on the screen for the your that showed that locker room where he says it all occurred. i think it visualized it for all of us. especially they put dummies into the shower to show what he would have seen when he peered into the shower and then took photographs the opposite way,

what jerry sandusky and the young boy might have seen when they were looking back. this is all according to mcqueary's account. that was to sum up his testimony. he said something we haven't heard before, he peered into the shower three times, in the past he said two. we expect the defense to capitalize on that. >> sarah, thank you. let's get perspective from our legal panel, sunny hostin. start with what sarah said. mcqueary's story, three times, previously said two times. any change in testimony, is that significant enough? >> no, it's not going to be significant enough, especially because he really remains steadfast in what he saw. while i think the defense scored perhaps some points in terms of his recollection of the dates, they really didn't i think shake his testimony in terms of his recollection, john, of what he actually saw. he has maintained the same story

once, twice, three times. testified in front of the grand jury, at the preliminary hearing, and he maintains he saw jerry sandusky sexually assaulting a young boy. >> and you're a former prosecutor, you know what it is like in a courtroom in a high stakes case when you hear about victim number one and is that testimony, sunny, staring at jerry sandusky, breaking down, crying at one point, talk about the impact on the jury in a case like this. >> it is significant. this is my expertise. i tried sex crimes. i know how difficult it is for victims to get on the witness stand and tell their stories, and i especially know after speaking to many juries about this type of testimony that its very, very difficult for the jury because people don't want to believe that this kind of thing occurs in our country every day, that children are assaulted, and so certainly this may have been traumatic for this victim, but certainly also actually traumatic for the jury.

my understanding is that, you know, joe amendola was cross-examining the victim and the victim cried even more and said to -- joe asked him whether or not he needed a break, and the victim said no, i just need you to stop asking me the same question over and over again, so i can't imagine that played well to this jury, the fact that on cross examination the victim cried even more, so not a great day i think for the defense today. >> our legal analyst, sunny hostin, thank you. >> thanks, john. when we come back, we will be joined by rick santorum. why he thinks his fellow conservatives can trust mitt romney even though months ago santorum told them they can't. later, florida's governor is here to defend his state's controversial decision to remove thousands of names from voter lists, provoking a federal lawsuit. [ woman ] for the london olympic games, our town had a "brilliant" idea. support team usa and show our olympic spirit

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republican presidential candidate mitt romney told florida voters he hopes the supreme court acts soon to overturn the health care law. romney says it is critical to determine the long term path for health care. >> the supreme court is about to make a decision with regards to obama care. i have in my pocket what they're going to say. actually, i don't know what they're going today. you know, regardless of what they do, it is going to be up to the next president to repeal and replace obama care or to replace obama care, and i intend to do both. >> now a man who for months made the case governor romney was a flaw. rick santorum. senator, good to see you. you heard governor romney there. i want you to relive a bit of history. this is you a couple months ago saying when this man talks health care, don't believe him.

>> he put forwards the bill that was the model for obama care, then advocated that at the federal level, then denied that he did it. not only was the policy bad, you can't trust him to tell the truth about what he advocated. >> do you trust him now, senator? >> i trust him more than i do barack obama. this election is about a choice. it is a choice of someone who is steadfastly supported government intervention in healthcare and other areas, one of the reasons the economy is struggling as much as it is, versus governor romney who said as he said in that speech today in florida that he will repeal obama care and replace it with a free market system. i looked at governor romney's plan. i support most of the ten et cetera of the plan. i am going to stay active in politics. started an organization, patriotvoices.com. we are going to make sure politicians that say they're going to do things are held with

their feet to the fire, do that with romney and other candidates campaigning and asking for conservative votes. >> it sounds like you still view it as governor romney is the lesser of two evils. in a close competitive election today, don't know what it will be like in november but today, do you worry people follow your cue, listen to you, hear that's not an enthusiastic vote for romney, it is he is better than the other guy. >> i am passionate and enthusiastic about other things he supports and we have in common. made no bones about my concerns about his health care plan in massachusetts, but at the same time he has been clear, he is going to replace obama care, that i am hopeful the supreme court will do it before he has a chance to do it. if you look at the plans he put forward, they're plans that focus on private sector reform, believing in free markets and free people, not having the government control access to

health care, telling doctors to limit care to people, ration care. those are the things i was concerned about in the primary, and hopeful with governor romney, we have a good shot at making those things happen. with barack obama, we have 0% chance. we won't repeal obama care, see market reforms. the things in obama care that destroyed private markets like health savings accounts would go into effect and do the opposite of what's necessary. >> you were the guy in the republican field that came closest, had the best shot of getting governor romney and fell just short. i am always fascinated after a tough campaign, what happens. you endorsed him. you made clear to support him and keep his feet to the fire at the same time. what has it been like. are you just tolerated by the romney campaign or are you welcome, reaching out to you, asking your advice? >> well, my feeling is that as a private citizen, i have an obligation to go out and work

hard, running for office, maybe at the most important time in this country. we are going to help the romney campaign where we can be helpful, doing things to help not just the romney campaign but other campaigns in the country, patriotvoices.com. we are going to make sure those voices are heard, elect people with the principles of the founding fathers, not top down, government orchestrated, that's the emphasis between not just now and the election but going past that. >> if the phone rang, governor romney, close to picking a running mate, who do you think it should be? what would you say? >> one of the things i said out of the race, last thing i am going today is advise the person that van kwished me. he did a good job making the race and decisions. i am not going to be out there

as former foe making recommendations. i leave that to him. hopefully he'll make a good, strong choice, principled conservative who could fill his shoes should something happen to him. that should be the criteria. >> you know how tough your state is for candidates. new quinnipiac pole shows a lead, 46 to 40%. who would handle the economy, romney beats him. is pennsylvania really in play or would you lean it blue? >> i would say pennsylvania is in play, if you saw what happened in wisconsin, pennsylvania is, you know, as much a swing state as wisconsin is. we saw the reaction of having a principled conservative leader stand up and boldly lead. i am hopeful that's the message that will be delivered by governor romney heading down the stretch. i think the people of pennsylvania will respond positively to that. they're looking for like we all are in america, looking for a

common sense leader in america that will tell the truth. i think that will play well throughout pennsylvania. the economy in pennsylvania is doing better because of the energy economy in the state. barack obama is not energy friendly. that's not going to play well in major parts of our state, and i think that's one of the reasons it will stay in play. >> pleasure having you. still ahead, the truth why president obama may want to follow his own campaign ad's advice. slogan's advice. and new developments in the trayvon martin case. hello bobby. do you know you could save hundreds on car insurance over the phone, online or at your local geico office? tell us bobby, what would you do with all those savings? hire a better ventriloquist. your lips are moving. geico®. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent

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welcome back. lisa sylvester with the latest news you need to know. >> the wife of george zimmerman was released on bond for allegedly misleading the court on the couple's finances. her husband is charged with secondary murder in the shooting death of florida teenager trayvon martin in february. george zimmerman was released on bail until a judge ordered him back for the same perjury charge. shelly zimmerman will be arraigned july 31st. colorado officials doubling crews battling the canyon blaze that plowed through more than 40,000 acres, left one woman dead. firefighters are work to go contain at least 10% of the hi park wildfire. the wind whipped flames consumed

more land than the town itself. and finally, coming to testify about a bill banning gays, lesbian, transgender people, as noted by the committee chairman, he also set a precedent. >> told by my staff that you are indeed the first transgender individual to did he have before the u.s. senate. i am proud of this committee. >> thank you, sir. >> the bill banning hiring a workplace discrimination against gays has been introduced during every congressional session since 1994. it likely won't be passed this year either. john? >> interesting. moment of history on capitol hill today. in a moment, florida's republican governor joins us to defend his state's effort to root out illegal voting. it evoked a federal lawsuit of unfairly targeting democrats and

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this half hour, hillary clinton's warning about what would be a dramatic escalation. word the russians are sending attack helicopters to the assad regime. and a controversial program to weed out voters. say it targets democrats, independents, minorities.

and george herbert walker bush celebrates his 80th birthday by talking fashion. florida is suing the federal government, and the federal government is suing florida over who can cast a ballot in the critical ballot state. at issue, florida's controversial attempt to purge illegal voters from the system. the state says it was denied access to a federal immigration database. they used the dmv to put together voters that need to prove citizenship. 87 have been found so far. 500 people have been identified as legal. the attorney general, eric holder, says the purge is illegal, says they are done writing letters to voters in the state of florida and it is time for action. >> we have done all we can in trying to reason with people in florida through the provision of these letters, we are prepared to go to court. >> rick scott live with us from tampa. governor, if you hear the

attorney general, he is saying essentially you are being unreasonable. how would you answer that. >> john, my job is to make sure noncitizens don't dilute the legitimate vote of a u.s. citizen. we know that -- we did that small sample. we know there's approximately 100 individuals registered to volt that aren't citizens. 50 have voted in elections. the right database to use is homeland security database. it is supposed to be used for voter registration. doesn't make any sense to me. we are trying to do the right thing. from my stand point, i want to work with homeland security, justice to make sure that u.s. citizens' vote is not diluted. we are doing the right thing. i can't imagine anybody not wanting to make sure noncitizens don't dilute legitimate juchlt citizens' vote. this isn't a partisan issue. i have not talked to one person in our state that says they

think noncitizens should be able to illegally vote in our races. >> you say it is not a partisan issue. listen to senator dick durbin, democrat from illinois, commented about other states doing it, talking specifically about florida. he says you're up to something he would call nefarious. >> of the 2700 names on the list, 87% were minorities. the overwhelming majority of people on the list were registered independents and democrats. perhaps more to the point, almost all the people on the state's list of suspected noncitizens are actually american citizens. >> answer the senator there, governor. >> what it proves is why wouldn't homeland security give us the database we are entitled to to do this the right way, make sure that no one ever questions whether it is, you know -- >> without that database, are you doing it the wrong way? >> you know, john, what we're doing, we are doing what we could do, we used a sample with

2600 names because it is the only way we could do it. i've got to make sure. i know people have registered. we have evidence people are registered to vote that are noncitizens, they're voting. i can't sit here and allow noncitizens to dilute the vote of legitimate u.s. citizens, so is the right way to do it the database from homeland security? absolutely. but we started with ours, and we need to get the homeland security database. >> is there a risk though, you mentioned 50 people you have verified are not citizens and voted in past elections, and that's illegal, governor you have every right to crackdown on those people. is there a risk to use your way, the government says it is a flawed way, as you identify people, you identify some as questionable and they don't take steps necessary to get cleared, do you worry if you find 50 with no right to vote, not citizens, there may be 50, 55, 60, 70, that are citizens, don't get reverified and lose the right to vote. >> they're going to lose the

right to vote. what happens is they have 30 days to respond to a letter. if they don't, a public notice in the paper. if they went to vote, they would just vote on provisional ballot, we would make sure if they were a u.s. citizen, they have the right to vote. no one has lost the right to vote. no u.s. citizen is being kicked off voter rolls. there's no purge going on. we're simply trying to make sure the legitimate right. think about it, this is a basic right of an american, their right is not diluted by somebody that doesn't have the right to vote because they're a noncitizen. it is a crime. >> how could it be, either the senator's statistics are wrong or in doing it the way you're doing it, you come up with 87% minorities, the overwhelming majority, registered independents and democrats. you live in a big state, visited many times. how is it if you're doing this in a fair way that's happening? >> we have been asking for the database from homeland security for nine months.

>> but is the senator right in the way you're doing it? you get 87% minorities. >> we did it based on the database we had from the motor vehicle. we took 2600 names. did the process. first off, we know based on that that we have people that registered to vote that aren't entitled too, noncitizens, they voted. that impacts races. we can't allow that to happen. i am supposed to enforce the laws of the land. the law of florida is if you're a noncitizen, you don't vote in these races. >> i understand the points. my question is if you did it your way, how did you come up with a list with 87% minorities and majority of independents and democrats. >> i don't know how he came up with his numbers. we did it based on the only data we could use because homeland security elected for whatever reason not to give us that database we are entitled to, supposed to be used for voter

registration. we try to do things the right way. but we have to make sure noncitizens don't dilute the vote of citizens. it is illegal. it is a crime. and your vote is important. >> governor rick scott, appreciate your time. contentious issue. watch it as it plays out in the courts. >> i'll see you down here for the convention. it will be fun. >> looking forward to the convention and many other trips to florida. 147 days to go. your state could decide it all. we'll see a lot between now and then. thanks for your time. shifting overseas to the ominous developments in syria. for the first time, head of united nations force calls it a full scale civil war. we have amateur video, government helicopters firing what appear to be missiles. secretary of state clinton warning more helicopters may be on the way. >> we are concerned about the latest information we have that there are attack helicopters on the way from russia to syria,

which will escalate the conflict quite dramatically. >> penalty gone correspondent barbara starr joins us. this is a troubling development. the russian version is particularly vicious. what military advantage would that give the syrian regime? >> what the secretary of state is talking about is escalation from that military advantage. these helicopters move in very quickly, they can fire missiles, rockets, they can linger over a target for some period of time. you see it in the video right there, staying over target, firing again and again and again. and firing with precision, yet indiscriminately. killing civilians, children, killing opposition forces. this gives the syrian regime forces a very critical advantage. their land war is becoming very expensive, both in terms of money and the forces involved. this let's them move in very quickly, attack, and leave. john? >> and barbara, as we watch the

arms shipments and what state department complaints about the russians, there are claims from human rights organizations using children as shields. >> john, this emerging also today from the united nations in a report saying children are now being terribly victimized by the regime forces. they're talking about children being beaten, blindfolded, tortured, whipped, attacked with electrical cords, burned with cigarettes. some of the videos that emerged from syria in recent days show children terribly injured on the ground. it is hard to imagine how this is happening. it is causing a good deal of concern around the world. here in washington, the obama administration still sticking to their plan that they hope diplomacy will work, but even if the united nations now which is bringing some of this information to light doubts are seriously growing whether diplomacy can win out in the

end, john. >> i think without a doubt. a dire warning for democrats. two men that helped elect bill clinton tell president obama to change his campaign strategy or face failure come november. if you made a list of countries from around the world... ...with the best math scores. ...the united states would be on that list. in 25th place. let's raise academic standards across the nation. let's get back to the head of the class. let's solve this. to help protect your eye health as you age... would you take it? well, there is.

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the president's campaign slogan, most ad money is being spent at the moment looking back. >> when mitt romney was

governor, massachusetts was number one, number one in state debt. $18 billion in debt. more debt per person than any other state in the country. >> now some leading democratic strategists are to put it mildly not impressed. dan greenberg and james karg he will who is a contributor helped elect clinton in 1992 and take issue with team obama strategy now. they write this. we will face an impossible headwind in november if we do not move to a new narrative, one that context actualizes the recovery, but more importantly, focuses on what we will do to make a better future for the middle class. and writing for democracy corp, they say recent focus group shows republican mitt romney is plenty vulnerable, but argue president obama needs to take a longer term view about the economy to earn four more years. it is elites that create conventional wisdom, that an incumbent press must run on his economic performance, and

therefore must convince voters that things are moving in the right direction, they are wrong and that will fail. there's a simple truth at play here. there is more grumbling, publicly and privately about the white house political operation of late. why? some democrats take issue with certain strategy decisions or get frustrated when the president slips and says the private sector is doing fine. others take notice of the polls. dead heat race with 21 weeks left, no indication the economic news is about to get any better. some of the critics have ideas, like mr. cargill. mr. belcher, to you first. the president seems to agree. he says he is not getting a forward vision about what the question women look like. he is saying things are getting

better. the good news is the american people generally agree with our vision. the challenge is because folks are still hurting right now. the other side feels it is enough for them to sit back and say things aren't as good as it should be and it is obama's fault. you can pretty much put their campaign on a tweet, and have some characters to spare. they say the president is playing small ball, needs more vision for the middle class future, are they right? >> he is giving a big vision of the future when you look at economic policies moving forward, building an economy built to last, talking about worker training, green technology. he is putting a forward vision. look, all due respect to james and stan who are bright, bright guys, i think it is hard to argue with the path that the president laid out economically. 27 straight months of job growth. our country is beginning to dig out of recession. we are doing leaps and bounds better than europe is doing under the same programs

republicans try to talk about. you talk about the future and big ball, the president is doing that. by the way, our campaign just begun. >> if you look at the announcement the president is giving a speech thursday about his economic policies, it is a retread of some of the ideas they proposed last year in terms of infrastructure spending. it is all of this temporary stuff when the economy is sputtering along because of some real endemic problems. we see the middle class struggling. we could say as republicans that the president betrayed the middle class because his policies haven't helped them, they have gone backward. the president's greatest enemy is not stan greenburg and james karg he will, it is this economy and failure to get it on its feet. >> the president's greatest problem, you have congress, 527 days, haven't acted on any major economic legislation. 527 days, not one major piece. >> the democrats put their plans forward, republicans put theirs forward. >> and you know, republican has pushed forward a highway

construction bill, moved out of senate with bipartisan, stuck in the house. house republicans will not act. >> you're being very poll i'd on the end there, mr. crowley. the criticism of the president, how much of it is the people saying these guys lost their way. you hear that. the president has a fine accomplished team, including mr. belcher. some say they lost their way, they say washington has a disease called bedwetting. >> i disagree the president's campaign is overstated. i think the romney campaign has been fanning the narrative that the obama gang turns out to be overrated, can't shoot straight. in reality, when you have a tough economy, you get some bad breaks. everyone looks like a dunce. good job numbers, look brilliant. maybe congress won't act to pass the stimulus the president wants, but the reality is he has the economy he has. the question is how does he talk about it. i think there is true to the memo, you don't think of obama

as the great empathizer. bill clinton, it is a cliché, but he bit the lip. i think they were schooled in the clinton era are looking for a little more connection. i know obama's instinc stingt i say i am doing better. >> he talked to local anchors. answered for a green bay affiliate, why didn't you come out in the big recall election, scott walker in recall, support the mayor of milwaukee, why didn't you come, mr. president. >> the truth of the matter is that as president of the united states, i've got a lot of responsibilities. i was supportive of tom and had been supportive of tom. obviously i would have loved to have seen a different result. >> i was too busy? it is a huge state, it is the defining race, the labor movement wants the president. he traveled around the country

raising money. i covered the white house, and the presidency is a hell of a job, but too busy? >> when you think of what he has on his plate and think about straight political standpoint, we won wisconsin last time by 3, 14 points. from the exit polls in wisconsin, we were still leading mitt romney in the exit polls. should the president get involved in every local issue on the map? >> it is a governor's race about a defining issue in the country, collective bargaining. >> it was a local wisconsin issue, it is not a national issue. the president didn't have any right going there. should have let local take care of it and they did. >> there's a little known fact about the wisconsin election, democrats were deeply divided whether or not to fully engage there, whether they could win there. i think the president didn't want to engage there, that's what he said. he was honest in that situation. >> least he didn't say he was folding laundry. you come up with a polite excuse. everyone knows what you're saying. there's not much you can do

about it. >> i am fascinated to see if there's they help you next time. you don't join in the fight -- >> this presidency has been a contradiction in terms for people that elected him on some basic stuff. he hasn't really delivered on any of that. and the fundamental piece of his agenda, the health care law, is set to be completely repudiated by the supreme court. >> he's tough -- i'm going to ask him to hold on. got to get a break. he's ready with his counterplay. we have to take a quick break. still ahead, in addition from more of these guys, rescuers thought they were racing to help victims of a yacht explosion. looks like it was a dangerous and expensive hoax. plus, george h.w. bush's 8el 8th birthday today. his fashion choices. all energy development comes with some risk,

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you know, the economy is the number-one issue in the election, now driving a lot of the conversation, a new federal reserve report that looks at how hard american families were hit by the slow down. the economic crash in 2007. look at the numbers. from 2007 to 2010, the net worth of an american family dropped almost 40% from $126,400 to $77,300. 18 years, essentially, of savings and investments out the window during that tough period. that will be a factor in the presidential conversation. we're back with michael crowley, cornell belcher and hold. governor romney says he meets families' concerns when he

travels. using a wisconsin family here. >> i was with a couple in wisconsin. they had a couple of duplexes they were relying upon to sell for their retirement. the values have collapsed. people are having hard times in this country, and the president needs to go out and talk to people, not just do fund-raisers. go out and talk to people in the country and find out what's happening. >> i will weigh in. governor romney is doing a lot of fund-raisers too. a bit of a cheap shot to the president there. but to that point, cornell, you know, you have an incumbent president, life and politics are not fair. and he's the incumbent right now. whether you have a democrat or republican, they would be in tough straits right now. how much of it is the data that's driving the anxiety? how much of it is that american dream question when you look around and think the value of my home, what about my kids? >> you know, it really is the american dream, whether you're a democrat or republican. and look, republicans have to be like the kings of amnesia now, because this is all obama's fault. the problem is, it is about the american dream. right now when you look at middle class families, the stress about them losing their job is less right now. and the stress about them not being able to keep up with the

growth -- the costs of living is problematic right now. so the whole idea of being able to send my kid to college and not be in great deal of debt. that sort of basic american dream now is what's -- >> is this campaign big enough to answer those questions, the gnawing sense people have? >> i sure hope so. there hasn't been a more -- >> i haven't seen it yet. >> consequential campaign in a long time. that number to me says one thing. people lost value in their homes. most american middle class families have their homes as their savings account. and when home values fell out the bottom, that's what happened. they lost their savings. and the president has to keep talking about the middle class. he's failed to do so. it was a centerpiece of his campaign. it's how he got independent votes. in the last election. and he's disconnected with them right now. and it's a tough spot to get back. >> you look at those numbers. i want to be clear, 2007 to 2010, a little bit of tick back up since. but boy, i need to end it here for time purposes. michael cornell, terry. thanks. lisa sylvester back with the

latest news you need to know. new audio recordings released that prompted a massive rescue effort that the coast guard calls the scene of a fake yacht explosion. in the call, a man pretends to be a captain asking for help off the new jersey coast yesterday that killed three people. and the girlfriend of james whitey bulger was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for helping the boston gangster evade arrest for 16 years. kathryn craig who also committed identity fraud will have to pay a $150,000 fine. police found the couple in a california apartment filled with weapons last year. 61-year-old greg pleaded guilty to harboring a fugitive in march. and it is official. watch your language if you're in middle boro, massachusetts. at a town meeting last night, residents voted 183-52 impose a $20 fine for people caught using profanity in public. so you've got to watch your mouth, at least when you're in that one town, john. >> like the quiet car on the

amtrak. it's the quiet town. the quiet town in middleboro, massachusetts. stay right here. tonight's moments you may have missed if you don't have it marked on your calendar. today is former president george h.w. bush's 80 lirth day. here is what he told his granddaughter, jenna, about the milestone on the "today" show. >> pretty darn old, i'll tell you. i never thought i would get this far in chronology. >> what is age like? >> aging is all right. better than the alternative. >> bush visited the white house and then it was time to eat. got our hands on this photo where you see the entire bush family breaking bread with the obamas in the red room. three presidents at one table. that's pretty eye-catching. but not as much as the socks at the same event. here is 41 talking about his choices, lisa, pop star with similar tastes. >> i like a colorful sock. i'm a sock man. this is a modest pair here today.

subdued, you might say. >> and you've been comparing your socks to that of justin bieber. >> bieb? is he a sock man? >> he evidently is a sock man, just like you. >> i don't know much about the bieber. never see him. i don't know what he does. >> have you ever heard his song? >> no, how does it go? ♪ baby, baby, baby oh >> that his song? >> you know it. >> i don't think i like it. >> no, you like it. >> i love that. i love that. you know, i didn't know about that with the socks. but i do know, you know what he wants to do for his 90th birthday? it's something he did for his 85th birthday, john. skydiving. >> not again. >> skydiving. >> yeah. i hope -- i hope the sons talk him out of that one if he tries to do that one again. he always had a great sense of humor, always a gentleman, good to see him in such good spirits. i hope he enjoyed the cake and socks. the bieb. >> now we know what to get him. >> if he wants to skydive at 90. how about for 89, we take him to a justin bieber concert?

>> even better. the best gift ever! >> my daughter will come along for the ride. lisa, see you back here tomorrow night. erin burnett "out front". top adviser to president obama says the campaign strategy is destined to fail. and a major development in the george zimmerman case tonight. his wife arrested and charged. and tears on the witness stand during the jerry sandusky trial. it was an emotional day in court. it started with allegations of a secret file on the former penn state football coach. let's go "outfront." well, good evening, everyone, i'm erin burnett. a wake-up call from the ragin' cajun. bill clinton's top adviser, james carville, along with two respected democratic pollsters out with a blistering 16-page indictment of the president's campaign strategy. carville says the president's