religion against their conscience. if you accept all the public money discussion, not a cent of their money is going to fund. >> you seem to use that wonderfully precise words. why is it not also in excess where you have this complicated system which is designed to make the ordinary taxpayer pay a little more in this kind of instance where what you have done is directly subtract from the treasury $5,000 cash to turn over in view of the plaintiffs for purely religious purposes? >> it is not the nexus test. it is with the taxpayer

claimant is. here is tax money being extracted. >> in general description, it talks about how taxpayer spending will go forward. valley forge makes that clear because the defendant did exactly what you said. look at the economic effect and that alone will be enough. the tax and spending clause does not matter on the bottom line of the treasury. this court said, no, that is not the case. >> it could not have meant that it is your particular dollar. there is no way to know that is your particular dollar and is tha fiction thing to say. what flax said was that tax payer dollars, not your dollar, but taxpayer dollars are going to this activity in the same way that it is going to the activity here. >> i disagree. i do not think that is what it is. i think it is that micro fraction of a cent that is being

used to fund religion. that is what medicine complained about. it may be very small, -- that is what madison complain about. >> flask talked about a nexus. here, as a taxpayer challenging the provision of the tax code, person to the taxing spending power that grants the tax benefit, that is as close a nexus you will get. >> again, i do not think that deals with the direct injury to the taxpayer, which is the language of the flask. even if you disagree with me, you have to posit an order for the harm to exist to this tax payer that tax credits will cost the government money, not save it. his tax burden will go up as opposed to someone else's bertin, a corporation or the like or that the -- someone

else's burden or a corporation or the like. if i could spend a moment on , itice kennedy's question think it is this court's precedents that are quite clear that the government regulates something does not transformed into a state actor. if it did, then all 501 (c)3 would have a dangerous precedent to follow. it requires the performance of a traditional executive prerogative. here, all the str is doing is finding as is, -- all the sto is doing is finding as is. anyone can create an sto.

>> thank you. > [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> tomorrow night, sandra day o'connor and david souter discuss their experiences on the supreme court. that is 9:00 p.m. eastern tomorrow night on c-span. >> now, the lighting of the capitol christmas tree. the tree comes from wyoming and is decorated with 5000 ornaments that were made by kids from the state. we will show you the white house christmas tree lighting in just a little over 20 minutes. >> hello, everyone and good evening. welcome to the united states capitol tree lighting ceremony. i am steven harris, the architect of the capital. i am honored to serve as your

master of ceremonies tonight has to carry out this wonderful tradition for the set -- for the 47th year in a row. part of this tradition is the playing of festive holiday carol's prior to the program. why do not take a moment to give a special thank you to the united states navy banned under the direction of master chief joe browne for being here, helping to create a warm holiday mood. [applause] >> thank you. behind me, ladies and gentlemen, right here on what i like to call our nation's stage, stands and immelmann screws from maine. it has been beautifully decorated with more than 5000 handmade ornaments by wyoming

residence which reflects this year's theme -- "wyoming, forever west." in addition, the tree is adorned with thousands of bright, colorful, ellie the lights, which are environmentally -- led lights, which are environmentally friendly. [laughter] as is the tradition, the speaker of the house, the hon. nancy pelosi, will extend her holiday greetings to you and like this wonderful tree in just a few moments. before we get to that big moment, i would like to welcome members of congress, distinguished guests, our capitol hill neighbors, and those of you who are visiting our nation's capital today. thank you for joining us on this cold and breathe the evening. i would especially like to a knowledge -- cold and breezy

evening. i will also especially like to acknowledge our other guests. [applause] each year, the united states capitol historical society produces a beautiful ornament and presents the congress with one to place on this christmas tree. at this time, i would like to introduce a former member of congress and the president of the united states capitol historical society, mr. ron harrison. ron? [applause] >> thank you, steve. >> your welcome. >> thank you again for the opportunity to be year to once again present one of our ornaments to you to hang on the tree. this year, we have a very beautiful ornament that includes the dome and the tree. this year, it is a metal ornaments. you can get this if you would go to our website, www.usch.org.

it is my pleasure to be here and take part in of this -- take part in this ceremony. steve, here is the ornament for your tree. >> thank you. [applause] that is beautiful and it is quite fitting that this year's ornament features this iconic capitol dome behind us. for 40 years, the department of agriculture u.s. for service and the architect of the capital have partnered -- forest service and the architect of the capital have partnered to bring a treat each year from our national forests. altogether, they comprise 193 million acres of forest and grassland in the united states. i would like to specifically thank all of the dedicated forest service staff who have helped us make this event possible. let's all please give them a round of applause as well. [applause]

joining us tonight is j. jensen, deputy and a secretary for natural resources and environment with the u.s. department of agriculture. he would like to share a holiday message with all of you. jay? >> okay, it is cold out here. i hope the tidings of the season will bring warmth to you all. it is my pleasure to be a part of the ceremony today. speaker pelosi, senators, architect, distinguished guests, thank you. on behalf of the secretary of agriculture, i wish to wish everyone here a merry christmas and happy holiday season. thank you for coming, to brave the cold, to be a part of this year's letting of the capitol christmas tree.

this tree this year comes from the teton national forest, as you have heard, in western wyoming. this tree is a beautiful spurs and, as a forester, -- beautiful and, as a forester, it is like the citizens of wyoming. ornaments have been selected from over 17,000 ornaments from the people of wyoming. to bring us this tree and dozens of other smaller trees, to decorate their offices and buildings, our volunteers have donated thousands of hours and businesses, schools, and other partners have made many generous donations. this tree symbolizes the holiday spirit of giving. i would like to extend my gratitude to everyone involved. this tree comes to us because leaders long ago, like president theodore roosevelt, had the

wisdom and foresight to establish a grid system of public lands called the national forest. our job is to sustain those national forests for the current generation and for generations to come so that many may enjoy these christmases and trees like this. but we cannot do it alone. it takes partnerships and collaboration to get this tree on its journey here to the capital. it takes people who live on land, you use it and know it. it takes people who cherish its beauty and rely on its sources to bring it like this. we must recognize the effort that draws upon new collaboration and old friendships to help continue building this great country of ours, tree-by-tree, force-by- fours. thank you to the people of wyoming and to everyone bringing us this tree.

hopefully, this tree can be a reminder to all of us of the importance of connecting people to the land and to forests. again, thank you, mary christmas, and happy holidays. [cheers and] applause -- [cheers and applause] >> thank you. >> thank you, jay. as i mentioned, this tree has been on a tremendous journey. it traveled more than 4,600 miles across the country from wyoming. just a week ago, the tree arrived here on the west front of the capital where are dedicated grounds crew went to work decorating it. did they not do a marvelous job? [cheers and applause] i would also like to thank said that bell, our capitol grounds superintendent who has -- thank ted bektel, our capitol grounds

superintendent who has the huge responsibility of selecting our tree. this is the first time the state has had this honor. please welcome senator john grossberasso. [cheers and applause] >> it was the first time ever for wyoming and it was worth the wait. is this not absolutely gorgeous. [cheers and applause] bobby and i are so thrilled that you could join us. mike and cindy and i travel around the state and former gov. garrido is here. we need more wyoming in washington, wyoming valleys, independence, determination, honesty, hard work. the work to getting this year was not done by the

congressional delegation. it was done by all of you. you are the ones who made the ornaments. mike and cindy and i were concerned -- could we actually get 5000 ornaments? we were concerned. but it did not turn out to be 500. then it was 10,000. then it was 15,000. it was almost 20,000 ornaments made by the people of wyoming. [cheers and applause] the children's choir of shy and not worry about the cold, do you? [cheers and applause] i want to thank the thousands of people from wyoming who showed up as this tree travel through the roads of wyoming, stopping a thousand people in cody, 1500 in jackson, all of them coming

to see this tree because this tree is a gift from the people of wyoming to the united states to celebrate christ's birth. with that, all of us from wyoming wish this country a very merry christmas. thank you very much. [cheers and applause] >> thank you. >> , i would like to it -- next, i would like to introduce senator nc. >> i want to welcome -- senator enzi. >> i want to welcome the people here from thewyoming. that is a big part of our population. this tree had to be cut and

taken into a building and one up so it could be compressed to fit on a truck. then it was taken all over the state of wyoming and then ended up in georgia by thanksgiving and here last week so that we could have this grand celebration. today is december 7. that is the did that lives in infamy. it is only fitting that we mentioned our service members who might be looking at this on television halfway around the world. they almost -- they also might be in places where they're not any trees like this. in some places, they're sticking a stick in the ground and they're taking coat hangers and making limbs and they are taking things out of the boxes that you sent to them to decorate that tree. on their behalf and on the behalf of the people of wyoming, we get to commemorate the street tonight in such a glorious fashion for wyoming, the west,

and america. thank you. [cheers and applause] >> thank you. now to help set the proper mood, let me introduce the all city children's chorus from cheyenne, wyoming under the direction of miss mary firsrisk. there will be singing a medley of holiday songs. [applause] ♪ ♪ [singing "deck the halls"] ♪

♪ ♪ [singing "go tell it ont the

mountain"] ♪ ♪

♪ [singing "rocking around the christmas tree"] ♪

♪ ♪

[cheers and applause] >> the all-city children's chorus from cheyenne, wyoming. [cheers and applause] >> ladies and devon, it is my great pleasure to introduce the speaker of the house. i know this is one of her favorite events here at the capitol every year. joining the speaker to help like the speaker is daniel sitter. daniel, come on up. he is a sixth-grader at osmond elementary school in fairview,

wyoming. a round for daniel. [cheers and applause] daniel's name was drawn from more than 1000 students to help the tree. he made this trip to washington along with the honor of the assisting speaker pelosi in the lighting of the tree. ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the house, the hon. nancy pelosi. [cheers and applause] >> hey, we want those kids back over here while we light the tree. please come back over here. what an honor to be here with you and all of you and daniel. i would like to recognize j. jensen, undersecretary for natural resources and environment and the united states navy band. thank you for entertaining us this evening.

what a treat for us to see the all-city children's chorus from cheyenne, wyoming. thank you. you honor us with your presence and entertainers with your music. it is our joy to have you here at the capitol. to the people of wyoming, thank you for this gift to the nation, the capitol christmas tree. you cannot see on the other side of the tree, but they can see you. gathered on the speaker is bound up any, are many men and women in uniform from walter reed hospital with their families. let's give them a round of appreciation. [cheers and applause] i told them that you would appreciate their presence. this is a highlight for the

year. the gift and the lighting of this magnificent tree and the ornaments, we are exhibiting the quality for the entire nation to see. last month, as it has been mentioned, at the heart of the national force, people came from jackson came together to look at the tree. parents brought their children keep brother -- parent procter children to see the capital tree. it went to 22 sittings with in wyoming. 22 cities within wyoming? [laughter] and towns before heading across the country. the tree even has its own memorabilia, mugs and magnets, tins and patches, teachers and tote bags that you will all want to have.

it is a source of pride for wyoming. it is a source of joy for the united states congress and for all americans. daniel has been mentioned, but his sister mia -- held a she? >> she is 13. >> she is 13. she is here with him as well. daniel is the person that we are all honored to share the lighting of a tree with. we are honored by the gift from the state of wyoming. we are honored by the service of our men and women in uniform. with the help of daniel sitter, we will now like the tree. i want these children to come even closer.

♪ ♪ ♪ [band playing "oh christmas tree"] ♪

♪ ♪ [cheers and applause] >> thank you all. i know you will want to get your pictures taken in front of the tree. >> thank you, daniel, and thank you, speaker pelosi. does not the tree look wonderful? [cheers and applause] thank you all for joining us with speaker pelosi and members of congress, the navy band, the forestry service, for the sliding of our united states capitol christmas tree. thank you and good night.

[captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] >> and now the lighting of the christmas tree outside of the white house at the lips. the tradition was started by president calvin coolidge. president obama and first lady took part, as well as b.b. king and the band this is about an hour. >> mr. president, welcome.

at first family, welcome. but i hope those seats are all right. if not, i can hook you up. we have the chicago connection. i have polleull. excellent. are they ok? ok. let's get the show started. at first, two gifted singer song writers weaving their voices together in the spirit of the season. ladies and gentlemen, joining the u.s. coast guard band, sarah and ingrid. ♪ ♪

[harmonizing] >> ♪ this is my song to you the sun is coming through the open sea my voice, a beacon in the night come carefully to me is love alive? is love alive? is loveov

beneath the the winter snow as a way we are very far apart just like a distant star is love alive? is love alive? is love alive? this is my winter song you are not where you belong inside my arms ♪ [harmonizing]

♪ i still believe in summer days this season's always change and light will find a way i will be the hardest of light and send it off tonight so we can start again is love alive? is love alive? is love alive? this season my winter song december never felt so wrong because you are not where you belong inside my arms this is my winter song to you

the storm is coming through sealing from the cit my love, a beacon in the night at my word will be your light to carry you to me is love alive? is love alive? is love alive? is love alive? is love alive? love is alive in me is love alive? love is alive and mae is love alive? is love alive? is love alive? ♪

[applause] >> love it is alive, people. please give it up for them. [applause] now, with tonight's holiday and vacation, please welcome pastor darrell morton. >> let us pray. lord of light, board of love, you who spoke light into the darkness and eliminated all creation, on this evening are national christmas tree lighting, we are reminded of a light that has come into the

world through your son as the son of your presence with all people, ought to eliminate us with that light. make us mindful that he whose birth we celebrate in this season came to us as one without a home or a bed within. remind us across our great land, so many of our neighbors, your children, and his brothers and sisters, have no home, no bed, and no christmas tree. it open our hearts to the needs of all around us who suffer from lack of basic comforts credit for it was he who is first bed was a be troth, who told us that those who would seek him would find them in the most unexpected places, and the faces of the homeless, hungry, and the naked. tonight, we also remember those who are far removed from family and friends as they serve us and

seek to protect us. generations have longed for peace, and yet another has arisen with men and women in uniform far from home, praying, i will be home for christmas, if only in my dreams. protect them and return them to us safely in the arms of their families and loved ones. these things we pray, along with the holy angels who sang, glory to god and the highest, and peace among people with whom he is pleased. amen. >> now please welcome the president and ceo of the national park foundation, neil mullholland. [applause]

>> good evening. on behalf of the national parks service and the national park foundation, i'd like to welcome you to the 80th lighting of the national christmas tree in president's park. one of our nation's 393 national parks. we are honored to have president obama and the first family and attendance, as well as thousands of families with us watching around the world. we're also thrilled to be up to share this evening with our nation's military families and armed forces around the globe who sacrificed so much each and every day to preserve and protect our nation's freedoms, treasures, and traditions, including the one we celebrate this evening. it like this that tonight in president's part, all of our national parks are uniquely american. they bring family and friends together, teach and inspire our children, and preserve and tell the stories of our shared history and the places where it actually happened. just as this park shares over 80

years of history, beginning on christmas eve, 1923, when president calvin coolidge walk from the white house to presidents parked to light the very first national christmas tree. thank you for helping us continue this great tradition. now, it is my great honor and privilege to introduce to you the secretary of the interior, and the chairman of the national park foundation, the hon. ken salazar. [applause] >> thank you for those wonderful words and happy holidays to everyone who is here and across the nation. on behalf of the united states department of interior, we welcome you to the 88 flooding of the national christmas tree. tonight we celebrate a proud tradition that dates back to 1923, when the school children

of this country asked for a christmas tree right here in the heart of our nation's capital. much has changed since 1923, but the core message of this holiday tradition remains the same credit is a message of choice. it is a message of peace. and it as tonight, the president and his family switch in a few minutes the lighting of this giant christmas tree, all 42 feet of it. it is a message we share with friends and family all across the world. on behalf of the department of the national park service and national park foundation, thank you for coming out to celebrate this hopeful message and this great american holiday tradition. now it is with great joy and with great pride to introduce the 44th president of the united states of america. [cheers]

he works tirelessly every day on behalf of all americans, and even in difficult times, he inspires each and every one of us to raise our nation's future with faith, hope, determination and confidence. ladies and gentlemen, president barack obama. [cheers and applause] ♪ >>. thank you. merry christmas, everybody! happy holidays. we're just thrilled to have all of you here.

thank you, secretary salazar, for the kind introduction and for all you are doing to protect our national parks and our public land for the future of generations. i also want to recognize out neil mullhollhand and everyone at the national park foundation and park service to help put this together. i want to thank the pastor morton for the wonderful indication, and thanks to common and all of tonight's performance out as we light the national christmas tree for the 88th time. ithis is a very proud holiday tradition, snow or shine, in good times and in times of hardship. folks like you have gathered with presidents to write the national tree. it has not always gone off without a hitch. on one occasion, two sheep left

the safety of the nativity scene and wandered into rush-hour traffic. [laughter] that caused some commotion. often, the ceremony itself has reflected the pain and sacrifice of the times. there were years during the second world war with no lights were hung in order to save electricity. in the days following pearl harbor, winston churchill joined president roosevelt to which our nation a happy christmas even in such perilous days. but without fail, each year we have gathered here. each year we have gathered to celebrate a story that has in store for to millennium, the story that is dear to michelle and me as christians but a message that is universal. at the child was born far from home and spread a simple message of love and redemption to every human being around the world.

it is a message that says no matter who we are or where we are from, no matter the pain we in door or the old wrongs we face, we are called to love one another as brothers and sisters. and so during a time in which we try our hardest to live with a spirit of charity and good will, we remember our brothers and sisters who have lost their job or struggling to make ends meet. we pray for the men and women in uniform serving in afghanistan and iraq and for which places who cannot be home this holiday season. and we think their families, who will mark this christmas with an empty seat at the dinner table. on behalf of malia, sasha, michelle, mary anne, are grandmother in chief, and beau i wish't forget beau -- all of you a merry christmas and

blessed holiday season. now i will invite the but tire -- i will invite the entire obama crew appeared to help meet like this national christmas tree. at -- to help me light this national christmas tree. [applause] all right, everybody, we're going to count, from five. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. [cheers and applause] para christmas, everybody. -- mary christmas, everybody.

night holy the stars are brightly shining it is the night of our dear savior's birth long way the world ♪ ♪ gzero here at the angel voices

o night divine o the night when christ was born o night divine o night divine ♪ ♪ o night divine o the night

when christ was born o night divine o night o night divine ♪ [cheers and applause] >> i mean, my god. [laughter] oh, my god, give it up for jackie. >> hi. >> i mean, i thought i had talent. this has been an incredible, amazing year for you.

people everywhere know who jackie is. what has been the best part of this year? >> the best part this year has been being able to sing for the president and sing for the tree lighting. it is an experience -- an amazing experience. >> this girl is a real and this girl is smart. well, you are truly gifted. god has given you tips we cannot even fathom how great they are and how far you have gone. with all of these gifts, what would you like for christmas? >> well, i know this may sound cheesy, but i really want to see a difference in how the world is treated, because i am a big fan of taking care of the world and i really, really like baby seals, too, so i felt that helps. >> taking care of the world,

that sounds great. >> thanks. >> let's keep the sounds of the season coming. his signature voice and vision have made my morning jacket one of the country's most acclaimed rock bands. here with his wish for the season, please welcome jim james. [applause] have yourself a merry little christmas let your heart be light next year at all our troubles will be out of sight

have yourself a merry little christmas make the yuletide gay next year, all our troubles will be miles away once again as and olden days have the golden days of yore faithful friends who are dear to us will be near to us once more someday soon we all will be together

if the fates allow hang a shining star upon the highest bough and have yourself a merry little christmas now ♪ ♪ [cheers and applause] >> hi. thank you, james. you were wonderful.

i grow up just down the road in fredericksburg, va., and i am thrilled to be here sharing this season with the of. at christmas brings out the innocents in all of us. my new friends and i were just talking about our wishes and hopes for this holiday season. please help me welcome ms. gray, mr. henry andrew, and they will tell us about their wishes. drew, how old are you? >> 6. >> if you had one big wish, what would your wish for christmas be? >> i wish everybody would have a merry christmas, and i hope that santa brings me a lot of legos. [laughter] >> i think he will bring you the lego. henry, how old are you? >> 6 years old.

>> what is your big holiday wish. >> i think -- wait, i messed up. [laughter] i wish for my ben 10 ultimate matrix. >> santa heard you and he will bring exactly that. grace, what would you like for christmas? >> that everyone has a good christmas eve. >> aw! thank you all very much. i know that you'll get exactly what you asked for, santa heard are on theyhhe elves case. merry christmas, everyone. >> dear, oh dear. the boss could be here any minute and there is so much to be done. we have 6 billion names on the

nice list and we cannot afford an elf-tastrophy. rudolph, rudolph, that is not a chew toy. drop it. drop it! sometimes they like to chew on wires. that is why we inspect them for damage, and you should, too. you should never connect more than three strings of holiday lights together. i cannot tell you how many breakers we blew at the north pole before we figured that out. oh, sugar my cookies, the street is thirsty. that is a fire hazard. don't forget to water your tree. look, if the national park service can handle their bigotry, you could handle your sprint hurry, hurry -- if the national park service can handle their big tree, you can handle your sprint hurry, hurry. >> i feel for those elves, man.

the same hostile every year. that is what christmas is all about, tradition. it is dreams and wishes, and mom's favorite dishes. don'tcarol's and mass, you fidget, and stockings and snow and stories you know, like the one we have for you right now. here with a holiday classic, please welcome the incomparable first lady, michelle obama. >> all right, you guys, are you ready for the story? >> yes. let them here we go. 'twas the night before christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a house. -- not even a mouse. the stockings were hung by the chimney with care and hopes that

st. nicholas would soon be there. when out on the lawn there arose -- whoops, i skipped a page. [laughter] wait. the children were nestled all snug in their beds -- [laughter] did ask it another page? ok, here we go. here we go. we are ready. the first lady is taking off her gloves. ready? the children were nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. and mama and her kerchief and my -- and i and my cat had just settled down for a long winter's nap. went out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, i sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. the way to the window i flew like a flash, tore open the

shutters and opened the slashed. the new fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below. when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. with a little old driver so blithely and quick, i knew in a moment that must be st. nick. more rapid than eagles, his horses they came, and whistled and shouted and called them by name. now-, now dancer, now. sir and vixen, one comment, cupid, donder, and blitzen. to the top of the porch, to the top of the wall, now dash away all. when they meet with an obstacle, out to the sky. it up to the house taught they flew, with a sleigh full of toys

and st. nicholas, too. twinkling i heard on the roof, the prancing and pauling of each little hoof. as i drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney st. nicholas came with a bound. he was dressed all in for, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. a bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. his eyes, how they twinkled. his dimples, how mary. his cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. his droll little mouth was drawn up by a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. it the stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.

but he had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. he was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and i laughed when i saw him in spite of myself. a wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know i had nothing to dread. he spoke not a word about what's great to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. then lying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. he sprang to his leg, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. but i heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, happy christmas to all, and to all a good night. [applause] >> ho, ho, ho!

yes, yes, that is exactly how i remember it! >> listen. who is that? i think i hear santa. >> i hope you don't mind, i was just keeping your seat warm. i have it on good authority you have been nice this year. that was a wonderful reading. it wasn't that wonderful? yes! you know, there is only one part of the story i did not like some much. i never thought that my belly shook like a bowlful of jelly. at this suit makes me look slim, yes? what a wonderful, wonderful reading. yes! ho, ho, ho! it is a wonderful season! you know what? i think i feel a song coming on!

ho, ho, ho! ♪ it is the most wonderful time of the year with the kids gentle belling and everyone telling you be of good cheer it is the most wonderful time of the year it is the happiest season of all with wonderful greetings when it friends come to call it is the hap happoest season of all. there will be a party is for hosting, marshmallows for toasting caroling out in the snow the line there will be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of christmases long, long ago it is the most wonderful time of

the year there will be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near is the most wonderful time of the year ♪ ho, ho! wonderful! hello, everyone! i will be back in a few weeks! yes! hello over there! there will be parties for hosting marshmallows for toasting caroling out in the snow there will be scary ghost stories tales of the glories of christmases long, long ago it is the most wonderful time of the year

there will be much mistletoeing and hearts will be calling when loved ones are near it is the most wonderful time it is the most wonderful time it is the most wonderful time of the year ♪ ho, ho, ho! merry christmas! yes! ho, ho, ho! >> wow, thanks a lot, santa. i have been waiting, like, 30 years to beat that guy. for real. it is great to have all of these wonderful and beautiful people here at president's park. christmas is a time that we can celebrate love, joy, peace and

happiness. this is a time for togetherness, no matter what. we know that we can be here together to share the love and spread love to each other. how are you all feeling tonight? [cheers] i said how are you all feeling tonight? [cheers] it is a wonderful time. yes. it may be cold, but we all have sold. we're just on a roll, right here, everything is evident. because we came here to celebrate with the president. understand, common-sense, when we are here, there is peace, no drama. just think, we get to sit and celebrate with all of the obamas. right now, we are fresh, feeling it on tv, and even though it is cold, we are still in -- we are

still cool in the d.c., washington. i will light it up like he did the christmas tree. and for everybody here, you know, this is how i come. the brother, common sense, i have a rumpa-pum-pum. i am sort of a gifted, of like santa claus. this is what i am saying, making it real clear, my nose is getting read, just like the indeer's. right now i would like to introduce someone who is a legend of this time. i have been me waiting to me santa, but this is somebody i have waited my whole life to meet. yes, growing up in chicago, we

love the blues. it is in our blood, it is in our dna, it is in our makeup. and my right, mr. president? yes, sir. it grows in our souls. not the souls of our shoes, -- not to soles of our shoes, but the soul that comes with playing the deuce. it is real and true. some want a white christmas, but i will take mine blew. ladies and gentlemen, we are here to bring in the legendary, the great king of the blues, a true living legend, mr. b.b. king! [cheers and applause]

[cheers] >> good evening. >> good evening! >> sorry i'm late, mr. president. they had me stop in the elevator over there. [laughter] can i have the sound up a little bit, please? ♪ ♪

>> ♪. christmas, baby you sure did treat me nice merry, merry, merry christmas, baby santa came down the chimney about half past three left these pretty presence out here

for me ♪

♪ what a christmas to have the blues oh, what a christmas to have the blues oh, what a christmas to have the blues please come home for christmas if not for christmas ♪w year's night

[cheers and applause] thank you! >> whoo! [laughter] i bet it is not this cold and mississippi. [laughter] thank you, sir. ♪

♪ merry, merry christmas, baby you sure did treat me nice merry, merry, merry christmas you sure did treat me nice

gave me a diamond ring for christmas now i'm living in paradise finei'm feeling mighty i've got good music on my radio said i'm feeling mighty fine i've got good music on my radio i would love to hug and kiss you, baby while we are standing beneath the mistletoe ♪

♪ santa came down the chimney about half past three left all these beautiful ntssenc for you and for me ♪

[cheers and applause]

thank you. [cheers] shows some y'all, love supreme for mr. b.b. king. [cheers and applause] incredible. that is history. a true national treasure. and my friend right here knows a little something about national treasures. it this is amy, a ranger with the national park service, and they care for presidents park, including that beautiful tree over there. if you like what you see, thank my friend and the rest of the national parks service. [cheers and applause] so, amy, like, how did this

tradition that started? >> it began in 1923 under president calvin coolidge. at that particular tree had over 2500 electric bulbs and red, green, and white. the ceremonies featured a local choir and a quartet from the u.s. marine band. a lot has changed since then and the ceremony has grown. in fact, the tree we are celebrating tonight is a live tree that has been here since 1978. in fact, this year, the street is the most energy-efficient tree that we had it -- this tree is the most energy efficient tree that we had. [applause] >> well, this is just a set up for this park. but the national park service, you do work for parks all around the country. well, would you believe there

are almost 400? in fact, there are 393 unit in our national parks system that celebrate our nation's history, landscaped, and culture. whether it is here at president's part or any of the national parks systems, we want people to come out and enjoy and learn more about their national parks. theet's give it up for national park service. [applause] thank you for keeping the holiday tradition going. there is really no better symbol of the hope of the season than the light of that tree. that is what christmas does. it renews our sense of wonder and our sense of hope. you have heard that hope and all of our songs tonight.

but one particular man captures that piece like no other, john lennon. he left us the 30 years ago, but his message of holiday hopes still rings. hear what their take on that message, joined by sarah and the duke ellington school of the art show choir, please welcome grammy award winners maroon 5. [cheers and applause] > ♪ so this is christmas what have you done? another year over a new one just begun so this is christmas hope you had fun the near and dear ones

old and the young have a very merry christmas and happy new year let's hope it is a good one without any fear so this is christmas for week and for strong for rich and for poor ones the road is so long and very happy christmas for black and four white for yellow and red ones let's stop all the fight

a very merry christmas and a happy new year let's hope it is a good one without any fear war is over if you what it war is over now war is over if you want it war is over now war is over if you want it

war is over now ♪ [cheers and applause] >> thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. whoo! [laughter] >> 1, 2, 3, 4! >> ♪ sleigh bells rang are you listening? and in the lane and snow is glistening

a beautiful sight, happy tonight walking in a winter wonderland gone away is the bluebird here to stay is a new bird sing a song as we go along at walking in a winter wonderland in the meadow we can build a snowman and pretend that he is parson brown he will say, are you married? we will say, no, man, but he could do the job when you're in town but iran, we will conspire as we dream by the fire to face unafraid of the plans that we've made up walking in a winter wonderland let's go! ♪ ♪ in the meadow

we can build a snowman and pretend he is a circus clown will have lots of fun with mr. snow man until the other kids knock him down when it snows, it is thrilling your nose gets a chilling it will frolic and play at the eskimo way of walking in a winter wonderland walking in a winter wonderland walking in a winter wonderland yeah, walking in a winter wonderland ♪ ♪ [cheers and applause]

>> make some noise, y'all. now that is how you take off the christmas season. it's starts right here, but remember, the spirit of christmas does not have to end. it is charity, kindness. it ends in our blindness. seeds of hope plan to become wishes granted. it is not from an adult but inside yourself. winter, spring, summer, fall, 12 months of christmas inside of us all. this is where christmas begins, but never truly ends. let's get everybody back out here. i mean everybody. [cheers and applause] we are ready to jam. [cheers]

>> ♪ the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful the line and since we have no place to go . it's no, but it's no, let it snow i've got some corn for popping the lights are turned way down low let it snow, let it snow, let it

snow when we finally kiss goodnight how i will hate going up and the storm but if you really hold me tight i will be warm all the way home the fire is still the dying and, my dear, we are still good by-ing but as long as you love me so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow the fire is slowly dying yingwe are still good buyin let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ♪ [cheers and applause]

>> coming up shortly, michael dukakis and charlie gibson looked at the history of presidential debates, including the first-ever televised debate between richard nixon. later, would look at the lighting sally quiinn will join us on "washington journal." >> diane abbot and her experiences as a minority in parliament. the power of the prime minister, social issues, and the cost of living.

>> tomorrow night, sandra day o'connor and david souter discuss their experiences on the court. that is 9:00 p.m. eastern tomorrow night on c-span. >> the first televised presidential debate was held in 1950 between john f. kennedy and richard nixon. that debate and debate in general were discussed by michael dukakis, and charles gibson, and a number of others. this lasts an hour and 20 minutes. >> is everybody ready? welcome to the kennedy school of government and politics pur. this is the fifth anniversary of

the first televised presidential debates between then senator kennedy and vice president nixon. i in the executive director of politics at the institute of politics. i would like to recognize senator john culver who is in the front row here. he hails from the great state of iowa powe. he is a lifelong friend of the kennedy family prep. he is a great friend to harvard and the kennedy school. as we mark the 50th anniversary of the first presidential debate, that is the first presidential debate we ever had.

i am really honored. these people have all had a role in presidential debates. it is a very interesting panel. our speakers, i'm going to introduce them quickly. you probably know most of them. i will start with michael dukakis. he rose to the ranks of politics and became lieutenant governor. he was governor a mashie to ship -- of massachusetts. he is the only person on this panel that has preceded it -- participated in a presidential debate. charles gibson has seen every

presidential debates. >> every one. >> he has also covered every presidential campaign. he is moderate a presidential debate. he moderated a debate two years ago during the democratic primary season. next to charlie is andrew ras siei. to my immediate left, is mike mccurry.

he is a princeton man. >> c'mon, harvard people. you are supposed to hiss. >> use the spokesman for the state department in a spokesman for the white house. he set a standard for openness for dealing with the paress for the president. then of co-charima commission for a presidential debates. to his left is nikole wallace, the director of communications in george w. bush's white house.

she emulated mike mccurry. she earned a reputation for arguing for more openness. she also worked on the sarah palin campaign. like me, she is a californian with a degree in journalism. with that, we are going to start. i hope we will get to oligarch questions today to all of your questions -- i hope we will get to all of your questions. with that, we are going to see a clip from the kennedy debate to help get started. >> in 1950, only 4 million homes

had televisions. by 1960, it reached into 44 million homes. congress has made possible direct to television debates for the first time to give one station in chicago was chosen as the scene. >in the studio, they prepared fr the arrival of nixon and kennedy. representatives approved each detail. vice president nixon was the first to ride. -- arrive. now he listens why the rules of

television debates are explained. >> good. excellent. >> the first question will be to senator kennedy. once you get up, you are up for the rest of it. >> what is it? >> get out, 5 seconds. >> you want to cut quickly? >> howard will give you a few seconds. looking right at the camera here. [inaudible conversations]

>> i've the bursting in the morning. -- i leave first thing in the morning. [inaudible conversations] >> will everyone move back, please? >> is that the right tone of voice?

it opens up a series of discussions. >> they prepared to measure two men for leadership. across the nation, parents quite their children. it is 830 p -- 8:30 pm. >> it really separate clashes -- lashes. >> the programs originally scheduled to and not be seen tonight. next week, they will be seen on most of the stations. >> good evening.

the stations and the united states and their affiliated stations are proud to provide discussion by the two major president -- cacandidates for president. according to rules set by the candidates themselves, each man to make an open statement of approximately three minutes. in between, they will answer or comment upon answers to questions by a panel of correspondence. four.is is the first of >> now for the first opening statement by senator john f. kennedy. >> in the election of 1860, and

abraham lincoln said the question is whether a man could exist half slave and half free. the question is whether they nation will exist half slave and half free. i think it will depend in great measure upon what we do here in the united states. on the kind of strength that we maintained. >> it was domestic affairs, then they spent a relaxing day at the hotel as a preparing for a college exam. he directs himself not so much to nixon but to the audience. >> franklin roosevelt said that this generation has a rendezvous with destiny. i think our generation has the

same ron do -- rendezvous. i think in the final analysis, it depends on what we do here. i think it is time the americans started moving again. >> now the opening statement by vice-president richard nixon. >> nixon addresses himself to kennedy. >> the things that senator kennedy has said many of us can agree. there is no question that we cannot discuss our internal affairs in the united states without recognizing that they had a tremendous bearing on their international position. there is no question that this nation cannot stand still because we are in a deadly competition, and competition not only with men in kremlin but in

taking -- peking. when you are in a race, it the only way to stay ahead is to move ahead. i subscribe completely to the spirit of senator kennedy, the spirit that the united states should move ahead. where do we disagree? i think we disagree on the implication of his remarks tonight and on the statements that he has made on many occasions during his campaign. to the effect that the united states has been standing still. >> the nixon campaign stretch the vice president maturity. they seemed evenly matched. for years, men and women will

argue who lost the chicago debate. analysts will agree that it is the most will episode of the campaign. >> governor, i would like to start. do you remember that debate? >> i do. >> did you ever imagine yourself what? no >>. >> no. he was young, inexperienced. the single most important thing that happened that day was that when it was over he was the match for nixon. the whole idea that too is too young to be experienced when to buy the boards. that did not mean it was over.

this is a very close race. he was 42. he was pretty young. it so dominated our lives at the time. he accepted that discussion bur. >> you had just graduated from harvard law school that year. did to get personal inspiration from this? >> and my own case, there were two people that have profound influence on me. one was a guy named joe mccarthy that got me so mad. >> you are not talking about the baseball manager? he had other problems. nk that heonce so drug calle

walked away from the pitcher's mound. those days politics and major league baseball when hand in hand. the first time i started thinking about maybe going into politics -- and the think this is tough, you should have been there them. this is a scary time in american political history. kennedy was an enormous inspiration. the reason he was was because he had an extraordinary appeal to young people. i watched him in action for the first time here at harvard and eyewitness -- when i was at law school. he and joe clark came over to us and said we had just been in a meeting.

they gave into this group of about 400 harvard law school students and said he will not make a speech, start asking me questions. it is one of the most impressive performances i ever saw. he really had an enormous impact on those of us who are just beginning to come of age politically. he was a massachusetts guy. yes, he was an enormous influence. after i finished law school and took the bar exam, we jumped into a little volkswagen's sports car and with clear across the country. we went there to see -- we were not delegate or anything. alice is beginning to get involved in local politics. we were in the hall when one he came over.

he thanked us personally in an informal chat that night. we were there. it was a great moment. >> charlie gets in coming you were in high school when this debate happened. i do not know this the reason you spin your professional life in television. was that and inspiring thing? >> it was extraordinary. i grew in georgetown. the guy who lives across the street was david bruce, rumored to be the secretary of state. i was said to my homer. the motorcade pulled up in front of our house b. i saw the president get out if the car and go to david prius's house. i thought, "i have a

scoop." i was totally wrong. he went into tell bruce he would not get the job. i did not know that. alloys is doing my homework. -- i was just doing my homework . my dad was a television news junkie. so was my mother ca. television was in its infancy. we got one not too long before the debate occurred. he mentioned the audience was 70 million people. debates. were four the audience held up at about 70 million for all four.

it was interesting. the first obama/mccain debate got 52 million prevand the couny is much larger. so much has been made. i thought clearly kennedy won the debate. argument was that he was the experience in a to be present. just as a high school student, i knew he blew the debate in the first statement when he agrees with kennedy three times in the beginning statement. immediately, and he seems to be conceding that kennedy is qualified to be president would undercut his argument. nixon have a knee operation.

in his neck was smaller than the size and his shirt. the whole atmosphere of kennedy's confident and nixon's uncertainty and nixon looking at kennedy of the time, all of that made it very clear that kennedy was very much on the rise. interestingly, a young don hewitt told the story that nixon had reduced the make a plea he was there. kennedy did, too. he looked better. nixon turned it down. four years later, at the republican convention, nixon was to introduce him at the convention. he was getting made up. hewitt said to him, and if you have let frannie make up for years ago, goldwater might be introducing you and not the other way round.

nixon said, "you are right." >> there was no live audience. it was a huge television audience. there is no in the place -- there was no one in the plays it said the two of these guys. you do not have the atmosphere you have these days. they are all quite express it. >> that reminds me. that was pretty close to what the sarah palin/joe biden numbers were. they had visited a larger audience for the vice president. i wanted to ask you about that. i want to ask you this thing. my colleague wrote a thesis about the preparation. nixon was in solitude.

in your experience, that the preparation of the debate tell you about the person? if the american people could see the preparation with the know how to vote? >> look, i think people usually get it right. preparationsin's were extraordinary. [applause] 0 -- [laughter] he is always trying to protect me. sarah palin came into her debate n the uhfouheels of four interviews. one was with charlie. two or three with katie couric.

tina fey had declared that she gets to pressure from her house. already, the character was overtaking the candidates. that was the moment of the vice presidential debate. to say whether the ticket existed the morning after was what was on the vice. if that debate -- was on the line for that debate. i have to cut her some slack when the preparation. senator mccain prepared the way many do. he and lindsey graham and joe lieberman were debating each other the whole time. it was quite physical. i think it is something that a lot of senators kind of lean

into those deliberations and they prepare for a debate with the presidency which is an entirely different exercise. >> we've not had one since the n. >> it is fun watching that whole preparation before the debate began. none of this, as a result of the experience in 1960 which was so consequential -- several things happened. there iss not in a televised debate for 16 years until the ford/carter debate. it was because the transform the nature of that debate that we just watched. the idea of a to waltz into the room and start looking around rules" -- e are the

clearly making them up. that is now heavily litigated. it is even down to the walkthrough where you get ot see the stage for the first time. that is now heavily litigated because it is a consequential. we have not reached 70 million people every time. this is still a fundamentally important moment in our democracy, when these candidates get to get their -- together. we are moving toward a much more interaction. we have moments in the history of these debates.

they support euille support and what they do not support. charlie was right. the fact that nixone repeated the key slogan of the kennedy campaign, we have to get our country moving again. that is what the committee campaign was all about. the fact that the thomas repeated that mantra was probably more significant than anything of the theatrics. he bought into the central premise that john f. kennedy was bringing to that campaign. i am co-chairman -- these are so fundamentally important, the fact t hat the theater of it is so interesting that we often miss the substance. >> there are periods where there

is any risk for candidates. debates are still a risky thing. i agree. >> gerald ford agreed to debate carter because he was down in the polls. he made mistakes. they make mistakes in those debates. it is hard to get over them. we will get to that in a minute. this was cutting edge technology 50 years ago. i want to ask you a couple of questions. what will we be doing 50 years or two years from now? we have technology we are not using. >> the internet has traded massif opportunity for people to participate with you to order twitter -- with youtube or twitter. become thet has ti com

tivo of our time. they know they do not have to watch it live. it is in the opportunity to break down some of the artificial ways in which to select our candidates. they do not need to be sown negotiated or litigated. the technology can allow everyone to ask questions. they can also allow candidates to answer the questions online and allows citizens to vote, whether or not they a lot of questions. it can open up the process to third-party candidates. it is one of the major reasons why they hardly negotiate with each other in order to block out central or third-party candidates coming in to participate in the debate. the internet -- the technology offers an abundance. this technology offered scarcity

at a time when it was the main vehicle for people to find out information. there is a new kid on the block, the internet and mobile communications. it will change the face of politics. >> before the sarah palin interview, we solicited questions from the internet. i got 30,000 questions. they were about 25,000 people who were spring loaded and kissed off -- pissed off. it was amazing to me t he vitriol that was in the questions. or, if this is the greatest thing since sliced bread. the majority, 99 put 9% of the questions were -- 99.95 of the question [unintelligible]

>> we do not have retools for filtering comments. when not established ways to elevate the best questions. the technology allows people to vote on the questions they think are the most relevant. the commune vo a wallte often -- community will often vote them down. i run a platform called tenquestoins.com. it allows citizens to present questions v andote them up -- and vote them up or down. it can deter given four weeks to respond. -- take four weeks to respond. they could think about it.

they would not have to choose the president paid and the ability to answer a question. after the war in is, they could go -- where finish come and vote on whether the candidate entered the questions. >> i want to correct one piece of information. they said we have to keep a structured institutionalized way in which we have these presidential debates for the reason it was possible for candidates to say maybe they will not debate. there used to be a lot of debate

about debates. they have been institutionalized but by no means are third-party is excluded. you have to demonstrate you have the capacity to when and a tour college majority and you have to -- win and electorial majority. i remember the first debates with president clinton and george bush. ross perot was there, too. they can participate and that is fine. here is my question. the internet is a vibrant, whereactive place ideas can surface. there are experiments with how they can be interactive.

they can generate questions that come up from below. some of it was hokey. snowmen asking questions. i do not see a time where we make it sowed democratized that we allow anyone to lift up their questions. how come we take this great tool, the internet, and bring it into this process that respects the dignity that american people rely on. they rely on seen these debates on a dignified and appropriate forum that the internet cannot always replicate. >> i agree with you that they are very powerful tools for house candidates perform and to

pay our. -- who they are. technology is still very brand new as it relates to the internet. cnn chose questions that were sent on the internet. many not know how to create a youtube question and did not participate. a lot of things have changed. the technology gets better and better. there is the potential that everyone in the country participate in a visible and transparent process by which the most important questions are presented to the candidates. i bring the governor into this discussion. i think that being forced to answer a question in 60 or 90 seconds is not at optimal as being able to consider a question over some time, to be

able to select and the way and setting in which to answer the question and to allow the question to live onward beyond the sound bite and the newspaper articles. they do it to the entire american public. would that be appealing to you as a candidate? >> i think it as an appealing part of this. for better or worse, there is a notion that we are going to see the major candidates. we will watch it for 90 minutes three times. and it'sit's rewards risks. better thanows that

i do. georgia you bush looking at is what seemed to me to be -- george w. bush looking at his watch seem to me -- w hen i debate, i take the watch off and then stick it on the roster so i can look at it. you want to know where you are prepar. this poor guy looked at it and it was interpreted that he was bored and cannot wait for it to get over. we have other examples. my own view is that we probably have both. as many of you know, hthe best technology at all of a human

being walking up to your doorstep of. barack obama did it. that is one of the reasons why he got elected. i think it will be a mix of all of these things over time. >> i think there is a conscious effort not to have that kind of question. do you filter? yes. we've not found the way to get

immediacy from the internet. >> i would like to follow on that point he made. i know michael will have this. you talked about the "got you" question. i wonder if we went too far the other way. you did when it to debate that one of -- two debates that questioned whether sarah palin had the gravitas to do it predell. then we had a month later with joe biden.

the moderate mayor did not do anything. -- did not do anything. out with like you to talk about the difference between a reporter and a debate moderator. >> andgb your predicate. with that in mind, so many questions were you have to show how -- people were angry. >> that you -- at you. no. >> conservatives got angry at me later.

the liberals, it was almost like they were riding to break her. i was offended by the e-mails. i said, look at the theme of but i am getting. what do i do? he did not prepare an interview for sarah palin. prepare an interview for joe biden and at sarah palin the question that you ask joe biden. at the bell is the best piece of it as i could have gotten. that.shies away from wha the difference between moderator and reporter, i do not think there is a lot of difference. the critical thing is that there is no such thing as object of pity and did objectivity --

objectivity. >> should they have been called on it in real time by the moderator? >> what are you going to say? feel there is aou follow-up question that needs to be asked, you should ask it. you do not say, senator you are wrong on that or what ever. you would say something that get around it in a more even-handed manner. >> go ahead. >> a republican campaign never takes for granted the role of the paternalistic as archer. the reason charlie was selected for sarah palin was that there are fewer and fewer arbiters and people who can stand without judgment and truly reveal

someone or a campaign for the view wherer. much has been criticized about the mccain's se this isa intot -- campaign sit with evening news anchors. we are almost having to conversations up here. it is all about -- as a campaign operator, your job is to protect your candidates from too much risk while at the same time maximizing opportunity. it is so ironic to me that you seem to have a consensus around structured that you advanced. every candidate i've ever worked for has always fallen on their face.

>> i am not suggesting a live chat. the fact you got a really lousy e-mails two years ago does not mean the internet is just angry people. there are thoughtful people on the internet, it too. this is a battle between an on- line debate beyond televised debate. they may both have rules. they teach us. there is an opportunity to engage the entire american public in the process. it provides the candidates was something they cannot get live

there a debate, -- they cannot get their a live debate, the ability to express themselves in detail. the real opportunity for citizens is to hold them accountable. citizens and i darevoteither von this platform or tell each other. people talk around dining tables and over the back fence. achan sentence is -- a consensus is eventually formed. it gets built up over time. you do what ever you can to influence the debate. in the 2008 campaign, it happened the same way as any other campaign. d you3-year-old da

would talk around the dinner asked me how to do an e-mail. i looked at the e-mail that he was sending. the subject line was "watch thi" and he was sitting around a barack obama video. there are 1.5 billion views that mentioned obama or mccain in the videos. nine out of 10 were videos produced by people trying to influence each other. when howard dean iran and laws,

many -- ran and lost -- george allen was unaffected by the internet. a candid and understand that allows them to validate their opponents and connect with their citizens will have an advantage of those the will strictly stick to television. >> there will be three times if you are lucky that the major party candidates will be here. who knows what is going to happen in 2012. and that moment, we need a moderator he will encourage candidates to debate. that is what is fascinating,

when they get away from their sound bite and scripts and look at each of their eye to eye -- each other eye to eye. i got it all wrong. i went to show my other colleagues how smart i was. he asked the most simple questions to try to get them to engage with each other. we know from research that people want to see these candidates actually get off their scripts and debate each other. >> we are not going to get the modern -- moderator out of the way tonight.

just have them talk to one another predell >> will try to use -- move the structure of the live debate in facthat director. we do not like that uncertainty. >> it is a wonderful point. they talked about doing exactly that in 1964. [inaudible] they taught themselves to debate like the lincoln/douglas

debates. >> ochs ford -- oxford style. >> with that, i am sorry. i have been getting signals that i have to open this up. i am happy to open this up. identify yourself. there are microphones. >> with the bulk of the internet and the distant keep

yourself from the candidates, and i write to my national government i get a scripted lecttter. you can tell some assistant wrote it . this is of people in the sense of where connected to many people. peoplewe disconnecting from what their candidates really stand for? obama got elected because of knocking on the doors. are going towards something with the connection of the internet? is it providing a comfort zone? it is ultimately disconnecting from the constituency predicts an think you are asking two questions -- constituency. >> i think you are asking to questions.

most do not know the different between a server and a waiter. i am serious. they still live in the 20 centuri -- 20th-century. they do not want to engage with their constituency. they elect us if you look at the rate gerrymandering is done. we have a broken politics. the internet will not fix the but it may help. the kandel will understand it allows them to validate their citizenry -- the candidate will understand it allows them to validate their citizens surry -- citizenry. one of the biggest potential malpractice laws it would have

them politics is the squandering of 13 million people he had when you as an elected and the stopping of engagement after he became president. it will not happen instantly. the candidates who really wants to engage can use these tools. >> sarah palin is using these tools more than any politician on the national state. she communicates -- she tweets. >> dishy actually -- that she actually tweet? >> yes. >> there is a new era where people are starting to use these tools to break the model you just described. >> i'm a freshman at the college.

they are one of the way up into the summer 2007. do you feel that in general there is an over saturation of debate after debate after debate? do you think it helps the >> i've were to allow the candidates running for president. most of them have lost. there are more like the "star wars" bar scenes most of the time. there is a qualitative difference between the primary debates.

we have nominated candidates and third-party candidates that are competitive. it requires a different format and structure than what we have in the primaries f. >> in 1980, we have 45 different debate. people want to hear you. + you have a lot of those in

their valuable. >> up there in the balcony. >> spymaster student here. -- i am a student here. i have done my share. i think both parties have done a great job of learning to use the internet to organize their own parties. is a lot like reading to the choir.

-- it is a lot like preaching to the choir. how do each abc reaching out to more moderate and using the internet to foster a common dialogue? >> i think this is the moment where the thought is either going to go the way it ms nbc and fox news where it will totally separate out. [inaudible] this is such an interesting moment to be working in this area. we will look back in a few years. this'll be a moment when the internet either became or it

will happen around issues. it came together around issues. maybe the internet will foster more bipartisan communities around issues so we are not all riled up about our primary candidates bil. >> the internet is a network of networks. how you assemble them is the interesting thing bi. it the cannot assemble them around some larger proposition, it puts this in the election. the candidates had to figure out how to take of these networks that are available and aggregate them into something that represent a movement.

that is a talent on the political side. -- that is the challenge on the political side. if governor dukakis is right, ringing the doorbell -- the new way is to do that virtually. quite how many people here are on twitterr? facebook? had you had intended action engage with you? let's be honest. in 2008, only 57% of those who voted were under age 50. the rest of them over age 50 to give they are growing. i have looked at all those

studies. >> that does not have anything to do with twitter. it is not just twitter. >> just hold on. let's not oversell. >> television is so important. i am about to call on this young man. >> thank you for coming today. i am from los angeles, california. my grandmother has a facebook. [laughter] my question is to -- my question is about the role of third parties in the debates and about having 15% of the possible -- of the support. with the growth of third parties and candidates, do you feel like having more ideological adversity and helps

the presidential debates even if they do not have a legitimate chance of winning? >> i think the commission has taken a very principled stand that has withstood a lot of litigation by in the courts. to participate in these debates, which are fundamentally important to the american people so that they can look these candidates in the eye and watch unscripted moments, they need to know that these debates helped to win the at what -- when the electoral college. the american communist party is not going to qualify. they have to constitutionally be able to be elected president. by the way, there are hundreds of people who ran for president of the united states that you had never heard of before. they are third-party candidates.

they demonstrate some modest level of support from the american people. it is not a huge threshold amount. ross perot was one in 1992. sarah island was the key party candidate. everybody -- sarah palin was the teap party candidate. not everybody is going to meet that threshold. there are voices that need to be heard. it they can get the support and use the internet to get a threshold level of support, i think that is a good thing. it is an important thing. >> sir, you have been very patient. >> in reference to joe mccarthy

and the motivation to get into politics, even the close friendship between mccarthy and jack kennedy -- there is irony there do you not think? >> that is your question? >> i will be finished in about 20 seconds. in reference to george bush looking at his watch invites scrutiny of you and your performance. if you think the question was one of those "gotcha" questions was something you could not handle, do you not think you should be a big boy? if you cannot stand the heat, go back to the kitchen. >> i never rejected to the question. i said that whoever was running the show at the time -- the

question was a perfectly good one. i had been asked it about 8000 -- i had been asked about 1000 times. people were watching. they deserve something better. a few are as opposed to the death penalty as i am, respect a question like that. i was not surprised. i just did not do a very good job of answering it. >> i am for the graduate school of design. there are clearly some candidates to have campaigners, like bill clinton. there are some very intelligent people that might be good leaders, they are just not good communicators.

what are your thoughts on the system helping to select a good states person rather than just a good campaigner? to you think there is a debate format that can focus on this? >> who wants this? >> it is an excellent question. it goes to, in many respects, whether there is a disconnect between the skill of running for president in the still of being president. many politicians will talk to you about that at great length. it is a frustrating part of the system. it is also one of the great disadvantage is we have in the system. it is so long. we started at the first of the year in 2008 with iowa and new hampshire almost back-to-back. all of that part of the

campaigning skills does not necessarily mean he will be a good president. all watched that in 1960. eisenhower and stevenson ran against each other. it now becomes critical that you -- look at the next congress. there are a lot of men and women there. do we need an entire united states congress as opposed to people who could be great statesman? >> after the 1984 campaign, i was covering california. i was covering a senator from california. the finished so far back in the democratic primary in new hampshire, ronald reagan got more right in votes.

i came to live in an flu l to cover gary hart. abraham lincoln could not be elected today. i said, i am not going to quote you saying that, but your point is well taken. this question is right up your sweet spot. i want to ask you a question rather than just agreeing with it. but to follow up on his, if you do not mind. you are not really taking the measure of a candidate, you're taking the measure of the whole party. >> how do presidents make decisions now? they read papers. they talk to their aides. they look at the polls. they look at statistics.

eventually, the president makes a decision. i think mike is right. there is something fundamental that we learn through the process of the televised debates. unfortunately in our modern era, there is something to artificial about it as well. there is not a particularly great deal of transparency about the way it is formed or where it gets money or the criteria. to makes those decisions? >> take the measure of the candidate. the american people looked at jack kennedy and they felt he could be president. that is something you would not want to take away from the voters. >> 8 million people watched the speech in philadelphia that barack obama gave. it was not on television. they took a measure of the

people at the time. it is not the internet itself, it is the ability to be able to communicate with the new media. it is not whether it is twitter or whether it is facebook. it is whether the candidate is connected to the citizenry. it is not interested in televised debauchery. that is what this is about. >> i think that the answer is the really good leaders, the tony blair's, the bill clinton -- >> i am a freshman at the college. there seems to be a conflict between the idea of political discussion via television and via the internet. is there a way that in the traditional televised debate format we can address those concerns and propose improvements so that we can get that greater forum for debate in

the televised debate? >> if the answer is yes. the internet has an interactive nature. it has to be robust enough for people to come together and evaluate candidates and question each other. i like the idea of figuring out how to engage the campaigns of the candidates around that. there are three presidential debates and one vice- presidential debate begich haggled over sometimes. they ought to look beyond the one moment in which they have an appointment to show up and do it. we do not necessarily have to show up and be there at that moment, although that is when the two candidates come together. beyond that, the internet offers a great opportunity and platform for people to interact, to submit questions, to challenge each other, to form debate

groups and give back-and-forth. that is exactly what we want to do. by the way, who pays for this is the networks. that is a problem. how many networks are we going to have? the rest of it is the communities to support it -- the schools, universities, a communities the sponsor debates. it is entirely transparent how this commission works. it is all about giving the american people a chance. >> if i was running for political office today, i would go on every single day and do a chat. i would tight the answers myself. i think it is a great opportunity for politicians to communicate their meaning. >> president obama has done that, by the way. >> sarah pailin does it.

-- sarah palin does it. >> if you are going to get the last question. stay where you are. >> i am a freshman at the college. thank you for being here to talk to us. my question is for mr. gibson. seeing as how you were the first mainstream reporter to interview sarah palin and that you after the same questions you would have joe biden, what was your first impression of her qualifications for the role of the vice president? [laughter] remember, whatever you say is going to be on the internet. [laughter] [applause] >> i think it is a matter of fact that it is very difficult for someone to transition from

the background that she has. one of the things that knocked me out walking a route with her was she knew every single one of the people at the local high- school, the policemen, their problems, whatever. i thought she was a terrific small-town mayor. then she becomes governor of a very small state, which is not contiguous. i do not need to upset alaskans. it is a great state. she had not spent a lot of time in the 48. it is very difficult to make that transition into the national stage. you have to give her credit for doing what she did. >> let me say this, it is difficult no matter what state you govern. [laughter] you know, in my case i thought was a pretty good governor.

i kind of thought the job to the presidential race is huge. it is greater for her. it is too long. one of the advantages to long primaries is that we spend a lot of time out there. real exchanges with people. maybe the internet is one method for that. i crave the ability to do that. we have barbeques and clambakes. we listened to the people we represent. i do not care who you are. that move from is huge. -- that move from the governor

is huge. you are going to have a lot of difficulties. it takes a lot of work and effort. charlie said that in january, the candidates had been working since the last january. after you receive the nomination, it starts all over again. >> eve at the last question. >> i am a sophomore at the college. my question is for mr. mccurry. being a press secretary to president clinton, i i imagine that there must have been some time where a question was asked that you were like, oh my god, there is no possible way we can come out ahead on this question. is there any way -- i am sure

there were many -- are there any episodes you would like to share it? >> i am glad that you are so young and do not remember the best material. [laughter] i had one role, which was to always remember that nobody cared what my opinion was. they wanted to know what the president would say. i always tried to put myself in that frame of mind. the second thing, i always remember my family in south carolina. that is where most of my family is from. they have a hard time believing most of what they hear out of washington. how can i explain to my cousin's what the answer was -- what should be said? if i can get in that frame of mind and represent the president

and say what i need the president would want to say, i think that is the best you can do. it is a lot harder to be out there and be a candidate than hold the office and run for the office. it is a great privilege to work with these people. >> i was going to go around the panel and have one more go realm. i thank you for your graciousness. i would like to thank the entire panel. i would like to thank on behalf of the john f. kennedy jr. forum, thank you for being here.

on the 50th anniversary of the kennedy-nixon debate, i would like to thank you for coming. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010]

>> tomorrow o'connor and david souter discuss their experiences on the supreme court. the event was hosted by the jfk library earlier this month. that is not a clot p.m. eastern tomorrow night on c-span. -- that is 9:00 p.m. eastern tomorrow night on c-span. >> now, the liking of the national christmas tree. the tree comes from wyoming and is decorated with ornaments. it is a little over 20 minutes. >> hello, everyone and good evening. welcome to the united states capitol tree lighting ceremony. i am steven harris, the architect of the capital. i am honored to serve as your master of ceremonies tonight has to car out this wonderful tradition for the set -- for the 47th year in a row. part of this tradition is the

playing of festive holiday carol's prior to the program. why do not take a moment to give a special thank you to the united states navy banned under the direction of master chief joe browne for being here, helping to create a warm holiday mood. [applause] >> thank you. behind me, ladies and gentlemen, right here on what i like to call our nation's stage, stands and immelmann screws from maine. it has been beautifully decorated with more than 5000 handmade ornaments by wyoming residence which reflects this yea's theme -- "wyoming, forever west."

in addition, the tree is adorned with thousands of bright, colorful, ellie the lights, which are environmentally -- led lights, which are environmentally friendly. [laughter] as is the tradition, the speaker of the house, the hon. nancy pelosi, will extend her holiday greetings to you and like this wonderful tree in just a few moments. before we get to that big moment, i would like to welcome members of congress, stinguished guests, our capitol hill neighbors, and those of you who are visiting our nation's capital today. thank you for joining us on this cold and breathe the evening. i would especially like to a knowledge -- cold and breezy evening. i will also especially like to acknowledge our other guests. [applause]

each year, the united states capitol historical society produces a beautiful ornament and presents the congress with one to place on this christmas tree. at this time, i would like to introduce a former member of congress and the president of the united states capitol historical society, mr. ron harrison. ron? [applause] >> thank you, steve. >> your welcome. >> thank you again for the opportunity to be year to once again present one of our ornaments to you to hang on the tree. this year, we have a very beautiful ornament that includes the dome and the tree. this year, it is a metal ornaments. you can get this if you would go to our website, www.usch.org. it is my pleasure to be here and take pt in of this -- take part in this ceremony.

steve, here is the ornament for your tree. >> thank you. [applause] that is beautiful and it is quite fitting that this year's ornament features this iconic capitol dome behind us. for 40 years, the department of agriculture u.s. for service and the architect of the capital have partnered -- forest service and the architect of the cital have partnered to bring a treat each year from our national forests. altogether, they comprise 193 million acres of forest and grassland in the united states. i would like to specifically thank all of the dedicated forest service staff who have helped us make this event possible. let's all please give them a round of applause as well. [applause] joining us tonight is j. jensen, deputy and a secretary for

natural resources and environment with the u.s. department of agriculture. he would le to share a holiday message with all of you. jay? >> okay, it is cold out here. i hope the tidings o the season will bring warmth to you all. it is my pleasure toe a part of the cerony today. speaker pelosi, senators, architect, distinguished guests, thank you. on behalf of the secretary of agriculture, i wish wish everyone here a merry christmas and happy holiday season. thank you for coming, to brave the cold, to be a part of this year's letting of the capitol christmas tree. this tree this year comes from the teton national forest, as you have heard, in western wyoming. this tree is a beautiful spurs

and, as a forester, -- beautiful and, as a forester, it is like the citizens of wyoming. ornaments have been selected from over 17,000 ornaments from the people of wyoming. to bring us this tree and dozens of other smaller trees, to decorate their offices and buildings, our volunteers have donated thousands of hours and businesses, schools, and other partners have made many generous donations. this tree symbolizes the holiday spirit of giving. i would like to extend my gratitude to everyone involved. this tree comes to us because leaders long ago, like president theodore roosevelt, had the wisdom and foresight to establish a grid system of public lands called the national forest. our job is to sustain those

national forests for the current generation and for generations to come so that many may enjoy these christmases and trees like this. but we cannot do it alone. it takes partnerships an collaboration to get this tree on its journey here to the capital. it takes people who live on land, you use it and know it. it takes people who cherish its beauty and rely on its sources to bring it like this. we must recognize the effort that draws upon new collaboration and old friendships to help continue building this great country of ours, tree-by-tree, force-by- fours. thank you to the people of wyoming and to everyone bringing us this tree. hopefully, this tree can be a reminder to all of us of the importance of connecting people to the land and to forests. again, thank you, mary christmas, and happy holidays.

[cheers and] applause -- [cheers and applause] >> thank you. >> thank you, jay. as i mentioned, this tree has been on a tremendous journey. it traveled more than 4,600 miles across the country from wyoming. just a week ago, the tree arrived here on the west front of the capital where are dedicated grounds crew went to work decorating it. did they not do a marvelous job? [cheers and applause] i would also like to thank said that bell, our capit grounds superintendent who has -- thank ted bektel, our capitol grounds superintendent who has the huge responsibility of selecting our tree.

this is the first time the state has had this honor. please welcome senator john grossberasso. [cheers and applause] >> it was the first time ever for wyoming and it was worth the wait. is this not absolutely gorgeous. [cheers and applause] bobby and i are so thrilled that you could join us. mike and cindy and i travel around the state and former gov. garrido is here. we nd more wyoming in washington, wyoming valleys, independence, determination, honesty, hard work. the work to getting this year was not done by the congressional delegation. it was done by all of you. you are the onewho made the ornaments. mike and cindy and i were

concerned -- could we actually get 5000 ornaments? we were concerned. but it did not turn out to be 500. then it was 10,000. then it was 15,000. it was almost 20,000 ornaments made by the people of wyoming. [cheers and applause] the children's choir of shy and not worry about the cold, do you? [cheers and applause] i want to thank the thousands of people from wyoming who showed up as thisree travel through the roads of wyoming, stopping a thousand people in cody, 1500 in jackson, all of them coming to see this tree because this tree is a gift from the pple wyoming to the united states

to celebrate christ's birth. with that, all of us from wyoming wish this country a very merry christmas. thank you very much. [cheers and alause] >> thank you. >> , i would like to it -- next, i would like to introduce senator nc. >> i want to welcome -- senator zi. >> i want to welcome the people here from thewyoming. that is a big part of our population. this tree had to be cut and taken into a building and one up so it could be compressed to fit on a truck. then it was taken all over the state of wyoming and then ended

up in georgia by thanksgiving and here last week so that we could have this grand celebration. today is december 7. that is the did that lives in infamy. it is only fitting that we mentioned our service members who might be looking at this on television halfway around the world. they almost -- they also might be in places where they're not any trees like this. in some places, they're sticking a stick in the ground and they're taking coat hangers and making limbs and they are taking things out of the boxes that you sent to them to decorate that tree. on their behalf and on the behalf of the people of wyoming, we get to commemorate the strt tonight in such a glorious fashion for wyoming, the west, and america. thank you. [cheers and applause]

>> thank you. now to help set the proper mood, let me introduce the all city children's chorus from cheyenne, wyoming under the direction of miss mary firsrisk. there will be singing a medley of holiday songs. [applause] ♪ ♪ [singing "deck the halls"] ♪

♪ ♪ [siing "go tell it ont the mountain"]

♪ ♪

♪ [singing "rocking around the christmas tree"] ♪

♪ ♪

[cheers and applause] >> the all-city children's chorus from cheyenne, wyoming. [cheers and applause] >> ladies and devon, it is my great pleasure to introduce the speaker of the house. i know this is one of her favorite events here at the capitol every year. joining the speaker to help like the speaker is daniel sitter. daniel, come on up. he is a sixth-grader at osmond elementary school in fairview, wyoming. a round for daniel. [cheers and applause]

daniel's name was drawn from more than 1000 students to help the tree. he made this trip to washington along with the honor of the assisting speaker pelosi in the lighting of the tree. ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the house, the hon. nancy pelosi. [cheers and applause] >> hey, we want those kids back over herwhile we light the tree. please come back over here. what an honor to be here with you and all of you and daniel. i would like to recognize j. jensen, undersecretary for natural resources and environment and the united states navy band. thank you for entertaining us this evening. what a treat for us to see the all-city children's chorus from cheyenne, wyoming. thank you. you honor us with your presence and entertainers with your

music. it is our joy to have you here at the capitol. to the people of wyoming, thank you for this gift to the nation, the capitol christmas tree. you cannot see on the other side of the tree, but they can see you. gathered on the speaker is bound up any, are many men and women in uniform from walter reed hospital with their families. let's give them a round of appreciation. [cheers and applause] i told them that you would appreciate their presence. this is a highlight for the year. the gift and the lighting of this magnificent tree and the ornaments, we are exhibiting the

quality for the entire nation to see. last month, as it has been mentioned, at the heart of the national force, people came from jackson came together to look at the tree. parents brought their children keep brother -- parent procter children to see the capital tree. it went to 22 sittings with in wyoming. 22 cities within wyoming? [laughter] and towns before heading across the country. the tree even has its n memorabilia, mugs and magnets, tins and patches, teachers and toteags that you will all want to have. it is a source of pride for wyoming. it is a source of joy for the united states congress and for all americans. daniel has been mentioned, but

his sister mia -- held a she? >> she is 13. >> she is 13. she is here with him as well. daniel is the person that we are all honored to share the lighting of a tree with. we are honored by the gift from the state of wyoming. we are honored by the service of our men and women in uniform. with the help of daniel sitter, we will now like the tree. i want these children to come even closer. ♪ ♪

♪ [band playing "oh christmas tree"] ♪ ♪ ♪

[cheers and applause] >> thank you all. i know you will want to get your pictures taken in front of the tree. >> thank you, daniel, and thank you, speaker posi. does not the tree look wonderful? [cheers and applause] thank you all for joining us with speaker pelosi and members of congress, the navy band, the forestry service, for the sliding of our united states capitol christmas tree. thank you and good night. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010]

[captioning performed by national captioning institute] >> up next, author and journalist sally quinn. michael dukakis and charlie gibson will take part in did -- in a debate. >> merry christmas, america. welcome.

we have lots of special guest with us including the legendary b. b. king. ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the president and first family of the united states. [applause]

mr. president, welcome. first family, welcome. i took their seats are all right. if not, i can hook you up. we had the chicago connection. i can keep you straight. are they ok? yes. well, let's get the show started. first, two truly gifted singer- songwriters weaving their voices together in the spirit of the season. ladies and gentlemen, joining the u.s. coast guard band, ingrid michaelson and sarah

boralis. [applause] ♪ my voice a beacon in the night.

is love alive? is love alive? is love? ♪ is love alive? is love alive? is love alive? ♪

i still believe in sunny days. the seasons always change. is love alive? is love alive? is love alive? ♪

my love a beacon in the night my words will be your light. is love alive? is love alive? is love alive? ♪

ali [laughter] [applause] >> love is alive, people. please give it up for them. [applause] now, with tonight's holiday and vacation, please welcome pastor daryl morton. [applause] >> let us pray.

lord of light, lord of love, you who brought life out of the darkness and eliminated all of creation, as our national christmas tree is like it, we are reminded of the light that has come into the world through your son. illuminatus with that light. make us mindful that he whose birth we celebrate in this season came to us as wind without a home or a bed within. so many of our neighbors, your children, and his brothers and sisters have no home, no bid, and the christmas tree. open our hearts to the needs of those around us to suffer from lack of basic comfort, for it was he whose first bid was eight feed -- was a feed trough.

tonight we also remember those two or four removed from family and friends as they serve -- we remember those who are far removed from family and friends as they serve overseas. far from home praying, i will be home for christmas if only in my dreams. protect them and return them safely to the arms of their families and loved ones. these things we pray along with the holy angels to sank, glory to god in the highest and peace among people with whom he is pleased, amen. >> now, please welcome the

president and ceo of the national park foundation. [applause] >> good evening. on behalf of the national park service and the national park foundation, i would like to welcome you to the 88 liking of the national christmas tree here in president's part. it is one of our 393 national parks. we are happy to have the first family in attendance as well as those watching around the world. we are thrilled to be able to share this evening with our military families and forces around the globe who sacrificed so much each and every day to preserve and protect our freedoms, chargers, and traditions, including the one we celebrate here this season.

all of our national parks or uniquely american. they bring families and friends together, teach and inspire our children, and tell the stories of our shared history in the places where it actually happened. this part shares over 80 years of history, beginning on christmas eve in 1923 when president calvin coolidge what from the white house to like the very first national christmas tree. thank you for helping us continue this tradition. now, it is my great honor and privilege to introduce to you if the secretary of the interior and the chairman of the national park foundation, the honorable ken salazar. [applause] >> thank you for those wonderful words. happy holidays for everyone here

tonight and across the nation. on behalf of the united states department of interior, we welcome you to the 88 lighting of the national christmas tree. tonight we celebrate a proud tradition that dates back to 1923 when the school children of this country asked for a christmas tree right here in our nation's capitol. much as changed since 1923, but the holiday tradition remains the same. it is a message of joy. it is a message of peace. tonight, the president and the first family will flip the switch for the lighting of the christmas tree. it is a message we share with friends and families all across the world. on behalf of the department, the national park service, and the national park foundation, thank you for coming out to celebrate this hopeful message and this great american holiday

tradition. now it is with great joy and great pride to introduce the 44th president of the united states of america. he worked tirelessly everyday on behalf of all americans and, even in difficult times, the inspires each and every one of us to praise our nation's future. ladies and gentlemen, president barack obama. [applause] ♪ >> thank you.

merry christmas, everybody. happy holidays. we are thrilled to have all of you here. thank you secretary salazar for the work you are doing to protect our national parks and our public lands for future generations. i also want to recognize everyone at the national park foundation at the national park service who helped put this event together. of what to thank the pastor for that wonderful i want to thank the pastor morton for the wonderful indication, and thanks to common and all of tonight's performance out as we light the national christmas tree for the 88th time. this is a very proud holiday tradition, snow or shine, in good times and in times of hardship.

folks like you have gathered with presidents to write the national tree. it has not always gone off without a hitch. on one occasion, two sheep left the safety of the nativity scene and wandered into rush-hour traffic. [laughter] that caused some commotion. often, the ceremony itself has reflected the pain and sacrifice of the times. there were years during the second world war with no lights were hung in order to save electricity. in the days following pearl harbor, winston churchill joined president roosevelt to which our nation a happy christmas even in such perilous days. but without fail, each year we have gathered here. each year we have gathered to

celebrate a story that has in store for to millennium, the story that is dear to michelle and me as christians but a message that is universal. at the child was born far from home and spread a simple message of love and redemption to every human being around the world. it is a message that says no matter who we are or where we are from, no matter the pain we in door or the old wrongs we face, we are called to love one another as brothers and sisters. and so during a time in which we try our hardest to live with a spirit of charity and good will, we remember our brothers and sisters who have lost their job or struggling to make ends meet. our brothers and sisters who have lost their job or struggling to make ends meet. we pray for the men and women in uniform serving in afghanistan and iraq and for which places who cannot be home this holiday season. and we think their families, who will mark this christmas with an empty seat at the dinner table. on behalf of malia, sasha,

michelle, mary anne, are grandmother in chief, and beau i wish't forget beau -- all of you a merry christmas and blessed holiday season. now i will invite the but tire -- i will invite the entire obama crew appeared to help meet like this national christmas tree. at -- to help me light this national christmas tree. [applause] all right, everybody, we're going to count, from five. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. [cheers and applause]

para christmas, everybody. -- mary christmas, everybody. night holy the stars are brightly shining it is the night of our dear savior's birth long way the world ♪ ♪

gzero here at the angel voices o night divine o the night when christ was born o night divine o night divine ♪

♪ o night divine o the night when christ was born o night divine o night o night divine ♪ [cheers and applause] >> i mean, my god. [laughter]

oh, my god, give it up for jackie. >> hi. >> i mean, i thought i had talent. this has been an incredible, amazing year for you. people everywhere know who jackie is. what has been the best part of this year? >> the best part this year has been being able to sing for the president and sing for the tree lighting. it is an experience -- an amazing experience. >> this girl is a real and this girl is smart. well, you are truly gifted. god has given you tips we cannot even fathom how great they are and how far you have gone. with all of these gifts, what would you like for christmas? >> well, i know this may sound cheesy, but i really want to see

a difference in how the world is treated, because i am a big fan of taking care of the world and i really, really like baby seals, too, so i felt that helps. >> taking care of the world, that sounds great. >> thanks. >> let's keep the sounds of the season coming. his signature voice and vision have made my morning jacket one of the country's most acclaimed rock bands. here with his wish for the season, please welcome jim james. [applause] have yourself a merry little christmas

let your heart be light next year at all our troubles will be out of sight have yourself a merry little christmas make the yuletide gay next year, all our troubles will be miles away once again as and olden days have the golden days of yore faithful friends who are dear to us

will be near to us once more someday soon we all will be together if the fates allow hang a shining star upon the highest bough and have yourself a merry little christmas now ♪ ♪ [cheers and applause]

>> hi. thank you, james. you were wonderful. i grow up just down the road in fredericksburg, va., and i am thrilled to be here sharing this season with the of. at christmas brings out the innocents in all of us. my new friends and i were just talking about our wishes and hopes for this holiday season. please help me welcome ms. gray, mr. henry andrew, and they will tell us about their wishes. drew, how old are you? >> 6. >> if you had one big wish, what would your wish for christmas be? >> i wish everybody would have a merry christmas, and i hope that santa brings me a lot of legos.

[laughter] >> i think he will bring you the lego. henry, how old are you? >> 6 years old. >> what is your big holiday wish. >> i think -- wait, i messed up. [laughter] i wish for my ben 10 ultimate matrix. >> santa heard you and he will bring exactly that. grace, what would you like for christmas? >> that everyone has a good christmas eve. >> aw! thank you all very much. i know that you'll get exactly what you asked for, santa heard are on theyhhe elves

case. merry christmas, everyone. >> dear, oh dear. the boss could be here any minute and there is so much to be done. we have 6 billion names on the nice list and we cannot afford an elf-tastrophy. rudolph, rudolph, that is not a chew toy. drop it. drop it! sometimes they like to chew on wires. that is why we inspect them for damage, and you should, too. you should never connect more than three strings of holiday lights together. i cannot tell you how many breakers we blew at the north pole before we figured that out. oh, sugar my cookies, the street is thirsty. that is a fire hazard. don't forget to water your tree.

look, if the national park service can handle their bigotry, you could handle your sprint hurry, hurry -- if the national park service can handle their big tree, you can handle your sprint hurry, hurry. >> i feel for those elves, man. the same hostile every year. that is what christmas is all about, tradition. it is dreams and wishes, and mom's favorite dishes. don'tcarol's and mass, you fidget, and stockings and snow and stories you know, like the one we have for you right now. here with a holiday classic, please welcome the incomparable first lady, michelle obama. >> all right, you guys, are you ready for the story?

>> yes. let them here we go. 'twas the night before christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a house. -- not even a mouse. the stockings were hung by the chimney with care and hopes that st. nicholas would soon be there. when out on the lawn there arose -- whoops, i skipped a page. [laughter] wait. the children were nestled all snug in their beds -- [laughter] did ask it another page? ok, here we go. here we go. we are ready. the first lady is taking off her gloves. ready? the children were nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. and mama and her kerchief and my -- and i and my cat had just

settled down for a long winter's nap. went out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, i sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. the way to the window i flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and opened the slashed. the new fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below. when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. with a little old driver so blithely and quick, i knew in a moment that must be st. nick. more rapid than eagles, his horses they came, and whistled and shouted and called them by name. now-, now dancer, now. sir and vixen, one comment, cupid, donder, and blitzen. to the top of the porch, to the

top of the wall, now dash away all. when they meet with an obstacle, out to the sky. it up to the house taught they flew, with a sleigh full of toys and st. nicholas, too. twinkling i heard on the roof, the prancing and pauling of each little hoof. as i drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney st. nicholas came with a bound. he was dressed all in for, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. a bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. his eyes, how they twinkled. his dimples, how mary. his cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. his droll little mouth was drawn

up by a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. it the stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath. but he had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. he was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and i laughed when i saw him in spite of myself. a wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know i had nothing to dread. he spoke not a word about what's great to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. then lying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. he sprang to his leg, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. but i heard him exclaim as he

drove out of sight, happy christmas to all, and to all a good night. [applause] >> ho, ho, ho! yes, yes, that is exactly how i remember it! >> listen. who is that? i think i hear santa. >> i hope you don't mind, i was just keeping your seat warm. i have it on good authority you have been nice this year. that was a wonderful reading. it wasn't that wonderful? yes! you know, there is only one part of the story i did not like some much. i never thought that my belly shook like a bowlful of jelly. at this suit makes me look slim, yes? what a wonderful, wonderful

reading. yes! ho, ho, ho! it is a wonderful season! you know what? i think i feel a song coming on! ho, ho, ho! ♪ it is the most wonderful time of the year with the kids gentle belling and everyone telling you be of good cheer it is the most wonderful time of the year it is the happiest season of all with wonderful greetings when it friends come to call it is the hap happoest season of

all. there will be a party is for hosting, marshmallows for toasting caroling out in the snow the line there will be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of christmases long, long ago it is the most wonderful time of the year there will be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near is the most wonderful time of the year ♪ ho, ho! wonderful! hello, everyone! i will be back in a few weeks! yes! hello over there! there will be parties for hosting marshmallows for toasting

caroling out in the snow there will be scary ghost stories tales of the glories of christmases long, long ago it is the most wonderful time of the year there will be much mistletoeing and hearts will be calling when loved ones are near it is the most wonderful time it is the most wonderful time it is the most wonderful time of the year ♪ ho, ho, ho! merry christmas! yes! ho, ho, ho! >> wow, thanks a lot, santa.

i have been waiting, like, 30 years to beat that guy. for real. it is great to have all of these wonderful and beautiful people here at president's park. christmas is a time that we can celebrate love, joy, peace and happiness. this is a time for togetherness, no matter what. we know that we can be here together to share the love and spread love to each other. how are you all feeling tonight? [cheers] i said how are you all feeling tonight? [cheers] it is a wonderful time. yes. it may be cold, but we all have sold. we're just on a roll, right here, everything is evident. because we came here to celebrate with the president. understand, common-sense, when

we are here, there is peace, no drama. just think, we get to sit and celebrate with all of the obamas. right now, we are fresh, feeling it on tv, and even though it is cold, we are still in -- we are still cool in the d.c., washington. i will light it up like he did the christmas tree. and for everybody here, you know, this is how i come. the brother, common sense, i have a rumpa-pum-pum. i am sort of a gifted, of like santa claus. this is what i am saying, making it real clear, my nose is getting read, just like the indeer's. right now i would like to

introduce someone who is a legend of this time. i have been me waiting to me santa, but this is somebody i have waited my whole life to meet. yes, growing up in chicago, we love the blues. it is in our blood, it is in our dna, it is in our makeup. and my right, mr. president? yes, sir. it grows in our souls. not the souls of our shoes, -- not to soles of our shoes, but the soul that comes with playing the deuce. it is real and true. some want a white christmas, but i will take mine blew. ladies and gentlemen, we are here to bring in the legendary, the great king of the blues, a true living legend, mr. b.b.

king! [cheers and applause] [cheers] >> good evening. >> good evening! >> sorry i'm late, mr. president. they had me stop in the elevator over there. [laughter] can i have the sound up a little bit, please?

♪ ♪ >> ♪. christmas, baby you sure did treat me nice merry, merry, merry christmas, baby santa came down the chimney

about half past three left these pretty presence out here for me ♪

♪ what a christmas to have the blues oh, what a christmas to have the blues oh, what a christmas to have the blues please come home for christmas

if not for christmas ♪w year's night [cheers and applause] thank you! >> whoo! [laughter]

i bet it is not this cold and mississippi. [laughter] thank you, sir. ♪ ♪ merry, merry christmas, baby you sure did treat me nice

merry, merry, merry christmas you sure did treat me nice gave me a diamond ring for christmas now i'm living in paradise finei'm feeling mighty i've got good music on my radio said i'm feeling mighty fine i've got good music on my radio i would love to hug and kiss you, baby while we are standing beneath

the mistletoe ♪ ♪ santa came down the chimney about half past three left all these beautiful ntssenc

for you and for me ♪

[cheers and applause] thank you. [cheers] shows some y'all, love supreme for mr. b.b. king. [cheers and applause] incredible. that is history. a true national treasure. and my friend right here knows a little something about national treasures. it this is amy, a ranger with the national park service, and they care for presidents park,

including that beautiful tree over there. if you like what you see, thank my friend and the rest of the national parks service. [cheers and applause] so, amy, like, how did this tradition that started? >> it began in 1923 under president calvin coolidge. at that particular tree had over 2500 electric bulbs and red, green, and white. the ceremonies featured a local choir and a quartet from the u.s. marine band. a lot has changed since then and the ceremony has grown. in fact, the tree we are celebrating tonight is a live tree that has been here since 1978. in fact, this year, the street is the most energy-efficient tree that we had it -- this tree is the most energy efficient

tree that we had. [applause] >> well, this is just a set up for this park. but the national park service, you do work for parks all around the country. well, would you believe there are almost 400? in fact, there are 393 unit in our national parks system that celebrate our nation's history, landscaped, and culture. whether it is here at president's part or any of the national parks systems, we want people to come out and enjoy and learn more about their national parks. theet's give it up for national park service. [applause] thank you for keeping the holiday tradition going. there is really no better symbol of the hope of the season than

the light of that tree. that is what christmas does. it renews our sense of wonder and our sense of hope. you have heard that hope and all of our songs tonight. but one particular man captures that piece like no other, john lennon. he left us the 30 years ago, but his message of holiday hopes still rings. hear what their take on that message, joined by sarah and the duke ellington school of the art show choir, please welcome grammy award winners maroon 5. [cheers and applause] > ♪ so this is christmas what have you done? another year over

a new one just begun so this is christmas hope you had fun the near and dear ones old and the young have a very merry christmas and happy new year let's hope it is a good one without any fear so this is christmas for week and for strong for rich and for poor ones the road is so long and very happy christmas

for black and four white for yellow and red ones let's stop all the fight a very merry christmas and a happy new year let's hope it is a good one without any fear war is over if you what it war is over now war is over if you want it

war is over now war is over if you want it war is over now ♪ [cheers and applause] >> thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. whoo! [laughter] >> 1, 2, 3, 4!

>> ♪ sleigh bells rang are you listening? and in the lane and snow is glistening a beautiful sight, happy tonight walking in a winter wonderland gone away is the bluebird here to stay is a new bird sing a song as we go along at walking in a winter wonderland in the meadow we can build a snowman and pretend that he is parson brown he will say, are you married? we will say, no, man, but he could do the job when you're in town but iran, we will conspire as we dream by the fire to face unafraid of the plans that we've made up walking in a winter wonderland

let's go! ♪ ♪ in the meadow we can build a snowman and pretend he is a circus clown will have lots of fun with mr. snow man until the other kids knock him down when it snows, it is thrilling your nose gets a chilling it will frolic and play at the eskimo way of walking in a winter wonderland walking in a winter wonderland walking in a winter wonderland yeah, walking in a winter wonderland ♪ ♪ [cheers and applause]

>> make some noise, y'all. now that is how you take off the christmas season. it's starts right here, but remember, the spirit of christmas does not have to end. it is charity, kindness. it ends in our blindness. seeds of hope plan to become wishes granted. it is not from an adult but inside yourself. winter, spring, summer, fall, 12 months of christmas inside of us all. this is where christmas begins, but never truly ends. let's get everybody back out here. i mean everybody.

[cheers and applause] we are ready to jam. [cheers] >> ♪ the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful the line and since we have no place to go . it's no, but it's no, let it

snow i've got some corn for popping the lights are turned way down low let it snow, let it snow, let it snow when we finally kiss goodnight how i will hate going up and the storm but if you really hold me tight i will be warm all the way home the fire is still the dying and, my dear, we are still good by-ing but as long as you love me so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow the fire is slowly dying yingwe are still good buyin

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ♪ [cheers and >> been able to get presidential debate -- been able to get presidential debates. later, whether a school tax break violate the separation of church and state burd and. >> sunday, one of the candidates running for the republican national committee will be questioned by reporters from the

associated press burda. what did this sunday on c-span. host: sally quinn is with us this morning, founder of "on faith," interactive forum on washingtonst.com, celebrating five years. i wanted to begin with why did you begin this discussion and have you accomished what you set out to achieve? guest: actually, we just celebrated our fourth anniversary. one more year to go and then w are taking -- [laughter] i sort of backed into it as a journalist. i began to see that there were so many stories that involve religion that i didn't think that we were covering in the paper. i just didn't think we were covering religion. if you look at "washington de" or yesterday or a before, we

have front-page stories on religion almost every day. something. it just talking about ks in the military. that has been a religious issue. the marriage is a religious issue. abortion. national politics, foreign- policy. and it just seems to me there was this whole large issue that we were not addressing. so i started writing memos and saying, i really think we ought to be covering religion more and i think it has such a huge influence on so many areas of our lives. i did not get anywhere. i had lunch with the publisher and owner of the washington post and we -- said we need to this of the about religion and he said why don't you do something on the website. i said, well, i don't know anything about religion. d i certainly don't know anything about the internet.

he said, well, never mind. aboutu feel that strongly it, go ahead and do it. so, i did. at that point, too, i was an atheist and had been an atheist all of my life. but it was something that i was passionate about, the subject of religion, that i find that many a these are. if you look at people like christopher hitchins and richard dawkins, a major atheists and are passionate about the subject. so, i enlisted jophn meecham, editor of "newsweek" and religion scholar and said i have no standing in this arena at all, but if you wld join me as co-moderator, i think we can do that. he said, why not, let's try it. i do not think anybody thought it would go anywhere. it has really taken off particularly in the last -- i

think there was sort of a turning point when the issue of the mosque at ground zero came up. which is not a mosque and not at ground zero, but i had been friends with imam faisal for years and wereoth on my panel so we were all over the story six weeks before it even became a story. i have interviewed her for "the washington post, what did a video interview. think when the story broke we were so on top of it that people in the paper and the website said, religion, gosh, it is not like people did not see that it was an issue but i had a feeling that there was that moment where people began to say, we really do need to focus on this. it is one of the top-10 features

on the whole washington post website. the traffic is growing and people are seeing it. you look at the last election or any political election where religion becomes a huge issue. sharron angle and christine o'donnell basically saying i am running because god told me to, this is got a's plan for me. the election coming up you will have mike huckabee and sarah palin and george romney -- no, mitt romney. [laughter] who is a mormon. then you look at the situation with islam in this country. you have 20% in this country believing the president of the united states is a muslim. and if he says he is not a muslim it puts him in opposition because it sounds like there is nothing wrong with it -- i am not a muslim, not that there is anything wrong with it.

you should not -- then when they have the glenn beck rally on the mall they were calling him a black liberation audiologists -- theologian, becse he had been in jeremiah wright's christian church. they were accusing him of being a christian and a muslim at the same time. our goal for "on fe closed what is to educate and inform people and i think you cannot -- "on faith close " this to educate and inform people. host: let us go back to resistancerom a journalist perspective, doesn't come from the idea of separation of church and state? guest:bsolutely. everybody -- journalists are genuinely -- generally more secular than most of the populism did 90% or 95% believe in god.

in fact, around the world. in fact, there are more secular journalists than end of regular population. i think there is a real queasiness about where you draw the line, at one -- what point does it go over the line? do you teach creationism in school? i think most journalists would say, no, you did not, because it is a religious issue but yet they teach in school all over the country. do you have gays in the military. in a way, that is an issue of separation of church and state. almost eve issue that you bring up can be about separation of church and state. i think that becomes a huge issue for most journalists. you know, you really do walk a

fine line because you say, for instance, this whole issue of the national portrait gallery where there is an exhibition on gay or their roddick homosexual love -- erotic homosexual love and there was a four-minute film of an 11-second image of christ sweatpants crawling -- or a cross with an axe crawling around. the catholic league objected to that end many of the conservative christian members of the house and senate started talking about how this was not acceptable, that the smithsonian get government funding and therefore they were gog to repeal the funding, take the funding away. putting the museum in a most awkward position. that is an issue of separation of church and state. it does the state really have the ability to say we are not going to put something in the

museum if it depicts christ because we don't want to funded. should they be funding it in the first place? you have faith-based organizations, the white house has a faith-based organization that does give funding of certain areas where people -- social activists, but they also have religious affiliation. just any number of questions. and each one, you have to look back -- act on a case by case basis. should we ve "in god we trust" on the ques and should we say "one nation under god." the issues are there -- host: are you an atheist today? guest: no. i could not defined what i am -- but when john meaham did this

together, we had a 3 1/2 hour lunch -- he said, you are not, and i say, yes, i am. he says i tell you why you can't be an atheist. i think to be an atheist is to be a negative person, to take a negative position, i am against something, i did not believe something as opposed to being a positive, having a positive view of something. he also said in an nothing about religion -- which was absolutely true. he said, go out and do some reading. here are a bunch of books to read. and i learned something about religion and then come back and tell me and if you decide you are an atheist, that's fine. christher hitchins is one of the most well-known -- read people i know and he is a devout atheist. but i didn't -- did begin reading and one of the things of that changed my vw about religion is that i learned so much about other faiths that i

began to -- i was quite angry about religion. in fact, i would have to say i was contemptuous about religion, because i felt so much evil had beenone in the name of religion that i did not see the good in it. when i started reading and i started to see the good in a lot of religion, a lot of faiths. and many of them. there are things about every religion. that is why i cannot possibly say what i am. people want me to define myself. i can't say. i think that -- i am gng to national cathedral tonight, for instance, for the christmas service which was started doing three or four years ago with my family, and my husband is still in shock -- what happened to you, you were an atheist all of these years. but when i go to national cathedral -- my son was married there in october -- i do feel a

sense of of the divine. i feel there is something transcendent that is happening in that place. what it could be is more yearning than anything else, yening for something that is more important, that is bigger, unknowable, but whenever it is, that appeals to me. and i have made so many friends in the world of religion and one of the things abt "on faith close " is that its a conversation and we include people of all faiths and no doubt face of we have a is an agnostic and humanist and muslims hindus, buddhists, evangelicals, right wing and left wing, hindus, wicca -- you name it, we got it. it is a constant conveat