>> certainly a busy day. lots of news. the paul ryan the vp pick. merit it has been a crazy day and a weekend. i want to give a shoutout to the olympians. they did a fantastic job. go usa. "happening now" starts right now. jenna: brand new stories and breaking news this hour. eric holder about to be sued by top house republicans. it is all about "fast and furious", that investigation. we'll tell but the information they're hoping to get. jon: after being stranded on his jet-ski, a man climbs the eight-foot fence at new york's kennedy airport past a slew of security measures and strolls up to a ticket counter. the latest on the investigation into this major security breach. jenna: no pat-down there, right? that was the problem. personal butler of pope benedict is about to go on trial for stealing and leaking hundreds of papers from the pope's apartment. why the butler said he did it and who he named at his

accomplice. it is all "happening now." jon: a good monday morning to you. it is time to recharge the presential race. governor romney's newly chosen running mate hits the campaign trail. i'm jon scott. jenna: i'm laughing, shake being my head. you were working all weekend because of this news. jon: we all, weren't we. jenna: one way or another. good morning, everybody, i'm jenna lee. congressman paul ryan heading to iowa on his own this time around. making the trip the same time the president is campaigning in the same state. congressman ryan will meet with voters at iowa state fair. his visit follows two full days of campaigning with governor romney who is in florida today we should mention. the republican presidential ticket drawing big crowds following mr. romney's announcement on saturday. with congressman ryan on board, some say voters have a clear choice on election day.

kimberly strassel from the "wall street journal" has written a couple of articles about this including one today. the final line in your column struck me. if he, mitt romney, wants to win the white house, it has to be the beginning of this pick. what is next? what are you watching for next? >> this was a very bold pick t was an acknowledgement by governor romney that his strategy up to now to run a referendum on the president and to say he doesn't deserve to be reelected purely on his record wasn't necessarily winning him this race. he needed to provide a huge contrast. and actually say our ideas are better. you need not to vote just against him. you need to vote for us. that was behind the pick of paul ryan because he has these big ideas. now they're going to be attacked for those. the only way he is going to continue to and possibly win the white house is if he is as willing to defend those ideas as he was to pick mr. ryan in the first place. jenna: do you think he is? >> well, you know, it was very encouraging i think to conservatives in a sense the

pick and you have seen them go out. they have been talking about some of mr. ryan's idea of entitlement reform, about tax reform. they're not hiding from the fact that this is what he has run on in his own life up until now. they seem to be not shying from the fact that democrats are going to hit them on this again and again, particularly on medicare. jenna: in your columns you've been complimentary of paul ryan and this pick as well. what do you think is paul ryan's biggest vulnerability? >> well, again, the democrats are going to go after him on these plans that he has put forward. in particular he has a very aggressive budget plan to cut spending but also some very revolutionary ideas to try to reform entitlement programs like medicare to preserve them for future generations. now, what makes ryan so very attractive to the romney campaign, is not only has he put the ideas out there, but he has proven you can win on them. he, actually comes from a very competitive district in wisconsin, full of a lot of

seniors, a lot of moderates, a lot of independents. it is not a slam dunk that he would win that. he has gone out, run on these ideas, explained them to people and he has routinely won that district with more than 60% of the vote. this is a district that voted for barack obama. so the idea in the campaign, yes we're going to be attacked but the american people are open to an argument about this if we explain it well. paul ryan has proven you can do that. jenna: we've already seen the president's campaign come out these ideas are too radical and too extreme. we'll see the line develop. what you mention in the article, mr. romney complimented congressman ryan not only being smart and not only being europe but he doesn't demonize his opponents. i thought that was really an interesting thing that you brought up because one of the things we've talked about before and certainly has been a part of conversation of this campaign that mitt romney hasn't been aggressive enough against the president's teams or the super pacs out there. what do you think about the strategy now? both of them have that sort

of personality where they're not going to demonize their opponents? is that a weakness potentially in the campaign? >> i think they would argue it is not a weakness, it is a strength. this was a very specific strategy. if you look how mr. ryan won his district he does it by presenting himself as grown-up in the room, the guy is who is willing to talk about serious issues versus an opponent leveling cheap attacks. that is what they did deliberatally when they introduced mr. ryan on strategy. they adopted that approach. we're the nice that will tell you tough truths. we'll have a serious discussion. the president will go after small issues. they will personally demonize us. they will try to scare the country. we'll not do that. they are betting that is an issue and a message that will resonate in particular with independents, let's not forget, one of reasons they voted for barack obama because they thought they were sending to washington a guy who was going to be a leader, rise above the politics. what the romney-ryan is now attempting to do is turn the

tables say actually we're that guy, we're the people who will have the tough and serious conversation. jenna: we'll see what works in wisconsin that it will work in some of the other swing states as the campaign progresses. >> thank you. jon: a lot of people don't really know anything about the new vice-presidential candidate so we compiled a few facts about congressman ryan. his father died when he was just 16 years old. that is one of the reasons he stressed importance of physical fitness. he was vote biggest gym rat by anonymous poll of congressional staffers. they he three children, seven, eight, nine. mrs. ryan is tax attorney with degrees from wellesley college and george washington university law school. at one point in his life, mr. ryan seriously considered becoming a professional skier but turned to politics instead. when asked if in an

interview if he ever regretted the decision, the congressman said sometimes. jenna: at least he is honest about it, right? jon: that's for sure. in college one of his jobs was oscar meyer salesman peddling turkey bacon and even drove the weiner mobile one time. jenna: why dud governor romney pick congressman ryan as his running mate. is it the sking? is it gym rat title? one of the biggest reasons his potential. >> paul, if it were necessary could become president. he has the experience and judgment, capacity and character to become, to become president. that was the first and most important criteria. jenna: mr. romney said he and congressman ryan are both policy guys who share the same values. jon: new fallout from the congressional investigation into the botched "fast and furious" gun-running scandal now. fox news confirms the house oversight committee will now sue attorney general

eric holder. the lawsuit will ask the judge to force the attorney general to release key documents related to their investigation into "fast and furious.". doug mckelway is live in washington. so the suit we know is coming has it actually been filed, doug? >> reporter: we just learned it was filed moments ago, jon. house republicans promise last june right after the could contempt vote they would file suit against the attorney general but we didn't know when. yesterday, attorney darrell issa tweeted yesterday, we will fileagainst y general eric holder tomorrow. the suit was filed in the district of columbia. the white house maintains the documents in question are covered by executive privilege of. after last june's contempt vote attorney general eric holder said the documents are not even germane to the committees investigation. here is holder. i had hoped congressional leaders would be good faith partners in this work. some were.

others have destreeted their time and attention to making reckless charges unsupported by fact and to advancing truly absurd, truly absurd conspiracy theories. >> reporter: but chairman issa dug in publicly berating the attorney general in one earlier hearing for his lack of cooperation. >> have you, and your attorneys produced internally the materials responsive to the subpoena? >> we believe that we have responded to the subpoenas. >> no, mr. attorney general, you're not a good witness. a good witness answers the question asked. let's go back again. >> reporter: there is no reaction to today's suit yet from the justice department but deputy ag jim coal said once litigation is initiated we'll respond so we're expecting that, jon. jon: the argue meant goes on in court. stay on top of us for it, doug mckelway. >> reporter: sure. jenna: here is a way to get around the pesky security

lines. a man walks across two airline runways and into a terminal in jfk airport. julie banderas in the new york city newsroom. someone has answers to supply. >> you get stranded on your jet-ski and swim along a new york bay and climb a fence. the $100 million state-of-the-art security system built to detour terrorists couldn't stop a stranded jet-skier. the 31-year-old guy reportedly swam to a jamaica bayshore after becoming stranded. he climbed a 8-foot tall perimeter fence and effortlessly walked past motion detectors and closed-circuit many cameras and two run race into jfk breaching the detection system, the system meant to safeguard against terrorists. once inside the air report

he -- airport he approached a delta air lines worker who notified authorities. they plan to meet with the security system's maker this week. the man by the way was charged with criminal trespass. jenna: was he just in a pair of shorts? >> reporter: i have no idea what he was wearing. i was discussing that very same topic with makeup artist. we're wondering was he dripping wet. jenna: just off a jet-ski? >> reporter: what was he thinking climbing this 8-foot tall fence and walking across two runways. he had to have known he was doing something wrong. he meant no harm. he was stranded on his jet-ski looking for help. jenna: a lot of questions here, fashion and otherwise we want to explore. >> reporter: i'll make some calls. jenna: julie, thank you. jon: they charged him with criminal trespass. jenna: criminal trespass. jon: unbelievable. some new information on childhood obesity. where could, where you could live, i should say, could be affecting your kids health.

plus gas prices they're up 18 cents over the past two weeks the reason for the spike and whether the cost to fill up will be coming down anytime soon. we'll get into it, coming up. when you have diabetes...

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jenna: right now a look at some other headlines making news around the world today. starting off with this. google announcing 4,000 layoffs at the newly acquired motorola mobility unit. 2/3 of the layoffs will take place outside the united states. however there is still a lot of concern about our economy. g20 leaders are set to discuss this massive drought here in the united states and its potential impacts on world food prices. a big concern for everybody. later this month there will be a meeting to decide how much action is needed if any to prevent a crisis or potential export embargos that could hurt poor

nations. we'll talk about that the next several weeks. get ready for another case of lotto fever. the powerball jackpot soaring to more than $300 million. $300 million. nobody has won the top prize since the end of june. the game is played in 42 states and washington, d.c. the next drawing is wednesday. so get ready for that. jon: gas prices are making the biggest jump, biggest two-week jump i should say this year the latest lundberg survey shows an 18 cent spike over the last two weeks with aaa putting average price for a gallon of regular at $3.70 nationwide. a lot of factors are sending prices soaring. diane macedo of the fox business network joins us. what's behind the spike, diane? >> reporter: jon, there are a number of factor that the survey cited. trilby lundberg said one is obviously higher crude prices. the other not so obvious

ones. one there were temporary problems at refineries and pipelines and that is causing production issues around the country. you might remember the large fire at the chevron refinery in northern california. aaa says the average price in that area in sacramento is $4.03 a gallon. that is compared to 3.76 a week ago. a report came out today saying it could be six months before the refinery is back into full operations. the other factor hear is the drought. you might not think about how the two connect but the drought causes corn prices to go up which causes the cost of ethanol to go up. because federal law requires a certain amount of ethanol to be used, a lot of it is blended into the price of gasoline of the as the cost of ethanol goes up it also takes the price of gasoline with it. those factors all combined why we're seeing gas prices up according to the survey. jon: diane, do you have any good news for us today? >> reporter: it is hard to find but there are a few bright spots in here.

while the average is eight cents higher than a year ago, and up 30 cents from last month, it is still 28 cents lower than it was in april of this year. and the peak driving season is now over. so the demand should start to drop, which hopefully will send prices back down too. if you look at all those factors and the season that we're in, hopefully this is a temporary spike, jon. jon: i think the peak driving season hit new york city today. nobody is in the city. nobody is working. >> reporter: maybe everyone is inspired by europe or a long vacation and getting ready for labor day early. jon: diane macedo you're on the job. jenna: we're happy to be here. jon: yes, we are. jenna: it is nice when the city is quiet every now and then, just speaking from personal experience. well the gop ticket is now set and today governor romney and his vip pick, vice president pick i should say, congressman ryan are hitting the campaign trail separately. they're not taking anytime

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jon: right now some stories making headlines around the world. iran is raising the death toll from a pair of powerful earthquakes one day after rescue crews called off the search for survivors. the country's health minister saying more than 300 people are dead, many of them women and children. to hong kong now where a judge just ruled against protesters from the occupy movement. the demonstrators had set up camp below the hsbc bankhead quarters. now they have two weeks to clear out. in norway a government report now blasting police response to the massacre at a youth camp last year. the government appointed commission finding authority cost have prevented or interrupted the bomb and gun attacks by anders breivik,

that left 77 people dead. jenna: we'll take you to italy. new information on the pope's butler accused of stealing vatican documents. he will stand trial on charges of illegal possession of secret papers. we are streaming live from more. jordan? >> reporter: yes, jenna. after two months of investigation vatican authorities have decided and told the press today that paolo grabiele, the butler, will stand trial in late all. there was a briefing where the vatican press document present ad 35 page document was revealed. he is charged with theft of the several of the pope's private letters, documents leaked to media. he is charged with stealing some of the possibility tiff's private belongings. a 100,000 euro check, a small nugget, possibly gold and one of the pontiff's rare books. furthermore the document

released today, another paperwork or computer analyst, claudio sciarpelletti, will stand trial. it does not appear the motive is economic. grabielely was charged may 23rd and charged and release and put under house arrest. they asked pope benedict continuously for the motive who paul loy they say, that he loved like a son. he was a at the pope's side for six years and followed the pontiff when he traveled abroad. pope benedict has the power to pardon grabiele. the former butler is facing up to eight years in jail. the evidence against the butler is quite overwhelming. the decision came as no surprise. there are a little shadowy parts about this case but many experts say these

shadowy parts will be cleared up during the trial. jenna. jenna: if he didn't do it for money what was the reason he did it? that will be a big question for this case. jordan, thank you. jon: governor romney's pick for vice president mostly known for his expertise on fiscal policy but you can expect the spotlight will also psion congressman ryan's social views. how they could impact the race for the white house. we'll take a fair and balanced look coming up. plus, food for thought in the fight against childhood obesity. why your kid's school could play a big role. the results of a brand new study plus new stats on obesity rates across the country next. okay, here's the plan.

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and learn more about the kinds of plans that will be here for you now -- and down the road. i have a lifetime of experience. so i know how important that is. jon: governor mitt romney's newly announced running mate, congressman paul ryan of wisconsin, might be best known for his conservative fiscal views but the spotlight could soon turn to his stand on social issues. congressman ryan, a catholic, is strongly pro-life. he opposed the birth control mandate in the president's health care overhaul law. he opposes same-sex marriage and champions the rights of gun owners. so, let's talk about the prospects for him as vice president. chip saltsman is the former campaign manager for huckabee for president. chris kofinis, former chief of staff to west virgina

senator, joe manchin. we have interesting debate. both of these guys of different parties are rejoicing in this pick. let's talk about it. why, chip? >> it makes a lot of fun. i think what governor romney did with congressman ryan make a stark contrast between the fundamental policies of barack obama which are taking this government down the wrong path and mitt romney and paul ryan want to do. talk about not only balancing the budget, taking care of the debt but traditional social conservatives. that has a lot of people excited. that will be exciting 85 days we've got left. jon: chris, you're excited as a democrat with this pick, why? >> i'm ecstatic. anytime you can make the distinctionness between campaigns clearer that is positive, when you, meaning democrats, believe that the distinction is in your favor. if you look at, i think the narrative that has been built up in this election, the idea that the democrats are out there fighting for the middle class, the mitt romney, republicans are fighting for upper class, how ryan doesn't, break down

or actually, ryan reinforces that narrative. he doesn't break it down. so for democrats i think that is a good thing. the other thing i would sway really quickly demographically, if you're trying it figure out how to win elections, chosen rubio, i would have been less pleased. if they had chosen christie, i would have been less pleased. ryan does not help you with a single demographic that the republicans weren't supposed to win before the ryan pick. jon: let's talk about that, chip. you say that his pick has unified the party. it has energized the base. here you've got the fellow from the other party saying it doesn't help your you win the election. >> chris is very good and he is trying to make the best out of this but look, places like north carolina where the ticket was yesterday, traditional marriage, fairly important. i expect, that was state that barack obama won last time, my guess mitt romney and paul ryan will win that. they were in virginia. another state that social issues matter. paul ryan is going to iowa. guess what? barack obama is spending

three days in iowa because they foe how important it is. this a great ticket because it energizes the base and gets people excited. one thing barack obama has been good at keeping unemployment up and losing jobs. this is a race based on economy. but social issues will get both bases excited and i think a net win for mitt romney and paul ryan in november. jon: you say chris, pandering to the republicans in ultrarich. there is nothing in his biography, he was moonlighting as a waiter 18 or 20 years ago on capitol hill. this is not a guy who comes from some ultrawealthy background. >> when you look at his financial disclosures, actually a pretty wealthy guy. putting that aside, not about how much money he has in the bank. it is about the policies that he has supported throughout his term. look in terms of just his main point, about the budget and deficit. the part that frustrates me and irritates the heck out of me when i hear republicans talk and wax poetally about the need to

get the deficit and debt under control. ryan was there for eight years under the bush administration when he voted for policies that blew up an enormous amount of money that we had in terms of a surplus and made into a record deficit. so this notion that somehow ryan and his policies are good for the country and good for the middle class, listen, i know that romney and republicans are going out there to try to make this case. more power to them. i don't see how they make it in 90 days. i think it was a bad choice. i don't say that as a democrat. i say that as an operative. jon: chip, how do they make that case? >> look, it is pretty simple on four people on the ballot for president and vice president only one balanced a budget and that is mitt romney. we had 3 1/2 years of barack obama, no budget, huge deficit spending unemployment up jobs down. this is problem sitting president has to sell that next 85 days. mitt romney choosing paul

ryan said the economy, jobs and deficit are the most important thing. that is what they will hammer home and that is november. you know that, chris. barack obama has done absolutely nothing to with unemployment rates go up. >> all due respects. give it a break. everybody knows the president was dealt a terrible hand coming in. what he has been -- >> how long is he claiming george bush? >> what he has been able to accomplish in 3 1/2 years is pretty remarkable given where we were. >> what has he accomplished? unemployment at 8.3%? deficit added five trillion dollars to the deficit. what has he accomplished. >> wait a second. you guys burnt the house down and you're blaming barack obama for not putting out the fire quick enough? give me a break. give me a break. >> that is new deal. barack obama has been claiming george bush 3 1/2 years. running for re-election based on what he is will do. jon: we'll talk social issues and comes back to the economy which most voters say is the number one issue.

thank you, guys, chip saltsman, chris kofinis we'll continue different discussions. >> thank you. jon: thanks. jenna: fresh off choosing a running mate governor romney is now in florida today and this is a critical swing state. it has 29 electoral votes up for grabs and we all remember in 2000 florida alone really decided the election. chief political correspondent carl cameron is on the phone. he is in route to orlando from an earlier event. you saw mitt romney this morning. did you notice a difference between the tone, mitt romney who now has a vice-presidential candidate and the romney you've been watching the last several weeks. >> reporter: it appears as of, hi, jenna, good morning. appears mr. romney has gotten more robust in his rhetoric and criticism of president obama and commitment and enthuse . a for -- enthusiasm for tackling the toughest problems. he was introduced by none other than florida senator, marco rubio.

he spoke briefly. didn't make much mention of the paul ryan and the vice-presidential pick. mr. romney wasted little time going after president obama suggesting issues like medicare, that will be important in florida, because of paul ryan's budget and fixing social security and dealing with the economy he argues that the president is ignoring it and distorting it with nasty attacks. listen. >> it is smear. it is dirt. it is distortion. it is deception. it is dishon festy. it diminishes, it diminishes the office of the presidency itself. >> reporter: well, romney over the course of the last 48 hours campaigning with paul ryan for the first time as the official gop ticket, every single appearance was more ebb bup yent and upbeat and. his rhetoric was tougher. in iowa, where paul ryan is campaigning where president obama will be the next three

days, will be going after the president for gutting welfare reform as republicans have been claiming and what to do about the drought situation out there with mr. obama expected to criticize the mr. ryan what they claim is holdup on the issue. jenna: another busy day on the campaign trail for both men. we heard, carl, there is a little controversy already today. romney canceled an event in orlando he was headed to later on. a newspaper there is reporting that is because romney is simply exhausted. what is the campaign telling you? >> reporter: they're saying he is not exhausted. it if he were a little tired it wouldn't be surprising. everybody is running at 100 miles an hour at the last 48 hours. yet they say he canceled the event in orlando, where he has not campaigned in a couple of months, for meetings with staff, preparatory work, debate prep and writing speeches getting ready for upcoming conventions. we are still scheduled to be in miami at end of the day

and fly to ohio for events tomorrow. this bus tour everyone will remember, started on saturday and going straight through. it has been 20 hour days for the candidate. it is true that he is tired but he is not exhausted or what caused the can settlelation. jenna: carl, i once read in article that you live off red bulls. >> reporter: you get me in two trouble. two so far this morning. >> carl cameron, one. secrets for his success one of misdemeanor. -- one of many. jon: when we talked to him thursday or friday. he was here in the studio. we were speculating who the vice-presidential pick might be. carl, you will get the word first. sure enough when i checked my blackberry in the wee hours of saturday morning one of the first alerts came from carl cameron. jenna: the pace now quickly picking up and that is how it will stay for the next several weeks. jon: it is not long until that election.

the olympics in the meantime are over. team usa returning from london feeling golden. here is a look at the final medal count. the u.s. wins the most medals as well as the most gold medals in any games since 1904. swimmer michael phelps ending his olympic career on top, winning more medals than any other athlete. overall the u.s. won medals in 21 different sports, the most of any nation. go usa. jenna: our eyes were focused on the olympics in great britain. nine out of 10 people watch the at least some olympic coverage. the closing ceremony, had 26 million viewers in the u.k. nbc said their total audience topped 210 million people. their day time coverage set viewership records. 2/3 of the country was watching the olympics at one point or another. jon: great, great event. with the games over the rush is on now, for the thousands of athletes and fans heading hole.

london's heathrow airport facing one of its busiest days ever. estimated 116,000 people expected to fly out of heathrow today. the airport typically handles fewer than 95,000 people. jenna: get there early. they might mean it for real. jon: they will be very polite and very british when they tell you that. jenna: we'll turnover seas next. syrian rebels showing amateur video what appears to be a fighter jet shot down by the opposition. what u.n. leaders are blaming for civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict. we'll talk about all this coming up. thousands of he had did fish washing up on the texas shore. what is killing them. >> a look at one theory. we'll tell you about it. >> i closed my eyes. >> and plug your nose. >> for the past few days it has been moving further east. if it is an algae bloom causing it or some other depleted oxygen levels, it

could be spreading further up the coast.

jenna: new next hour, the president right now on his way to iowa, kicking off a three-day bus tour there. governor mitt romney's newly named running mate, congressman paul ryan, also in the hawkeye state. we'll bring you the latest from the campaign trail today. plus as gas prices are soaring we'll look where each presidential candidate stands how to keep prices lower at the pump. a new controversy in the illegal immigration battle. how one congressman wants to handle countries that refuse to take back convicted criminals after they served sentences in the united states. all that coming up next hour. jon: new concerns for civilian safety as fresh violence rages across syria. for the first time ever syrian rebels claim they shot down a fighter jet. they're circulating this video to prove it. fighter jets continue to pound rebel positions in major cities. there are new reports of snipers taking aim in the city of aleppo as well.

meanwhile the u.n. monitors in syria blames both president assad's regime and the opposition for putting civilians in danger. >> i have reoriented the activities of our observers to monitor the level of violence and the use of heavy weapons. it is clear that violence is increasing in many parts of syria. the indiscriminate use of heavy weapons by the government and sadly attacks by the opposition in urban centers are inflicting heavy toll on innocent civilians. jon: leland vittert is covering the conflict live from jerusalem. this downed plane, leland, how significant is that? >> jon, if the roesch bells were actually able to shoot down a syrian mig it would be a game-changer in this civil war.

it is these migs that the syrian government used to bomb civilian targets and take aim at rebel strongholds. let's look at the video. this is sub plipd by rebel amateur video. shows a mig flying low over the city. something happening. we hear anti-aircraft fire and large explosion. there is a rebel chanting, god is great, "allahu akbar!". according to the government the pilot ejected from the plane. it was not shot down by rebels but crashed during a routine training exercise. no way to confirm either way. it points to the use of syrian air power by the government there with almost impunity it has been going on for so long. jon, there was talk about a no-fly zone over syria much like the no-fly zone over syria. the syrian air force can basically do whatever they

want. if they shot down one of the syrian air force planes the rebels certainly changed things for the rebels there in syria, jon. jon: that wing in flames looks like the plane was shot down. that doesn't look like a routine training flight. i guess we might never know the answer to that question. thanks very much, leland vittert from jerusalem. jenna: what do you think about your kids not being able to buy soda pop at cool? is that a good thing? is it too strict? is it too much? it is one example how certain states are regulating the type of drinks your kids can get in school. we have the results of a brand new study how these regulations impact childhood obesity. we'll talk more about this with a doctor next are you receiving a payout from a legal settlement or annuity over 10 or even 20 years? call imperial structured settlements.

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jon: right now dead fish by the thousands are washing up on texas beaches. julie banderas as some details from our newsroom

about why. julie? >> reporter: jon, families visiting the beach in galveston for a day of fun got a stinky welcome. they were greeted by awful smell on the beach and awful sight as well. look at thousands of dead, stinky fish blanketed beaches. texas parks and wildlife trying to figure out why the fish showed up. biologists started testing ph, saline and water levels in samples taken along the coast. so far they expect low oxygen in the water as the problem. according to their tests they say the water is safe for humans. the sea gulls seem to be enjoying it, gross enough. cleanup crews still have to cleanup all the beaches. at this point there is no guaranty the eyesore and foul smell will disappear for good. texas is experiencing the worst drought in the a half century in the u.s. making for miserable conditions for farmers. the blistering heat making conditions on land and at

sea just unbearable with temperatures in the triple digits there. and for those beachgoers that actually dare to try to beat the heat by going to the stinky peach, experts have advice for you. if you happen to see the dead, smelly fish, don't go near them and don't pick them up. i do have to say this because maybe somebody out there would dare to because dead fish can carry all sorts of bacteria that can make you sick. don't touch them if you're that tempted to touch them earnings bury them in the garden. >> leave them to the sea gulls. jon: don't touch the sea gulls too, okay? >> no. sea gulls are dirty. jon: julie, thank you. >> sure. jenna: from that to this. brand new statistics on obesity across the country and the rates remain very high. every state in this nation has an obesity rate above 20%. that means one in five adults are obese. we're learning this information from the cdc as we get brand new information on childhood owe bows tri from a separate study.

a study finds out kids that live in states that regulate the sale of sugary snacks and sales in public schools gained less weight than those that lived in states with no souch laws. dr. marc siegel is with us. he is a dad and professor at nyu langone medical center and fox news medical a-team member. 40 states, the kids that have over regulations at schools are thinner. is that a sign we should have nationwide regulations? >> hold on a minute. this is a small study of 6,000 kids. they were anywhere from fifth to eight grade. they only lost 2.20 pounds. jenna: compared to the kids in other schools that didn't have regulations? >> exactly from 2004 to 2007. 40 states with those laws that restrict sugary substances, less sodas, things like that, deserts. i think this is preliminary. i don't think that proves

having laws in place makes an impact. interestingly enough as you pointed out before we came on, the center for disease control's new map which states have the worst obese i including mississippi and kentucky are some of the same states, 30% of kids in these states are obese, these are some of the same states with most regulation. jenna: one could argue they're trying to get kids on early path to better choices. >> good point. jenna: here is some of regulations. only flavored or unflavored milk of 1% or less. flavored or unflavored noncaloric water. any beverage which does not contain more than 10 grams sugar. can't have a coca-cola for example, in school. as a doctor do you see kids not exposed, can't get a coca-cola or buy a pepsi or sprite or suggest todayry drink will make better choices as adult? do you see that coral race. >> i think that is a fair

point. who is going to do that? will that be the government or will that be the parents? it starts at the ice box. what do you have at home? i don't have soda in the refrigerator. i don't have ice cream. the more i take out better my kids do. when i go to schools here is what i see. healthy choices over here. got the french fries and pizza over here. where do you think the kids go? they ain't eating broccoli. i don't know how to actually get that to work better at school. i'm not sure that restrictions are really important. jenna: let me ask you about this, the robert wood johnson foundation that helped finance this study is in favor of more regulations nationwide regulations and we're seeing this on every level, doc. whether it is the mayor in new york city looking to regulate what we can buy here in the city as far as sugary drinks or what we give to our kids. one in five people in our country is obese. so what is the answer? >> we have to take that really seriously because in my office as an internist i'm seeing results that of. when you're obese you get diabetes, high blood

pressure, heart disease. it is a terrible problem. we have to do something. restricting some of the sales is not a terrible idea. but i think it is better to put other things in the place. i like to see, not just healthy alternatives but let them predominate. get the soda out by bringing the water in, by bringing sellers in. i don't like the punitive feeling of laws but i definitely, definitely believe in healthy alternatives. how will we go about doing it? i prefer by encouragement. how about education? how about teaching kids? how about teaching every parent? do parents out there know soda is bad. jenna: i'm daughter of a teacher. she made healthy choices. you have to be sure everyone is educated as well. >> great to see. >> stick around as a witness i need on a legal panel. jon. jon: get them riding and walking to school. that will happen. fox news is live on the campaign trail. we are in iowa where president obama and congressman ryan are both making stops today. plus we'll talk with senator john mccain and get his

reaction to governor romney's pick for vice president and how it compares to the woman he picked four years ago. ♪

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♪ jenna: a brand-new hour of "happening now." a very busy say on the campaign trail. jon: we are following these big stories. we will be talking live with senators john mccain and kelly ayotte. they are hitting the road to call attention to severe cuts facing our military men and women and communities that support them. skyrocketing gas prices. a live report on what is fueling the spike and how each candidate wants to bring the cost of filling up down. and was it a murder-suicide or just plain murder? our legal panel weighs in on a father on trial right now accused of killing everyone in his family. jenna: the turn to politics now. the 2012 campaign getting a jolt

over the weekend as the race for the white house jumps into high gear. we're glad you are with us, i'm jenna lee. jon: i'm jon scott. the republicans have their tickets now. romney and ryan giving voters a clear choice come november a. jenna: and giving democrats a new target as they focus on paul ryan's conservative record. the president is landing in iowa kicking off a three-day bus tour. congressman ryan heading out on his own as governor mitt romney's running mate. iowa holds six electoral vote. the latest poll shows the state ace toss up right now. governor mitt romney is in florida today, another big swing state as you know. he's telling voters he wants to preserve and protect medicare a key issue for senior tph- in the sunshine state. it could give the winner florida's 29 electoral votes. that is a big one.

ed henry is not at the white house today. he's in iowa with the president. >> this is a target now, paul ryan for this president, clearly trying to jump on the ryan budget plan and saying mitt romney's pick opens up a whole new front in this presidential campaign for democrats to attack starting with what congressman ryan wants to do with medicare, the cuts to medicare that have been talked about. there is a new web video that the obama camp has already put out focusing on florida's voters, saying they are worried that medicare lend, they are worried that the ryan-romney will be about helping the wealthy. here in iowa. we are going to be hearing from the president shortly. they are warming up the crowd right now. it's interesting that the strategy from the obama campaign seems to be to have sort of a good cop bad cop, have the president come out east did yesterday at a chicago

fund-raiser and attack paul ryan more on policy grounds, stay above the fray if you will a little bit, where as david axelrod is sort of the bad cop and beats up on ryan in personal terms. take a listen. >> i welcome him to the race. congressman ryan is a descent man, he is a family man, he is an articulate spokesman for governor romney's vision. but it's a vision that i fundamentally disagree with. >> that is meant to thrill the most strident voices in the republican party but should trouble everyone else the middle class, seniors, students. you know, because of ryan's record. he is a right-wing ey ideologue.

>> we are told in the next few minutes the president will open a new front in the attacks against paul ryan trying to tie him to the drought here in iowa and the midwest that has devastated farmers. he will say congressman ryan is part of the republicans in the house that are holding up the farm bill that is holding up relief to some of the farmers. it gives you and idea of who the obama camp finds ryan a target, that he is part of a fairly unpopular house republican caucus. they going to jump all over that. jenna: congressman ryan is also in the same state as well and will have time to respond as well. we'll watch this closely. first lady michelle obama is devoting a lot of time to the campaign these days. arriving yesterday out in california and los angeles attending a series of celebrity-packed fundraisers. help plans call for more campaigning wednesday, guess where. in iowa.

first, she is taping an appearance on the tonight show with jay leno, her third appearance on the late night program. that segment will air tonight. jon: inside america's election headquarters let's get you a look at the latest political reaction to governor romney's choice of congressman paul ryan to be his running mate. what does it mean for the campaign going forward? bret baier is the anchor of special report and joins us now. what does it say about governor romney's thinking and what he plans for this campaign that he chose paul ryan? >> you talk to people on both sides of the aisle and they obviously have different takes, as you've heard frommed henry and others in the reporting. inside the political watchers it shows a different boldness from mitt romney, one that some people didn't think was there really, frankly. they thought the romney campaign was cautious, maybe to a fault.

some republicans thought that he was going to try to ride it out and continue to really ride on the bad economy and these numbers and not talk about big, bold things. that was the criticism that you were getting from conservatives that were concerned about the campaign. i think that this pick has changed that dynamic tremendously, and that a lot of conservatives are now fired up. you see that on the trail. the flip side, obviously, jon, democrats are fired up and they say that they have a fresh target in paul ryan. jon: yeah, democrats seem to be embracing this choice. what did they see as their advantage in choosing -- in romney's choosing ryan ar? >> they see florida coming into play with all of the seniors down there and the efforts i'm sure that they are going to try to talk about medicare, and in a way that is frightening to seniors. the big thing about the medicare

proposals, in the paul ryan budget, a couple of facts, one is, all of it is under 55. so if you're 55 or older it does not -- this would not affect you if it was implemented. and number two is that the changes are along the lines of proposed changes of a proposal by democratic changer ron wyden and leaves an option there for medicare, traditional medicare to be and option for seniors to choose or they could do this premium support option, where the government helps pay for private health insurance. and obviously you can't get into all of that in a 30-second spot. to get into the weeds. but that's the up side, is that, you know, marketing, you can spin things one way or another. jon: as we get into the weeds a

little bit, worth noting, the obama campaign is slamming what they call the ryan budget, but the obama budget on capitol hill has gone nowhere. >> well, yes and there hasn't even been a vote in the senate for more than three years on a budget proposal. when the president's budget or one like it came up it was vastly voted down. democrats say that was a republican trick. the bottom line is that the democrats have not put forward a budget and there hasn't been one that has made it through, which is another talking point. i think, listen, this has changed the race from both sides. republicans, i think, are fired up more than they have been. democrats, there are some that are still waiting to see how this plays out. they see up side, but there are moderate democrats who really want to tackle these big issues like entitlement reform and tax reform, who i think are a little skeptical about going so hard

against that effort. jon: interesting. bret baier, i'm sure you'll have a whole lot more tonight on special report. 6:00pm eastern time. thanks for sharing your time with us. jenna: right now gas prices are spiking. according to the aaa the national average is $3.70 a gallon of regular. that is up from a week ago, and more than 30-cents higher than we were paying about a month ago. things changing quick. the bottom line here at the last few weeks set a precedent, the trend for gas prices is higher. how do the presidential candidates plan to address this issue? john roberts is live in atlanta with more. >> two very different ways to try to get america more energy efficient and keep the price of gas line. why it's up, crude is up $12 a barrel because of geo political risks in the middle east. there are three refineries in the west that are having trouble and it's peak driving season.

traditional fuels like oil, natural, gas, coal, a lot of people say the white house is possible till to the coal industry. therthis is a plan that gets a thumbs up. bob deans is with the national resources defense council action fund and here is what he told me. >> we need to keep our eyes on the prize, a diversified package of various energy sources. we are not going to be able to panel a 21st century economy with a 20th century energy system. >> mitt romney's plan focuses on developing new sources of conventional energy. he would open the outer continental shelf to drilling, open more federal lands to drilling. stream like government regulation to free up industry and limit government funding to basic research in alternative energies. no taxpayer investments in

commercial investments like solyndra and the chevy volt. >> right now we have the east coast, west coast, eastern gulf and alaska off limits. if we were able to open up the areas off limits we could become energy self-sufficient. >> supporters of the president point to china and say they are investing heavily in alternative energies and it's not in some kind of an attempt to save the planet, they just think it's good business sense. jenna: john roberts in atlanta. thank you. jon: there is a new effort to push illegals convicted of crimes out of the country. how one lawmaker wants to force nations to take back the criminals they send here. jenna: apparently they don't want them. the reverend billy graham is showing signs of improvement as he recovers from bronchitis. an update on his condition coming up. jon: continuing coverage of the

2012 campaign. governor romney's choice of congressman paul ryan for his running mate. >> i'm delighted to have picked as my running nature paul ryan, a great leader [cheers and applause ] >> paul ryan and i are going to get america to cut our spending and finally get us to a balanced budget. [applause] at scottrade, you won't just find us online, you'll also find us in person, with dedicated support teams at over 500 branches nationwide. so when you call or visit, you can ask for a name you know. because personal service starts with a real person. [ rodger ] at scottrade, seven dollar trades are just the start. our support teams are nearby, ready to help. it's no wonder so many investors are saying... [ all ] i'm with scottrade. it's8% every 10 years.age 40,ors we can start losing muscle -- wow. wow. but you can help fight muscle loss with exercise and ensure muscle health.

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jenna: "happening now," a new controversy over convicted criminals who are in this country illegally. a lawmaker wants to require that countries take their citizens back after those citizens have served a sentence in the united states. the lawmaker that is introducing this bill, or will be introducing this bill that will deny these countries diplomatic visas if they reviews to take these bad guys back, william la jeunesse is live in los angeles with more on this. >> reporter: you know you can't deport people unless their home country agrees to take them back. we have some 50,000 criminal aliens who have already served

their time who we can't deport. and the u.s. supreme court says we can't hold them even definitely. one congressman is trying to change this. but many are on the street and reoffending. lois decker didn't have to die. a judge had ordered her killer deported after he sexually assaulted a child. >> he should not have been in the united states. at the very least he should have been in detention. >> when danwhen bangladesh refused to take him back he stayed and he strangled a grandmother. this defendant is not alone. >> the suspect has a prior criminal record. >> after serving time for robbery a judge deported this man. when vietnam refused to take him federal policy required he be released after six months in jail. in march he allegedly mass kerd a familiamassacred a family of

five. >> congressman ted poe wanted to punish these countries by denying them advice as. the bill was watered down and a employs to diplomatic visas. >> i don't know why the state department seems to take the side of foreign countries over our own american interests in the united states and says, look you take these people back or the consequences are going to be no visas for your nation. >> this list of top violators, cuba, vietnam, jamaica, china india and pakistan helps explain why this is not likely to happen. >> what poe's bill will do is throw a pong ke a monkey wrench into diplomatic relations. it is a nonstarter for that region. >> poe says the u.s. needs leverage to force the offending countries to take the people back. janinyanking visas is a way to

do it, the government says no, it didn't even get out of committee. jon: this bizarre murder trial beginning today, a man accused of killing his wife and three kids. he says he's innocent. we'll tell you what he blames for their deaths and if it will stand up in court. automatic spending cuts for our troops, what that could mean for our troops. we'll talk to john mccain and kelly ayotte about what the impact of these cuts will have on all of us. [ female announcer ] research suggests cell health plays a key role throughout our lives. one a day women's 50+ is a complete multivitamin designed for women's health concerns as we age.

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jon: new information on the condition of the reverend billy graham. the 93-year-old being treated for bronchitis at a north carolina hospital. julie has more from the

newsroom. >> they say th theee van he had a restful night e. was admitted for a lung infection. a formal update on his condition will be released later today. this isn't graham's first health scare. last november he was hospitalized for pneumonia. however his staff says his health has been good ever since. it's been busy working on an upcoming book. no date set for discharge but he is looking forward to return home to his family. he is a strong, strong, 93-year-old. he should be home soon hopefully. jon: we wish him well. jenna: jury selection begins today in the trial of a man accused of murdering his wife and three children back in 2007. his name is christopher vaughn. and he claims his wife is the real killer here. he says he pulled their suv over to fix some luggage and she

started shooting him and the kids and killed herself. but prosecutors don't buy his story at all, saying he made it look like a murder-suicide when in fact he's the murderer himself. we have a former federal prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney. welcome to you both. you say there is strong evidence, fred that the prosecution has and this should be almost an open and shut case. why are you so confident in. >> part of it is driven by the rage i have that some guy would kill three young children, let alone his own children whose last thought in their life is why is my father doing this to me. i put that aside. let's start with the $1 million life insurance policy he had taken out on his wife. start with the affair that he was alleged to be carrying on with an exotic dancer. the one thing that i look at in this cases to drive home to the jury is his own statements to the police when he was arrested. he saed i looked over and saw that kim had a gun. i thought that was impossible,

where would she have got even a gun? it was the gun he used the night before at a pistol range. i think this is words will bury him. jenna: jennifer what do you think? what is the defense's strategy here? >> apparently the strategy is going to be that she was taking antiseizure medication that contributed to her suicide attempt, and while i would agree with fred that on its face his explanation is a little wonky to quote the makeup woman here who we used that word to describe it. jenna: we use it here as well. >> i love the word, i'm like, i'm going to use it. at the same time if the defense is able to show that she had made threats of suici prior to this. that she had suffered from depression, they might have some traction there. i think it is an uphill battle. what i would like to know is whether she did gunshot residue test toss her hands to see

whether there was any gunshot residue on it to support defense theory or whether they did gunshot residue tests to his hands. that would be pretty good evidence. jenna: i have dr. marc siegl and expert witness. you brought up the medication. we had to have dr. seeing bell this medication. it's topomax, apparently she was taking it for migraine headaches but it's for epilepsy, can be used for that. one of the disclaimers for this drug is one in 500 people experience anxiety, attempts to commit suicide, they can be aggressive, angry or violent, act on dangerous impulse else. do you think that one drug could cause someone to be a murderer? >> that's a stretch. let's say what you say is true, it can be used with migraines is associated with depression in 13% of cases. it can cause aggressive thinking and give you confused thinking and one in 500 people have some kind of suicide at thinking or

aggressive homicidal-type thinking. it's possible but it's a stretch because it's only one out of 500 people. jenna: do you think it's enough to cause reasonable doubt? >> no i don't. the operative word, stretch. this guy's blood was on the wife's retracted seatbelt. his story about how she shot an jumped out of the car is not consistent with the physical evidence. i understand what the doctor is saying. if there were physical evidence to back him up and the guy had a good criminal defense lawyer like jennifer maybe he'd have a shot but this circumstance now. jenna: the children, 12, 11 and 8, jennifer, one of the things that the prosecutor says is that they want the death penalty here. even though chicago, i should say the state of illinois says that the death penalty is no longer legal, that is a decision that was made by the state last year, this case began in 2007, though. county prosecutors still pursue the death penalty? because this has been going on so long? >> the death penalty is no

longer available here. there is a lot of good reason why the death penalty isn't available in illinois, it's because they get it wrong a lot here in illinois. even though this case may be a compelling case and may be even the poster child case for the death penalty, this policy is a policy that we have to think about case-by-case and in terms after track record and whether it's fair overall and its proven not to be in the state of illinois. that is exactly why it won't be pursued here. he faces a natural life sentence and no possibility of parole if convicted. jenna: a case we'll continue to watch. thank you, nice to have all of you here with us today. jon: right now we are waiting for president obama. he'll speak at the beginning of a three-day bus tour of iowa. also in iowa today congressman paul ryan, the newly picked vice-presidental nominee and just a few minutes from now we'll talk with senator john mccain about governor romney's new running mate. hi, i'm phil mickelson.

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jenna: welcome back, everyone. we are awaiting the president to speak at a campaign event in counsil bluffs, iowa. one of the things we expect from the president is he's going to take on congressman paul ryan when it comes to the farm bill. the farm bil bill bill a big issue for farmers. congressman ryan is also in iowa. it's a busy day out there in the hawk-eye state.

jon: governor mitt romney's vice presidental pick arguably one of the most knowledgeable men in the country when it comes to budget issues. republicans paint him as a fiscal hawk who will help fix our economic problems. democrats as a man who wants to make deep cuts to social programs. so how does his selection change the game? fox business network's rich edson is live for us in washington now. >> reporter: republicans say it forces a discussion democrats would rather not have one on the economy and budgets. democrats say they are happy to point out the spending cuts and spending overhaul in congressman ryan's budget. we discussed the criticism by president obama of his budget. >> we are kind of used to this. the president gave a similar speech this time last year. i don't think history is going to be kind to a president who when confront wed a count throw's most predictable crisis chooses to duck and run. it's clear to us that the

president has decided not to offer solutions but just bitter partisan attacks. >> reporter: democrats are again charging ryan's plan will end medicare as we know it forcing senior toss pay more. ryan says medicare as we know it will end itself if congress fails to address its unsustainable finances. his plan affects no one currently in medicare or ten years away from medicare eligibility. in 2023 seniors would choose private plan from an exchange and medicare would subjec subsidize them. ryan's budget controls medicare costs by capping future increases in government medicare spending, meaning the government's share of costs for medicare over time would be less than under the current system. jon. jon: right now they are saying, what, medicare goes bankrupt in 14 years at the current rate? >> about that. mid next decade. jon: thank you very much. jenna: as rich was highlighting the economy and debt very big issues for the campaign.

several top republican senators are visiting battleground states to warn about the likely impact of automatic budget cuts for the military especially when it comes to the economy and jobs. today they are visiting nulles air force base in nevada. joining us now is senator john mccain the ranking republican on the armed services committee and kelly ayotte also sits on the same committee. nice to have both senators with us. i want to ask you, senator mccain about sequestration, but i will ask you about politics first. it's been 48 hours since mitt romney has made the announcement for vice president. what is happening inside the campaign right now and what would you do differently this time around, what advice would you give mitt romney. >> since i lost i'm hesitant to give him advice. [laughter] >> i think that paul ryan is an excellent choice, and it is going to bring these issues to the forefront. as you were just talking about,

medicare is going broke. it is going broke. and the president of the united states and the democrats have no plan, they have no plan. they can attack paul ryan's plan, which by the way is a voluntary, let's emphasize if people want to keep, under paul ryan's plan present-day medicare they can. if they want a option which is to choose their own healthcare plans then they ought to be able to have that as well. it's a philosophical difference, does government dictate it or do people make choices as to the best healthcare plan. the president of the united states has rejected every proposal whether it be simpson-bowles, whether it be republicans or whatever to address the medicare issue. all they can do is unleash their yapping attack dogs, some of whom are on your program to tear down paul ryan's plan because they have no plan of their own. i don't think the american

people are going to put up with this. >> this is bipartisan. ron wyden has coresponse therd type of plan with paul ryan. jenna: we do see the bipartisan ship. one of the things that paul ryan is known for as a congressman is his ability to talk about these topics very clearly. one of the things he's not known for as well and one of the reasons why some were saying that you could potentially westbound a vice presidental pick is your foreign policy experience. we are getting breaking news about the debates coming up. apparently the vice presidental debate will be mod toda mod der moderated by a foreign correspondent. what do you think, paul ryan has to be able to talk about foreign policy not just the economy. >> he has shown leadership on sequestration, why we are here in nevada today. we unders we need a strong military and need to make sure that america remains the strong

player in the world. so i think that congressman ryan will do his homework on these issues. let's not forget he has been in congress for over a decade. certainly he's dealt with these issues. he's had to take some important votes having to do with the wars that we've been engaged in. i have confidence that he's ready for these debates. jenna: if you could standby for one second, both of you the president is talking about paul ryan right now. i want to take a quick listen for that. >> sure. >> in the meantime i've made sure my administration, led by tom vilsack is doing everything we can to provide relief to those who need it. last week we announced $30 million to help prapb muchers and farmers get more water to livestock and rehabilitate land affected by drought and today we're announcing that the federal government will help livestock producers by purchasing over $150 million worth of meat and fish right now while prices are low, will freeze it for later, but we've got a lot of

freezers. [laughter] >> and that way that will help ranchers, you know, who are going through tough times right now and also over the long term obviously that food is going to be spent by folks at the pensi the pentagon and other places. we fend on farmers and ranchers to put food on the table and tpoed ou feed our families. we've got to be there not today and tomorrow only but until this drought passes. we are americans, that's what we do, we take care of each other and when tough times strike our neighbors we give them a hand. [cheers and applause] jenna: the president talking about the farm bill. sevens are back with us, senator mccain and ayotte. that sets up really our conversation about where we're going to cut spending and where we're going to spend money. the president is making the argument we have to buy the food from the farmers, they are in need it's a bad situation we have the drought going on. you are also making the argument

that we need to spend money in the military too in these tough budgetary times how do you make your argument to the american people, and say that is really the priority and maybe the other stuff isn't. >> sequestration, cuts in defense, the secretary of defense said would be devastating. our uniformed military leaders have talked about the draconian and terrible affects it would have on our national defense in a very dangerous world. the president of the united states whose first and foremost obligation as commander and chief is sitting on the sidelines doing nothing. he is awol. i'm not sure he knows what that means. and the point is, that he should be taking the lead and l to his own military leadership of civilian and military, and addressing this issue of draconian cuts which would prevent us from insuring america's national security, and he is again sitting on the sidelines and not showing leadership, not for the first time. jenna: senator ayotte some say

that everything needs to be on the table, though. you've been open to negotiating with democrats saying we'll look at some of the loopholes and close those and offer to get a compromise so the cuts don't happen. that is one of the things you're offering. so far it hasn't been successful. what is the next plan? what are you going to offer in earnest to democrats to get them to compromise and prevent see questions straeugs from happening. >> you would think that when your own secretary of defense says we'll be shooting ourselves in the head this will be catastrophic to the military that that would be motivating to people. we are here in nevada right now. it's over 4,000 jobs in nevada. would i call also on the majority leader harry reid, where is his leadership on this issue? we should not be using this as a political football, and our commander in chief, the majority leader of the senate, we are willing to work with members of both sides of the aisle to resolve this and it needs to be

resolved before the election, because our men and women in uniform deserve knowing that we are behind them in the certainty that they won't be facing devastating cuts, as well as our defense employers who may have to issue layoff notices. jenna: if i could real quick, i'm going to have to run to commercial here. i understand it that you invited senator reid to come to this town hall that you're having today and that he is not attending. i mean if that's where the negotiations stand right now, that senator reid who you've worked with for years will not even come then how hopeful should we be that there will be any sort of resolution? >> i'm sorry that he couldn't fit it into his busy schedule. i'm sorry that other senators haven't joined us as well, but this issue is so urgent, and so compelling to the men and women who are serving in our military and serving our nation, senator graham and senator ayotte and i will continue to do whatever we can. we are ready to talk, we've got to solve this. but it requires leadership from

the president of the united states. jenna: senators so nice of us to join us today talking about a host of issue and rolling with us on some of the news as it breaks. thathank you very much. jon: governor romney is sharpening the debate now making banner headlines with his choice of congressman paul ryan of wisconsin to be his running mate. our news watch panel analyzes the media coverage of the big announcement. that is coming up. okay, team! after age 40, we can start losing muscle --

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jenna: right now medal of honor recipient dakota myers taking part in a jobs fair in virginia. as a program called hiring our heros could be spreading nationwide. julie has more from the newsroom. >> more than 40 employers are expected to participate offering up jobs to veterans and military spouses of all ranks. companies involved range from america's biggest employers, to small companies from the quantico, virginia, area. medal of honor recipient sergeant dakota mier will be there to kick start the hiring

our heros event. >> i'll be your accountability partner. i'm holding you accountable to go out and be the best every single day and do everything you can to make yourself better and get a job, so let the hiring begin. [applause] >> reporter: mier by the way is the first living marine in 38 years to receive the nation's highest award tore value or and heroism in the wars in afghanistan and iraq. during the program, hiring our heroes will announce a new initiative to help service members better prepare for transition into the civilian workforce. since it's launch back in 2011 the program has helped so far more than 10,000 veterans and military spouses find employment. it's a great, great cause for these men and women who definitely need the help when they get back from overseas. jenna: thank you, julie. jon: a big shakeup in the presidential campaign. you probably saw this over the weekend, with governor romney's announcement of paul ryan to be

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jon: governor mitt romney is looking for a bump from his announcement of a running mate overt weekend. right now he's in florida, while the other half of this new republican ticket, wisconsin congressman paul ryan is campaigning in iowa. how are the media covering this long awaited announcement? let's talk about it with our news watch panel. jim pinkerton a contributing editor and writer for the conservative magazine. alan colmes is host of the alan colmes radio show. both of these men wasted no time in jumping on 60 minutes over the weekend. let's play a clip from that and

get your reaction on the other side. >> if we become president and vice president we'll work together looking at issues together, important decisions will be made with his consul stations along with other individuals, and obviously i have to make the final call on important decision stkpwhr-s we really think this is a moment in the country that needs leadership, and we really think that we can make a big difference and get our country back on track. jon: alan give us your thoughts first of all on the "60 minutes" piece and overall. >> i think it's been very positive so far. the 60 minutes piece was obviously a chance to present the ticket. i didn't see much of a downside in terms of how it was handled. you look at the headlines around the country, in ohio ryan's choice -- romney's choice of ryan a bold move. shakes up the race, virginia pilot in iowa. des moines register said could play well this florida. except in florida about how it

would affect older americans. it seemed like a very positive coverage for the ticket. jon: alan you're stealing some of my thunder. i wanted to point out in my inbox this very morning was a news release from the obama for america campaign and they helpfully highlighted the miami herald headline that you see on the screen right there. ryan could hurt romney in florida. and then a couple of the other papers, st. petersburg and palm beach as well. >> all the other headlines around the country were mostly positive. jon: maybe, jim that's the reason we didn't see headlines from other papers in that obama press release. >> there are more than newspapers. alan seems to have overlooked cnn saying this seals the romney-ryan campaign has a death wish. it also leaves out, abc news repeating democratic talking

points that ryan's plan would destroy immediate ta care. it's amazing to me that they don't have disclose every time they are on the air, that while they are slamming republicans, one of their husbands used to work for the democrats. alan you did a good job there, but most of the media coverage has been negative. >> in terms of the straight newspapers headlines on front pages almost all over the count throw and even the same papers that most people read online, all positive with the exception of the florida papers, you know, like bold and courageous, how many times have we heard those two words over the last 48 hours. jon: one of the things that mitt romney said in announcing paul ryan to be his running mate is that he wants to raise the tone

of this campaign and make it a campaign about issues. here is what the president had to say just now about paul ryan in iowa. >> this weekend my opponent mr. romney chose his -- as his running mate the ideological leaders of republicans in congress. i know congressman ryan, he's a good man, he's a family man, he's an articulate spokesman for governor romney's vision. but the problem is that vision is one that i fundamentally disagree with. >> what about that jim? is the president maintaining the high tone that governor romney says he's looking for? >> yeah, i think actually in some ways obama and ryan are both kind of playing into each other. they are saying this is a big-choice election. i think mitt romney himself look if we can make this campaign on the issues, taxes, spending, the deficit and so on i'll be in pretty good shape.

look, subrosa what they are doing all the time is pounding away on romney's taxes. if the obama campaign would live up the tone, let's have a philosophical debate about things that matter i think the romney-ryan campaign would be pleased. >> romney accused the president of conducting a war on religion. that takes him off his economic message and is a personal attack. if romney believes what he said he should take a cue from president obama and use the high tone that we just saw the president use. >> whether you think that the catholic church has a right to its own contraception policies that is the difference. jon: we'll let these two argue it out. thank you both. jenna: instead of the regular debates why don't we have both campaigns compete in an ironman and whoever wins the race or finishes then we find out who is tough enough.

what do you think about that. jon: you know something about an ironman. >> we have an update, details on new york's first ever ironman competition and and update on some very special competitors, coming up.

jenna: a big time event. s the first ironman u.s. championship happened on saturday in new york city. it was an amazing feat. they swam 2.4 miles in the hudson reu. when some of the river. when some of them got out of the river their faces westbound black with the dirt and oil from the river. they rode 112 miles on a bike and end wed a ph-r on this 22.6 miles. a very special congratulations to my husband who did that race. congratulations to him. >> is this before the race or after. >> that is after. jon: he looks great.