freedom. it is been a great year. have a great weekend. happy new year and we'll see you back here in 2012 can countdown on for 2012. >> three days to go before the campaign gets under way and contenders are criss crossing the hawk eye state trying to win over a number of undecided vores there. noticeably absent though. two men leading the polls. mitt romney and ron paul. it shows that iowa republicans could change their minds before tuesday. i am uma. hello, everybody. get right to. our team coverage begins in des moines.

karl. uma. they are trying to track down the last few caucus votes and caucus goers are looking forward to new years and lot was shop football being consumed and a question of when the primaries and caucuses living. and whether or not the candidates will compete with the sentimentings that. is a challenge for them today . news taking the focus away from iowa today. we have to go back to virginia on the east coast. there is a major controversy in which most of the candidates did not qualify for the ballot. fox news learned that attorney general plan to put forth emergency legislation to create what the controversy caused. right now only two candidate that is qualified to be on the common wealth ballot. none of the other candidates could get the petition and signatures signed for the state in order to qualify for the ballot.

he said recent events underscored that our system is deficient. virginia owes the systems a better process and we can do so in time for the march primary. he has the support of two former attorney general . any candidate that qualified for federal matching funds will automatically be put on the virginia ballot. it is a big deal and may mean that newt gingrich and perry and many candidates who were wholly embarrassed can compete for the 49 delegates in tampa. having said that, the race in iowa looks like mitt romney, ron paul and perhaps rick santorum. romney and paul battling for the lead. they have the best organizations that is critical to the caucus victory.

rick santorum, the expennsylvania senator got a benefit of a vocal support of evangelical christians. more than half of the 20,000 people who participate in the caucus are self described christian conservatives. tomorrow after the new year's eve ball drops most are going to church and when they do pastors will talk their resolutions for 2012 but what they do tuesday night in the caucus it is a big event in iowa. church on sunday morning before the cackus. if they are talking about sanitorium he could be a bigger deal on tuesday night. >> big weekend indeed. thank you, karl for that update. >> and the 2012 gop hopefuls are racing over iowa and steve brown has been following them every step of the way. steve continuous the live team coverage. hi, steve.

hey, there. this is north carolina. and rick perry is out here today campaigning. he's invested by iowa standards quite a bit in this particular campaign. in the two things that are most valuable to a campaign. time and money. go with time first. he's starting to wrap up what is an extensive bus tour of thitate and trying to move supporters closer to a committed colume and get them off to the caucuses. and he's brought in couple hundred folks from all around the country as part of a strike team to help with that effort and they are fanned out over the state. and other thing that perry spent money on by the des moines register is television advertising and advertising in general. something close to three million and that goes a long way here . a lot of the ads focus on perry's criticism of congress and high talks about the faith

in the campaign . his response from the particular ads. but what perry is doing on the stump and set of radio ads is critizing a rival specifically and that is rick sanum and talking about the earmarks when he was a u.s. senator and requesting whether or not a person voting for earmarks will be the kind of person to bring about reform in the federal government. there is a radio adechoing those talking points about sanitorium linked to earmarkings. the perry camp sees santorum as a rival to loose the votes for. uma? >> so much going on there as well with obviously just day to go before the big night. thank you so much, steve. >> and perspective from the campaign trail itself. we are talking one on one with governor rick perry and his

family that will join us later on this hour. tune in to fox news sunday. chris chris wallace will sit down with governor perry and michele bachmann and ron paul. >> tomorrow, at 1:00, we'll have one on one with newt gingrich and get his thoughts before the final days before the iowa caucus. so much depends on vores who have yet to make up their minds. joining us, democrat strategist liz patters. and doug highs. great to have you here today. thank you for joining us. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> doug, in past electionns it is believed that just four percent of the iowa voters take part in the caucuss and we are hearing that many vors haven't made up their minds yet. why do so many remain undecided from your point of view? >> we have serious issues that

we are facing. candidates don't spend as much time in iowa. but we'll see the process wind down . look at where undecided voters were two weeks ago . they are starting to make up their minds. they were distracted by christmas and new years and football and alling of those things it is caucus time and it is exciting to be here. >> liz, the rasmussen poll that we put up for our viewers shows that 41 percent of all caucus particants said they could change their minds before tuesday, and 6 percent are saying they have no first at this point. in the final days for perry and newt gingrich and santorum what do they have to do in >> this is the point in the campaign that drives candidates and operatives nuts. they have been working months and months and months to win people over here we are mere thee days away and 41 percent

don't know who to vote for. it drives people crazy. what is interesting about the situation, there is not a lot they can do except go to restaurants on the road. they have to go shake hand and be in the state. they can't be somewhere else. you can't win iowa with television commercials and direct mail. you have to be on the ground and meeting people and it is expect require in iowa. >> to that point, do you think that energizing evangelicals can boost rick santorum's caucus hopes because he is campaign going one on one with the voters there. >> absolutely. >> not only campaigning. i am sorry, liz. >> no, go ahead, you are there. you go. >> campaign negligent last days is important. karl talked about ministers on the pulpit on sunday. we'll see that. but he doesn't have just a presence in iowa he has an

organization in iowa. it is really my favorite time of the campaign. voters make decision and important decisions are going to be made as we whittle down the process and see who emerge in the next couple of days. >> liz, you say you can't just win the iowa caucus by television spots, but the air waves are hijacked by a constant barage of attack ads that are impacting on candidates likerisherishh, what is the response from the voters about the ads from your view? >> it is interesting. you often hear voters say negative ads don't work. not true. if a negative adis done well and clear and resonates with voters, it will work. that's what we are seeing with newt, the messages have broken through and people are listen stepping back and why you are seeing so many undecided voters. in iowa, and i have done a lot of work in iowa, you have to

be on the ground. tv ads play a roll, but the voters want you in their homes and restaurants and want to shake your hand and look you in the eye, they expect it and that's how you seal the deal in iowa. and let me ask you in the final seconds. do you think we can see more of a turn out, more than four percent. >> we are hopeful that we will and have a record-breaking year. it is hard to make predictions as we see the numbers with a lot of voters who still could change eir mind. we are optmistic and we'll see on election day . another reasonn to turn in to fox on caucus night. >> great plug for the network. stakes remain high. we appreciate it >> take care and happy new year. >> happy new year to you, too. >> thank you. >> it is your turn to weigh in. do you think that the winner of the iowa caucus will be the

gop nominee? tweet your worries to hurricane uma. i plan to read your responses later in the hour. >> various lawsuits and proposed voters pledges . so-called loyalty oath is divided some in the gop. peter doocy has the details on the latest twist in virginia politics. something we heard about. >> as of right now. virginia primary voters will only have two candidate to choose from on the ballots on march sixth. mitt romney and ron paul. they will have to first pledge their oath by signing something that said i the undersigned pledge that i intend to support the nominee of the republican party for president. and even though the state's board of election voted 3-zero to approve the pledge. one republican delegate doesn't think it is a good

idea. >> you want mandatory voters for something you never heard of and don't know and might be running for office right now. for the republican party to depart from what the founders want, i think it is a mistake. >> back in the year 2000, 12 years ago. republican in virginia had to sign a different piece of paper that said they wouldn't participate in the nominating process . now they have to pledge the full support to the eventual republican nominee. and there is no consequence if you break the pledge and sign it and decide not to support the gop nominee you will not be arrested or go to jail. the idea is to keep the rift raft out of the gop process. wow. it is certainly provocative indeed. thank you very much. take -- a look. two youngsters in tampa got a

late christmas present that was the best one yet. they were told their father had sent them a gift from afghanistan and had to be picked up in the airport. it was their dad. marine sergeant david mckinley senior. he came home earlier than expected. and you can see there. a lot of happy smiles and hugs and kisses and a great story. we love it. >> and it come to politics. can you look to the past. we'll talk to historian douglas brinkley. we are waiting in the u.s.. they are bringing in the new year elsewhere in the world and we'll look at the explosive celebrations that have taken place. don't miss it . i habe a cohd.

yeah, i toog nyguil bud i'm stild stubbed up. [ male announcer ] truth is, nyquil doesn't un-stuff your nose. really? [ male announcer ] alka-seltzer plus liquid gels fights your worst cold symptoms, plus it relieves your stuffy nose. [ deep breath ] thank you! that's the cold truth! you know, typical alarm clock. i am so glad to get rid of it. just to be able to wake up in the morning on your own. that's a big accomplishment to me. i don't know how much money i need. but i know that whatever i have that's what i'm going to live within.

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this part of the world happy new year from down under. the celebrations have begun. and here are the famous sydney harbor fireworks. and tokyo and hong kong welcomed in 2012. and next up will be dubai and ber lin and london and of course, the big times square event in new york city at midnight tonight. as many of you know, president obama is ending 2011 in i

relaxing and beautiful setting in hawaii. mr. obama has no public events scheduled for today and back in washington on tuesday. he will be keeping a close eye on the caucuses in iowa? doug is live with the president in hon nolulu. doug? >> good morning, uma. like anyone else the president is going to be interested in the result in iowa to figure out who he might be face nothing 2012. the white house said he is in fact going to address democratic caucus goers on tuesday night with a live internet feed. this is before the campaign kicks in high gear next year. in 2012. next week the president is traveling to ohio almost immediately after returning to washington. he will be talking about the economy and jobs. and the weekly address that

was released this morning. and the president talks about keeping up pressure on congress. >> i am confident if we work together and you remind folks from washington what is at stake . move the country over and guarantee every american the opportunity they deserve. and peeking of working with congress. unfinished business will carry over in 2012. we thought he would ask congress to raise the debt ceiling and instead they are delaying that a few days to give congress time to vote on it and should happen late in january. a little bit of the drama carrying over in the new year. and as far as new year's eve is concerned. i don't think you should be shocked if he plays golf today. but probably will spend the evening with family and friends. >> he chose a lovely site. happy new year. >> thank you, happy new year

uma. >> and political buzz. which party will be in control after next year's november election. americans give republicans the edge. fren percent of likely voters say that republicans will take the white house and both houses of congress. 39 percent believe that president obama will be reelected and 14 percent still are not sure. >> at this point four years ago. polls predicted that hillary clinton and guiliani would face off in the general election . 2004 polls predicted howard dean will be the democratic nominee. polls don't always tell you the whole story. so much can change in the blinkk of an eye. douglas shows us the perspective on presidential campaigns and the impact.

douglas, welcome great to have you here on new year's eve. >> thank you for having me. happy new year. >> happy new year to you, let's talk a moment about so much happening in a short time with the campaigns. historically has iowa be a predictor of who actually wins the white house? >> i will not call it a predictor, but 50 percent of the candidates that win iowa republican and democrats go on to be the party's nominee. it has a 50 percent chance. but it plays a huge role in presidential history since 1972, most famously in 1976 when jimmie carter stalked out iowa. everybody thought mode udaul was going to win and carter came out of no where. he was a 21-1 odds and

stimulating a evangelical and firm vote. being a peanut farm yer born again christian, carter was able to take iowa and get the democratic nomination in 1976. >> every campaign season people complain about the attack ads. we see that the attack ads have an impact with the voters. in newt gingrich's case. he claims that negative ads hurt him. but do you think that the ads have become far more you know, critical than we have seen in the past elections, or is this just part of the game? >> well, history is meant to remind us that times are not uniquely oppressive. we say things are uglier or worse than before. but i challenge people to look at thomas jefferson and john adam fist you want to see ugly. mitt romney has a strategy of

winning iowa and new hampshire. if you can do that one, two punch and win in florida, mitt romney will have a great head of steam on him. this is his chance to throw everything at his chief conservative rival to the right of him. and it looked like newt gingrich and now rick santorum is creeping up. the problem with iowa some people have. it is a role, service people can't vote by absentee and college students can't. people feel it is a insider poker game and that it is not a spare, you know way to test the country. on the other hand good way to force the candidate to deal with issues that are pertinent in the country and makes them come forward on agriculture policy that gets lower on the totem pole as the campaign

season progresses. >> in the final seconds, right now the president is showing that he is, very low in the polls in terms of approval rating, but this is by no means an indicator of how things will turn out in campaigns? >> no, anything can happen. we have a long ways to go and rightfully fox is focusing on iowa. we have to know. barack obama is running against the economy and whether it is mitt romney or newt gingrich or sanitorium or who gets the nomination is yet to be seen. what is important to keep an eye on can mitt romney win? you mention that barack obama won in iowa by eating hillary clinton last time around. romney can't get above twen or 28. he has a ron paul problem that is plaguing him . can a couple of knock out conseshatives.

and people start beginning to go down. michigan - bachmann doesn't seem like she will survive past iowa. >> there is a final push to the caucuss and we appreciate having your perspective on the program. thank you for joining us today. >> thank you. >> a few weeks ago, newt gingrich was on top . iowa polls and now close to the bottom. will a key endorsement turn that away. influential iowa who is throwing his support gingrich's way. stay with us. f!

authority in los angeles are offering a reward to help them catch who is behind a string of car fires in hollywood. peter doocy has that. >>reporter: at least seven cars burned this morning in a suspected arson. yesterday two dozen cars were torched and spread to nearby buildings and including where doors front man jim morson once lived. >> a back lash prompted verizon to drop the two dollar convenience fee. they were going to start charging that for customers who paid on line or with a debit card.

>> and getting taken out by defenders. last night the threat was an overhead camera. the camera came crashing down and narrowly missing mcnut. the he was not hurt. bidding 20len fair well. we'll say goodbye to paper savings bonds. tomorrow a new law will go in affect phasing out the incandescent. u.s. treasury savings bonds will all be electronic. back to you. >> thank you very much. >> with the iowa caucus just around the corner, texas governor rick perry and working to regain momentum. he's toured the state by bus and the governor joins us now to talk about his chance in iowa and beyond. thank you for joining us. >> thank you, uma . happy new year.

>> happy new year to you, too. i know you are out and about on the campaign trail and your campaign spent million on television spots delivering a message that you see yourself as the true conservative. and that your values are what you hope will appeal to evangelicals in iowa. do you expect that to boost your chance in. hawk eye state. >> people in iowa and rural areas of iowa, our values are pretty much quite a bit alike. i grew up in a small place called paint creek out in the middle of no where. and farm country and iowa has a lot to be attract to me relative to our approximate physical conservative stand . i volunteer for the veterans and air force, they are drawn to us by the public service.

and i feel good about where we are. we are gaining traction every day . big grounds. we just leaving fort dodge, iraand in boone, iowa and stop in the giggling goat. and great places to stand. we inspector the fainting goat . doey joey and bloomers here in fort dodge . these are hard working, men and women who god-fearing freedom-loving americans and they are looking for a candidate that shares those values. >> some political observers are saying right now, the race is on between you newt gingrich and bachmann to gain momentum amongst the evangelicals. >> i think we are in a race for the top spot. i am not worried about any of the candidates from the standpoint. we are the only outsider in

the group. everyone else has been in congress or wall street and part of the problem and not part of the solution. i ask people. why if you have a choice, why would you pick anything other than an antientic conservative to represent you in washington d.c.. i am the outsider that will do that. >> other tv spots, you vowed you are going to end president obama's war on religion. does you believe that the president is not a religious man? >> no, he directed his department of the justice to go after the legal status of individuals that work in churches, taking away the minister alliance for instance . he refuses to defend our defense was marriage act . he also has clearly shown that their justice department or their health and human

services is going to take money away from catholic charities because they do abortions. that' the values of the catholic faith and if that is not an attack on religion, i don't know what is. >> let me ask you for your reaction in what is happening in virginia with a loyalty oath that people are calling for in the gop there and also dividing the party. how do you feel about that? >> well, i think you need to make it relatively easy to get on the ballot. that is my biggest problem with virginia. they make it hard for anyone to get on the ballot. most other states, it is about making it relatively simple with good standards in place. but the standpoint of listen, i am going to be supporting the republican nominee. i plan on it being myself. and i think most republicans think that. but again, that is that state's decision and i may not

agree with how they do it, but i am a big 10th amendment fan and believe that the states have the sovereign right for the decision for themselves. i will leave it there and say that the 10th amendment trumped it. >> final days before tuesday, how are you holding up over all. >> good. i got my family with me and anita has been in and out of iowa a good bit. my son and his beautiful wife and my daughter is with us. and so we are having a wonderful time and people are getting to see a family that is excited about the opportunity to get to serve our country one more time. >> it is a family affair. governor, great to see you. >> come to texas and see san antonio some time. >> it is my home state and san antonio is my second home. >> you are a trinity fighter. >> thank you, sir. >> god eed. >> we have been asking if you

think that the winner of the iowa caucus will win the nomination? 25 percent of you said yes and 39 percent say no. there is still time for you to weigh in. and tweet your answers to us. at hurricaneuma and i plan to read those responses later in the hour. >> newt gingrich's poll numbers have whithered but late yesterday the former house speaker got a surprise endorsement from an influential conservative. radio talk show host steve days. he joins us with more. great to have you on board today. >> happy new year to you as well >> happy new year on this new year's eve. let me ask you, why did you decide to back newt gingrich. >> to me. conservatives over the last 50 years lost every single major

policy fights in the court. left used the judicial branch to secularize the country and confiscate property rights and invent imaginary rights and redefine marriage and take away the right to life . if we don't do something about this, i think the left nullified a lot of the allegations that have won . we have to confront an outof the control judiciary branch . in this race. one candidate demonstrates a knowledge and willingness to do so and that is newt gingrich. >> some were surprised you backed newt gingrich in a time when there are other candidates there who people believe are more conservative like bachmann and santorum. >> it is in the end a mechimism for us to undo what the left has done. two candidates have proven to do that. ron paul, let's face it.

he has a foreign policy i would like to live in the world where ron paul where the bad guys want one thom. but foreign policy is naive at best and reckless at worst . vetted the candidates newt gingrich understands historically what the left used to the judicial branch has done to the countryy . repealing of obama care. if anybody thinks you will just repeal obama care and looking at 14th amendment and cite a right to health care . they used to to redefine marriage and a lot of thingings. we have to get back where sonia sotomayor is wrong. federal policy is not made in the courts but with the houses of congress and legislatures. >> let me ask you this. when i talk about bachmann and

santorum being conservative. more conservative on social issues. are you saying that social issues are not front is center this time around? >> i am saying that no issues matter if we don't regain the rule of law in this country. if we wait around for everyone to say how pro life they are and 40 years for the courts to overturn roe versus wade we'll wait until jesus returns. we have to go on offense against the left. and some point, it is not platitude and who does the best job on the republican platform test. it is actually who understands from a governorance perspective what must be done . first tng that must be done is reestablish the rule of law in the country and we can't have that without the constitutional separation of power that iserishherish talked about. >> - newt gingrich talked about. >> a surprise endorsement from

one that many believed would not back newt gingrich. you say he is the one for the job. thank you for joining us . tune in tomorrow to america's news headquarters for our one on one interview with newt gingrich and find out where he thinks he will finish in iowa. and a reminder at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow night. our bret baier and megan kelly will have the latest on all of the candidates on des moines. that is an election we hope you will watch . one time bachmann and house speaker newt gingrich were in the lead . now trying to rebound from lower poll numbers for the hawk eye state republicans head to the caucus. joining us is bachmann campaign communication director and newt gingrich campaign senior strategist david winston. thank you for joining us. >> great to be here. >> talk to us about your

assessment as to where they stand right now with your candidate? >> i think as everybody realize you are deal a caucus environment it is complicate what the turn out looks like is complicated. here's the bottom line and where iwans are different. they are concerned about where the economy is. after 34 months of 8 percent unemployment and higher. they are looking for the person with the best economic plan and the hope for the speaker here, having been endorsed by reagan architect is his solutions in terps was driving a economic message and improve the economy will have residence . the hope is that concern will be reflected in terms . caucus on tuesday night. >> alice let me ask you this. the push for the evangelical vote. is that something that bachmann is hoping to seize on

and garner a big part of that vote? >> uma we are receiving support. we announced 22 additional faith leaders and past oars that endorsed michele and brings our list to over 200 pastors and faith leaders and they are important in the process because they have a voice to the congregation and michele is certainly an iowan and a strong member of the faith community and represents the views and values that are precious to them. that being life and strong marriage and faith and family. she has walked the walk and talked the talk and so many candidates have not . that's why she is receiving the support from the faith community. they know she is strong and outspoken in the cornerstone of the election. in addition to jobs and economy . she said from day one, you can't get the life issue wrong. she is a proponent for life. >> david, do you think that

social issues are going to matter in this election? >> certainly they have a significant role, but having said that, the way the electorate uses it as a house on fire and roof on fire. the window may be broke yen social issues and crack on foundation and that is spending, electrical wiring is health care. but the fire on the roof is the economy, until you deal with that nothing else party his. the others are very important, but until you get the fire put out, that's what the american public will understand. >> and newt gingrich continues to blame the attack ads against him for the fact that he has gone down in the polls, do you agree with that? >> certainly it has hada a significant impact . this is what iowans are going to have to address. will they vote for someone who has solutions or tearing down another person. they can define the rest of

the political discourse. are you going to award someone tearing down an opponent or vote for machine who solves the country's problems. >> alice, do you think that undecided vores right now are critical to this election given the fact that your candidate really has come from behind in a big way? >> well, as you said, a lot of voters in iowa are undecide that's why we completed the 99 county tour and touched people in every county and small and large town in iowa. but the point of negative campaigning, speaker gingrich said someone who can't answer to their own record will win by negative campaigns. he has a record he needs to own up on many key issue that is people of iowa are concerned with. he's supported tarp and grandfather of the key component of obama care and

sat on the couch with nancy pelosi and influence peddler in washington and part of the record he needs to own up tompt it is not negative campaigning but showing a contrast. >> ultimately newt gingrich laid out the plan to get the country on track. tearing down the person is not helng. we need a candidate to say this is what i will do if yoively govern and be present. >> we are running out of time. i appreciate it. all the best and happy new year. happy new year. >> thank you, uma, happy new year. >> we have a few hour to go before we bring in the new year on the east coast. the 2012 party is underway in cities around the world. take a look. i'd race down that hill without a helmet.

i took some steep risks in my teens. i'd never ride without one now. and since my doctor prescribed lipitor, i won't go without it for my high cholesterol and my risk of heart attack. why kid myself? diet and exercise weren't lowering my cholesterol enough. now i'm eating healthier, exercising more, taking lipitor. numbers don't lie. my cholesterol's stayed down. lipitor is fda approved to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease. it's backed by over 19 yes of research. [ femalannouncer ] lipitor is not for everyone, including people with liver problems and women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant. you need simple blood tests to check for liver problems. tell your doctor if you are taking other medications,

or if you have any muscle pain or weakness. this may be a sign of a rare but serio side effect. [ man ] still lo that wind in my face talk to your doctor. don't kid yourself about the risk of heart attack and stroke. if lipitor's been working for you, stay with it. lipitor may be available for as little as $4 a month with the lipitor co-pay card. terms and conditions apply. learn more at lipitorforyou.com. >> listen to the roar of the

crowd and cheers and all of the champagne bottles popping open because it is 2012 in tokyo, japan is welcoming in the new year. and celebrations continue in the world. here are the folks in downtown tokyo welcoming that new year anyway big way. celebrations will legal to head our way. dubai and berlin and london next major cities . here in the united states, all eyes on the big ball later tonight in times square. organized chaos in one of the nation's most notable newspapers. new york time system making drastic change not sitting well with the union workers. liz has more on that. >> good afternoon, uma, it is a wicked week for the new york times it is almost a classic legend now their problems and how they have had to borrow hundreds of millions from

mexican character, and how they have had to lease out their own office, and how they have buy outs every other six months. well, this week was particularly bad. they are in new yorks with new york newspaper guild. apparently negotiations are going so bad and the staff at the types are so upset, an open letter from the uniand signed by 400 signatures and there is probably more today. members of the staff said we have had enough. let me give you a sample from the letter that was to the publisher of the times. they write. we have worked long and hard for this company. some of us have risked our lives for it. you have eloquently recognize paid moves tribute to our work and devotion. the deep disconnect between the word and the demands of your negotiators have given

rise to a sense of betrayal. why are they so angry and what set it off was freezing the times propose, freeze the pensions of overseas employees and the locals who work for them and people who take the risk and go out and take the harrowing pictures, two of whom so far times people have lost their lives in combat in afghanistan and iraq and also they are talking about cutting out health insurance . so the times is really in a free fall, these people who are now objecting. interestingly enough. rick moran was kind of looking down his nose at this. and we don't have time to read the whole quote. it is not being taken as likely by the other people on the internet. they are saying the types for

-- times is reapping what is sowed. >> liz, thank you. we'll have a quick break and come back more with this. stay with us. es you a 50 percent annual bonus. so you earn 50 percent more cash. if you're not satisfied with 50% more cash, send it back! i'll be right here, waiting for it. who wouldn't want more cash? [ insects chirping ] i'll take it. i'll make it rain up in here. [ male announcer ] the new capital one cash rewards card. the card for people who want 50% more cash. what's in your wallet? sorry i'll clean this up. shouldn't have made it rain.

>> welcome back. iran is holding off on long range missile test near the strait of hormuz. they are proposing a new round of talks with the controversial nuclear program. instead of taking to the streets, a pair of occupy protestor in oakland, california climbed a tree outside of city hall and refused to come down. both were arrest police are guarding the tree to keep others from coming up. and police in san francisco

are on the hunt for a squiril monkey that was taken from the zoo. he was stolen late thursday or friday morning. they are hoping to find them soon, banana fan is on the loose. as you can imagine, it is a great time of year to be in the paper hat and noise maker business. but the real celebration is on the champagne industry. casey stegal is live in la with more on this. >> happy almost new year to you. champagne industry has more than just a new year to tote. get this, shipments are up fo 2011 after hitting a low in 2008 and 9. to get technical. champagne is a sparkling wine that can only come from the french region of champagne and the champagne bureau that represents the french growers said the region shipped 30 percent more bottles to the u.s. compared to the last and

americans have historically favored beers and spirits, their taste buds are apartnerly changing. >> wine consumption is increase the growth in champagne and americans buying champagne in the united states is a progression on that side. they are working wine into their meals and celebration and more and more. and champagne has a distinct place in the american psyche. >> and bargain price bubbles are cashing in and everything produced outside of champagne is called sparkling wine and includes bottlings made here in the american vineyard and one south california store saw an increase for people shying away from the big ticket french brands. >> more than the middle class ventured in an experiment. and since the 2008 economic turn down they moved away. >> plus we as wine merchants

and perveyors support the smaller brand and we make good champagne for less money. >> they are still not in prerecession levels. the region getting a boost from shipments to asia. people in hong kong and china like the bubbly, too. and i the toast a glass of that delicious champagne to you tonight. >> thank you very much. cheers to you as well happy new year. >> holidays are the time to be with family members. if you are one of our brave servicemen or women over seas, that's not always possible. we'll talk about the efforts to make it easy for troops to phone home for the holidays. [ woman ] my boyfriend and i were going on vacation,

so i used my citi thank you card to pick up some accessories. a new belt. some nylons. and what girl wouldn't need new shoes? we talked about getting a diamond. but with all the thank you points i've been earning... ♪ ...i flew us to the rock i really had in mind. ♪ [ male announcer ] the citi thank you card. earn points you can use for travel on any airline, with no blackout dates.

holidays are a tough time to be long. two projects are making a big difference.

one is operation phone home and provides home cards for troops stationed away families so they can reconnect. >> we give them a half hour on the phone and come out, emotion on their face where they've connected with their husband or wife an or their children and just to hear their voice and know everything is okay. >> another project is the uso photo book program and lets the families make customize photo albums small enough to fit. and uso.org. and of course, we love hearing from you, quickly, we have some responses. do you think the winner of the iowa caucuses will become the g.o.p. nominee. betsy writes. no, i think most people like my family will be making a decision late in the game and the first time we've been able to pick and stick and it's too