breaking news coming to us from the associated press this morning that joe paterno, the winningest coach in college football history will indeed resign at the end of the season. of course, questions have been raised about what he knew, when he knew it, and what he did about allegations that one of his assistants was sexually abusing boys. again, word from the "associated press," he will retire at the end of the season. we'll have much more coming up from pennsylvania in just a few minutes. good morning, i'm chris jansing. and herman cain is doubling down. defiantly denying all claims of sexual harassment by four women. but he also predicts this may not be the end. >> there will probably be others, not because i'm aware of any, but because the machine to keep a businessman out of the

white house is going to be relentless. >> cain also says he believes being so defiant is what's helped his supporters standby him so far. msnbc's richard lui is here with the latest. >> it has been a week and a half of haze for the cain campaign. four women accusing the gop presidential candidate during that time. the first accuser is now revealing her identity. she came forward yesterday resisting public exposure initially. she worked with cain at the national restaurant association in the 1990s. she accused cain of "inappropriate behaviors and unwanted advances." a settlement with the restaurant association was made in 1999 and she reportedly received $45,000. she also made claims at her next job of unfair treatment and accused a manager of circulating a sexually charged e-mail according to the "associated

press." the second accuser also unnamed worked at the restaurant association, as well. she was the second woman that "politico" first reported on. reportedly she'd like out of her confidentiality agreement so she can tell her side of the story. the "new york times" says the incident happened after a heavy night of drinking at a company outing and that a settlement of $35,000 was made in that. the third accuser's name is also not public. she worked with cain at the restaurant association in the late '90s. the "associated press" saying she considered filing a complaint and her allegations include cain making sexually suggestive remarks or gestures toward her in a private invitation to his corporate apartment. the third accuser, she spoke out making vivid accusations of groping her genitals, though first to reveal her i.d., she did not file a complaint. she worked with him at the restaurant association's educational foundation in '97. she says she met cain at a dinner and asked for help to find a job. she's admitted to having

financial difficulties in the past, but says this is not why she's telling her story now. cain as you said, though, staunchly denying all of the charges made to date. >> i have never acted inappropriately with anyone, period. >> it's a distraction from the things we ought to talk about, which is this economy, energy independence, cutting spending as well as getting this nation back on track. >> cain also says he does not even know who bialek is. his recollections of the story have evolved over time and points out these claims have come about as he gained more notoriety and gained in the polls. so, chris, four women making serious claims and one presidential candidate on one side, the other four on the other. >> all right. thank you very much, richard. and i'm just getting word that the lawyer is talking about

all four women doing some sort of news conference, is that right? let me bring in the columnist with the "new york times," okay. so charles, he took questions today. how do you think he did? and let me ask you about this prospect of all four women coming out together. >> you don't want that. you don't want the view of sexual harassment on tv. and i don't think he did particularly well. and i think that -- >> what did he do wrong? >> well, here's the thing. the more specific he says and categorically denied he ever knew this woman, he had better be right. there had better be no picture, there better be no e-mail, there better be no witness that says they ever were in the same room together. because part of the problem is saying something like that. it's so cut and dry. either you're lying -- somebody's lying. either you're lying or she's

lying. and she's given very vivid detail of what she says was an encounter. now, that encounter seems to have taken place with the two of them alone, so that's a he said/she said sort of situation, but there would have been people who would've known you had seen each other. there was a report they had met recently and hugged and carried on, whatever, and had a conversation very recently. >> so if you make a statement, you better know. >> you had better know that's the truth. >> well, one of the things he said speaking of the truth, larry, he'd take a lie detector test. should somebody hold him to that? >> well, they could hold him to it. it really doesn't matter very much. i think people have drawn their conclusions about this. the big picture is herman cain, chris, is not going to be the republican nominee even before the sexual harassment allegations. he is definitely not going to be the nominee now. president obama should be so lucky. and i don't think he's going to get that lucky.

what cain has done is to create a ceiling, an increasingly lowering ceiling for his support in the republican primaries and caucuses. it's having an affect, we're starting to pick that up in many of the polls. and this has just got to play itself out and it will. >> charles, you wrote the other day, i'm quoting you. cain isn't a regular kacandidat and this isn't a regular race. and that absolves him against his errors -- still true? >> among the people who like cain and who cannot see themselves voting for mitt romney, there is a kind of a circle of protection around him because they don't want to believe these kind of multiplying implications that this may be a pattern of behavior for this man. >> all right. we're hearing more from her

lawyer, from kraushaar's lawyer. there are going to be a lot more details, apparently could get a lot more graphic. what do you think? is this about to come to a head one way or another? is this going to -- these four women if they come out, either cain's in the race or he's not? >> yes. it will be very unpleasant. and i think we can all collectively dread that particular moment. whatever our points of view may be about herman cain. look, chris, he had one way out, exactly one way out for about five hours on the day when this was released by politico originally. he had ten days notice. what he could've done was to come out and say i did some unfortunate things, and in an earlier period of my life, i feel badly about them, i apologize for them, i have mended my ways, and i'm going to move forward.

that may not have worked, but there was a chance it could have worked. he did have to apologize, he could've kept it general. some of these women probably would not have come out had he said that. he missed his opportunity, it's over. >> well, you're shaking your head, charles. >> i don't -- well, first let's back up and say, he's still proclaiming he's innocent. >> that's right. >> and there's no way for any of us to know if the charges against him are true. so i wouldn't want to say i did something or didn't do -- but that said, the david and goliath motif, the idea i'm being persecuted, that there is a machine out to get me, which is kind of the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard in my life -- >> and i think you're part of it, charles. >> there are democrats right now writing letters to santa claus hoping that herman cain's the republican nominee. and if they were -- if the democratic machine was out to get him, they'd at least wait

until it wouldn't benefit mitt romney to bring women forward. so that's ridiculous. but the idea, you know, his supporters i think will buy this idea that there is an orchestrated effort to tarnish his character and that what he should do is to fight. and i think that's what he's doing and i think that we do see some slippage in the polls, but he's holding relatively firm for there to be announced to be four people saying that he did pretty much the same thing and he has not slipped very much and there are some people who are going to vote for him anyway. so he's okay. >> i was one of the people who thought there was too many debates, but i can't wait for tonight. we're going to talk more about that cnbc debate of the republican candidates later on in this hour. in the meantime, larry, charles, great conversation, thank you, gentlemen. and at 11:00 a.m. this morning, thomas roberts will talk to cain accuser sharon bialek.

it's an interview you won't want to miss 11:00 a.m. eastern right here on msnbc. ohio sends a message about organized labor and the master mind behind arizona's tough immigration law makes the record books. details on those stories in five. and breaking news in the penn state scandal. the "associated press" reporting that head coach joe paterno will retire at the end of the season. more than 1,000 students gathered last night to support the legendary coach. clearly moved, paterno spoke directly to the crowd. >> i've lived for this place, i've lived for the people. i think we ought to say a prayer for them. tough life when people do certain things to you. >> nbc's ron allen joins us now from state college, pennsylvania. and in spite of that support we saw, and he has been a beloved football coach for so many years, clearly the pressure was mounting on him. >> indeed, chris.

yes. this was a huge development in what's been an absolutely stunning week of revelations here at penn state university. many people will tell you that joe paterno is, in fact, penn state. he built this football program, a program so successful that it funds the entire athletic department. he has brought tens of millions of dollars to this school. a lot of national glory on the football field. over 46 years, be you're right, here on the campus and out there in the public was decisively against him. prosecutors cleared him of any criminal charges in this trial, sex abuse scandal. but many say he had a moral responsibility to do more, that he was in charge of this program and he should've intervened sooner, more forcefully. there was one allegation in particular that was brought to his attention. and people say that he should've called the police when this was brought to his attention. and, of course, this all boils down to his close personal aide, former coach, jerry sandusky. and the closest to him, of

course, is another damning thing that hangs over paterno and has for this entire week. he's going to resign according to "ap." penn state has just four games left, paterno's contract was going to end at the end of the season. many were speculating this is how it would all end for paterno, but he seems to be confirming it now. >> this the air force has disciplined three senior officials for what it calls gross mismanagement of remains at dover air force base. several times remains have been inappropriately tampered with or lost. defense secretary leon panetta has ordered an independent review of all operations at the dover mortuary. today at 2:00 p.m. eastern time, for the first time ever, fema will be testing the national emergency alert system. you know, this is a test. viewers and listeners can expect a 30-second interruption.

there will be those beeps and those words, this is a test. broadcast in all 50 states on tv, radio, and now on satellite radio too. the cold war alert system has never been used. but this is to assure folks that it will work during a significant emergency such as a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, or a cyber incident. froi to develop its suspension system? or what if we told you that ferrari borrowed technology from cadillac to develop its suspension system? magnetic ride control -- pioneered by cadillac, perfected in the 556-horsepower cts-v. we don't just make luxury cars. we make cadillacs. gives 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.

right now, analysts are already looking at what happened in the voting booth yesterday. trying to predict what it will mean for the president and his challengers in 2012. okay. let's start in mississippi where the person hood initiative failed. it would have changed the definition of life as beginning at fertilization. but abortion opponents say they will press the issue in other states. looks like republicans might gain control of the virginia

senate. just one undecided race and it hinges on just 86 votes. democratic senator trails reed. advocates say it could bring in millions of dollars. the lawmakers still have a bunch of other legal hurdles to clear before you can bet on football or basketball there. and chris christie's power only goes so far. democrats in new jersey expanded their majority in the state legislature. russell pearce conceded a recall election, the first recall of a city lawmakers in arizona history. and this picture of ohio's governor john kasich says a lot after voters overwhelmingly repealed a new law. he said he heard their voices and will consider his next steps carefully. the huge victory for labor is giving republicans pause because swing state ohio is still crucial for 2012.

doug sizemore with the cincinnati aflcio labor union. good morning. >> good morning, chris. thanks for having me on many this morning. >> iwaiting in line to vote. a double-digit victory for your side. what do you think the message is that voters were sending? >> well, the message was loud and clear, and we saw it leading up to election day with the support we had with the community and just across the board of saying no on issue two and repealing senate bill five. >> so let me play for you a humble governor kasich, because he says he's gotten the message. >> well, it's clear that the people have spoken. i've heard their voices. i understand their decision, and frankly, i respect what people have to say in an effort like this. >> now, this anti-union law is gone, but there are areas where

unions and lawmakers may have to find a way to come together because we all know about the cost issues involved. states are hurting everywhere, ohio just one of them. do you see areas where you can move forward in a positive way with governor kasich? >> throughout this whole economic recession, public employees have been talking with the elected officials and working with them on taking wage freezes, furlough days, figuring out ways to cut costs. so public employees have been doing that in ohio for a few years now. so that conversation i'm sure will continue. >> do you think what happened last night -- because a lot of people are trying to read the tea leaves here. do you think it will have a larger impact outside of ohio? maybe for 2012? >> i think the whole nation was watching the election in ohio yesterday. the decisive victory we had in

defeating issue two sent a strong message, not only here in ohio, but across the country that people do not want to see collective bargaining attacked. and so we appreciate all the support that we've gotten. you know, when we circulate petitions to get this legislation put on the ballot with the citizen's veto, there was 10,000 volunteers across ohio going out circulating petitions. so, you know, the overwhelming support that we've had and the support for collective bargaining were really appreciative of what we've seen. not only from labor, but throughout the community. >> well, let me ask you quickly, because i was in ohio a few weeks ago, it seemed like everywhere i went, people were handing out leaflets. this was activism on a level i haven't seen in a very long time on a local level. where were you last night when it was clear that you had won? and what was the reaction there?

>> overwhelming, you know, there was just a loud cheer and everybody was just like -- everybody's been working so hard on defending the collective bargaining rights of public employees here in ohio for so many months. and it's just to get to that point, it was a great moment. >> doug sizemore, thanks so much for taking the time. i'm sure it was a late night. we appreciate it. >> thank you. take a look at these pictures we're just getting in from london. thousands of students marching through the streets protesting hikes in tuition fees. we've seen this before. there was some concern up to 4,000 officers we're told have been deployed. authorities are warning that anyone involved in criminal activity during the march will be arrested. these marchers are expected to make their way to an existing protest outside st. paul's cathedral. time for the "your business" entrepreneur of the week. nina is using high-tech marketing to engage customers at her new york-based garnet wines

and liquors. scanning the bar codes with smartphones, her customers can learn about wines and get discounts. and bar codes are now everywhere. for more, watch "your business" saturday mornings on msnbc. who wants some holiday tunage? ew, i do! ew, i do! let's see what they pull up here. oh, this is a good one. ♪ grandma got run over by a reindeer ♪ really? ken? ♪ walking home from our house christmas eve ♪ ♪ you can say... i had the right of way. oh, man. i... turning off the music. sorry, nanna. [ male announcer ] get low prices every day on the latest smart phones, starting at 97 cents. save money. live better. walmart.

[ daniel ] my name is daniel northcutt. [ jennifer ] and i'm jennifer northcutt. opening a restaurant is utterly terrifying. we lost well over half of our funding when everything took a big dip. i don't think anyone would open up a restaurant if they knew what that moment is like. ♪ day 1, everything happened at once. ♪ i don't know how long that day was. we went home and let it sink in what we had just done. [ laughs ] ♪ word of mouth is everything, and word of mouth today is online. it all goes back to the mom and pop business founded within a family. ♪ when i found out i was pregnant, daniel was working on our second location. everyone will find out soon enough i think that something's happening. ♪ ♪

♪ feel the power my young friend. mmm! [ male announcer ] for unsurpassed fruit and veggie nutrition... v8 v-fusion. could've had a v8. breaking news. check out these two tankers burning right now on interstate 10 in chandler, arizona. at least one person is hurt.

black smoke, orange flames, the freeway is closed. we don't know what happened exactly, but we'll keep you posted. obviously it looks as though those tankers were filled with fuel. here's a look at some other stories people are talking about right now. during a televised speech today, mahmoud ahmadinejad said they won't retreat an iota from their plan. the international atomic energy agency cited credible intelligence that directly contradicts iran's assertion that the nuclear projects are entirely peaceful. heads up for toyota and lexus drivers, recalling more than 1/2 million cars due to a problem related to the crankshaft. it could make the car harder to steer. the recall includes '04 and '05 camries and siennas. check out msnbc.com for complete details. and we'll be right back.

just like that? did you even see the allstate? it's cute. what is it? great insurance. you get accident forgiveness, deductible rewards, safe-driving bonus checks, plus a free lifetime membership in good hands roadside assistance just for calling. sold. tiny tow truck -- works every time. shop less. get more. make one call to an allstate agent. but when they come home, they don't want a parade; they want a job. the postal service employs more veterans than any other civilian employer. but congress is debating a bill that would force the postal service to fire tens of thousands of vets, close post offices, shut mail processing plants, and disrupt mail delivery. drastic cuts won't fix the postal service and aren't needed. tell your representative to vote "no" on house resolution 2309. it's time to deliver for our veterans -- and america.

[ male announcer ] the super bowl. the most epic day in america. and the end of a journey that began here, when the swipe of a visa card gave one man a chance to bring happiness to ten friends... and humiliation to one. if you want this ticket, i need you to wear this helmet. i'm not gonna do it. i'm not gonna do it. i'm not gonna do it. [ sobs ] [ male announcer ] use your visa card for a chance to win. to see more of the story, visit our facebook page.

welcome to jansing and company. i'm carl parker, and we are watching an incredible storm that's come into alaska with winds of 100 miles an hour. huge area of surf, as well, a water level rise of 7 feet along the coast. and we're going to see the snow driving across the western part of the state. that will continue to move up into northern alaska through tonight. it's going to be a really rough time there. this is one of the strongest storms to hit the alaskan coast in a very, very long time. fortunately, things are much quieter here across the u.s. we're looking now for a beautiful day. wet weather in the midwest, and snow coming down across the lakes. back to you. >> it's sunny here in new york. we like that. carl, thank you. nbc news now confirming that joe paterno, the winningest coach in college football history is going to retire at the end of the season, four more games. of course, a lot of questions raised about what he did when he

found out there were accusations about one of his assistant coaches and sexual harassment and abusing young boys. so we'll continue to follow this story. but again, nbc news confirming that joe paterno has agreed to step down at the end of this football season. let's talk about europe's financial crisis. it's claimed another high-profile casualty. long time italian prime minister silvio berlusconi has announced he will resign once parliament passed economic reforms. richard engel is in rome for us. and richard, italy follows, portugal, ireland, and greece. will they believe that italy will be able to carry out the reforms they need to? >> reporter: well, actually since that announcement since silvio berlusconi that he will step down after key economic reforms are passed, he said he would resign after that is taken. the markets have reacted very

negatively. in fact, italy's borrowing rate has risen to over 7%. and that's considered an unsustainable level. in fact, it was roughly the same percentage that caused ireland, greece, and portugal to seek international bailouts. the problem is greece's debt is too big to bail out. it's too expensive, it's roughly $2.5 trillion. so, yes, berlusconi said he would resign, but he didn't say when he would resign, and that uncertainty is reflecting very negatively on the economy here and on greek's borrowing rate. and that's really what people are watching. >> what does happen next, richard? >> we don't really know. if you watch the political system in this country, and it is a very byzantine system, there was supposed to be a vote on tuesday, but berlusconi's talking about holding new elections, potentially in february, and there's a lot of frustration among italians. they don't have a clear picture of what their political future has in store for them. and those who are critical of silvio berlusconi say he is

trying to drag this process out, that he is trying to protect himself politically, trying to put his financial situation in order and to make sure he isn't prosecuted once he leaves office. that is the cynical view here that berlusconi is trying to find a smooth exit for himself and to make sure that his successor is a friendly one. and while this political drama plays out, italy's borrowing rate is going up, and the economy is getting worse. >> richard engel in rome for us. thank you so much. he mentioned the markets are reacting negatively. wall street among them. let's go to cnbc's mandy drury with what's moving your money. it was close to down 300 a few moments ago. >> a few moments ago, you're absolutely right. the dow was down nearly 300, now we're down about 290, we're really just splitting hairs here. in the euro also moving to the downside, as well. as richard was saying a moment ago, a number of times, it is

very important that the markets are watching the italian bond yields that seems to be indicating the crisis in europe is getting perhaps worse and not better. and italy is now the crux of the problem a posed to greece. there's other stuff going on in the market. and moving away from europe for a second, fannie mae is asking for more money from taxpayers, this time $7.8 billion. this is, of course, on top of the nearly $113 billion it has already received from the treasury department. and this is to cover losses. it's a government-controlled company, it lost a lot of money due to low mortgage rates, cutting down of profits, and also decline in home prices caused more default on the loans being guaranteed. there are a number of stories out there today, chris, which are weighing on the market and certainly not just europe. >> let me ask you really quickly. we know so many department stores, other stores are so decked out for christmas, but one notable exception. >> you're absolutely right. nordstrom, you've got retailers,

they're all, of course, jumping on the black friday midnight bandwagon and already offering pre-black friday sales. but nordstrom has that long-standing policy of not decorating for christmas until the day after thanksgiving. this year is going to be no different. the signage from nordstrom's window last year has been circulating on facebook. we like celebrating one holiday at a time. >> bravo. well, mitt romney is up in the latest nbc news "wall street journal" poll, picking up five points in a month, although he is still virtually tied with herman cain at the top of the republican field. a senior adviser to the mitt romney campaign. good morning. >> hi, chris. >> obviously this controversy and herman cain the 9-9-9, a lot of that has been taking attention away from mitt romney. is it helping or hurting him? >> well, i think that governor romney's campaign we've been very consistent throughout the last, you know -- since june

since he announced and talking about jobs and the economy. governor romney has a 25-year career in the private sector. this is a -- we're at a time when where a lot of economic uncertainty, unemployment at 9%. and we feel very comfortable sticking to our message of the economy, spending, and jobs is the right course for this campaign. >> well, another thing that your critics say mitt romney has been consistent about is not going on the sunday talk shows. and i want to play for you something that is on the new website from the huntsman campaign. it's called scared mittless.com, let's check it out. >> he has not appeared on this program or any sunday talk show since march of 2010. we invited governor romney again this week, but his campaign says he's not ready. >> a lot of people believe these are the toughest shows, you get asked the toughest questions.

why won't mitt romney go on a sunday talk show? >> well, first of all, that came from the huntsman campaign? >> yeah. >> okay. and did you see the nbc "wall street journal" poll last week? where was jon huntsman in that poll. >> it doesn't mitigate whether or not your candidate has gone on the sunday talk shows. he's not the only one that's made this point obviously. >> he was not even at 1%. i think a lot of people are going to try to do anything to get attention. listen, governor romney is being asked questions all the time. he was asked -- he was with george stephanopoulos yesterday, he's participated in tons of debates. by the end of this process, we will be on television a lot and answering a lot of questions. >> well, is he worried, as some people would suggest, about having to face one-on-one one of these tough interviewers? >> no, we faced george stephanopoulos yesterday, we're not worried at all. >> all right, 55 days until the iowa caucuses. and mitt romney made just his

fourth trip to iowa on monday. are you going to commit more researchers there? what's the plan for iowa? >> we've been spending time in iowa. we were just there on monday. we'll be going back to iowa. mrs. romney was there a couple of weeks ago, and we expect to, you know, campaign and participate in the iowa caucuses. there'll be debates there in december. we'll be participating in those debates. and we'll be -- we'll be part of the process. governor romney says that has said that iowa's an important state and he wants to be part of the conversation out there. >> i have to ask you this one final question. you know -- i'm sure you've been asked it many times, why can't mitt romney seem to break out? why have his polls been so consistent? and obviously if you're a glass half full person, you can say, look, we've been able to maintain our support, we've been able to stay at or near the top of the polls, the bad news is that the republicans have seemed all these many months to be looking for an alternative? >> i think governor -- i think the consistency has been good,

chris. i mean, we've been -- we're very happy with where we are in the polls. i think if you take a look at some of the cnn time numbers in the early states, we're either ahead or close to in second place and all the four key early states. we wouldn't trade our position in this campaign with anyone. and, in fact, even in your nbc "wall street journal" poll just a couple of days ago, when they asked the head-to-head question of mitt romney versus rick perry, mitt romney was winning 2 to 1. so we're very comfortable with our campaign, with our strategy, and we know that governor romney's message of turning this economy around, getting spending under control, and really -- he would be the best person to take on the failed obama presidency. >> thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. >> thanks, chris. the other 2012 candidates have been reluctant to talk about what's going on with herman cain. but we did hear from mitt romney yesterday. >> these are serious

allegations, george. and they're going to have to be addressed seriously. i don't have any counsel for herman cain or for his campaign. they'll have to take their own counsel on this. but any time there's an accuser that comes forward with charges of this nature, you recognize this is a very serious matter and it should be taken seriously. >> karen hunter is an msnbc contributor and journalist. a lot to talk about with herman cain in the debate tonight. what about the whole question of mitt romney not going on the sunday talk shows? what do you think? >> he should've done it before. so before, anybody else to go out there -- doesn't matter if it's huntsman, or anybody else making the ad. it's an issue we're talking about on a prime time slot. >> you all have to face the tough questions. all right. tonight, mitt romney did have something to say yesterday about herman cain, but what are you expecting? do you think that the other candidates are going to go on the attack? >> they better stay away from

this and let it play out. obviously he doesn't need any help putting himself in hot water. let him stew in it. and if they're smart -- i think it was weak of mitt romney to say anything about it. >> he was asked. he had to say something. >> he could've said i really can't comment -- >> that would have been -- he had to say something, and what he said was enough of -- >> a weak answer. >> it was a middle of the road answer. he can't say anything. karen has a point, you can't go out there and slam herman cain on this because in the end, you're stepping in that pool that you don't want to be a part of. let herman cain deal with it. if he were smart, he would do more interviews where he just says exactly what happened and not i reject all the charges. >> this is a debate about the economy. you just keep no matter what happens, 9-9-9-9 -- it is the ninth debate. >> well, then that perhaps will be -- the funny thing is because it really doesn't seem to matter what he says. he still has a lot of support still -- >> but it's falling.

but it's falling. >> but it's not falling enough to help mitt romney. he still can't get out of the 30s, which to me says more than anything. >> well, let me play this because the debate's in michigan, and ahead of it, the dnc put out this web video. take a check of it. >> you wouldn't know he was from around here. >> let detroit go bankrupt. >> this city where american rubber meets the road. a town that's been to hell and back. what was his answer for the motor city? >> let detroit go bankrupt -- >> obviously the dnc's very worried about mitt romney. and they should be worried about him -- >> is that an effective add? ad? >> very. it'll be very effective against obama saying employment is going over 8% -- >> the difference here is -- >> when obama and romney -- >> the difference here is that the republicans still have not warmed up to romney. they still don't like him as a candidate -- >> 28% is pretty warm. >> that is not warm. when you can't crack 30%. >> this is an economic theme

debate. can we put up the numbers on wall street right now? and again, i think we're down about 300 points. because it is financial themed, we've not heard a lot about what is central to a lot of american people besides jobs, but is related to jobs. and that is what do we do about the mortgage crisis? housing values? are people looking for solutions? people have to come out tonight, it's time, we're less than a year out and say here's my plan. >> and mitt romney has given those solutions. if you look at a 59-point plan, it's a lot of points. they have gone out there and made speeches, many talks on what to do about it. you have to let the foreclosures happen. this president's doing the wrong thing, punting it down the road -- >> no, he has put a plan on the table and it's not the first plan he's put on the table. and to say that people should let their houses foreclose and let the system foreclose on people, that's not a good message. >> but karen, if you keep punting it down the road, the foreclosures will happen anyway. >> this president has a plan,

and i know -- >> mitt romney has that plan too. >> thank you, both. we appreciate it. don't forget to catch the debate tonight on cnbc 8:00 eastern time. just got this statement from joe paterno from state college pennsylvania. i'm absolutely devastated by the developments in this case. i grieve for the children and their families. i pray for their comfort and relief. i have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind, to serve the best interest of this university. and he goes on to say, that's why i've decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. the winningest coach in college football history. four more games and he will walk away. we'll be right back. tar. my coat? solid gold. my insides? pure platinum. [ female announcer ] a healthy outside starts inside. new iams simple & natural has chicken as its number one ingredient and zero fillers. it works inside for health you can see on the outside. [ dog ] i can't be a rockstar on the outside if i'm not one on the inside.

[ female announcer ] new iams naturals. you'll like what's in them and love what's not. [ dog ] i am an iams dog. [ girls ] he's so cute! [ dog ] groupies! 'cs f m..odup emch

r:ware, e. 'cs f

but think about your heart. 2% has over half the saturated fat of whole milk. want to cut back on fat and not compromise on taste? try smart balance fat free milk. it's what you'd expect from the folks at smart balance. ♪ that's good morning, veggie style. hmmm [ male announcer ] for half the calories -- plus veggie nutrition. could've had a v8. with cold and flu season

approaching, a new report reminds us germs lurk in some very common places. the survey finds 71% of gas pump handles, and 68% of mailboxes were highly contaminated with sickness-causing germs. atm buttons, escalator rails, and vending machines had high levels too. the best way to avoid them, wash your hands and use plenty of hand sanitizers. hi, everybody, good morning, in the next hour of msnbc, gloria allred is my guest. how does she respond to cain who says he has no clue who bialek is. gop hopefuls on cnbc tonight. and then breaking news when it comes to penn state's legendary football program rocked by a child sex abuse scandal. and were federal laws broken?

pennsylvania congressman will be here as well as news, news that joe paterno is stepping down. an american writer who went missing in libya for months returned to the united states over the weekend with an unbelievable story to tell. matthew van dyke seen here with our own richard engel went to libya to join the fight to liberate the north african nation without telling those closest to him. matthew van dyke joins me now. good morning, welcome home. >> thank you. good to be home. >> obviously the first question i have to ask is why did you do this? >> i have a lot of experience in the region. i have an educational background in the region, and i have many friends in libya. >> why not tell your family, friends where you're going? >> i didn't want my mother to worry. they knew i was going to libya, they just didn't know why. >> you were captured and imprisoned for 166 days before you were able to escape. tell us about that experience. >> it was horrible.

it was solitary confinement, small cells, i was never told if i would ever be released. the guards didn't know who i was. it was as if i didn't exist anymore. >> were there many times you thought that was it? >> i was sure i was never going to get out of prison. i had come to overthrow a regime and i was captured and i was finished. >> what was your family going through during this time? what had they told you? >> they were working very hard to get my story out to the media, the government, trying to get people to help so that the gadhafi government would know there was pressure so they couldn't just make me disappear. >> so you go through this 166 days, you're thinking many times that you're not going to survive this. you escape, and then you don't come home, right? you stayed. >> no, i made a commitment to libya when i went there in the first place to fight gadhafi, and i decided i was going to stay until libya was free. >> what was the period of time

there, matthew? and tell us a little bit about the dynamic of being there. >> i was there in march and starting to help the revolution. and after prison, i went to the front line. i joined a brigade, and i saw a lot of combat. the other fighters were welcoming of me, they were appreciative i was there, and i came and did my job like everyone else. >> and how did you feel when you heard that moammar gadhafi was dead? >> it was great because the war was over. i wished that he had been captured and put on trial alive, but i understand why people did what they did. >> well, it is an extraordinary story. it's difficult, i'm sure, for many, many people to understand it. it's so interesting to talk to you, matthew. and thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us. >> thank you. rapper and actor heavy d. died yesterday at the age of 44 after collapsing outside his home in california. he was influential in shaping rap music in the late '80s and

'90s. you're listening to one of his biggest hits "now that we have found love." he was in the movie "tower heights" that opened last weekend. and today's tweet of the day comes from heavy d. smoking joe frazier, rip, one of the best heavy weight champs that ever lived, god speed, mr. frazier, then tweeted two words, be inspired. [ female announcer ] we never forget the nearly 12 million cancer survivors in america today... and the countless lives lost. we owe it to them to protect funding for cancer research, prevention and access to care. congress, make cancer a priority and give millions of americans what they need most.

congress, make cancer a priority diabetes testing? what else is new? you get the blood, hope it's enough, it's-- what's this? freestyle lite® blood glucose test strip. sure, i'll try it, but-- [beep] wow. yep, that's the patented freestyle zipwik™ design. it's like it-- [both] targets the blood. yeah, draws it right in. the test starts fast. you need just a third the blood of one touch.® okay. freestyle test strips. i'll take 'em. sure. call or click-- we'll send you strips and a meter, free. can't i just have these? freestyle lite test strips. call or click today.

let's go down to the wire. a gay penguin couple is getting split up at a toronto zoo. pedro and buddy have been snuggling since last year, but to keep the species alive, they need to split them up and get them interested in girl penguins. here's a dinner interruption. watch as this couple is at a

hostess stand, in comes a deer, right through the window right into the dining area. come on, everybody knows deer hate tacos. another broken window. this one by a voter in kentucky. not sure if the person was just rushing in to vote or ran into the plate glass window, but they're going to be okay. and you can buy michael jackson's bed at an auction december 17th. it's kind of morbid because it's where the king of pop died. but it's just one of hundreds of items from jackson's home hitting the auction block. his home is also for sale. and that's going to wrap up this hour of "jansing and company," i'm chris jansing, thomas roberts is up next. i'll see you back here tomorrow. [ mom ] alright guys, play with your toys after dinner. looks beautiful, honey. [ rattling ] jason... really buddy, wow. samantha jane. ♪ guys, christmas dinner and you're bringing toys to the table? ♪

that, that's not a toy... let's eat! [ male announcer ] get no interest on all walmart purchases on your walmart credit card through december if paid in full in 6 months. it's this... the etrade pro platform. fast. beautiful. totally customizable. finds top performing stocks -- in three clicks. quickly scans the market for new trading ideas. it can even match options strategies to your goals and lets you see the potential risk and reward. and, it also comes with a dedicated elite service team. got it? get it. good. introducing new etrade pro elite. ♪ [ man #1 ] i was fascinated by balsa wood airplanes ever since i was a kid. [ man #2 ] i always wondered how did an airplane get in the air. to design and create the next greatest thing, takes a lot of imagination and a lot of courage. [ man #3 ] i always wanted to be one of those guys that had that kind of responsibility and that kind of technical expertise.

at ge aviation, we build jet engines. we lift people up off the ground to 35 thousand feet. these engines are built by hand with very precise assembly techniques. [ man #3 ] i definitely feel responsible to these customers. can't pull over on the side of the road and see what's going on underneath the hood. these have to be perfect every time. we make jet engines and i think the inner nerd in me is really excited about that. [ man #4 ] you build one up, and out the door it goes. and you know that out there somewhere it's serving an even bigger purpose. [ man #2 ] genx is the latest and greatest, it's the edge of technology. it's gonna fly people around the world, better than it's ever done before. [ woman #1 ] we are building engines that are literally making the world smaller. we build this engine up but never get to experience its glory. [ man #5 ] i would love to see this thing fly. ♪ [ man #6 ] been 8 years since i stood on a runway. [ man #1 ] it's a dream, honestly. [ man #6 ] here it is today. we're going to go out and see it. the fruits of all of our labor. [ woman #2 ] i think a lot of people,

when they look at a jet engine, they see a big hunk of metal. but when i look at it, i see seth, mark, tom, and people like that who work on engines every day. [ man #7 ] people say there is no such thing as perfect. they don't make jet engines. [ man #8 ] to see that thing on an airplane, if you work at ge aviation, it doesn't get any better. ♪ there it is. awesome. that's what we do! that's so cool! now, that's sweet! yeah, that was awesome! [ cheering ] i wanna see that again. ♪ we build jet engines. ♪ the charges and the accusations are absolutely reject. they simply didn't happen.

>> lashing out against the sexual harassment allegations against him, calling them baseless, bogus, and false. he also says he's the victim of a democratic political smear campaign to take him down. accuser, sharon bialek and her attorney gloria allred join me moments from now to respond and tell us. the scandal sure to overshadow tonight's cnbc gop debate taking place in michigan, which was supposed to be all about the economy. do any of the candidates have a real economic plan? we're going to ask cnbc "mad mon money" host jim cramer joins me. and joe paterno stepping down at the end of the season amidst the sexual abuse scandal involving one of his assistant coaches and children. this is developing minute-by-minute. i'm thomas roberts, we have a jam-packed hour for you ahead. and we do wa