say i'm severely conservative. >> i am not convinced, and i don't think the majority of gop and independent voters are convinced. >> it is a busy news day and coming up we'll take a look at the passing of whitney houston. but we begin with mitt romney. a day before valentine's day, still struggling to get the love of the republican party. increasably burned by independenting, by conservatives, by the grand old party. he may no longer have the title of, can rick -- the latest pew poll showing santorum the clear favorite of tea party and evangelical voters, santorum leading the race with 30%, a 17-point surge from just weeks ago. in gallup adaily tracking poll,

santorum with momentum, now within two points of romney who's on a downward slide. still one day after calling himself a severely conservative republicans, he did claim twowe. the conservative political action 38% to rick santorum's 31%. just hours later, in the maine fla caucus. the hearts and roses are not exactly forthcoming. >> we are not convinced. >> but governor he's been running for five years. >> and spent millions and millions. >> is rick an storm suggesting -- >> pays for their ticket and they come in and vote and they

leave. is the req santorum suggesting that romney bought the straw poll? no, he's far too nice for that, i'm sure, but perhaps defending his territory? romney is clearingly making the case that he's not only a real conservative, he is a severe one. >> i've never heard anyone saying they're severely conservative. i'm just observing it. i've never ahead it said. yeah, i'm a severe conservative. >> i heard yesterday somebody compare it for a head wound. >> yeah, exactly. still, on balance, mitt romney is the most electable, right?

>> i beat governor romney by 30 points in missouri, almost 30 in minnesota. i was able to beat him in colorado by five. so i feel very good, you know, this is a two-person race right now. i think michigan and arizona will show the same thing. >> i hate to tell you this, mitt, he's right. michigan, your native state, the state where your father was governor, two new polls show rick santorum winning in michigan. somewhere he's cueing up "didn't we almost have it all?" on his noise-cancelling headphones. julian epstein and joann reed, managing editor of the gi -- julian, mitt romney says he's severely conservatee. but he's got to be severely depressed. so many influence atrepublicans just continue to doubt him. >> i think it's like the old

book, martin, he just ain't that into you. i think that's sand castles are -- newt gingrich is collapsing of his own weight, and santorum is surging, largely because he continues to pander to the far right social conservatives, but saying things like he's against contraception, women shouldn't be in combat -- >> and women shouldn't enjoy sfas from the workplace. don't forget that. >> there's a litany of things. >> also that homosexuality is equivalent to bestiality. >> there's a long list, martin. we could use the entire show. he is not electable. he could not win independenting. romney has lost 20 points with independenting since this mimary fight has been going on. the idea that republicans are catering so extremely to the far right here, it would be like the

democrats putting code pink in charge of their primary election. >> okay. that's enough, john the julian makes the point about this 'larming slide. he was up 12 points on obama in november, ten points just weeks ago. now he leads with independenting by nine points. what's caused that? there's been good numbers lately. but this clown car of a republican primary is just devastating for them with voters that are going to help determine this election.

is it turns out it's going to go on for months more. it's not like santorum will knock romney out. gingrich has stolen the race, so he can win georgia, as he hopes, and probably longer, which will make it heart for santorum to become a engine win front-runner. instead you get this continuation of these guys trying to out-severe each other. nobody wants anyone severe in office. he just didn't want extreme republican. >> though he may be severely constipated. joe ana, birth control was never going to be a great winner for the president. we were all being told this was a terribly difficult week for the president, yet this becomes the cause celeb for these individuals.

>> at the end of the day the majority of 34er7b people are way past the bush but the president has once again drawn the crazy out of the other side where they were induced to say what they believe, which is that birth control should be illegal. the republican party right now has always had a three-legislated stool. you've always had this sort of alliance between the pollute ocrass and most recently the archie bunker guys. well, now that tea party wing is tired of being told what to do. the plutocrats are constantly getting what they want and now the archie bunker guys want what they want. >> in fairness they're not say contraception should be illegal, what they're saying is that they're trying to turn it from a women's health issue, which it

is, into some sort of constitutional issue that relates to freedom of religion. so they smell political opportunities. the problem is that they're playing with an old playbook, and if they're arguing on the grounds of contraception rather than abortion, it doesn't appeal to people's conscience -- >> julian, i just -- go ahead. >> you begin to think that obama is part irish. he has the luck of the irish. if you think of every political campaign -- >> he did go to ireland last year, and he used to say in some way -- >> look at every campaign he's ever been in, going back to '96. even in 2008, his opponents always self-destruct. it is the same thing we've seen over and over. martin the other interesting

story is republicans on the house side will now do a clean bill with no pay force, because they're figuring out that playing to the extreme right and to the tea party agenda won't work. so message to the tea party, your leaders in the house of representatives are dissing you today. >> one against you've adjourned the gun, you are a genius, we'll dewith that in the broadcast, but where are newt gingrich? >> he's trying to raise money. it's a campaign of billionaires. if he can't be adelson to kick in more money. the main theme of this election beyond the clown car is that we have through citizen united, we have allowed billionaires to dominate our pros.

had has to be fea, fair election amendment. >> good luck with that, john. >> it's not impossible. >> but the problem is that the citizens united decision was supposed to be the big win. >> it's only them that's being hurt. they're self-destructing, because the job that obam -- define mitt romney, make him unacceptable, is being funded by a couple billionaires. >> that will wear off. >> i wish we had more time, but that was a severely interesting conversation. jonathan al terr, joe an reed and julian epstein, thank you. coming up the president lays out his budget proposal. will republicans even give it a second glance? stay with us. some people go around and say the president is engaging in

class war fare. that's not class war fare. that's common sense. that's common sense. [ male announcer ] this is lois. the day starts with arthritis pain... a load of new listings... and two pills. after a morning of walk-ups, it's back to more pain, back to more pills. the evening showings bring more pain and more pills. sealing the deal... when, hang on... her doctor recommended aleve. it can relieve pain all day with fewer pills than tylenol. this is lois... who chose two aleve and fewer pills for a day free of pain.

[ female announcer ] try aleve d for strong all day sinus and headache relief. [ female announcer ] try aleve d an accident doesn't have to slow you down. with better car replacement, if your car is totaled, we give you the money for a car one model year newer. liberty mutual auto insurance. my dad and grandfather spent their whole careers here. [ charlie ] we're the heartbeat of this place, the people on the line. we take pride in what we do. when that refrigerator ships out the door, it's us that work out here. [ michael ] we're on the forefront of revitalizing manufacturing. we're proving that it can be done here, and it can be done well. [ ilona ] i come to ge after the plant i was working at closed after 33 years. ge's giving me the chance to start back over. [ cindy ] there's construction workers everywhere. so what does that mean? it means work. it means work for more people. [ brian ] there's a bright future here, and there's a chance to get on the ground floor of something big, something that will bring us back. not only this company, but this country.

♪ [ sighs ] i can't wait till morning. wait! it's morning in china! ♪ [ male announcer ] it's sweet, it's nutty... it's absolutely delicious. kellogg's crunchy nut. it's morning somewhere.

few of us could imagine a record-breaking career that began in the safe setting in the church in new jersey would end in such tragic circumstances for whitney houston. since the coroner's investigation is ongoing, it's hard to know how this wonderful vocalist came to breathe her last, but what we do know is this country has lost one of the finest singers to ever grace the earth. if you listen carefully to her recordings, whitney houston's

songs are not driven by the superlative production of someone like quincy jones. she's not backed by lush orb strays, instead it's simply the beauty and magnitude of her voice ♪ i found out ♪ what i've been missing ♪ always on the run ♪ i've been looking for someo someosomeon someone ♪ it's easy to understand why that voice was garlanded with more than 400 awards and sold more than 200 million albums worldwide. but while her voice was a gracious gift, one she used so magnificently, it brought the kind of attention that is almost impossible to manage. it's easy to think that the pressure of fame is an entirely mother-in-law phenomenon, but almost 300 years ago in 1723,

actually the french philosopher voltaire wrote -- what a heavy burden is a name that has become too fame usa. fame is an unequal burden. without that fame few of us would have known about whitney houston. while we had the pleasure of her music, it was she who carried the burden. it's a burden that's now costing lives. amy winehouse most recently, now whitney houston. when mitt any houston first started singing she was surrounded by the warm fellowship of a supportive church. where was the music industry when she was most in need? when her addictions and trucks were front and center, where was the industry which made millions from her work? no, the biggest irony at last night's grammy award was the opening number as performed by bruce springsteen. "we take care of our own" sang the boss. sadly if the life of whitney houston is anything to go by, then that simply isn't true. we'll be right back.

♪ and i will always love you ashley christianson gained fame on iron chef when a piggly wiggly building became available, she decided to buy it. instead of opening just one restaurant, she opened three. chicken and honey, chuck's burger and fox liquor bar. she share the same kitchen, so she saved money on resources. for more, watch "your business" sunday mornings. nnouncer ] there's been a lot of talk about the chevy volt lately. how about some facts? the chevy volt was one of the most awarded cars in 2011. the volt's battery has been tested for more than 395,000 hours. ♪ and, most importantly, the volt has received the highest overall vehicle score for safety possible. [ cheers and applause ]

the extended-range electric chevy volt. hard to argue with the facts. ♪

♪ and just let me be [ male announcer ] this is your moment.

♪ your ticket home ♪ [ male announcer ] this is zales, the diamond store. the 2013 budget wars have begun. the president announced a budget that cuts $4 trillion over a decade, promises to invest in america's long-term future. >> at a time when our economy is growing and creating jobs at a faster clip, we've got to do everybody in our power to keep this recovery on tram. what that allows us to do is invest in the things that will help grow our economy right now. >> naturally the republicans are having none of it. mvp mcconnell called it a failure before it was even announced. eric cantor used the opportunity to try his hand at joke writing, quote, president

obama says he wants an economy built to land, but the budget released dan i don't ultimate lines a plan that is built to come in last. and gop guru paul ryan had this to say -- it continues the president's policy of letting an unaccountable board of bureaucrats cut med ka irin ways that will lead to denied care for seniors. interesting coming from the man who called for gutting medicare. raul grijalva is here with us. good afternoon, sir. >> good afternoon, martin. >> the president's budget plan comes as wort of a house republican plan that would extend just the payroll tax cut without the need to pay for it. is that something that democrats would agree to? >> well, the extension of the payroll tax cut has been a top

agenda item. there's been some level of recognition that they have to do something. the specifics to that we'll get to, but i think the priority has to be the extension. we've always said along we're in an emergency situation, and the offset rules as apply to other things might not be appropriate for this issue. they're coming to that recognition and came to the recognition because of the severe criticism they received when they refused to deal with the payroll tax cut last time around. >> is this not a deliberate measure to avoid extending unemployment benefits? >> oh, absolutely. it goes part and parcel. i consider unemployment benefits, extending them for 2012 as being part of an emergency respond -- economic response to what's going on outside in america where people are unemployed, underemployed or have stopped looking for work. absolutely through no fault of their own think find themselves

without employment, without jobs, and that could be part of the package. we are going to insist it has to be part of the package. they complement each other and help the economy. sir, as you adjust your earpiece, i can see it's irritating you slightly, so thank you for bearing with us. >> what part has a chance of realistically passing? honestly. >> honestly it's going to be difficult. already boehner and the leadership, kantor, ryan whose budget he proposed last year that they approved in the house was -- would have been devastating to medicare, medicaid and to jobs across this country. already they're saying it's dead on arrival. i think the american people are going to want this congress, both sides, to deal with this issue in a very, very profound way and deal with the president's budget. it needs a hearing. it needs the opportunity to succeed. i think the president's budget is a balanced budget.

i think he deals with deficit issues, but also makes significant invests in job crazy, significant investments in helping small businesses hire people and expand, and significant investments in education and fixing our rotting infrastructure in this country. it is a fair, balanced approach that generates revenue, and at the same time deals with this deficit. >> what do you say to republicans who would say the president promised to cut the budget deficit in half by the end of his four years in office, but by his own calculation he's barely put a dent in it, has he? >> well, yeah, and we have to understand, the reality in which we're dealing with right now. >> it is also important for the government to intervene and provide direct investment to create jobs and once jobs -- and

you will see that spending will increase and the issues with the budget as retch increases will begin to be dealt with. per peckual recession for too long? the -- the reality is the reality that real americans are facing every day. >> raul gr hall have a, you can remove that earpiece once and for all. thank you very much. >> thank you. stay with us. the day's top lines are next. he's still in the 30 percentile mark. he still hasn't risen above that yet, because we are not convinced. >> but governor, he's been

running for five years. >> and he's spent millions, but hasn't risen yet. ♪ oh i want to dance with somebody ♪ ♪ i want to feel the heat with somebody ♪ lounge and an ipad ♪ ♪ made sure his credit score did not go bad ♪ ♪ with a free-credit-score-dot-com ♪ ♪ app that he had ♪ downloaded it in the himalayas ♪ ♪ while meditating like a true playa ♪ ♪ now when he's surfing down in chile'a ♪ ♪ he can see when his score is in danger ♪ ♪ if you're a mobile type on the go ♪ ♪ i suggest you take a tip from my bro ♪ ♪ and download the app that lets you know ♪ ♪ at free-credit-score-dot-com now let's go. ♪ vo: offer applies with enrollment in freecreditscore.com™. what makes us number one in motorcycle insurance? we love bikes.

we love riders. and most of all, we love to ride. perfect hair every time. leading the pack in motorcycle insurance. now, that's progressive. call or click today.

saturday night live, is among the top lines. >> knute is an enthusiastic golfer. he gets in and out of more sand traps than anyone i have ever seen. >> check me if i'm wrong, but if i kill all the golfers, they will lock me up and throw away the key. >> i was a severely conservative governor. >> i've never heard it said, i'm a severe conservative. >> obama is clear did i -- did you see him singing al green. ♪ i'm so in love with you >> singing "let's stay

together." >> he knows his limitations. >> not a cesspool, more like a hot tub. ♪ hot tub what we didn't know was how kind so many americans were -- >> is it patriotic for you to stash away your money in the cayman islands? >> that's okay. that's a good question. >> i don't try to rig straw polls. you'll have to talk -- hello imite mitt romney. i'm relaxes and not appearing ill at ease. >> he just doesn't have the enthusiasm. >> people have referred to my as the rimmie cunningham candidate. >> i'm going to pot you one so you stop playing games. >> women in infantry, there's physiological differences. >> when newt sees a woman's life in danger, he abandons her. >> it's important that women both outside the home and inside the home are firm for their

choices they make. >> that's what we do at our house on sunday. >> that's no problem. that's a new quote for me. let's bring in our panel michael eric dyson an msnbc contributor, author, scholar and professor and misha till et. good afternoon to both. professor dyson, he sounded like adam in the garden of eden who first blamed his wife from eating from the tree of life and then said he couldn't recall a passage from his own book. you're an author, sir, what you this think about his team to explain away his comments? >> it's revisionist history, but of yourself. i'm reminded what happened once with charles barkley, in referring to his own autobiography, saying, hey, i was misquoted. here's a case of someone having written the book for him perhaps, and secondly of

conveniently and expediently changing his mind. i think the republicans constantly facing statements they made in the past, arguments they have relitigated, and now coming to a particular situation in the present where it doesn't serve them well. i think rick santorum is nothing but the outward manifestation of this inward angst. >> instead. >> i think it's another ploy in which you have cultural differences argued at biological differences. i was thinking of when truman deseg re gated the armed forces, the argument was that white southerners wouldn't want it, they wouldn't know how to adjust. so we have santorum saying similar things, men won't know

how to adjust women being on the front lines, their emotional responses, men's emotional responses will be so overwhelming they won't be able to serve in the military. well, right, men's responses determines whether women should be there or not? >> i think "saturday night live" got it best, saying santorum is giving us an argument for why men shouldn't serve in the military. >> professor dyson, what's your reaction? >> i think the professor is brilliant. that's the predicate for that argument. trying to translate cultural differences into biologically based one. is race a genetic construction or something we wait for the -- the same with gender here. what rick santorum is trying to do is to fashion notions of gender boo specific detailed and concrete ideas that are forever in the day true. that's just not true. we've seen the evolution of women's roles, men's

consciousness about women's roles, and an professor tiller just pointed to we have an evolution of conscience. >> you teach a -- how do you understand whitney houston's sad and sudden task. in any way to intervene. >> it's very difficult. first of all whitney houston had a pop, you know sensibility, and african-american et theic, yet rooted locally. that's why she was able to translate to the entire world, yet maintain connections to vital traditions which nurtured her, but that having been said. the sell ductions, the temptations, the northwestibility conflicts, the personal demons that we all confront means that the industry looks on as a spectator, not

feeling it can intervene in any redemptive or edifying because it depends on the dramatic expression to create great art, but it doesn't know when to intervene, step in and say we need to try to get help for this person. it's a very delicate balance. her family tried to intervene. she her self-made a valiant effort, but in the end the dramatic consequences of such behavior probably hurt her in a way that we all lament, because we've all struggled with that, just not in the glare of an international media. >> professor, to mark the point sony has jacked up the price of her music on itunes, the grammys get its biggest audience since 1984. the exploitation of her talent continues. i think we're still wrestling with the death of whitney houston. for so many of us grew up in the '80s, saw her as an icon as a reel model, it's been devastating.

in some ways the tribute we all wanted and expected, and jennifer head son did a beautiful job and the fact that sony is ratcheting up the price just to benefit from her death is part of the problem that professor dyson was alluding to. how do you maintain your fame and be a human being at the same time? >> professor dyson, adele, barely 23, picked up six grammys last night. how does a young woman like that learn from some of these tragedies and avoid some of the pitfalls, because celine dion today is being quoted as saying she's frightened up the music business, she generally doesn't socialize for fear of being corrupted by it. >> well, i think i've heard from good authority that adele has put her foot down, if she's not feeling well, she doesn't participate. for the last several months we haven't heard from her because of the surgery, but here's a young woman in the embrace of things of a very balanced

perspective, it seems, an appreciation for the gift of music, but also an understanding this machinery can eat you a i live and spit you back out. looking at the examples of whitney houston or michael jackson or others who have pioneered the path before her and blaze the trail that has been both edifying and also destructive, i think she's in good company with those who tell her slow down a bit, if you don't feel well, don't do it. we hope that's the case, into you she's an extraordinary talent and well deserved the six grammys she picked up. >> thank you both for joining us this afternoon. >> thank you. stay with us. much more ahead. this is why we're conservatives. this must be our greatest hour as conservatives. i know conservatism, because i have lived conservatism. conservative constants have shaped my life. i was a severely conserve 2i6 republican governor. ♪ i'm every woman

♪ it's all in me ♪ anything you said done baby ♪ i do it naturally [ male announcer ] say goodbye to "ho-hum," and hello to "whoa, yum." use campbell's cream of chicken soup to make easy enchiladas, cheesy chicken & rice, and other chicken dishes that are oh...so...whoa. campbell's. it's amazing what soup can do. until the end of the quarter to think about your money... ♪ that right now, you want to know where you are, and where you'd like to be. we know you'd like to see the same information your advisor does so you can get a deeper understanding of what's going on with your portfolio. we know all this because we asked you, and what we heard helped us create pnc wealth insight, a smarter way to work with your pnc advisor, so you can make better decisions and live achievement. nyqui tylenol: me, too. and cougnasal congestion.ers?or, nyquil:what? tissue box (whispering): he said nasal congestion... nyquil: i heard him. anncr vo: tylenol cold multi-symptom nighttime

relieves nasal congestion... nyquil cold & flu doesn't. [ horn honks ] ♪ oh, those were the best of days ♪ ♪ i still feel the summer rays ♪ that graced our backs as we went down the lane ♪ [ horn honks ] [ male announcer ] when your car is more than just a car to you, the right insurance matters. are you getting the coverage options you need and the discounts you deserve? for an agent or quote, call 800-my-coverage or visit travelers.com. but we couldn't simply repeat history. we had to create it. introducing the 2013 lexus gs, with leading-edge safety technology, like available blind spot monitor... [ tires screech ] ...night view... and heads-up display. [ engine revving ] the all-new 2013 lexus gs.

there's no going back. gives you a 50% annual bonus! so you earn 50% more cash. according to research, everybody likes more cash. well, almost everybody... ♪ would you like 50% more cash? no! but it's more money. [ male announcer ] the new capital one cash rewards card. the card for people who want 50% more cash. what's in your wallet? woah! [ giggles ] i see your cup of joe goes with you. how nice of joe to, how you say, have your back. try something different. a delicious gevalia kaffe, or as i like to say, a cup of johan. will johan power walk the mall with you? i don't think so. but he will spend time rubbing your feet, discussing your feelings. ♪ joe may have your back, but johan has your feet.

gevalia. meet me in the coffee aisle. just few months ago the unthinkable happened when america's credit rating was actually lowered for the first time in history. and what's this president's response? a budget he knows his own party won't support. that's his response. so this is a charade. a charade. that's senator mcconnell's -- the big bruising 2013 budget battle is a larger version of a battle that must clue, that's when the payroll tax cut and extended unemployment insurance will expire, meaning higher taxes for 160 million americans, and no more help for the more than 5 million long-term unemployed. joining us is chris van hollen

of maryland. good afternoon, sir. >> martin, good to be with you. >> republicans are today floating a plan that would extend just the payroll tax cut without the need to pay for it. is this a deal that you think democrats might be able to live with? >> well, martin, we should move forward on all three pieces. we could extend the payroll tax cut for 160 million americans, and i'm glad to hear our republican colleagues seem to be saying they're willing to do that without offsets that sock it to others in the middle class, but we should also make sure the millions of americans who are unemployed through no fault of their own and have paid into the unemployment system continue to get support. there are millions of seniors on medicare who rely on doctors, and that's why it's important we deal with that piece as well. >> and as you know, sir, one of the things that republicans would like to attach to any extension of unemployment benefits is drug testing. is that something that democrats

would accept? >> well, the drug testing is a red herring. it suggests -- >> not according to the republicans, sir. >> yeah, they're going to push to try to make sure that folks who are on unemployment have all these hurdles in front of them. the reality is people who are unemployed are not using drugs any more, as you know, than the people in the general population. in fact, in florida they found out it was lower. so, look, we will look at various policy ideas, the republicans, but as long as they're not specifically designed to prevent people from accessing benefits that both they and their employers have paid into the system, so that they could be there when they need it the most. >> indeed. one of the things i find confusing is despite accusing the president of wanting to transform america into a european socialized state, it's actually the republicans who want the president to impose european-style austerity

measures, as you know. given how well that's gone down in europe, unemployment in ireland is 16%. in britain gdp growth is minus. why do they keep pushing this approach? >> that's a very good question. it's a surefire way to hurt jobs and hurt the economy. i remember a year ago when our republican colleagues said look at they conservative governments. now we know the results of that. the results have been more job loss, higher unemployment in the uk, and yet that's the prescription republicans have for the united states. it would have the same result here, slowing down the recovery, which is why the chairman of the federal reserve, which is the head of the nonpartisan budget office have testified that that kind of austerity strategy,

immediate deep cuts will hurt the economy and put people out work. >> indeed. i read that you said the fastest and most effective way is to put americas ban to work. >> that's right. that's -- the president's budget did that. a big piece of the president's budget, at least for this coming year is to enact the jobs plan that he outlined to congress way back last september. the republicans in the house have refused to move that legislation. that would involved about $50 billion of investment in our infrastructure, roads and bridges, put people back to work in the construction industry, which has been particularly hard hit. it would provide more money for cool constructions, provide some assistance to states so they don't have to lay off teachers and firefighters, and then of course it would also extend the payroll tax cut.

the president called for that since way last september. i hope the recent moves -- >> i'm not sure about that. as you know, your republican colleagues have spent the last few days igniting a firestorm over contraception. >> yes. >> it would be remiss of me not to ask you what you think is behind this. what's behind this? as you rightly said, we've got the need of thousands of teachers to be employed. we have the opportunity to employ firefighters. we have the opportunity to rebuild the infrastructure of this country, because roads and bridges are in a terrible state. and yesterday last week the only thing i heard about was contraception. >> that's right. what's happened is the jobs picture seems to be improving. we obviously had a very good report for january. the economy seems to be getting back on its feet, though we have to take the steps the president

has called to to make sure we nurture it. as a result, the republicans apparently decided to change the conversation. they want to go back to hot button social issues and the reality is that the proposal the president came up with that makes sure that women have access to contradeposition, but also makes sure that we protect religious liberties, which is the solution that he crafted, if that had put an end to the conversation, that the be one thing, but unfortunately or republican colleges seem to whattic to keep that issue alive. i don't know. maybe the news on the economy is too positive and they don't want to talk about it. i'm not sure, martin especially once the president came up with a plan to resolve that issue. congressman van hollen, thank you for joining us. >> thank you. we'll be right back, but first brian sullivan is here with a cnbc market wrap. good afternoon, brian. >> good afternoon, martin.

people are putting money back to work. talk of a deal in greece. remember, though, it is not completely done. you havy you aro zone finance ministers meeting on wednesday. it looks good at least on paper for a greek deal. the markets are higher, one stop, a little company called apple. now worth half a trillion. just the cash hoard alone could cause greece's problems. more martin bashir half the break. [ male announcer ] if you believe the mayan calendar, on december 21st, polar shifts will reverse the earth's gravitational pull and hurtle us all into space, which would render retirement planning unnecessary. but say the sun rises on december 22nd and you still need to retire, td ameritrade's investment consultants can help you build a plan that fits your life. we'll even throw in up to $600 when you open a new account or roll over an old 401(k). so who's in control now, mayans?

i never believed anything as much as i believed i'd be overweight and unhealthy my whole life... until weight watchers. points plus gave me strength nothing else did. and i lost 46 pounds. my name is lindsey, and i'm 23 years young. i believe because it works. your turn. your time. your year. [ female announcer ] weight watchers, rated #1 best plan for weight loss by us news & world report. [ jennifer ] join for free. weight watchers points plus 2012. because it works. i'm going to own my own restaurant. i want to be a volunteer firefighter. when i grow up, i want to write a novel. i want to go on a road trip. when i grow up, i'm going to go there. i want to fix up old houses. [ female announcer ] at aarp we believe you're never done growing. i want to fall in love again. [ female announcer ] discover what's next in your life. get this free travel bag when you join at aarp.org/jointoday.

israel accused iran and hezbollah of being responsible for two attacks. despite iran denying responsibility rgs it's the latest example of tensions mounting in the row on. the president's approach continues to be ridiculed by republicans. >> this president has failed on every dimension of foreign

policy. this president has weakened america's strength. >> obama's miscalculations are changing history. as we are now on the verge of a nuclear iran. iran is committed to both the destruction of israel and of the united states. and they are the epicenter of global jihad. >> mark ginsburg joins us. good afternoon. >> good afternoon, martin. >> there's already immense anxiety surrounding the relationship between israel and iran. you have expertise in this region. do you sense this is a conflict that's getting closer to an eruption? >> yes, unfortunately, it looks more and more that that's the case because iran is getting closer to actually taking its uranium and being able to transform that into a nuclear

weapon, courtesy of scientists who have been on retainer to accomplish that goal. the israelis have made it clear that that's the ultimate red line for them in terms of them having to deal with an iran that's not only nuclear rising, but enhancing their support for hezbollah and hamas. >> aside from the absurdity of republicans suggest we stop bombing iran, is there signs that the president's measured approach using sanctions and international pressure is already putting iran under caroli considerable pressure? >> the real problem here is that sanctions have only one fundamental purpose. and that is not to inflict pain

and suffering on the people of iran, but to alter the regime's conduct. despite all of the very talented work that the administration has engaged in in terms of sanctions, it has not been able to change the decision-making of own riching uranium beyond a peaceful program. no other test matters here. >> in specific terms, iran is the largest exporter of terror in the world, but the iranian describe his comments as being sheer lies. who is right on this? >> it's hard to tell, obviously. i myself cannot factually tell you, but there's no doubt there's a war being waged by elements supporting israel, if not israel itself, in these

assassinations of scientists. mysterious bombs going off in the missile facilities. this that's gone on for years between the intelligence services of iran and israel that have poured into south america and elsewhere. there's no doubt there's an intelligence conflict being waged by the elements of the israeli secret service as well as iran's revolutionary guards. it takes all forms whether it's in lebanon or syria or against israel or israeli diplomats and inside iran. >> very briefly sir, the chinese vice president is visiting d.c. should the administration be working harder at garnering the support of china and russia in opposed to the nuclear plans? >> there's no doubt. and there's no doubt that the russians in particular deserve to be called out by this administration. just think of what they are doing in syria. they vetoed a resolution.

under cover of this veto, they brought in tremendous amount of military equipment to support the assad regime. the administration deserves to be criticize d in stopping that transfer or to call the russians out. indeed when the new head of china comes here trying to peel off the chinese from russia is going to be important. russia deserves to be isolated for its support for iran's nuclear program and its support for the killing machine that's going on in syria right now. >> i wish we had more time. thank you for joining us this afternoon. thank you. we'll be right back. conquer you. burn! let's do it! ♪ hi. [ female announcer ] outlast your day, any day, with secret's 48-hour odor protection technology. new secret outlast. in your breakfast cereal, what is? now, in every box of general mills big g cereal,

there's more whole grain than any other ingredient. that's why it's listed first. get more whole grain than any other ingredient... just look for the white check. get more whole grain than any other ingredient... i have copd. if you have it, you know how hard it can be to breathe and what that feels like. copd includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. spiriva helps control my copd symptoms... by keeping my airways open a full 24 hours. plus, it reduces copd flare-ups. spiriva is the only once-daily inhaled copd maintenance treatment that does both. and it's steroid-free. spiriva does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms. tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, glaucoma, trouble urinating, or an enlarged prostate. these may worsen with spiriva. discuss all medicines you take, even eye drops. stop taking spiriva and seek immediate medical help if your breathing suddenly worsens, your throat or tongue swells, you get hives, vision changes or eye pain, or problems passing urine. other side effects include dry mouth and constipation. nothing can reverse copd.

spiriva helps me breathe better. does breathing with copd weigh you down? ask your doctor if spiriva can help.

♪ and just let me be [ male announcer ] this is your moment. ♪ your ticket home ♪ [ male announcer ] this is zales, the diamond store. thanks for watching this afternoon. dylan ratigan is here. he's back from texas and ready to go. >> i was just making faces at my friend when you put me on national television without telling me. >> i didn't know you were making