hi, everyone. the "news nation" is following a friday face-off with the two presidential campaigns taking swings at each other in swing states today. president obama scheduled to land in nevada within this hour. mitt romney just wrapped up a campaign event in north carolina. now, romney this afternoon attempted to take the focus off social issues and that bullying gate, if you want to call it that and shift it back to the economy by taking this swipe at the president's visit to nevada. >> right now we're finding people across the country that are experiencing some hard times. i think one of the reasons is because we have a president who has installed some of the old liberal policies from the past. and they didn't work then and they sure as heck are not working now and they'll not work in the future. >> let me bring in the senior political columnist for the washington examiner. and amy stoddard from the hill. let me start with you.

this is your first time on "news nation." thank you for joining us. let's talk about mitt romney trying to preemthe president's words that we will hear in nevada coming up. this is an interesting strategy. we've seen it at least once or twice before with him. >> i think that romney has to be happy that the topic is turning back to the, when the topic does turn back to the economy. because that is obama's weakness. if this race is about obama's record on the economy, romney sees he has an advantage. he sees obama trying to distract and talk about other things. so if he sets the tone, sets the expectation that romney has to, that obama has to address economic issues, that is moving the ball more into his court. >> the president will be standing alongside a.b., a family who benefited from some of the measures sought by this president to help out folks who needed lending help to stay in their homes. here are the images. mitt romney in north carolina. we're going to play a little of what he had to say. the image of the president in nevada with a family he says was

helped by more changes needed by this congress, who of course, the president's supporters sees everything he is attempting to do. >> the president is the president. and the incumbent president has a lot more campaign advantage than a challenger and mitt romney is not going to be flying around on air force one able to find a bunch of people who have benefited from his policies. when he was governor or what have you. the president has the bully pulpit and he will be able to find the right factory, the right school, the right anything that benefited from his agenda the last couple years. that's what he is going to campaign on. at every stop mitt romney is going to have to attack his policies, remind the vote,the economy is still in a fragile shape, and that the economic outlook for the rest of this year is not ready to improve. so that is something that we're going to be watching every single week, tamron. it won't really change.

i think given the week that they've both had with the gay marriage accident for the president and then mitt romney's having to answer and not remembering this really raw story of bullying from high school, i think they're both happy to have that economic fight. >> to your point, it is not as if, tim bringing up the fact that romney wants to talk about the economy. there is no evidence the president does not want to talk with that issue as well. hebs the reason that he is focusing on this to do list which was supposed to be the agenda, to your point, a.b., at the beginning of the week when everything changed. let me play a little of what governor romney had to say in north carolina. >> some of the old liberal policies from the past. they're a throwback. a throwback to the old liberal ideas of the past. >> we highlighted this match-up because you kept hearing romney say this throwback, referencing old policies. obviously he wants to skip the

policies of the president that preceded this one. nevertheless, getting back to this topic of getting back, to the issue of the economy. a.b. hit on something very important. it is not agency if this president is running from discussing the economy and what he believes he had work. and the obstacle which in his mind, the republicans to advance some of these initiatives he is going to talk about. >> it is my opinion that obama, more so, a lot of his liberal supporters are trying to distract every week with something new. >> what do you point to? >> the silly idea that there is a war on women talking about gay marriage. all of these things are attempts to distract. whether that is coming from the white house. >> the silly idea that there is a war against women. whether you subscribe to it or not, a, i don't think it is a silly idea. i think a lot of women will take issue with that. if there is a conversation regarding war on women, i don't

want to start with it being called silly. >> go with, okay. the way it is articulated by democrats is that republicans are, quote, and this is also a quote from many msnbc shows, waging a war on women. that is not the way to begin any sort of discussion. there can be discussions and they're not easy ones to have about whether or not taxpayers ought to be subsidizing planned parenthood. >> or whether or not invasive ultrasounds should be happening to women. >> if you're talking to governor bob mcdonnell from virginia. >> they see some substance there and also some concern on this silly war. but go ahead. >> the original bill was a bad bill. to talk about a war on women is not to say let's have a debate about the appropriate government role in these issues. it is simply to try to distract and to launch attacks at people. so a talk about policy or talk about the economy is a trickier thing and i think obama does do

it well. and i do agree with a.b., when he goes in, he points, this is a company that got a six did i from us. or this is a company that builds windmills and they got a loan guarantee from us. obama because of his economic policies giving lots of tax credits. giving loan guarantees. he can point to lots of company and then their employees who are benefiting from it. so i do think that is a challenge for romney because if he's going to try to say no, we shouldn't be handing out these subsidies, he has to make a much bigger argument about what do we do to not favor these company. >> on the to do list, he will call on congress to cut the red tape he feel is responsible for not getting lower more gang to secure or refinance their home, to get a lower rate and again, you have this to do list in front of us. that the president wanted to talk about, starting on monday. tim believes or others might believe that the campaign tried to distract with the issue of

same sex marriage. we all know, at least we believe to know that that was not some greater plan. they did not plan for joe biden who since apologized for getting ahead of the president, to come out on "meet the press" with this secret jedi mind trick to david gregory to get him to ask this question and that's where we are now. that's kind of crazy. >> the last thing that the team obama swants for swing voters to believe he is avoiding the subject of the economy. as for the to do list, it is proposals that haven't been taken up by democrats either. frankly, they are proposals from mostly from his jobs act that was introduced in september of last fall. republican there's tell you they passed 30 jobs bills and they're tired of the senate refusing to pick them up. everyone can fight about where to move tax credits around to and from. frankly, the president's own base has been frustrated with his efforts on housing and think that he's moved too late in that area. what i think is interesting about today is that mitt romney is trying to steal the language

that the president is using with his new theme of forward in his campaign. we can't go back. we're going to move this country forward. we can't go back. romney is trying to mimic this language by saying, we're not going to go to those tax and spend liberal policies of the past. and i think it is interesting that romney thinks it is such a compelling phrase that he will try to its himself. >> that's smart. i don't think it is stealing. everyone wants to hear how you can move us forward. that's a part of, even, i think, some of the criticism with mitt romney. at one point in time coming out saying all these wrong things that he believes the administration had decided upon without coming one a clear idea of his vision for the future. people don't, the republicans have criticized even the obama administration in the past for too much about the prior administration so it goes both ways. let me talk about nevada specifically in play with the lieutenant governor had to say regarding the president's visit.

this is what the lieutenant governor of nevada had to say. >> i appreciate the fact that the president is coming to town and sitting in the living room with the kellers, but it won't solve our problems. >> the problems are, to be fair, significant in nevada. the unemployment rate, the highest if not one of the highest. one in every 300 home in foreclosures. i was there. we were driving around and building after building abandoned. it is not an easy situation the president is landing into as he arrives in nevada. >> i think it is an easier situation for president obama to address than it would be if mitt romney had to lay out a solution. again, romney can point to obama didn't prevent this from happening. the free market solution which romney says he subscribes to, it is a cold hearted one. which is that housing prices are too high and housing prices do need to come down and that will

involve foreclosures and lots and lots of personal pain. if you're romney, you can't propose a solution. if you're obama who believes in the government trying to come in and meddle and manage with this. >> or correct some of the shenanigans on banks that caused these uncreditably unfair loans. >> but i don't think the sort of throwback language that romney is adopting from the obama campaign works for romney. in part because i don't think that obama's big government philosophies are the same as the 1970s ones. obama is hand in hand with many industries. with the solar industry, with general electric work boeing. he is not waging a war on corporate america in the way that the ralph nader liberals. were it is not going back. it is a new sort of liberalism in my view. >> all right. thank you. a.b. stoddard, thank you. we'll have more on the president's response as he lands there. and coming up, mitt romney set to deliver a commencement

address to students at the largest christian university in the country after a back lash from some students. how far into his faith will everything? does he even need to? plus, speaking of back lash. the family of the man allegedly bullied by governor romney in high school are slamming the story as a political agenda. with that said, the long history of a man who could be president matter? it is our "news nation" gut check. you get to chime in on this friday and join our conversation on twitter. emily's just starting out... and on a budget.

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supporters of mitt romney are rallying around him following the report that he bullied a classmate nearly 50 years ago.

the alleged victim died recently. his family writes the important trail of john is factually incorrect and we are 'aggrieved that john would be used to further a political agenda. the incident allegedly happened while romney was a student at the prestigious cranbrook boarding school. he has apologized but says he doesn't remember the incident. the story exposes romney to a bigger problem. many voters are trying to figure out exactly who he is. let me bring in democratic strategist, back with us, i'll start with you, till. let me show how the governor responded to this report. >> i had no idea that this person might have been gay and as the article points out, i participated in a lot of high jinx and pranks during high school. and some may have gone too far. and for that i apologize. >> 50 years ago. do you believe that the governor and his campaign handled this the right way? did they give it too much life?

>> i think that the "washington post" article is a good article. i think that the focus that has come on it from the media, from msnbc, in particular, has been absurd. that romney pushing this aside and attempting to talk about other issues would be the appropriate reaction. this does not matter. one episode that happened 50 years ago, nearly, does not matter. you know we have an 8.1% unemployment rate. you know this president waged an illegal war in libya. that you know romney has so many other problems. i will attack romney on legitimate grounds. i'll talk about his economic policy being incoherent. but trying to make an issue out of mitt romney bullying somebody nearly 50 years ago is ridiculous and it is a big part of the reason most of america doesn't trust the main stream media. >> you should also know that sean hannity did a significant portion of his show on this. with that said, jimmy, let me

bring you in on this. obviously the romney team feeling the need to get out there and discuss this. it is not because of our prime time coverage that they're doing that. they see this could be a potential problem for them. timing aside, we are talking so much about same sex marriage. our first read team points out that it reminds people he was a privileged kid which no one was bad mouthing that. but you have as you well know in popular culture, this image of the prep school kid and his jacket with the emblem being this type of person that i can't even use the word on television. but there is an image problem here. >> look, listen, romney has two problems with this particular incident, if you will. not because he bullied. let me be clear. kids bully. i was bullied, i bullied, it happens to every kid. it is a fact of growing up. and sometimes people take it too far. sometimes it is just a plain old prank. here's romney's problem with this. first it makes him look, going

to a boarding school, that he is out of touch. which again he went to the school where his parents did. a lot of people who could afford it, you can't knock him for the school he attend. >> no doubt about it. but that's not my problem with mitt romney. my problem with mitt romney is that we have a pattern. the pattern is he cannot get his story straight. the pattern is that he cannot seem to figure out what his message is on this issue. every day that mitt romney is not talking about the economy, and the obama campaign is about this kind of stuff is bad for mitt romney. and i've got to be honest with you. he keeps going over and over and over again repeating dumb stuff. an gillespie went on chuck todd yesterday and said he doesn't remember it. when you pin a kid down and cut his hair off, you remember these things. he did the right thing and apologized but you just can't run around and say you don't remember these things. it is a poor excuse and it is just a pattern here. it looks bad. >> i think i remember most things that i've done in high school and some of the things i

probably would deny that i've done in high school. to be fair, we don't know if the governor does not recall. we do know he's apologized and i guess the heart of it for me is not the quote/unquote hit job, as it has been referred to on the right that they are alleging. it is the response that his campaign and that governor romney. i want to play another incident with colorado. he was in colorado and a report he asked him about two hot button issues in that state. and look at his response. let me play it, please. >> one of our viewers asked should marijuana be legalized. >> aren't there issues of significance that you would like to talk about? >> this is a significant issue in colorado. >> the economy, the need to put people back to work, the challenges of iran. we've got enormous issues that we face. you want to talk -- >> medical marijuana. >> i think marijuana should not be legal in this country. >> so there you have it. the point is he is doing local television. that is a local report he asking about something that is

important to the people of that particular state. and his response, you know, people are raising an eyebrow about. >> i'll talk about the marijuana in one second. what you're doing here is a typical media trick. you hype up a story and then you justify the second day coverage of the story by saying people are about it. here's how romney responded to it. let's move on to substantive issues. >> you didn't have to accept the invitation to come on. you knew what we were going to be discussing. >> yes. i came on -- >> hang on. you're kind of in my house here. the problem is this. the story is out there. you're right. i am not saying that we should belabor what happened 50 years ago. we're about the response by the campaign and by the governor. not just on this issue. >> you are bringing up a meta story. what is romney's response to this other nonstory. i'm trying to go meta meta on you and say -- >> you don't want me to go anything out. you're actually irritate megaright now. i'm going to be honest with you. yes, you are. you knew the topics we were

going to discuss. you knew them. you agreed. and we are not talking or demeaning -- listen, 50 years ago i was a much tougher kid probably than mitt romney was in high school. i'm not talking about the issue of whether he was bullying or not. he said he doesn't remember. to be fair, i cannot say he does. what i'm asking you about is how the campaign has handled this decision, handled this situation, how he handled the colorado report he. how he handled same sex marriage where he said he agrees with gay parents being able to adopt but he does not agree with same sex marriage. just the handling of questions yontd the economy. if you're not comfortable about that, i am a-okay but you're not going to come on and insult me. you won't come on and insult the network when you knew what you were going to talk about. let me talk to jimmy. i'm done. let me go to you, jimmy. i say there with all great respect. we're not ambushing jimmy or team. we want you to talk about just this story and how it is being handled. it is part of a political conversation that his campaign has felt the need to defend

rightfully so, mr. romney. they also indicated they believe it was exaggerated and off base. that anyone who knows romney knows he does not have a mean spirit in his body. so this is a fair conversation with the handling of this situation. jimmy? >> listen. his campaign in my opinion has not handled at this time best way they could have. if i were advising mitt romney, my advice to him would be simple. i don't remember it. if i did it, i am sorry. it is bad treatment. and let's move on. however, i have to take a little bit of issue here. in 2004, how did george bush win his re-election? gay marriage. gay marriage. gay marriage all day long. so frankly this idea that we can't have a substantive conversation about issues that actually affect people besides the economy is a red herring. we can have a conversation about those and clearly mitt romney does not want to have a conversation about gay marriage or adoption or medical marijuana or anything that doesn't have to do with gdp and jobs. i get why he doesn't want to do. that he is uncomfortable in that

realm. but his campaign has to be more nimble. >> perhaps he's made his stance clear. the president only this week made a clearer statement about same sex marriage. to be fair to governor romney, obviously we all know, it is about the economy. he feels that that is his strong point. he is a businessman who wants to point out what he believes he can do for this country. in addition, however, to that, we know that the dominant story this week was same sex marriage and we know that his campaign took this "washington post" report seriously, enough so that they have responded in a serious sub tan i have the way, i believe, to something they know could be a concern to some people even though it happened 50 years ago. >> it is a timing issue. if the president had not come out in support of gay marriage or equal marriage equality this week, i'm not sure that this story would have been as prescient, frankly. since it is and it is the same exact week, liberty. if mitt romney wins, he is going to be my president and i am a gay american.

frankly if he thinks i don't key serve the exact same equal rights that his kids do to get married, guess what. that does affect me and his campaign is running a campaign against that. when you walk into a ballot, when you walk into a voting booth, you pull the curtain. it is remarkably personal. you vote your personal issues there. when i walk in, i vote the person that will be with me more. and guess what? mitt romney is not. he is uncomfortable. >> we know in this country, there are people who obviously subscribe to this same viewpoint as mitt romney and that's why it is a conversation here. i greatly appreciate you joining me. i would do the same for tim but we have to be able to have conversations and not do hit jobs when we know we're guests on the show. thank you both. no way a judge refuses to dismiss the case against john edwards after a last-ditch effort by his attorneys. now the former presidential candidates turned to present his side is up. and the republican arizona sheriff forced to announce he is gay after a scandal earlier this year, has another big announce many to share.

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coming up, owning his story. the bully or the businessman. rorm romney's team tries to get the alleged bully story behind them and shift back to the economy. with the question out there saying who is mitt romney? do haunting high school stories really matter? plus, the morgan mess. barney frank goes after big banks who have been fighting tougher regulations in wake of j.p. morgan revealing it lost billions after, quote, egregious errors. and be sure to check our "news nation" tumblr page. we've updated every single day. hi, i just switched jobs, and i want to roll over my old 401(k) into a fidelity ira. man: okay, no problem. it's easy to get started; i can help you with the paperwork. um...this green line just appeared on my floor. yeah, that's fidelity helping you reach your financial goals.

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own money. congressman barney frank who co-authored the reform law issued a statement in part saying the financial institutions do not need the new rules to help them avoid the irresponsible actions that led them to the crisis of 2008 is at least $2 billion harder to make today. joining me now, columnist and contributor, zachary carabel. he couldn't wait to get out that statement. >> i don't buy it. he has an agenda. it is clear. that these regulations have really not gone into effect. we are two years after the passage of this legislation. it is too complicated and people are arguing about it. what is really striking about what happened to j.p. morgan is not that this was the relentless pursuit of greed. it was the loss aversion. >> explain to us exactly whammed. it was called an egregious error. what happened here? >> the bank has this internal fund. they were trying to hedge against the risks of their

mortgage loans, their housing loans, their european sovereign loans. they had a unit set up to prevent losses. the whole mantra of banks for the past four years is we went through an originally of derivatives of speculation for the housing bubble. now we have to hoard our capital and prevent ourselves from losing money. there is no such thing as risk-free banking. they've gone from one extreme to the other. banks are not putting capital in motion. they are not lending. they are not fulfilling that role in society that is necessary and this fund was an example of why that has happened. not what barney frank has said. this is not an example of relentless greed. >> his point is that it shows that there needs to be new rules and regulations. >> the only thing that would prevent this from happening is if you broke these banks up. there is nothing in the dodd frank regulations that will prevent banks using their own capital. what it prevents is using your and my deposits to trade derivatives. this is their money.

the bank has a holding company. the consumers, you and me who saw what happened in 2008, what is the larger problem? >> the only way to solve these systemic issues would be to separate these functions in totally separate institutions. right now the incentive for these banks based on regulations on the one hand and shareholders on the other. that is not good for our economy. >> and not good for anybody trying to get a loan. any of these things. small businesses. >> and i applaud the attempt to regulate these things. i think these were really infective regulations and i think frank is wrong in saying, this just proves that we need those regulations. the regulations we have don't prevent this. >> the dow opened lower as a result but it turned up. i don't see the number. >> flat for the day. which is kind of surprising. you would think this would be a cascade effect. the fact is the dow sold off a lot this week based on europe, based on all these things. in that respect people know there is some trouble in that. of course, the reality is even

losing $2 billion, j.p. morgan chase is going to make $4 billion. they are a very large institution with big number. >> thank you for coming on. have a great weekend. now to the week that was in politics. as the 2012 elections season, of course, is in high gear, the "news nation" is launching a new segment. we're calling it the political post script. we dig a little deep entire the headlines. this week the conversation started with joe biden on "meet the press." >> i am absolutely comfortable with the fact men marrying men, women marrying women are entitled to the exact same rights, all the civil rights and liberties. i don't see much of a distinction. >> do you believe that same sex men and women should be able

you on that. his position is what it was. >> at a certain point, i've concluded that for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that i think same sex couples should be able to get married. >> nbc news deputy political editor joins us. with the post script, we know the president wanted to talk about his to do list. we know mitt romney wanted to discuss the economy. and here we are with that view of the week. >> certainly president obama who had kicked off his campaign last saturday, started a $25 million ad campaign with four different ads across six different states. they certainly wanted to be able

to talk about that. instead the week was dominated by same sex marriage. it will forever be known as the week that president obama came out in favor of same sex marriage. and mitt romney thought he would be responding on. this they had a whole message on the economy and they got sidetracked and having to apologize for behavior by mitt romney 50 years ago, while he was in prep school. so both campaigns, way off script. >> absolutely. we were talking earlier with one of our guests about the fact that obviously the economy is the most important thing. and people often, or some often like to skribt as the main stream media going for these distracted issues. in reality, this was an historic moment for our country with the president being the first to come out and say he supports same sex marriage. obviously the economy is utmost importance no matter who you date, where you live. bills count in this world. staying in your home counts in this world. as the president is in nevada.

nonetheless, it was an important topic that both of these men in different ways. >> what's interesting about this politically, this isn't 2004. when you saw george w. bush pushing for a federal ban on gay marriage. this is not where we are. over the past eight years. over even just the past two and a half years. things have shifted quite a bit. even george w. bush himself who had pushed for that ban is now in favor of civil uppers. people like dick cheney who have come out and been, said therefore, gay marriage. and the difference, the only people who are really strongly pushing the message, something we were listening for when the president spoke about how would mitt romney respond. how would established republicans on the hill respond. it was a very muted message. you heard from rick perry, rick santorum, michele bachmann. some of the social conservatives who you would speck to hear from on this issue who vote on this

issue. i think it really does mark changed landscape. >> let's look forward. it is good to look at what happened this week. what do we speck to be the big topic. who could have predicted domeni domenico, the same sex marriage issue. >> the big topic. it will be almost impossible to know. one thing i found interesting with the same sex marriage stuff is that next week, the president on monday has an event with ricky martin that is a fundraiser in new york that was intended to be a fundraise we are the gay community in new york. and we thought there was no way he was not going to be able to not say something when it came to this subject. especially having the fund-raiser last night in hollywood. the one monday. of course, the other thing, it is commencement season. so we've been watching michelle obama will be at north carolina where she will make a speech. the president will be at barnard

college in new york, aif i will i can't think with columbia, and mitt romney will be at liberty university. that will be really interesting to seem evangelicals have not always been on the same page with romney and why do it post primary? it is not completely clear. >> domenico, thank you very much. have a great weekend. we appreciate you kicking off our first post script on "news nation." and it is john edwards' turn to tell his side of the story after the judge in his case refuses to drop the corruption charges against him. edwards' attorneys argue the prosecution themselves say they couldn't prove that edwards intentionally violated any campaign finance laws. joining me from greensboro, north carolina. jay gray. so the judge says no way here. we move forward. and john edwards gets his turn. >> reporter: absolutely, good to talk to you, my friend. you've covered trials. you know how this goes. this is more or less a legal formality usually. the defense after the prosecution is done approaches the judge and says, look, they didn't present enough evidence.

there is no evidence that my client did any wrongdoing and the judge normally says no, there is and we're going to move forward. today a lot of legal observers, analysts in the courtroom, lawyers themselves said it was almost like a supreme court hearing. the defense approaching the bench saying, if it pleases your honor. and then beginning what was 90 minutes of very strong and very passionate arguments about how the government has not proven that john edwards committed any crime. not even any civil offense, they would say. and again, about this for more than an hour and a half. the prosecution then responding. and in only two minutes, the judge in this case said, no, we'll let the jury decide. and we will move forward. now the focus for the defense begins. they will call their first witness on monday. they will likely seek out some election officials. we know there are some federal election commissioners on the witness list who they hope will be allowed to testify. there will surely be a fight

about that. i wouldn't be surprised if we do eventually see rielle hunter take stand. john edwards' mistress and there are some who believe edwards himself may testify. still a lot to come in what has already been a high profile and at times almost a soap opera type case. >> all right, buddy. thank you so much. we'll see you soon. thank you. there is a lot going on today and here are some things we thought you should know. political reports congresswoman michele bachmann say she is being blasted by some conservative bloggers in the uproar of her dual citizenship. they are calling it treason. also an insult and even, quote, career ending. congresswoman bachmann became a citizen march 19 but insisted she is withdrawing that citizenship to make it clear she is a proud american. she said she has had dual citizenship since she married her husband marcus. and he is ending his run for congress. he will seek a second term as

sheriff. the sheriff came out three months ago after an ex-boyfriend claimed he tlenl to deport him if he did not keep quiet about their relationship. in the past hour, michelle obama gave her address. this brings back a great memory for this university that struggled so much over the past few years after that shooting rampage five years ago. >> when you all are out there in the world and you meet someone and you tell them that you're from virginia tech, and they say, huh, isn't that the school where -- i want you to interrupt them right there. and say yes, it is the school where we have some of the best academic programs and professors in the country. that's what you tell them. you tell them, yes.c' n dad! i'm here to unleash my inner cowboy. instead i got heartburn. [ horse neighs ] hold up partner. prilosec isn't for fast relief. try alka-seltzer.

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two young tennessee girl rescued by police after the kidnapper fatally killed himself. 12-year-old alexandria bain and her 8-year-old sister kyliyah have been reunited with relatives and are said to be doing well after being held captive by adam mayes. he shot himself after a confrontation with a s.w.a.t. team in tennessee. he was wanted for the murder of the girls' mother and their older sister. the girl were released from the hospital this morning, having suffered from exposure, dehydration and other injuries. and an fda panel is recommending approval for a pill to prevent hiv infection. it is meant for healthy people who are at high rick for contracting hiv. the fda is not required to follow the panel's advice but it usually does. some panelists are concerned the drug would encourage reduced use of condoms. a final decision is expected by june 5th. and from war hero to movie star, lieutenant colonel -- he is now a colonel. he has moved up in rank.

greg gattison lost both his legs. his car was hit by a roadside bomb as he was returning from a memorial service for two soldiers. since then he has become an inspiration to thousands. he even helped the new york giants to go on to win the super bowl. his latest project believe it or not is a movie role. he plays a double amputee soldier in a blockbuster movie, battle ship. i had the great pleasure of sitting down with colonel gattison for sunday's "dateline." >> take me back five years ago. >> i was on my way back to my headquarters when my vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb. i was laying there on the ground and i just said, god, i don't want to die here. i can remember seeing the look on my friends' faces. >> what was the look? >> disbelief, concern. i just remember telling them, tell my family i love them. that's probably the only part of my story that i think when i tell, i still get kind of emotional. you just don't know whether you're going to make it home. >> and he did.

but he was changed forever. both of his legs were amputated above the knee. >> all of a sudden, your freedom to go to the bathroom, your freedom to get in your vehicle to go somewhere. your freedom to do the simple things in life has now been imthat i knowed upon. it completely humbles you. >> your last therapist says that you lost the will to fight. is that accurate? >> i lost my fight when i lost my legs. >> did you ever say those words to yourself? did you ever feel that? >> i don't know that i specifically said those exact words but i certainly know what that feeling is like. >> but greg's character gets the push he needs from his physical therapist. played by actress and model brooklyn decker. >> you guys really, the model and the warrior really connected. >> it is really kind of neat. i almost think of her as a little sister. >> we text almost every day. my younger brother met greg and was so inspired by the military

that was in our movie and particularly, greg gatson, that he was sworn into the army. that's the effect that he has on people. >> and what an effect he does. you can see the full interview and more this sunday on "dateline." 7:00 p.m. eastern time. and i gave the colonel a little grief because he they said giants being my dallas cowboys. he is a great man. coming up, gut check. does mitt romney's high school history or any candidate's high school years, does that matter? and you can join us on facebook go.com/newsnation. er ] did you know the average person smiles more than 50 times a day? so brighten your smile a healthy way with listerine® whitening plus restoring rinse. it's the only rinse that makes your teeth two shades whiter and two times stronger. ♪ listerine® whitening... power to your mouth. that's good morning, veggie style. hmmm. for half the calories plus veggie nutrition.

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did you know you can join the "news nation" on twitter. find our twitter page @newsnation. and so many of you have been tweeting us. time for the "news nation" gut check. romney supporters are coming to his defense after the

"washington post" reports, he bullied a classmate nearly 50 years ago. the incident allegedly happened while he was a student at the prestigious cranbrook boarding school. a former classmate said he cut the hair of a student whom he presumed was gay. romney has apologized and said he doesn't remember it but he did apologize. what does your gut tell you? does a candidate's actions in high school matter? go to facebook.com/news nation. and take a look. we asked you, do you agree with president obama that states should decide whether states should decide whether same sex marriage should be legal? that does it for this entire week of "news nation." thank you for joining us all week long. have a great weekend. guess what. we're back at it again monday. [ dad ] i'm usually checking up on my kids, but last year my daughter was checking up on me. i wasn't eating well. she's a dietitian, and she suggests that i try boost complete nutritional drink to help get the nutrition i was missing.

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here's what's happening. mitt romney, class cut-up. >> people will get to know me better. and ann says there's a wild and crazy guy locked up inside of me. >> he is a funny guy and he is spontaneous. yeah, he's a fabulous grandfather. >> there is a wild and crazy man inside of there. >> i don't think i'll play the president a round of golf but i'll be happy to take him through a water ski course. >> funny guy and funny how memory works. >> i don't recall the incident myself. but i've seen the reports. i'm not going to argue with that. there is no question but did i some stupid things when i was in high school. we get to that in a moment. the president is about to speak in reno, nevada, at an official event on the economy. he will be talking about that. let's go now to the president.

>> more time than any of us would like. but there are plenty of steps that we can take to speed up the recovery right now. there are things we can do right now to help create jobs and help restore some of the financial security that too many families have lost. now, i have to say that there are few too many republicans in congress who don't seem to be as optimistic as we are. they think that all we can do are the things that have been done in the past. things that they've tried in the past. so they want to cut more taxes. especially for the wealthiest americans. they want to cut back on the rules that we put in place for banks and financial institutions. they've said that they want to let the housing market hit bottom and just hope for the best. that's it.