several masks. icedliavnten to meet him in court though. they have sileurvencla footage that shows him p outngtinhe tnc masks as he approacheshe sedpe cameras.ra will be interesting to see what the jue says. he'll probably say aha! >> pay up. on our broadcast tonight, making the case. president obama's most important speech, so far. what's at stake? what's he going to say? big money in politics and the case that could change everything. drama on the runway. after hijackers come deer a plane full of passengers, including americans. he's back. the man behind apple talks about his mystery illness as he returns to the public stage. images from the frontier. "nightly news" begins now.

good evening, you might call what is happening tonight extending the fourth quarter. as you know, president obama is asking congress to reform health care and while we are just 233 days into the obama presidency, the new president has been bruised along the way as poll numbers are falling and his message is hijacked. town meetings exploding of wild and false rumors of death panels deciding when a human life should end. tonight, the stakes are high. the president appears before a joint session of congress and a nationwide tv audience to make his case, once more. here is a brief, early portion of the speech. the president will say, i am not the first president to take up this cause, but i'm determined to be the last. the time for bickering is over. the time for games is passed. now is the season for action.

we have our bestn the story. both of our white house correspondents, chuck todd and savannah guthrie and kelly o'donnell. chuck, no one believed the administration would live up to the hype of the campaign, but also, no one believed we would be here at this point tonight. they would get rolled over an issue, a false issue like death panels, the resistance would be this high. a lot of things happened on the way here. what is the state of the obama presidency heading into the evening? >> reporter: you can't say this speech is make or break for the presidency. it's clearly make or break to get health care reform done. how did he get here? by doing everything they thought the clinton's did incorrectly when they tried to reform health care in the '90s. the president himself, in an interview today, admitted he probably let too much ambiguity get out there and probably let

congress do too much of the talking. the goal of tonight's speech is give clarity, get rid of larity ambiguity. one is joe and jane public, those registered ind pendents and get democrats to come together and stop bickers. three, i'm going to single out one republican, olympia snowe, the republican from maine. >> kelli o'donnell, it brings us toyou. compromise, cooperation, is he going to say i'm willing to do it without the republicans or i need the republicans? before you answer, we'll watch an exchange i had with david axelrod a few hours ago. can you name one vote in the senate you are confident of getting that doesn't have a "d" next to the name? >> we are talking to people in

both parties. if i name the names, it's more difficult for them tomorrow. i'm not willing to say there's not going to be republican support at the end of the day for health insurance reform. >> isn't the fact you can't name the public support of a single republican in the u.s. senate proof of a polarized fear on this issue. it's not just surrounding this issue. it's affected washington in the long term. it's something that's going to take some time to cope with. all we can do is open the door and invite others in. >> so, kelly, an atmosphere so charged the white house is afraid of naming republicans for fear of getting them in trouble in their home states. can you name any? >> i have one. it's olympia snowe. she's from maine. she's a moderate. she has quiet power over the whole debate. she's been talking to the

president on the telephone and giving advice. he needs to drop the idea of a government run insurance plan and start where there's agreement and build from there. if they could win over olympia snowe, it could give cover to moderates of both parties that are unsure. they do not have olympia snowe's vote, but she's continuing to talk to the president about compromise. all eyes will be on her tonight. >> it brings us back to the white house and savannah guthrie. we're talking one republican senator om maine. we are talking act what's been dubbed the public option. kelly described it the guaranteed government backed insurance notion. that is really the technical term that a lot of the issue turns on tonight. >> reporter: it does.

we will continue to see the president walk the careful line on the public option. he's going to make a strong pitch for it. it's the best way to increase the insurance market that will bring down costs. he's not going to make it a deal breaker. there's deep division, not just among democrats and republicans, but within the democratic party. liberal democrats want it. say they have to have it. republicans and conservatives do not want it. the president is looking for middle ground. one idea that's getting traction is the so-called trigger option. the idea is pass health care reform without the public option, but if you don't have the competition by a certain date, it triggers a public option. put a threat on insurance companies, force them to lower cost and competition. >> kelly o'donnell, chuck todd, the team covering this story. thanks to you all. we'll be back on the air on this nbc station for the presidene:á

address to a joint session of congress and the american people tonight at 8:00 eastern time, 5:00 pacific. there's another big headline out of washington tonight. slightly across town at the supreme court. it involves money, politics and a film about hillary clinton. the u.s. supreme court heard arguments on a campaign finance case. it's considered so important, it held an unusual summer session three weeks before the oicial opening of the court term. it features a new justice of the court. we have more on it. >> reporter: when it seemed within hillary clinton's grasp, a conservative group tried to put a documentry on her. >> is she willing to do anything for power? >> reporter: the government stopped it. it was paid for by corporate

contributions. the movie's backers challenge the laws as a violation of free speech. >> it's the most important part of the first amendment. speech about the people that will govern us. >> reporter: today, a majority of the supreme court agreed. justice kennedy. >> they have lots of knowledge about government, transportation issues. you are silencing them during the election. >> reporter: justice scolia -- >> reporter: defenders of the law say they prevent corrupting politicians. more than half the states let corporations buy campaign ads. >> a lot of money is spent on elections in california. is there a record they have corrupted the political process there. >> it's the first case for justice sonia sotomayer who said

she would uphold the laws. >> wouldn't we do more harmhan good by a broad ruling? >> reporter: two senators said the court seems prepared to let big money drown out voices. >> does anyone believe the rights of average citizens to be heard in washington would not be overridden by massive campaign unlimited campaign contributions from corporations and unions? >> reporter: if the court lets them buy campaign ads, they would be barred from giving money to candidates. pete williams, nbc news at the supreme court. to news about afghanistan. first, nbc news learned general stanley mccrystal banned the use of alcoholly all international forces in kabul. u.s. military officials are telling jim miklaszewski he has

the ban because he objrqaór to the beer garden where allied military officials gathered throughout the day. he thought it created a distraction. they are prohibited from drinking alcohol anytime in the war zone. many allied forces permit drinking at the base. a british soldier and translator were killed in a daring raid on a taliban hideout in northern afghanistan. the raid accomplished the objective. it freed the reporter of the new york times. stephen farrell was taken hostage. high drama on the hundredway in mexico city. a lone hijacker tried to take control of a plane full of passengers, including several americans. kerry sanders has more on how it started and how it ended.

some passengers on board said they didn't realize there was a hijacking in progress. >> translator: we never would have guessed he was attempting to hijack the plane. we know because they told us we were taking off. >> reporter: the lone hijacker was never able to get past the locked cockpit door. somehow he told crew members his intentions. some were americans. all were ushered to safety. security teams swarmed the hijacker. it's not believed there was only one hijack. he demanded to see mexico's president, felipe calderon. if denied, he said he would blow the plane up. a brief indication filled with explosives was destroyed by bomb

technicians. the lone gunman claims he was on a godly mission that today's date, 09/09/09 is 666 upsidedown, a sign from the devil. >> translator: h wanted to talk to authorities. he had a revelation and it told him there was going to be an earthquake in mexico. >> reporter: disruptions ended without a shot being fired or anyone injured. when "nightly news" continues on this wednesday evening, our first glimpse of the father of the ipod, making a rare public appearance since his health mystery. later, tom brokaw holds off the highway long enough to show us what we would normally miss driving through st. louis. get out and dance... even play a little hide-n-seek. i'm breathing better... with spiriva. announcer: spiriva is the only once-daily

inhaled maintenance treatmen for both forms of pd, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. i take it every day. it kps my airways open.. to help me breathe better all day long. and it's not a steroid. announcer: spiriva does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms. stop taking spiriva and call your doctor if your breathing suddenly worsens, your throat or tongue swells, you gehives, or have vision changes or eye pain. tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, problems passing urine or an enlarged prostate, as these may worsen with spiriva. also discuss the medicines you take, even eye drops. side effects may include dry mouth, constipation and trouble passg urine. every day could be a good day to breat better. announcer: ask your doctor if once-daily spiriva is right for you. powerful anti-aging therapies that reduce the look of lines and pores, even tone, brighten, smooth, hydrate, and lock-in moisture, all in one clever little package of total effects.

for joint pain. for joint pain. and then there's the twin-turbocharging, 365-horsepower-generating, ecoboost™ engine in the all-new ford taurus sho that has the thirst of a v6 with the thrust of a v8. we speak car. we speak innovation. introducing the all-new taurus sho from ford. drive one. he is the man responsible for the instantly recognizable apple logo on all the ipods and

computers that are in so many american homes. he is steve jobs, the secretive visionary boss at apple. today, he reappeared after a six month medical leave and liver transplant. he talked about it openly. our report from anne thompson. >> reporter: steve jobs returned to the public stage and received a thunderous standing ovation. for almost a çl francisco audience applauded, moving the outwardly reserved apple ceo. in his trademark mock turtle neck and jeans, it was clear he changed. he grew alarmingly thin in 2008, sparking speculation about his health. today, determined, this fiercely private man opened up a bit. >> i'm very happy to be here today, with you all. as some of you may know, about

five months ago, i had a liver transplant. so, i now have the liver of a mid-20s person who died in a car crash and was generous enough to donate their organs. >> reporter: the transplant was controversial. it took place in a tennessee hospital. worth more than $5 billion, some wondered if his wealth and fame allowed him to get a transplant more quickly than others. the hospital said he was the sickest and did nothing wrong. he urged everyone to become orga donors. >> i wouldn't be here without such generosity. so, i hope all of us can be as generous and elect to be organ donors. >> reporter: he thanked his execive team for their support during his illness. >> so, i'm vertical.

i'm back at apple, loving every day of it. >> reporter: loving his second chance at life. anne thompson, nbc news, new york. when we continue in a moment, from apple to outer space. breathtaking pictures from across the universe. proof that a repair group did a good job. (announcer) it's applebee's 2 for $20. the one deal in the neighborhood where you get the real food. because our 2 for $20 features a half rack of our new double-glazed baby back ribs. seasoned and slow cooked to flavorful and tender perfection and your choice of sauces.

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pain or weakness, as this can be a sign of a rare but serious side effect. this risk may be increased when trilipix is used with a statin. if you cannot afford your medication, call 1-866-4-trilipix for more information. trilipix. there's more to cholesterol. get the picture. and then there are the indicator-light warning, radar-sensor-linking, blind-spot-penetrating side mirrors of the all-new ford taurus. so what doesn't show up in your mirror, can still show up on your mirror. we speak car. we speak innovation. introducing the all-new taurus from ford. drive one.

spectacular new images tonight from a galaxy far, far away. clouds of gas and dust that look like christmas lights and fireworks and jelly fish, all thanks to the repairs to the hubble space telescope. the long time and beloved host of prairie host said he drove himself to a hospital after feeling ill.

he's undergoing tests until friday. today, he thanks his fans for their good wishes. he'll be there for the first radio show in st. paul.cú6ujeìá& a big name in hollywood, the legendary columnist, the gate keeper of the by gone era. he was 87 years old. what a gathering at lincoln center in new york to remember walter kron cite. the celebration of his life brought together two american presidents, entertainment and genuine heroes among the thousands of guests. president clinton, in his eulogy spoke about something cronkite did for him in the post monica lewinsky affair. >> in a very crazy summer, we

were up on martha's vineyard. we said betsy and i want you to go sailing with us. you and hillary and chelsea. we go out and sail around. he said, somebody might take a picture of it, but so what. i'll never forget that. at the time, i could have done with a picture of walter cronkite. i say this because that wasn't something he had to do. he was 81 years old. he was a good man. >> he was indeed. that was the first of two president's today. in his eulogy, president obama since cronkite's time at cbs news. up next, tom brokaw with the story of a man home. but how close are you to your goals?

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please talk to your doctor about aspirin and your heart. i'm going to be grandma for a long time. it's not always easy living with copd, but i try not to let it hold me back... whether i'm at the batting cages... down by the lake or... fishing at the shore. i'm breathing better... with spiriva. announcer: spiriva is the only once-daily inhaled maintenance treatment for both forms of copd, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. i take it every day. it keeps my airways open... to help me breathe better all day long. and it's not a steroid. announcer: spiriva does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms. stop taking spiriva and call your doctor if your breathing sudden worsens, your throat or tongue swells, you get hives, or have vision changes or eye pain.

tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, problems passing urine or an enlarged prostate, as these may worsen with spiriva. also discuss the medicines you take, even eye drops. side effects may include dry mouth, constipation and trouble passing urine. my doctor said i could be doing more to breathe better and now i am. announcer: ask your ctor about lifestyle changes d once-daily spiriva. we're back. as you may know, tom brokaw has been touring the country this year, along highway 50 that winds from ocean city, maryland

to sacramento, california. it's part of the american character. tonight, we meet a veteran, back from war who finds, in a lot of ways, his mission is just starting. tom found him in st. louis, along highway 50. >> reporter: if it's true, much is expected from those whom much is given. eric brightens is more than living up to the bargain. a road scholar turned navy s.e.a.l. his ph.d. work took him across war and genocide. he survived deployments to afghanistan and iraq. in march, 2007, just two weeks before the end of his tour, his unit was hit by a suicide truck bomb. he escaped with minor injuries and a new mission in life. >> one of the things you learn is you take care of your guys.

>> reporter: what he heard was despite their wounds, they wanted to continue to serve. he founded the mission continues, an organization offering community service fellowships to wounded and disabled veterans. >> the first time somebody came to them and asked them to serve again. >> reporter: phillip was one who responded. a grenade left him with brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. >> come. >> reporter: as part of his fellowship, he's training l.t., a chocolate lab to be a service dog for a wounded veteran. how does he help you? >> he gives me purpose. he gives me something to look forward to. the knowledge to know i'm still serving. i'm giving back to someone else. >> reporter: the thing about

labradors, especially, you get unconditional love from them. >> yes. sometimes more than i want. >> reporter: phillip has another reason for his mission, his dad, confined to a wheelchair from his tour in vietnam. phillip wants nothing more than to see a veteran, like his dad, have the gift of a dog that he trained. >> a man of few words, but a lot of pride. he's my hero. >> reporter: just one of the many heroes along highway 50. people think st. louis, driving down highway 50, they don't realize, it's one of the last resting places for people who served. >> you can drive and because of the sound barriers, you may never know you are driving past the national cemetery where 175,000 veterans and their families are buried. >> it's indicative of what we

need to do as a culture, look beyond the barrier and see the veterans. >> his next stop, the great town of impore ya, kansas. that's the broadcast this wednesday night, i'm brian williams, a quick reminder, we're back on the air at 8:00 p.m. eastern time. good night for now, from new york.h@