day for 5,700 years which puts the odds at 2,995,920,000 to 1. >> see you at 11:00. on our broadcast tonight, an extraordinary media blitz by the president and now the first lady steps in. tonight, our own david gregory asked the president directly about race and president carter's charges. authorities believe they are unraveling a terrorism plan with possible ties half way across the country. tracking swine flu. what the new numbers show about the spread of the disease. >> giving to those in need without the awkward part. "nightly news" begins now.

good evening. it's been said the obama white house lost control of its own message on health care. ey spent a few weeks in late summer getting pummeled on it by the opposition. they started fighting back with a speech before joint session. now, the president starts his air assault. between now and monday, he is doing the sunday morning political shows on nbc, abc, cbs, cnn and univision. five political shows and entertainment, "the late show." it's a presidential media blitz. today was joined by the first lady. as part of this media strategy, the president was interviewed by moderator of "meet the press," david gregory. he asked him about the topic this past week. >> this health care debate can be about bigger things. among your harshest critics, is

the view the government is out of control? >> mm-hmm. >> it's gotten out of control? >> right. >> it was supposed to mark america moving beyond race. >> right..éh7 >> this week, you had former president jimmy carter saying most, not just a little, but most of the republican opposition against you is motivated by racism. do you agree with that? >> no. i said during the campaign, there's some people who still think, through the prism of race. when it comes to evaluating me and my candidacy,bsolutely. sometimes they vote for me for that reason and against me for that reason. i'm sure it was true during the campaign and i'm sure it's true now. i think you put your finger on what the argument is about. it's an argument that's gone on for the history of this republic. that is, what's the right role of government? how do we balance freedom with our need to look after one another. i talked about this in theoint

session speech. this is not a new argument. it always invokes passions. >> we'll talk to david gregory in a moment. that was part of the exchange with the president. tonight, we begin with the larger media strategy at work. we start with savannah guthrie. good evening. >> reporter: good evening, brian. aids often say the president is their most advocate. look no further than the presidential media blitz we are seeing this weekend. in the fight of his presidency over health care, the white house is deploying another big resource, first lady, michelle obama. >> this current situation is unacceptable. it is unacceptable. >>reporter: for the first time really engaging in the health care debate, first lady, michelle obama, went to the heart of the matter. >> we were terrified. get to the emergency room right away. >> reporter: she told of the time sasha became ill as an infant. >> it's that moment in our live

that is flashes through my head every time we engage in this health care insurance situation. it's that moment in my life. i think what on earth would we have done if we had not had insurance. >> reporter: trying to turn the tide of public opinion and get a health care bill across the finish line, the white house is deploying a not so secret weapon. >> we can build a better future and maybe affect the world. >> reporter: on the campaign trail, michelle was the closer. she closed the sale for her husband. though she is a har vard harvard trained lawyer, the first lady is focused on noncontroversial issues like healthy eating, avoiding the nitty-gritty of the health care debate. the white house is mindful of the disaster experience of another first lady, hillary clinton identified with the issue she was asked about it today. >> we have to calm down, take two aspin, go to bed, think about it in the morning. i'm very optimistic.

>> you keep your insurance. you keep your doctorand you are blessed. >> reporter: as she enters the health care battle, some sayhe must tread carefully. >> if she gets too specific, she invites criticism. if she can stay above the fray, keep going out and get in front of the right audience and stick with the right message, it will be helpful. >> reporter: aids say she will not be at the policy table. more focused on where policy and people intersect. as more evidence of how the white house is using the first lady, it is she, not her husband that will travel to copenhagen to make the bid for the olympics. >> savannah guthrie, thanks. we go back to david gregory. we'll see more on sunday on "meet the press."

david as part of the communication strategy, the president agrees to put himself out there. he had to expect your question on race, among others and the race point, of course, came out of our conversation with president carter earlier this week. >> reporter: it was interesting the president specifically disagreed with the former president. there's a view in the white house, this is not a conversation the president wants to have. for two reasons. one, he thinks it's a huge distraction. they also don't think a national convsation on race is going to be productive now. remember, he did it during the campaign for serious reasons because of reverend wright. they don't think they can change minds. >> there's no shortage of issues they can point to in the modern and dangerous world competing with air time. the ongoing matter of afghanistan, which i know you talked about. >> reporter: we did and he's so focused on it, the president is, brian. what's striking is how he is

moving toward a decision about sending more troops to afghanistan. the president wants a narrower focus. he's uncomfortable with the idea of indefinite occupation, his words, in afghanistan, as he moves toward the decision of sending more troops. >> we'll look for you sunday morning. a reminder, you can see david's conversation with president obama sunday morning on "meet the press" on this nbc station. there is late breaking news involving a high profile terrorism investigation that's stretched from here in new york to the rocky mountains. authorities are questioning a man at the base of the investigation. they now believe they might have disrupted what could have been a dangerous terrorism cell. our justice correspondent, pete williams, in our washington news room gathering details on this story. good evening. >> reporter: for months officials had an immigrant from afghanistan under surveillance

fearing he was planning some kind of attack in the u.s. tonight, officials say he's beginning to talk. the case burst into public view early this week when police and fbi agents searched four apts in new york. a man from denver drove a rented car to new york late last week, fearing he could be plotting a terrorist attack. in the rented car, agents found a laptop computer with directions for making bombs. no explosives were found. since wednesday, he's been interviewed for hours by the fbi. tonight, officials say while he denies planning to stage attacks in the u.s., he admits attending a terror training camp in pakistan. u.s. officials say he had contacts there with associates of al qaeda. an intense investigation is underway. agents checked several denver hardware stores to see if he

bought any ingredients in the laptop. based on the laptop discovery, the nation's airport screeners were advised to look for signs passengers might have handled some of the ingredients. he lives with his parents who say he's no terrorist. now, they say he's telling a different story. there's no comment from his lawyers in denver. it's important to emphasize, no charges have been filed. >> one aspect of the case that put a certain bit of fear in investigators, correct me if i'm wrong, they found several backpacks in his possession. more than the normal person would have. wasn't it london and madrid where backpacks were used by the bombers? >> reporter: that's right. they found over a dozen backpacks in the new york searches. they were trying to find out if they were all bought at once. the london or madrid situation is pure speculation. they don't know what he had in

mind. >> all right, pete williams who continues to follow this in our washington news room. pete, thanks. now, to iran. for the first time since mid-july, there were massive new protests in the streets of tehran. we heard from their leader exclusively last night. tried to stir up hatred with israel. >> reporter:s tens of thousan took to the streets today. protestors armed with stones up against security forces with tear gas and batons. the former president, also in the crowd, many wearing the green color of opposition movement. reform leader -- all of this, while president ahmadinejad at an antiisraeli meeting. they questioned the haul cost. they call it a lie. unprovable and mythical claim. comments the white house condemned as hateful.

with ahmadinejad coming to the u.s., the u.s. says iran faces a choice, cooperation on the nuclear side of defiance and isolation. >> we have seen them engaged in a campaignf politically motivated arrests, show trials and suppression of free speech. nontheless, we remain ready to engage with iran. >> reporter: the administration took a big step in enlisting russia to squeeze iran by downsizing a program russia hates. moving it out of eastern europe. today, putin calls it brave. iran likes it also as ahmadinejad told ann curry yesterday. >> translator: we welcome this development. we think that this is a sign leading to change. >> reporter: iran agreed for the first time in years to talk to the u.s. one reason the white house is

trying to avoid antagonizing iran now. another, possible cracks in the regime. >> a lot of different positions there and ahmadinejad is not necessarily getting a lot of suort within the regime at this point. or within the parollyment. >> reporter: officials say the talks have to produce results by the end of the year or iran will face tougher sanctions. andrea mitchell, nbc news, washington. another programnote, ann curry's entire interview will air sunday at 1:00 eastern time on msnbc. when "nightly news" continues on a friday night, tracking the spread of swine flu. how college campuses are coping these days. later, a making a difference report on giving anonymously. it got a huge response. tonight a flub. (announcer) there are side mirrors...

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on this friday night, the cdc is out with new numbers on the spread of swine flu, which, as expected, is having a big impact on college campuses across the country. we also learned when the vaccine might be available and in what form. our chief science correspondent robert bazell reports from duke university in north carolina. >> i feel better, but i'm still weak. >> rorter: a senior at duke university spent one night in the hospital and missed a week and a half of classes because of the swine flu. she says it was one of the worst times she's ever had. >> it was horrible. >>reporter: the pandemic is increasing. the virus is still in all 50

states and widespread in 21. visits to doctors and hospitals for flu-like illness continue to climb sharply. >> it's twice what we would expect for this time of year. if you talk to doctors, they tell you, i'm seeing lots of flu this time of year. >> reporter: most cases are moderate or mild. there are occasional hospitalizations and rare deaths. at least 114 children in the u.s. died of swine flu. the majority of cases continue to be children and young dulls.ç it's why the virus is so common on campuses like this one. they report 83% of colleges and universities surveyed reported cases last wk. up 11% from the week before. doctor purdy says students with mild cases learned to take car of each other. >> they learned how to get food. they learned how to ask for them and to isolate themselves. they are doing well. >> reporter: the federal

government said the first doses of the vaccine will be available the first of october in nasal form. robert bazell, nbc news, durham, north carolina. the man often called the father of neoconservatism. irving kristol was a magazine editor who described himself of a man mugged of -- he died of complications from lung cancer. irving kristol died at 89 years old. now, there's something new on the airport security list. something new on the airport security list. i'm lindy. and i'm joni. we've been best friends since we were two. we've always been alike. we even both have osteoporosis. but we're active. especially when we vacation. so when i heard about reclast, the only once-a-year iv osteoporosis treatment, i called joni. my doctor said reclast helps restrengthen our bones

to help make them resistant to fracture for twelve whole months. and reclast is approved to help protect from fracture in more places: hip, spine, even other bones. (announcer) you should never take reclast if you're on zometa, have low blood calcium, kidney problems. or you're pregnant, plan to become pregnant or nursing. take calcium and vitamin d daily. tell your doctor if you develop severe muscle, bone or joint pain or if you have dental problems, as rarely, jaw problems have been reported. the most common side effects include flu-like symptoms, fever, muscle or joint pain and headache. nothing strengthens you like an old friendship. but when it comes to our bones, we both look to reclast. you've gotta ask your doctor! once-a-year reclast. year-long protection for on-the-go women. but those days came and went, and the cigarettes remained.

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>> i don't know, that's what we have to find out. we have to figure it out. >> remmie, i want to make sure we are married before i have the baby. oh, boy, that doesn't sound good. the question is, how do you stop something designed to go on forever like a television soap opera. after 72 years, it was lights out for "guiding light." the longest running soap ever. it started on radio, then moved to tv in 1952. in the end, what killed it was not passion or crime or a crime of passion or a double cross, it was a much more common killer, low ratings. you may have noticed another layer of scrutiny applied at airport security. screeners are paying closer

attention to powders, we're told. whether it's baby powder, or make up, the tsa says there's no specific threat linked to powders, and there's no restriction to carrying it on the plane, just more scrutiny. texting while driving has been called just as dangerous as drunk drivering. 22 states that banned texting while dring send out up to date traffic information via twitter, presumably to be read are you ahead of us here, on your mobile device while you are at the wheel. critics are calling it a dangerous mixed message. a re-enactment of a child study, back in the '60s, preschoolers were offered one marshmallow.

if they can hold off eating it, they will get another one. it's all about delayed gratification. the famous study showed kids who can wait did better in school. you can see the updated version, the agony and ecstasy on nightly.msnbc.com. when we come back, when you want to make a difference without making big deal over it. have we got a solution for you. difference without making big deal over it. have we got a solution for you. was contributing l to plaque buildup in my arteries. that's why my doctor prescribed crestor. she said plaque buildup in arteries is a real reason to lower cholesterol. and that along with diet, crestor does more than lower bad cholesterol, it raises good. crestor is also proven to slow the buildup of plaque in arteries. crestor isn't for everyone, like people with liver disease, or women who are nursing, pregnant, or may beco pregnant. simple blood tests will check for liver problems.

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we're back and now to our friday night making a difference report. tonight, it's about what happened after we first aired the story of a couple that figured out a novel way for neighbors to help other neighbors without going public about their good deeds. chris jansing has more. >> reporter: it's a hard thing to abandon a dream, but michelle

milar made the decision to close the shoe boutique she loved after the divorce and recession pushed her business to the brink. >> i was having a hard time. i was scraping by month-by-month. >> reporter: then someone heard about a website called givinganon.org. their website allows you to give anonymous cash donations. >> i think all of us, when we are in pain, in one way or another, our biggest need is to know we're not alone. to know that without feeling embarrassed or obligated, it's incredible. >> reporter: since the story aired, the website received $54,000, including $5,000 for michelle milar. the only obligation, leave a voice mail for the donor. >> i want to thank you fromu th bottom of my heart. i feel blessed. you're an angel. thank you. >> reporter: it's those messages

that motivate lionel thompson. giving anon wl keep him at the computer un >> people really do want to give till past midnight. to the people around them in need. >> it had to move out of their home into an office furnished with donations, staffed by volunteers. >> we feel we get to be santa. it's a beautiful thing to be part of. it's a dream come true. arp and a dream revived for michelle milard. >> it's made a difference in my life and my daughters life. it's turned my world around. >> reporter: gratitude heard in messages to donors. >> i want to say thank you very much from me and my family. may god be with you. thank you very much. >> reporter: truly also meant for the couple who made it possible. >> i wish i could hug you and hug you and hug you. you don't know how much it means to me. thank you very, very much.

>> reporter: chris jansing, nbc news. great story. great way to end our broadcast this friday night and ending another week. thank you for being with us. i'm brian williams, we hope to see you back here monday evening. in the meantime, have a great weekend. good night. ing. in the meantime, have a great weekend. good night.