i see a tour opportunity. >> definitely. we should go. we'll be back here tonight at 11:00. >> see you at 11:00. on our broadcast tonight, fighting words. president obama comes out swinging on health care. but is it enough to save his plan? grief and anger. how will the supreme court balance one man's right to protest with the rights of americans to bury their loved ones -- military veterans -- in peace many. drinking problem, a tax on sugary beverages? is it the answer to america's obesity problems? oscar night is in the books. also, how a passion for music is making a difference. "nightly news" begins now. captions paid for by nbc-universal television

good evening, during the presidential campaign, candidate barack obama often used the phrase fired up to do just that to the crowd. democrats have been openly wondering when he was going to bring that campaign energy and fire to an issue like health care reform. today the president chose an event at a quiet philadelphia suburb to get loud. he made his case and he rallied the troops and now readies to head into battle yet again on this topic. we begin tonight with white house correspondent savannah guthrie. savannah, good evening. >> good evening, brian. the president has been criticized for not taking enough ownership of this issue, for not finding a sales pitch that really resonates. today he made an impassioned the question is, is it too late to make a difference.

>> i do know that it's the right thing to do. >> reporter: his most fiery health care appearance yet in pennsylvania today. the president ratcheted up the rhetoric. >> the need is great, the opportunity is here, let's seize reform. it's within our grasp. >> reporter: looking to stiffen the spines of wavering democrats, the president sharpened his attack, lashing out against insurance companies. >> it's no secret they're telling their investors this, we are in the money. >> reporter: against republicans. >> you had ten years. what happened? >> reporter: and washington itself. >> every debate, no matter how important it is, with the same question, what does this mean for the next election? what does it mean for your poll numbers? they're obsessed with the sport of politics. >> reporter: the change in tone was unmistakable. >> i need you to knock on doors, talk to your neighbors, pick up the phone. >> reporter: as were the old campaign lines. >> knock on some doors for me, and make some calls for me. >> reporter: music to the ears

of the weary democratic faithful. >> it was a dramatic presentation, the president did terric. the crowd -- it was like campaign days, was unbelievable. >> reporter: the republicans said the president's push was heavy on snake oil light on reality. an once again vowed to make health care the issue democrats have to run on next fall. >> many endangered democrats who won their races in 2008 or 2006 i think are going to be in jeopardy. >> reporter: the president's powers of persuasion are about to be tested as never before, as he struggles to convince fence-sitting democrats to go out on a limb one last time. >> he's going to have to personally make the appeal, and he's going to have to ma them do it. he's going to say, you have to do this for me, for the good of the party, and for the good of the country. they're not going to want to do it. there will be members who lose their seats over this. >> reporter: whether democrats have enough votes in the house

of representatives is the question. and the president will do this again on wednesday when he goes to st. louis to try to rally the troops. >> savannah guthrie, thanks. as you may know, there are no easy questions that ce before the supreme court. the easy stuff doesn't make it that far. today the court agreed to take on a particularly tough and puzzling issue. what do you do about the freedom of speech of a guy who feels the need to protest at the funeral of a fallen american soldier? the story from our justice correspondent pete williams. >> reporter: four years ago while escorting a convoy in iraq's anbar province, corporal lance snyder was killed. his family and mourners arrived at a church, they discovered unwanted company, protesters who claimed that all u.s. war deaths are god's punishment for the military's tolerance of gay service members.

their signs said thank god for dead soldiers and ieds, the improvised explosive devices that have killed hundreds of americans overseas. the organizer said his demonstration and the resulting outrage got him what he wanted, the attention. >> we got more with getting more. got more and getting more. appropriate kind of news coverage than anything we've ever done. >> reporter: phelps has made such a habit of in your protest that 40 states have passed laws to limit picketing at funerals. corporal snyder's father went a step further and sued phelps for invading therivacy of the funeral. the messages were especially painful. >> it's hard enough to bury a child, it's like kicking you in the face when you're down. now, every time i think of my son's funeral, it's tarnished. >> reporter: a maryland jury trial awarded him $5 million but an appeals court struck that down and called phelps' messages

utterly distasteful, but they nonetheless amounted to free speech. now the supreme court has agreed to consider whether freedom of speech trumps freedom of religion in having a peaceful service. and whether funerals no, matter how private, can be platforms for constitution ally protected protests. pete williams nbc news at the supreme court. >> here's a stat for you that may say a lot about our world and nation. voter turnout is higher in iraq than it is in the u.s. you would have to go back to the 1960 election to find turnout as high as this weekend's iraqi elections. 63% of eligible iraqis turned out to vote. the question is, what does their vote mean as our chief foreign correspondent richard engel has spent years in iraq. he's back there for this election. richard, good evening. that is the question, what is the message coming out of this election? >> reporter: even iraqis didn't

expect voter turnout to be this high. today iraqis and u.s. military officials expressed hope that perhaps this election could be a turning point. after seven years of war, it seems iraqis have grown hard to intimidate. there were celebrations in northern iraq as officials today said voter turnout was high nationwide. today no signs of the mortars and bombs that killed more than 30 voters, instead, the streets of baghdad were crowded, well into the night. iraqis tonight are breathing a sigh of relief and feeling a certain pride. this was the first national election they secured and organized completely on their own, encouraging many here to think that even without american help perhaps this young democracy can stand on its own. that was clearly the sentiment at a popular restaurant where a

met a 26-year-old law student. do you think this will last? do you think iraq is on the path to gettingetter? >> yes, this is just the beginning. it's going to get better and better. >> reporter: and a businessman. >> for years now, we don't care about anything. we care about the future now. >> do you think the u.s. troops are needed here? >> we don't need it any more. >> reporter: the u.s. military expressed confidence that after the election, american drawdown plans are still on track. >> despite the initial intimidation effects in the morning, the iraqi people refused to be deterred. >> reporter: a fighting spirit that may help iraqis build a nation increasingly on their own. eliminary election results are expected on thursday. >> richard, it's an amazing story, the first truly independent election of the post saddam era. and as a caution, what could change? >> reporter: it's clear that

sectarian tensions are still below the surface. as you saw in that report, iraqis are feeling emboldened, that's been growing as security has been getting better and better. it wouldn't take much, one major incident for the kurds, sunnis and shiites to come right back to the surface. and the civil war to begin again. >> many are hoping the opposite is true and these results stand. richard, thanks. now to health news tonight, and a question tt also involves politics. is a new tax in this case a tax on sweet soft drinks the best way to try to prevent childhood obesity? as we hear from our chief science correspondent robert bazell, a new study just out is adding fuel to this controversy over a proposal to encourage americans to cut their consumption. >> reporter: when it comes to sugared soft drinks, if people pay more, will they drink less? a study out today followed more than 5,000 young adults for 20 years. lots of research has shown that

sugared drinks can increase the risk for obesity and diabetes. today's study found that when the price goes up, people drink a lot less. >> the effect is huge, if we increase it 18%, the average adult will reduce about five pounds a year, and a very large reduction in their risk of diabetes. these are very important in terms of long term health. >> are we ready? >> reporter: theayors of new york and philadelphia have proposed a tax on sugared drinks, citing health concerns and budget deficits. the new york proposal has led to dueling tv ads. >> over 10 million new yorkers are dangerously overweight. by adding penny dozen sugary sodas and drinks, we can help reduce obesity. >> when i heard they wanted to implement a tax on juice drinks and sodas this is another way to get into our pockets. >> the anti-tax ads are

sponsored by the american beverage association. >> the american beverage association does not think a tax on beverages will solve a complex problem like obesity. the tax won't work. >> reporter: the president of the beverage association appeared today with former president clinton to taut the effectiveness of a voluntary effort to get sugared drinks out of schools. it has led to a 95% reduction in the amount of soft drinks consumed in schools since it started in 2004. is a tax necessary to change behavior for those not in school? >> i think it would lower my chances of ordering a soda if the taxes are higher. >> i don't think it's going to make a difference if they increase taxes? at least it won't for me. >> reporter: there's a lot of evidence that so-called syntaxes on tobacco and alcohol reduce consumption and generate revenue. the question is whether americans are ready to put sugared drinks on the same category. brian? >> on a different topic, also having to do with health. something you told us in our newsroom meeting earlier today,

specifically, what may be the original hobson's choice for women on the subject of alcohol consumption. >> well, the harvard women's nurse's health study has been following tens of thousands of women for decades. and their latest finding is that women who drink moderately have less of a chance of gaining weight over time. now, having said that, alcohol's a complex thing, it decreases the risk of heart disease, increases the risk of breast cancer and can get you in all kinds of trouble if you overdo it. these study authors are not saying anybody should start drinking to stop putting on weight. >> robert bazell, as always, thank you. when our broadcast continues on a monday evening, about last night, the broadcast was longer than the movies it's supposed to honor. it has ended, however, and what a finish. and we'll show you the difference music is making in some young lives, when "nightly news" continues.

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over 41 million americans tuned in to see the academy awards last night, their best tv audience in half a decade give or take. viewers saw the debut of martin and baldwin and they saw the glass ceiling break into a million pieces over hollywood as a woman won best director for the first time. our report from our man in hollywood, lee cowan. >> reporter: last night's oscars seemeds predictable as the color of that famous carpet. "avatar" sure got talked about a lot. >> is that the director of "avatar" james cameron?

>> reporter: but in the end it received as many jokes as it did technical awards. >> this seemed like a better idea in rehearsal. >> reporter: but what the oscars may have lacked in suspense made up for in curious moments. >> this is so exciting. >> let the woman talk. >> reporter: it was that kanye west flashback when one producer crashed another's acceptance spee. not exactly an academy classic. >> it was awkward, but it was actually really entertaining at the same time. >> reporter: then there was the almost unfurling of a banner to save dolphins. and the remembering of every star who died but somehow for t forgetting bae arthur and farah fawcett. there were a few glitches, but this year's glitches have one thing many of them don't, history and a lot of it. >> well, the time has come. >> repter: kathryn bigelow is

the first woman to ever go home with a best director oscar. a point the academy's orchestra couldn't let go without a musical punk tu punctuation mark. >> i'm not sure we needed to hear the orchestra play "i am woman" when she was walking off the stage. >> reporter: screenwriters sometimes fade compared to actors. >> a collaboration between handsome gifted people and sickly mole people. >> reporter: the first african-american screenwriter to win an oscar. this one for writing "precious." >> this is for everyone who works on a dream every day. >> reporter: while best actor jeff bridges will be remembered for his heart -- >> thank you, mom and dad, for turning me on to such a groovy profession. >> reporter: -- and best actress sandra bullock will be

remembered for her humor. -- >> did i really earn this, or did i just wear you all down. >> reporter: oscar will be remembered for turning a page, hollywood style. lee cowan, nbc news, los angeles. and when we come back, we will get to hear for the first time what americans said to jackie kennedy during some dark days for this country. and what she said back to them. . i want to be a volunteer firefighter. when 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'm going to work with kids. 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 ] together we can discover the best of what's next at aarp.org. a day on the days that you have arthritis pain, you could end up taking 4 times the number... of pills compared to aleve.

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boulders the size of tractor-trailers are blocking colorado's primary east/west highway. landslides stretch across 17 miles of i-70 outside the town of glenwood springs. officials hope to have at least one lane open in a few days. it may take weeks to blow up and haul away all the rocks. a retired two-star general with extensive background in intelligence gathering was tapped today by president obama to head the tsa. army major general robert harding, a 33-year service veteran charged with keeping america's airports and flyways safe, harding's nomination

follows the attempted airline bombing on christmas day. one of the legends of the opera world, placido domingo, is recovering from cancer surgery tonight. he underwent an operation for colon cancer last week. the spokeswoman said the 69-year-old tenor is expected to make a full recovery and may be back on stage in a month. we have a fresh reminder tonight of the role ordinary americans played in a shattering event in our history. november 1963, jacqueline kennedy led the nation in mourning for a fallen presidt. the nation responded with hundreds of thousands of letters, telegrams, messages of condolence, later archived in the john f. kennedy presidential library. a book "letters to jackie" make those letters public for the first time. supportive, heartfelt letters, including one from a new jersey elementary school student who tells the widow, the goodness of your husband will never be forgotten. just seven weeks after she lost

her husband, in this rarely seen broadcast from our archives, jackie kennedy went on television to say thank you. >> each and every message is to be treasured. not only for my children, but so that future generations will know how much our country and people of other nations thought of him. >> a 34-year-old widow and former first lady, still in grief in january of 1964. we'll take a break, when we come back, setting a child's dreams to music and making a difference in the process. a heart attack caused by a clot, one that could be fatal. but plavix helps save lives. plavix taken with other heart medicines, goes beyond what other heart medicines do alone, to provide greater protection against heart attack or stroke and en death by helping to keep blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots. ask your doctor about plavix.

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♪ finally tonight our "making a difference" report. when you look around and see how many americans go on about their daily lives wearing something either in or over their ears, you realize the power of music. it's the soundtrack of our lives, it lifts our spirits, it can ark creativity, it can give you strength. and it's doing all of those things for the young people you're about to meet. john yang takes us to a place where music truly is making a difference. >> reporter: on chicago's gritty south side --

♪ don't want to hear about your love ♪ >> reporter: -- the sound of music for musicians with a passion to teach. >> you got it. check this out. >> reporter: and children with a hunger to learn. >> see if you can put your finger right here. >> this is what it's about. this is every one of my passions pulled into one. >> reporter: 20 teachers in four cities are part of a new class, musician corps. they're getting a regular paycheck and health insurance. for the students it means the sort of music ogram that's disappearing from cash strapped public schools. the lessons are going beyond learning how to play a music. >> it allows them to develop the skills of connectivity, team work, perseverance. >> reporter: the gift of music and service comes naturally. a former singer/songwriter, he worked in the clinton white house.

he helped create americorps. >> i think the impulse to create is really a desire to connect, to express. i think the same is true for the service impulse. >> i'm not hearing da, da, da, da. >> reporter: a chicago fellow, vernon lloyd bridges two neighborhood gangs. >> these are the programs we need in the community to tie the kids together so they can forget about the gang barriers. >> reporter:n last year's thanksgiving day parade, band members from rival neighborhoods played together. as barriers fall, spirits rise. >> i feel comforted. i feel like a family with everyone. >> mr. lloyd is a character. i love mr. lloyd. he's not like a teacher i would ever imagine. >> reporter: trying to bring the world more music and more harmony. john yang, nbc news, chicago. that's our broadcast for this monday night.

thank you for being with us here as we begin a new week. i'm brian williams. we hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. as always, good night. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com