tonight we learn about the scramble after that request from barbara bush and the two words we heard ater end of the line when the band finished. here's clayton sandell now. ♪ amazing grace max >> reporter: it was a spirit lifting serenade for the former commander in chief ordered up by former first lady barbara bush. >> she called us and said we should cheer the president up. and if the oak ridge boys could all get together and sing him a song or two. >> reporter: the bush family and the oak ridge boys have been mutual fans for decades. when the call from mrs. bush came in, the boys were on vacation but dropped everything gathering at the office in only 45 minutes. >> it was actually great to hear the president's voice in a cheerful mood. >> reporter: mr. bush, 88-years-old, is in this houston hospital fighting complications of bronchitis. an expected three-day stay now stretching more than a month. but when the band called his room on friday, number 41 had a request. >> he said he was ready to hear some of elvira. ♪ elvira that would make him feel good. >> reporter: then the boys pick

it is one day after barbara bush made a call to the oak ridge boys, one of his favorite bands.andel has the story. >> ♪ amazing grace >> it was a spirit lifting serrona de e ordered by barbara bush. >> she called and said we should cheer the president up. and if the oak ridge boys could get together and sing him a song or two. >> for decades the bush family and the oak ridge boys had been mutual fans. when the call came in from mrs. bush, the boys were actually on vacation, but dropped everything, gathering at the office in 45 minutes. >> it was actually great to hear the president's voice in a cheerful mood. >> mr. bush, now 88 years old, is in this houston hospital fighting complications of bronchitis, an expected three-day stay stretching more than a month. but when the band called his room on friday, thub 41 had a -- thub 41 had a request. jay he was ready to hear elvira. >> ♪ i was singing elvira. ♪. >> and then the boys picked one of their favorites. >> you will remember this one. >> ♪ amazing grace ♪ how sweet the sound ♪ that saved a wretch like me ♪ ♪ i once was lost ♪

it is one day after barbara bush made a call to the oak ridge boys, one of his favorite bands.layton has the sandel has the . >> ♪ amazing grace >> it was a spirit lifting serrona de e ordered by barbara bush. >> she called and said we should cheer the president up. and if the oak ridge boys could get together and sing him a song or two. >> for decades the bush family and the oak ridge boys had been mutual fans. when the call came in from mrs. bush, the boys were actually on vacation, but dropped everything, gathering at the office in 45 minutes. >> it was actually great to hear the president's voice in a cheerful mood. >> mr. bush, now 88 years old, al in this houston fighting complications of bronchitis, an expected three-day stay stretching more than a month. but when the band called his room on friday, thub 41 had a -- thub 41 had a request. jay he was ready to hear elvira. >> ♪ i was singing elvira. ♪. >> and then the boys picked one of their favorites. >> you will remember this one. >> ♪ amazing grace ♪ how sweet the sound ♪ that saved a wretch like me ♪ ♪ i once was lost

bush remains at houston's methodist hospital where he spent christmas with first lady barbara bush as well as his sons. doctors are saying the former president suffered setbacks, that's why sthey had not releasd him before are christmas. he had a bronchitis-type cough. doctors say since then, he's become weak and developed a fever. for more on that massive storm, we turn to nbc's dylan dreyer. good morning, dylan. a shock for so many. >> it's a shock because there's so many different aspects. we were talking about a foot of snow in portions of arkansas, but we're also getting reports of 19 tornadoes down through mississippi and to louisiana. so there are a lot of facets to this storm and now it's spreading east and that threat of severe weather will now go into georgia and into the carolinas. and you can see where that snow is falling. we do have heavier snow right now through northern arkansas and moving into southeastern missouri and also into southern illinois as well. so here is this area of low pressure and it is slowly going to move up to the northeast. so eventually, washington

bush remains in the hospital this morning where he spent christmas wes his wife, barbara bush as well as family members. the former first president suffered setbacks and why they could not release him as hoped to do originally. the former 88-year-old president was hospitalized for what was initially described as a bronchitis type cough. in the weeks since, he's become weak and developed a fever and cautiously are optimistic he will fully recover. >>> as always, when we talk about tornadoes, they're surprising. >> yes. especially with the type of storm we're seeing because it is bringing blizzard conditions to other parts of the country. we're talking about reports of 19 tornadoes yesterday and that whole set of severe storms continue toe spread east today. you see the rotation through eastern tennessee, the area of low pressure, a big one, strong storm bringing significant snowfall to southern illinois and southern indiana. here's your chance of severe weather through southeastern georgia and will eventually move into the carolinas especially the coast where we would see more tornadoe

extranjeras.el ex presidente george bush padre continua en un hospital de houston y su esposa barbara bushede morir para siria, mali y nigeria.mas en noticiero univision >>> la familia de bajos recursos disfrutaron de una cena de nochebuena grtszs a la bondad de un hombre que por 40 años reparte comidas y regalos a los más necesitados. este año, logro recopilar más de 5.000 juguetes y 3.000 escenas que hicieron que esta navidad. estuviera llena de felicidad en miles de hogares, en carolina del norte. >>> un accidente dejó sin hogar a una familia guatemalteca están agradecidos por estar con vida y mantienen la esperanza que un mil dpo les permita encontrar un lugar donde puedan volver a comenzar. tenemos la siguiente historia. el kalt de 3 niñas que sueñan con la na jay en esta época del año. mandamos una carta y sí va a venir. y una cobija. >>> un juego de princesa una falda. libros. mochilas. reflejan los deseos y netdzs de su familia la gente vio la noticia y la ejemplos nos trajo ropa. la estudiante de primer grado se refiere a la noticia del 29 de noviembre cuando en horas de la noche

. >>> plus, late last week, former first lady barbara bush called one of her ailing husband george's favorite bands and requested a private concert. the oak ridge boys were on vacation, but since they've been best friends with the bushes for many years, they agreed and gathered in their office to sing over the phone. the 41st president requested "elvi "elvira" and the band complied. they also sang "amazing grace." take a listen. ♪ amazing grace how sweet the sound ♪ ♪ that saved a wretch like me ♪ >>> well, christmas day sledding took a terrible turn as an accident set off a chain of rescuers falling through the ice. we have the latest on the dramatic rescues. >> reporter: the video camera michelle herman got as a present captured it all. >> that's seriously not funny. >> reporter: christmas day a man on a sled came down a hill and fell through the thin ice of jackson lake, and then one after another those who tried to save him fell into the freezing water. >> it just turned it into a total disaster, just panic. people falling in, people trying to save him, then trying to save themse

and last week barbara bush called one of her husband's favorite bands and requested a private concert. the oak ridge boys agreed and gathered in their office to sing over the phone. the 41st president requested "elv ira." they also sang "amazing grace." take a listen. ♪ amazing grace how sweet thou sound ♪ ♪ that saved a wretch like me ...but he'd wait for her forever, for any reason, and would always be there with the biggest welcome home. for a love this strong, dawn only feeds him iams. compared to other leading brands, it has 50% more animal protein. ...to help keep rocky's body as strong as a love that never fades... if he ever lets her leave again. iams. keep love strong. >>> welcome back. christmas day took a terrible turn as a ice rescue set off a chain reaction of rescuers falling through ties. we have a report on the dramatic rescues. >> reporter: the video camera michelle got as a christmas present captured it all. >> that's not funny. >> reporter: christmas day day a man on a sled came down on a hill and fell through thin ice of jackson lake. then one after another those w

. >>> plus, late last week, former first lady barbara bush called one of her ailing husband george's favorite bands and requested a private concert. the oak ridge boys were on vacation, but since they've been best friends with the bushes for many years, they agreed and gathered in their office to sing over the phone. the 41st president requested "elvi "elvira" and the band complied. they also sang "amazing grace." take a listen. ♪ amazing grace how sweet the sound ♪ ♪ that saved a wretch like me ♪ waiter: here's your check. oh! you--you got it. you know, since i got rid of my car, i really enjoy walking. ok. got it? no, i'm good. announcer: getting pulled over for buzzed driving could cost you around $10,000 in fines, legal fees, and increased insurance rates. oh, you're home early. you live with your mom? announcer: that'll set your game back a few years. buzzed, busted, and broke because buzzed driving is drunk driving. >>> well, christmas day sledding took a terrible turn as an accident setious not funny. >> reporter: christmas day a man on a sled came down a hill and fell through

we're told by his office that barbara bush requested the so song. >>> much more ahead -- an internetto watch out for. messages from friends who need money. but watch out tonight. we're all having such a great year in the gulf, we've decided to put aside our rivalry. 'cause all our states are great. and now is when the gulf gets even better. the beaches and waters couldn't be more beautiful. take a boat ride or just lay in the sun. enjoy the wildlife and natural beauty. and don't forget our amazing seafood. so come to the gulf, you'll have a great time. especially in alabama. you mean mississippi. that's florida. say louisiana or there's no dessert. brought to you by bp and all of us who call the gulf home. [ sniffs ] i took dayquil but my nose is still runny. [ male announcer ] truth is, dayquil doesn't treat that. really? [ male announcer ] alka-seltzer plus fights your worst cold symptoms, plus it relieves your runny nose. [ breathes deeply ] awesome. [ male announcer ] yes, it is. that's the cold truth! and you see the woman you fell in love with. she's everything to you. but your

and last week barbara bush called one of her husband's favorite bands and requested a private concertak ridge boys agreed and gathered in their office to sing over the phone. the 41st president requested "elvira." the band complied. they also sang "amazing grace." take a listen. ♪ amazing grace how sweet thou sound ♪ ♪ that saved a wretch like me [ man ] ring ring... progresso this reduced sodium soup says it may help lower cholesterol, how does it work? you just have to eat it as part of your heart healthy diet. step 1. eat the soup. all those veggies and beans, that's what may help lower your cholesterol and -- well that's easy [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup. ...but he'd wait for her forever, for any reason, and would always be there with the biggest welcome home. for a love this strong, dawn only feeds him iams. compared to other leading brands, it has 50% more animal protein. ...to help keep rocky's body as strong as a love that never fades... if he ever lets her leave again. iams. keep love strong. >>> welcome back. christmas day took a terrible turn as a

. >> former first lady, barbara bush, and the former president's children have been at his bedside during this crisis. >>> former south african president nelson mandela is out of the hospital. he spent more than two weeks in the hospital with a lung infection and other ailments. the 94-year-old will receive other medical care at his johannesburg home. >>> now, to the fiscal cliff. still looming large as president obama returns to the white house this morning. the president cut short his christmas vacation in hawaii to get back to washington. congress will be in session today, amidst fading hope that a deal could be reached by the new year. no agreement would mean spending cuts and historic tax hikes for virtually every american. >>> officials in newtown have a message for people who want to send gifts to the grief-stricken town. please don't. they say gifts have arrived in such numbers, they overwhelmed the small community's ability to process them. a fund established after the shooting to support newtown has grown to $3.5 million. >>> meanwhile, hundreds of schoolteachers plan to attend

barbara bush reached out to the oak ridge boys and they gave a personal concert over the fan. >>> for the colts having their coach back is the biggest victory. we'll have reaction of chuck pagano's first game after battling cancer. >>> and a baby determined to come out breech, we'll hear from one mom and dad about their little girl's special delivery. >>> it's pretty chilly across much of maryland and into baltimore. take a look. clouds to the south and east of us. a bigger storm over texas, could that be a problem for new year's eve, we'll answer that on abc2 news at 11. >>> the cliff hanger continues in washington tonight. democrats and republicans are wrangling over last minute legislation to avert the so called fiscal cliff, you know, the one two punch of tax increases and budget cults that will go into effect january 1. there's no sign of a deal so far. here's pridy arla. >> reporter: the clock is ticking, negotiations are ongoing, but at this point, democrats and republicans remain at odds. >> regardless of partisan differences, our top priority has to be to make sure that taxes

he spent the holiday with his wife, the former first lady, barbara bush, as well as his son neal and other family members. there were gifts and he received e-mails and telephone calls from family members and close friends. the former president was initially admitted about a month ago for what was described at the time as a bronchitis-type cough. in the weeks since his doctors have said he has developed some problems which include becoming very weak and he also has a low-grade fever. in their words, they say they are cautiously optimistic that he will recover. since leaving the white house, mr. bush still summers in maine but houston is his primary residence. he's been treated by the same team of doctors here at methodist for a number of years. a spokesman says that he is challenged by this very long visit but generally is in good spirits. meanwhile, there is no timetable for his discharge. carl? >> janet shamlian for us in houston tonight, thanks. >>> still ahead as "nightly news" continues, christmas in a new dimension for the queen, while will and kate break with tradition. >>> and

so barbara bush, what did she do. >> barbara bush had her cause of literacy, a story book christmas andavorites, so elegant and timeless, she did a red white and blue christmas for their last christmas in office and borrowed her mother-in-law's theme and a story book christmas, she was a librarian. >> alisyn: and the theme was home for the holidays. >> that applies to everyone. >> alisyn: in 2001, home for the holidays right after 9/11, the theme. the theme was picked prior to 9/11, but that year made it even more special and we were thinking about what is important to us. >> alisyn: what an undertaking. it's hard to get ready for christmas just as a normal person, but the first lady has a lot of responsibility, knowing it's a show piece. >> a lot of trees, a ton of parties. sometimes a party or two every single day, the pastry kitchen starts getting ready in august. and unbelievable what goes into the effort. >> alisyn: that's terrific. again, you're the author of "christmas with the first ladies" colleen burke, thank you for the pictures and great to see you. >> thank you. >> alisyn:

. >> barbara bush spent christmas by his side, former president george w bush expected to visit incoming days. >> retailers reeling tonight after holiday sales missed marks. they were expecting shoppers to spend 2% more than last year but turns out sales grew less than 1%. very disappointing. david with, a look the impact on the economy. >> there is no doubt that this is a real blow but kboitsing to impact people making goods retailers put on shelves. dispatting growth is likely tied to conservative gifting. >> i didn't get as many gifts but smaller gifts that meant more. >> mother nature dealt blizzards and hurricane sandy. haijor see vents. the bare area spared disasters and boost bid good economic news, higher home prices and lower unemployment. >> so i anticipate retail sales will be above average owe this is the executive director of the retail management institute. with numbers showing slowest growth chains may pull back plan tochlz pand that. could impact hiring. retailers are waiting to see if washington can resolve the impass on a tax, and budget plan. >> there is that uncertain

neal bush came and barbara was there to have chinese food. he is still very much bedridden by this cough. >> he certainly is, luke. yesterday the former president spent all day in the hospital with family and friends. i will talk about that in a moment. the former president has been in the hospital from a persistent cough. late last week they said that the president suffered from low energy days. a few days of low grade fever. that is what prevented him from going home for christmas. christmas came to him. former first lady barbara bush along with their son, neal, and his family surrounded him and brought him chinese food. it's a bush family tradition to visit one of their favorite chinese restaurants on christmas and they brought in the food and the former president could not have any because of a dietary restriction. he is said to be resting comfortable and they are cautiously optimistic that they have the situation under control and the cough will go away. luke? >> charles from houston, thank you so much for the update. we appreciate it. n

. >> former first lady barbara bush spent christmas by mr. bush side and former president george w. bush his son is expected to visit in the coming days. well, in the east bay an oakland mother is recovering after being hit bay stray bullet while attending christmas church services. and she spoke exclusively with abc 7 news reporter nick smith from her hospital bed. >> i looked back and i saw a bullet coming at my son's head and i threw myself over my son. >> maria spoke to me from her hospital bed after a night at church took a violent turn and left her seriously he wounded. >> we were at church with my daughter and some people passed by shooting at the church. >> reporter: her pastor was telling the story about the birth of christ when out of no where he heard. >> boom, boom, boom, boom. i was scared. i said to people -- said go down. as fast as you can. >> reporter: at least four bullets pierced through the walls and directly in the path of parishonners. she moved quickly but her instincts to shield her children put her in the direct path of one of of the bullets. >> i got shot i

. ♪ ♪ amazing grace how sweet the sound ♪ ♪ ♪ >> barbara bush was able to get some old family friendso sing to the president, they are his favorite group. doctors at methodist hospital in houston are not confirming the 88-year-old president is on the mend but mrs. bush is certain he is >>> longtime bay area liberal congresswoman is retiring from congress, lynn woolsey is stepping down. her replacement will be sworn in thursday. the 75-year-old is known for her outspoken anti-war views she supported the 2001 joint resolution that paved the way for the invasion of iraq she regretted that vote and became the first member of congress to call for the withdrawal of troops from baghdad. >>> mike joining us with one of the final morning forecasts of 2012. >>> we could probably squeeze a couple more in before 7:00. did you use the -- you live in the city so you probably didn't have frost in morning. >> no. >> peninsula? >> no frost either but it is out there. >> more probably inland valley, more frost around the bay tomorrow away the shoreline coldest morning will be wednesday, expect more sce

[laughter] >> steve ford, linda johnson rob and jenna and barbara bush on growing up in the white house sunday evening at 7:30 eastern and pacific. it's part of four days of american history right through christmas day on c-span3. >> i think that the idea, and it was promoted in certain articles, and i think there was a conflation of politics because joel, who created the show, is a, is a, you know, a public conservative. i mean, the spectrum of political affiliations on the staff were, you know, from the far left to the far right. but it was no agenda, the idea that there was an agenda which was really the charge that was being forwarded, that we were somehow the midwife to policy on coercive interrogation was absurd, it is absurd. which isn't to say that if there wasn't an issue, if, in fact, our content was affecting the behavior of interrogators in the field, even if it was, you know, .05% of those interrogators actually were taking their cues from jack bauer, there was a systemic problem for sure that i suggested that we, you know, try to intervene on the behalf of those people. an

legendary country group sang by phone to the 41st president at the request of former first lady barbara bushtreated for several conditions but was moved out of the intensive care unit saturday after his health improved. >> i thought he was more of a dave matthews guy. >> he got out of intensive care unit. >>> 5:53. 150 years after its signing the public is getting a look at the emancipation proclamation. the document aimed at freeing slaves went into effect january 1, 1863 nearly 100 years ago. it will go on public display at the national archives in washington, d.c. tomorrow. when it was exhibited in michigan last year people waited up to eight hours to get a glimpse. >>> final print edition of "newsweek" is now on newsstands, it is now online only. "newsweek" was first published back in 1933 and became the second largest weekly news magazine. a sign of the times. >>> you know those annoying words and phrases you keep hearing from friends and the media? >> yeah. the media. we are about to give you the worst of the worst from the 38th annual list put out by lake superior state university. he

barbara bush actually asked the oak ridge boys and call 41 and sing to him over the phones to lift histive said put away your harps. the president is going to be just fine. here is what a family spokesman said for the bush family said about this little performance. >> words cannot proper live express how much the oak's special performance meant to the president and bush family today. this is a friendship as your audience will well appreciate goes back many years. and what happened today gave the president a real shot in the arm. thankfully he continues to improve. the bushes continue to feel so blessed to have so many friends there in tennessee like the oaks and wish to thank one and all for their prayers. and good wishes. they have been friends since the late 40s in some capacity. >> juliet: you know you are hooked up when they call you oaks. this is what the oaks have to say in response. after we finished we asked if he could hear us and he said oh quite clearly. typical humor brought laughter all around. sang amazing grace for him barbara bush came on the phone. the hospital room wa

was a spirit lifting serenade for the former commander in chief, ordered up by former first lady barbara bushalled us and said that we should cheer the president up, and if the oak ridge boys could all get together and sing him a song or two. >> reporter: for decades, the bush family and the oak ridge boys have been mutual fans. when the call came in, the boys were on vacation, but dropped everything, gathering at the office in only 45 minutes. >> it was great to hear the president's voice in a cheerful mood. >> reporter: mr. bush is fighting complications of bronchitis. an expected three-day stay stretching more than a month. but when the band called his room on friday, number 41 had a request. >> he said he was ready to hear some "elvira." that makes him feel good. >> then they picked one of their favorites. >> you'll remember this one. here we go. ♪ amazing grace, how sweet the sound ♪ ♪ that saved a wretch like me ♪ i once was lost but now i'm found ♪ ♪ was blind but now i see >> there you go. >> reporter: the day after that mini concert, mr. bush was moved out of the intensive care unit

sound ♪ >> and the band gave the performance via phone after being contacted by former first lady barbara bush first met 30 years ago, but that was when bush was vice president. but bush was moved out of the intensive care unit yesterday. so, he's improving. >>> a pizza delivery man kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint by his customers. police say when the 51-year-old arrived that home to deliver the pie, the suspects restrained him with duct tape and put him in the furutrunk of his car. they drove 20 miles and dropped him off. the victim's car is still missing, but he's still delivering pizzas in a borrowed car. >>> an animal right's group has paid out a settlement to the owners of ringling brothers and barnum and bailey circus. one of animal r

barbara bush visits twice a day. yesterday neil bush and his family visited for christmas, and they brought with them chinese food. apparently, it's a bush family tradition to visit their favorite chinese restaurant in houston on christmas day. yesterday, the chinese food was brought to them. former president george w. bush and his brother, former governor of florida, have visited their father in recent weeks. their sister dora is visiting their father today. despite the recent good news, there's no talk when the former president will get to go home. >> charles hadlock from houston, thank you so much for your update. >> reporter: sure. >>> topping the headlines on "andrea mitchell reports." in afghanistan today, at least three civilians were killed after a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the gate of a u.s. military gate in khost province. taliban claimed responsibility. >>> hawaii's governor is expected to announce a replacement for late daniel inouye. today, the democratic party listed three finalists. senator

barbara bush visits at least twice a day. his daughter came to visit and his son, the former president, is expected soon. mr. bush continues to be alert and talkative had the icu, but doctors are not mentioning a discharge date yet. >> thanks so much for your report. we ark appreciate it. lots of people are getting nowhere fast as a winter storm whips through the northeast bringing high winds and snow and travel misery. we will tell you where the worst of the trouble spots are. we are watching "the daily rundown" and hope that's video of buffalo with all that snow. god's country. humans -- sometimes life trips us up. and sometimes, we trip ourselves up, but that's okay. at liberty mutual insurance we can "untrip" you as you go through your life with personalized policies and discounts when you need them most. just call... and speak with a licensed representative about saving on your policy when you get married, move into a new house... [crash!] or add a car to your policy. don't forget to ask about saving up to 10% when you co

apparently this is barbara bush's idea. once they heard about it the oak ridge boys were more than happy to gather around a speaker phone to see if they couldn't lift the president's spirits. >> ♪ amazing grace ♪ how sweet ♪ the sound >> they are old friends, and the president is a fan. the song selection "amazing grace" as you heard and of course" elvira." it provided him a needed shot in the arm, the good kind, not the kind you normally get in the hospital. >> good point. glad to hear the good news. >>> a terrifying morning at a phoenix bank. police and fbi responding to a call about a hostage situation and concerns about a possible bomb. an fbi spokesperson saying bank of america employees arrived at work earlier today to find a co-worker with a device around her neck. they called in the bomb squad. detectives removed the device finding it was not explosive. investigators say the bank employee had been taken hostage at her home the night before and held against her will overnight. police say the man who did it took her t

. >> steve forbes, and gen and barbara bush on growing up in the white house, sunday evening at 7:30 eastern and pacific. right through christmas day on c-span3. members of the senate foreign relations committee received a top-secret closed briefing wednesday on the september 11 attack on the u.s. consulate and then got the -- in benghazi libya. this is about 12 minutes. >> what do you think of that finding and [inaudible] >> my understanding is that the standard with which the accountability board looks at people is a very high standard. it is called a breach of duty. there is no question that there were people within the state department that were remiss and did not execute in an appropriate way. there are also some cultural issues. there were no doubt a number of fallen. to that end, i know that secretary clinton was unable to be able to testify tomorrow in an open setting. i do think it is imperative that she testify in an open session, prior to any changing. i'd think that is very important for her. i think that is very important for our country, and important for the country to

spirit-lifting serenade for the 88-year-old former commander in chief ordered up by former first lady barbara bush she called us and said that we should cheer the president up and if the oak ridge boys could all get together and sing him a song or two. >> reporter: mr. bush has been in this houston hospital more than a month fighting complications of bronchitis. he's not only a huge oak ridge boys fan, he's friends with the band members and when they called friday, he had a request. >> and he said he was ready to hear some of "elvira." elvira elvira ♪ ♪ i've been thinking >> that would make him feel good. ♪ my heart's on fire >> reporter: they sang it then picked one of their favorites. ♪ i once was lost but now i am found was blind but now i see ♪ >> there you go! >> hey, thanks. >> reporter: the music may have been good medicine. the day after the oak ridge boys called in, mr. bush was moved out of intensive care. for "good morning america," clayton sandell, abc news, houston. >> great news, and bianna was singing "elvira" along with it. >> no, i wasn't. >> sounded great. >>> now, to a very diff

. >> well, you know, thiis, you know -- barbara bush said it best. move on. >> well, what should, if anything, the democrats put on the table, michael? >> well, look, certainly not the entitlements, so-called, that the republicans want to pare back. we know a family of four making $24,000 can barely make it above the poverty level. why throw food stamps in there? why talk about social security and the so-called other entitlements that provided the margin of survival for those who are the poorest? the rich have got to learn to pay their fair share. i think president obama understands the wind is beneath his wings and the people of america are behind his back. and he's got to play his card. he's got to stand strong and stand tough. he can do procedural stuff but nothing substantive when it comes to those movements. >> does social media have an impact? >> they're brilliantly using the internet. they're catching up with rappers and reality stars. if you deploy resources on twitter, instagram, the like, facebook. if it happened in the arab spring, it can

apparently this is barbara bush's idea. once they heard about it the oak ridge boys were more than happy to gather around a speaker phone to see if they couldn't lift the president's spirits. >> ♪ amazing grace ♪ how sweet ♪ the sound >> they are old friends, and the president is a fan. the song selection "amazing grace" as you heard and of course" elvira." it provided him a needed shot in the arm, the good kind, not the kind you normally get in the hospital. >> good point. glad to hear the good news. >>> a terrifying morning at a phoenix bank. police and fbi responding to a call about a hostage situation and concerns about a possible bomb. an fbi spokesperson saying bank of america employees arrived at work earlier today to find a co-worker with a device around her neck. they called in the bomb squad. detectives removed the device finding it was not explosive. investigators say the bank employee had been taken hostage at her home the night before and held against her will overnight. police say the man who did it took her t

means the dollar is up 13% against the yen in one year and a special wish for former first lady barbara bushker bush, a very happy new year and to all our viewers. >> rick, well said, thank you very much. >> rick santelli there in chicago. >>> in 16 minutes time the president will hold a conference that may be more substantive than we original thought because of what john harwood just told us. there is some deal perspectively on what the operates would be to pay more tax. 400 or 450. let's bring in a traders view, edging back up towards now 13,000 on the dow. >> and we are. i think everyone is waiting now anxiously for the president to see. ultimately, if they announce this deal, you will get analysts an strategists that will pick it apart to really analyze within what is the deal, what does it mean? and that will dictate it. i was one that thought a band-aid is probably worse than going over. because going over would have provided clarity. you would know exactly what will happen. a band-aid leaves a lot of confusion and potentially more to talk about in the new year as we enter the conversa

barbara bush, the former first lady, at his side. other family members here. his daughter was here yesterday and christmas day, neil his son, and his family enjoyed a chinese meal in the hospital room with the president. >> charles hadlock from houston, thank you. >> reporter: sure. >>> up next, democratic congressman pascrell to rejacket to the negotiations in the fiscal cliff and hundreds of teachers are being offered free firearms training in utah. do you think it's a good idea to carry concealed weapons to school? it is the "news nation" gut check. be sure to check out the tumblr page. there i am pretending to work there. how about that? find lots of behind the scenes pictures, "news nation." [ male announcer ] feeling like a shadow of your former self? c'mon, michael! get in the game! [ male announcer ] don't have the hops for hoops with your buddies? lost your appetite for romance? and your mood is on its way down. you might not just be getting older. you might have a treatable condition called low testosterone or low t. millions of men, forty-five or ol

after requests from former first lady barbara bush, the oak ridge boys serenaded him over the phone.sang a verse from "amazing grace" and "elvira" and now i have that song in my head. here are some other stories that we're watching for you today. thousands of people including fire fighters, police officers and first responders paid final respects to the first of two webster fire fighters killed in an ambush on christmas eve. a second funeral is being held tomorrow. the shooter, 62-year-old william spengler, killed himself. police have also charged a woman in connection with that ambush. >>> a san francisco high school teenager has been suspended and faces expulsion for expressing her feelings in a poem that she wrote about the newtown, connecticut shooting. the school says she violated their zero tolerance policy towards violence. >>> and nhl lockout negotiations continue to try to save the season. the lockout has been on now for more than 100 days. the league has already cancelled games through january 14th, and an offer is currently on the table for a 48-game season. >>> after pass

. ♪ amazing grace how sweet the sound ♪ >> it was former first lady barbara bush that called the bandquest the special performance. >>> secretary of state hillary clinton is also feeling better. her spokesman says she'll be back at work this week after spending the past three weeks fighting off what the state department was a stomach flu and a concussion brought on by a fainting spell. doctors grounded her from over seas travel for a few more weeks. she may testimony about the attack on the u.s. diplomatic office in benghazi. >>> i love youtube. can be a huge time waste or a good laugh from the videos there. did you know you can get a job enter sprinterview from that si? we have the story of the football kicker who got noticed by the nfl. >> reporter: it may be the latest youtube sensation. a 28-year-old norweigan, he and his name famous left foot have been viewed nearly 2 million times. >> i got it, and things started to calm down a little bit. in maybe a week or so after i got an e-mail from the new york jets. >> that's the nfl's new york jets. >> the e-mail asked and told me that t

now, the latest washington post poll puts the first lady's favorable rating at 69%, just behind barbara bush popular than hillary clinton and laura bush. alison samuels, it's good to have you here. i appreciate it. >> thank you. thank you for having me. >> all right. so everyone want to know if michelle obama would follow into the political for she has said that she's not interested in politics but it hasn't stopped people from asking that question. >> no, it doesn't. >> when she appeared at the democratic convention in september, i think people were reminded of how smart and engaging she is and that started the chatter of, what if she ran for public office given that she's or the of able to galvanize people with her speech, her smile, with her sort of -- she's so passionate about everything that she talks about, all of her initiatives. she really pushes very hard for. i think a the lo of people are wondering, even though she doesn't want to be a politician, what kind of role would she have in public after her husband got out of office. i don't think she'll run for office but i think she'll

the oak ridge boys apparently serenaded him yesterday after barbara bush had made a call to them and said we need for you to lift his spirits, and indeed they did, from what we understand. the oak ridge boys sang el vira and amazing grace. and the president reportedly singing yesterday and shows he still has his positive attitude and kept his sense of humor. a lot of clarity here. he says president bush absolutely loves his doctors and nurses here. burr again, the headline, he is now out of intensive care, don. >> paul, thank you very much. we appreciate it. >>> other news now. police in new york have a woman in custody, wanted for shoving a man to his death on the subway tracks. a police spokesman says the woman was implicated -- has implicated herself during interviews with detectives but has not yet been formally charged. this is a sketch that went out yesterday. police only had this grainy video and some eyewitness statements to go on. the victim was pushed under the train as it entered the station thursday. he was a 46-year-old graphic designer from queens. >>> also in new york,

. >> former first lady barbara bush and the former president's children have been at his bedside duringhis entire crisis. >> he's such an active president. i don't know if many of you know this, he goes sky diving practically every birthday. even on his 80th birthday. the idea that he's had setback after setback that's kept him in the hospital. >> the first thing you look for is, have they called the family to the bedside. so we know the family is surrounding him. certainly our prayers and best wishes go out to them. >>> now to our other major story. a powerful winter storm that just continues to sweep across the country. it's now being blamed for at least six deaths. watches and warnings have been posted in 13 states, from the midwest to the south and the northeast. fierce winds, heavy snow really having an impact on millions of people throughout this christmas week. for now, we turn to abc's brad wheelis. >> reporter: it's hard to get out and about for many people in the u.s. and down right impossible for some. >> basically whiteout conditions. you look out the window and you couldn't