now, you'll know who tom brokaw is. for the last few years i have asked the various guess i and but for a biography of themselves written by themselves in seven words, like to of sorts. if you really want to be modern, which may be tom brokaw and i will talk about, tweet of sorts. and so tom brokaw sent me the following seven words, and they are -- some people ask for seven in the give me 27. no, seven words. he knows with an assignment is. he said, curious, talkative, i am grateful for that, impulsive, impatient, forgetful. tom brokaw. [applause] ♪ ♪ been. >> the list for you. you love frank sinatra. >> i do. i have experiences with frank sinatra, obviously. my generation, he was the voice, and he was larger than life in many ways. i get to him along the way, and not always pleasantly because i was a reporter, and he did not like being in the news, especially the way he got himself of the news. he would do something inappropriate and we would reported in the next day his public-relations person would come to see me. he

i sat down with ledge dare anchor man tom brokaw.s first american anchor to interview the dalai lama in tibet to countless political debates. it was this debate that stood out most in tom brokaw's memory. >> you know, the vice president said that i was the one to ask the question that elicited to the response, you know, i have more experience than john kennedy than boyd jensen said to him, i knew john kennedy was a friend of mine. that was prit and memorable for me. >> you are running not just for vice president and if you cite the experience that you have in congress, surely you must have some plan in mind what you would do if it failed to you to become president of the united states as it has for sew many vice presidents. >> i have much experience in the congress as jack kennedy did when he south the presidency. >> i served with jack kennedy. i knew jack kennedy. jack kennedy was a friend of mine. senator, you're no jack kennedy. >> history suggests and you mentioned in your book, that america is in the worst position since the gre

tom brokaw. [applause] >> the other piece of that is that i include russia and that fraternity. -- i include rush in that fraternity. your father was a great friend and the godfather of a great club i belong to, anchor of the evening news. i will share a story about your grandmother who is one of the most favored people any of us could ever have the privilege of knowing. i'm sure you would agree. i always said he had betsy cronkite as a fantastic partner. we count on our wives to let the air out of us at the right time. meredith played that role in my life and her idol was betsy cronkite. for a couple of reasons. when the cronkites move from a town house into a high-rise in new york, she said to a friend," i miss the old place. the friend said," of course, you raise your family there and you had so many good years." she said she could bury all those damn platts. [laughter] we were at the kentucky derby one year and it is a death march when you have the kind of visibility you do we were there for

joining me now is tom brokaw, author of new book out today "the times of our lives."e. it's good to be here. >> tom, are you surprised at the way the herman cain story has taken on a racial framework? there are those that are saying that the very coverage of these accusations against herman cain is somehow racist? >> i don't think i would use the word racist. i do think that it's symptomatic, if you will, the tim times. a little something bubbles up, and because the screen is so wide these days and has so many parts to it it's a tsunami of coverage if you're a viewer out there looking at it. sexual harassment charges are always tricky and difficult. we don't know the details of this one. he has given several versions of not exactly what happened, i suppose, but the arrangement made between the accusers and the restaurant association. was it simply a matter of he said or she said or was it much more egregious than that. i would think he would be eager to get the details out as quickly as possible if he's as innocent as he described in all of this. >> tom, one of the fi

our guest tonight, legendary journalist tom brokaw and his fabulous elf. laugh we begin tonight with hermain cain. and the biggest story to come out of the national restaurant association since that group was forced by the national rifle association to giveup their acronym. ( laughter ). you feel lucky, national restaurant association? every day we learn more about whether the-- ( laughter ) ( cheers and applause ) i see we have art aficionados in the crowd tonight. every day, we learn more about whether the association settled the 1990 sexual harassment charge leveled against its then-leader hermain cain. and when i say "we learn more," i am including in that hermain cain. >> i am unaware of any sort of settlement. i hope if it wasn't for much because i didn't do anything. >> jon: that was monday morning. ( laughter ). clearly, by monday night, mr. cain had attended some type of awareness-raising seminar. >> i was aware that an agreement was reached. the word "settlement" versus the word "agreement" you know, i'm not sure what they called it. ( laughter )

pawlenty joining us live next, and then tom brokaw on the economic crisis facing america. this is "andrea mitchell reports," only on msnbc. defendl constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating. with three strains of good bacteria to help balance your colon. you had me at "probiotic." [ female announcer ] phillips' colon health. they won't be beat. oh, actually... then i'd be like, you rule! and my kids would be like, you rule! i'd be like, yes, i do rule! ohh! that rules! oh, load up the sleigh; this is going to be a great christmas. yeah. ring dinga-ding, ring dinga-ding, ring, ring, ring me up. [ male announcer ] no need to wait with our christmas price guarantee. we're so confident in our prices, if you do find a lower one later in a local print ad, we'll give you the difference on a walmart gift card. save money. live better. walmart. there's no time like the present to consider all your health insurance options. well, now is a good time to take a look at an aarp medicare supplement insurance plan, insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company. get started by calling for y

thank you so much, tom brokaw.k is "the time of our lives: a conversation about america." there it is. good luck with that, tom. thanks for coming on "hardball". >>> up next, investigators have re-opened one of hollywood's most enduring mysteries. what happened to actress natalie wood? we all loved natalie wood. she died on that yacht in a terrible -- whatever. we really don't know what happened that night out there in the pacific. and there's new information about the case. this is "hardball," only on msnbc. ♪ [ cellphone rings ] cut! [ monica ] i have a small part in a big movie. i thought we'd be on location for 3 days, it's been 3 weeks. so, i used my citi simplicity card to pick up a few things. and i don't have to worry about a late fee. which is good... no! bigger! bigger! [ monica ] ...because i don't think we're going anywhere for a while. [ male announcer ] write your story with the new citi simplicity card. no late fees. no penalty rate. no worries. get started at citisimplicity.com. >>> herman cain has

thank you so much, tom brokaw. book is "the time of our lives: a conversation about america." there it is. good luck with that, tom. thanks for coming on "hardball." >>> up next, investigators have reopened one of the hollywood's most enduring mysteries. what happened to actress natalie wood? we all loved natalie wood. she died on that yacht in a terrible -- whatever. we really don't know what happened that night out there in the pacific. and there's new information about the case. this is "hardball," only on msnbc. americans are always ready to work hard for a better future. since ameriprise financial was founded back in 1894, they've been committed to putting clients first. helping generations through tough times. good times. never taking a bailout. there when you need them. helping millions of americans over the centuries. the strength of a global financial leader. the heart of a one-to-one relationship. together for your future. ♪ premier of the packed bag. you know organization is key... and so is having a tru

tom brokaw. [applause] ♪ ♪ ♪ >> that was for you.ove frank sinnott trip. >> i tonight had mixed experiences with frank's a notch or obviously in my was the voice and he was larger than life in any way and i encountered along the way and not always a pleasant way because i was a reporter and he didn't like being in the news and especially the way he got himself into the news. so he would do something inappropriate and we would report it and then the next day his public relations person would come to see me and say, you know, frank doesn't think you are aware that he is underwriting an orphanage in mexico were some good d. it doesn't excuse the bar brawl in which he was involved in last night or whatever. a mentor or not set of circumstances one evening here in new york we had a mutual friend, a kind of legendary figure by the name of swifty lazare who was a great agent and swifty had invited me to dinner and it turns out he had also invited frank's wife and then frank was going to arrive later. i said my god, what is this going to be

speaking at the club meting in santa clara brokaw says polarization has broken the political system in the country. his new book titled the tame of our lives take as look at how america became so divided. >> they are driving the political dialogue on the republican side writ now. there needs to be a concurrent or concomitant movement from the middle to counter that. it is time for us to wrist up and say enough. >>reporter: i was pleased to moderately today's discussion with tom. he also told the commonwealth club if the occupy movement wants to make a iing bigger difference it needs to sharpen the message and strengthen the leadership. >> officials at target headquarters in minneapolis were handed 6 bags full of petitions today. 190,000 people signed their name asking target not to open for black friday sales at midnight the morning after thanksgiving. they say the early opening interferes with family gatherings. target says the decision to open at midnight not made lightly and it is necessary to keep up with the competition. >> toys-r-us is under fair for revving to take the a so-call

speaking at the club meting in santa clara brokaw says polarization has broken the political system in the country. his new book titled the tame of our lives take as look at how america became so divided. >> they are driving the political dialogue on the republican side writ now. there needs to be a concurrent or concomitant movement from the middle to counter that. it is time for us to wrist up and say enough. >>reporter: i was pleased to moderately today's discussion with tom. he also told the commonwealth club if the occupy movement wants to make a iing bigger difference it needs to sharpen the message and strengthen the leadership. >> officials at target headquarters in minneapolis were handed 6 bags full of petitions today. 190,000 people signed their name asking target not to open for black friday sales at midnight the morning after thanksgiving. they say the early opening interferes with family gatherings. target says the decision to open at midnight not made lightly and it is necessary to keep up with the competition. >> toys-r-us is under fair for revving to take the a so-call

brokaw, i'd like to talk to you about the old days. i think he meant 1996 by the way. friend and we go to georgetown every night and argue politics. our bosses won't talk to each other. was it always like that? i called over winston lord who was a member of the nixon administration. we described for them how they were very strong feelings on both sides of the equation about the war, about watergate, domestic policy, but at the end of the day, political figures as you well know would find a way to have a drink or to talk to each other or wander across the aisle to work through all of this. so much of that has been lost. as i go across the country, i'm many main street america a lot as you know, that's what i hear most of all. why can't these two political parties get together. if you go to main street america youed find the republican banker working with the democratic contractor or the guy with the back hoe or the farmer to get a loan from the bank. he may have different political views or the woman that owns the grocery store or convenience store down the street. they

he said brokaw, you watch. he knew his fellow was not going to win. he knew he was going to stay in power no matter who was in the white house. [inaudible] >> yes. bob did get his way. [inaudible] >> he was ambassador to the middle east peace negotiations for a very short time, several months in 1979 and because of all the attention that he was creating within the department of state they decided to bring the ambassador to run the campaign. and he thought he would be better served as chairman of the campaign. [inaudible] >> in the political arena? is he really told you -- >> i can't speak for bob. i don't know how he feels but i know he wishes that were more like it was 30 years ago when people work -- partisan politics ended at cocktail hour and republicans and democrats had drinks together and when partisan politics ended at the water's edge and it was public for the rest of the world, america came together. >> you talk a little bit about strauss's relationship to george mcgovern in the 1972 convention. >> asking about george mcgovern and i heard yo

if you want to raise successful kids, you'll want to hear what tom brokaw has to say.errific book is out. >> how to wear that scarf. [ male announcer ] now at subway, get a free 6-inch sandwich of your choice when you buy a 6-inch sandwich before 9am. that's right, buy one, get one free! it's everything you'd expect from the sandwich experts! hurry in before 9am to get your free sandwich! [ male announcer ] start with a breakfast at subway that can't be beat. like the protein-powerhouse steak, bacon, egg & cheese. mwah!! [ male announcer ] tackle a fresh toasted subway steak melt today. rush in and get your flavor on. subway. where winners eat. with smooth caramel and chocolate. ♪ hmm twix. also available in peanut butter. whose non-stop day starts with back pain... and a choice. take advil now and maybe up to four in a day. or choose aleve and two pills for a day free of pain. way to go, coach. ♪ way to go, coach. so to save some money, i trained mathis team of guinea pigs to brrow this tiny boat. guinea pig: row...row. they generate electricity, which lets me surf th

. >> and former network anchor tom brokaw says a failure of a super committee to reach a deal is an example of what is wrong with america. speaking at common wealth club saying it's broken the political system in this country. his new book takes a look how america became so divided. >> they're driving this dialogue on the republican side now. so there needs to be a movement from the middle to counter that. it's time for us to rise up and say enough. >> and tom told the kpon wealth club if the movement wants to make a difference it needs to sharpen the message. >> unemployment fraud in california is on the rise according to the edd. blaming it on the rise of unemployment claims over the last three years, jobless rate ranked 50%. and. >> the most common occurrence is someone returns to work and fails to notify edd. continuing to collect benefits. >> the edd sends out $50 million in fraudulent enfit checks last year. that is an increase from $88 million in 2008. but now they say only has resources to go after worst offender autos three hikers went missing during a weekend snow storm on mount w

tom brokaw weighs in on the controversy surrounding presidential hopeful herman cain after revelations of past sexual harassment claims emerged. and carrie fisher shares outrageous tales of her own life from her new memoir. >>> keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day on your nbc station. have a good one.

tom brokaw will be here. sad news, we lost a great one today. gill cates who was the producer that we worked with on the oscars for both times. just an absolutely in layman's terms a mench and couldn't have had a better time working with him. you know you were in show business when you sat in gill cates' office and you just sat there and ate jelly beans and let him tell you stories about carey grant and nicholson and all the greats he'd worked with and it was a pleasure. we're going to miss him a lot. here it is, your moment of zen. >> there's very few left on television, this is the best one. so i'm excited. >> stephen: (supreming) tonight! more controversy for herman cain. his campaign manager has switched to menthol. then part two of my infiltration of occupy wall street. i say if they're going to put up tents in downtown manhattan, i get to put up condos in yellowstone. my guests are yo-yo ma and a group of all-star musicians whose new album is "the get to rodeo session" i hope they play something by baa-ch. (laughter) a new study found that

i've had three chances-- floyd, then carol, and i was once in an elevator with tom brokaw, and i blewibbs. - in your office, now. - what's the point, jack? i'm done. i took the money i was saving for my honeymoon, and i bought a cemetery plot. i also joined a book club

i sat down with anchor man tom brokaw. american anchor to the dalai lama in tibet to moderating countless debates. but this one stood out the most in his memory. >> you know, the vice president engs debate that elicited the responsive more experience than john kennedy to -- immediately said to him, i knew john kennedy. he was a friend of mine. i know -- that was memorable for me. >> you are running not just for vice president and if you cite the experience that you have in congress, surely you must have some plan in mind about what you would do if it fell to you to become president of the united states as it has to so many vice presidents just in the last 25 years ar so. >> i haves as much experience in the congress as jack kennedy did when he sought the presidency. >> i serve with jack kennedy, i knew jack kennedy. jack kennedy was a friend of mine. senator, you're no jack kennedy. [ applause ] >> history suggests and you mentioned in your book that america is in its worst position since the great depression, which certai

speaking at the commonwealth club meting in santa clara brokaw says the machlt needs to move beyond thet and become more focused. his new book titled the time of our lives a takes a look at how america became so divided. >> i would have thought is that they would have strengthened the leadership earlier and sharpen up the message about what they wanted and how they want to achieve it. >> i was pleased to moderate today's discussion with tom. he also told the club that polarization has broken the political system in this country. that ex my fight by the failure of super doe trim the national debt as we spoke about earlier tonight. >>> white house went a little bit country tonight. if ♪ about they performed for as part of the inperformance at the white house program. taped tonight and will air on pbs on wednesday. is lack for that. >>> san francisco landmark of another era being celebrated at the annual garden railway show in golden gate park. item a tribute to play land at the beach. arts entertainment reporter don sanchez shows us some of the recycled creations. >> it is return to by go

. >> i would have to say taking this job when tom brokaw stepped down. >> and watches the brand old man of american news does something i guarantee you've never seen him do before. >> when we come back, i want to ask you if you've ever been properly in love. but don't answer now. >> this is "piers morgan tonight." >>> there's been a tumultuous year in the middle east with governments falling in tunisia, egypt and libya. unrest is rocking the region. in the middle of it all israel. joining me now is shimon peres, the president of israel and the author of "ben-gurion, the political life." it's been an extraordinary year. how does israel feel about all these uprisings throughout the middle east? what is the collective mood at the moment? >> i think it's a change of generations more than the difference of culture. there are 220 million arabs in the middle east. 20% of them are young, from 19 to 26. they are more educated, more modern and they are the carrier of the revolution. but it's a disorganized revolution. >> one of the most important things i would imagine for israel right now is the

tom brokaw will be here. sad news, we lost a great one today.o was the producer that we worked with on

tom brokaw will be here. sad news, we lost a great one today.was the producer that we worked with on the oscars for both times. just an absolutely in layman's terms a mench and couldn't have had a better time working with him. you know you were in show business when you sat in gill cates' office and you just sat there and ate jelly beans and let him tell you stories about carey grant and nicholson and all the greats he'd worked with and it was a pleasure. we're going to miss him a lot. here it is, your moment of zen. >> there's very few left on television, this is the biggest one. so i'm excited.

. >> he's right, jon, an old tom brokaw trick, look look t just disappears,. >> boner, no boner. >> jongoing to break you up, i'm going-- you know what-- i'm going to go to samantha bee. samantha -- >> whooo! whooo! check it out bitches! this rick perry video is awesome. >> jon: how can you-- i didn't even think you could do that. >> do what, ring a doorbell from across the street? i can now. i got a joy boner! >> joy boner. >> joy boner! >> jon: all right, all right, >> jon: all right, all right, sam bee, wyatt come on in. (camera flashes) leanne...leanne! how do you feel about your new focus? oh my god, i love it. (laughs) what would you say to a friend who might be skeptical about ford? just that they make a quality vehicle. does the sound system stand out for you? yes. and when do you use it? um, i use it all the time. i love listening to jazz in the car. you know the only thing that stinks is you can't have a martini. (laughs) (cheers and applause) >> jon: hey, welcome back, our guest tonight-- jack or jill! >> so how long how long does it take to get a response on the computer dat

. >> he's right, jon, an old tom brokaw trick, look look t just disappears,. >> boner, no boner. >> jon: i'm going to break you up, i'm going-- you know what-- i'm going to go to samantha bee. samantha -- >> whooo! whooo! check it out bitches! this rick perry video is awesome. >> jon: how can you-- i didn't even think you could do that. >> do what, ring a doorbell from across the street? i can now. i got a joy boner! >> joy boner. >> joy boner! >> jon: all right, all right, sam bee, wyatt three years from now, a 2011 ford fusion is projected to be worth more than a 2011 toyota. any thoughts on this news? are you sure? i'm absolutely positive. fusion is projected to hold its resale value better than camry. you want to save money on car insurance? no problem. you want to save money on rv insurance? no problem. you want to save money on motorcycle insurance? no problem. you want to find a place to park all these things? fuggedaboud it. this is new york. hey little guy, wake up! aw, come off it mate! geico. saving people money on more than just car insurance. (cheers and applause) >> jon: h

last night on the last word with lawrence o'donnell, tom brokaw reflected on how atmosphere in washingtonsas changed since another divisive time in our nation's history, the vietnam era. >> there were very strong feelings on both sides of the equation, about the war, about domestic policy, but at the end of the day, political figures as you well know would find a way to have a drink or to talk to eachç other or wander across t aisle and say how can we work our way through all of this. so much of that has been lost. and as i go across the country, i'm in maine street america a lot as you know, that's what i hear most of all, why can't these two political parties get together. if you go to main street america, you find the republican banker working with the democratic contractor or the guy with the backhoe. the farmer may have a different political view from the person he's dealing with or the woman who opens the grocery store, the convenience store down the street, but they've got to work together in these communities to keep moving their families and their communities along a path toward

. >> he's right, jon, an old tom brokaw trick, look look t just disappears,. >> boner, no boner. >> jon: i'm going to break you up, i'm going-- you know what-- i'm going to go to samantha bee. samantha -- >> whooo! whooo! check it out bitches! this rick perry video is awesome. >> jon: how can you-- i didn't even think you could do that. >> do what, ring a doorbell from across the street? i can now. i got a joy boner! >> joy boner. >> joy boner! >> jon: all right, all right, >> jon: all right, all right, sam bee, wyatt man: my electric bill was breaking the bank. so to save some money, i trained this team of guinea pigs to row this tiny boat. guinea pig: row...row. they generate electricity, which lets me surf the web all day. guinea pig: row...row. took me 6 months to train each one, 8 months to get the guinea pig: row...row. little chubby one to yell row! guinea pig: row...row. that's kind of strange. guinea pig: row...row. such a simple word... row. anncr: there's an easier way to save. get online. go to geico.com. get a quote. 15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance. (

joining us now tom brokaw.bout america, who we are, where we've been, and where we need to go now to recapture the american dream." some of really the key questions of the time we live in. >> the question i keep getting asked by people as i go across the country which is i think essential to the american dream is my children have better lives than i've had. we ought not tong think of this just in economic terms about piling up more cars and houses and things but it is a quality question we ought to be addressing. what kind of society are we building for them? what kind of education will they have? what kind of opportunities in the job market? so i try to get at that by addressing each of those issues and i use my own personal experience, my family experience given where i came from and then i have an extended family now because i have sons-in-law in oklahoma, new york, grandchildren, and it prompted me to ask these questions. most people say to me, what has happened to this country? it is not an easy question t

. >> he's right, jon, an old tom brokaw trick, look look t just disappears,. >> boner, no boner. >> jon: i'm going to break you up, i'm going-- you know what-- i'm going to go to samantha bee. samantha -- >> whooo! whooo! check it out bitches! this rick perry video is awesome. >> jon: how can you-- i didn't even think you could do that. >> do what, ring a doorbell from across the street? i can now. i got a joy boner! >> joy boner. >> joy boner! >> jon: all right, all right, sam bee, wyatt ♪ ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] entune mobile technology. ♪ stronger [ male announcer ] stay seamlessly connected to your smart phone. available on t reinvented 2012 toyota camry. it's ready. are you? ♪ (cheers and applause) >> jon: hey, welcome back, our guest tonight-- jack or jill! >> so how long how long does it take to get a response on the computer dating things, i'm new to this. >> i mean it can take a day, it can take a week, you know what i mean, for someone like her, what was that shall did -- why did you say-- like her. >> just one like her, like in her 40s, still single, you know what i mean, incr