i'm chris matthews. merry christmas. welcome to our annual award show. with us today, huffington post howard fineman, bbc's katty kay, nbc's norah o'donnell and "time" magazine's joe kleine. our first award, president obama's best move this past year, was it the tax cuts deal or pulling all combat troops out of iraq or putting general petraeus into afghanistan after that embarrassing "rolling stone" piece on general stanley mccrystal and his team or the wall street reform? howard, you get to pick it. >> i'll say it was the tax deal because it was a tactical retreat that will allow him and democrats to fight another day. chris: well said. does anybody challenge that for the best of the year? >> yes, with a caveat. i thought the petraeus move was brilliant because he was going to the good into trouble from the right and from conservatives for firing mccrystal and putting petraeus in charge really tamped that down and showed he was still serious about the war and also petraeus has been doing a heck of a job. >> i would agree with joe. i'm attempted to say g

hi, i'm chris matthews. welcome toll show. with us today, michael duffy, andrea mitchell, the "new york times" helene cooper and the "washington post" david ignatius. first up, it's a december to remember. the president cut what he called the best possible deal on taxes. jobless benefits, the works. he has shown disdain for those who are resisting his decision. >> take a tally. look at what i promised during the campaign. there is not a single thing that i said that i would not do that i not either done or tried to do. chris: michael, i hav'ten seen him like this, eyes wide open addressing his critics head on. >> pointing the finger in case you missed the point. the liberal part of the obama presidency is probably over. he is moving into a totally different phase here. he is doing it because he has to. unemployment numbers were rising again. his popularity was beginning to dip into the low 40's. he cuts this dramatic deal with republicans on a tax cut, he gets a much bigger second stimulus, bigger than the first stimulus with

>> this is the "the chris matthews show." >> ask not what your country can do for you. >> tear down this wall. >> i can hear you. >> the time for change has come. chris: winner at year's end the poll numbers are heading down with the weather. will the republicans buy more compromises like the tax cut deal? democrat stay loyal? and can an unhappy center be brought aboard for the heavy lifting? the professional left, that's what the white house callsts progressive flank. but what's been driving the tempest? what's sparking the anger? and finally, boxed in pi the brass, will the generals who kept obama with him on afghanistan a year ago by the holdup -- by holding up this withdrawal? i'm chris matthews. welcome to the show. with us today, the huffington post, howard fineman, the bbc's katty kay, nbc's norah o'donnell. and time magazine's joe kleine. first up, the president's tax cuts deal. may turn out to be a textbook turn of the corner for a president sorely in need of one. he's got a very big advantage for 2011, a new abc news-"washington post" poll shows americans favor obama to make pr

chris matthews and am must and b c i peer at. national t.v. stating. i should be tied to a stake like a witch i mean something it's it's beyond it's beyond abnormal it's beyond me the norm of decency is beyond civilized society for something like this to happen in the media for something like this to go on this is criminal and i have a case as you know i brought a case in washington this see where i. asking for discovery on the issue of obama's soldiered votes in light of the fact that scene had to partition offices just provided an affidavit that obama doesn't even have a valid social security number the number that he's using zero four two six eight four four two five was. really early my last question here is like i said i mean a people definitely people can say very mean things i don't know if it's criminal it's the way it works is the way the media works the way politics work but if this painting this piece of art as the artist calls it depicted you in a more positive light then would you still have a problem with it. it's not the issue i mean the

"hardball" with chris matthews starts right now. we'll see right back here tomorrow night at 30 rock in new york. >>> it's my party and i'll cry if i want to. let's play "hardball." >>> good evening, i'm chris matthews in washington. leading off tonight, one down, one to go. the senate has just passed the tax bill that angered so many on the far left and the far right, a number of progressives are still promising to fight it in the house but our latest nbc news/"wall street journal" poll shows americans left, right and center approve of the bill, which raises two questions. why is the minority making all the noise and why is the majority staying silent? two great questions. and speaking of today's poll, it has some surprisingly good news for president obama. contrary to the buzz, voters have not given up on the president. that includes independent voters. truly alarming, by the way, in terms of numbers, are the latest test scores that show american schoolchildren falling behind further and further the rest of the world. is it becaus

let's play "hardball." >>> good evening i'm chris matthews in washington. the big tax deal is just hit the 60-vote threshold. the magic number to hit a fill bester and head toward victory. can the democrats and republicans in that body deliver the 218 votes needed for that big package of cuts and income taxes, payroll taxes added to a 13-month extension of jobless benefits? part of that story is that show stopping appearance of president obama with bill clinton. in the presidential briefing room. how much bang will the scene of the big two have on fellow democrats? this is the most vital political alliance in the country and certainly rules the democratic party. will it keep the democrats together in this debate? plus, a shot across the bough of the health care bill. a federal district judge in virginia ruled that a key part of the bill, the part where we all buy insurance, is unconstitutional. if republicans get their way, it's certainly the beginning of the end and with the republican right and democratic left making all the noise these days, what is the

let's play "hardball." >>> good evening, i'm chris matthews in washington. leading off tonight, now the hard part, the big tax deal brokered by the white house and senate republicans has just hit the 60-vote threshold. that's the magic number to beat a filibuster and head toward victory. so now the tough part in the house. can the democrats and republicans in that body deliver the 218 votes needed for that big package of cuts and income taxes, payroll taxes, added to of course a 13-month extensions of jobless benefits. that's our big story tonight. >>> part of that story is that showstopping appearance of president obama with bill clinton in the presidential briefing room. how much bang will the scene of the big two have on fellow democrats? this is the most vital political alliance in the country, after all. and certainly rules the democratic party. will it keep the democrats together in the strong winds of this debate? >>> plus, a shot across the bow of the health care bill. a federal district judge down in virginia ruled that a key part of the bill, the r

>> this is "the chris matthews show." >> ask not what your country can do for you. >> i can hear you. >> the time for change has come! >> taking charge with unemployment rounding to 10%, bankruptcy overseas, the national debt exploding. will president obama rise to the occasion? will he take a hard stand on spending and taxes? will he stand behind his commission's plan, grasp it with both hands and be the grown-up the country needs? majority politics. with 20% of voters calling themselves progressives, if barack obama puts his shoulder to the wheel, can he have enough moderates to attack the dead. and soldiers fight. most military see no problem with open service by gays and lesbians, why are most arenas and half the combat ranks opposed? if we get rid of don't ask don't tell, how will we make it work. today, john heilemann, the national journal's susan davis, nbc's andrea mitchell and andrew sullivan. president obama is waist deep in crisis. it looks like one opportunity might be there for him. it's the universal agreement on every side of the spectrum here in washington that somethi

"hardball" with chris matthews is next. have a great weekend. i'm going up north to shovel some snow. we'll see you monday. >>> just in time for christmas. let's play "hardball." >>> good evening. i'm chris matthews in washington, d.c. leading off tonight, the democrats. for two weeks, president obama was taking heat from the democratic left over the tax bill. now, that it's law today, the president sits atop the middle ground. can this give him an advantage as he begins his third year in the presidency? charles krauthammer, a man of the right, says it can and it does. also, the president may be about to chalk up another win that will convince some of those on the left there is now a very real chance that don't ask, don't tell will be repealed this year. the senate may now have the votes to join the house and toss out the law this weekend. was it obama's call on taxes that gave us this chance to end this law? >>> and every year contains a few political whoppers. in year is no different. five biggers according to a read reader's poll from the fac

i'm chris matthews in washington, d.c. leading off tonight, the democrats. for two weeks, president obama was taking heat from the democratic left over the tax bill. now, that it's law today, the president sits atop the middle ground. can this give him an advantage as he begins his third year in the presidency? charles krauthammer, a man of the right, says it can and it does. also, the president may be about to chalk up another win that will convince some of those on the left there is now a very real chance that don't ask, don't tell will be repealed this year. the senate may now have the votes to join the house and toss out the law this weekend. was it obama's call on taxes that gave us this chance to end this law? >>> and every year contains a few political whoppers. this year was no different. we've got the five different according to reader's poll from the fact-checkers. >>> why would a strip club owner give vip membership to her club? well it's a weird case of mistaken identity, twice. check out the "sideshow." >>> and let me finish tonight with how the

. >>> coming up on "hardball," chris matthews talking to jack reed and chris coons, but first, parting and lessons learned from our town hall. last night, not just fireworks, but also some significant insights. that after this. my doctor said most calcium supplements... aren't absorbed properly unless taken with food. he recommended citracal. it's different -- it's calcium citrate, so it can be absorbed with or without food. also available in small, easy-to-swallow petites. citracal. [ male announcer ] you know her. we know diamonds. together we'll make her holiday. that's why only zales is the diamond store. where you can get up to $1,000 off now through sunday. >>> that wraps up day two. we'd love to thank the folks and i will thank the folks here for their hospitality. i'd also like to thank everyone at the town hall, dan dimico offering a valuable message. >> your responsibility to fend for yourself and you develop a certain set of

um next, "hardball" with chris matthews. >>> romney heads right. let's play "hardball." who's sorry now? one week ago, all that noise against the tax cut deal came from the democratic left. now, the noise is is on the right. limbaugh, palin and mitt romney are all complaining about the $900 billion bill. the question you have to ask the what are they complaining about? they love tax cuts. this deal gives you huge tax cuts. are you complaining just because you don't want the president to have a win? is that your economic philosophy? also, whose presidency has obama been reading about late ly? according to "the new york times," it's bill clinton. it could help explain what could be the most important political alliance in america today. two former clinton administration heavy weights robe -- plus, that loud noise you heard outside your window was the republican snowball fight that came when yes, michael steele is running again. but how can the party of lincoln stop this guy? it was after all these wins in fact and with a secretary of state alive now lining up with the new

." >>> good evening i'm chris matthews in washington. last harumph. reluctant house democrats are roaring their disapproval one last time before probably voting for bill. here's the irony. the closer this gets to passage, the more it's the republicans having second thoughts. they think it's too good for president obama. the president likes it, must be trouble in there somewhere. that's the republican attitude now. plus, the reviews on afghanistan are in and they're not good. yes, we're making some progress, but it's slow going and here's the killer. pakistan isn't helping enough. and that's not to mention the corrupt afghanistan government, so even if we had to go into afghanistan after 9/11, does the war still make sense today? plus, who's the grinch? do democrats hate christmas? this year, it's jon kyl and jim demint attacking harry reid. and skung at the tea party a new stimulus bill. the old gop guard is running committees right now. too much compromising with democrats tea partiers say and they're ready to quote rod stewart to republican leaders,

up next on "hardball" with chris matthews, much more on president obama and the big tax cuts deal hento law today. down with the bush tax cuts. here come the obama tax cuts, but first, a look back at some of the voices on this inaugural edition of our steel on wheels tour and a look ahead at our your going fight to a jobs movement in this country. yellowbook has always been crucial to your business, but now, to get it really cooking, you need a little website development. some transparent reporting, so you know it's working. online ads and 1-on-1 marketing consultation. yellowbook's got all that. yellowbook360 has a whole spectrum of tools. the perfect recipe for success. visit yellowbook360.com and go beyond yellow. if anything, i thought i'd get hit by a bus, but not a heart. all of a sudden, it's like an earthquake going off in your body. my doctor put me on an aspirin regimen to help protect my life. [ male announcer ] aspirin is not appropriate for everyone. so be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen. to my friends, i say, you know, check with your doc

up on "hardball," is the former president the key to fresh start for president obama is this chris matthews to pair of clinton insiders on the dynamic duo, if you want to call them that, and still fighting the job wars. can corporate america get the country back to work when the vast majority of jobs come from new businesses and investments, not old businesses that are making money through all the techniques mr. stockman was just describing. we're back after this. my doctor said most calcium supplements... aren't absorbed properly unless taken with food. he recommended citracal. it's different -- it's calcium citrate, so it can be absorbed with or without food. also available in small, easy-to-swallow petites. citracal.  boss: just going over how geico helps people save in even more talkways... ...with good driver discounts, multi-car discounts, defensive driver discounts... woman: you! oh, don't act like you don't recognize me! toledo, '03? gecko: no, it's...i... woman: it's too late stanley. gecko: actually, miss, my name's not stanley. woman: oh...oh, i am so sorry! from behind you l

chris matthews will have much more on the movement coming up. be talking to charlie crist, who was on the panel. but first, congressman charlie rangel joining us to discuss life after censure and what our politicians can do to restore the broken trust with the political trust that has become the american way of late. of vitamins, fiber, or minerals. and who brings you more natural colors than campbell's condensed soups? campbell's.® it's amazing what soup can do.™ [scraping] [piano keys banging] [scraping] [horns honking] with deposits in your engine, it can feel like something's holding your car back. let me guess, 16. [laughing] yeeah. that's why there's castrol gtx... with our most powerful deposit fighting ingredient ever. castrol gtx exceeds the toughest new industry standard. don't let deposits hold your car back. get castrol gtx. it's more than just oil. it's liquid engineering. her morning begins with arthritis pain. that's a coffee and two pills. the afternoon tour begins with more pain and more pills. the evening guests arrive. back to

." >>> good evening, i'm chris matthews down in washington. leading off tonight. who's sorry now? one week ago, all that noise against the tax cut deal came from the democratic left. now the noise is on the right. limbaugh, palin and hoping to be seen in the same club, mitt romney, complaining about the $900 billion bill. the question you have to ask the what are they complaining about? they love tax cuts. this deal gives you huge tax cuts. are you complaining just because you don't want the president to have a win? is that your economic philosophy? downgrade obama? >>> also, whose presidency has president obama been reading about lately? guess. according to "the new york times," it's bill clinton. clinton's emergence from the ashes of the 1994 congressional defeat could help explain what may be the most important political alliance in america today. bill clinton and bill and hillary clinton. two former clinton administration heavy weights -- robert reich and terry mcauliffe join us in a moment. >>> plus, let the fun begin. the loud noise you heard last night outside the window wa

"hardball" with chris matthews starts right now. we'll see you tomorrow night from minneapolis. have a good one. >>> deadline. let's play "hardball." >>> good evening, i'm chris math use down in washington. leading off tonight the last harrumph. over the tax plan reluctant house democrats are roaring their disapproval one last time before taking a deep breath and then probably voting for the bill. now here's the irony. the closer this gets to passage, the more it's the republicans who are having second thoughts because politics again. they think it's too good for president obama. uh-oh he likes it. the president likes it, there must be trouble in there somewhere. that's the republican attitude now. and plus the reviews on afghanistan are in and they're not good. yes, we're making some progress in afghanistan, but it's slow-going and here's the killer, pakistan isn't helping enough. and that's not to mention the corrupt afghanistan government. so even if we had to go into afghanistan after 9/11, does the war still make sense today? that's the hot issue that's getting hotter. >>> p

care, really get intense tune into their favorite cable channel and one of them happens to be chris matthews. >> well, i don't mind that let's take a look. any way, your thought bus the house, think we will get a big conference flip flap or flap over there, you expect this to go down through christmas or expect to see your colleagues on the other side of the hill backing this eventually? >> well, i can just say this, it's heart felt, the on six to the bill among the liberal members of the house democratic caucus is heart felt and they deserve their day to argue their point. they may prevail. my guess is looking at the vote in the senate, 81-19, cries the political spectrum, it is like lit version of the bill that we enacted is going to pass in the house of representatives. we are going to see it finalized some time next week. >> thank you so much for joining us. congratulations, by the way, on getting it done here in the senate. thank you, senator durbin. let's go now to democratic congressman brad sherman of southern california. congressman sherman, we haven't had you on in a while. where a

host: the first call for chris at words bombs from pennsylvania. matthew, republican line.ler: do you think bedpan sin city would help -- do you think that since city would help congress and the senate? host: let's move on. caller: thank you for showing us bernie sanders yesterday. thank you for the cato institute. the wars in iraq and afghanistan are failed wars witnessing the demise of american culture. we need to continue our economic growth, keep jobs away from china and india. i have been there. and we need to stay out of pakistan. that is also a failed state. we need to protect the nuclear weapons we have there because we do not want them to become a broke nation. but the united states has too many people out there. of all why are we supporting these military bases? host: chris edwards, co-head. guest: the interesting thing about dispense -- defense is that many conservatives think defense spending is good for the economy and other kinds of spending are bad. really, if we spend too much it drains the economy. draining resources out of the private sector economy, damag

nominations including best comedy series and acting honors for leah michelle, jane lynch, chris culper and mattheworrison. >> you're not handed awards or nominations all the time. so when something like this happens, you're just so grateful. you just wish for every actor in the world could av

incidentally, i just happened to be watching chris matthews the other side -- a television program -- and lawrence eagleburger, one of the people huwho supports the treaty, was asked what is the fuss about getting it done now? this is what he said. he said, "they want to do it before these lame duckers are out there. that's not the way to move on this issue." and, madam president, i agree with that. there's a lot of serious things -- there are a lost serious things to consider here -- there are a lot of serious things to consider here and in the rush to do all of the business this lame-duck session has is not the best way to get that done. the chairman of the armed services -- or of the foreign relations committee yesterday expressed the view that we had plenty of time to do this, comparing the work that we have here to the start i treaty. the start i treaty is the predecessor to this new start treaty, though there was the intervening 2002 moscow treaty that i mentioned before. but just to make two quick points on this, when we dealt with start i, we didn't have all of the competing c

students of glee earned five nominations including individual nominations for lea michelle, matthew morrisson and chrisis competing for best television comedy against 30 rock, the big bank theory, modern family and nurse jackie. this year one person could receive two best actor golden globes. johnny depp was nominated twice. once for his role in alice in wonderland, and one for his latest movie the tourist. >>> and a city has just made a decision to ban plastic bags in their city. the decision and how they came to it, next. >>> jerry brown is sending a stern warning tonight. why the governor elect warning that leaders need to fasten their seat belts. , sea ro f t t.. ro fn-opooal..ko gr. i'a n ! ro fe ysexdo..ko gr. llev wt emo? >>> the area residents use 3.8 billion plastic bags a year and on average they use them for about 12 minutes. >>> those are the kind of numbers that had environmental group pushing san jose to ban plastic bags at retail stores and to do it in a big way. just about an hour ago, the san jose city council began discussing what some experts call the state's toughest and strictest p

and glee stars matthew morrison, jane lynch, lea mcmichelle and chris colfer all nominated for their roles. that's fantastic. the golden globes are hosted by ricky gervais and airing on january 16th. >> that's wonderful. and that halle berry movie is getting a lot of buzz. >> frankie and johnny. >> where she plays a schizophrenic. >> want to see it. is it in the theaters now? >> don't believe so. and neither is -- >> the fighter. it is coming out this week. >> those are ones to watch. >>> well are you craving pizza this morning, maybe a steak or barbecue? aren't sure where to go? well aol has put out a best of d.c. list. we'll talk with a rep from the company to get the details. >>> and speaking of good food, holly is out getting crafty with dessert. how to make spectacular holiday treats coming up next. we're back in just a moment. >>> hi, this is desiree dirk and ashley fair from germany. we want to wish debbie butler from lexington, maryland, a very merry christmas. [ female announcer ] why settle for plain bread when you can have pillsbury grands! flaky layers biscuits? the warm,