but does obama need christie more than christie needs obama? and christie can win with a pro growth tax-cutting agenda in a big, blue state. and here's another reality check. the troubles facing president obama are not going away. there are now four separate congressional investigations into the irs scandal alone. another investigation is still going on benghazi, and at least one probe looking into whether attorney general eric holder lied to congress. and one more reality check. a good one. the economy is improving, and stocks continue to rally. the spending cut sequester is working as pro growth. republicans get it. and here's another one, according to one prominent insider. get this. ben bernanke may be reappointed fed chairman, after all. all those stories and more coming up on "the kudlow report," starting right now. >>> trying to divert attention from all his washington scandals, president obama again joined chris christie on the jersey shore today, seven months after hurricane sandy wreaked havoc on the region. but it won't work, mr. pre

those big iconic moments between the president and chris christie and chris christie and house republicans, they reflected a pivot from christie and a reflective one at that. he gave a keynote at the republican national convention. but look at this, his approval ratings since then, since from the storm, went from 56% approval rating before the storm hit to a record breaking 74% in february and now hover safely at 69%. now, the uncynical interpretation of this is that christie is the governor of new jersey, a state that was ravaged by sandy and desperately needed help from the federal government. and there's probably a lot too that. the cynical interpretation is that christie is the governor of new jersey, a state that obama won by 17 points and being a partisan identified republican, when the party's brand is in the toilet, it does not bode well for a guy with an election this year, unlike anyone else in the country. christie's now so powerful going into reelection that in our staff meeting this morning, among people who follow politics for a living, it took us an embarrassingly long time

christie should say something. and the president has got to go i mean the idea that this president, who was a disaster with mike rice, didn't even see the video until the whole thing exploded. now he hires herman without understanding that she's got a past with her own verbal abuse. i mean gee whiz. the state university? what's going on? it's a state university. she's got to get out. what a job by wolf mitt wolf, the a.d. at rutgers. she's got to go. have a press statement saying i'm going to leave because i did the same thing when i was a coach. she should have been clean when she was interviewed for the job. the whole thing is is a mess. >> the well clearly it is a mess. now just to put it in context. the incident with her former assistant coach and whether or not she said demeaning things, things that might be actionable about her getting pregnant, that was a lawsuit that rutgers says they did look into. there was a $150,000 payment. but they claim that they didn't know anything about what happened in tennessee.

again, upset at chris christie and upset at chris christie taking money from the federal government >s bipartisanship, obama, his so christie praises obama. it's a master/servant relationship. >> whoa! whoa! >> wow. master/servant relationship. unbelievable. the question out to you this morning. why are conservatives, why is rush hiccupping over all that? 8665577377. we want to know your thoughts. why are conservatives so pissed off at chris christie this morning. will it have an impact on this presidential race? who knows? we'll take your calls coming up. (vo) current tv gets the converstion started weekdays at 9am eastern. >> i'm a slutty bob hope. >> you are. >> the troops love me. (vo) tv and radio talk show host stephanie miller rounds out current's morning news block. >> you're welcome current tv audience for the visual candy. just be grateful current tv does not come in smellivision. the sweatshirt is nice and all but i could use a golden lasso. (vo) only on current tv. >> good morning everybody. welcome back to the bill press show. this morning wednesday may the 29th. 33 minut

the right wing was furious at christie. they bashed him.gn insiders said they were frustrated. some talkers called him names. but he really didn't seem to care. >> the president has been outstanding. i appreciate that type of leadership. i cannot thank the president enough for his personal concern and compassion for our state and for the people of our state. >> well, today, seven months later, the political odd couple was reunited. governor christie warmly welcomed president obama back to new jersey to see how the state's coming back from sandy, and they had a great day. they walked the boardwalk at point pleasant beach, listening to the boss blaring from loud speakers as they played arcade games. >> that's because he's running for office! >> they had a great time during the football toss. and they walked the boardwalk. and the president even won a teddy bear. but when it was time to get serious, governor christie made it clear yet again, there's no place for politics in the wake of a disaster. >> everybody came together. republicans, democ

christi? >> any gauge at this point, sara, how far this thing could go when you mention lebanon and warplanes flying overhead there? any gauge at all how incendiary this may get? >> here's the great concern from israel's perspective in the region. that is, they believe if there is going to be something that happens. for example, that comes into israel where israel is attacked that it will likely be coming from hezbollah. that has been said in the past that they believe hezbollah would be the first to make a move there on the lebanese border. which is not of concern, which is interesting, they don't think syria is going to necessary turn around and attack because the syrian regime has its own problems. it is dealing with this war that went on for two years and the situation where it's having trouble to try to keep itself in power. what we may see over the next coming days a response. we may not see a response because from the response from hezbollah and israel and the united states will have to

chris christie republican thing. i think democrats like to push the talking point that conservatives are mad at chris christie for palling around with president obama. and i'm sure there are some very childish members of the gop for whom that is an offensive thing. i think most conservatives, for most of us the consternation came in chris christie scolding members of his own party for refusing to allow sandy disaster aid to be mucked up for thing that go to caribbean rum producers and fisheries. when chris christie waved his finger at them, i think that run them the wrong way in some cases. projecting out to 2016, if chris christie run for president, do you think he wants sandy to come up in a gop primary debate or not? >> i think he won't mind at all. i think he will say he did this for new jersey. and i don't hate government. i think this is an example of good government. the idea is to get businesses back on their feet in new jersey. when the president said the shore is open for business, that's what targeted good

how is governor christie doing?ere's still a lot of time but he's -- >> that's not good. >> no. there's still a lot of time but what he is doing is very smart. he knows he has to get past his election first before he starts looking at a white house. he has a lot of time to find wedge issues like obama care, etcetera, he can put between him and the president. and i think he'll have a real shot. there's been too much talk about whether or not he is conservative enough for this particular republican party right now. the fact is he is a leader and that's what this republican party has been missing since my old boss was in power. we have not had an articulate, charismatic leader who really united and excited republicans across the spectrum. >> the fact is the republican party is completely split. you see what's going on in congress between john mccain and conservative republicans and pulling a christie has now become a phrase that conservative republicans use i.e. getting too close to the president or getting too close t

governor christie losing instead of gaining. but i will say that the governor hasn't lost his magic touch. today they've already gone to an arcade and played a game of think touchdown five, throw a football through a tire. and the president threw five times, got zero for five. chris christie, the governor, got it through in his first toss, won a stuffed bear, gave it to the president. how than for the political bromance? >> nice, nice! two for christie, zero for the president. they have to play another match. thanks, jess. we'll be back to you as the president starts to speak. >>> the red cross raised $303 million, for the victims of superstorm sandy. seven months later 110 million still unspent. that is because the red cross says it is holding on to money to deal with unforeseen needs of sandy victims. but there are critics, however, who say there is really plenty of need for that money right now. you might remember the red cross changed how it raises money. it no longer pools the money that it raises. it keeps different relief

it is good for christie. other reason it is good for president obama, it shows that within the realm of the things that he can control, things are working, that he is willing to be bipartisan, but also in terms of this argument about government, things are actually working. fema is actually there doing the job it is supposed to do. the problem that i have with all of this talk about the bromance, when i was growing up, my mother told me you don't get extra credit for doing what you're supposed to do. i think we should remember. this is why i find rush limbaugh so cynical, they're doing what they're supposed to do, this is their job. their job is supposed to be you put aside your differences where you can, you come together where you can, and it is supposed to be about the people. i know that gets lost a lot of the time, being a bit too pollyanna. >> i think you're right, they're both doing what they're supposed to do, it doesn't mean they come to agreement on any legislative action as is necessary in washingt

chris christie is benefitting a whole lot more. my question is, i don't know how much that promans is going to work for chris christie down the line. if he has national ambitions to win a republican primary for. president, that's where he has to go. >> this is the big question. do you think that political relationship is actually baring tangible fruit? >> absolutely. there's no doubt about it. when they ran in 2009 he argued heavily about increasing property taxes. they rose about 6% under corzine. under christie they have risen by 18%. that's a huge rise. the moment you start to pay attention to the lack of progress under the christie administration, he's in trouble. you have to focus on sandy and obama. that's the way he wins. >> so on the issue of climate, on him trying to undo this, here's he being relatively clear about what he thinks about climate. this is him in august of 2011. take a listen. >> in the past i have always said that climate change is real and it's impacting our state. decade average temperatures have been risi

christie isn't known for giving speeches. he's known for doing something. >> if you ask a poll question in new jersey and a poll question in michele bachmann's district, name one thing that chris christie or michele bachmann did, their constituents, i would bet you, in michele bachmann's case couldn't name much of anything. and in chris christie's case could probably name two or three things. they might not be things everybody agrees with, but being effective, even if sometimes folks disagree with you, is far more important in a political race and for your political future than being, you know, somebody who gets sound bites and -- >> speaking of sound bites, this is a little bit funny here. i haven't seen it yet. i can't wait. on the boardwalk arcade, which i grew up on a boardwalk arcade in ocean city, new jersey. here in point pleasant, new jersey, president obama and governor christie competed in a game called touchdown fever. you know these boardwalk games. it was pretty evident who played high school football and who pla

forchr christie. 81% approve of his hurricane efforts. us now, larry -- and our expert on new jersey here is the host of msnbc's new weekend show, up, with steve kornacki. gentlemen, hello to woet of you. >> hi. >> larry, i want to start with you. i think the most amazing thing you learned from our poll is essentially the voters in virginia are screaming they want the status quo. the question is which candidate is going to promise more of the same? >> yeah, well, of course, the status quo depends which status quo. is it the national status quo, virginia voted for obama twice or the state status quo. and chuck, that's what the election's all about. forget about the numbers. it's structural. in a presidential race, the two that obama won, you had over 70% of the voters turning out in virginia. that means a big influx of young people and minorities. they're going to vote democratic in this moderate purple state. in a state race though like 2009, we dropped 26 percentage points. that's a heavily republican sample. that's why your likely voter

then we elected chris christie. the tough decisions to get new jersey back on track, taxes cut, spending cut, government made smaller and smarter. a real property tax cap working with democrats and republicans believing that as long as you stick to your principles, compromise isn't a dirty word. the result, four balanced budgets in a row. no new taxes for anyone. the best job growth. 130,000 new private sector jobs. merit pay for teachers and the best funding ever. the most important thing he did has little to do with numbers, statistics or politics. he made us proud to say we are from new jersey. chris christie, the governor. >> senator buono, you were shaking your head. >> it appears he's suggesting new jerseyans are proud. i was born and raised in new jersey and have been proud for a long time. we are not proud of his record. 400,000 are out of work. property taxes haven't risen on millionaires, but they have risen 20%. he's living in an alternative universe. we are at the bottom of the barrel in economic growth

we'll talk about christie and obama and the optics there for christie. but you know, this president has been maligned as many things. but i do, i think most of us have the sense that if there were willing republicans, that would work on, work on legislation with him, if there was a chris christie in congress, we would be in a much better place. because the president does actually want to reach across the aisle and when he is ever given the opportunity, you see progress being made. i mean you see him work with republican governors in a fairly substantive fashion on issues like this. >> i don't know about in politics if you're given opportunities, you have to seize those opportunities. you have to make those opportunities. and the president certainly has around these kind of disasters. he's taken advantage of the fact that this kind of disaster gives us a chance as a leader, as a president to really give a tangible. very public display of your leadership abilities. and your ability to be able to connect with people. and speem for the whole of the country.

chris christie. one set of rules for himself.ryone else. >> earlier this year christie told a former white house doctor to shut up after the doctor said he could die in office. and he's been even asked point-blank, is he too fat to be president. >> there are people who say that you couldn't be president because you're so heavy. what do you say to them? >> that's ridiculous. i mean, that's ridiculous. >> i'm not sure what's ridiculous or not. but, governor, if you need help slimming down, give me a call. i have a special reverend al diet in mind just for you. joining me now, krystal ball and joan walsh. join's writing about christie in "salon" today. thanks for coming on the show. >> thanks for having us, rev. >> krystal, let's cut to the chase. could this be the first step toward a run for the white house for christie in 2016? >> the timing is certainly very good. i don't want to question his motivations. i'm sure he's concerned about his health and thinking about his family and wife. unfortunately it's very unfair but people do,

(laughter) >> jon: new jersey governor chris christie, is losing weight. >> chris christie announcing that after struggling with obesity for years he revealed he secretly had lap band stomach surgery. >> some say it is a sign will run for president in 2016. (laughter) >> jon: of course some say that. some say that he's running for president, it's a sure sign. because why else would a 50-year-old man with young children and a loving family take steps to address obesity and extend his life. why else? it is a classic presidential run tell. (laughter) goes back to the days of eisenhower when everybody knew he was not going to be a president. of course the physical transformation that eisenhower underwent forced him to change his original campaign slogan. (laughter) (cheers and applause) you know what? can't a guy get healthy without prognosticators? >> oh what does it mean. it means he doesn't feel well! and wants to feel better. but you know, young christie, if you do wish to become president, it will take more than trimming down an occasional boughts of reasonableness. to be commander i

chris christie this fall or michele bachmann next year? i think bachmann has just wasted -- if i were her constituent, i would say, well, i don't mind your speeches, they're harmless, but it doesn't seem like you're doing anything else but giving these speeches. christie is known for doing something. >> if you ask a poll question in new jersey and a poll yes in michele bachmann's district, name one thing chris christie or michele bachmann did, their constituents i would bet you in michele bachmann's case couldn't name much of anything and in chris christie's case could name two or three things. they might not be things everybody agrees with, but being effective, even if sometimes folks disagree with you, is far more important in a political race and for your political future than being, you know, somebody who gets sound bites and -- >> speaking of sound bites, this is a little bit funny here. on the boardwalk arcade, which i grew up on a boardwalk arcade in ocean city, new jersey. governor christie and president obama competed in a boardwa

christie? >> well, we have been here for 20, 25 minutes and i have only seen trains coming from san francisco to the east bay. we have not seen any trains going into san francisco, and that is because of the major delays going on this morning. two maintenance vehicles collided this morning inside of the tube. i spoke with a b.a.r.t. spokesperson this morning and basically she is talking about long delays and i said 20 minutes, and she said longer than that probably as they get the repairs under way. the third rail is damaged. in the last couple of minutes i had a chance to speak to a couple of people trying to get on b.a.r.t. and they had no idea this was going on and didn't know about the delays. one woman is telling me she is trying to get to the airport to catch a flight, and now she is not quite sure what do, because she is not sure when she might get there, and b.a.r.t. is saying that they don't have an e.t.a. for the repairs. so what is happening this morning is that all of the trains are

republicans think christie could beat her.el bob, you're the first to educate me on the primaries, the one that had romney because he ran to the right, ran back to the middle, alwaysin etween and that's going to be a difficult process for someone like christie. what do you think of that? c-span: . -- >> there is. there's going to be problems if he runs. the iowa caucus is difficult because a lot of the bases there, conservatives there, but i thin people vote more on personality than policies, and if christie can deal with his weaknesses, and i remember years back, people said you like collective bargaini, and aggressively said, look, love it, i love to get into the union and beat them at the table. it ws a good argument to a supposed weakness, and christie's good at that. that's a skill that mitt romney really did not show a lot on the campaign trail. neil: he is personally appealing, might trump whatever political differences people have. he's hisown guy. we'll see how that goes. >> likability so important, neil. neil: i buil

christie just said?> no, i think ted cruz is much more representative where the republican party is right now, and that's why no less a voice than bob dole is saying this, things should be shut down for repairs. i think what's going on in new jersey today is instructive. it is a subject of bipartisan cooperation. it is state and federal cooperation. and then so you have the right wing criticizing this boardwalk bromance. i suspect it will just be a matter of days until darrell issa asks for an investigation into why president obama missed the five tosses into the football hoop. >> that has already been called for, as i understand it. we have news from darrell issa -- >> does this president have the motor coordination necessary to be president? >> yeah. ron, does this president have the motor coordination to be president? >> i'm sure he does. >> it's interesting, isn't it, ron? because if i can quote the congressional historians, thomas mann, they say the republican party has become an insurgent outlier.

this is christie watch, bill. see how it goes. >> it will be interesting. >> now everyone knows the kiss cam at a ball game. you know that, right? >> of course. >> the camera goes on you, you have to lay one on your girl. >> easy enough. >> if the camera went on us, i wouldn't lay one on you. >> i'd give you a nice man hug. >> even president obama and the first lady on the kiss cam at a basketball game last summer. but not everyone loves it. watch this girlfriend's persistence. her kiss at the fresno -- he gives her the hand. she gets denied the first time. other people are kissing it up. look at that. the second time denial and there it goes. she dumps the soda on his head. there is a soda shower there. and looks like she breaks up with him on the spot. bill, this may have been staged. >> i don't know. looked a little staged. >> no. the question is who is he on the phone with? >> it looked like water. why are you on the phone at a ball game? >> are you going to stage a kiss cam? >> stephen colbert is mourning his

how will that play out for chris christie?> reporter: well, i think chris christie thinks it looks good for him happening out with the president. he has a gubernatorial election to worry about before whatever he may pursue in 2016. it is notable today, when the two of them why wr in point pleasant, that chris christie drilled it. the first shot he took with the football. he was one for one. saxby chambliss had a hole in one with the president. the next one should probably buy a powerball ticket. you're looking pretty good hanging out with the president these days. for people here, i think the message that struck for the mayor, ed johnson, was the fact that this president was in many ways like a one-man new jersey tourism board. he used the word we in describing it. we've got great arcades, great boardwalks. they hope this sends a message to the rest of the country about the progress, the improvement that's are already taking place. the president was not here for long. he is already on his way back to washington, d.c. but this

christie. remember, he just had the surgery.aven't seen a great shift in weight yet, pun intended. >> steve, before we go, you logged some miles on the straight talk express. can chris christie continue to be the idiosyncratic no nonsense guy if he does, in fact, try to lead the republican party in the future, which is to say in the oval office as president? >> there's no reason to believe that chris christie would run as anything other than himself. i think that when you look at chris christie, one of the things that he has broad appeal about is the fact you get what you see, you see what you get with him. so i think that he is going to run as chris christie. we would see him obviously expand his policy portfolio, expand the issues he goes about as he goes from governor to national candidate, if he does it. i don't think you're going to see someone who all of a sudden becomes a constricted, tight, fearful, timid candidate, afraid of offending this base or that. >> one thing is for certain, i think his donut eating days on lette

christi? >> a lot of people might be watching this and if israel is carrying out these strikes, what could this mean for the u.s. and the west, specifically. could we see u.s. boots on the ground? >> we've heard several comments from u.s. officials. the president himself saying, you know, we're really at this point not there yet. we're not at the point where we think about putting boots on the ground. what we do know is that israel has deployed two iron dome batteries in the north because of an assessment of the situation there noting the fact that this could well be because of the tensions rising in that area. the big concern from israel is that hezbollah would be the first to strike israel, if there was some sort of escalation of tensions. they put those there. those worked very well the military said in gaza to knock out rockets and they're hoping that they will do the same, if, indeed, they are hit from the lebanese border. christi? >> so good to hear from you today, sara. thank you for br

chris christie and president obama. wal let him in just a few moments. >> bill: thanks for staying with us, i'm bill o'reilmillert tonight, plenty on the table, so let's get right to the sage of southern california who is in new york city this evening. appearing for the bolder fresher show on west bury long island on saturday. >> also making my dramatic stage day debut in lincoln senator one-man show about mayor bloomberg about i twerp. >> bill: are you playing the man. >> i have to go in for early prosthetic work they fold the leg back up under. come on look -- >> bill: i like to park my car in new york city, occasionally. you can do a lesser on the mayor a little down? towed to staten island see it next september. >> have you ever seen beckel with -- he is usually a happy warrior, he looked beat up, didn't he? >> bill: beckel tonight? i don't know what he does. it's too frightening to come item plate. let's go christie obama down the jerusalem is i shore. i was looking tore bruce bring stein. didn't see him. >> they a

shed 40 pounds after undergoing secret weight loss surgery. >> but christie is denying his decision has anything to do with his political ambitions. more now from abc's paula faris. >> reporter: chris christie is losing it, quite literally. >> in terms of keeping it secret it's nobody he's business. >> reporter: but still the colorful governor decided to share why he underwent secret weight loss surgery. >> i did this for myself, my wife and my children, and unlike some of you, they will still pay attention to me whether i run for president or not. >> reporter: once slender and athletic, christie has struggled with his weight for 30 years telling diane he's tried everything from fad diets to personal trainers. >> what do you say to yourself to psych yourself into it? >> i just look in the mirror, diane. i just go, okay, i got to get healthier. >> reporter: he deflected critics with humor most recently in february munching doughnuts on "letterman." that subject brought fire from a former white house doctor. >> i worry about this man dying in office. >> reporter: christie was livid. >

chris christie and president obama. wal let him in just a few moments. >> bill: thanks for staying with us, i'm bill o'reilly, in the miller time segment tonight, plenty on the table, so let's get right to the sage of southern california who is in new york city this evening. appearing for the bolder fresher show on west bury long island on saturday. >> also making my dramatic stage day debut in lincoln senator one-man show about mayor bloomberg about i twerp. >> bill: are you playing the man. >> i have to go in for early prosthetic work they fold the leg back up under. come on look -- >> bill: i like to park my car in new york city, occasionally. you can do a lesser on the mayor a little down? towed to staten island see it next september. >> have you ever seen beckel with -- he is usually a happy warrior, he looked beat up, didn't he? >> bill: beckel tonight? i don't know what he does. it's too frightening to come item plate. let's go christie obama down the jerusalem is i shore. i was looking tore bruce bring stein. di

christie's been to 132 bruce concerts.fleece is featured in his first campaign commercial which gauzily plays up his storm relief efforts and looks a bit like the sopranos opening sequence when played side by side. >> another hug, what a day. >> christie is riding an almost 70% approval rating into the november election, but ask republicans nationally and you'll get a different answer. he supported mitt romney, but befriended barack obama. he gave the expected red meat keynote address at the gop convention, knowing most in the audience didn't regard him truly as one of them. some still angrily contend he helped obama's re-election. how often do you reflect back on the political price you paid for getting along with our current president? >> well, listen, i don't spend a lot of time worrying about it because in my heart i know i did what was right. and all i did was actually compliment someone who was doing their job well. the people who second guess this are the typical political armchair quarterbacks who never in their li

on the right christie from november of last year.orts that it has been 40 pounds so far. out front tonight, radio show host and comedian stephanie miller, mark bender editor at large of the week and contributing editor at gq. he's also had weight loss surgery. and michael medved, syndicated talk radio host. great to have all of you with us. appreciate it. stephanie, chris christie has said in the past his weight will not be an issue if he ran for president. and obviously he's making a point he did this for personal reasons. he's 50 years old and he wants to be around for his children. he's made that loud and clear. but a lot of people have said this country would not elect a person -- an obese person as president. this has to help him for 2016, doesn't it? >> well, i think so. you know, there was no television. there was no erin burnett in the days of william taft, as you know. >> oh, i wish there were. i would have had such joy. >> i do too, erin. but my point is that i think to me it's not even just a weight issue, it's a health is

. >>> of course, the political world has been watching chris christie's weight for sometime. he secretly had lap-band surgery in february. it restricts the amount of food a person can take in. he has lost 40 pounds since he 81 went the procedure. he addressed his health and his career aspirerations and he took them head-on. >> it's not a career issue for me. it is a long-term health issue for me and that's the basis upon which i made the decision. >> everybody is going to have opinion, as is obvious from this skrum of people here today. with all due respect, everybody here, your opinions on this issue really don't matter a whole held hoff a lot to me. >> i made jokes arpt about you -- >> christie led to the moment that led to the change. it was here on david letterman back in february. >> the donut with david letterman was kind of my good-bye. >> the curtain call. >> it was. dave didn't foe that, nor did anybody else. i needed to do something. i did not want to take the risk of becoming unhealthy and the economics it would have for mary pat and my four kids. as you know, i ha

picket fence. >> i admire governor chris christie, too.ate police. >> bill: here now bernard mcguirk and greg gutfeld. >> bill: that had be to the worst thing. >> the curse of the office, the tv show where everybody thinks they can do a skit in their own work place and somehow by making fun of themselves it's actually funny i like him i think is he naturally funny when he is talking to people in town halls. he doesn't need to do this you have stvment having said that i wouldn't mind having a republican nominee with a sense of humor who is comfortable around people and not so still. >> he needs to get better writers. >> or just don't do it. >> better off othe cuff. >> mcguirk, do you this for a living you working for imus who is trying to be fun. >> very funny. >> times he is afternoon off times. aren't for 7 years. >> yes, he has. >> longest talk radio show in history. he has to be funny. >> he is sexy. so you are an expert. >> this is like an unfunny nbc sitcom which is actually redundant. this is weaker than chris christie's knees, this

spending time with governor chris christie.is going to go to seaside heights afterwards. >> good for him. >> good for him. a feel-good, come back for the prince. although, i really don't think that was a big deal what happened in vegas. this will help his good boy image. >> atlantic city not too far away, hot tub, champagne. you never know. vegas part two. >> stay away. >> chris christie said he would stay right by his side. unless chris christie wants to show off the new body. >> jacuzzi too. yes, exactly right. >> real quick -- al gore. >> the inventor of the internet. >> exactly right. >> worth $1.7 million turn of the century. 13 years later when his presidential bid failed. you know what he is worth now more than $200 million. can you imagine? $70 million from selling current tv. $30 million. stock options in apple, recently. the rest from speaking fees. maybe not being president wasn't so bad. at least not for his bottom line bank account any way. >> not so bad. >> $200 million. >> wow. ay. >> not so bad. >> $200 million.

governor chris christie revealing his weight loss surgery. and why he finally decided to do what it took to slim down. >>> good evening. tonight, an entire nation is riveted by the story of three american women making their break for freedom. and three american families with answered prayers. these are the faces of amanda berry and gina dejesus, abducted as teens. a third, michelle knight, vanished at the age of 20. and now, all three have been found alive after life inside this home. a flag on the porch. a crime scene inside. and on the right, there is the front door. that dark space where a stranger heard a cry for help and refused to turn away. tonight, we have new details about the women, the three brothers under arrest, and the heroes of this rescue, as breaking free, the escape in cleveland begins. and abc's david muir is there. david? >> reporter: diane, good evening. we are learning exclusive, new details about the dynamic inside that home among the women. we know two of them have left the hospital tonight, including amanda berry and

christie is taking questions.n in. [ question inaudible ] >> well, in terms of keeping it secret, it is nobody else's business. so, you know, i mean, from my perspective and my family's perspective, the steps i've taken recently are for me and for mary pat and the kids. you know, if asked about it i would have never lied about it, but it's not anybody else's business but mine, so that is the reason i made the decision i did. that's all. yes? you. behind her. yeah, you. [ question inaudible ] >> no, i don't feel any more effective today than i felt 12 weeks ago. no. you know, folks who ask questions like that have absolutely no understanding of what is going on or this process. you know, this is about my long-term health and i've been very fortunate the last 50 years not to have any effects or complications for being overweight the better part of 20 years. so the decision i made was that i tried a whole bunch of other things. they hadn't worked. this was an opportunity to try something different. and i'm doing it f

chris christie has his royal moment with prince harry on the jersey shore. it is "way too early" for this. good morning, everyone. i'm brian shactman. we got to thinking how do these potential scandals stack up in history. what we need from you is a list. we want your top three political scandals. you did nothing in the caption contest yesterday. give me a list of your top three political scandals. i'll give you 15 minutes. you can take the humorous route. i'll tell you, clinton/lewinsky, the clubhouse leader. i'll show you my own in a little bit. just post yours on twitter, using the #tooearlytop3. let's get to the news here on this wednesday. attorney general eric holder ordering a criminal investigation into the irs' targeting of conservative groups. this after an internal government watchdog blamed, quote, ineffective management for the scandal. a report concluded the cincinnati office of the irs used inappropriate criteria to single out tea party groups. adding there was, quote, insufficient oversight by management. the report also revealed that some ap