this is calvin coolidge's 1923, president after the death of warren harding. at the time of harding's death coolidge was staying with his father in a very, very small cottage in vermont, a place that had no running water, no electricity, no telephone, no and in that, that did not have any of those things. and so a courier came my to present the news that harding had died and then everybody wanted coolidge to be sworn in as soon as possible the question was who would do it, swear in the president. the answer turned out to be his own father. his own father, john coolidge was a local justice of the piece and another republic. and so by the light of an old kerosene lamp to 47 in the morning of august 3rd 1923 john coolidge swore in his son calvin as the new president. so that is pretty much it. hopefully this all aids and helps in your view of the inauguration coming up. thank you. [applause] >> we have some time for some questions. >> if there are any questions, i'm happy to try and answer them. >> it was the first president to walk between the capitol and the wh

and then everybody wanted coolidge to be sworn in as soon as possible. so the question was who would do it, who would swear in the president? the answer turned out to be his own father. his own father, john coolidge was a local justice of the peace and a notary in public. and so by the light of an old kerosene lamp at 2:47 in the morning on august 3rd, 1923, john coolidge swore in his son mcalpin as the new president. so, that's pretty much it. hopefully this all helps you when you view the inauguration coming right up. thank you very much. [applause] >> if there's any questions i have be to try to answer them. >> who was the first president to walk between the capitol and the white house? >> can you repeat that? >> who was the first president to walk, get out of the vehicle and walked? >> that was jimmy and rosalynn carter. it was a total shock. the secret service knew, but the public didn't know, the press didn't know. they just never got into the car. they walked the entire distance. since then, other presidents and first ladies have what part of the

this is calvin coolidge's 1923, president after the death of warren harding. at the time of harding's death

. >>> we're getting word that brett hart middle school in oakland that's on coolidge avenue is now on lockdown. all we know, there's police activity nearby in that area. if we learn more, we'll pass it onto you in this newscast and on our websites and the later newscasts again, bret harte school on coolidge avenue is on lockdown. >>> a new development in the fiscal cliff talks in washington. also, a new supermarket in a san francisco neighborhood that really needs one. ♪ [ male announcer ] introducing a brand new medicare prescription drug plan. it's called the aarp medicarerx saver plus plan from unitedhealthcare. and it's for people who want the lowest part d premium in the united states... only $15 a month. and copays could be as low as a dollar. so call unitedhealthcare now to enroll or learn more. with this plan, you can save 40% or more on your copays by using a preferred network pharmacy, like walgreens. for example, a network copay of $4 becomes a preferred network copay of $1 when you fill your prescription at any of the 8,000 convenient walgreens locations. so call and enrol

this is calvin coolidge in 1923 who became president after the death of foreign harding. at the time of his death, he was staying with his father in a very small cottage in vermont, a place that had no running water, no electricity, no telephone camano internet, they didn't have any of those things, and so it courier came by to present the news that harding had died and that everybody wanted him to be sworn in as soon as possible so the question was who would do it and the answer turned out to be his own father, his own father john coolidge was a local justice of the peace and a notary public so by the light of an old kerosene lamp at 2:47 warning on august 3rd, 1923 john coolidge swore in his son calvin as the new president. that's pretty much it and hopefully this all helps you in your view the inauguration coming up. [applause] >> we have some time for some questions >> if there's any questions i'm happy to try to answer them. >> who was the first president to walk between the capitol and the white house. >> who was the first president to walk, get out of the vehicle a

the teddy roosevelt point and we're going to have to go through the harding coolidge who are or are we a be maybe the beginning of the hoover point if we're drawing parallels here if we're drawing parallels i'm afraid i would say we're at the teddy roosevelt point i think that this is going to be a very very long political process and a long intellectual process you know i think i think that part of the difficulty that progressives that liberals have in grappling with what's happening in the world economy right now is i think they are able to ask the questions but they don't have persuasive answers yet it's really striking to me the extent to which the liberal agenda the progressive agenda is really a rehashing of the one nine hundred fifty s. and i'm not saying i disagree with that and i'm certainly not saying i have something better to offer but when i look back on the historical experience what is very striking is the way the progressive came up with something entirely new well well well and we'll dig deeper into that in just a moment more of tonight's conversations with great minds

seemed to change with the new deal was prior to that both during the ruhr and twenty's the harding coolidge hoover era and then also during america's longest depression the one from the eight hundred seventy s. to roughly one thousand nine hundred that there was this widespread belief that if government just stayed out of the way that the marketplace and business would make everything right in fact hartings campaign slogan in one nine hundred twenty was less government in business more business and government it didn't work out so well how did we come back to thinking that how did reagan sell that to us but we sure didn't do it by learning from experience i'll tell you that because time and time again and of course there is calvin coolidge that government covered just bats which governs least and what's good batch for g.m. good for g.m. is good for america which in some ways is true but only if it's managed well as we learned with the auto industry bailout so. because we don't learn from experience we don't study experience and again i'm going to scold a little bit those of us on the left a

every president since calvin coolidge has presided over the ceremony. >> the president tried to handown to the first lady. was chilly for sure. >> we have had some christmas rain, warm,gs with snowed a few times. lookingay, for those for snow, this is a time lapse -- see the lights on either with the clouds? is the halo phenomenon that follows the sun. our temperature now that we are the night time, it really the 40's.to not as cold tonight as last night. but that the temperature in dulles. inlook at the temperature dulles. is 40 degrees. you folks in maryland, 31 degrees. while it is a little bit -- a little bit of cloudiness, there is not much in way of precipitation. none of the white stuff or icy stuff. chicago has gone to hundred 78 with no snow. get into -- 278 days with no snow. by saturday it will be one of they havet periods without snow. the west coast has been getting with nasty storms. over 7 inches of rain. some of the leftover moisture mid part of the country. some areas in a drought will be some rain. will get is some left over sprinkles. early tomorrow morning it will

on christmas eve, president calvin coolidge walkedhouse to light the tree. see, sometimes they do walk. over the years, the national christmas tree was located in sherman park, lafayette park, and on the south lawn of the white house. in 1954, it moved back to the ellipse and the traditional christmas eve lighting was moved to earlier in december. >>> i like to hear a little bit of history. >> yeah. >> it's interesting. the lights on the trees have changeed over the years. maybe later we'll tell you how they different this year. >> are you hinting about l.e.d. lights now? >> yes. >> yeah. >> don't give away my secret. >>> and coming up tonight, president obama visited a virginia couple who is worried about what happened. if the -- happened if the nation goes over the fiscal cliff. >> we must never lose site of that if recovering from sandy is not a local issue but a national matter. >> and lawmakers from areas affected by sandy ask the federal government for more help. gary. >> and thank you, will. it's been cold today even with the sunshine. and, of course,

that's true president calvin coolidge. there will be performances from baby face and james taylor and jummy olabanji will be hosting capriccio activities. that should be fun. -- the pre-show activities. >> two more hours of news ahead. >> next, the latest on the traffic problem on the ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [ girl ] dear santa... ♪ ♪ dear santa i want a ballerina tutu, a pink bike, a unicorn night-light... [ female announcer ] this year bring their wish list to life.

trailing bill o reilly's best-sellers killing lincoln, killing kennedy, and let's say sodomizing coolidge (laughter) now you know, anybody watches this show knows there is no bigger fan of bill o'reilly than bill himself. but-- i am a close second. nevertheless there are no friends on the best-seller list, as papa bear proved on the jon stewart show. >> so you got killing lincoln, killing kennedy, what is the next one? >> killing colbert. >> jon: oh, that's nice. no, i cannot advise, you have stepped over the line, sir! (laughter) >> okay, okay. no big deal. (laughter) all right, nation, [bleep] is on. it is time for you to defend america, if by america you mean me, and i usually do. tonight i am launching operation killing killing kennedy. i need everyone-- (cheers and applause) >> stephen: i need everyone within the sound of my voice to go buy my book and for the record this isn't me abusing our relationship by telling you to buy my book. this is me reminding you you're going tow buy my book eventually. just don't do it in dribs and drabs. let's get it all done in one week and rock it t

. >> it's been going on since 1923 when calvin coolidge was president. it's posted by the national park service. this year president obama and his family will be flipping the switch like they did last year with help from scott tucker with more on what we can expect. good morning, delia. >> reporter: good morning. it's going to be a wonderful day. bundle up if you're heading down. i will tell you off the bat. the ceremony begins at 5:00 with a completely new perspective. we are giving you an up close and personal look at the lighting ceremony because take a look. we are the closest that we've been so far in the history of covering this event. if you take a close look at the backdrop, we are looking at the white house, folks. it is a spectacular view thanks to the hard work of the folks at the national park service who actually rearranged the seating to make this happen. scott turner is here to tell us more about that. how did you pull this off? >> one of the big changes this year is we took the stage and sort of turned it 90 degrees. the stage was overloo

>> i think the white house needs to do case studies, calvin coolidge and president john f. kennedy, when you look at what they did with lowering tax rates and increase revenues. calvin coolidge went from 73% to 24%. john f. kennedy from 91% to 71%. they increased revenues. we are not talking about what the president is looking at with his wealth redistribution, we are talking about wealth expansion, economic growth and sound policies to do that. if you want to continue to believe that $250,000 makes someone rich, you are going to crush the small business owners who run at subchapter "s," llcs and we are talking about capital gains from 15 to 25%. that will affect investment. we are talking about dividends from 15 to thirty four 33.44%. death tax to a 55% bracket and the minimum exemption from $5 million to $1 million. look at the farmers, especially in south florida. what will happen with the people trying to pass on their businesses? something we talked about before wecame on air, there are 20 new taxes in the health care law above and beyond the tax structure. >> we were

police believe it started as a home invasion on coolidge avenue. neighbors reported hearing several shots. two people seen running off. they have not said whether anyone was injured two chp officers are recovering after flipping their patrol car. the chase of a suspected speeder began about 3:30 this morning on eastbound 580 at isabel avenue. officers closing in when the car overturned near north flynn road. two men were arrested. >> the drake's bay oyster company is not saying goodbye without a fight. the owner hired a private government watch dog group to explore keeping the small, family owned business alive. the department of interior ordered the oyster farm to vacate in 90 days so land can be returned to wilderness but he says the national park service is misrepresenting federal law. the contract with the state of california and the needs of the community. >> california's long legal battle for maernl equality is on hold again. california's voter approved ban on same-sex marriage. the justices were expected to announce whether they'll review th

. >> a young girl walked away from a group home in coolidge avenue in oakland a week ago. police say atkinson met her near the fruitvale bart station and then forced her to his home here in san francisco where the assault allegedly occurred. she was found on a muni bus two days later. >>> san francisco police hope a new online tool will help them track down suspects in unsolved crimes. the line-up on the sfpd website shows surveillance video from cold cases including this violent robbery here on polk street. the line-up also includes descriptions of the crimes and suspects and ways to contact police to offer tips. >> that the public can basically reach out to us through social media and helping us identify who this suspect is. >> police got the idea after a san francisco giants fan smashed a bus following the world series. this widely circulated photo of the vandalism led to his arrest. >>> this is a bizarre story. they held him captive, threatened to kill him and made him do home repairs. a handyman walked into a ambush in morgan hill and got himself out of the mess at a

the secretary of commerce and under secretary of everything else, and he was working for calvin coolidgeand you know what hoover did? he believed in the american economic system, and he and calvin coolage, the apostle of limited government, poured in millions of dollars to the aviation industry which is still in wichita, kansas, funded the existence of infrastructure, and calvin coolidge, quoted in the book, talks about the importance of the investment in roads. eisenhower, of course, with the highways, and even reagan invested in the semiconductor industry, and the manufacturing extension partnership which now, some people think is irrelevant or bureaucratic was a brain child of reagan. what happened? in the last 30 years, there's a sense that government no longer should matter among some people with certain ideologies, and they argue that america should not make the mistake of becoming like europe. the information cited for their my philosophy for great american thinkers like ayn rand. the great justification for free market absolutism is not found in american history because american

. >> the 16-year-old victim walked away from her group home on coolidge avenue a week ago and atkinson forced her onto a bart train and took her to his home in san francisco. she was found on a muni bus two days later. >>> there is a drone war being waged in alameda county. the sheriff's office says it needs one of the pint-sized spy planes for public safety purposes. but cbs 5's ann tell us big brother might hop on board. >> reporter: the sheriff's department wants a camera-equipped drone for search and rescue and serving search warrants. >> having a device like this, we could look into that area prior to serving the search warrant. >> reporter: privacy advocates are worried it could expand. >> where they were going to say they were going to use them for emergency purposes and start using them for surveillance on ordinary americans. >> reporter: some believe the sheriff isn't being completely honest. documents that the aclu obtained along with documents that esf obtained show his true plan is to use a drone for spying. >> the sheriff clearly is working to secretly unleash a drone on a

that starred under president calvin coolidge. thousands ... turned out ...in... mount vernon...... a... popular... holiday tradition... in baltimore! myranda stephens... hassmore ...on this year's... annual lighting... of the ...washington monument. p3 myranda 49:31 well it's a 3 3 penn16 stephens, fox45 ews at mmunt ernon, myranda stephens, fox45 news at ten 16 as... the... univvrsity of maryland... prepares... to join... the big ten... conference.../ p republican... delegatee....at mcdonough ...wants to make sure... taxpayers... dont foot thh bill. bill."iqq it's a majjrrchanng pnd it was done behinn closed pdors.... oq: not even mennioned at the news onferenc. conference." that penalty is part of a lawssit filed by the atlantic coast conference, whichhwould force the school to pay a 52 mccdnough plans to introduce a billlthat would guarantee taxpayers wont pay for any part of the move. maryland hhs yet to respond to the lawsuit. could be... - a... lot... riding... on... sunday's game... between... the ravens... and the redskins../. howard... county a... - huge ravens fan.../

. >> the girl walked away from a group home on coolidge avenue in oakland a week ago. police say atkinson met her near the fruitvale bart station and formed her to his home in san francisco where the assault took place. she was found on a muni bus two days later. >>> they held him captive, threatened to kill him and made him do home repairs. that's the story for a handyman who police say walked into an ambush in morgan hill and got himself out of the mess at a san jose gas station. 509-year-old handyman was called -- the 50-year-old handyman was called monday morning for work at a mansion in morgan hill. for six hours a man and woman allegedly attacked him and forced him to work. >> the victim was terrified and shaken up. he told investigators that he was just trying to do as he was told waiting for the opportunity where he could escape. >> that opportunity came when the suspect stopped for gas in san jose while take be the victim to do some more repairs. he called police and they caught the suspects. they are due in court tomorrow. >>> 6:09. san francisco police hope

it happened near the coolidge exit. police are looking for the driver who ran from the scene. the highway patrol hasn't said if weather was a factor in the crash. >>> police in antioch overnight responded to two shootings on the same street within three hours of each other. the first was report order sycamore drive between summersville road and l street before 1:00 this morning. one person was hit and the injury is not considered life threatening. three hours later, officers got another call about gunshots, also on sycamore drive. nobody was injured. officers made one arrest and say at this point they do not think the two shootings are related. >>> a dramatic protest in san francisco today, in support of gun control and in memory of the victims of the sandy hook shootings. ktvu's kara lu reports on the somber ceremony led by the survivor of another mass shooting. [ bells tolling ] >> reporter: demonstrators held signs with the names of the lives lost atandy hook elementary school. >> i hope you watch us lay down and know that we're lying down in a silent protest to remember th

president obama conditions a christmas tradition begun by calvin coolidge when we continue. um become "i can"? talk to your doctor. orencia reduces many ra symptoms like pain, morning stiffness and progression of joint damage. it's helped new ra patients and those not helped enough by other treatments. do not take orencia with another biologic medicine for ra due to an increased risk of serious infection. serious side effects can occur including fatal infections. cases of lymphoma and lung cancer have been reported. tell your doctor if you are prone to or have any infection like an open sore or the flu or a history of copd, a chronic lung disease. orencia may worsen your copd. [ male announcer ] now learn about a program committed to you and copay assistance that can reduce monthly orencia out-of-pocket drug cost to $5. if you're not satisfied after 6 months, you get that money back. call 1-800-orencia. of washington about the future of medicare and social security. anncr: but you deserve straight talk about the options on the... table and what they mean for you and your fam

the national christmas lightinn tradition started in 1923 when president calvin coolidge as in officeing picttres & ssnce long before thh national park service thought about doing it. "i was just taking &ppictures." 3 pome of nielsen's ork is deemed so valuable it's displayed oonthe national paak service's websitee 3 3 rayylewis out against the giants...when theeravens have to activate im for the ppayoffs...next in sports &punlimitee... 3 we may have survived thh mayan calendars premonitions about the end of the world. -3 p but what about nasa's prediction of a kller psteroid cclllding with earth. thht'sscoming up after the break. 3 3 well we survived the preddcted end of the orld yesttrday...and now there's more gooddnews. 3 an asteroid feared to be on a coolision course with a threat. naaa & believed that there was a 1- percent chance that the asteroid known as "2011 a-g-5" would hit our planet in - februury 20-40. bbt after ooserving its eliminated. ssienttst &psayya colliiion ithhthe earth would have released about 100 &pmega-tons of energy....haa's seeeral thousand timms more pow

year.s the 90th all the way back to calvin coolidge. a lot of big names. it patrick harris will be the host. a lot of people that know him "doogiee hit show howser." will be joining the first .ady when she reads of musical acts said to be here. face, james taylor, all of coming together for the brand new national christmas tree. out ♪had better watch it is a tradition and unlike any other. it is something they wanted to person this year. >> just to be a part of the atmosphere. is such a wonderful atmosphere. the holidays, the excitement. i am excited to be here. >> when president obama flips switch, it will eliminate illuminate. the christmas confection that they personally designed. we worked with history into the archives to see what colors used in 90 years ago and used 50aments were years ago. >> even with the lineup of hollywood heavyweights and musicians, the top of build the first family, revelers who favor rudolph. met the first lady before. >> president obama and his daughters will be here. they are just wrapping up a ceremony. seen a lot of musici

the tradition dates back to president calvin coolidge.l patrick harris will be hosted a ceremony which features performances from babyface and james taylor and others. jummy olabanji will be hosting pre-show activities. >> she is working alive desk. -- the live desk. >> the ravens and the redskins will play this weekend. howard county's executive is a baltimore ravens fan and offers a bet to rushern baker air, the executive of prince george's county. >> if somehow you sneak a victory, i will probably wear an r.g. iii jersey the entire day. but when we come down to fedex field and beat you this sunday, you will take my favorite jersey and you will wear it in the office on a purple friday in prince george's county. are you up for it? >> ken says he will wear only the r.g. iii jersey if they lose because he says that the only player than he says is doing pretty well for the redskins. rushern baker if has seen the video and he says he will release details about his counter offer later today. ken allman, the redskins did need all three of thei

the ceremony started with calvin coolidge. here are highlights from the event held at the national mall. ♪ ♪ [applause] >> merry christmas, everybody! >> merry christmas! >> it is great to see you all. happy holidays. happy holidays, mr. president. >> is it time? i think it's time. >> for the big button. >> i hope everybody is ready. [cheering] >> we have to do the countdown. starting with five -- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. [cheers] ♪ >> merry christmas, everybody. ♪ >> please welcome the rector of washington st. john's church, the rev. dr. luis leon. >> let us about our heads in prayer. let us pray. gracious god, let us revisit this good plan for our heritage. we humbly pray we will always allowed to do your will. we pray that you will save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride, arrogance and fear of each other. to send our liberties and fashioned into one united people the multitude. we pray that he will shower with your life giving spirit those with whom we trust the authority of our government. that we may be a blessing

the tradition started by calvin coolidge as president barack obama and his family flip the switch.rit of the evening is the same, the audience may notice changes. the stage has been moved. >> the backdrop is exsen waited by the tree. the white house and executive office building. really showcases many of the features we have here in president's park. >> reporter: the tree itself is new. the blue spruce was destroyed by wind in 2011. the replacement also died. in october, the current tree was planted. all indications are that it's doing well. we are told the lighting scheme on the tree changed. if you were here last year, expect it to be different. the ornaments are different. they changed the lights themselves. they mix it up from year-to-year. for a lot of folks, it's a tradition to come every year with their families. if you are coming, you have to have a ticket. this is not a situation where you can come down here. many years ago, you could come for standing only room tickets. that is not the case this year. you have to have a ticket. all of them have been given out at this poin

the tradition started with prest coolidge. this year's tree is a 23 foot tree. >> merry christmas, everybody. >> it's great to see you all. happy holidays. happy holidays to you mr. president. >> sit time? >> i think it's time. >> for the big button. let's count it down. >> i hope everybody is ready. we've got to do the count do you know. starting the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. [applause] ♪ ♪ >> merry christmas everybody. ♪ ♪ >> please welcome director of washington st. john's church. >> let us bow our heads in prayer. let us pray. gracious god who has blessed us with this good land for our heritage, we pray that we may always prove ourselves to be a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. we pray that you will save us from violence, discord and confusion, from pride, arrogance and fear of each other, defend our liberties and fashion into one nite people the multitudes brought here out of many nations and languages. we pray that you will shower with your life giving spirit those to whom we have entrusted the authority of ou

the tradition started by president calvin coolidge continues tonight as president barack obama and his family flip the switch. while the spirit of the evening is the same, the audience may notice some changes. first of all, the stage has been moved. >> the back drop, i mean, it is accentuated by the tree. and the white house. the executive office building. you know, really showcases many of the great monuments and features we have down here in president's park. >> reporter: and the tree itself is new. the blue spruce which stood on the ellipse for decades was destroyed by wind in 2011. the replacement also died, and in october the current tree was planted, and all indications are that it's doing well. and if you are attending tonight's performance, keep in mind you're going to have to pass through a security checkpoint. the rule of thumb is, don't bring anything you couldn't get into an airport. megan mcgrath, news4. >>> and our own doug kammerer will be on hand for tonight's lighting. you can watch his live reports later in this newscast. coming up on news4 at 5:00. >>> heads-up if yo

the reality is we used to have a bipartisan tradition from alexander hamilton, calvin coolidge to ronald when it comes to manufacturing base we don't want gross subsidies but practical things, government investment in technology, skilled workforce the right tax incentives, and we're losing that. so we ought to recognize that there is a role, always has been a role in government. not the chinese role but the american role and get back to the basics. >> gavin: andy grove in the final moments, you sat down with andy and he made the case and you made it subtling in i beginning. if you lose your manufacturing you lose your r & d, your design capacity, you lose some of those things that most folks don't fully appreciate. meaning, as the manufacturing goes so goes those other industries of which we continue to believe we dominate. is that the fundamental concern that you're not just losing one industry you're starting to lose the creativity, and that entrepreneurism that define the best. >> you put it very aliquant eloquently and andy grove is concerned. if we continue offshore, other companies

> reporter: the national christmas tree lighting tradition started in 1923 when president calvin coolidge was in office and when nielson was only a year old. >> they didn't have good cameras in those days. >> reporter: he's about to turn 91 next month. he's been attracted to the tree ever since that first trip from denver to the ellipse. he's been taking pictures of the national tree long before the national park service thought about doing it. >> that's the only series like that in existence. >> reporter: any idea you would get the response that you did? >> not at all. i was just taking pictures. >> reporter: in springfield, virginia, surae chinn, 9news. >> it's quite a joury. >>> coming up on 5:52, we want to take another look at our question of the morning. every week 25% of us burn ourselves with this. is it a, our curming or flat ie -- curling or flatiron, b, a slice of pizza or c, the stove? >> dave wrote 25% of us need to pay more attention to what they're doing. no an. maybe he thinks all of the above. log on it the wusa9 facebook fan page. we'll reveal the answer in about an hour

the tradition of a national christmas tree started in 1923 with president calvin coolidge.tmas, everybody! >> it is great to see you all. happy holidays. happy holidays, mr. president. >> is it time? i think it's time. i hope everybody is ready. we have to do the countdown. starting with five -- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 -- [cheers] ♪ ["o tannenbaum" plays] ♪ >> merry christmas, everybody. ♪ ♪ ♪ >> please welcome director of washington st. john's church. the rev. dr. luis leone. >> let us bow our heads in prayer. let us pray. gracious god who has blessed us with this good land for our heritage, we pray that we may always prove ourselves to be a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. we pray that you will save us from violence, discord and confusion, from pride, arrogance and fear of each other, defend our liberties and people the multitudes brought here out of many nations and languages. we pray that you will shower with your life giving spirit those to whom we have entrusted the authority of our government, that there may be justice and peace at home and that we may be

it marked the 90th year for the tree lighting and that means that every president since calvin coolidge, oh, i remember when he lit that one, too, we've been lighting the trees ever since. after the lighting the president directed some of his remarks to the victims of hurricane sandy. >> and this holiday season is especially difficult for families who lost everything in the storm. but it's also a time for us to be grateful for the heroism and perseverance of ordinary men and women in the storm's path who have showed us that americans will always be stronger than the challenges that we face. >> well, what i liked about watching and listening today was that you didn't issue the combover alert, so your hair was blowing over to one side. >> thank heavens. it was definitely chilly, but it's been way colder other years, so that was good, but i saw baby face edmonds performing with only a scarf and a jacket and i thought i bet he hopes he only has to do one number. it was a wonderful evening and it's a beautiful tree, too. >> is it gorgeous. >> it's brand-new. -- it is gorgeous. >> it's brand-

calvin coolidge has been part of this terrific event. millions of americans will, of course, be celebrating this holiday season with their own christmas traditions, but we're glad you joined all of us here for a night of music, memories and quite possibly the coolest christmas tree in the world. [ cheers and applause ] we've already heard from babyface and the great navy band commedores. they're amazing. but plenty more music is on the way, including performances from james taylor, ledisi, and james taylor. and i would like to add a special welcome and word of thanks to the men and women in uniform around the world. we appreciate what you do. [ cheers and applause ] it is now my great honor to introduce a family that came all the way over here from all the way over there, ladies and gentlemen, the first family of the united states! ♪ ♪ >> merry christmas, everybody! >> happy holidays to you, mr. president. >> happy holidays to you. >> is it time? >> i think it's time, sir. >> i think it's time. >> for the big button. >> i hope everybody'

it's a tradition that began back in 1923 with then president calvin coolidge. president barack obama and his family are going to continue the tradition tonight. they'll lighting the national christmas tree a little bit after 5:00, once the big event gets under way. this video from last year's event. we're going to see some changes this year, though. of course, the performers, they're all different. the host this year is actor neil patrick harris. other performers include baby face, the fray, jason mraz, james taylor, just to name a few. we also have a new tree this year. the tree that standard on the ellipse for decades, it was actually destroyed in a wind storm back in 2011. they planted a new tree and that one died of shock, and so the tree that we're going to see here tonight is a new tree planted in october, and again, they're going to be flipping that switch shortly after 5:00 once the performances begin. now, if you have a ticket, and that's key, you have to have a ticket, all of them have been given away at this point. you're going to be allowed to come

this started in 1923 with calvin coolidge and that tradition continuing today, with lots of things that are new this year. you see the stage brand-new. the orientation of the stage is new as well. it's got kind of an interesting perspective. you see the tree to the left of the stage, and then you also see the white house. they switched things up a little bit. we also have a new tree this year. i'm joined by scott tucker with the national park service. talk about the tree itself. because that's the highlight of this event. what happened? we have a new tree. >> we do have a new tree. back in president's day weekend of 2011, the wind storm came through d.c. and snapped the tree that was planted in 1978. we transplanted a new tree because the national christmas tree is a live, living tree. we transplanted in one in march of 2011. that one didn't make it. and so this year, roughly a month ago, october of this year, we transplanted this 30-foot-tall colorado blue spruce from northwest west virginia and we're looking forward to many christmass with it. >> the pre-event is 4:30. >> correct. we

cliff and i think that the president should take a case study analysis and look at what president coolidgennedy when they went in and lowered tax rates and increased revenues, which is exactly what we're talking about. >> so either you've got a president who is tremendously overconfident after being reelected or someone who asks for the sty in the first offer knowing that he will look like the compromising once he gives in on the demands and gets himself involved in negotiations. >> both sides are waiting to see who is going to offer up the plan first, we're waiting on the white house. >> it's the president's job, isn't it? congress controls the purse strings and the white house is waiting for-- we're waiting for something from congress on their side and go back and forth, who puts up the offer first and it's the first salvo, so, michigan mcconnell laughs at it and timothy geithner hands it to them. this isn't real. >> i didn't know that first was the first offer. we have been talk about this for months. why is it now, i'm sure after the election and everybody knew where both sides stood a

and i think that the president should take a case study analysis and look at what president calvin coolidge did and president jfk did, john f. kennedy did when they went in and lowered tax rates and you increase revenues which is exactly what we're talking about. >> were you-- did you feel like it was a bait and switch from president obama from what you'd heard about in the campaign and light on the details, but that's one of the things i've heard from members of congress that they thought, wait a second, that's not at all what you thought was going to happen. >> yeah, you're absolutely right. what you see happening right now, dana, is really the art of politics, versus the science of good policy and i think we need to move away from campaign mode and we need to do the things that are going to stimulate economic growth and wealth expansion, not wealth distribution, when the president continues to be focused on the wealth distribution politics, which is something that president thomas jefferson talked against and also, abraham lincoln, we're going to continue to see greater problems with our

a tradition that began with president calvin coolidge and house speaker john boehner joined the lightinge capitol christmas treat. this year's christmas tree is from the colorado river white forest. we will show both of those ceremonies right here on c-span. up next, the transportation secretary on the high-speed rail program. more than $10 billion has been appropriated to provide greater access to high-speed rail. this hearing to examine the management of the program, our second panel, former member of this panel, distinguished secretary of transportation who we have had a chance to work with. we appreciate his being here and on the anniversary of his birth. welcome. you are recognized. >> let me begin by congratulating you. a job well done. when i came here with the chair and i heard all of dimon's lectures,--- jim's what you have been able to accomplish as chair of the committee is extraordinary. it is a good bill. an faa bill. it is a good bill. we cannot do the work we do without the relationship of this committee and your chairmanship over the last time that we have been together.

veep tradition started with president calvin coolidge. press -- speaker john boehner is out the lighting of the capitol christmas tree. watched both of these events tonight at 8:00 p.m. eastern on c-span. >> tomorrow on "washington journal." we will talk about the latest of the so-called fiscal cliff discussions. then all look at the lobbying going around the fiscal cliff negotiations by clients in washington. our guest is anna palmer. and later a discussion on syria and the response from the international community. live at 7:00 a.m. eastern here on c-span. this week on news makers, the vermont governor and chair of the democratic governors' association peter shumlin. he talks about the fiscal cliff and laying the groundwork for the 2013-2014 election. that is at 10:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. >> in president obama's weekly address, he talks about tax policy, the tax cuts put in place by the previous administration that will expire at the end of the year. then the republican address on the economy, jobs, and education policy. >> hello, ev

the tradition of the national christmas tree started in 1923 with calvin coolidge. house speaker john boehner joins the lighting of the capitol christmas tree. this year's tree is from the colorado white river national forest. watch both ceremonies tonight at 8:00 p.m. eastern here on c- span. >> we have had these explosions of knowledge in medicine, but we have not coordinated care, and all the services that we had end up having so many cracks that the cracks are as harmful as the diseases that we are treating, and you have got to step back and ask, you know, "are we hurting people overall on a global level? what are we doing sometimes?" now we have these reports saying 30% of everything we do may not be necessary in health care. when we step back, 30% of the medications we prescribe, the tests we order, the procedures -- this is something, i think, which is for the first time really being called out as a problem. >> dysfunction in the u.s. health-care industry. dr. marty makary on what hospitals will not tell you, tonight it 10:00 -- at 10:00. >> the supreme court

president calvin coolidge started this tradition back in 1923. >>> well, free flu shouts are offeredbay area youth between the ages of 4 and 18 at pharmacies at most local target stores. the paige family foundation set up by larry paige and his wife, they are paying for those flu shots. the adults often get immunized at work. this program makes it easy to get kids immunized as well. more information at www.shootheflu.org. >>> the grammys have been nominated and are out. "one" has been nominated and shares with five other artists and they will -- >> the 55th annual grammy awards will air on february 10th. >>> a movie about the mission to kill osama bin laden is generating oscar buzz even though it's not yet out in theaters. that's arthe national board of review -- after the narcotic board of review named "zero dark thirty" named 2012 for best picture. it's due out in theaters on january 11th. >>> a very interesting holiday gift idea. a perfume that smells like pizza. pizza hut just launched its own perfume. they say it smells like pizza with a freshly-tossed bake hand dough as well. r

the tradition started in 1923 president calvin coolidge. a 30-foot blue spruce from virginia. >> merry christmas, everybody! >> it is great to see you all. happy holidays. happy holidays, mr. president. >> is it time? i think it's time. i hope everybody is ready. we have to do the countdown. >> i hope everybody is ready. starting with five -- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 -- [cheers] ♪ ["o tannenbaum" plays] >> merry christmas, everybody. ♪ >> please welcome director of washington st. john's church. >> let us bow our heads in prayer. let us pray. gracious god who has blessed us with this good land for our heritage, we pray that we may always prove ourselves to be a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. we pray that you will save us from violence, discord and confusion, from pride, arrogance and fear of each other, defend our liberties and people the multitudes brought here out of many nations and languages. we pray that you will shower with your life giving spirit those to whom we have entrusted the authority of our government, that there

a driver also fled the scene after crashing a car into a tree on 580 near the coolidge exit in oakland1 in marine county, is also blocked by a fallen tree. >>> well the wet weather is also having an impact on holiday travel at bay area airports. right now, sfo reporting delays of about 45 minutes. yesterday, some passengers saw as much as a two-hour delay. due to the weather. >>> and a 90-year-old in san rafael escaped a house fire early this morning. a neighbor saw flames on brett avenue around 1:00 a.m. firefighters knocked down that fire and found the smoke detector in the home had a dead battery. nobody was hurt. >>> well, new this morning, the chief probation officer for san mateo county is reportedly under investigation for possessing child pornography. according to the san mateo dale dale -- daily journal, stewart force was placed on administrative leave yesterday and questioned by federal law enforcement officials. >>> a woman has died from thursday night's hit-and-run crash on twin peaks and her son now is talking about his loss. kae-yoo when talked about losing his mother and

first inaugurated by president calvin coolidge, who started the tradition by lighting a 48-foot fir decorated3. they've been doing it on the ellipse ever since just south of the white house. this year a giant blue spruce, a blue spruce christmas tree. folks love it already. we'll continue to watch a little bit, get back there. but there's other news we're following, including over in britain. >>> prince charles is showing off his sense of humor. he's speaking out to cnn for the very first time about his new grandchild that's on the way. >> your royal highness, what's your reaction to the news about the duke and duchess of cambridge? >> how do you know i'm not a radio station? [ male announcer ] there are plenty of reasons to be jolly at the chevy year-end event because chevy's giving more. more efficiency with sonic and cruze... more function in equinox and traverse... more dependability with the legendary silverado... and more style in the all-new malibu. chevy's giving more at the year-end event because 'tis the season. chevy's giving more. this holiday season, get a 2013 cruze ls for aroun