>>> we want to go across the hall in our washington bureau to the set of "meet the press" with david gregory standing by. you heard chuck, david. think of the two guests sh two people among your guests sunday morning. john mccain and david axelrod, last mentioned because he was in the news on taxes. i heard somebody say today it's harsh, the white house is pretending to have leverage on this topic. >> on the issue of tax cuts, you heard the president. he doesn't want to negotiate from overseas or give away the end game here, which is probably some compromise here on those tax cuts being extended on those upper earners. what they want to do first, however, is try to get a deal on the middle class tax cuts being extended. they would like to separate that from the upper earners. then if he's going to deal, you're going to see the president position himself as a fiscal conservative and say look, if you want to extend this policy, where are the spending cuts to make it worthwhile? as you know, brian, the president is on record saying there's no way that we can afford to extend these tax cuts on t

with us tonight, david gregory, who is in town from washington. where is the will going -- how are you going to do any of this? >> it's very difficult. there's a reason why it hasn't been done before, because so few want to do it. look at all the response slamming the proposals. the white house were surprised they put this out there today. they've got to get 14 members of the commission to agree to something before it can get taken up in congress. to your point at the top of the broadcast, are they going to be held to account for their promises in the campaign? >> yeah, nobody wins. david gregory, nice to have you in town in new york tonight. >>> while all this happened today, president obama is out of town. more than that, he's on this long asia trip. today, seoul, south korea, for the meeting of g-20 economic powers. and in london, students took to the streets to protest, what else? government proposals for deep cuts to education, big tuition increases and the protest turned violent. thousands descended on conservative party headquarters, smashi

david gregory talking about the merger. they're spoofing the merger we're doing here.ll it cabletown there. a little something different here, comcast. david gregory giving a news report about that merger. >> why are they talking about that woman? >> making political hay out of the wheatfield that is the nbc-cabletown merger -- who wrote this? honestly? "the merger of nbc and cabletown is bad for the consumer. i don't trust their executive leadership and cabletown still has an auxiliary button on their remote. what is that for? it makes the screen go blue." >> why is she talking about the merger? she said i had throw months -- three more months to make it diverse. >> good return by mr. gregory. well done. >>> and we love a good mug shot when we can get it. let's enjoy 46-year-old mark sebenmorgan. that's an actual mug shot. he went on a one-man crime spree in milwaukee, started october 21, reports say. he walked up to a total stranger and shoved him to the ground. this is a police report. he jumped on a car, flexed his muscles, and kicked out the windshield before runn

with us tonight, the moderator of "meet the press" david gregory, who is in town from washington. where is the will going -- how are you going to do any of this? >> it's very difficult. what former senator simpson went on to say, this has never been done before. there's a reasonhy it hasn't be done before, because so few want to do it. look at all the response slamming the proposals. who didn't respond? the white house. the white house were surprised they put this out there today. the fling is, they want to put it out there, see what might stick. remember that numb, 14. they've got to get 14 members of the commission to agree to somethg before it can get taken up in congress. it gets to the point where are the painful choices going tbe made? to your point at the top of the broadcast, are they going to be held to account for their promises in the campaign? >> yeah, nobody wins. and yet there's that question, where is it going to come from? david gregory, nice to have you in town in new york tonight. >>> while all this happened today, president obama is out of town. more than that,

david gregory is the moderator of "meet the press" and joins us now. david, good morning. >> good morning, jenna. >> as richard engel just mentioned, the situation between north korea and south korea is delicate at best. what strategy are we likely to see from president obama? what are his options? >> there aren't a lot of great options. china stepping forward, calling for some talks, is a great sign. the administration wants china to try to wind this thing down. that's what president obama will try to do here. ultimately try to wind this down. there is a great show of force here by the u.s. to say to north korea, "back off." they will do these exercises with the south that were long-planned but send a powerful message coming as they do this weekend. but ultimately it's about getting the talks together, trying not to make this a u.s. versus north korea stand-off. that's always what the u.s. tries to do going back to previous administrations when these acts of provocation come about. >> all right. the other big story we're following is the big wikileaks

he's singing a different tune now and he told david gregory why. >> is there a statute of limitations the economics is vastly different today. it is not the time to raise anyone's tacks. they should be extended until we're out of this recession. until such time we can look at other tax hikes, but when we're in this recession i can't believe raising taxes is a good thing on anybody. >> so it doesn't get any eeier for the president. he lands on the south lawn and will board marine one later this afternoon. later the lame duck session cob conveniences. on thursday he has all of them over the white house for a meeting and then upstairs to the residence for a little nosh, a little dinner. alec? >> that's going to be a big day. thank you very much, mike viqueira. we're going to bring you that full "meet the press" right here on msnbc at 2:00 p.m. eastern time. >>> rahm emanuel has been campaigning in chicago. never officially announced he would be running as the city's mayor until now. >> the choices we make in the next if you'res will define chicago for future generations. they will determ

the theatrical side of david gregory. watch. >> making political hay out of the wheatfield that is the nbc cable town merger? who wrote tht? the merger of nbc in cable town is bad for the consumer. i don't trust their executive leadership. >> why is she still talking about the merger? >> not your fault. nobody watches "america's next top black guy." >> love the show. >> this is fun for me. i am looking for platforms to express my artistic side. but my bosses told me i should stick to my one day a week job. >> david talks with david axelrod and senator john mccain and a roundtable on the economy. >> with some fine guests. notable guests. >> this sunday on "meet the press." check your local listings. >>> it looks like the alaska vote count will end up in the courts. take a listen. >> we have been asking for some time for not only precinct votes but tapes from the machines. one of the poll workers in fairbanks has reflected inconsistencies. >> the miller campaign realizes they are not getting ahead in the absentees they had

let's bring in david gregory for more on the future of start, which was the big focus at the white housetoday. let's talk about what the president did. all of former secretaries of state and defense they could muster, jim baker was there, madeleine albright, trying to point out that this should be bipartisan. and the fact that every republican push from reagan to bush 1 to bush 3, should push a russian arms agreement. >> the substance of that, this is a part of the outreach to reset the relationship and bring down nuclear stock piles and put inspection regimes in place in order to do that. the stagecraft is more interesting saying this is a bipartisan. foreign policy is an area where we should cooperate and to call the bluff here, what are you prepared to do? are you going to get things done? why would you block something like start treaty, you look overtly political or tactical. those are the screws they are trying to put to jon kyl of arizona. >> let's watch. >> this is not a democratic concept. this is not a republican concept. this is a concept of american national security that has

cheerios. >>> let's say good morning to david gregory and see what's coming up this morning on "meet id? >> good morning, lester. coming up the republican wave and the new balance of power in washington. what's next for the gop? can it stand united with the tea party? my guest, republican senator from south carolina jim demint. then my conversation with a man being called the darling of the gop, new jersey's governor chris christie plus our political roundtable. all coming up this morning on "meet the press." >> that's going to do it for us this morning. thank you so much for being here. next weekend i went up with the blue angels. lester did it last year and loved it. i did it this year. no comment. >> can't wait to see it. i sat down with bob newhart to talk about show business. i sat down with bob newhart to talk about show business. so long, everybody. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com we gave it a more powerful duramax turbo diesel and allison transmission to help it move over 21,000 pounds. and then we gave it an advanced exhaust brake system,

>> and david gregory traveled back to washington in the wee small hours of the morning. david, you have the interesting job this sunday on "meet the press" of getting your arms around the meaning of all this. how do you think the city is different today than it was even yesterday? >> i think there is a sense of a new normal, brian, in politics right now. that there is a lurching toward the right, and this is not a static moment in politics. it can change again. president obama said today, in effect, struggling, figuring out how he's going to connect with the american people, because he doesn't have that much time. he's got to make a decision about the push and the pull, how does he pull republicans toward him, how does he push them away? and gird for a fight in 2012. it will come sooner and the voters are still restless. >> and chuck todd, you and i were sitting in this studio, watching the president's new conference. i wrote down one quote from him, "this is something every president needs to go through." you found it a remarkable piece of self-analysis today. >> it was

one man in the news, david axelrod will be among david gregory's guests sunday morning on "meet the press." >>> we go to the west coast in san diego where there are 4,500 people tonight very happy to be on dry land. that carnival cruise liner that became a dead in the water nightmare voyage is now safely tied up at the dock and the passengers are talking. you can say that again. hey, miguel, good evening. >> reporter: good evening. after a fire in the generator room, the "splendor" was afloat without power for three days. 3,3 persons, 1,1 huh crew members with no access to hot food or hot water, and even without restrooms for some time. now they're all back on shore and they're relieved to share their stories. pulled by tug boats, escorted by coast guard cutters, it made san diego harbor at sunrise after three days adrift in the pacific. passengers raised their arms in victory as family and spectators welcomed them home. on land, they shared stories and home video of a dream vacation sunk at sea. >> the bed started vibrating really bad. >> reporter: the harlans were celebrating their anni

. >> and yet, david gregory, moderator of "meet the press." as we go through tonight what i think will emerge as a topic of conversation is -- how long does its last? how fraught is the path from the good news of tonight, for this bu new political movement and the path to actual governing? >> it's going to be difficult. look at the exit poll and look what voters are saying. they are incredibly worried about the economy over the next year. tremendous anxiety about that, on voters' minds. and a lot of frustration with both parties in terms of how congress is working. to pick up on what savannah is saying the president is not on the ballot but this is a referendum. the disapproval rate of the president in west virginia, 69%. how did manchin win in west virginia? he went on television and literally, shot with a gun, the cap and trade bill. this was running away from the president and his agenda and, of course, manchin is governor, we remember, as governor was popular with west virginiaians. an unsettled mood out there. >> might have been the most

david gregory, thanks very much.hank mark halperin. >> i want to thank you in bringing the story america is waking up to, as you said it is -- smoking in vegas. >> awful. >> you looked like that little korean kid just now, the 10-month-old smoking baby. >>> home at last. stories from the carnival cruise that became a nightmare. that's next on "morning joe." [ male announcer ] in the event of a collision, the smartest thing you could do is cut the fuel supply, unlock the doors, and turn on the hazards. or get a car that does it for you. ♪ guarantee me the best deal on my refinance loan, or pay me $1,000? that would be nice, not getting swindled. um...where are we? don't just think about it. put lendingtree to the test. get the best deal, or $1,000. >>> 34 past the hour. a quick look at the news. 4500 passengers and crew members are happy to be on dry land this morning. yeah. that carnival cruise liner that was stranded in the water off of mexico is safely tied up at the dock. nbc's miguel almoguer has more on what the

david gregory is moderator of "meet the press," of course.2008, obviously, taking over one of the really esteemed chairs in this business from the late tim russert, somebody we all knew and respected and has very much lived up to tim's legacy with that show. in addition to his "meet the press" respondents, he's a regular on the today show and see him often on msnbc. been with nbc since 1995. i thought you were a youngerfy than that,day. >> not anymore. >> time marchs on. okay. i just figured we would open it up with everybody talking a little bit about their shows and reflecting back. tell me, what was your biggest kind of get of the cycle, the really illuminating moment that you said, ah, this is really telling me something i didn't know about politics. david, we'll go on down the line. >> i think in the political context there were two that stand out, when robert gibbs said the house could fall was a moment because it was a bit of truth telling that he wanted to dial back -- >> why was that such a storm, right? this. >> well, because -- >>

. >>> presidential adviser david axelrod and republican senator john mccain will be david gregory's gueststomorrow's "meet the press." >>> one other political headline tonight in chicago, rahm emanuel who recently quit his job as white house chief of staff made it official today. he is a candidate for mayor of that city. the election is in february. >>> the largest november snowfall in two decades moved through minnesota today, dumping nearly a foot of snow in parts of the twin cities and catching a lot of people by surprise. we get more tonight on the first big snowstorm of the season from minneapol the weather channel in minneapolis. >> reporter: this storm is the first of the season. it also came somewhat unexpectedli. yesterday temperatures here were in the 60s. today there's a foot of snow. taking the midwest from fall to winter overnight. the snowstorm took many residents by surprise. >> when they said snow, they didn't say blizzard. >> very wet, windy. >> slippery. >> reporter: after an unusually warm fall with record-breaking october temperatures, and in november daytime highs in t

and now for a look at what's coming up on "meet the press," here is david gregory. david?wdown between president obama and republican opponents on nuclear weapons and the president in portugal presses allies for support. our guest from the summit secretary of state hillary clinton. then an emerging voice in the republan party has a new book unleashing the attack on the president in the oil spill. louisiana governor bobby jindal. plus our political roundtable this morning all coming up on "meet the press." >>> well, cougars are ready to pounce in california this weekend. >> but these weren't big cats out in the wild. some of themmay have been big. some of them may be wild. women were looking f their catch at the california cougar convtion in fresno esterday. they paid to be there. the event attracted ladies who probably do not want to reveal their ages along with quite younger men. one woman was vot queen cougar. >> i don't know what that means. >> that comes with a free trip to jamaicaor cougar week which starts in march. >> and that is how stella got her groove back. coug

now for a look at what's coming up on "meet the press" here is david gregory. david?nks, chris. good morning, kimberly and aaron. coming up, the politics of the economy at home and abroad. the president returns to the u.s. this morning after facing international resistance at the economic summit in asia and a home the debate over tax cuts and controversial cuts in spending proposed by the president's commission. aftethe election will the white house and republicanbe capable of finding common ground? david axelrod and the view from the republics with senator john mccain. plus, we'll have a special economic discussion this morning with alan greenspan, newt gingrich, mclean who has written a book about the financial collapse and former congressman harold ford. it's all coming up this morning on "meet the press." >> thank you, david. what was meant to be an apology to formerresident george w. bush has turned into more drama for kanye west. >> the comedians seem to think the two might actually have a lot in common. >> i mean, it's all good now because you know we have prob

another topic of conversation on "meet the press" between david gregory and david axelrod, let's listen to what he had to say. >> the bottom line is he wants to sit down and talk about this. there's no bend on the permanent extension of tax cuts for the weal wealthiest americans. >> he's willing to compromise. >> he wants to get it done. the americans want to get it done wchl're eager to sit down and talk about how to move forward. >> reporter: he doesn't want to say compromise because people on the left don't want the president to compromise now. they want him to fight republicans. after all, that was a strategy that worked for republicans for the last two years ever since the president moved in here into the west wick. to that end the president is reaching out to both republicans and democrats, senators and congressmen. he's going to be having them other here on thursday and to the white house and to the residence over diner to talk thing over, alex. >> we'll see how that goes, with your help. >>> for all the latest political headlines check out firstread.msnbc.com. it's the latest fo

first brian williams and andrea mitchell and now david gregory making appearances on the it is come.ows up on a tv screen reporting on a story as alec baldwin's character watches. >> making political hay out of the wheat field that is the nbc cable town merger -- who wrote this? jared, honestly. amping up the rhetoric in a dead race. >> since we seem to be on a role i would love to be on "30 rock" but i don't want to play myself. i would like to play, i'm thinking liz lemon's trouble making sister? ♪ it's beginning to look at lot like christmas ♪ you have to sing it. you can't say it. here is the rockefeller center christmas tree, 74 feet tall, weighs 12 tons. the tree comes from new york state. the lighting ceremony takes place november 30th. i opened the office window and said it is beginning to smell a lot like christmas. >>> another twist with the russian spies caught in the united states over the summer. it involves a double agent and a moscow hit team. >>> want to be a gladiator? and who doesn't. a businessman just opened up a gladiator school in the small turkish town of serek

here's david gregory. >> coming up, the latest on the escalating tensions with north core repap plus back it work for the president and congress, but what will get done during the lame duck session? will debate begin on the new s.t.a.r.t. treaty and who will win the fight over tax cuts and intending? joining me two leaders of the senator, dick durbin, and john kyle. then it's the post-election battles heat up, battleground 2012 is already taking shape. our political round table weighs in. all coming up this morning on "meet the press." >>> and finally this morning, how is this for a parting shot? half-court mark to hit a shot during halftime. and he nails it. the crowd goes wild. he also gets a brand new car for making that one. that is awesome. >>> we want to thank you for making us part of your morning. the chargers take on the colts for football night in america, so our next news cast is at 11:00. you can get all of your day's news on nbcbayarea.com. "meet the press" is coming up next. we hope you have a great sunday. and if you have chance to swing by that home in sunnyvale, 1100

david gregory is moderator of "meet the press." good to see you. i'm fascinated about the tax fight. republicans will have control in the new congress. how much power do they have to get their way on this? >> i think they have enough. i think the president wants to make a deal. the key for the white house is they want middle class tax cuts extended first. you could look for them to try to initiate that in the lame duck session mike laid out for us and see if republicans are willing to separate the issue of wealthier americans from middle class tax cuts. it may force a fight come january. but i think the white house is probably going to look for consensus on this. but try to do it for a more limited period of time to send the message to the country and to the economy about some level of certainty. i also think the president, if he's going to deal on this wants to position himself as a fiscal conservative and say, look, if you want to do this, tell me where the corresponding spending cuts are. that's the responsible way to do it. look for him to get

david gregory joins us. good morning, david. >> good morning.own over nuclear weapons between president obama and republican opponents. and the president at the nato summit pressed his allies for the support of the u.s. end game in afghanistan. our guest from the summit, secretary of state hillary clinton, then an emerging leader of the republican party louisiana governor bobby jindal and we'll have our political round table all coming up this morning on "meet the press." >> all right. david, thank you so much. that's going to do it for us from "today." thomas roberts, thanks. had a good time? >> i had a great time. thank you. >> good weekend. janice hover, had a good time? >> i think so. >> i had to ask. lester you're having a good time and sending us out with quite a surprise. >> i'm having a terrific time. the 101st airborne division band has been playing great music for us all morning long. they've invited me to join them. i have taken up their invitation. say hello from bagram. we'll play a little brick house. ready. ♪ ♪ she's a brick house

senator mccain, your colleague and traveling buddy, and good friend, was on "meet the press" with david gregory. this is what he had to say. >> the marine corps whose people is directly responsible for saying this could hurt our ability to win. this is -- >> do you believe that? what are you thinking? >> i pay attention to the calm daunlt of the marine corps, paying attention to the chee ef staff of the air force, army and -- >> do you have a sense what should happen? >> i have a sense that i respect and admire these four service chiefs. >> with all due respect in watching that yesterday i was kind of stunned, because what about mike mullen? admiral mike mullen is the chairman of the joint chiefs. they report it him. if it's good enough for him and for robert gates and if this is the survey that we understand is coming out in december, why isn't it good enough for john mccain? >> well, of course in this case i disagree strongly with my friend john mccain and agree with you. the fact is that this is a policy -- we've got thousands of gay and lesbian americans putting their lives on the line to p

"meet the press with david gregory" is coming up next. we'll see you.week and have a great thanksgivi thanksgiving. i hope you have lots of time to share with friends and family. >> take care.

. >> in his last interview, what he seemed to be saying with david gregory on "meet the press" just aago, he was saying this report is not the right kind of report. suddenly, he is questioning whether they are actually analyzing what they expected him to analyze. that is going to throw a roadblock in what we have been reporting. what richard angle broke weeks ago said 70% of those questioning in the services don't object, think it would be okay or don't have serious objections. >> he did voice concerns about making -- changing his mind or reflecting on a report that's been leaked. >> i think what gates is also trying to do is to make room for the hearing with the senate armed services committee so that if the report does not address the questions that mccain has that mccain has an opportunity to ask those questions and get those answers quickly. clearly, the concern of the pentagon is that the courts are going to overturn this policy and the pentagon will have to turn on a dime to try to change things. they would refer to have legislation that would allow them to phase in a transition

david gregory sits down with senator john mccain. i wonder if he'll ask him about cindy mccain. check your local listings. next the russians announce their intent to assassinate a spy who decided to work with the united states. will they try to kill him here? >>> but maybe the jokers in the clowns are actually in the middle. are centrists actually the real problem in politics? we does why so-called centrists might be hurting the country. the most powerful half ton crew in america has a powertrain backed for 100,000 miles. that's forty thousand more than ford. chevy silverado. the most dependable, longest-lasting full- size pickup on the road. use your all-star edition discount for... a total value of six thousand dollars on a 2011 silverado. see your local chevrolet dealer. having the right real estate agent on your side is more important than ever. at remax.com, you can find the experts you need, whether you're trying to sell of hoping to buy. nobody sells more real estate than re/max. visit remax.com today. >>> a russian spy accused of being a double agent, blowing the cover o

david gregory is with us. you have the top adviser on.t he will say about the psident's image at home and around the world now? >> you look at the pressure points here. the politics of the economy. both abroad and at home are reallyery difficult for the president at this particular moment. abroad, it was not just faltering on free trade, an issue th korea. but also that our allies, they are dealing with the recovery. this is creating a more pressure. i think they are dwarfed by the pressure here domestically on dealing with government spending and creati a jobs. that's what the president is coming back to. >> you have senator john mccain on and he is just back from afghanistan. and his wife is promoting don't askon't tell. which he is against. >> right. it is a very important moment right now for whether this ban on gays and lesbians in the military will be rescinded. the president wants that to happen but there aren't the votes. senator mccain is against it. secretary gates said it has to happen in this lame duck session coming up. come

tomorrow on the show, the complete new poll with david gregory from "meet the press."ow online and on twitter. my colleague, tamron hall, has a look at what's next on "news nation." hi, tamron. >> hi there, andrea. next hoyeur, we'll talk about president's first big meeting with republicans since the midterm elections. it was canceled. one report says the republicans felt they would be ambushed by the president. we'll go live to the white house for more on that. >>> plus, an update on the democratic leadership battle happening in the house. >>> and also developing right now, the fda tells the makers of a controversial alcoholic energy drink to stop production after reports of college students being hospitalized from drinking this beverage. >>> and we're expecting a former reality tv show producer to appear in court. he is accused of murdering his wife. seven months ago at a mexican resort. the "news nation" is moments away. ♪ ♪ yes! ♪ look, they fit! oh my gosh, are those the jeans from last year? how'd you do it? eating right...whole grain. [ female announcer ] people

. >>> senator john mccain will be david gregory's guest this sunday on "meet the press."listings for times. >>> there is an op-ed piece and it has a headline that says veterans day reminds us that we owe more than just parades to the 22 million who served. this morning we want to give you a chance to give back to help military veterans their spouses and their children to help all of them have a more. what great projects these are. >> they are. so many of us want to do something and we don't want to do or take the time. we hear in our communities on our message boards, so many want to help and military families talk about how they appreciate all the things these organizations do. cell phones for soldiers. started by two teenagers. a brother and sister outside boston. you donate your cell phone and cell phone parts and they sell to a recycling company and they take those proceeds to buy calling cards so the troops can stay in touch with their loved ones back home. >>tastic idea that is. what snels. >> when their loved ones are injured and men and women injured in iraq and a

when the host of "meet the press," david gregory asked that question on "meet the press" yesterday, hepinion of a whole new john mccain. >> why doesn't that meet your standard of 2006 for you to say, okay, it's time to change views? >> because as i said back then, that we need to have a careful examination. and admiral mullen was speaking personally. we are going to go, hopefully, through a year-long study that will hopefully also have the feelings of the men and women who are serving. >> that was john mccain speaking in february. i stand corrected. john mccain there, february john mccain thinks really that what we need to consider is not so much congress or military leaders, but what the troops themselves think about repealing don't ask, don't tell. enter a study which surveyed members of the military about their feelings on don't ask, don't tell. the survey has reportedly found that 70% think repealing it would be neutral or nonexistent. >> are you going to stand in the way you -- you personally, in the way of this ban being lifted? >> i will stand that i want a thorough and complete

so we're going to see her and the scene, i would imagine. >> i think so. >> david gregory, thank youoday. >> yes, thank you so much. >> you can watch "meet the press" following 11 news at 9:00. things happen every now and then. >> still ahead, a pet looking for a home. >> first, it has been all over the news. the kerneds over alcohol -- concerns over alcoholic energy drimpings. a closer look at what it does to the body. >> and rain in the forecast. we'll talk about that and look around the country if you are traveling tomorrow. ♪ have a better day... [ male announcer ] with new breakfast melts. try the sunrise subway melt®, or the melt-tastic breakfast b.m.t. on flatbread. they're melted goodness made irresistibly delicious, get yours starting at 7am. subway. build your better breakfast. >> 33 at the airport. 45 downtown. it is the shift in the wind that's the key to the forecast today. winds out of the southwest yesterday, winds out of the northeast today. cooler this afternoon. for this time of the year, not bad, but 10 degrees cooler than yesterday. 10 degrees cooler than the subu

we invite all of you to watch "meet the press" tomorrow with david gregory's guests including hillary clinton. he will also have an interview with governor bobby jindal. check your local listings for the time. >>> as nato leaders are meeting in lisbon, the battle on the ground and in the air is ramping up in afghanistan. right now coalition forces there are at the peak levels. they are dropping in record number bombs, far more than last year. ateah, what does all the activity look like? what kind of effect is it having there? >> reporter: good morning, alec. no doubt the fighting has ramped up with the troop search in place here in afghanistan. the fighting is particularly strong in the south and east of the country, these are the areas that border pakistan where the militants have a safe haven going in and out of the borders. right now a big focus is on the south in kandahar and heldman province. record amounts of night raids and bombs. they said night raids have increased six fold. air strikes have doubled in the last few months. that has not come without a cost. this year has also

joining us now, moderator of "meet the press," david gregory.ng with the president in porlt gal, political director and co-host of "the daily rundown" chuck todd. >> david gregory, we were talking about george w. bush on leno last night. it's been something to see. got a standing ovation coming out, part of his pat-down skit beforehand. you covered this guy. what's it been like? >> for me it's so interesting having been there through every moment of his presidency to hear his reflections, to read his reflections in the book and hear him. you made the observation a minute ago, i think it's been effective as somebody who has stepped away from the spotlight, very much wanting to get out of the spotlight and stay out of the spotlight. there are those who say, look, he has an obligation to play a constructive role in tamping down some of the excesses within his own party. but he's made a determined decision to say, look, i'm not going to be that guy. he hasn't criticized obama. seeing him on ""the tonight show"," in 20000, there was a poll ha showed

david gregory welcomes second of state clinton and alan west of florida.t's abc's this week with christian amanpour. then at three, here cnn's state of union. and the ranking member of house transportation committee, john micah. at four. face the nation cbs. the five network tv talk shows brought to you as a public service by the networks and c-span. beginning at noon with meet the press. 1:00 p.m. meet the press and four, face the nation from cbs. 11 to them all at c-span radio. x m satellite radio 132 or online at c-span.org. >> like all men of great gifts. even though they give up for principled reasons, they begin to hanker for it. >> tonight at eight at c-span's question and a >> along with our coverage of miami book fair on book television. comparing america's decision to attack iraq after 9/11. get the entire weekend schedule at book tv.org. from barack obama to george washington. learn more online at the c-span library. searchable and all free. it's washington your way. "washington journal" continues. >> we want to welcome back newt >>. thank you.

david gregory joins us with a preview. >> good morning, sarah. >> president obama returns to the whiteessage to the congress. different message from the president? >> it is not clear what the president will do to shore up -- i mean, there is a reservoir of distrust between the president and this white house. namely, the president. they want to talk about the debt, the deficit, cutting government spending. it is not clear where the painful choices would be agreed to. president obama would like to address the don't-ask/don't-tell position of the military. he comes back to a full plate, but not a lot has changed except the expectation he will change a little bit. >> and he also pledged to slash the budget and bring the deficit down. alan greenspan will be one of your guests. what insight do you expect to hear from him. >> i think bell get a broader economic outlook from him and get a sense of where the jobs are and where the housing market is. he's been part of this slashed deficit. one of the things i expect him to say is an across-the-board program to cut the deficit is what is necessar

david gregory, thank you so much. >> you bet. >>> let's get a check of the rest of the morning's top stories from ann curry at the newsdesk. >> good morning. we begin with a development overnight on the president's trip to seoul, srk, where he is ascending the g-20 economic summit. savannah guthrie joins us with details. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. already a setback here, a deal on a trade agreement with south korea did not come through and the president has now weighed in on that debt commission's idea to drastically cut the budget deficit. the president spent veteran's day far from home but close to u.s. troops. >> there's no place i'd rather be than right here with u.s. forces korea. >> reporter: insult for the meeting of the world's economic powers, the president sidestepped and explosive judgment from back home, a draft from the president's economic commission to slash the deficit. he said the shout-out from both parties already panning the commission's work. >> before anybody starts shooting down proposals, i think we need to listen. i set up this commission prec e

. >>> chuck todd is nbc's political director and chief white house correspondent, david gregory is moderator of "meet the press". >> we talked about surprises at this stage of the campaign, will the only surprise tomorrow be if the republicans don't get that net 39 seats they need in the house to take control? >> i think that's right. let's look at the numbers, democrats are playing an away game on republican turf. look at what the democrats hold 49 districts that john mccain carried. they only need 39 to win, they could do it if they just win seats that john mccain carried. this has been a nationalized election on health care and on cap and trade. 51 democrats sit in districts that president kerry, president obama kerry voted for these things. you put that together and we're looking at 100 democratic districts and that's why you hear some republicans saying i would be more surprised if we didn't win 60 than if we came up short. >> if you come up with 50 on the republican side, you've got a 23-seat majority. you can do the math, it just goes down. what does that mean for their legislative ag

let's begin with david gregory, moderator of "meet the press" who has been following the events all night long, and i do mean all night long. >> what a night, and what a story. plain and simple, the american electorate has lurched back to the right. voting, it's anxiety about the economy and frustration with washington. at the polls, a split decision, powered by the tea party, the republicans stormed back to power in the house, firing speaker nancy pelosi, but in the senate, democrats held the majority after gop pickups fell several short of a takeover for president obama now. it's time for a reset. >> i have spent my whole life chasing the american dream. >> reporter: an emotional high for ohio republican john boehner, the man likely to replace nancy pelosi as speaker of the house. he held back tears addressing supporters after a triumphant night for house republicans. >> now we're witnessing a repudiation of washington, a repudiation of big government and a repudiation of politicians who refuse to listen to the american people. >> reporter: but the democratic leader in the senate, harry

david gregory is moderator of "meet the press." good morning to you. >> good morning. >> this was a big defeated. this was a real shellacking, but when you watched the press conference yesterday, were you surprised by the president's tone? i mean, he seemed emotionally defeated. >> i was really struck by the extent to which the president seemed to be struggling with all of this and openly struggling with the fact that he doesn't feel he's able to connect with the american people. i mean, can you imagine two years ago the history and the emotion with which he came into office that now he feels that he struggles to avoid being removed from the american people. this is very difficult for any politician, and certainly for a president. i think he showed humility yesterday, but i think supporters might also ask where was the fight? he is still in control here. he's got the veto pen, and yet yesterday he seemed quite chastened. >> he took responsibility for the loss, and savannah guthrie asked this question of the president at that press