joining me is david gregory, moderator of nbc news "meet the press."oining me. >> my pleasure. >> this is the latest bubble. we have seen several of them. the gingrich bubble. is it is your sense this is an exploration of is there a romney alternative and that it has built in to it all the curve that all the bubbles have had a few week and it's gone. >> it's remarkable. the thing i come back to is if you are mitt romney you are looking at the rest of the field and you are saying, who's the complete package? who puts it together the anti-establishment, tea party base, pop list, anti--washington type, who puts it together? it was perry. he was the one that was supposed to do it. newt gingriching was not the leading man for that role in that movie. what he's done here is attack the media. he's positioned himself in debates where he's not really going after his rivals. he's going after obama and he has caught a little something here, largely because of the debates. what is he doing, challenging the moderator and the predicate of questions and he is saying

we turn now to nbc's david gregory, moderator of "meet the press." david, good evening to you. >> good evening. >> let's start with rick perry. he's been in damage control mode after the brain freeze in the debate. i guess the question is can he hold on. >> it's difficult when a candidate feeds a narrative about him in the race. in this case that he's not ready for prime time, that he's not ready or in shape to be in this race. there is a sense of high anxiety within the campaign. he tried to portray himself as in on the joke, poking fun at himself, going on letterman, going out there and campaigning, using that sizable war chest to try to repair some of the effects of this among conservatives. keep your eye on the polling here. republican pollsters i talked to say he's already had a steep dive among his favorability ratings. they are bracing for that to happen yet again in the days to come. >> speaking of polls, let's talk about herman cain. he's faced days, more than a week of questions about sexual harassment allegations. yet he's still a front run

thank you, david gregory. unusual territory for us. people really like natalie wood. emory in this country of us moviegoers. this sunday on "meet the press" david interviews supercommittee members john kerry and jon kyl. there's a frustrating story. >>> when we return, let me finish with the shown show being performed by those republican presidential candidates. ♪ our machines help identify early stages of cancer, and it's something that we're extremely proud of. you see someone who is saved because of this technology, you know that the things that you do in your life matter. if i did have an opportunity to meet a cancer survivor, i'm sure i could take something positive away from that. [ jocelyn ] my name is jocelyn. and i'm a cancer survivor. [ woman ] i had cancer. i have no evidence of disease now. [ woman #2 ] i would love to meet the people that made the machines. i had such an amazing group of doctors and nurses, it would just make such a complete picture of why i'm sitting here today. ♪ [ man ] from the moment we walk in the front door, just to see me -- not as

david gregory is the moderator of nbc's meet the per"meet the." and howard fineman is an msnbc political analyst and "the huffington post" media group editorial director. david gregory, great to have you on. we'll talk about "meet the press" coming up this weekend. but let me ask you about this whole thing. don't you think just in a psychological way, what do you think it can does to mitt romney, who's been running for president since the last time to realize that newt gingrich is now the preferred candidate of the republican party, with all newt's baggage. i mean, totally, objectively, he's carrying so much baggage, serial marriages, moved out by his own caucus for the speakership. and here he is back as if none of that happened. >> i think it's troubling for romney. at the same time, i think there's a level of resignation in the romney campaign, that their campaign was not predicated on setting the electorate on fire. by being this charming historical figure. this was going to be a different positioning for him. he was going to have to run on an

here to take us through all, david gregory, moderator of "meet the press." good morning. >> good morning. >> chief among the president's concerns. 24 f 44 pakistanis killed by an errant nato attack. this is a big deal, given osama bin laden was killed on pakistani soil without their permission or knowledge. what's this mean for the white house right now? >> it's very difficult right now. because as you say, the relationship is already strained. some repercussion to the relationship. talk about closing various bases forb drones that fly over the tribal areas that target terrorists by the united states, terrorists that come into afghanistan, target american troops. not just a question of it being tense. there are likely to be further raids by the united states, by nato troops, into pakistan to deal with these safe havens that are operating there. again, where they target u.s. troops by coming over the border. so this is just going to underline that difficulty. >> second big foreign policy challenge, the arab spring. a challenge all along to measure this fine l

david gregory is the moderator of nbc's "meet the press." and howard fineman is an msnbc political analyst and "the huffington post" media group editorial director. david gregory, great to have you on. we'll talk about "meet the press" coming up this weekend. but let me ask you about this whole thing. don't you think just in a psychological way, what do you think it does to mitt romney, who's been running for president since the last time to realize that newt gingrich is now the preferred candidate of the republican party, with all newt's baggage. i mean, totally, objectively, he's carrying so much baggage, serial marriages, moved out by his own caucus for the speakership. and here he is back as if none of that happened. >> i think it's troubling for romney. at the same time, i think there's a level of resignation in the romney campaign, that their campaign was not predicated on setting the electorate on fire. by being this charming historical figure. this was going to be a different positioning for him. he was going to have to run on an eco

here to take us through it all, david gregory, good morning. >> good morning, lester. >> a couple of big foreign policy challenges for the president right now. chief among them, the killing of 24 pakistani troops apparently by an errant nato attack. the bhous being very careful in how it reacts to all this. this is a big deal given osama bin laden was killed on pakistani soil without their permission or their knowledge. what's this mean for the white house right now? >> well, it's very difficult, as you say, because the relationship is already strained. there is going to be some reprecussion to the relationship. there's talk about closing various bases for drones that fly over particularly the tribal areas to target terrorists by the united states, terrorists that come into afghanistan and target u.s. troops. look, it's not just a question of it being tense. there are likely to be further raids by the united states, by nato troops into pakistan to deal with these safe havens that are operating there, again, where they target u.s. troops by coming over the border. this is just going t

. >>> let's bring in our pam right now, david gregory, moderator of meet t"meet the press." cynthia tucker is a visiting professor at the university of georgia. msnbc political analyst and "the huffington post's" howard fineman joins us now. and t"the washington post" columnist, dana milbank. i should say at the beginning here, ladies and gentlemen, the man who joined us earlier tonight in introducing herman cain was lin wood, who's an attorney, a very prominent one, based down in atlanta. he has represented former congressman gary condit, he's defended the woman in the kobe bryant case, the notorious case involving that, and he's also represented richard jewel, the security guard falsely accused of planting a bomb down a the 1996 olympics down in atlanta. david gregory, i guess the key line is, "i don't even know who this woman is," remains at the heart of this story. either he's telling the truth with his memory as it is or she's telling the truth. it seems to me hard to believe -- well, let's leave it open to you. this open question now. who's telling the truth? >> well,

. >> i'm david gregory here on a very busy morning. natalie wood's death remains one of hollywood's mysteries. >> that's right, she was boating on catalina island with christopher walken, officially ruled an accidental drowning. but now 30 years later, the los angeles county sheriff's department is going to take another look at this case. they say it's based on new information from people who have contacted police, david. >> yeah, some of that new information is believed to be coming from the yacht captain who was on board that night. we are going to talk to him exclusively in just a moment. but we begin on all of this with nbc's george lewis. he is in los angeles with details this morning. george, good morning to you. >> good morning, david. natalie wood's death has been filled with speculation that her drowning was no accident. ♪ i feel pretty oh so pretty ♪ >> reporter: pretty and talented and at the top of her career, as maria in "west side story." natalie wood's death at age 43 in november of 1981 from drowning shocked the world.

again, on david gregory's program, "meet the press," we'll show you another clip in a moment.but your view? she seems to be coming not just an appointee of the president, but a true ally. >> oh, i think she very much is a true ally, chris, and i think she's probably enraged that this president can't get a bit of credit from these republican opponents when it comes to the realm of foreign policy. i mean, that is where he has truly shined, with her help, but on his own. they've disagreed about some thing, and he's gone ahead and has done what he needed to do. i expect to see her -- though she says she's not speaking politics, she speaks from a rem of politics and a realm of integrity. and to watch these people criticize this man on iran, on libya, not give him credit for osama bin laden, she will be there for him and she will be making the case that he has kept us safer. and that's a very crucial case to make as the election approaches. >> chris cillizza? >> well, i think joan is largely right, that this is the place where barack obama has been the strongest. you know, coming in

>>> i'm david gregory, and this is "press pass" for an extra "meet the press" conversation about what's driving washington. this week chairman of the house oversight and government reform committee is the gop's top investigator in the house and an outspoken critic of the obama administration. welcome, good to have you here. solyndra is the company that this loan guarantee program through the department of energy was funded through. this was a bush administration era program, and they funded programs as well. what do you think happened here that was corrupt, that was illegal, that is the basis for subpoenaing documents, if that's what happens? >> well, corruption is sort of a broader term. the misspending and the waste of money is corruption. now, criminal corruption, i've never said there was criminal corruption. even with fast and furious and eric holder's failure to participate properly in providing answers to questions about brian terry's death and the walking of thousands of guns, we haven't called it criminal. what we have said is this administration is not being cooperative in the

. >>> i'm david gregory, and this is "press pass" you're all access pass to "meet the press."his week chris dodd who is chairman of the senate banging committee played a key role in forming the country's banking laws on the books. he's the chairman of the motion picture association of america, which is celebrating the life and career of the great communicator, ronald reagan, a man who used his charisma and stage presence to propel himself from hollywood to the white house. i want to talk about president reagan and about films, but i have to do some top of mind stuff with you. your name is out there everywhere in this republican primary fight and in these debates. repeal dodd-frank, the regulations for the financial sector. newt gingrich said you should go to jail, you and barney frank. how do you react to that? >> i should be flattered. in financial areas whether it's glass steegle, sarbanes oxley, i don't know why financial bills have names with them. no one pressed them about the alternative. i don't know if anybody wants to go back to the fall of 2008 when you had banks wit

. >>> david gregory moderator of "meet the press." good morning. >> good morning, lester. >> cain doesn't want to talk and wants to move past controversy. accusers aren't speaking publicly. is it beginning to look like he can weather the storm? >> he might be able to, for a couple of reasons. if one of the accusers don't want to go forward. it doesn't mean new revelations won't come out. when he had such a difficult week getting his story straight, look at the responses, that's enough, i'm done, that could be difficult. here is the other point, lester. he created this alternate universe, where he uses this controversy in effect to say to his supporters, you see, this is -- this is what the media does, what the establishment does. and they are out to get me, because i'm the front-runner, remember clarence thomas and it tends to galvanize his core support. here is the other question. did can he get above that 25% and get new people to look at him. >> let's say it's not hurting him right now. it is hurting mitt romney, not getting any at

that's all coming up on "meet the press" with david gregory starting 10:30 right here on nbc 4. >>> meanwhile today, hundreds are expected to gather for what's being called a super vigil. it is set for 3:00 this afternoon at lafayette park. they will pray and urge super committee members to strike a deal. they're calling for a budget that preserves what they say is vital, domestic and international assistance. >>> lease arrested 11 protesters who tried to occupy the franklin building in northwest washington. the members of the so-called free franklin movement were calling attention to the lack of housing for the homeless. the vacant building was once a homeless shelter. police say the protesters may have entered through a second story window before gathering on the rooftop. the fire department had to break down a door to let the police in. those arrested have been charged with unlawful entry, which is a miss demeanor. >>> police in oxen hill are looking for answers after a second murder on the same street in just two days. a woman was shot to death on marcy avenue at 9:00 last night. police d

. >> "meet the press"'s david gregory recently sat down in the white house kitchen with sam cass, thetant white house chef and senior policy adviser for healthy foosh food initiatives. >> i think thanksgiving, you know, it comes from the celebration of the harvest, right, as the original -- from way back when and for us, being in the white house, you know, we just had a great harvest with a bunch of kids from the area and the first lady. we're going to be using some of that produce for the thanksgiving dinner here. but it is about tradition and it is about togetherness and eating as a family and celebrating, you know, all that we have to be thankful for. >> and chef cass says thanksgiving is his favorite holiday because it celebrates togetherness as well as delicious food. i agree. david gregory got some insight into the first family's kitchen and you can learn more about that when the full interview with chef cass airs monday morning at 11:30 right after "meet the press." >> what a great place to be, the white house kitchen. looks like an interesting place to -- imagine what you coul

david gregory, moderator of "meet the press," eugene robinson from "the washington post" and msnbc analyst. and cynthia tucker, a visiting professor at the university of georgia. david, where does this story go now in terms of getting to the truth? >> two tracks. political, but also the facts of the case. i've talked to some lawyers, since last time we talked, and they said the notion, it's a he said/she said, isn't really accurate. bialek's, one of the things she alleged, is there was a room, a suite that herman cain provided for her on the night they went out, so it's not just a matter what he said and now she's totally denying knowing her. presumably there is a record there to go check. is there a credit card receipt, some sort of record? this is indicative of the political problem. more details. more facts likely to come out. other accuser who's are now prepared to go public. how much more can herman cain take? he was definitive today, chris. denied everything, said he's never acted inappropriately, so he was certainly declarative. >> in denying everything, he now has to defend everyth

>> you should go back and play david gregory's question. said if there is a very unpopular plan, he said ryan. >> bret: that was the plan on the table. >> he said if something is very unpopular should republicans ram it through? we just lived through obamacare being rammed through. my advice having successfully passed welfare reform successfully reformed medicare in '96, balanced the budget for four years in a row for the only time in your lifetime. my advice is you ought to make sure people understand what you are doing and they support it. now i do think romney has improved. i suspect paul would agree. romney improved paul's proposal because he does allow you to say you can take money and stay in current system or go over to get brand new. >> is that your position? >> that is not, i wouldn't object to that. that is a piece of it. it is a much largeer question if you talk about healthcare. but there is another part to that. i would make that offer next year. fine, if the choice is let's allow people to have a choice of private sector insur

now for a look at what's coming up on meet the press, here's david gregory. david? morning, angie. coming up, national outrage over the alleged sexual abuse of children at penn state. this morning we'll get some answers from the governor of pennsylvania, a member of the penn state board of trustees tom corbin. then 2012, the candidates met for a debate on foreign policy. and now whether michele bachmann can get back into the top tier. and the president's reelection effort. the very latest from the chair of the democratic party, congresswoman debbie waser man schultz. and more on penn state with david brooks. it's all coming up this morning on "meet the press." be sure to stay tuned for my special press pass conversation with former long-time democratic senator from connecticut and now chairman of the motion picture association of america, chris dodd talking politics or the president's performance a whole lot more. only here on nbc 4. >>> a hockey game produced an unlikely and heart warming family reunion. before the sabres/bruins game, david and lori jacobs were rea

david gregory, thank you, as well.ss" where your guests will include debbie wasserman schultz, and michele bauchmann. >>> coming up, general ray odierno and retired colonel jack jacobs are going to be with us at the table. very excited to have these two great american heroes with us. ♪ ♪ [ multiple sounds making melodic tune ] ♪ [ male announcer ] at northrop grumman, every innovation, every solution, comes together for a single purpose -- to make the world a safer place. that's the value of performance. northrop grumman. and here's what we did today: supported nearly 3 million steady jobs across our country... ... scientists, technicians, engineers, machinists... ... adding nearly 400 billion dollars to our economy... we're at work providing power to almost a quarter of our homes and businesses... ... and giving us cleaner rides to work and school... and tomorrow, we could do even more. cleaner, domestic, abundant and creating jobs now. we're america's natural gas. the smarter power, today. learn more at anga.us. our

david gregory, moderator of "meet the press." good morning. >> good morning, jenna. >> the second debate this week. the big headlines out of last night seems to be there is no big headline. would you agree with that? >> i would. i think they were cautious with each other, not trying to attack one another this was not necessarily the format or i should say the subject to try to distinguish one from the other. what they wanted to do was level attacks against president obama. but that's going to be difficult as well. i don't think the republican nominee for president feels that's the most vulnerable area for president obama foreign policy by a lot of accounts has been very successful, particularly on the war on terror and they want to focus on the economy. >> all eyes on rick perry last night, after his gaffe on wednesday night. he did make reference to it. everyone had a little fun at his expense, and he's been having some fun at his expense. let's take a listen. i'll ask you about it on the other side. >> governor perry, you advoc

now for a look at what's coming up on meet the press, here's david gregory >> thanks, chris. up, one year to election day 2012 republican presidential front-runner herman cain dealing with a sexual harassment controversy. did the sluggish job numbers signal an uphill climb fort reelection effort. joining me for a district attorney bait haley barbour of mississippi and bill richardson of new mexico. and the former utah governor and u.s. ambassador to china, john huntsman. that's our political roundtable. busy morning all coming up on meet the press. be sure to stay tuned for our special press pass conversation with chairman of the house and government reform committee congressman darryl isip, republican of california, to talk about the district in national politics as well. coming up here only on nbc 4. >>> all right. thank you, david. >>> when the new season of "america's got talent" starts up, the winner could come from our area. ♪ hundreds showed up for the show's auditions yesterday at the washington convention center. people of all ages and abilities showed off their tale

. >> sean: david gregory -- >> sean: wait a minute. the liberal's quiet. talk. >> i think that -- >> sean: what. >> they made the right decision about hank williams. >> sean: i didn't ask but hank williams, did i? i asked you about liberals on your side, when they say the incendiary stuff, why don't you say they should go. >> i think if thist crosses the line, they should go. >> sean: does that cross the line, about the grand wizzar. >> that was inappropriate. >> sean: should he be taken off the air. >> i will let nbc make that decision. >> come on. >> sean: i love this. this is exactly what we are saying. a liberal, selective moral outrage by the left. >> i don't think, like you, sean, anybody should have a chance to apologize, get a second chance. >> exactly. >> it's the death penalty. you say stuff and you are out. the double standard is that they can get away with it and the people on the right cannot. >> sean: anybody say anything over the line about sarah palin? symbolic crack pipe? >> bill maher called her the "c" word. >> >> sean: should he be off

. >>> all of this brings us to david gregory, moderator of "meet the press." d, david, the question for you on a friday night, having worked the phones yourself today, two-part question. what does the white house make of the shape of the republican field and the status and what are republicans saying about this? >> well, let me start with that latter point including insiders within the cain campaign. they are trying to create an alternative universe for this campaign to operate in where they deflect, deny, accuse the media or his rival campaigns of playing dirty and trying to set him up, even raising the specter of clarence thomas. that speaks well to the base, sharpens his anti-establishment credentials. the problem though republicans have been saying to me today is this going to create a cap for him at the 20% level of support? can he get anything beyond the conservative supports? as for the white house, brian, they are frustrated with all this talk about cain. what they want to see happen is some fire trained on mitt romney. they think he's going to be the n

. >>> david gregory is moderator of "nbc's meet the press." good morning to you. >> good morning, lester. >> we saw in that report cain clearly doesn't want to talk and wants to move past all this controversy. neither apparently do his accusers. they're not speaking publicly. is it beginning to look like committee weather this storm? >> well, he might be able to for a couple of reasons. one, if none of the accusers want to go forward and sort of continue this, it doesn't mean that new revelations will not come out. there are still reporters looking into this. i think when he has had such a difficult week getting his story straight saying if you look at the responses, that's enough, and i'm done. i want to talk about other things. i think that could be difficult. here's the other point, lester. he has created this alternate universe where he uses this controversy, in effect, to say to his supporters, you see, this is -- this is what the media does. this is what, you know, the establishment does. they're out to get me, because i'm the frontrunne

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