to his administration's ways of thinking notably on the war on terror so what does it mean when dick cheney gives you his stamp of approval and it's not just obama who seems in line with cheney's way of seeing things yesterday a federal court of appeals ruled to allow the cia to keep documents which detail experience experiences of torture and get most secret so now with the courts gone were all victims of u.s. torture to do next then a kentucky state legislator wants to make all recipients of welfare submit to drug tests so is this just another example of the government invading it's citizens privacy or do taxpayers have a right to ensure that their money isn't going to people using drugs and then should women be able to fight in combat units will make up almost fifteen percent of the armed forces and they still aren't fully equally integrated so is this an antiquated policy in need of removal or are women just fine where they are we're going to debate the issue with two veterans but now to move on to our top story. chinese president hu jintao is in washington today meeting with president

. >>> and nbc news exclusive tonight, former vice president dick cheney shows us what's keeping him alive. >>> he's back, a brutal dictator turns to haiti after 25 years in exile. why now and what does he want? >>> and extreme parenting. straight as, no play dates and worse. the so-called tiger mother who has started a national debate. "nightly news" begins now. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> good evening, we're going to begin again tonight in tucson, arizona, where we learned today that despite her continued, brisk, robust recovery, congresswoman gabby giffords underwent more surgery this past weekend because of her gunshot wound to the head. and where the sadness and shock still linger and the after-effects from the mass killing going on, as we begin a new week on this national holiday monday night, we begin our coverage tonight with nbc's kristen welker in tucson tonight. kristen, good evening. >> reporter: good evening, brian. congresswoman giffords' condition has been upgraded from critical to serious. doctors say that surgery lasted for about two hours and they sa

. >> who, like dick cheney? dick cheney didn't -- dick cheney didn't earn one damn thing. guy's never worked an honest day in his life. >> who's this? >> dick cheney. he's never worked an honest dayness life. >> oh, you got to be kidding me. >> are you kidding me? >> show me obama's resume. show me all his jobs he's had. show me a product barack obama ever produced. show me one. time's up. >> well, actually, ted, he did start actually working for the churches in southside chicago. >> what's the product? >> the product is actually helping people. but to get back to what -- >> thank you. >> chicago people don't look very helped to me. it looks like a tragedy. did he help cabrini green? is that one of his projects. >> you need to try to help people. >> you need to try to help people by scolding them to help themselves. why would you support slavery? >> you're blaming the people at the bottom who have nothing whatsoever -- >> i'm blaming people who refuse to be productive. >> why don't you blame the people who have the blame? >> -- people who have jobs and produce things? >> i

thousands of police are on alert today for his funeral. >>> former vice president, dick cheney, could be facing a medical choice. he got a mechanical heart pump. now, according to "the new york times," cheney must decide whether to have a heart transplant. and that decision must be made sooner rather than later, since cheney could soon be too old to be on the transplant list. >>> a son of the deposed shah of iran has committed suicide. he was found dead in his boston apartment. his brother said he struggled with depression for years. the family was forced into exile back in 1979. the shah died a year later. and one of his daughters committed suicide in 2001. he was 44 years old. >>> a federal appeals court has ruled that a giant cross in a san diego park is unconstitutional. the 29-foot cross was e reblgted a half-century ago to honor korean war veterans. because it's on public land, the court ruled it conveys a government endorsement of religion. the lawsuit began 22 years ago and is likely to continue all the way to the supreme court. >>> wildlife experts are still mind-boggled over

gentlemen at this table have said that's not the dick cheney i knew. he's unrecognizable to me. it was the transition between gulf one and gulf two and all the changes. the nature of gulf two that was seen as an elective war in the wake of 9/11, have you made peace, if not with some of the men at this table with whom you haven't enjoyed casual conversation heretofore until today for years and do you feel the need to? >> i prefer to think of it as a truce, brian. >> we have agreement on that from everyone? >> yes. we're going hunting, jim and i are. we haven't invited anybody else, but the two of us are going to go. no, i -- clearly we had differences on subsequent policy issues. from my perspective, and i looked at saddam hussein differently after 9/11 than before 9/11 as colin pointed out. but i reached the point and i think where a lot of the controversy concerns me is that i was in the bunker, in the white house on 9/11 and watched as the world trade center was destroyed, the pentagon was hit, 3,000 americans were killed. never before have i seen an attack like that on the un

dick cheney thinks. this is the shining light on the hill of america but i have a headline from this very first week of the new year as well we're saying which proves that nigeria is correct to make in this are going for steve rattner us cars are pays ten million dollars over bribery clinging. so this is the banker who advised the u.s. government on the auto industry bailout he's settled allegations he paid kickbacks to win state pension fund invest. he settled with andrew cuomo he's paying these fines and penalties and he's banned from appearing in any capacity before any public pension fund in new york for five years that's a big punishment yeah well the tragedy is simply if you got rid of all these kleptocratic boogieman let the people of america compete on the global markets and they could do a fine job competing but they'll never have that chance because all the roads to competition are blocked by obama's kleptocratic could ray yeah why aren't these people sent to the private prisons like let the pr

>>> dick cheney's life-changing decision. after years of health issues and five heart attacks, will he now seek a heart transplant? he may have to make up his mind soon. >>> and the voice that has everyone talking. how this man literally talked his way into a second chance. you'll see. but i was still skating on thin ice with my cholesterol. anyone with high cholesterol may be at increased risk of heart attack. diet and exercise weren't enough for me. i stopped kidding myself. i've been eating healthier, exercising more and now i'm also taking lipitor. if you've been kidding yourself about high cholesterol, stop. lipitor is a cholesterol-lowering medication, fda approved to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease. lipitor is backed by over 18 years of research. [ female announcer ] lipitor is not for everyone, including people with liver problems and women who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant. you need simple blood tests to check for liver pr

and dick cheney and with some complicity in the defense department in the attorney general's office simply said this is why it's going to be the. and it signed it february the seventh two thousand and two as i recall and that became the policy and it became a very draconian policy because it was implemented to the spirit of the addington cheney interpretation and not even to the spirit of what i think was the george w. bush into an interpretation which was we're not going to count al qaida and we're not going to count the taliban under geneva but we are going to treat them as with the spirit of geneva that simply didn't happen it certainly didn't happen at guantanamo but you think that there was always this idea that perhaps it wouldn't be their problem when it comes to closing guantanamo bay that wouldn't be their problem when it comes to i know eventually deciding what to do with the detainees if the war is ever and they will never had an adult plan but that's always a part of our system of government because you can make something stretch out for four and even eight years if you

dick cheney attended the ceremony. it's fitting for cheney to be at the library. he spent eight years telling bush to be quiet, so it's a -- [ laughter ] "shut up!" [ applause ] "quit it!" actually, when speaking about bush, dick cheney said that americans can tell a decent, good-hearted guy when they see him. then he was like, "let me know if you do. i need that heart." [ laughter ] "this one's not that good." [ cheers and applause ] "i need it!" next wednesday, the day before thanksgiving, is national opt-out day where people are being asked to boycott the tsa's full-body scanners. you know those things that see everything? yeah, yeah. sponsors of the event say, "people shouldn't be made to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable while traveling. that's what thanksgiving with your family is for." [ laughter and applause ] it's none of the tsa's business. i just heard about this. president obama is doing an interview with barbara walters that will air the day after thanksgiving. walters will ask obama how he plans to stop the fighting in the middle east, while he'll as

survive the democratic- controlled senate. >>> we're learning this morning that former vice president dick cheney may need a heart transplant. in an interview, cheney says that based on his medical history, he will have to make a decision about a transplant. but he says for now, he is getting by with a battery- powered heart pump. he says he suffers from increasing congestive heart failure. cheney is 68. he has had five heart attacks since he was 37 years old. >>> all eyes are on apple today after ceo steve jobs' big announcement about his health. we'll see how the markets are reacting in your moneywatch report. >> plus an electronic wall of shame. a california city wants to use facebook to discourage drunk drivers. why police aren't thrilled with that idea. ,, ,,,,,,,,,,,, [ wheezing breaths ] [ woman ] the first time i smoked, i was 13. i was in a hurry to grow up and wanted to look cool. big tobacco knew it, and they preyed on me. i'm here to tell you that big tobacco hasn't changed. they continue to profit... by selling kids the same lies... to get them to use... the same deadly products. don

. >> former vice president dick cheney is contemplating a serious surgery.e thinks he will have to make a decision whether or not to have a heart transplant. the former vice president currently has a battery-powered heart pump but said it's an awkward device that makes it difficult to walk around. he suffered his fifth heart attack last year. >> meteorologist mike nicco ahead with the forecast. >> it looks a little different than it did 24 hours ago. let's show you from -- look at emeryville and look how clear the sky is already. that means warmer temperatures on the way today. we'll talk about a wind shift that will keep the fog away and keep warm weather in the forecast. we'll go in search of some rain, too. we almost need some. >> new airline fees could be on the way. what you'll likely have to pay for your next flight. >> and the major announcement from the man who hosted "live with regis & kelly" for more than a quarter century. when you want the latest information about your health, when you have questions about handling your finances, when you need pr

were less likely to develop diabetes than those who didn't drink coffee. >>> former vice president dick cheney says barack obama is going to be a one-term president. in an exclusive interview on the "today" show this morning cheney says obama's approach to expanding the government and deficit health care plan which he expects to be repealed to lead to the president losing the 2012 election. the 69-year-old is opening up about his own health care as well. this is his first interview since recent heart surgery. he has had five heart attacks since 1978 and doctors recently inserted a device that helps his heart pump. >> i wear it as a badge. and there's a control level up here and then two batteries, one on each side. they are good for 12 hours each. and then there's a cord that runs inside my chest with a pump inside. and that's what powers it and keeps it functioning. initially, obviously, it is kind of awkward walking around with all this gear on, which you quickly get to the point where it is second nature to you. >> you can see the entire exclusive interview coming up later on this morning o

former vice president dick cheney sits down for his first exclusive interview since undergoing heartery, and "today" look at what apple ceo steve jobs' medical leave means for the future of apple. now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports, and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

back to you guys. >> thank you. >>> new this morning, former vice president dick cheney says he may needt. in an interview, cheney says that based on his medical history, develop to make a decision about a transplant at some point. but he says for now getting by with a battery powered heart pump that was installed over the summer. cheney has had five heart attacks since he was 37 years old. >>> let's check today's top stories. a homicide investigation in san jose this morning, a drive-by shooting late last night left a 20-year-old man dead. police think the shooting on poco way was gang-related. >>> uc-santa cruz has stepped up police presence on campus today because of a violent threat. the graffiti was discovered in the men's bathroom last month. it contained a threat said to be carried out today. some students and staff have decided as to stay home from school. >>> and the berkeley city council will be voting tonight on whether to set aside $20,000 a year for city workers who want sex changes. councilmembers tell the "chronicle" it's a way to provide fair benefits to the transgender c

the investors claim halliburton inflated its stock price when former vice president dick cheney ran it. cheney, who is not named in the lawsuit, was halliburton's c.e.o. before he joined george w. bush's presidential ticket. the merits of the lawsuit are not at issue before the court, only whether it can proceed as a class action. a ruling is expected in june. >> tom: investors still don't believe in stocks. that's the assessment of tonight's market monitor. he's bernie schaeffer, chairman of schaeffer's investment research, publisher of the "option advisor market letter." welcome back to "nightly business report". nice to see you again. >> pleasure, tom. >> tom: so not enough investor belief in the market rally, despite the nice rallies we saw last year of why not? >> right, here we have a market that's up 80 some odd percent from its march 2009 bottom as measured by the sp. we go through a cycle and sentiment just like the market goes through cycles. at the bottom you have the despair. then you rally off the bomb everybody think is it's a bear market, so disbelief, eventually the ral

former vice president dick cheney says he believes he'll have to make a decision on whether to have a heart transplant given his medical history. cheney tells nbc in an interview that he's getting by now on a battery-powered heart pump, which makes it "awkward to walk around." he also says he hasn't made a decision yet on a transplant, but adds that "the technology is getting better and better." he suffered the heart attack last year it was his fifth one since the age of 37. he had bypass in 1988. >> debra l. gifford when through successful surgery yesterday the doctor said there were no complications. she continues to show more signs of improvement. she cannot speak because she is a tracheotomy, shoes able to touch her husband's back and he says she smiled. her husband said he's for giving person and one mine meeting the parents of the man accused of shooting his wife and his and her head. he said it's not the parents' fault. >> veteran broadcaster regis philbin says he's retiring from his weekday talk show. regis, 79, made the announcement at the start of tuesday morning's "live wit

now to our exclusive interview with former vice president dick cheney. the man considered by many to be the most controversial and powerful vice president ever sat down with jamie gangel. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning. the former vice president looks different these days. he's lost weight after surgery but has strong opinions, is writing his memories and talked to us about everything from president obama to sarah palin, his relationship with former president bush and what he thinks about those people who call him "darth vader." but we started by talking about the heart pump that saved his life. >> i had reached the point after 30 years and five heart attacks where i really needed to do something. it's a wondrous device. it's really a miracle of modern technology. you know, i'm here today because we have that kind of technology. >> reporter: i know you're not going to pick up your shirt and show me, but you have a cord now that comes out. >> right. >> reporter: and a battery pack. >> i wear it on a vest. there is a control element here. a

. >>> after years of heart problems former vice president dick cheney may now need a heart transplant. medical correspondent dr. jennifer ashton is here with the very latest. good morning. >> good morning. >> we talked over the summer about this pump inplanted. what is the situation now? >> let's talk about what we now know. he's been out in public more and more public events, more parties. we can see by photographs of him, he's lost a tremendous amount of weight. it's called cardiac wasting. very common in patients with end stage heart failure. to go back to the device that was implanted in july it's called an l-vad, left ventricular assist device. there's two tubes that get sown into the heart and the port of the device that's just below the diagram in the chegs and tubls to a battery pack. this device can be used as a bridge to transplant for patients so sick and will not survive until they receive a heart transplant or in other cases it can be used as something called destination therapy where no transplant is planned. they expect to live their lives with the device. >> talking ab

of the energy policy act of two thousand and five largely with the help of then vice president dick cheney the former c.e.o. of halliburton a corporation deeply involved in the fracking industry many lawmakers here on capitol hill have fought to try to get the fracking industry regulated but time and time again they have. faced fierce opposition from other lawmakers and lobbyists and whose best interests it is to have those industries secrets to think that someone here in washington knows better about what needs to be done in pennsylvania or colorado or texas is a real tough sell so why regulate this wonderful practice especially when there's been so much talk about the shelia nair's and others who have benefited from natural gas drilling i've got a copy of the check. oh my look at that four hundred thirty four thousand dollars just like that and it fell out of the sky but less has been said about the polluted drinking water of hundreds of other people people like pat for not only endemic pennsylvania this is a catastrophe you know we're basically living at ground zero for a catastrophe an

. >>> just into our newsroom, former vice president dick cheney said he may eventually have to have a heart transplant. cheney said in an interview he is getting by on a battery powered heart pump but it's difficult to walk around. cheney says at some point he will have to decide whether or not to have the transplant. >>> pizza orgasmica is opening in san rafael in a colorful way but it's not sitting too well with some neighbors. the restaurant is bright yellow. because it's part of a historical building, the city could force the owner to tone down the color. the owner says it's not just about getting attention. he is also honoring his brazilian heritage. >> colors represent happiness, prosperity and the brazilian colors. >> i don't like it. that's not my restaurant. but it's really ugly. >> you think it's verying youry ? >> all right. the san rafael design review board will meet tomorrow on whether to okay the neon yellow paint job. the restaurant is scheduled to open next week. >>> new studies show a big breakfast won't make you less hungry the rest of the day. and it could even mak

states and afghanistan there are two three issues that has created tension and it was the shoe of dick cheney's big issue of civilian casualties. of the night raids in the house did he shoot has been discussed be very frank and friendly manner i think we are in the right part to sort of soon in the beginning of two thousand and twelve afghanistan will be charged off between us all over afghanistan at the beginning of this of this. taking charge of detainees and we are working with your allies to do so and many members only need disobedient casualty but also issues of ninety eight that should be done by afghan national security forces more and more afghan forces will be in charge of the. but less than this would be this kind of problems elections have also been a lot in the news lately two elections have taken place since to nato led invasion both sat fraudulent with the rigging with results published only two months after the poll what do you say to those who claim when you and your allies are planning an unsustainable political system afghanistan a democratic system afghanistan after thirty ye

the 69-year-old former vice president, dick cheney, as you know, he has an implanted device, a differentmplanted device. his is to assist his heart in pumping. but today, "the new york times" had a possible forecast for his future, and they said, quote, "mr. cheney now faces a crucial decision, whether to seek a full heart transplant. it is a decision he will most likely be forced to make within months." mr. cheney's family and friends are not commenting publicly. >>> and, coming up, if you are dreaming of winning that $355 million jackpot, a little lesson for the day after. [ male announcer ] not sure what to take? now click on the robitussin relief finder at robitussin.com. click on your symptoms. get the right relief. ♪ makes the cold aisle easy. ♪ the robitussin relief finder. it's that simple. [ male announcer ] an everyday moment can turn romantic anytime. and when it does, men with erectile dysfunction can be more confident in their ability to be ready with cialis for daily use. ♪ cialis for daily use is a clinically proven low-dose tablet you take every day so you can be ready an

. >>> dick cheney is making medical news. he's now considering getting a heart transplant. he currently has a b attery- powered heart pump but he finds it awkward and u ncomfortable. he admits getting a transplant. it's a very tough decision given his long history of heart trouble. >>> budget problems enforced -- have forced a lot of cities to slash employee benefits. but tonight, the berkeley city council may add one. this one is not your typical employee perk. jade hernandez just talked to a member of the city council and is back live with the latest on what's happening. >>> tonight, here at city hall, a special kind of coverage is expected to be discussed and voted on providing sax change coverage for every employee right now in berkeley. >> those who need this kind of surgery, this is like someone who would need an expensive heart valve replacement or some other major medical surgery. >> reporter: we spoke by phone within the last hour with the city council who initially proposed this type of coverage back in 2007. he doesn't know of anyone who would take advantage of t

. >> former vice president dick cheney is contemplating a serious surgery.inks he will have to make a decision whether or not to have a heart transplant. the former vice president currently has a battery-powered heart pump but said it's an awkward device that makes it difficult to walk around. he suffered his fifth heart attack last year. >> meteorologist mike nicco ahead with the forecast. >> it looks a little different than it did 24 hours ago. let's show you from -- look at emeryville and look how clear the sky is already. that means warmer temperatures on the way today. we'll talk about a wind shift that will keep the fog away and keep warm weather in the forecast. we'll go in search of some rain, too. we almost need some. >> new airline fees could be on the way. what you'll likely have to pay for your next flight. >> and the major announcement from the man who hosted "live with regis & kelly" for more than a quarter century. you can see ♪ >>> a major announcement this morning from tv icon regis philbin. more from new york. >> never at a loss for words t

. >> dick cheney might need a heart transplant. he is getting by on a battery parted power her palm. he hasn't made an up decision on the transplant. but he adds technology is getting better. he had a heart attack last year. it was his fifth since the age of 37, he had bypass surgery in 1988, and to angioplasties. >> we will be right back after the break. the latest in the condition of the gabrielle difference. she went through surgery to remove bone from her as a lot. there were no complications more signs of improvement. she cannot speak because of the tracheotomy, she could rob her husband's back, and she smiled her husband says he is in for giving person. when mine meeting with the parents of the man accused of shooting his wife in the head. martelli said it's not the parents' fault. >> double live shots at the bay bridge and the golden gate bridge. those bridges look crystal clear. no problem with visibility there. the stock of the story is heavy fog. >> yesterday we had that blanket of fog everywhere. today will be patchy but

kennedy. >> dick cheney might need a heart transplant genie says he is getting by on a battery powereder pump. it makes it awkward to walk around. he has not made a decision by these as technology is better and better. the 69 routes suffered a heart attack last year his fifth since the age of 37. he had bypass surgery in 1988 and two angioplasties to ko earlier coronary arteries. >> we will be right back with the kron 4 morning news, weather and traffic in just a few moments. tracking the fog around the bay area will have more right after the break. the fog is there at this all about higher. much better ride through marin county. welcome back, time may now is 5:15 a.m. a shot from san francisco showing all that fog dense patches of fog outside into the afternoon mostly sunny conditions, mild this evening not quite as bad as we have been dealing with. ltd. in visibilities in sfo, less than attend the miles in for oakland, redwood city same for hayward. craig around the immediate bay that we have pockets. a dense sod advisory remains in a fact tell 11:00 a.m. seven reductions and visibil

former vice president dick cheney is one of the most known persons with the device. >>> julie haeners in the newsroom now with a look at some of the other stories we're looking at. >> reporter: at 6:00, seems nothing is sacred today. the items thieves stole from a local spca and why it left people saying who would do something like that. >>> opening arguments for a man accused of killing his parents in 2008. tonight the defense is suggesting maybe it was another family member who did it. >>> plus the bay area county that voted today to ban so called smart meters and why it doesn't appear to be stopping pg & e. it's all coming up at 6:00. >>> the mystery of the mass bird deaths is spreading. in louisiana today more than 100 dead birds of several species were found scattered in the highway. officials have sent samples of the birds to see if contamination or other factors caused the death. in arkansas over the weekend, five to 10,000 birds fell from the sky. those birds were killed by heavy blunt trauma possibly caused by hail. >>> we want to go over to our chief meteorologist bill mart

much more so than his predecessors dick cheney who was constantly being taken off to the undisclosed location for his protection or for the country's protection. [laughter] hot the biden has been constantly in view. almost unprecedented periods at presidential press conferences. and you may remember during the signing of the health care reform bill when biden was heard whispering it was a big deal with the exploitive and -- exploitive monday the dow. [laughter] you may wonder why obama picked him to be the running mate in the first place knowing his penchant for talking too much and sometimes into trouble but more important why has he made by in such an open partner in the governing the country maybe more so than bill clinton did with obligor or carter did with mondeo who was probably the first real active vice president with responsibilities. first, obama took seriously what all presidential nominee say when they are nominated taking the person most qualified to be president. it is a pledge that is honored in most cases. obama's saw biden's record as a widely traveled senator and he

biden has been extremely active and visible vice president, much more so than his predecessor, dick cheney, who as you will recall was being shifted off to a, quote, disclosed location for his protection or for the country's protection. [laughter] and biden come on the other hand, has been constantly in view. we have seen almost unprecedented appearance of the vice president presidential press conferences. it was an aside to obama during the signing of the health care bill win biden was heard whispering that it was a big deal with expletive fun deleted. [laughter] so you may wonder why did obama take this a guy to be his running mate in the first place? knowing his penchant for talking too much and sometimes talking himself into trouble. more important, why has he made biden such an open partner in governing the country probably more so than even bill clinton did with al gore or jimmy carter did with fritz mondale who was probably the first real active vice president with responsibilities. i think the reason is first of all obama took seriously little vice presidential nominees say when th

and i shaved off all my hair and had a uniform and never used my press corps credentials until dick cheney sent a list of 14 journalists that he wanted expelled of which i was a prominent member. but unfortunately for them, they couldn't find me. [laughter] the end of the war r.w. apple, johnny apples said, look, i just have one question for you. he said, what is it about you and authority? i said, johnny, i don't have any problem with authority as lock as they don't -- long as they don't try and tell me what to do. [laughter] he said, you dumb, f. that's what authority does. and so i think that there are many ways to resist. i think movements are really important. but as you know from coming out of movements they require a lot of emotional maintenance. that's, you know, we're all limited in terms of what we can do, and my focus is as a writer which, ultimately, is a solitary form of protest. and so we need the baragans, and we need the activists who show up at the g-20. we need both. we need ferg. and i think it's incumbent upon all of us to search within our own conscious, our own consci

new this morning, former vice president dick cheney says he believes he'll have to make a decision onhether to have a heart transplant. cheney says he's getting by now on a battery powered heart pump, but he says it makes it awkward to walk around. he's 69 years old. he suffered a heart attack last year. that was the fifth one he's had since the age of 37. >>> 5:16. back to sal to check in on any problems for the commute. >>> fog is going to be one of the problems we have. yesterday it was foggy everywhere. steve and i were telling you. today the fog is not everywhere. in fact, i'll show you the east shore freeway is clear. but just a few miles away in oakland it's very foggy. what will happen is you'll be driving in clear weather and all of a sudden be driving what seems like into a cloud. we'll let you know. the bay bridge toll plaza is clear. no problems on the upper deck. look at the san mateo bridge. you can barely see cars moving through because it's pretty thick fog here. again, it does tend to move around a little bit. sometimes it will lift. so we'll try and keep track of it

biden has been extremely active and visible vice president, much more so than his predecessor, dick cheney who as you may recall was constantly being shunted off by quote undisclosed location for his protection or for the countries protection. [laughter] >> and biden on the other hand has been constantly in view. almost unprecedented appearances of the vice president at presidential press conferences, and you may remember that it was an aside to obama during the signing of the health care reform bill went biden was heard whispering that it was a big deal, with expletive undeleted. so you may wonder why obama picked this guy as his running mate in the first place. knowing his pension for talking too much. sometimes talking himself into trouble. more important is why has he paid biden such an open partner for governing the country? probably more so than even bill clinton did with al gore or jimmy carter did with mondale who's probably the first we'll active vice president with responsibilities. i think the reason is the first of all obama took seriously what all presidential nominees say whe

if you are on the republican side, you look at the president, do you agree with dick cheney who saysne-term president? >> well, i do think he will ultimately be a one-term president. we have sorting out to do in my party to pick out the strongest candidate against him. it's not unusual that his poll numbers have ticked up slightly. that happens after a time of national trauma and he gave a very powerful speech in tucson where i think he was right. he did what a president is supposed to do in a time of trauma and that is call us to be higher and better and try to make our debates spirited but more civil. i think it's a natural result of that and the fact that he reached out to republicans and agreed that you probably don't agree with but agreed to extending bush tax cuts. i think he's making a mistake in state of the union calling for a big increase in federal spending. i have worked in government. there are not many americans who think government is too small. it's too big and too intrusive. >> you talk about on the republican side. we see despite all of the apparent front runners an

other thing that is judd dropping is in 2007 by that time vice-president of the united states was dick cheney who had shot a man in the face. not only did receive all that news attention. it was all the tumor and entertainment attention piled on top of it and still 31% of the american public could name of the vice president. that is horrifying. there is a knowledge gap. one of the reasons for the knowledge gap is it is too easy to never watch any information. too easy to escape from it and it is incumbent upon us to change that. another negative consequence is that put me is breeding cynicism. won a polarization in the media reaches the public, politicians are so ferociously marked not only by media figures but mocking each of you get this sense that they're all dumb and they're not. the removal of politicians. they are really hard working people who wake up very early in the morning and really think they're doing the best thing they can for their constituents. it takes a lot to run for office. i'm a fan of politicians and this media system is such that it makes you think they are all hitting