bob franken -- writer, broadcaster, man about town. known for his incisive interviews on cnn and now with an -- >> snb say and writing for politico -- now with msnbc and writing for politico. >> did you say scintillating? >> don't play but the language. that is my job. chuck lewis is a with a first newspapers, -- hearst newspapers, where he has been for many years. i have a soft spot for them because they gave me shelter from a storm of my unemployment. linda gasparello, what is happening with the president. he is on television five times in one day, then off to new york to do more television at the u.n., then off to the g-20 for more television. is this good? does he just like being on television? >> isn't it wonderful to be young and energetic? >> i seem to recall that. >> the president feels he is really his best communicator and he has a lot to communicate these days. going from the u.n. to the g-20 is something he's got to do because the world is on his shoulders. what you saw really at the u.n. was the -- where the ethereal eloqu

compared to that al franken is a geography god. sure he knows the states of the united states but can he draw a map of canada? i ask because, unfortunately, i couldn't. i made the mortifying error of saying a squirrel hailed from british columbia instead of alberta. apologies, alberta. the squirrel should have spanked me. the geography wiz, al franken, not only can he dawe the u.s. map in under two minutes he can banter while he does it asking why is minnesota so windy. >> because the dakotas below and wiscons wisconsin. >> reporter: new york? alabama. >>> all right. police in arizona are looking for someone who has more than 30 unpaid speeding tickets but he looks different every time. pni] >>> your medical care is on the line today. president obama's going to speak to the nation tonight about a raging debate over reforming the health care system. he wants a public option but the white house is also working on a compromise that would only include a public option if insurance companies don't make key changes. >>> investigators say

al franken, not only can he draw the u.s.onsin

. >> uh, frannie and i are so thrilled that we can finally celebrate this victory. >> with franken in office, there are now enough democrats to overcome republican filibusters. a filibuster is a way for politicians to stall legislation from passing. >> michael jackson's death may have left his family with a hefty financial burden. reports claim that jackson was millions of dollars in debt. besides dealing with his estate, the jackson family is also taking care of the superstar's three children. a judge has awarded michael's mother temporary custody. around the world, there continues to be an outpouring of grief in the wake of michael's sudden death. fans and stars alike shared their feelings for the king of pop. >> you feel people really feeling the need to express their love for someone who will feeling the need to express their love for someone who will never be9 his legacy will always be here. >> for teen kids news, i'm lara. >> america has a weight problem and you might see it at the restaurant buffet. a new study shows that people who are overweight tend to sit closer to the all-

this is senator franken's party trip.>> al franken, go. the united states. >> reporter: usually he auctioned off the maps for anywhere from 200 to 5,000 bucks but the $64,000 question -- >> why did you learn to do this? >> a bar bet. >> reporter: in college he bet someone he could name all of the states. forgot one. >> the west is easier. >> reporter: and started drawing a map so he would never forget again. finished 13 seconds under two minutes this in a country where five out of ten 18 to 24 year olds can't find new york state on a map. >> it's got to be between here and here. >> reporter: that's pennsylvania. >> here's new york right there. >> that's new jersey. >> here's new york. >> no. yes. >> reporter: compared to that, al frank season a geography god. he knows the states of the united states but could he draw a map of the provinces of canada. i ask because unfortunately i couldn't. i made them mortifying error of saying a squirrel who maim an international sensation was from british columbia instead of alberta. de

senator al franken, meanwhile, has lobbied chairman baucus on behalf of the medical device makers in his home state of minnesota. senator franken told chairman baucus that he opposes, along with four other senators, a provision in the bill that would impose $4 billion on annual fees on the makers of products like heart pacemakers and artificial hips. and labor unions and some democrats have also joined republicans in pushing to scale back or kill the provision that would impose a tax on high-cost insurance plans, this so-called cadillac tax. other democrats on the committee pointing out that the current proposal does not offer enough choice to consumers. >> the bill does not hold insurance companies accountable. the bill does not force insurance companies to compete for our business. the bill denies choice of coverage to over 200 million americans. this bill in its current form stipulates that while you can keep what you have, if you don't like what you have, you've got to keep it. you're stuck. you're denied the chance to get something better. >> that's what support sounds like on t

senator al franken draws us a map. look at that. >>> and apparently the first real obama kenyan birth certificate she produced was not real. now, lori taitz has a second real obama kenyan birth certificate. there's a problem with this one. too. also, somebody stepped on it. "worst persons" ahead next on "countdown." with zyrtec-d®, i have the proven allergy relief of zyrtec®, plus a powerful decongestant. zyrtec-d® lets me breathe freer, so i can love the air™. (announcer) zyrtec-d®. behind the pharmacy counter. no prescription needed. is as easy as one, two, three. with covergirl trublend, if your liquid makeup is a two, then your concealer, powder and blush are too. we've got your number, and it adds up to a more beautiful you. the trublend collection from easy, breezy, beautiful covergirl. "what do you mean homeowners insurance doesn't cover floods?" "a few inches of water caused all this?" "but i don't even live near the water." what you don't know about flood insurance may shock you. including the fact that a pref

senator al franken draws us a map. look at that. >>> and apparently the first real obama kenyan birth certificate she produced was not real. now, lori taitz has a second real obama birth certificate. there's a problem with this one. too. also, somebody stepped on it. "worst persons" ahead next on "countdown." i know exactly what you love, don't i? - [ barks ] - mmm. aromas like rotisserie chicken. and filet mignon. yeah, that's what inspired a very special dry dog food. [ woman ] introducing chef michael's canine creations. so tasty and nutritious it's hard to believe it's dry dog food. chef-inspired. dog-desired. chef michael's canine creations. we're not ceos making millions. we don't have golden parachutes or option plans. what we have is our hands, our hearts, and our work ethic, we are america's workforce. the men and women, who keep our economy going. all we ask for, is a level playing field. the employee free choice act will let workers choose to form a union to get better pay, health benefits and job security.

senator al franken draws us a map.k at that. >>> and apparently the first real obama kenyan birth certificate she produced was not real. now, lori taitz has a second real obama birth certificate. there's a problem with this one. too. also, somebody stepped on it. "worst persons" ahead next on "countdown." decisions, decisions. which beneful prepared meal tonight? roasted chicken recipe? - savory rice and lamb stew. - [ barks ] you're right. tonight is a beef stew kind of night. [ announcer ] beneful prepared meals. another healthful, flavorful beneful. even the best of us get dull after a while. it's time to change your blade. all us fusion blades have an indicator strip. and when it fades to white, change your blade for a better shave. whoa! fresh blade. better shave. when you're sick, you go to the doctor for answers. and when you hear scary rumors about health insurance reform being a big government takeover... doctors have the answer again. according to the american medical association, "the health reform plans bei

>> amazing trick he does, al franken. senator al franken. that's it for me. i'm wolf blitzer intisttist. >> thank you. tonight, the white house says president obama is going to be more forceful with democrats as he struggles with his top priority. he's now squirrely in the midst of the health care debate on the eve of a critical moment in his presidency. >>> also tonight, a battle over the public option. opponents want no part of it. tonight, two of the nation's most influential senators join us for the faceoff debate. >> and all the president's cz czars. a czar has quit, bypassing congress, hitting new troubles. >>> good evening, everybody. tonight, the white house crafting a new approach to health care at a pivotal moment in the obama presidency. president obama tonight trying to assert his authority on the issue as he prepares for a make or break address to a joint session of congress. the health care fight has all but exhausted the president's capital and severely damaged his standing in public opinion polls. we have complete coverage tonight from the hil

so you have to ask, how did you guys vote for al franken? we will ask him.hould also add that minnesota ranks first in multi retired quarterbacks in brett favre for. ladies and gentlemen, please welcome a true champion for values voters, governor tim pawlenty. [applause] ♪ >> thank you very much. brett favre is not part of the "cash-for-clunkers" program. [laughter] i am delighted to be with you tonight and honored to be the governor of the great state of minnesota. one of the privileges of being governor of the state is that you get to travel around your state and hear these great stories. i heard one the other day about these two gentlemen who were sitting out on a bench outside of the pearly gates, waiting for their opportunity to talk to saint peter. one turned to the other in said, so how did you get here? he said he would not believe it, but i can across a situation where this motorcycle gang was threatening an intimidating a young woman. i pulled out a tire arouiron and yelled hey, knock it off. i kicked over their role of motorcycles and went up to t

al franken is drawing a freehand map of the u.s. from memory.ee he is a man of many talents. >> that is interesting. it looks perfect. i have a feeling he had a teacher who drummed that into his head. >> he must have some trick for remembering that. >> the important thing is that he gets minnesota correct. >> what is the capital of minnesota? >> >>> later today, president obama will attend a ceremony marking the attacks at the pentagon. >> more than 100 people lost their lives. matt brock is live with a preview of the tribute. good morning. >> it is raining out. it is a gloomy morning, perhaps fitting for what is a sad occasion. you can see the memorial here, 184 benches made of steel and granted, each of them to represent one of the folks who died here, a victims of september 11 at the pentagon. arranged east to west from youngest to oldest. there. in the direction to show which were on the plane and which were here working at the pentagon. the president is due here at 9:30 this morning. he is expected to fall president bush when it was -- the

no franken and then no kennedy. >> why not invite everyone to a room and say no one leaves the room untile on the bill. get the staffers out of the room. get them in the room and say this is a party vote. ladies and gentlemen, this is a party vote like the budget. you are not going to vote against it. what is your problem? let's fix it. we can leave together and enjoy life as a victorious political party. >> we have the power to do that. sure there is going to be horse trading but why can't we come together and really -- if they could do that, they would help their chances in 2010, chris. that is the political win as well as i think it would probably result in a good bill. but we'll see. >> is rahm emanuel the person to do this or does it take someone who is not there yet? rahm emanuel is a tough customer. he knows the hill. he could have been speaker someday. does he have that kind of grasp and attack or is he too big ro? is he too big city? i'm wondering if he can talk turkey to blanch lincoln. can he sit and talk db i'm not sure you can. i'm not sure i can. if you're a democrat and say

about half the dime of franken.perfect but the party trick has earned him a beer or r two over the years.♪ >>> it's interesting what theser garbage collectors are doing to this dinosaur ♪ ♪ hello hello hello can anybody hear me? ♪ ♪ i know i know i know i shoulda gone to ♪ ♪ free credit report dot com! ♪ that's where i shoulda gone! coulda got my knowledge on! ♪ ♪ vo: free credit score and report with enrollment in triple advantage. >>> the new york stock exchange has just opened for business. stocks are expected to have a lackluster start this morning. we're going check in a in a few minutes to see if that's the case. >>> for the first time ever, an experimental hiv vaccine prevented people from getting the virus. people who got the three-part booster and not the placebo were less likely to get the virus. >>> police say a suspect opened fire on police serving a search warrant for drugs and firearms. one officer was shot in the face. >>> another in the foot. one is in serious condition right now. the suspect is in c

. >> senators franken. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thank you, mr. -- director. first of all, director mueller i want to think for providing me with briefings on somali individuals from minnesota who were returned to somalia to join islamic extremists and after the briefings i'm satisfied the fbi has done a very good job on the ground in the twin cities. obviously, these individuals are a rare exception within the somali community and -- in minnesota, which is a patriotic and hard-working and important part of our statement one of the main things that makes the country special is, we're a melting pot and have people with the cultural background and language skills that we need for these investigations, how is the fbi doing on this front, do we have enough arabic-speaking translators for example? for terror investigations. >> we -- i cannot say we're doing as well as i would like. we have almost doubled our capabilities since september 11th, but that was a small capability to begin with. and when it comes to somali speakers or pashtun or others where there are var

and just off a tremendous senate fight between norm coleman and al franken.t is an area -- there's politics to this. there is an area, not only minnesota, but wisconsin, that were close calls, and the president is going to need the support from those states if he's going to get re-election. but it's also a state that has been very active. there's a lot of local participation in politics in minnesota. has a rich tradition of that. and i think the president going there, it's a good spot. >> okay. well, i'm going to be punching to you at 1:00 eastern time. >> i will be here from 1:00 to 3:00. this saturday gig now. how does this saturday gig work? do i get to ad-lib and sway it? >> oh, yeah, of course you do. that's what people love, especially with you doing that on your radio show so well. thank you so much, ed. >> good to be here, alex. >> we'll see you at 1:00. >> thank you. >> the president will be speaking at the rally in minnesota at 2:00 eastern. we'll be on top of that for you with live coverage. also, please watch ed's show weeknights on msnbc, 6:00 p.

. >>> and half the time it takes franken to make a map.> so many things we learned from that. >> details. details about golf. a tee off. >> it's good news for golf and new g news for folks in the atlanta area as the pga tour looks ready to go. this club was under water like the day before, or two days earlier. this is the final leg of the fedexcup championship. and tiger is ahead in the standings. he teed off at 2:00 eastern. >>> speaking of golf, this is taking tradition to an entirely different new level. four pennsylvania men are celebrating their 40th straight year of golfing together at myrtle beach in south carolina. 40 years, these guys started going there once a year back when it cost $25 a day for everything, room, food and golf. they are getting it all free, air, golf and hotel all free. >>> and a scary moment, and montero can only look on. and look at everybody reach for their head at the same time. and miguel is like, that has to hurt. san francisco would win, 5-2. >>> it's a face only a mother could love. where else would they

audience -- who still watches that channel -- and let them decide, just like congress did, just like al franken. even before the mainstream media picked up on this, what did he know about this? on these videos you see the truth. megyn: in their defense, at least they covered it. virtually no media has been covering this, in particular, the big three. >> i will credit katie couric and the cbs evening news. they cover this. more importantly, it has already cycled through "the daily show" and the "tonight show." so if there are making jokes at the expense of acorn, but they refuse to cover it, there is something desperately wrong with the mainstream media. that is why we've rolled these out one at a time. we want to expose not only acorn as corrupt, but also the way that these networks would cover the story, like the story with van jones. megyn: when you have lawmakers voting against this, it has got to be on the cable channels, not just a fox news. they come back and say that the video is added to it, that it is doctored. you will make those tapes available. is there any the various, secret game

. >> what is it going to do for me, al franken?>> well, you work for nbc universal. >> this is where i'm trying to get you to do. what does this have to do with the scuttlebutt about what happened? >> every time vivendi spends a billion here, $3 billion there on a property that is core, people come back to the fact that shawn bernard levi, ceo, says 20% stake in nbc y brkb un. so speculation begins yet again. especially because every november or so they have to write under the agreement with ge to put that 20% stake to ge, force an initial public offering, or they could find a third party to buy the stake from vivendi. that's speculation is rt staying yet again. in part, because i think in this deal it puts a spotlight on vivendi and their desire to continue to expand in wireless around the world and their need potentially for more cash in order to do that. will it happen this time around? who knows. it seems as though it may be more likely than not that this time something does happen come november perhaps we hear something. but t

first of all, your two outstanding senators, senator amy clob char and senator ag franken are in thes part of the obama for president movement before i decided to run for president, r.t.rybak, mayor of minneapolis is in the house. [cheers and applause] >> mayor of the great city of st. paul, chris coleman is in the house. [cheers and applause] >> your attorney general lori swanson is in the house. shards your state auditor, rebekah otto is here. >> and one of the finest public servants in the country, my secretary of health and human services, kathleen sibelius is here. [cheers and applause] also, the biggest obama fan in the country is in the house. [cheers and applause] >> i love this guy! michelle has a picture where she looks like sasha next to this guy. a great supporter and it's great to see you again. you know, i don't know if any of you caught it on television. you may have been watching "so you think you can dance." [laughter] >> but -- michelle loves that show, by the way. but the other night i gave a speech to congress about healthcare. [cheers and applause] >> and i can a

also southbound 795 after owings mills boulevard a crash there as well, traffic begins to slow from franken boulevard. you can always follow us on twitter.com/marylandtraffic. we'll be right back with a morning news update. >>> breaking news from northeast baltimore. a police officer shot a suspect in the parking lot of the wellington gate apartments, in the 2000 block of bridge hampton drive. while kids were getting ready to leave for school the officers were called out around 6:00 this morning for reports of a suicidal person. when they got out of the car the suspect was waving a gun around. at least one of the officers opened fire. the suspect is now at sinai listed in critical condition. baltimore city police are going to be holding a press conference at 8:00 this morning to give us more information so stay with us on air and on-line for the very latest on this story. >>> a driver is locked up here this morning accused of stealing a car and then crashing it. while trying to get away from baltimore county police. this happened overnight. this is exclusive video from our our overnight pho

>> is there more information because that dnr is sometimes misleading between al franken and ben nelsono think about when we look at 2010 which is remember that a lot of the people who voted for obama, they are obama voters. they are not base democratic party voters. so part of the challenge that democratic candidates are going to have in 2010, frankly, will be making their case to those obama voters and trying to get them to vote democratic because, again, many of them were not, you know, base democratic voters. they see themselves as obama voters and don't see themselves as part of the democratic party. >> she makes a great point. >> thank you! the second point i would make, though, unfortunately, having been at the party for the four years after bush won a second term, i think our party, unfortunately, is starting to lose its voice. i mean, part of what we have here is an opportunity to show the american people that we can be effective leaders and when you've got a democratic party that in and of itself can't seem to get itself together and get behind the president that opens the doo

senator franken and minnesota, and the newest member of the senate.with us. senator boy and a bit of ohio. senger merkley of oregon. senator alt mire of pennsylvania. senator gil brandt of new york. senator read and write island from a -- senate term rtor reidf rhode island. any other member is ths? congressman dan to of pennsylvania. reaching dench of pe -- center dench of pennsylvania. i think we should take them as a sign of the enormous gratitude that we have. i hope we will go from here to our 9/11 ceremony were real honor you. anyone who visit here will see the name of your loved dom. now we will on bail. -- now we will unviel. unveil. [applause] >> [unintelligible] >[reaading list of honored heroes] [reading list of honored heroes] [readintg lisg list of honored heroes] >> and brave sacrifice on september 11, 2001. they say to the u.s. capitol from destruction. chefs >> of the next, senator carl levin discusses u.s. involvement in afghanistan. that of the pollard -- that'll be followed about german chancellor on july -- angela merkel. this week

first, your two outstanding centers, senators in the klobuchar and al franken are in the house.heers and applause] my great friend who was part of the obama for president movement before i even started -- decided to run for president, r.t. rybak is in the house. [cheers and applause] the mayor of the great city of st. paul, chris kohlman, is in the house. [cheers and applause] your attorney general, lori swanson, is in the house. [cheers and applause] your state auditor, rebecca pottow is here. [cheers and applause] and one of the finest public servants in the country, my secretary of health and human services, kathleen sebelius, is here. [cheers and applause] also, the biggest obama fan in the country is in the house. [cheers] that is it. i love this guy. michelle has a picture. she looks like sasha next to [laughter] the sky] he is a great supporter -- next to this guy. [laughter] he is a great supporter. i do not know if any of you caught it on television. you may have been watching "so you think you can dance?" but michelle of the show, by the way. [laughter] but the other n

. >> senator franken? >> thank you, mr. chairman, and thank you, mr. director.first of all, director mueller, i want to thank you for providing me with briefings on somali individuals from minnesota who returned to somalia to join extremists. i am very happy that you're on the ground in the twin cities. obviously, these individuals are a rare exception within the somali community in minnesota which is a patriotic and hardworking and important part of our state. one of the things that makes this country special is we're a melting pot and we have people with the cultural background and skills that we need for these investigations. how is the fbi doing on this front? do we have enough arabic-speaking translators, for example for terror investigations? >> we -- i can't say we're doing as well as i would like. we have almost doubled our capability since september 11th, but that was a small capability to begin with. when it comes to somali speakers or pashtu or others where there are various clan dialects it becomes more problematic. we've had substantial outreach pro

was not about to buy al franken. i'm not going to buy various bu bashing books. i know what those people think. i thought i had something to impart that they weren't familiar with. also i thought the book was funny, as i think this one is funny. >> host: now with this book you abandoned that idea of trying to change minds. >> guest: that is very true. i writing this book that this book is for people only agree with me already and you know, there are a lot of us out there who feel very isolated, to whether we are living in communities like ours, our new york suburbs, which you describe so beautifully, although i've never stepped on a fraud and apparently you have. >> host: we are talking about middle america where it is not that easy to find a then comfort if you are on the right. >> gue: that is true but talkg about people, end is areas like we live in. cosco san francisco come abuttal so i think to some extent big citieshere you won't find many conservatives. >> guest: no, you don't. one of the interesting things is there are a lot more buzz that is generated kn

. >> senator franken? >> thank you, mr. chairman, and thank you, mr. director. first of all, director mueller, i want to thank you for providing me with briefings on somali individuals from minnesota who returned to somalia to join extremists. i am very happy that you're on the ground in the twin cities. obviously, these individuals are a rare exception within the somali community in minnesota which is a patriotic and hardworking and important part of our state. one of the things that makes this country special is we're a melting pot and we have people with the cultural background and skills that we need for these investigations. how is the fbi doing on this front? do we have enough arabic-speaking translators, for example for terror investigations? >> we -- i can't say we're doing as well as i would like. we have almost doubled our capability since september 11th, but that was a small capability to begin with. when it comes to somali speakers or pashtu or others where there are various clan dialects it becomes more problematic. we've had substantial outreach pr

senator franken of minnesota, the newest member of the senate.gold who is with us from wisconsin. [applause] center of voyage of ohio. [applause] the center of oregon. perhaps you should be announcing -- [unintelligible] center of wyoming. -- cemetery of wyoming. -- senator of wyoming. senator reed of rhode island. [applause] we have never had this many senators bentsen over to the side of this house. we are actually on their side. [laughter] any other members? [inaudible] mr. murphy. congressman charlie dent of pennsylvania. congressman murphy of pennsylvania. [applause] i think we have them all. i think you should take that as a sign of the enormous gratitude that we have, how incapable words are to thank you, but i hope that the presence of so many members in this space. first, as has been said by all of our speakers, for you to see as long as this capital exists for anyone to visit here and honor his or her memory. [applause] [applause] [inaudible] [reading names] [reading names] [applause] >> braves sacrifice on september 11, 2001, who may h

[applause] senator al franken of minnesota, the newest member of the senate.ingold of wisconsin. [applause] center of one of its of ohio. -- senator voinavich of ohio. [applause] senator ensey of wyoming. [applause] senator altmier of pennsylvania. [applause] senator gillibrand of new york. [applause] we have never had this many senators adventure over to this side of the house. actually we are on their side. [laughter] and the other members? [inaudible] congressman dan of pennsylvania. [applause] congressman murphy of pennsylvania. [applause] little bit i know when we went down this path hal honored we were. we should take that as a sign of the enormous gratitude we have. i hope by the presence of some members in this space will go from here to our 9/11 observance will we will also honor you, but first, as has been said, by all of our speakers, for you to see, for as long as this capital exists, for anyone who visits here, they will see the names of your loved ones and honor his or her memory. now we're going to unveil -- [applause] [applause] [inaudible] [in

franken mr.baucus that allow bank to take their foreclosed properties and lease them for up to five years, or give the lease option to buy to a former homeowner, or anyone who wants to try to gat distressed property sales off the mark. the problem you're having aware hang, in calornia, as a distressed property sales about 82 percent of the houses in the market are distressed. in l.a. county is about 55%. in orange county, and the robust housing market you see about 45 percent ofhem were tried to chase the bottom of a marketace tt you can get to. and the purpose of the bill is introduce the marketplace to find a reasonable bottom and start to work its way up which would help you in your situation, trying to do with individuals who can't meet their payments i applaud you on the loan modification effort you're attempting, but i wan to highlight the fact thap our volunteers on your part. my good friend, and i have great respect for them, talk about bankruptcy applyo the residential market place the p