let me quickly go to jonathan allen, a senior congressional reporter for politico. jonathan we end here with this oil dependency question. again, the same kind of tone from the president. the answers we've heard before, his thoughts including on the debt ceiling. what has stood out to you? >> you know, it's interesting what stands out to me is more the tone and the venue for the president. this feels like a campaign event, although with the official backdrop, this is something he's very good at, fielding questions. you know, obviously they are controlled, but he was able to talk about energy policy and infrastructure policy, about education policy, about the debt ceiling, about help for homeowners. this is the kind of -- the kind of thing that makes voters have confidence in the president, at least as being competent to deal with the issues, and so it's a good event for him. obviously not as compelling as the casey anthony trial. >> okay. i'm going to let you stick to that point, but let me move to patricia. you're an expert on this. the politicians using twitter, f

. >> jonathan allen, senior congressional correspondent, thank you for breaking it down for us. >> take care and enjoy your sunday. >>> the president is scheduled to meet with congressional leaders tonight at 6:00 eastern, and if a deal is not cut before august 2nd, the country could default on its financial obligations and that could result in a weaker u.s. dollar. we'll keep you posted. >>> republican presidential home full, herman cain is opening his head courters tomorrow. he is seen here at a campaign event last week. >>> betty ford passed away last night. the first ceremony we will be on tuesday, and then one in grand rapids, michigan. mrs. ford will be laid to rest next to her husband, henry ford. >>> pennetta is taking on the challenge of battling militants in afghanistan and pakistan as the u.s. prepares to drawdown troops in the region. yesterday he landed in kabul where he assured karzai. >> i assured him that the u.s. is committed to the long-term security of the afghan people and that our goal here is to insure that if afghanistan is stable in the future, and can secure, de

also jonathan allen, senior congressional correspondent from politico. dan lothian, we start with you. any signs of progress? the president said moments ago when asked, by someone in that room, when they allowed reporters in, can you get this done in ten days? and he said, we have to. >> right. just those three words. it shows the sense of urgency here at the white house. if i can point to sort of one visual clue here. perhaps it's just because it's the weekend, but nonetheless, everyone dropped ties during this meeting. perhaps a sign of how much work really needs to get done, compared to last week thursday when they all met wearing coats and ties. still a wide divide. while everyone had been talking about significant progress that has been made, republicans have pulled back, because they don't see raising taxes as part of this equation, and the president is looking to do a grand deal. he wants to seize the moment here for the long term, and doesn't believe that now's the time to back down, don. >> i want to bring in david gergen. david, we're looking a