. >> reporter: the fact that mr. obama turned to the popular former president shows just how fragile this deal is. clinton friday lectured some reluctant democrats who feel president obama has abandoned his campaign promise to end tax cuts for the rich. >> look, if we had 5% growth and unemployment was dropping like a rock, maybe you could have this so-called mexican standoff. >> i'm sure it didn't take the current president long to swallow whatever objections he might have to giving the stage to bill clinton because this president needs that president right now. >> reporter: today mr. obama in his weekly web address acknowledged members of his own party are uncomfortable with the plan. >> but at the same time, we can't allow the middle class in this country to be caught in the political crossfire of washington. >> it doesn't make sense. >> reporter: but some aren't just uncomfortable, they are downright angry. >> the agreement that they reached is a bad deal. >> reporter: independent senator bernie sanders spent over eigh

today in a statement, mr. obama welcomed the breakthrough, saying it's time to close this chapter in our history. >> here we go. >> reporter: passage comes a day after another obama victory, the signing of a tax package negotiated with republicans. and mr. obama's winning streak might not be over. in his weekly address, the president pushed for one more big vote before the holidays, ratifying the s.t.a.r.t. arms reduction treaty with russia. >> it's time to show the same spirit of common purpose on our security that we showed this week on our economy. >> reporter: many republicans are opposed. >> the united states should not be placing any constraints, any constraints, on our ability to defend ourselves. >> i fully support this treaty. >> reporter: but the president has the backing of other prominent gop voices and the treaty could be ratified by midweek. it all adds up to an unexpected political rally for mr. obama. >> he is in a better position politically than he's been in i think in more than 20 months. you see

>> bill: absolutely. >> or was he there to imbue mr. obama, i should say respectfully, with the aura of a try lay for, someone like clinton can reach out and cut dells with the opposing party? -- i'm not sure it did president obama any good. the most interesting aspect was how he told us that he is now out of politics. and he told us that a few minutes after he boasted of headlining 133 campaign events. >> bill: you know what i love cameron, when president obama left and he had to leave, because he had other commitments. then president clinton went, all right, see you later. you in the back row there! it was great. like here i am, i'm in charge for one more day! it was funny. i don't think it did president obama any harm if he gets it passed. everybody will forget that and we'll go on with our lives. >> if it was a comparison in triangulation it was a difference. barack obama said democrats were being sanctimonious and republicans were hostage-takers. there's a different kind of triangulation. polls show it hadn't worked. there's a poll out t

. >> mr. obama signed the $4.50 billion school nutritionists policy into law. >> we want them to have balance, nutritious school as they need to succeed in the classroom. >> a big boost for the first lady michelle obama's of the city campaign and for this third grader named -- obesity campain gn and for luis. >> i was excited for him to be next to president obama and the first lady. i am so nervous right now. >> the whole school was excited from the principle on down. >> visiting students were talking about nutrition. >> i am happy to have that better lunches now. >> i am not going to wash my hand. >> it was a big deal for the school and also a big deal in the neighborhood. by the time the president left, residents were there to wait and many have their cameras ready. >> i saw him. it was my first time seeing him. >> he smiled and waved. it was lovely. >> i jumped out of bed for this. >> a presidential visit to a local neighborhood is unusual enough to be special. who can argue with healthy eating?

as a candidate, mr. obama promised to rollback cuts but republicans threatening to hold up all the extensionings, president backed down. dem p democrats were outraged but mr. obama said compromise is necessary. >> it's not an abextract debate. it's real money for real people at that -- that will make a difference in the lives of those who sent us here. >> reporter: last night, members of the president's party continued to vent their frustration. >> it gives away $120 billion dollars to the super rich. >> reporter: republicans said the bill was the best they could get right now. >> this tax deal is not perfect. >> reporter: none of the provision in the bill are paid for. so as democrats and republicans argue about spending, the tax cuts will add nearly a trillion dollars to the skyrocketing national deficit. abc news, washington. >>> consume are alert this morning. wall -- a consumer alert this morning, wal-mart is recalling heaters. it covers flow pro air tech and comfort essential 1500 watt electric heaters s

many expect mr. obama to agree to a temporary extension of cuts for the wealthy cupped with renewal of unemployment benefits. with today's votes out of the way, the president called for a quick agreement with republicans. >> it will require some compromise, but i'm confident we can get it done. >> reporter: with the jobless rate a top concern, mr. obama touted a breakthrough, new agreement with south korea on the tariff lowering trade pact, poe ten shapoe -- potentially the biggest of its kind since nafta. >> including the opening of the korean services market will support 70,000 american jobs. >> lester, that trade deal is is not a done deal quite yet. it requires congressional approval and while trade is one area where republicans are expected to cooperate with the president, already one prominent democrat has come out against the deal. lester? >> thanks. long time nbc capitol producer, ken strickland joins us now to offer his insight. based on what we saw today the votes are not there to limit tax cuts

he arrived at bagram airfield early this morning and in a huge hangar, mr. obama told more than 3500 cheering troops that they are helping break the taliban's momentum. >> this part of the world is the center of a global effort where we are going to disrupt and dismantle and defeat al qaeda and its extremist allies and that's you're here. >> the president was supposed to meet with afghan president hamid karzai to discuss war strategy. that was scrapped at the last minute because the weather was too rough for mr. obama to make that trip to kabul by helicopter. >>> up next a mysterious pg&e bill. >> all of a sudden it just jumped on its own. >> an energy bill skyrockets and the utility says it has no idea why. >>> not the kind of mind blowing experience he wanted from his new phone. the explosion one man says was caused by his droid. >>> are you trying to catch someone's eye? the simple move that will make you more attractive. >>> okay, well, this is it, hot out off the press, the pinpoint forecast. take a look at the current radar and how it's affecting tahoe. we'l

mr. obama argues that the health insurance costs for the uninsured are passed on to the insured, impacting the entire national market. >> it goes beyond the power that congress has under the commerce clause of the constitution. >> ag cuccinelli says the commerce clause has never em powered the government to force anyone to buy health insurance. and federal district court judge henry hudson agrees. he ruled that the mandate, quote, exceeds the constitutional boundaries of congressional power, unquote. mr. obama says, no big deal. rough issues always get a rough ride. >> that's the nature of these things. when social security was passed, there were all kinds of lawsuits. when the civil rights act was passed aned, there were all kinds of lawsuits. >> question is this case now on the bullet train to the supreme court, pat? >> certainly. frankly, i think it ought to be expedited, because it's going to the supreme court, it's a critical issue. cuccinelli has latched on to this one issue, john that in

. >>> before he left town, mr. obama, of course, signed that bill allowing gays to serve openly in the military. the new law ends the 17-year-old don't ask, don't tell policy, which forced gay, military members to hide their sexual orientation or face dismissal. the historic change fulfilled one of the president's campaign promises. >> for we are not a nation that says, don't ask, don't tell. we are a nation that says, out of many, we are one. >> mr. obama praised lawmakers for what he called the most successful post-election period in decades. >>> the administration is now defending the nation's intelligence chief, james clapper, who appeared uninformed about a major terrorism bust in britain, just hours after a dozen arrests were made. it all started tuesday with an interview with our diane sawyer. >> london. how serious is it? any indication that it was coming here? any of the things that they have seen were coming here? >> london? >> i was a little surprised you didn't know about london, director clapper. >> i'm sorr

republicans are squeezing mr. obamaause they know he cannot get a tax hike on the affluent passed at this time. while a house, not the white house, the house of representatives passed it today. the senate can block. so mr. obama will have to compromise or give up entirely and extend the bush 2003 tax cuts. for his part, mr. obama is caught because if he gives up, the far left will go crazy. and at this point they are the people the president needs to fund his campaign in 2012. radical left wing americans want, above all, to take income from the affluent and give it to those who have less. that is what the far left lives for. so they are now sending a message to president obama don't compromise. >> mr. president, please do not compromise with the republicans about extending the bush tax cuts. >> i am in the highest tax bracket. we don't need the money. the country does. >> you said in your campaign speech that enough is enough and it's time to fight. please fight. i'm willing to fight with you. >> also allow the temporar

. >> reporter: mr. obama pledged as long as i'm president the united states will deploy effective missile defenses to protect the united states. ratification of the treaty, though not yet certain, would cap an extraordinary stretch for mr. obama and the lame duck congress. friday the president signed a tax cut package negotiated with republicans. >> house resolution 2965 is adopted. yesterd >> reporter: yesterday the gridlock was broken on don't ask don't tell. >> i'm proud we stood up and said we'll join you. this smub bipartisan. it is beyond a question of fairness. these are men and women willing to risk their lives in defense of their country. >> reporter: lester, with two-thirds of the snats needed to ratify the s.t.a.r.t. treaty or any treaty the outcome of the vote is still very much in doubt. whatever the case, aides say the president will stay on here in washington until the outcome is known, even though his family has gone on ahead as scheduled for that hawaiian holiday. lester. >> john harwood is c

mrs. obama posed with them, along with the children and the president himself posing for pictures in front of the white house christmas tree. the children then made an appearance on stage at the celebration with the president. there is mrs. obama chasing one of them down. and the children and the president were all asking for prayers for the troops and to remember those struggling this holiday season. this year's benefit by the way was hosted by ellen degeneres. >>> joe montana wants to be back in business in santa clara. his new idea needs city approval. meanwhile, on the field new life for the niners. we'll take you behind the scenes. takeo spikes is in studio with us tonight, and he is happy. >>> also, a cheap shot caught on camera. an assistant coach with bad behavior. raj mathai joins us next on "sports sunday." good night. >> watch the knee here being stuck out on purpose. [ mom ] my son only wanted one toy this year. i want a robosan 4000. [ mom ] the one no one could get. toy stores are

mrs. obama along with first dog bo joined santa claus at the national children's hospital in an annual holiday tradition, the first lady read a christmas classic to the children. >> was the night before christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. >> the children asked mrs. obama what she plans to give the president for christmas but she wouldn't say, not wanting to ruin the surprise. well, the patients had some suggestions, they said either give him a new suit or give him some candy. >>> imagine seeing more electric car charging stations than gas stations. what happened today that could make that a reality in the next 10 years? >>> plus a judge takes a swipe at president obama's health care plan. which part of it he's calling unconstitutional. >>> and get this, a $220 ticket for parking your bike in the wrong place? the outrage that's causing and what some bay area students are doing to fight those tickets. >>> new at 6:00, we uncover why someone would sp

aids saying mr. obama is seeking to incorp eight the agenda on the economic issue and deficit. >> there is a series of issues that are important to the business community that are important to getting our economy moving again and those are the issue that is the president is here to work on. >> the former ceo of a chicago real estate company and led the administration's outreach to the business community. it will look at a balanced report and give business regulatory certainty and ability providingly for the american people. the white house is clearly hoping to convince the business community to invest one frillion that it is sitting on due to reg latoryetax uncertainty. >> it is important to business leaders when they invest new plans and equipment. that is something that we would be looking for from the president. talk about the certainty down the road. >> the south korea free trade requires congressional rat is one issue where the white house and business community see eye to eye. >> there are clear issu

the question will mr. obama get his tax hike?ning us from now from charlesville, virginia the purveyor of dick morris.com mr. morris. prediction time, morris, what's going to happen in the tax room? >> i think that obama is going to try to pass the raising the taxes for the wealthy for people making more than 250. and i think he will probably pass it in the lame duck house and then it will go to the lame duck senate. but it's not quite the lame duck senate. it's the 41 senators, the 40 plus scott of massachusetts. scott brown and then the 42nd who is mark kirk from illinois who took office immediately. republican. i think those 42 republicans are going to hold firm and i think he is not going to get. >> bill: that means they will filibuster and not even going to vote on it. >> what's going to happen then is that he is going to confront the situation where either he let's taxes go up for everybody or taxes go up for nobody. and i think once that's the choice obama is going to blink, is he going to cave, in and he is not going to i

as for what mr. obama called the overarching goal, disrupting, dismantle and defeating al-qaeda. >> al-qaeda is hunkered down. >> there is more focus on al-qaeda than taliban and no mention of hamid karzai who u.s. officials privately describe as weak, ineffective and perhaps unstable. it credits pakistan taking action going after the enemy fighters in the tribal region near the border, it makes clear that islamabad must do more. >> it doesn't come fast enough. we'll continue to insist to leaders that the terrorist safe havens within the borders must be dealt with. >> in tenth year of the war, patience is running out with the american people. a new abc news/"washington post" poll says 60% of the american public does not believe the war is worth fighting. >> it's the responsibility of leaders to pay attention to public opinion. at the end of the day, their responsibility is to look out for public interest. and look to the long-term. >> for those suggesting this is a sugarcoated analysis of the war, secretar

. >> the first lady at his side, mr. obama signed the bill into law. >> when the kids walk into the lunchroom, wept to be sure they are getting balanced, nutritious meals they need to succeed in the classroom. >> a big boost for michelle obama's anti-obesity campaign. >> it was a great experience. it was an honor to sit next to the president. >> the whole school was excited from the principal on down. >> the biggest thrill of our lives for most of us. >> visiting students were talking nutrition. >> our school has healthier lunches noum >> this visitor from bancroft elementary. >> did he shake your hand? >> yeah, i'm leaving my hand unwashed. >> it was a big deal in the neighborhood. >> by the time the president left, the residents were there and many had their cameras weather. >> he smiled at us and waved at us. it was lovely. >> though the president lives in d.c., a presidential visit to a local neighborhood is still unusual enough to be special. who can argue with healthy eating? in northwest washington, sam ford, abc 7 news

obama is expected to ask them to use record profits to add jobs and executives are planning to ask mr. obama to ease regulations they say have become a burden. >>> the country is putting its trust between the white house and congress. a new poll shows a slightly more people trust president obama than congressional republicans when it comes to the handling of the present problems. >>> montgomery county schools will take a big hit as the county tries to fill a $300 million budget gap. the county council voted to cut more than $32 million from the budget including $19 million for schools. the council voted yesterday to cut 21 jobs at local fire and rescue department. nine police officers will stay at schools. >>> 21 degrees. >> still ahead, a different kind of bear hug. how to help find a beloved stuffed animal. >> a shooting spree at a school board meeting in florida is caught on tape. >> first, and other frigid morning and another chance of snowflakes. adam caske >>> welcome back. time for traffic and weather every ten minutes. 4:39 is the time. >> it is this all over again. >> 39 or maybe 40

mr. obama called it a win for american workers, farmers and aero station electronic workers.eanwhile the clock is ticking on the bush era tax cut still set to expire on the 1st of january. >> well, today the president and mrs. obama host a white house reception for the kennedy center honor res and tonight the first couple will attend the ceremony itself at the kennedy center. the lawyer for one of jaycee dugard's kidnappers belief a series of letters sent by the suspect nancy garrido to a friend will not hurt her defense. she wrote the letters to a woman she befriended in the eldorado county jail. she's facing charges of kidnapping dugard and holding her captive for 18 years. the letters frequently mention god and her husband. nancy garrido even describes herself and her husband as "peas in a pod." the san francisco police crime lab is fating new accusations about mishandling evidence. the san francisco chronicle reports the issue this time enlists dna evidence. it has to do with a criminal trial in 2008 and a mix-up of general material mixed up with a control stamp of distil

mr. obama called him a true giant of american foreign policy. the 69-year-old died last night following surgeons it -- following surgery for a tear in his aorta. >> coming up, chaos and violent protests erupt in rome. >> a veteran army officer is facing court martial. why he says an order from president obama is illegal. >> a remarkable story of a local man giving away $10 a day for one year comes full circle. man giving away $10 a day for one year comes full circle. >> angry protests on the streets of rome today -- hundreds of demonstrators smashing motorcycles and police responding with teargas. the protest erupted after the controversial italian premier won a razor-thin vote of confidence in the italian parliament. an army doctor could face prison time and a dishonorable discharge. the lieutenant colonel is charged with refusing to deploy to afghanistan. the veteran disobeyed orders because he says he does not believe president obama was born in the united states and says he is ineligible to be president and commander-in-chief, so the orders

mr. obamarobert ford ambassador to syria. he will be the first to fill that post in nearly six years. the president named matthew breezea, ambassador. senator barbara boxer opposed him because of his ties to the government. the vacationing president was nearly hit by a golf ball yesterday. mr. obama was playing golf with four friends on a course near honolulu as one of the friends took an approach shot from behind the tree the ball whizzed past the president missing him by about 2 feet. he didn't take it personally and they wrestled the ball to the ground. i made the last part up. a los angeles prosecutors says defense lawyers for michael jackson's doctor will claim the singer killed himself. the prosecutor made that statement following a hearing yesterday in dr. conrad murphy reyes involuntary manslaughter trial. a much higher amount of drug was found in jackson's body. the prosecutor says the defense will claim jackson died after injecting himself with more of the drug. a lot of us celebrate

mr. obamars and arrow station electronic workers and especially the u.s. auto industry. the clock is ticking on the bush era tax cuts, still set to expire okay the 1st of january. david curly, abc news, washington. >> and later today the president and president and mrs. obama host a reception for the kennedy center honor res. >> the lawyers for one of jaycee dugard's kidnappers believe a letter sent to a friend will not hurt her defense. nancy garrido wrote the letter to a woman she befriended in the county jail. she's facing charges of kidnapping dugard and holding her captive for 18 years. the letters frequently mentioned god and her husband. garrido even describes herself and her husband as "peas in a pod." the san francisco police crime lab is facing new accusations about mishandling evidence. the san francisco chronicle reports the issue this time is with dna evidence. it has to do with a criminal trial in 2008 and a mix-up of genetic material that must have been used as evidence, a mix-up

mr. obama who vestitied his daughter's private school spoke on national public radio. he conceded that angry democrats might make some changes but ultimately, he believes that it will pass. they have added tax breaks for energy-each cars and homes. the house has yet to take up a bill of it own. >>> key information on more than 100,000 planes is missing and the federal aviation administration says it's going to fix that there are 457,000 planes and helicopters registered in the u.s. government officials say that the missing information could lead to terrorists using those planes in attacks. the f.a.a. will require the owners of every commercial and privately owned aircraft to reregister their planes because of this potential security risk. >>> in the north bay, drivers have a new reason to get out of their cars and get on to their bikes. a converted tunnel is officially opening just a few hours for now and it's specifically for bicycles. it connects san raphael to locksburg making it easier to commute. >> reporter: the last-minute work was still under way on this state-

mr. obama's cap. republicans opposing the treaty claim it would restrict u.s. efforts to develop an antimissile system. >> the verification provisions are enat quid and -- inadequate. >> what are we doing here on a sunday afternoon? >> the was a flawed process and a flawed treaty. >> reporter: the white house is still celebrating saturday's repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. >> it's a great day for this country. a great day for our history. >> reporter: for the fir tiernlg gays and lesbian can serve openly. margaret wit was once a flight nurse. she was discharged when it was learned she was a lesbian. the pentagon must certify that ending "don't ask, don't tell" won't adversely affect the military and then wait for 60 days. president obama is hoping for another christmas gift from capitol hill, new start treaty. >> alan: there's been a possible bump in the road in san francisco's effort to host the america's cup. tomorrow, officials in newport, rhode island, plan to present a letter expressing the city's interest in hosting the race. america's cup or

mr.and mrs. obama spent about an hour shaking hands and talking with the servicemen and women.'s the third year in a row that the obamas have visited the base on christmas. >>> a celebration of kwanzaa is on the way here in the bay area. today marks the first day of the seven day holiday which celebrates african american culture and heritage. the bay area discovery museum in salsalito has the largest kwanzaa event. it celebrates traditional african american values. >>> los angeles played host to one of the many kwanzaa parades taking place across the country. this one featured drill teams, vans and even mini cars. the theme was lowering obesity, hyper tension and other health concerns. this is the 34th year for that parade. >>> well still a lot of work ahead in the coming weeks before one of the country's most famous parades gets in the way. hundreds of volunteers are constructing elaborate floats for the annual rose parade. it's flower and crate paper. this one will include fruit seeds and bark. they'll be striking up the band next sunday. >>> and we'll be right back. ,, light

what history are you saying that mr. obama needs to know here and which advisers are you talking about? >> well, with no one in particular, i guess, keith. but in 1935, it really was a political master stroke to create social security. it's one of the great programs of america. two-thirds of seniors depend on social security for most of their livelihood. and that's not counting the the millions of surviving spouses of children and people with disabilities who depend on social security. it has stay aed alive, it has pd on time, nobody has missed a payment, it will be financially secure for at least a for more decades, and this is all because of the ingenious way it was set up as, not just as another government program, but as an insurance program into which people paid their money. and fdr said explicitly, roosevelt said explicitly, this is not to be funded from general taxation. and that has helped keep this program safe from, well, as i said, the determined enemies it has had over the decades. >> the quote with which i began

mr. obama himself had a face-to- face talk with 20 business leaders including three from right here in the bay area. samantha hayes has the details. >> reporter: the $858 billion tax cut package passed the senate yesterday by a wide margin, 81-19. while it is expected to pass the house of representatives even some republicans are airing objections. >> i believe the tax deal is a bad deal for taxpayers, will do little to create jobs and i cannot support it. >> reporter: it would extend the bush era tax cuts for all americans and some unemployment benefits for 13 months. it also includes a 2% payroll tax cut for one year and would restrict the estate tax at a lower level. the bill also includes billions in new earmarks. meantime at the white house 20 prominent business leaders met with the president to discuss jobs. the so-called ceo summit comes when corporations are facing criticism for holding cash reserves instead of hiring. companies including cisco systems, google, and general electric. the

mr. obama says raising taxes on the wealthy is a fight for another day. >> if we're sear use about balancing the budget, we can't continue to afford these tax breaks for the wealthiest taxpayers. >> the republicans say they'll pass the hill anyway when they take over the house in january. >> it's the first thing we will do, and we'll do it retroactively after the first of the year. >> reporter: something the white house don't want to see. abc news, washington. >> alan: new york city mayor michael bloomberg denied he is exploring the possibility of running for president in 20 # st. . >> i'm not looking at the possibility of running. i have a great job, and i'm -- >> i am going to speak out on those things that affect new york system that's my job. >> alan: black berg says he wants to go after the -- go out at the greatest mayor ever of new york. >>> the metrodome in minneapolis collapsed today, and the cameras're rolling. >> alan: more on the deep freeze hitting the midwest. and we could see rai

mr. obama siined the healthy huugerrfree kids act in a dc school today.for in part with future cut to the food stamppprogram. >> roads looking tonight. kandace has the traffic edge report. kandace. >> hank you jjnnifer. right now e are lloking at the west sidd of the belt way aad so far kateville where 6 miles per hour and 48 miles per hoor úight ear liberty road. thhe look at this number. 13 miles per hour and that's right near york road because of a rash on& the inner loop lanes righttat lock raven boulevard. let's look a little bit farther back at providence roaddand you can seeethe driivrs tapping the brake n the stretchhup towards the flashing activity. as far as the commute towards 95 thhngs actually look much better and delay do lloseen uu. no problems to report on the northbound lanes of 95 through white marsh but trouble just at bit farther up. crash on the úrad to avoid the ctiviiy use 40 as the alternate. that's a lack at the evening travels. now back ooer to you. >> okay kandace. laat halloween in glen arm mmn badly burned wwen somebodd throug

. >> mr. obama thanked u.s. troops for their service this holiday season. >> we're here to say thank you. we're here to say thank you for everything that you do. >> the visit nearly one year to the day comes in a pivotal moment. forces are scheduled to take over security control with a goal of removing all combat troops by 2014 this, month the president's national security team will review the strategy in afghanistan and support at home for the war. 2010 was the deadliest year for u.s. troops in afghanistan. the president told service men and women their sacrifice is making a difference. >> we said we're going break the momentum. that is what you're doing. you're going on offense. tired of playing defense. >> the president met with wounded troops and civilians. >> i just talked to last six of the buddies in a central attacks violence. it's tough business he spoke by phone with hamid karzai. bad weather prevented the two from meeting face-to-face. the president awarded five purple hearts and told troops their sto

mr. obama looks to have the support to ratify the start i nuclear arms treaty. he agreed with the russian president. several senators came out in favor. britain and russia have engaged in spy expulsion is. britain demanded russia and removed an official for breaking the rules on intelligence activities. russia demanded a british diplomat believes moscow. south korea warned north korea not to attack a giant christmas tree. it is lit up between the two countries. it is seen as some by it a provocation to the north. stay with us on "bbc world news." $1 million sculptures sold for scrap by the thieves. the american politician acting as an unofficial envoy to north korea says they have agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors back inbbackill richard -- back in. bill richardson is currently in beijing. >> arriving in beijing with a message from a p'yongyang. governor bill richardson says he has a new offer from the north koreans. the north will allow a u.n. nuclear inspectors expelled last year back into the country. p'yongyang may also sell nuclear fuel, gett

mr. obama strongly oppose them, but was forced to compromise.aremark says that they need $3.20 trillion over the next 20 years, equating to 26,000 planes. airbus is feeling the demand for more eco friendly planes and that the expansion of low-cost airlines in asia. quick look at the markets. modest gains in asia boosted by commodity prices. copper and lumber jumped to record highs. the dollar strengthened for a six the day. china refrained from raising interest rates. we saw these figures on friday. upbeat consumer confidence numbers as well as those shared in china are on the back of beijing not sharing its rates. all eyes on beijing, many saying they need to raise those rates. >> the latest leak of diplomatic cables from wikileaks travels around the murder of a catholic lawyer by protestant gunmen in northern ireland in 1989. the u.s. memos say that security services offered to hand over secret files about the killings. this is all very murky, mark. >> potentially it is significant because it looks as if back in 2005 previously secret intellig

mr and mrs obama visit for some marines stationed in hawaii. the president and first lady joined them briefly at christmas dinner. they spent about an hour shaking hands talking with them. this is the third year in a row the obama's have visited the base on christmas. >>> eight american tourists have been killed in a bus crash in egypt. it hit a parked dump truck tearing off the side of the bus. eight people died, and 19 were injured. they were on their way to see an ancient temple. >>> another christmas tragedy being remembered in thailand. a ceremony marks the 6th anniversary of the tsunami which killed more than aequat -- -- a quarter of a million people. >>> 16 months after a fire destroyed more than 60 homes, an auburn family has a new permanent roof over their head. how it couldn't have come at a better time. >> we were just totally in shock. it's something you don't expect. >> it was devastating to see. >> reporter: most of us it was unimaginable. one of 63 who lost their homes 15 months ago in what is called the 49 fire. it was a massiv

mr. obama's hat. do senate democrats have enough votes?believe we do. >> reporter: republicans claim it would restrict the u.s. efforts to build an antimissile defense. >> i cannot support the treaty. i think the verification provisions are inadequate, and i worry about the missile defense implications. >> what are we doing here on a sunday afternoon? >> this was a flawed process and a flawed treaty. >> reporter: the white house is still celebrating the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. >> a great day for this country, a great day for our history. >> reporter: for the first time, gays and lesbians will be able to serve openly in the military. but not immediately. margaret wit was a flight nurse. she was discharged after the army learned she was a lesbian. she would like her job back but she has to late. -- has to wait. president obamaes hoping for another christmas gift from capitol hill, a new start treaty. >> alan: the hotel christmas tree eliciting an appalling -- apology this weekend. this break in the rain is about to end.

mrs. obama took time for an important task she took time for the tracking santa program run by the north american aerospace committee should get children of the forum to see it is were bets. obama is expected to stay in hawaii to january 7th. >> still ahead, the weather is planning a huge part in holiday travel we will tell you what it's like in your area christmas day. >> it's pretty get there, as we had to break a word from soldiers overseas. >> high, donna horton i am here in kuwait i would like to give a shout out, happy holidays to my family, friends in san francisco california, to my mother, my father, my sister, and tanya, my brother brian, and my son brandon i miss you, i love you, i will be home soon. happy holidays. >> we're saying a christmas to all of our friends and family and san francisco berry area. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. merry christmas to all and to all the good night. st. happy holidays to my parents back in california, i love you, i miss you i will see you so

i applaud mr. obama for understanding the political realities, that he is coming into a republican congress, that he acted in a leadership role. i applaud him. i have had issues with the man in the past. keeping an open mind, i will often turn to fox news and to hear them talk about the prosperity of the bush era and neglected to mention the debt that it let us in, just makes me heard of this country that people are not willing to get all of the information -- human beings are always going to put self-interest above the good of others. so, i do applaud this president for making a stand. yes, he had to get an extension of the 3% tax break, but only to achieve a goal that he understands is a short-term, but that these dead in it -- said in his press conference, that he is keeping on track and trying to follow the course he stated. i applaud him. and one last thing. i do feel that the press -- that he has the poles of what the american people are feeling far greater than the press do. and i would remind you

benefits and a one year, one-third cut in social security taxes to help working class families, but mr. obama gave republicans what they want on taxes. no hikes on the top bracket to be sure the rest, 98% of taxpayers, keep their cut. bipartisanship, says the president. >> i am happy to be tested over the next several months about our ability to negotiate with republicans. >> reporter: but liberals hate the deal. >> that really works out well for the 2%-er, the millionaire, but it doesn't work out for working families at all. >> house leaders aren't buying in. speaker pelosi, it would fail to create jobs. house democratic leader hoyer, a lot of us have real concerns. vice president biden went to the hill to get democrats behind the obama compromise that the senate looks likely to pass. >> i think the vast majority of the members of the republicans of the congress of the u.s. senate feel that this is a step in the right direction. >> president obama says that the wrong step, but a step he now supports. i'm steve handelsman, nbc news, capitol hill. >>> wikileaks founder julian assange remains b

mr. obama told a florida tv station the other judges have found blood to be constitutional. >>> he is going to run again. a decision from the former maryland lt. governor michael steele is confusing political insiders. he announced last night he will seek a second term as the chairman of the republican national committee even though his tenure has been marked by allegations of financial mismanagementrnc members will vote next month. >>> d.c. police chief cathy lanier is expected to keep her job after a mayor-elect vincent gray takes office. he could still change his mind. many credit her with reducing crime in the cigarette her approval rating among d.c. resident is about 80%. >>> news from around the region -- a super shuttle driver is accused of driving fast and furious through northern virginia. the driver drove up to 95 miles per hour from i-96 in arlington to dulles airport as they morning and crashed into four cars and ran some off the road. he was hired just a few weeks ago. >> he was ta

at his news conference on tuesday, mr. obamaw out a challenge. >> president barack obama: once john boehner's sworn in as speaker, then he's going to have responsibilities to govern. you can't just stand on the sidelines and be a bomb thrower. >> boehner: we have to govern. that's what we were elected to do. >> stahl: but governing means compromising. >> boehner: it means working together. >> stahl: it also means compromising. >> boehner: it means finding common ground. >> stahl: okay, is that compromising? >> boehner: i made it clear-- i am not going to compromise on my principles, nor am i going to compromise the will of the american people. >> stahl: you're saying, "i want common ground, but i'm not going to compromise." i don't understand that. i really don't. >> boehner: when you say the word "compromise"... >> stahl: yeah. >> boehner: ...a lot of americans look up and go, "oh, oh, they're going to sell me out." and so finding common ground, i think, makes more sense. >> stahl: i reminded him that his goal had been to get a

president and mrs. obama spend can the holiday weekend in hawaii with friends, white house says mr. obama spent christmas relaxing and watching basketball on tv. a dinner time visit with troops at marine corps base. a new government health care regulation issued this month allows medicare to pay for voluntary end of life planning, the health care overhaul legislation earlier this year and republicans labeled the counseling death panels. finally, "playboy" magazine hue hefner is engaged. 84-year-old is engaged to 24-year-old chris hall air harris. more on today's wetter from virginia up to maine expect as much as foot and half of snow today and tonight will be clear in the midwest and rainy out west. rain and snow will linger in the north for awhile followed by subzero temperatures. coming up -- a fading snapshot. and later, we check in,,,, this holiday season, chevy's giving you more. like a 100,000 mile/5-year powertrain warranty. that's 40,000 miles more than ford. and now we're giving you our best offer of the year. 0% apr financing... plus $1,500 holiday allowance... plus no mont

mr. obama's last two years and what the new year may hold. >> it has been a rough two years for the president. at people were anticipating nothing would happen, that there would be institutional gridlock, but they have given president obama three major victories -- the tax cut legislation, repealing don't ask, don't tell, and now the russian arms treaty. he is finishing 2010 in a very strong fashion. >> which of those three is the most significant victory for president obama? >> the most significant is the tax cut legislation, because the economy is so central to how of voters of value with the president's and it has been a major source of problems for the president. people estimate that because of the tax cut legislation, unemployment may drop up to 1.5%. if obama can get unemployment down to 8% or below, that would put him in a much stronger position for reelection in 2012. >> three victories under his belt, but what does the new year hold? >> it will be more difficult because a january 3, the new members of congress get sworn in. there are more than 60 new republicans coming into the house

mr. obama called the deal a victory for american farmers and industrial workers. he said it would boost annual u.s. exports to south korea by $11 billion. both overseas and here at home, governments appear to be closing in on the wikileaks web site and its founder julian assange. assange is believed tonight to be hiding in england as the drive for his extradition to sweden moves ahead. alan pizzey has the latest. >> reporter: julian assange ismented for questioning over allegations of rape, swul molestation and unlawfull coercion. the swedish arrest warrant issued yesterday for assange will take up to 10 days to work its way through interpol, the british foreign affairs office, the home affairs office, and finally reach the serious organized crime agency in britain where the founder of wikileaks is thought to be hiding. but funding for his internet site has already been hurt. the online payment service paypal suspended the wikileaks' account overnight. this follows amazon.com's decision wednesday to evict wikileaks from its servers. cyberspace experts predict even

>> elmo always loves to meet the girls and mrs. obama but elmo would love to meet mr. although, you know, you heard that he quit smoking. nine months with no smoking. >> elmo didn't know that. konlg garage lagss, president obama, for not smoking. that is great. >> seeing him today or mrs. obama, ask them how much sleep they get. they need to work on that, too. >> really? >> yeah. >> elmo asks the girls how long they sleep, too. >> if you need help, i'll make a house call. >> okay. listen, if you eat healthy, you can play healthy. >> very nice. good to see you, dude. >> thanks, mr. harry. >> nice to meet you, elmo. >> nice meeting you, too. >> the way elmo is. >> boy it's early in the morning. >> elmo -- >> this is called "the early show." >> it is the very early show. elmo, thanks. dr. ashton, as always, thank you. we'll be right back. hi, may i help you? yes, i hear progressive has lots of discounts on car insurance. can i get in on that? are you a safe driver? yes. discount! do you own a home? yes. discount! are you going to buy online? yes! discount! isn't getting di