i'm susan mcginnis in washington. the latest coming up. >>> d. c. mayor vincent gray wants to federal government to pick up the tab for the city's costs related to the occupy protests. the two encampments on mcfearson square and freedom plaza have cost the city more than $1.5 million since october. the district is routinely reimburses for costs incurred by protests, marchs and rallies. >>> republican presidential candidates jump into the final weekend of campaigning before the holidays of last night they -- 408 days. last night -- holidays. last night they faced off in their final debate before the iowa caucuses, susan mcginnis has more. >> i believe i can debate barack obama and i think in serve three hour debates, barack obama would not have a leg to stands on. >> reporter: the gop front runner spent much of last night's debate plugging the conservative record and sending off a -- fending off attacks from his rivals. >> we can't have as our nominee from the republican forte someone who continues the stand for fannie mae and freddie mac. they need

susan mcginnis in washington this morning, thanks. >>> herman cain has taken heat for his lack of foreign policy and national security. included is a world map entitled my assessment of our key country relations with labels for several nations. canada and japan are labeled friend and ally. egypt and pakistan, danger and opportunity. china is a competitor. and russia, arrival. >>> president obama is pushing hard for an extension of the payroll tax holiday. the president warned of a massive blow to the economy if republicans block it. but not boosting taxes on the very wealthy to pay for it. >>> the ongoing scandal at penn state university. last night, penn state administrators participated in town hall meetings that were organized by students. the meeting was held soon after the first lawsuit was filed against former assistant football coach jerry sandusky. a lawyer for the unidentified plaintiff, now 29, says sandusky sexually abused him more than 100 times, starting when he was 10 years old. >> sandusky spotted him and spotted his promise and began to groom him, and that is what predator

susan mcginnis is in washington with details. susan, good morning. >> hi. good morning, terrell. >> reporter: this report is coming on the heels of some very strong numbers out this week from manufacturing, retail, construction. and then a big rally in the stock market the question is will this labor report that is coming out today continue the improvement or will it disappoint? more than 10,000 union work he's marched through the streets of manhattan thursday, demanding better wages and more jobs. >> we have people making all this money. we have millions out of work. it's not fair. >> reporter: protesters, including teachers and health care workers, say they are fed up with the nation high unemployment rate which is to remain at 9%. analysts predict employers added 125,000 jobs in november. that would be an improvement from october, but not enough to jump-start the economy. >> it's time for the people to stand up and say we want change. >> reporter: economists say another recession is still possible next year, especially if congress allows an extension of

susan mcginnis is in washington with those details. good morning, susan. how did all of this play out? >> reporter: they laid into newt gingrich again last night. not all of them, but some of them did, trying to stem his rise and each of them trying to stand out themselves as this contest for the republican nomination enters the final stretch. newt gingrich is trying to prove he is presidential material. >> i believe i can debate barack obama and i think in seven three-hour debates, barack obama will not have a leg to stand on. >> reporter: the gop front-runner spent much of last night's debate plugging his conservative record and fending off attacks from his rivals. >> we can't have as our nominee for the republican party, someone who continues to stand for freddie mac and fannie mae. they need to be shut down, not built up. >> reporter: michele bachmann accused gingrich being a lobbyist for accepting $1.5 million from troubled mortgage giant freddie mac. >> what she just said is factually not true. i never lobbied under any circumstance. >> reporter: gin

. >> susan mcginnis is in washington with more. guven, soom susan, good morning. >> hi, terrell. >> reporter: the president spoke very frankly with cbs news about all of the republican contenders. meanwhile, that gop field is looking more like it's down to two. >> ending don't ask, don't tell. >> reporter: president obama listed the reasons why he should be reelected in an exclusive interview with cbs' "60 minutes." >> we did all of the right things to prevent a great depression and to get the economy growing again and to get job creation going again. >> reporter: he defended his economic policies, but wasn't surprised that a new cbs news poll shows 54% of americans don't believe he deserves another term. >> they shouldn't feel satisfied. we've got a lot more work to do in order to get this country and the economy moving in a way that benefits everybody. >> reporter: as for the republicans vying for his job, the president insists they all have the same agenda, tax cuts for the wealthy and weaker regulations. >> the contrast and visi

susan mcginnis is in washington with the latest on that. susan, good morning. >> good morning, terrell. >> reporter: this is all about undecided voters. this is the last chance for this group to debate together, for each of them to stand out among them before this first crucial vote in iowa. final preparations are under way for tonight's debate in iowa. but the fireworks have already begun. >> he's a wealthy man, a very wealthy man. if you have a $500,000 purchase from tiffany's, you're not a middle class american. >> reporter: mitt romney bashed front-runner newt gingrich wednesday, calling the house speaker zany and questioning his dedication to the republican party. >> newt gingrich has been an unreliable leader in the conservative movement. >> reporter: gingrich was quick to fire back. i have a 90% american conservative union voting record for 20 years. i'm the only person in your lifetime to help balance the budget four straight years. >> reporter: romney wasn't the only one on the attack. >> what is wrong? >> reporter: for nearly three

susan mcginnis is in washington with those details. how did all of this play out? >> reporter: they laid into newt gingrich again last night. not all of them but some of them did trying to stem his rise and each of them trying to stand out ontinue to stump it iowa today to round up last-minute votes from the state caucus next month. a new poll out just showing entering 2012, the president's chance of re-election at 50/50. it says most americans believe he does deserve to be voted out of office, even though they have concerns about the republican alternatives. >> that's interesting. susan, we understand that mitt romney is actually about to get a big endorsement. tell us about that. >> reporter: the government of south carolina, nikki haley is apparently coming out later this morning with a full endorsement of mitt romney. this is a big win for him. one of the big last republican endorsements are left and it's very important for him with south carolina's primary coming up in january. >> no doubt. susan mcginnis in washington, thank you. >>> congressional leaders hav

susan mcginnis has more. >> reporter: final preparations are underway for tonight's debate in iowa. but the fireworks have already begun. >> he's a wealthy man. a very wealthy man. if you have a half a million dollar purchase from tiffany's, you're not a middle class american. >> mitt romney bashed newt gingrich calling him zany and questioning his dedication to the republican party. >> newt gingrich has been an unreliable leader in the conservative movement. >> gingrich was quick to fire back. >> i have a 90% american -- voting record for 20 years. i'm the only person in the lifetime to help balance the budget for four straight years. >> romney wasn't the only one on the attack. for nearly three minutes, protestors drowned out gingrich during a speech in iowa calling him arrogant toward the poor. with fewer than three weeks to go before the iowa caucuses, it still appears to be anybody's race. gingrich currently holds the lead but polls show most voters in the state are still undecide or at least willing to change their minds. ron paul is hoping to do just that. support for the tex

susan mcginnis is in washington with details. >> reporter: they have only spoken by phone since monday. herman cain has not talked to his wife in person since these new allegations came to light. meanwhile, his political losses seem to be turning into gains for another candidate. herman cain isn't ready to call it quits. >> it ain't over until it's over and it ain't over yet. >> reporter: wednesday, he told new hampshire supporters he'll decide whether to continue his white house run after talking to his wife in person tomorrow. the republican hopeful hasn't seen gloria cain since allegations of infidelity first surfaced monday. >> since i've been campaigning all week, i haven't had an opportunity to sit down with her and walk through this with my wife and my family. >> reporter: the onetime gop front-runner has denied having a 13-year affair and while he admits his fund-raising contributions have taken a hit, most supporters appear to be sticking with him for now. newt gingrich has gained the most from cain's slip in the polls. now at the ed of the gop pack, the gop hopeful is trying

susan mcginnis has more. >> reporter: speaker john boehner said he's confident the house will renew theax cut for millions of americans. >> the house is going to do its job and it is time for the senate then to do its job. >> this morning, members are expected to vote on a $180 billion measure that would continue the tax break. it would also end long-term jobless benefits but for a shorter period than the white house wants. both provisions expire at the end of the month. still this latest plan faces a dead end in the senate. >> proposed our plan to pay for the legislation with a tiny surtax on a tiny fraction of america's heist earners. >> democratic leaders want tax hikes on the wealthy to help pay for the bill but the biggest problem is a house provision that would clear the way for a controversial oil pipeline from canada to texas. president obama is threatening to veto any measure that includes a fast track plan for the pipeline. he says lawmakers should vote on that measure separately. boehner defended the provision insisting it would create jobs. >> the american people want jobs.

susan mcginnis, cbs news, washington. >>> former penn state university assistant coach jerry sandusky waived a preliminary hearing just moments before it was about to begin. the move means he will not have to face his accusers any time soon. sandusky faces 52 criminal counts for a series of alleged sexual assaults on children. his lawyer said he waited until the last minute because he wanted prosecutors to agree to share vital information in the case. sandusky's attorney says there will be no plea bargain. the prosecution says that's fine. they're ready for trial. >> not our case because today's not the time and place for us to present our defense. >> it will allow us to promptly advance the prosecution in this case to a just conclusion. >> sandusky remains under house arrest. he is scheduled for january 11th and he's not expected to be there. >> two men who say they were sexually abused by a former syracuse university assistant basketball coach, bernie fine, have now filed a lawsuit against the school and the men's head basketball coach jim bayheim. davis and lange said they were rep

susan mcginnis reports. >> reporter: herman cain isn't ready to call it quits. >> it ain't over untils over and it ain't over yet. >> wednesday, he told new hampshire supporters he'll decide whether to continue his white house run after talking to his wife in person tomorrow. the republican hopeful hasn't seen gloria cain since allegations of infidelity first surfaced monday. >> since i've been campaigning all week, i haven't had an opportunity to sit down with her and walk through this with my wife and my family. >> the one-time g.o.p. front-runner has denied having a 13-year affair and while he admits his fund-raising contributions have taken a hit -- most supporters appear to be sticking with him for now. newt gingrich has gaped the most from cain's slip in the polls. now, at the head of the g.o.p. pack, the former house speaker is trying to win over tea party support taking aim at president obama. >> he stands for unemployment. and the values level, we stand for american exceptionalism, the declaration of independence. he stands for some weird european internationalist elitist mod

susan mcginnis reports. >> reporter: newt gingrich is trying to prove he's presidential material. >> i believe i can debate barack obama and i think in seven three hour debates barack obama will not have a leg to stand on. >> reporter: the gop front runner spent much of last night's debate plugging his conservative record and fending off attacks from his rivals. >> we can't have as our nominee from the republican party. they need to be shut down. not built up. >> reporter: michele bachmann accused gingrich of being a washington lobbyist for accepting more than $1.5 million from troubled mortgage giant freddie mac. >> what she just said is factually not true. i never lobbied under any circumstance. >> reporter: gingrich now leads the polls in iowa but the support dropped in recent days leaving him in a tight race with mitt romney and ron paul. >> anyone up here could probably beat obama so. >> reporter: like paul romney kept the attacks focused on prosecute obama last night -- president obama last night. >> the proof is in his record, it's terrible. >> reporter: he steered clear of ta

susan mcginnis, cbs news, washington. >>> it is 5:53.e want to take another look at the question of the day. it is seven out of ten of us plan to do this every weekend. is it a, go to a movie. b, catch up on sleep or c, check work e-mails. >> one of the responses from our facebook fan page, westerner said f, go fishing. >> i like that. >> log on to the facebook.com/wusa9, leave your response. we'll reveal the answer in about an hour. >>> they performed all over the world. this morning, top maryland choir is headed to 1600 pennsylvania avenue. that story is coming up. >> that's exciting. >> plus, the auction of elizabeth taylor's jewels leads to a world record price for a piece which was also worn by an english queen. monika, quick check of traffic. >> . >> take a look at this. southbound on i-270 after father hurley boulevard, an accident causing this back-up trying to get through germantown. i'll have details on this accident coming up in my next report. o >>> for those of who you have no concerns about money, the auction of elizabeth t

susan mcginnis is in washington with the numbers for us this morning. >> reporter: good morning. this is a very good sign and a very important sign. consumer confidence numbers showing a big jump. it's all about how consumers feel about the economy and their spending, if they feel good about their jobs, their finances and their business, they will spend. so add to that what is, so far, decent holiday shopping season and there is reason to be encouraged. it's a sign things are improving. not just on wall street, but on main street as well. the latest report on consumer confidence shows big spike with an index of 64.5 in december, up from 55.2 just a month ago. more americans think business conditions are good. the job picture is brightening, and that their personal financial situations will keep improving. more upbeat feelings coincide with a jollier holiday shopping season that brought in early shoppers. the news was less merry for some. sears and k-mart closing of up to 120 stores. >> it's been a difficult time for all retailers but particularly difficult for sears to garner the

is expected to vote on a bill to extend the payroll tax cuts and unemployment insurance but as susan mcginniseports, the bill is doomed in the senate. >> speaker john boehner says he's confident the house will renew the payroll tax cut for millions of americans. >> the house is going to do its job and it is time for the senate then to do its job. >> this morning, members are expected to vote on a $180 billion measure that would continue the tax breaks. it would also end long-term jobless benefits but for a shorter period than the white house wants. both provisions expire at the end of the month. still, this latest plan faces a dead end in the senate. >> republicans proposed our plan to pay for the legislation. it is a tiny surtax on a tiny fraction of america's highest earners. >> reporter: democratic leaders want tax hikes on the wealthy to help pay for the bill but their biggest problem is the house provision that would clear the way for a controversial oil pipeline from canada to texas. president obama is threatening to veto any measure that includes a fast track plan for the pipeline. he

susan mcginnis has more on that debate. >> reporter: newt gingrich is trying to prove he's presidential material. >> i believe i can debate barack obama. and i think in seven, three- hour debates, barack obama will not have a leg to stand on. >> reporter: the gop front runner spent much of last night's debate, plugging his conservative record and fending off attacks from his rivals. >> we can't have as our nominee for the republican party, someone who continues to stand for freddie mac and fannie mae. they need to be shut down. not built up. >> reporter: michele bachmann accused dping rich -- gingrich of being a washington lobbyist, for accepting more than $1.5 million from troubled mortgage giant freddie mac. >> what she said is factually not true. i never lobbied, under any circumstance. >> reporter: gingrich now leads the polls in iowa, but his support has dropped in recent days, leaving him with a tight race between mitt romney and ron paul. >> romney kept the attacks on obama. >> i know what to get the economy going. the president doesn't. >> reporter: he steered clear of tarkettin

susan mcginnis for cbs news, washington. >>> making news now at 5:51, an investigation is underway of a fraternity at the university of vermont. members of sigma phi epsilon are accused of circulating a survey asking frat brothers who they would rape if they could. the questionnaire surfaced online this week. it is not known how many people were involved. >> the u.s. soldier accused of leaking hundreds of thousands of sensitive documents to wikileaks will make his first court appearance tomorrow. former intelligence analyst bradley manning has been in custody since his arrest in june 2010. the military tribunal is taking place at fort meade, maryland. >>> the commute was a tricky one for drivers in new mexico wednesday. snow and ice caused long back- ups around the city of santa fe. lots of schools around the state shut down. good news is the system has given way to fair skies today. >> time now to take another look at the question of the day. according to the food network, this is the cookie kids are most likely to leave out for santa claus. is it a, oreos, b, sugar cookies or c, cho

susan mcginnis has more from washington. >> reporter: newt gingrich is trying to prove he's presidential >> i believe i can debate barack obama. and i think in seven three-hour debates, obama will not have a leg to stand on. >> reporter: he spent much of his debate, plugging off his conservative record. >> we can't have as our nominee for the republican party, someone who continues to stand for freddie mac and fannie mae. they need to be shut down, not built up. >> reporter: michele bachmann accused gingrich of being a washington lobbyist, for accepting more than $1.5 million from troubled mortgage giant freddie mac. >> what she just said is factually not true. i never lobbied, under any circumstance. >> reporter: gingrich now leads the polls in iowa. but his support has dropped in recent days, leaving him in a tight race, with mitt romney and ron paul. >> anybody up here could probably beat obama. [ laughter ] >> reporter: like paul, romney kept his attacks on president obama last night. >> i know what it takes to get the economy going. the president doesn't. the proof is in his record.