Absolutely frightening. You could hear the banks. What your looking at . This is terrifying new video. This is showing this hot air balloon, this explosion as its exploding here midair, 1,000 feet above ground. This is luxor, egypt. People were packed into the basket. Two people have survived. 19 tourists from different parts of asia and europe were killed. This is the worlds deadliest hot hair balloon accident in more than two decades. Lets take a quick look at the dow before we head to washington. The dow finishing so far knock so if ydead battery,t tire, need a tow or lock your keys in the car, on wood in positive territory geicos emergency roadside assistance is there 24 7. Right under the 14,000 market, oh dear, i got a flat tire. 13,900. You can check this latest hmmm. Uh. Yeah, numbers on the dow go to can you find a take where its a bit more dramatic on that last line, yeah . Yeah i got it right here. Someone help me i have a flat tire cnnmoney. Com. Well its good. Good for me. What do you think . I now to wolf blitzer. Happening now, record geico. Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. Snowfall collapsing roofs and tens of thousands of people without power. How much longer will this this is what its like. Paying full price for a hotel room. Blizzard, this storm be a and this is what its like getting a highend hotel room threat . For 45 off published prices. Also in a few minutes u. S. Senate expected to vote on chuck. With travelocitys top secret hotels. Hagel president obamas controversial nominee for ooo, tingly. Defense secretary. Well bring to it live. More on whats going on in egypt right now. A holt air balloon carrying lots of tourists explodes and plummets to the ground. Were finding out how this could happen. Were going live to egypt. Im wolf blitzer. Youre in the situation room. We begin with the huge winter storm, the National Weather service is now calling historic. Cities like amarillo, texas, wichita, kansas have broken snowfall records. 45 million in 21 states are being affected one way or another. The storm is blamed for at least three deaths. Look at this. Its even dangerous after the storm blows away. In kansas city, the heavy wet snow is causing roofs to collapse. Nobody was hurt in this building. But the snow is also bringing down tree limbs on to power lines. In kansas city thousands of people are reported without power. George, whats going on . Reporter this is par for the course here in the midwest. This is the second time in a week that this region has been hit by a big winter storm and as you mentioned it has proven to be deadly storm killing thee people and we see as crews try all right. To clear these roads, check this out. This is jesse james, the outlaw, unfortunately more snow is in the forecast here. Snowplows hit the streets of about 30, about 30, in the kansas city tuesday to wage war mid1800s. Against mother nature. This is chuck norris, living this city on the kansas missouri now, this day and age, hard to border could see up to a foot of snow from the massive blizzard believe, but a new study says before it ends. These people have the same odds lindsay spent much of his day of dying. A new study saying 72 really is shoveling. Heavy and wet and were just the new 30. Trying to get it up. Mary, whats going on . Well, wolf, a researcher in reporter the heavy wet snow has made getting around germany came up with that benchmark, and he says he did it difficult whether its behind the wheel or on foot. So people could understand just most of these major interstate highways are passable through how much mortality rates have improved. Missouri and kansas and mainly because of these snowplow teams. Shes 75, but jane fonda looks theyve been going through the night to make sure drivers are decades younger. Safe on the roads and weve seen midlife is not the first word that comes to mind when very few drivers out here. Most of the people is going at a describing 40something halle snails pace. Though we did see several berry. Hollywoods women continue to accidents along the way, drivers get the upper hand over father time, while the rest of us might who may have been going too fast and ultimately lost control. Not look as good as we age, falling branches wreaked havoc Research Suggests that 72 is the on the power storm and look what new 30. Happened to a buildings roof in when i say 72 is the new 30, i just mean that the mortality bellton, missouri when cameras that was one typical of a rolled. 30yearold, that was typical of elsewhere in kansas, a 100 year most of the 30yearolds, is now record in wichita is no more. More typical of someone whos in that area has now seen 21 inches their 70s. And so mortality has changed a of snow for february, taking lot. Reporter that long life down the old mark in just six improvement occurred mostly in the last 100 years, says a study done at germanys max plank days. The huge snowstorm has started to ease up in the Texas Institute for demographic panhandle now making its way research. Bottom line, it finds before northeast. Check out these amazing images shot by a cnn ireporter just 1,91 1900, the odds of dying at age outside amarillo on monday. 30 are the same as the odds of parts of the texas panhandle saw dying at 72 today. 19 inches of snow monday, mostly because of Better Health forcing out the tow trucks in care and improved living conditions. One research not involved in white out conditions. And from the ground to the air that study isnt surprised people are living longer. But not all the news is good. No snow but plenty of wind was on hand to whip around planes at Life Expectancy for women has the San Antonio International taken on a very peculiar airport. Gusts hit more than 54 miles per pattern. Reporter sociologist hour at the airport, fortunately no injuries were reported. Jennifer karas montez has spent years to find out why some women back in kansas city people just in the u. S. Are losing ground want a break from all the when it comes to life expect snowfall. Sis. Whats happening to women is its been a long seven days, that the low educated women, ten days Something Like that. Especially those without a high im ready to go home. School education, have seen declines in their Life Reporter so, wolf, the worst expectancy, which is really quite shocking. Of it has hit us here in kansas reporter exactly why is city, missouri and the system unclear. Her Study Suggests trends in dont track to the smoking play a role as well as northnortheast up towards chicago, michigan and canada and employment. She says the stagnation in the we also know that the storm is labor market is taking a mental weakening according to our and physical toll on those less meteorologists. Doesnt look like much educated women. Traffic behind you, george. Overall, the trend is positive, are people pretty much still but just how much longer life hunkered down in kansas city . Will keep extending is as ela reporter you dont find too many people on the roads. A lot of people are heeding that elusive as the fountain of warning to stay inside. I can tell you the roads, the youth. Now, the sociologists that we highways are passable. Spoke with in the u. S. Said, a lot of the side streets, they bottom line, the well off are are clear as well because of the living longer in the u. S. On average, women, she says, has snowplows that have been going a Life Expectancy of 80 years through. The concern is as we see the snow melt, as we see water turn ago old, and for men,. To ice tonight when temperatures drop that the commute in the morning could be an icy mess. Could be indeed. And a sinking boat makes a george, thank you. How much punch is left in this desperate call for help, but storm . Question, is it all a hoax . Lets bring in our meteorologist [ engine turns over, tires squeal ] chad myers over at the cnn and youll find advanced Safety TechnologySevere Weather center. Like an available headsup display whats the forecast . Well the forecast is for on the 2013 lexus gs. Still the rain to steal the theres no going back. Moisture from the snow. That didnt happen in texas and you know how painful heartburn can be. Didnt happen in kansas but its for fast, long lasting relief, use doctor recommended gaviscon®. Happening now. So the big numbers like 21 only gaviscon® forms a protective barrier that helps inches like we saw in parts near block stomach acid from splashing up amarillo, texas thats done. We wont see those numbers any relieving the pain quickly. Try fast, long lasting gaviscon®. More. Snow from chicago back to des moines and omaha, heaviest snow is very close to chicago right impact wool exports from new zealand, now. It snowed in chicago all night long. Winter storm warnings are here textile production in spain, from des moines back over to and the use of medical technology in the u. S. . Peoria. At t. Rowe price, we understand the connections the snow still coming down in kansas city but light at best. Of a complex, global economy. Heavy stuff is certainly around its just one reason over 75 of our mutual funds chicago and it snows all night. Beat their 10year lipper average. Our desk calling me will we get t. Rowe price. Invest with confidence. Planes in and out of chicago request a prospectus or summary prospectus with investment information, risks, fees and expenses to read and consider carefully before investing. Yes . Probably. We wont get ethical all. Snow is stretching across and snow in chicago will last another eight to 1 hours. Even if its half an inch of snow an hour it piles up. Well see what happens. Chad thanks. Jason carroll is in peoria. Well gate live report in our next hour. Dont forget you can get the latest forecast, radar images on cnn. Com weather or on your cnn smartphone app. Now we turn to the name calling and political spinning thats monopolizing official washington today. Were only three days away from the forced budget cuts everyone is warning will be a disaster for regular peoples lives, and for the u. S. Economy. Even though president obama humans. Even when we cross our ts and dot our is, insists he isnt trying to play the blame game he is in full we still run into problems. Campaign mode right now. Namely, other humans. Lets bring in our chief white at Liberty Mutual insurance, we understand. House correspondent Jessica Yellin with the latest. Thats why our auto policies come with accident forgiveness reporter the president was if you qualify, where your rates wont go up trying to drive home the impact due to your first accident, these forced budget cuts would and new car replacement, where, if you total your new car, have by visiting one of the places that might feel them most we give you the money for a new one. Call. Quickly a shipyard in virginia. While he was there he insisted to talk to an Insurance Expert about Everything Else that jobs and the economy are on that comes standard with our base auto policy. The line, basically because and if you get into an accident and use one of our certified repair shops, House Republicans are simply too your repairs are guaranteed for life. Stubborn to negotiate. Listen. I have to be honest with you. Call. There are too many republicans to switch, and you could save hundreds. Born to make mistakes in congress right now who refuse to compromise even an inch when it comes to closing tax Liberty Mutual insurance. Responsibility. Whats your policy . Loopholes and special interest tax breaks. And thats whats Holding Things up right now. Reporter well as you know the president wants a combination of both tax increases as well as spending cuts to help avoid this trigger thats going to happen at the end of the week, but in his comments he said his door is open and hes willing to negotiate but in his larger speech he really did sound like a man who was ready for battle rather than getting ready for peace. Any sign of a deal, perhaps, initiative coming from congress as far as the white house is concerned, jessica . Reporter big no. Talk about the blame game. It was in full swing on capitol hill today. With House Republican leader Speaker Boehner using some language we would have to call rated pg13 against the senate and the Senate Democratic leader hot shots, photos coming in from around the world. Firing back. Listen to this exchange. And happening now, fighting we have moved the bill in the words from the president of the house twice. United states. Is he overplaying his warnings we should not have to move a about those forced budget cuts . Third bill before the senate a blizzard double whammy, the gets off their ass and begins to snow misery now, and the worries do something. That this winter will get even you heard that word. Apparently we dont have the worse. High court suspense. Sound bite from majority leader while a landmark law from the harry reid but he said he grew Civil Rights Era could be up in a town filled with gutted. Voting mystery. Brothels. You know hes from nevada near did the coast guard respond to another hoax . Las vegas area and so hes used and a balloon disaster. To quote salty language and so we have new video of the deadly this didnt offend him but he explosion and new fears about balloon safety. Said, wolf, that the speaker im wolf blitzer. Should know who is sitting on youre in the situation room. Their posterior. If this is the language they are using before the cuts go into effect this may be a more exciting story. How effective has the president been in delivering this hard hitting message basically totally blaming the republicans for refusing to before the senate gets off compromise . Well, the goal here is to their ass and begins to do something. Thats the House Speaker, make this really feel, make helping to set the tone for the americans realize how much this next three days of spin and will hit home and how much the blame, until their budget ax budget cuts will impact their falls. President obama is isnt holding own pocketbook. Back either. The latest polling shows thats he went to a Naval Shipyard in had mixed results. Virginia to renew his warnings about the impact of those forced right now 60, 60 percent of spending cuts. Hes now backt the white house. Our chief white house americans believe these forced correspondent, Jessica Yellin, spending cuts will hurt the is there as well with more on overall economy. What is going on. Only 30 think it will have a jessica . Reporter wolf, senior major impact on their own Administration Officials tell me, theyre beginning to see personal finances. And politicians, insiders, both cracks in republicans unified democrats and republicans tell position, that they want those forced spending cuts to go into me they think more americans effect on friday as is. Have to really feel it in the but the truth is, those cracks pocketbook before democrats and are few and fridays deadline is republicans come together to cut approaching quickly. A deal. Now we know the president did reach out to two leading Senate Republicans john mccain, lindsey at a shipyard near the largest graham, invited them to come naval base in the world, over to the white house todays president obama fired a warning shot. This work, along with on today to talk about hundreds of thousands of jobs, Immigration Reform but he wants are currently in jeopardy to talk about sequester these because of politics in washington. Forced budget cuts. Whats going on. Has that meeting yet taken reporter the 21,000 workers at this massive plant could place . Reporter that meeting was suffer if congress doesnt cut a scheduled to take place about deal to avoid the forced spending cuts that trigger this friday. Half hour ago. We were told by the white house that the meeting could cover a mr. Obama says a slowdown here range of topics so that could could have ripple effects across the economy. Include immigration. Virginia residents are worried these budget cuts. And perhaps other topics that and angry at both democrats and republicans. Have come up on capitol hill we just dont have is a voice recently. Who knows maybe Foreign Affairs and other issues. With the government anymore. So presumably its going on right now and ill give you a set your ideological differences aside and get to read out as soon as we have it. Creating jobs. Youre about to destroy a whole bunch of people here. Brief us on what happens. Im curious to see how much of reporter according to the an effort there was made by the obama administration, most americans will not feel the president and these two effects of the forced spending republican senators to work out a deal, perhaps at least start a cuts right away. Polling shows that while 60 of negotiation during these final three days to avert these forced americans say they believe the cuts will have a major impact on spending cuts. We were told when the the overall economy, only 30 president called john mccain, believe it will hit them in their own pocketback. Senator mccain last week thats when the idea of this meeting came up and so the president in washington, insiders are invited them over. Convinced the American People will have to suffer a while so we criticized the president a before leaders will negotiate. Lot for not doing outreach and in the meantime, the spin game having meetings heres an instance where he did follow up is on. Insisting hes above politics and having meetings now. Im not interested in playing lets see if the president a blame game. At this point, all im inactivities the House Speaker interested in is just solving over. Well watch for that. Problems. Reporter president obama then accused the gop of standing thanks very much. Just two days before pope in the way. But i just have to be honest benedict leaves the papacy were with you. Finding out much more about his there are two many republicans in congress right now who refuse to compromise, even an inch. Future. Also what hell be called. Reporter on capitol hill, youd have to rate the Christiane Amanpour is standing by in rome. Republican leaders words pg13. If chuck hagel gets confirm what will his first few days at the we have moved the bill in the pentagon look like. House twice. Theres new information coming we should not have to move a in to the situation room right third bill before the senate now. [ male announcer ] when these come together, gets off their ass and begins to do something. Reporter the senates democratic leader fired back. You know, i was and these come together, one thing you can depend on is that these will come together. Delicious and wholesome. Some combinations were just meant to be. Tomato soup from campbells. Its amazing what soup can do. Put something on the table thats very similar to that and theyd be open to discussing exactly what senator graham is good morning, turtle. My friends are all around me is one senator, you need many more than that to get this done. My friends, they do surround me 60 to be specific. Sounds like a reasonable idea to me. I hope this never ends just let the negotiations begin. The country wants them. Thanks very much for that, and well be the best of friends jessica. [ male announcer ] introducing the reimagined kate balduan is here, shes watching whats going on. 2013 chevrolet traverse. A lot of tough talk, a lot of all set . All set. Hype, dire warnings, and were trying to figure it all out. With spacious seating for up to eight. Especially with this debate, imagine that. Wolf. And i think you agree, so many chevrolet. Find new roads. Around the country, theyre not sure what to believe or who to believe when it comes to these i honestly loved smoking, forced budget cuts. And i honestly didnt think i would ever quit. Were trying to cut through the spin and figure out the reality. [ male announcer ] along with support, our tom foreman is at the magic chantix is proven to help people quit smoking. It reduces the urge to smoke. It put me at ease that you could smoke on the first week. Wall. Tough assignment, tom. Its tough to figure out fact from fiction. [ male announcer ] some people had changes in behavior, reporter if you were listen thinking or mood, hostility, agitation, to only the white house, you depressed mood and suicidal thoughts or actions would have the sense you were while taking or after stopping chantix. Going through a sequestration nation pretty soon. If you notice any of these and all these people in all stop taking chantix and call your doctor right away. These different areas. Food safety and our tax returns, tell your doctor about any history of depression or other Mental Health problems, our national parks, everything. Which could get worse while taking chantix. And this seems to be true. Dont take chantix if youve had a serious allergic if you are the right person doing the right thing, you, in or skin reaction to it. Fact, may see an effect here. If you develop these stop taking chantix for example, if you are in a and see your doctor right away military town, and you rely on as some can be lifethreatening. Military business, you might see if you have a history of heart or blood vessel problems, an impact fairly soon. If youre at the airport waiting tell your doctor if you have new or worse symptoms. For the right flight at the get medical help right away right busy time, you might have if you have symptoms of a heart attack. A delay. Use caution when driving or operating machinery. If youre waiting on Unemployment Benefits and the common side effects include nausea, check comes in lighter than youd expect, that would also be trouble sleeping and unusual dreams. A real effect on you fairly with chantix and with the support system it worked. It worked for me. [ male announcer ] ask your doctor if chantix is right for you. Soon. But notice im talking about specific people doing specific things. The broader picture of the whole country may be different. And to address that, i want to talk about one of the hottest things that came up today. Eric holder speaking up. He has this point to say in the middle of today where he says, look, we will be less safe if our budget of justice is cut next year by 1. 6 billion to 25. 4 billion. If this cut happens, the nation will be less safe. These are his words. Today vatican officials and this is why he says that. Revealed new details about what because he says, there will be happens after the popes furloughs at the fbi, fewer resignation takes effect the day people looking into crimes and after tomorrow. Trying to prevent crimes. Keep the name benedict xvi. Atf inspections, things like gun still addressed as his holiness permits and everything will be knocked down. Fewer people to man the prisons. And have the official title pope prisons will spend time more time on lockdown, fewer grants emeritus. Benedict wont wear the for local Law Enforcement. Fishermans ring which will be all of these things will make things less safe in the country, destroyed which is what happens when a pope dies. According to him. The question is, were talking the ring is a symbol of the about people suffering out there, voters suffering. Papacy and a reminder of st. Will people notice this . If youre not the person peter who was a fisherman. Furloughed, will you know in your community, the fbi is not benedict will wear white but stop wearing his red shoes and there . Will you know that he spent an switch to a pair of brown shoes. Extra 20 minutes doing something that might have taken ten rome is filling up with pilgrims minutes . I dont really know, kate. Thats really the question. As well as Church Leaders the next two days will be filled and there still are so many questions. With very elaborate goodbye tom, you know that some republicans, many republicans are really pushing back saying that all of that is just a scare ceremonies for this pope. Tactic. Our chief International CorrespondentChristiane Amanpour is joining us from rome what have you found out . I have found this. Right now. Walk us through, what can we this is important to bear in mind. Think about the statement. Expect over the next 48 hours . This is a very broad statement that sounds like scary words. Reporter well, i will tell i dont really know what it is you im right now standing just he wants to do or whether or outside st. Peters square. Not, when he says less safe, if you can see its pretty empty he means to scare people. I cant question his motives. Except for pedestrians. But i can question his math. 12 hours from now it will be this is the budget, if he gets packed. The sequester, 25. 4 billion for thats the popes final pomp and circumstance, his final general next year. Thats how much he would get. But look at this. Audience. Well do it in st. Peters this is a graph of funding for square. The Justice Department, for the hell go around st. Peters last 11 years. Square in that popemobile and and if youll notice, when you look at this graph, in fact, they expect tens of thousands of pilgrims to be there. That line would be right about well have it live on cnn. This is his final official here. Public audience and then the so, in fact, for the past 11 next day he prepares to leave. Years, only the past three years today were told that he has has the Justice Department had spent the day in prayer, that he more money than they would have under the sequester. Spent the day receiving good wishes from leaders around the so does that mean that all these world and packing up. Years, we were less safe when the National Crime rate was because 8 00 p. M. Thursday rome steadily moving down during that time his papacy ends and we go period of time . These are the tough challenges out there, because in many ways, as democrats in the white house into whats known as the empty say, all these cataclysmic see and after that will the things are going to hit if the cardinals be called to start to sequester comes in. I think republicans may be meet and then they probably will betting on the idea if a few have their first formal meeting weeks pass, a couple months on monday and only after monday pass, and the public doesnt notice it because of things like will we know when they call an this, then theyre going to be convene the conclave to elect able to turn around at the white the new pope. House and say, you were just once they convene that trying to scare us. You said a lot of things, and we conclave, a week, two weeks we have no idea how long it takes havent seen it come to pass. Until we see that white smoke those numbers sure can be meaning theres a new pope. Mind numbing, but theyre so important for everyone to thats exactly right. Understand and see there are still a lot of politics at play. Look i was standing in precisely tom, great job on that. Ahead were going to take the same place back in 2005, another hard look at what will eight years ago when pope john really happen when those budget paul ii died and we went into cuts take effect. Two Economic Experts, stephen the conclave which finally moore and Steven Ratner are produced Pope Benedict xvi. Standing by for a very good that took a week and several debate. It will be an excellent false starts. When they cant come to a debate. Much more other news were consensus you have the black following as well, including a smoke emanating from that recordbreaking, bonechilling, special chimney in st. Peters paralyzing Winter Weather and then finally the white smoke system. That blizzard that hammered the and then you dont even know who texas panhandle is on the move right now. It could dump 18 inches of snow it is until the archbishop in parts of the midwest. Deacon cardinals deacon comes to more than 45 Million People are the window and announces a new under at least some kind of pope and only after that the new Winter Weather watch, from pope comes to the within to and oklahoma all the way to michigan. Is greeted. Cnns George Howell is right in but that was still at least two the thick of things. Weeks away. At least tweaks away from that hes in kansas city, rate now, being finalized. Is the italian media still kansas city, missouri. Whats going on . All over the scandals that are reporter wolf, look, were talking snow on top of snow. Going on involving sex and this is the second time in a intrigue, all that stuff that week that the midwest has been weve seen in those rome hit hard by a snow system like newspapers over the past few this, and theres a lot of this days, or have they moved on . Stuff out here. Youre looking at it right now, well, they pretty much moved wolf, theres more snow in the on. That of course was a big story forecast. Over the weekend and into snowplows hit the streets of kansas city tuesday, to wage war monday, the beginning of this week. As you can imagine it drove the against mother nature. This city on the kansas missouri vatican mad. They were really angry, angry border could see up to a foot of with the press for writing about snow from the massive blizzard it, angry for people picking it before it ends. Up and running with it. Lindsay hughes spend much of his the fact is that, you know, we day shoveling. Its heavy and its wet and had to Due Diligence and everybody reported about it. I spoke to a very plugged in, were just trying to get it off. Reporter the heavy, wet snow one of the best italian has made getting around difficult. Reporters at work today who has whether its behind the wheel or really been watching the vatican on foot. For 20 years, hes written a and most of these major signature book on the papacy of interstate highways are possible. You know, through missouri and kansas. Pope benedict xvi and on that and its mainly because of these particular scandal he said he snowplows. Theyve been going through the believed it wasnt the case. However, because of this vatican night to make sure drivers are leak scandal where the popes butler came out and made safe on the roads. Weve seen very few drivers out allegations about financial corruption, about other misdeeds here. Most people going at a snails inside the vatican because of pace. We saw several accidents along the way. That three cardinals were drivers who may have been going charged with investigating alleged misdeeds. Too fast and ultimately last control. Falling branches wreaked havoc they yesterday handed the on the power system. Results of their investigation and looked what happened to a buildings roof in belton, to the pope. Missouri, when cameras rolled. And he will hand it on to his successor. Its not yet public. Elsewhere in kansas, a 100year wolf . Well be watching what happens over the next few days. Record in witchta is no more. Christiane amanpour will be on the scene and join us tomorrow that area has now seen 21 inches here on the situation room as of snow for february, taking well. Thank you. This important programming down the old mark in just six note for our viewers tonight on days. Anderson cooper 360 a cardinal the huge snowstorm has started involved in a major sex abuse to ease up in the texas scandal gets to help select the panhandle, now making its way next pope. So how can tat possibly happen . Northeast. Check out these amazing images shot by a cnn ireporter, just ac360 will investigate. Thats tonight, 8 00 p. M. Eastern only here on cnn. Outside amarillo monday. A scary moment historic parts of the texas panhandle saw 19 inches of snow monday, forcing out the tow trucks in moment i should say is unfolding whiteout conditions. And from the ground to the air, right now in north korea. No snow, but plenty of wind was an american is expected to meet with the countrys new leader on hand to whip around planes at kim jongun for the first time. The San Antonio International hes not a diplomat. Airport. Hes not a lawmaker. Gusts hit more than 54 miles per hes a basketball player and you might not believe who it is. Hour at the airport. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Back in kansas city, people just i w sprint direct connect. Want a break from all the so i can get three times the coverage. Snowfall. Its been a long, what, seven [ manager 2 ] its like working in a giant sandbox. Days, ten days, Something Like with all these huge toys. That . A so im ready to go home. And with the fastest pushtotalk. I can keep track of them all. Reporter and this was a big [ male announcer ] upgrade to the new done storm system. With access to the fastest pushtotalk it proved to be a deadly storm system, killing three people. And three times the coverage. The worst of it has hit us here now when you buy one kyocera duraxt rugged phone for 69. 99, in kansas city, missouri. The storm system now tracking to youll get four free. The north, to the northeast for other offers available. Visit a sprint store, chicago, michigan, and canada. Or call 8558784biz. Our meteorologists do tell us a bit of good news. The system is weakening, wolf. [ male announcer ] we began with the rx. George howell in kansas city for us, thanks very, very much. Then we turned the page, were joined now by the director of the National Weather service creating the rx hybrid. In washington, louis, thanks very much for coming in. Now weve turned the page again thank you. With the rx f sport. So what makes this blizzard, if you can call it a blizzard, historic . First of all, with the very strong winds in texas, then the this is the next chapter for the rx oklahoma panhandle yesterday, and the next chapter for lexus. The very cold temperatures and this is the pursuit of perfection. Recordsetting snowfall, they had whiteout conditions, very stop stop stop come back here dangerous conditions, snow approaching 2 feet, drifts over 6 feet. So the blizzard conditions are humans we are beautifully imperfect creatures defined by the lack of living in an imperfect world. Visibility and very heavy snowfall rates. Now, let me ask you. Thats why Liberty Mutual insurance has your back this is the second major storm with great ideas like our optional to hit the heartland region. Better car replacement. If your car is totaled, the northeast was pummeled with we give you the money to buy one a model year newer. A big storm, a massive storm earlier this month. You had hurricane sandy, and call. Thats just in the United States. There are extreme weather and ask one of our Insurance Experts about it today. Conditions and weather events happening all around the globe, hello . which has people asking that same question, do you think we believe our customers do their best is this Global Warming or is out there in the world, and we do everything we can this just a band of extreme to be there for them when they need us. Weather event . Well, first of all, with [car alarm blaring] werent storms especially, we get into once you get into call now and also ask about our 24 7 support and service. The pattern that sets up these storms, they can repeat themselves. So it is this episodic nature of heavy snowfall that weve seen in different parts of the call. Country. Like in this part of the and lock in your rate country, we havent had a major snowfall event now in two years, for 12 months today. So once the pattern gets set up, Liberty Mutual insurance. You can get these repetitive responsibility. Storms, and this is exactly whats your policy . Whats happened in the midwest. And you cant relate these individual storms to the Global Warming aspect. There are people doing research in this area. Its very active research area. But, clearly, once you get the pattern set up, you can get these repetitive storms in kansas, in missouri, right in the alley for these storms. Theres been so much speculation about climate change, which is why were seeing all these extreme weather patterns emerge. Youre not ready to draw that conclusion yet . Not with respect to individual storms. There is evidence to suggest that as you, well, if the atmosphere warms, youll get more precipitation with these storms. Were seeing an increase in precipitation, but we dont have enough evidence yet to make that direct linkage. What do you see for the rest of this winter . We take it a week at the time at the National Weather service. And right now, this storm is still a very active and dangerous storm, from michigan, into western new york. And the mountains in new england are getting hit with very heavy snows. And once this cold air starts factors into the eastern third of the country, its going to be around for a while. In fact, were starting to watch out for the end of the week and the weekend. Louis uccellini, you just took over the nerns nrational w servi service, well be counting on you to give us great weather. Or at least good, accurate forecasts. Thats what im doing. Wall street had a lousy day thats what he strives for. Monday worst the year. Did investors do any better good luck with the new job. Thank you. A new study is out on Breast Cancer, and it suggests theres today . Been a slight increase in the lie sylvester is monitoring number of younger women with that. How did we do . Advanced stap ed stages of the. Investors are smiling today for a change. The dow bounced back in a big researchers focused on women 25 way, closing up almost 116 to 29 years old over the last three decades and they say more studies are needed to verify the points. The nasdaq and s p 500 were also up. Findings. Wall street might have taken and our dr. Sanjay gupta tells note of head chief ben us this, there isnt enough evidence to recommend that women bernankes comments. He defended the feds stimulus under 40 should start getting routine mammograms, but it sure policies but warned the looming is a study getting a lot of forced budget cuts could slow the sluggish u. S. Economy. Attention today. Jack lew is one step closer to chuck hagels fight is now over. The full senate voted to confirm becoming treasury secretary. His nomination after some harsh criticisms from republicans and weeks of delay. The final vote was 58 in favor, hes a full senate vote away 41 opposed. From confirmation. Four republicans joining the thats expected to happen tomorrow. Democratic majority in approving in other news, Oscar Pistorius healed private Memorial Service hagels nomination. The former republican senator for girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp from nebraska is likely to be tonight. Its been more than a week since sworn in tomorrow to replace the he was charged with willing her. Pentagon chief, leon panetta. His family revealed plans for president obama issued this statement just moments ago. The memorial after news leaked i will be counting on chucks to the South African media. A Statement Released by the judgment and counsel as we end family said the service was his the war in afghanistan. Own idea. He said he shot her by accident bring our troops home, stay ready to meet the threats of our because he thought she was an intruder. Time, and keep our military the a historic moment in north korea today. Finest fighting force in the believe it or not, yes, that is world. Mostly of all, im grateful to Dennis Rodman. He arrived there for a visit chuck for reminding us that when along with the harlem it comes to national defense, we are not democrats or republicans, we are americans. Globetrotters. Dennis rodman might become the a busy day at the white First American to visit with house. Republican senators john mccain and Lindsey Graham were at the north koreas new leader kim white house, they discussed jongun. They are letting him send tweets Immigration Reform with the president , among other topics. Like this one, im not a the two republicans issued a pretty upbeat statement, politician, kim junk one and surprisingly enough, describing north Korean People are their talks with the president basketball fans. I love everyone. Period. As excellent. End of story. They say they were pleased to so pretty interesting. Hear the president state his theres Dennis Rodman. Can you believe Dennis RodmanFirm Commitment that he will do whatever is necessary to pass is in pyongyang together with comprehensive reform legislation this year. They did not, though, answer the Harlem Globetrotters. Many questions relating to the they love basketball in north sequester of the forced budget korea. I was there two years ago, a cuts. Little bit more than two years a little optimistn thptimism. Ago and i could see even when i was there speaking to north it was a turning point in the fight for the civil rights, but now the u. S. Supreme court koreans and one of the north may undo parts of the landmark korean officials who greeted him there at the airport in Voting Rights act. Well take a closer look at pyongyang was one of my greeters whats going on. Thats ahead. When i arrived there as well. Also, the coast guard they love basketball. Investigating a distress call, you know what . But did rescuers respond to yet when Madeleine Albright went to another hoax . Stay with us. The same . Pyongyang during the Clinton Administration one of the gifts citrucel is different its the only fiber for regularity that wont cause excess gas. She presented kim jonguns father, kim jongil, she brought its gentle and clinically proven to help restore and maintain regularity. A basketball signed by michael look for citrucel today. Its gentle and clinically proven to help restore and maintain regularity. Jordan to north korea and that oh, hi thehey ill. Basketball by all accounts i are you in town for another meeting . Heard it when i was there and a p, i brought my ateam. Vo business trips add up to family time. Lot of North Koreans have this is my family. This is joe. Hi joe hi there pointed it out, they venerate, vo earn a ton of extra points with the double your hhonors promotion they love Michael Jordan. And feel the hamptonality. They love basketball. Kim jongil the father really loved it. The son obviously loves it as its lots of things. All waking up. Well. So there is a certain logic to connecting to the global phenomenon why Dennis Rodman and the harlem we call the internet of everything. Globetrotters are in pyongyang right now. You know what i bet anything its going to be amazing. Too they will get a basketball and exciting. And have all of those players and maybe, most remarkably, not that far away. Sign so the same way they have the Michael Jordan basketball they will have this glob were going to wake the world up. And watch, with eyes wide, trotters, Harlem Globetrotters as it gets to work. Basketball sidebyside. Cisco. Kim jongil now the dead tomorrow starts here. Father he loved that basketball. Madeline albright, i invited her to come on the show today to talk about when she presented that basketball to kim jongil. Kim jongun now has Dennis Rodman in pyongyang. Cisco. Were keeping a close eye on capitol hill. Any minute the u. S. Senate do you guys ride . Well. No. Should begin voting on president sometimes, yeah. Yes. Obamas controversial nomination of chuck hagel to be defense well, if you know anybody else who also rides, secretary. Well go there live right after send them here we got great coverage. The break. Later well also go live to egypt and that site of that horrifying accident that brought down a hot air balloon. Female a] from tracking the bus. Its not like bikers love their bikes more than life itself. I doubt anyone will even notice. To tracking field conditions. 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This is a major provision, the major provision, in the Voting Rights act. It really is. Its just a huge deal. The Voting Rights act has been called the most successful civil rights legislation ever. It was passed to stop racial trickery and discrimination, like poll taxes and literacy tests. Tomorrow, the Supreme Court looks at whether the very thing that is supposed to make the law effective is actually outdated and unconstitutional. Calara county, alabama, in the heart of the dixie, population just under 8,000. train horn eight years, Ernest Montgomery vo wherever our trains go, the economy comes to life. Norfolk southern. One line, was elected to represent the infinite possibilities. City council. I think because of our past, [ female announcer ] from more efficient payments. We have to accept, you know, the way times were. Reporter four years ago, the to more efficient pickups. City council redrew voting lines. Montgomery lost reelection by wireless is limitless. Two votes. They added four large subdivisions, which were predominantly white, through my district, which diluted the district from a 67 africanamerican district down to about a 28 . Reporter but the u. S. Department of justice stepped in and helped montgomery get his any minute now we expect the job back, saying the county start of voting. Needed to get federal approval youre looking at the senate to make the changes under the floor right there. They are about to vote on the Voting Rights act, first signed confirmation of chuck hagel to be the nations next defense by Lyndon Johnson in 1965. Secretary. Theres carl levin chairman of to eliminate the last the Armed Services committee. Vestiges of injustice. Reporter at the heart of the act is whats known as section five, which allows the justice it looks like hagel has the department or a court to shut votes to be confirmed to succeed down discriminatory changes to leon panetta. The bruising fight over his voting laws, mostly in southern confirmation could cause some states, before they go into effect. President bush in congress saw Serious Problems when he takes need to renew the law as over the Defense Department. Recently as 2006. Lets bring in our pentecost but now, Shelby County, alabama, correspondent Barbara Starr. A lot of people are concerned, where calera is located, is barbara, as you well know he challenging section five as a could be tainted because almost violation of states rights. All of the republicans will vote against this confirmation. The symbols and historic reporter well, thats right, landmarks of the old south are wolf. We do expect, however, as you said within the coming hours to all around Shelby County, alabama. Just one county to the north at have a new secretary of defense. This church in birmingham, four little black girls were killed but chuck hagel is about to in a bombing in 1963. Plunge into that looming budget and now the Supreme Court is crisis which his own military being asked to accept the commander says is one of their top worries. Argument that the south has changed enough to overturn what some say is the heart of the Voting Rights act. The Pentagon Battle plan is ready for chuck hagels first frank ellis is the Shelby County hours in office. There is too much work to be attorney. Done, too many priorities on the the south is not the same south it was in 1964. Table, too many issues to be the whole country has changed. Addressed, too many threats were a dynamic society. Looming for a National Security reporter how much things have changed is disputed. To get bogged down in the recent whites we spoke with this in past. Local diner said they see the reporter cnn has learned one reelection of the countrys of the first priorities is to first black president as a real meet with Defense Department civilians. Some 800,000 are facing sign. Furloughs under forced spending i still think about discrimination, going back even cuts. 15 years, 10 years in the south. The new secretarys joint chiefs of staff says the potential 46 i think we are gaining ground. Billion in cuts is a security reporter but africanamericans recalled the battle in the last election over nightmare. Hagel has little time to lobby alleged voter suppression, and some say things have gotten congress for change. He also plans to travel overseas worse, because obamas election soon after taking over. Made some white voters angry. The pentagon knows hagel needs you have, you know, people to publicly show hes in charge who are very unhappy. You know, i mean, during the after a lackluster performance election time, you know, you at best during his confirmation had, you know, dummies of hearing. Name one person in your president obama hanging from the opinion who is intimidated by the israeli lobby in the united trees. Judging from past cases, one of the courts biggest questions States Senate . Is why the Voting Rights act well, first applies mainly to Southern States instead of being a name one. Nationwide thing. I dont know. By the way, not all the states that are partly or fully covered please have a seat. By section five are supporting reporter the burden is on the secretary from the first day this challenge to the law. To show he isnt now damaged mississippi and north carolina, as well as new york and political goods for the california, have actually come out in support of section five. President on capitol hill. Hes got to go in there over and is there any indicator prepared, very aggressive, and from how the justices have ruled willing to take on the hard in the past and how they might be leaning in this case . Questions in a way he seemed the chief justice has reluctant to do during his actually said, in some of his confirmation process. Writings, that he believes the reporter and so the pentagon promises part of the hagel plan south has changed. Is to work with his justice thomas, clarence thomas, has actually said that he thinks congressional opponents. Section five is he is going to come in with a unconstitutional. So it could be a close case. Philosophy that hes is going to an important case, be a team player inside this regardless. Wear going to speak with the reverend Jesse Jackson tomorrow. Building. And that will extend to the hell be our special guest here in the situation room on this United States congress. And other subjects as well. Reporter but some remain a great guest. Unconvinced. We should not be installing joe johns, thanks so much. So three days to go before a defense secretary who obviously is not qualified for forced budget cuts take effect. Are president obamas dire the job. Reporter now many will tell warnings on target or overblown . You that what hagel needs to do two Economic Experts are ready to face off on that, next. Now, the minute hes confirmed is to score some points on the cute. But dont you have any apps on your phone board, if you will, wolf. That can make your life easier . Not to show that hes a team who do you think i am, quicken loans . Player but to Show Congress and at quicken loans, well provide you with myql mobile. His troops that he is fully in charge. Wolf . Stand by for a moment, this amazingly useful app allows you because i want to go to dana to take pictures of your mortgage documents using an iphone or android smart phone. Bash. Dana i take it the roll call has so you can easily send them to us. Begun on the senate floor . One more way quicken loans is engineered to amaze. Reporter it just started a little more than a minute ago. Senators are still making their way to the floor. Ooh, lala it might go longer than what its supposed to be. What were watching for if any one more way quicken loans is engineered to amaze. Target is in sight. Yes, dad, i see him. Of the 18 republicans, thats right 18 republicans after chuck now pour some chloroform into a white rag and. Hagel got so much criticism any of those voted to let this no. Nomination go through if they hi. I understand youre looking for a hotel with a pool. Actually vote for his with priceline express deals, you can save big confirmation which is a very different vote. And get exactly what you need. Thats what were watching for. Do i have to bid . 51 is all thats need p. M. Use the stun gun. Hes giving you lip. Straight up or down vote and no hes just asking a question. Well tell you what happens when no bidding. Awesome. We get to it. Get the grappling hook to. Doesnt look like any dad, i. Democrats will vote against him. No . Ok. So there are 55 if you add the two independents who caucus with the democrats. This is basically a done deal. Right. Now that they failed this filibuster, for all practical purposes hes about to be confirmed. Thats exactly right. The issue is not whether the votes are there. He is expected to be confirmed. The question is more of a political one, and more of a question of, you know, how he does his job as barbara was just talking about, given the fact that he has been so beaten and bruised politically here. Whether or not he will get some support from republicans that transit fares could potentially determine the as in the 37 billion transit fares kind of relationship he has with we help collect each year. Congress which is very important no . Oh, right. For the defense secretary as barbara was just talking about youre thinking of the 1. 6 million especially with these cuts daily Customer Care interactions xerox handles. Coming to the Defense Department. Usually Barbara Starr, or the 900 Million Health insurance claims we process. Usually a defense secretary at least recently has been also so, its no surprise to you that companies depend on todays xerox unanimously confirmed by the for services that simplify how work gets done. Senate, maybe two or three people vote against but usually which is. Pretty much what weve always stood for. Its almost unanimous if you with xerox, youre ready for real business. Take a look at bob gates or William Cohen or leon panetta in recent times. This will be pretty extraordinary. Reporter i think thats absolutely right, wolf. What are we talking about here . Maybe some 15 republicans recently signing a letter, i believe, thats the number saying that they were worried about that very point. This pentagon has a long history, as you know, of essentially being bipartisan, that the priority is always the countrys National Security. Thats kind of a different theres a change in atmosphere now. We have seen the republicans move to hold up several nominations, john brennan for cia, chuck hagel, questions that they have raised about the attack in benghazi, libya. Questions about access to information from the white house. A lot of questions for chuck hagel about his position on everything from israel to iran. So, a lot of republicans have really been making the political point that they want to exert what political muscle they have. Now the burden is on hagel here. Can he deal with that . If they keep coming after him how will he deal with that. He had a lot of problems during that confirmation hearing. He has to show a very different face now. Hes got have a major challenge ahead of him. Well see how many republicans vote to confirm. Well see if any democrats reject that confirmation. Republicans are accusing let us know when the roll call president obama of resorting to is done and well have you back scare tactics in these, the here. Today was a very hard one final days before forced budget cuts take effect. For the parents of trayvon martin. Coming up my interview with his but the president insists his dire warnings are very real and father, questions for the call that hes not playing politics. Of justice for their son. Ive run my last election. Only gaviscon® forms a protective barrier that helps michelles very happy about block stomach acid from splashing up relieving the pain quickly. That. Try fast, long lasting gaviscon®. Im not interested in spin, im not interested in playing a a body at rest tends to stay at rest. While a body in motion tends to stay in motion. Blame game. At this point, all im interested in is just solving staying active can actually ease arthritis symptoms. Problems. When americans watch whats but if you have arthritis, going on here in washington, staying active can be difficult. Many of them believe both sides, prescription celebrex can help relieve arthritis pain though, are playing politics. So your body can stay in motion. So is anyone giving us the full story . Because just one 200mg celebrex a day were joined now by two Economic Experts, Steven Ratner, a member can provide 24 hour relief of the obama administration, he for many with arthritis pain and inflammation. Served as counselor over at the plus, in clinical studies, treasury department. Celebrex is proven to improve daily physical function Stephen Moore of the wall street journal founded the so moving is easier. Celebrex can be taken with or without food. Conservative club for growth. Thanks, guys, very much, for and its not a narcotic. Coming in. Steve moore, i know you have you and your doctor should balance the benefits strong views on this. Steve rattner does as well. With the risks. All prescription nsaids, like celebrex, ibuprofen, these automatic spending cuts, if they go into effect on naproxen and meloxicam friday, as we now all assume have the same cardiovascular warning. They will, is it really going to they all may increase the chance have an impact on the broader u. S. Economy . Of heart attack or stroke, which can lead to death. This chance increases if you have Heart Disease no, it wont, wolf. And i was so im old enough or risk factors such as high Blood Pressure to remember back in the 1980s, or when nsaids are taken for long periods. When we did a small nsaids, including celebrex, acrosstheboard cut, smaller increase the chance of serious skin or allergic reactions than this one, but the agency found ways to save money, to or stomach and intestine problems, save on paper clips and travel such as bleeding and ulcers, and conferences and, you know, which can occur without warning and may cause death. The world didnt come to an end. Patients also taking aspirin and the elderly i think the president s rhetoric is overheated and i think it is are at increased risk for stomach bleeding and ulcers. Do not take celebrex if youve had an asthma attack, hives, fright night. And what were talking about here is about a 50 to 60 or other allergies to aspirin, nsaids or sulfonamides. Get help right away if you have swelling of the face or throat, billion cut out offed a 16 or trouble breathing. Tell your doctor your medical history. Trillion economy. And find an Arthritis Treatment for you. I dont see where this is going to hurt the economy in fact, i would make the case, wolf, visit celebrex. Com and ask your doctor about celebrex. That cutting Government Spending right now given how gigantic our for a body in motion. Budget deficit is, 1 trillion, i think this would be beneficial for the economy, if government became more economical and saved 4 cents on the dollar. All right, steve rattner, what do you think . First of all, there will be an overall effect on the economy. I think every major economist thats studied this talks about 0. 4 , 0. 5 effect on gdp. But unemployment checks go down on day one. Those affect not only those people, but the stores in which they shop. Fewer agricultural inspectors in the Food Processing plants mean they cant process as much food. Economic activity slows is down. Im just giving you a couple of examples. Its not going to end life as we know it, but its going to have a noticeable and significant effect. Do you want to respond, steve moore . Look, heres where i throw up my hands in kind of exasperation about this. Steve is saying exactly what people in the white house and quite frankly, what people in the media are saying. That this is going to lead tho all of these dire consequences. And my attitude, wolf, is we cant do this. If we cant cut the first 60 billion out of a 1 trillion deficit, how are we ever going to come close to a balanced budget . This is what im not hearing from the other side. Okay, if were not going to do this, what are we going to do . And i quite frankly think asking every agency, defense and domestic agencies, to become a little bit more lean and efficient as businesses have done, makes a lot of sense. And lean and efficient might be a gad thing. Im sure everybody wants that. But there are some more liberal economists who are arguing that this kind of sequester, these acrosstheboard cuts could actually hurt deficit reduction efforts. The impact of the cuts, the impact of the furloughs, and the loss of revenue will actually be since George Zimmerman killed counteractive. It would increase the deficit. Trayvon martin. The incident ended martins life well, i think thats a joke. I mean, thats the same logic and changed zirmmans. That said that the 800 billion stimulus bill was going to zimmermans supporters defend create 3 million or 4 million jobs, which never occurred. Look, i think economy and government right now, we need zimmermans use of the austerity in government, and we need more private sector growth. Selfdefense law. Trayvon martins father is we havent had that for four joining us as well as natalie years, and im a believer that this high deficit is one of the jackson who is an attorney for the martin family. Thank you for joining us. Things thats really holding back private business. Once again our deepest go ahead, steve moore. Austerity is not the friend condolences to what happened to of growth, we learned that in your son. Europe. I think virtually all of us who tracey, let me start with you. Whats it like on this first are serious people are in favor of reducing the deficit, but it anniversary. What your and your family going needs to be Done Gradually over time, and the spending through . Today is actually a day of reductions need to be done with a scalpel, not a meat ax. Sorrow for me and my family. The problem with that forced deficit reduction, if you want as today marks the one year to call it that, is that it is anniversary that trayvon was an acrosstheboard cut, and taken away from us. Worst of all, its an but we as a family even though acrosstheboard cut, focused on some of the most important were hurt we know that we must programs, like education, like infrastructure, Like Research and development. Continue to move forward and try they are bearing a hugely to pursue justice for trayvon. Disproportionate chair of these reductions. On that point, though, and we know, natalie, let me steve hold on a second, wolf bring you into this i just want him to respond to conversation, that in april at the point. Some republicans are saying, you some point they could rule, know, it doesnt have to be a there cube court ruling saying meat ax. You know what, mr. President , the stand your ground law in 85 billion, we want those cuts, florida applies in this case. Half in defense, half in could that possibly throw out domestic spending. You dont want the the entire case, the criminal acrosstheboard cuts, were going to give you flexibility, case against George Zimmerman . Mr. President. Yes, wolf thats exactly what go ahead and you smart the cut way, so that we dont deal with would happen. In florida, if you win your some of those critically stand your ground hearing then important areas, but you can that means theres no criminal find some waste, fraud, and prosecution nor a chance for a abuse, if you, some excessive spending. Civil, any civil remedy. You come up with it, but the president says, im not playing you couldnt even separately that game. Why isnt he playing that game . Go down the road and file a im not sure the president said, im not playing that game. I think getting that Authority Civil case against George Zimmerman . Thats correct. Would be welcome for the sake of if he wins the stand your ground the economy well, the president listen to what the president said hearing. Immunity hearing today. Ill play the clip. He said, im not interested in youre an attorney from that getting that flexibility, which area. Whats the prospect . Would put all of the responsibility on him. From our perspective its not listen to the president today in virginia. Realistic. We had, from the beginning i some people have been saying, think the protests and outcry well, maybe well just get the was the fact that George Zimmerman had not been arrested. President some flexibility. Based on the fact that our legal he can make the cuts the way he team and many other legal wants and that way, it wont be advisors didnt believe stand as damaging. You know, the problem is, when your ground applied to george youre cutting 85 billion in zimmerman in his situation. We had the authors of the bill seven months, which represents and the legislation of florida who came out and said that this over a 10 cut in the defense legislation did not apply to budget in seven months, theres George Zimmerman. Simply because he followed no smart way to do that. Trayvon martin. And white house officials so assuming it didnt apply, make it clear, they dont want then the actual trial would to play that game, steve. Begin when . But it would be steve it will begin in june. Rattner. But it would be an opening to so it would begin very, very try to come up with 85 billion soon. Are you guys ready . Well, were not prosecuting in cuts in a smart way, as it. I believe the prosecution is opposed to this meat ax. Ready. I believe they have everything. Certainly, it would be better the defense has asked for a than the meat ax. But what the president is also continuance. Their last continuance request saying, to do this in a very was denied. Compressed period of time is not they could possibly still get another continuance but right ideal from the stake of the now the trial is set for june. Economy. I think all of us, and if the tracey, what your hoping the president doesnt blaelieve it,o country will learn from the experience, the awful experience be it. That youve gone through with i think all of believe that the loss of your son . Well basically we hope the spending needs to be con train. And it cant all be about spending reductions to deal with country learns that in any type of killing or shooting when you our deficit problems. Have an unarmed teen, whether he be white, black, hispanic, it doesnt matter, when you have a we also need revenue increases. So far, virtually all of the revenue reduction thats dead child on the ground and an occurred over last ten years, the vast preponderance has come individual who was told to not on the spending side, not the pursue the child, there needs be revenue side. Got to leave it there. Some type of ramifications. Steve rattner, ill give you ten seconds. What deficit reduction . Theres been no deficit reduction. There should have been an arrest i mean, the deficits you know at that point. And what America Needs to learn we havent cut a dime out of the deficits. You know thats not true. We havent cut anything yet. Is that all children lives are of equal value and we cant yes, we have. Theyre talking about cuts in place value higher on one ethnic five and six and seven years. Yes, we have. Weve had two rounds of sp d group more than the other. Spending reductions. All people are the same. And they havent cut theres no doubt about that. Entitlements either. When is the president going to cut entitlements. Exactly. The president has said everything is on the table and i tracey, i know this is a believe him. Unfortunately, it does not painful subject but i want our look like entitlement reform is going to be managed viewers to know something additional about your son let there be comprehensive trayvon. What do you miss most about him . Entitlement reform, let there be just miss i miss comprehensive tax reform, work everything about him. Out a grand bargain, get this nothing in particular. Resolved. He was like my best friend. Lindsey graham said it on this show yesterday, hes open to it, i missed the times we shared a whole bunch of republicans and democrats are as well. That would be a smart way of going to the ballpark, just dealing with this deficit, this exploding national debt. Spending time with each other, guys and were open to it too. Being around each other. And just to have his life cut thanks very much, steve rattner, steve moore. Appreciate it. Thanks, guys. We had a remarkable sight short, it means its hurtful. Today in north korea. The basketball star, or shall we here it is, its february and say, the former basketball star, were supposed to be preparing Dennis Rodman, look at this, for his graduation and his prom hes in pyongyang, north korea. Coming in june and were hes tweeting. Stay here. Kates going to explain, what is preparing for a trial, a murder going on. And its called the king of trial. Beers, but a lawsuit claims that so its very hurtful not to have budweiser isnt all it claims to him here. Be. Resources they need. And every day just missing his smile, just missing him saying i love you, just missing me telling him that i love him. I miss that. Our deepest condolences to you tracey and your entire family and natalie thanks to you as well for joining us. Im sure we will continue this conversation. Thank you, wolf. Important programming note. Later tonight on piers morgan, piers will speak to the defense attorney for George Zimmerman. 9 00 p. M. Eastern only here on bright students are getting lost in the shuffle. Cnn. Chuck hagel the confirmation and administrations work gets more complex every year. Vote is now under way. The role call continuing on the when you look at these issues, do you see problems or opportunities . Floor of the united States Senate. Little doubt hell be confirmed. Were anxious to see, those what with an advanced degree in education from capella university, the vote will be, how many republicans will vote to kwurm youll have the knowledge to meet these challenges and make a difference in the lives of students. Him. Will any democrats vote to reject this nomination. Stand by. That final tally should be known lets get started at capella. Edu. Very soon. Also other news. A hot air balloon accident in egypt killing 19 people. When we come back well take a close look at what could have caused the explosion that brought down the balloon. [ female announcer ] what if the next big thing, isnt a thing at all . The people of bp made a commitment to the gulf. , and every day since, weve worked hard to keep it. Today, the beaches and gulf are open for everyone to enjoy. Its lots of things. Weve shared what weve learned, all waking up. So we can all produce energy more safely. Connecting to the global phenomenon bps also committed to america. We call the internet of everything. We support nearly twohundredfifty thousand jobs and invest more here than anywhere else. Its going to be amazing. And exciting. Were working to fuel america for generations to come. And maybe, most remarkably, not that far away. Our commitment has never been stronger. Were going to wake the world up. And watch, with eyes wide, as it gets to work. Cisco. Stop stop stop come back here tomorrow starts here. Humans we are beautifully imperfect creatures living in an imperfect world. Thats why Liberty Mutual insurance has your back with great ideas like our optional better car replacement. If your car is totaled, we give you the money to buy one a model year newer. Call. And ask one of our Insurance Experts about it today. Hello . we believe our customers do their best out there in the world, and we do everything we can to be there for them when they need us. [car alarm blaring] call now and also ask about our 24 7 support and service. Call. And lock in your rate for 12 months today. Liberty mutual insurance. Responsibility. Whats your policy . The maker of budweiser is now accused of watering down its beer. Kates got that from the days other top stories. How could that be . First makers mark, now beer, what is the world coming to . This is actually very interesting and important. The claim comes from a Class Action Lawsuit against budweisers parent company, anheuserbusch. The suit, which was filed in california, says the companys 13 breweries across the u. S. Follow the same policy of diluting its products and overstating their alcohol content insider to increase profit. Cnn has reached out to anheuserbusch, but received no comment so far. Updates to come. And a victor today for president obamas Health Care Reform law. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says his state will accept the expansion of medicaid, thats part of the law. Hes the eighth republican governor now to go along with the expansion. It means more federal money to cover more people. Christie says he still does not like obama care, but doesnt see why money slated for new jersey should go to another state. And a pair of reports today show the countrys Housing Market continues to improve. Both new home sales and home prices are up. The news about home prices, as well, corporate earnings, plus encouraging remarks from Federal Reserve chairman ben bernanke caused stocks to go up. The dow industrials gained back a little over half of yesterdays big loss. And an historic moment in egyptian authorities are north korea today. Investigating right now a real believe it or not, and its hard to believe, Dennis Rodman of all people, arrived for a visit calamity. 19 people have died in the along with the harlem worlds deadliest hot hair globetrotters. He might become the first zbleent in two decades. American to visit with north we go to luxor, egypt where the koreas new leader, kim jongun. Crash happened. R tell us what you kwhat do we rodman tweeted from north Koreas Capital that hes honored to represent the u. S. , adding, quote, they love know . Basketball here. What happened . Reporter well were learning more about this hot air balloon could be the First American to meet the little kim. Crash and the details that are could you imagine, hes going emerging, wolf, are absolutely to meet with kim jongun, at chilling opinion based on what weve learned at least at one least thats what he suggests, looking forward to it. Point most of these tourists on i think that will be the first obviously, north this hot air balloon they knew koreans have met with some they were going to die but there was very little they could do. Chinese. Other than that, i dont think anyone has met with kim jongun they were aboard this hot air since he took over for his dad. Balloon, it was descending but Madeleine Albright, when she went there during the clinton rapidly, it was on fire, they administration, she brought a had split second whether to jump present to kim jonguns father. Out or stay in. What was that present . That present was a basketball new details emerging, government signed by Michael Jordan, and they treasured it. Officials say this hot air when i was there a couple years balloon was about 12 feet away ago, i saw how they treasure that basketball. So the moral of the story from landing in safety but they love basketball. Something went terribly wrong, is they love basketball in landing cable crashed into a gas north korea. Basketball brings us tube, there was a fire, the balloon started ascending again. Together. Strangeola. Thats when they had to make a thats all ive got to say. Maybe well speak to michael decision. Few people jumped out of the jordan about this as well. Balloon. Most stayed on. The coast guard responding the balloon eventually to a distress call, boaters disintegrating high above and falling back to the ground. Missing, a family in trouble. 19 people killed. But was it real . Among them nine hong kong coast guard, coast guard, we are abandoning ship. Nationals, two british citizens, this is the charmblow, we are japanese citizens part of the abandoning ship. Well have the story, victims as well. Straight ahead. Lone survivors, wolferine, the egyptian pilot and a british citizen. 21 people on board. Two survivors. I take it they were the ones who jumped out, right . It is very likely that they were the ones who jumped out first. They are suffering from severe [ female announcer ] nothing gets you going burns. The rest, according to quite like the power of quaker oats. Today is going to be epic. Investigators suffered broken bones, head damage, those are quaker up. The one, unfortunately, who decided to stay on board, wolf. There is apparently conflicting reports on this companys Safety Record in luxor, which is a major tourism destination. What have you heard about that . Reporter there are some reports that the company that owned this hot air balloon sky crew did not properly register with authorities after the 2011 revolution but government officials earlier today said its too early to say whether this was human error or a freak [ male announcer ] how could switchgrass in argentina, accident. The challenge now for egyptian change engineering in dubai, officials is to reassure people aluminum production in south africa, that hot air balloons are not dangerous and the statistics and the Aerospace Industry in the u. S. . Show that it is a safe activity, at t. Rowe price, we understand the connections based on our research this was of a complex, global economy. The first fatal accident of 0 its just one reason over 75 of our mutual funds hat air balloon ever here in beat their 10year lipper average. Egypt. Again officials here have to t. Rowe price. Invest with confidence. Reassure people to come back and request a prospectus or summary prospectus save what is already an ailing with investment information, risks, fees and expenses Tourism Industry here in egypt. Tourism in egypt is crumbling to read and consider carefully before investing. Right now. This will only make matters worse for what was a significant source of foreign income for the egyptian economy. Thanks very much. Theres a scary new study about Breast Cancer thats just come out. Our own dr. Sanjay gupta stands by with details and why its being diagnosed in more younger women. In the next hour the situation room, john kerry loosens up on his first trip as the nations secretary of state. To tracking field conditions. Wireless is limitless. Googles backyard for the wbing it on challenge. [fight bell ding, ding] whats your preferred Search Engine . Search engine, uhh, probably google. If we do a side by side blind test comparison, and you end up choosing google, you get an xbox. Ill bet you the xbox, you bet me your son. Well lets look up what you need. Okay, i would do the left. Yeah . What . i am a daddy bing wins it bing won. Bing did win. People prefer bing over google for the webs top searches. Dont believe it . Go to bingiton. Com and see what youre missing. Diarrhea, gas, bloating . Yes one Phillips Colon Health probiotic cap each day helps defend against these digestive issues with three strains of good bacteria. Live the regular life. Phillips. The coast guard says its called officers for missing boaters off the coast of california amid questions about whether the distress call was even reel. Cnns dan simon reports. Reporter they sent out numerous boats and aircraft to rescue four people, including two children allegedly on a sinking boat. This was the last radio transmission from the vessel live the regular life. See lioutdoors, or in. Ight. Transitions® lenses automatically filter operator. Coast guard, coast guard, we are abandoning ship. This is the charmblow. Just the right amount of light. We are abandoning ship. So you see everything the way its meant to be seen. Is that the voice of a hoaxster . Maybe even a little better. Was this whole thing a search that spanned the area the size visit your eyecare professional today of West Virginia and cost to ask about our newest lenses, taxpayers hundreds of thousands transitions vantage and transitions xtractive lenses. Of dollars just a prank . The coast guard says its a experience life well lit. Possibility. First, the name of the boat, ask which transitions adaptive lens is best for you. Charmblow. Don montero is the coast guard Sector Commander responsible for the search. We go through our databases, [ female announcer ] from more efficient payments. We went through customs to more efficient pickups. Databases. We also went through databases of local Law Enforcement agencies to search for the wireless is limitless. Vessel, and tried to identify it. Reporter and what did you find . Unfortunately, with we havent found anything at this point. And what about a missing persons report. We havent received any shaq 1, pain 0. Notifications of any missing [ male announcer ] new icy hot advanced patch persons. Reporter is that unusual . With 50 more medicine. I havent experienced that before, so pain over. Reporter this isnt the first time the coast guard has turned up empty on a highprofile search for missing boaters. Last may, it searched for six people in the waters off of galveston, texas, after a mayday call from a sinking boat. Then a few weeks later, a caller all right. Chuck hagel will now become the claimed there were three people dead and 20 people in the water next secretary of defense. Off of sandy hook, new jersey. His confirmation has just been we have 21 souls on board, 20 approved. Roll call vote on the senate floor. Threw see it. In the water right now. We dont have the final tally but he has more than 51 votes so i have three deceased on board, hell be the successor to leon nine injured because of the explosion weve had. Reporter authorities later panetta as the next secretary of determined the call came from defense. The land and was a hoax. Other news were following, cases of advanced Breast Cancer as for the radio transmission in in younger women are on the california coast guard, coast guard, we are abandoning ship. Rise. That was just published in the this is the charm blow, we are abandoning ship. Journal of medical association. Dr. Sanjay gupta is joining us reporter based upon what he was saying over the radio, you from new york right now with the thought that was real . Latest. Tell us exactly what this study absolutely. And we treated it as such. We treat every call as it was found. Sounds pretty disturbing. Our own child out there and yeah. Were searching for them. It is alarming for sure because reporter now, making a false you look for trends in medicine distress call is a felony and between 1976 and 2009 what punishable by up to ten years in they noticed was the number of prison and a 250,000 fine, plus women who had, what is called the cost of the wasted search effort. In this case, it would be hundreds of thousands of dollars. Wolf and kate . As well they should get in trouble if theyre wasting that me metastatic increasing in women time, that turns out to be true. Age 25 to 39. Dan simon, great report. Thank you. So we see these numbers probably seemed like a great increasing a real trend. Idea to see the sights, hundreds the numbers still pretty small. Of feet in the air in a balloon back in the 70s you may have until disaster struck. Up next, well have new pictures had 250 women who had this sort of the deadly explosion and a of metastatic Breast Cancer who closer look at balloon safety. Were also under the age of 40 its lots of things. And now the number is closer to all waking up. Connecting to the global phenomenon 850. Its not a huge absolute number but, again, in medicine you try we call the internet of everything. To figure out theres a trend its going to be amazing. Why is it happening and can anything be gone it. And exciting. Thats the big headline here. And maybe, most remarkably, not that far away. Should women under the age of 40 start thinking about regular were going to wake the world up. And watch, with eyes wide, maam gramms . Mammograms . I know theres been a lot of as it gets to work. Debate in the medical community. Cisco. Tomorrow starts here. Its good question. The answer seems to be no not now. Theres not enough evidence still that they should lower teenage at which women start receiving mammograms. Thats tough to hear for some women who say my chance of having metastatic Breast Cancer cisco. is higher than 25 years ago why for those nights when its more than a bad dream, not . Because the numbers are still small. Be ready. Could it be in part that the numbers are rising because weve gotten better at detecting some for the days when you get a sudden call of these things at different from the school, be ready. Stages. So, we dont have enough for the times you need evidence yet to recommend that, to doublecheck the temperature on the thermometer, be ready. Wolf. Look youre absolutely right. It remains a controversial area, when you have childrens motrin on hand, the screening for Breast Cancer youre ready. For high fever, nothing works faster specifically and im sure people will look that study as part of or lasts longer than childrens motrin. That. Let me shift to another be ready with childrens motrin. Story. The mediterranean diet as its called. We heard a study yesterday in the new england journal much immedia of medicine. Whats going on here . Let me put to it you like this. The mediterranean diet could be a very good diet. Its a diet high in olive oil and nuts, the kind of food people eat in the mediterranean. The problem with the study it sound like they were comparing a mediterranean diet to a lowfat diet. When you start to look at that study more specifically what you find is that the people who were supposed to be on a lowfat diet they werent on a lowfat diet. They were told to eliminate or reduce fat from their diet but they couldnt do that or they didnt do that. So, for example, you take a guy like dr. Dean ornish that people eat less than 10 from fat, in this group it was 37 . It wasnt comparing what they thought they were comparing. The headline here is people told to go on a lowfat diet they couldnt stick with it. They had a hard time sticking with it. It was a tough study to compare. Basically what i hear you saying mediterranean die set good as long as you just use the lowfat part of that mediterranean diet is that what im hearing . If the question was this, is a mediterranean diet better than a lowfat diet at reducing Heart Disease, reducing stroke we dont know the answer to that still. Despite all the headlines you read yesterday we dont know the answer to that because there was no there werent people in the study who were actually eating a true lowfat diet. What youre saying is generally correct theres some things common between the various advocates of these diet, one being lowering fat overall, you can add good kinds of fat, for example oh, live oil has a particular kind of fat thats better than the type of fat you find in certain meats and also increasing the amount of omega3 fatty acids in your diet thats something both diets seem to recommend. Again, if youre saying hey which is better, lowfat, they were 1,000 feet in the air in a hot air balloon over mediterranean, we still dont have the answer to that ancient egypt. Question. Then all of a sudden a gas i like the med ran diet explosion. Because you can have a glass of wine as part of that diet. Sound a lot friendlier to me. Thanks very much. You got it, wolf. This video taken from another and youre in the situation balloon shows the blast and the room happening now, bipartisan bickering over the forced budget fall. 19 people are dead, two in the hospital, and many people are cuts. Hit agnew low. Republicans are deeply divided. Wondering are these balloon rides safe. One warning how house speak john brian todd went out to try to find out. Boehner could lose his job if he reporter wolf, in the wake does. Also a crippling midwest of the accident in egypt, a lot blizzard blasting away snowfall of questions being asked today about the overall safety of records going back 100 years. Commercial ballooning. And is this the new face of well, to answer some of those questions, to get a little more middle age . Jane fonda now in her 70s wowed information, we came here to an airstrip in frederick, maryland. The oscars and some researchers this commercial balloonist, Patrick Smith and his partner are going to show us some safety are saying 72 is the new 30. Procedures and talk to us about we want to welcome our viewers overall safety of this activity. In the United States and around experienced balloonists say its the world. Rare to have a catastrophic im wolf blitzer. Crash like this one in egypt youre in the situation room. Captured on amateur video. When it comes to safety on a commercial balloon flight, Patrick Smith knows the drill. Today, the wind and rain are too strong for us to go up, but smith takes us through the checks of his tanks, valves, hoses, gauges. Its a powerful burst when he we begin with chuck hagel. Tests out the burners. Hes now is going to be the Nations Defense secretary. Smith and his family operate a the senate has just voted to commercial balloon business in frederick, maryland. He says he took up about 260 approve his nomination. He was confirmed. Passengers last year. Youre in an emergency, one of dana bash is up on capitol hill. These hoses rips off or Barbara Starr is at the something and this thing is in pentagon. Dana, what was the final roll peril. How do you get it down quickly . Call . Reporter we dont have it im going to shut down and yet. They are finalizing it. Secure the situation, then at that point were going to go ahead and look for the best available landing spot. We do know because our lisa is im going to use another tank in the chamber shes counted 51 because i have a redundant system. Votes, simple majority needed i will be able to use that other for chuck hagel to be confirmed tank to find an acceptable place to land and if i needed to, im as the next defense secretary. We also know just listening to going to shut down all lines and the votes as they come up hes put myself down in trees, because the basket itself will gotten at least four yes votes from his former republican protect the passengers. Reporter another balloonist colleagues. Thats not a lot but maybe more told us sometimes balloons strike power lines. It tends to occur on descent and than some may have anticipated given the deep partisan divide it can be deadly. He said electricity from the over his nomination. Power line arcs through the this may surprise people as balloon, then can punch a hole well. In a hose or propane tank, rand paul one of the most conservative senators he voted causing an explosion. To minimize the overall risk, yes. Cochran said he would. Dont crowd the passenger Richard Shelby of alabama and basket. This is the envelope for patricks balloon. This is the basket, 46 by 62 in mike johans as well. This vote is still open. Width, about four feet deep. Grab on to here. What this does is put this very dont grab this bar here. Bruising battle for chuck hagel behind him but obviously as hop on down. Barbara will tell you starts a reporter how many does this new chapter of very, very tough hold safely . We can hold legally six passengers. I never carry more than four. Reporter but he says there go of it at the pentagon. Are baskets like the one in and with regard to the way he has to relate to members of egypt that can carry 20 people or more. Congress especially with these forced spending cuts coming on smith says theres psychology friday. Well get to that in a involved with passengers. He has to keep their emotions on moment. Barbara, any word yet on where hell be sworn in, when hell be an even keel. Its a lot of interaction. Sworn in, when he officially by the time they go on their flight i have already given them begins his job as defense a full safety briefing, theyre secretary . Wolf, were told the plan is in the basket and we just put a chuck hagel will come here to little more heat in and lift off the ground just like an the pentagon first thing tomorrow morning. Elevator. Reporter he tells passengers will walk up the steps to the if theres an emergency theyve got to stop talking and listen secretary of Defenses Office on to him. Bend your knees, he says, grab the third floor and will be the handles on the inside, press sworn in at that time. Yourself up against the side of it is always around here a the basket. Smith says unless your basket is on fire and close to the ground, private ceremony by tradition. Dont jump out. We may get a photograph of it. The basket is designed to but i think its worth pausing absorb as much of the impact for for one minute and this will be a moment of history to reflect the passengers. On a normal landing, on a hard upon. Landing, on an emergency when chuck hagel setting landing. Thats what its designed for. Partisan politic, aside walks up and its the best chance that we the steps of the pentagon tomorrow morning this is a man would have. Reporter Patrick Smith has a who is a very honored combat lot of contingencies in place in case of emergencies. Veteran of vietnam. He has helmets in the basket for this man will walk in as people to put on, a fire secretary of defense, still with extinguisher and a chase crew shrapnel from fire fights in following him wherever he goes. Wolf and kate . Vietnam in his chest. This is no small matter. Thanks very much. Scary. This is a man who is widely wonder if they have parachutes, too. Respected for his service to the i dont know the answer to that, actually. Jeanne moos next. Country as is senator john mccain, john kerry now the secretary of state. This is the vietnam generation. And for so many of those veterans this will be a moment for them to pause and reflect. For chuck hagel he always recalls his Vietnam Service but always says hes living in the present, hes going to move ahead. Lets see how that moving ahead goes forward. Barbara, thank very much. The forced budget cuts are getting closer and closer now that the language at the same if youre looking to go to school, time is getting nastier and you deserve more than just exibility and convenience. Heres a few reasons toto oose university of phoenix. Nastier especially up on capitol hill with each passing hour its our average class size is only 14 students. Looking increasingly likely that our financial tools help you make smart choices about how to pay for school. 85 billion in spending cuts will come in to effect by this our faculty have, on average, over 16 years of field experiene. Friday over the next seven well help you build a personal career plan. Months. Lets go back to dana. We build programs based on what employers are looking for. She has the latest on this our football team, story. Whats the latest, dana, if is always undefeated. And leading companies are interested in our graduates. There is any new development. Reporter i talked to ll even help you decorate ur new office. Republican congressmen today who said his constituents are ok. Lets get to work. Suffering from drama fatigue [ whirring ] from washington lurching from [ creaking ] one crisis to another. Thats one reason why youre not [ male announcer ] trophies and awards lift you up. Seeing 11th hour talks to avert but they can also hold you back. These spending cuts. Another reason watch and unless you ask, whats next . Listen. I want has come to this. [ zapping ] we should not have to move a [ clang ] third bill before the senate this is the next level of performance. Gets off their ass and begins to do something. Reporter the speaker of the the next level of innovation. House who grew up in his fathers bar versus the senator the next rx. The f sport. Majority leader whose mother this is the pursuit of perfection. Made ends meet doing laundry for brothels in nevada. I was raised in a little town that had 13 brothels in it so im used to salty language. He should understand who is sitting on their posterior. Were doing our best here to pass something. The speaker is doing nothing to try to pass anything over there. Reporter that off color verbal volley took the blame game to a new rather low level. As democrats and republicans conceded forced spending cuts they created in 2011 with no intention of actually kicking in now almost certainly will starting friday. President obama took his bully pulpit to norfolk, virginia where the white house says across the board cuts will for the navy to cancel maintenance of 11 ships. That hurts this community. Because of these automatic cuts about 90,000 virginians who work for the department of defense would be forced to take unpaid leave from their jobs. Reporter then rapid fire warnings of other real world shaq 1, pain 0. Effects from forced spending cuts. More than 2,000 college [ male announcer ] new icy hot advanced patch students would lose their with 50 more medicine. Financial aid. Delays in airports across the pain over. Country. Tens of thousands of parents will have to scramble to find child care for their kids. Reporter consequences from the countrys debt would be so you go to the airport, you miss your flight, what do worse than 85 billion in you do . Jeanne moos has some incredible spending cuts. Video. Saying the sky is falling all in an effort to scare Congress Reporter fasten your seat belt. And the American People in doing what he wants. Reporter that speaks to the extreme turbulence ahead. Heart of the divide. Republicans say no new taxes in a chinese executive traveling with his family missed not one, any deal to prevent indiscriminate cuts. But two flights and when he, his democrats want tax increases and wife and two sons werent spending cuts. Allowed to board after missing its philosophical and the second flights boarding announcement, what went flying insurmountable. Theres some agreement on was computer equipment. Revenue. On this episode of china we should go ahead with the sequester. Reporter now the senate uncensored, watch a chinese republican leader and some other officials go nuts. Republicans say that they like reporter watch bystanders the idea of trying to give the back off. President more flexibility, the get me away from this guy who issue being now that it is completely arbitrary and nothing turned out to be the vicechairman of a staterun can be changed with regard to how these cuts are going to go Mining Company and an advisor on a chinese political committee. Forward and perhaps that can be not to mention an expert desk alleviated if the president has the chance to change those cuts around. Theres a divide inside the gop over whether thats the right way to go. The other problem is that the white house sees it and says no we dont want to that have political ownership of these cuts. When harry reid speaks of revenue he means tax revenue. Unless republicans are willing to agree dana to raise taxes in effect not by raising tax rate but by eliminating loopholes or deductions or whatever there wont be a deal. Thats whats is going on right now, right . Reporter thats exactly whats going on. It really is the classic philosophical divide between these two parties, republicans are saying we simply will not go for what the democrats want which is raising revenue, raising taxes by closing loopholes and doing other things and democrats are saying were not even talking about a deal unless thats on the table to try to cutback on some of those, those spending cuts that they think will be so devastating. Getting back to the other story youre working on the Senate Confirmation of chuck hey fwel to be the defense secretary the final vote 5841. 58 in favor confirmation. I dont know if all showed up. 5841. Looks like its almost strictly along party lines if you take a look at 5545 the makeup between the democrats and the republicans in the senate. Youre not surprised by this, are you in. Reporter into a couple of democrats earlier in the day were absent. It looks like a handful maybe four or five republicans who crossed party lines. It isnt surprising. The vote earlier to stop the republican filibuster to allow this go forward 18 republicans crossed party lines to allow that. Thats a far different kind of vote for actually confirming somebody to be the defense secretary or anything. Thats a very different kind of vote. It isnt surprising given the real backlash that we saw from, again, we should underscore this chuck hagels former republican cleerks hes a former republican senator and what we have seen over the past several weeks with his nomination the way republicans have tried to torpedo it is almost unprecedented. Theres a republican divide to say cut a deal. Listen to what senator Lindsey Graham told me here in the situation room yesterday. Now is the time to group. Both parties need group. We need to find a chance to do the big dip. Other republicans see grave consequences if the House Speaker john boehner agrees to raise taxes to avoid those forced budget cuts. I dont quite honestly believe that Speaker Boehner would be speaker if that happens. I think he would lose his speakship. Lets get more now with our chief National Correspondent john king. What Lindsey Graham was suggesting a grand bargain if you will deal with major tax reform eliminating loopholes, deductions, lowering some rates but at the same time entitlement reform, major reform in Social Security and medicare medicaid. He says if you do that then maybe there could be a deal but obviously thats not going done between now and friday. Thats why the Republican Leadership and its colleagues while he has the right to have that opinion they wish he would be quiet. Lets deal with the issue the sequester or forced budget cuts. If the speaker agrees to tax increases to deal with the sequester he would lose his job. Republicans are shrugging at that one because the speaker has been crystal clear. There might be more infighting among republicans. They are pretty unified on the basic question which they say no tax increases for this point the 85 billion. Thats what makes this so interesting. Republicans are digging in because they know what the president is asking to go to their holy grail tax increase. They just raised taxes seven weeks ago. The president wants the loopholes closed. Whats so unpopular about that . Then you still get back to the bigger questions. Even if they figure out something for the sequester, then you go back to the bigger deficit reduction where the president is asking for more tax increase. Republicans raised taxes one. If they get a grand bargain that might be twice. You can bet the ranch her not going to do it a third time. The whole point that some republicans are now saying even in these final days you know what mr. President you dont like these 85 billion in mandatory across the board spending cuts well give you flexibility come up with 85 billion price tag or number but you have the flexibility to decide where those cuts should take place. The president saying not so fast hes not interested. Because then he would own them. The white house or cabinet agencies would be making the designates on what gets cut and what doesnt. Some republicans are worried that the administration would use that to cut programs that republicans tend to like and not cut programs democrats tend to like. What republicans think would give the president what he wants. He said this is a meat cleaver. What the republicans say it would prove you can cut this spending which remember is still a growth in spending the federal government even with this 85 billion will spend more this year than last year. Republicans would say it proves you can cut the spending without devastating consequences. The president said this may be my idea to begin with but were all at the table. We have a significant debate coming up in our next hour right here. Steve moore of the wall street journal goes up against veteran wall street financier chief rattner. A good debate in the next hour. The new york city mayor dabbling in illinois politics. Why Michael Bloomberg is dumping millions of dollars into a congressional race hundreds of miles from home. Are conservatives snubbing new Jersey Governor Chris Christie. We have details of an invitation that apparently never came. This is the pursuit of perfection. For over 75 years people. With geico. Ohhh. Sorry . Directors voice here we go. From the top. And action for over 75 years people have saved money with gecko so. Directors voice cut it . What. What did i say . Gecko . I said gecko . Aw. For over 75 year. laughs. But still trying to keep it contained directors voice keep it together. Im good. Im good. For over 75. uncontrollable laughter . What are you doing there . Stop making me laugh. Vo geico. Saving people money for over seventyfive years. Gecko dont look at me. Dont look at me. [ male announcer ] thats why theres ocuvite to help replenish key eye nutrients. Ocuvite has a unique formula not found in your multivitamin to help protect your eye health. Ocuvite. 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With xerox, youre ready for real business. The monstrous winter storm thats blasted much of the midwest is barreling eastward right now. The blizzard has dumped record amounts of snow in parts of the region, shut down power to tens of thousands, brought travel to a crawl and has even proven deadly. Jason carroll is joining us from peoria, illinois. Is it still packing much much a punch . Reporter we had a light snow here now for the better part of an hour or two. If you look straight across the Illinois River you can see visibility is foggy at its best. The problem were seeing out here is mound of snow like this. Its an indication that the people here are trying to get over the last storm that blew through here. Blinding blizzard conditions near white out closed highways in several states. Blowing and drifting snow combined with wind gusts up to 60 Miles Per Hour made for treacherous driving. In amarillo people stepped out into this. The storm dumped 19 inches of snow monday breaking a one day snowfall record that stood for more than a century. Many here already weary from the last snowstorm which hit the Southern Plains a week ago. The warnings this time all too familiar. Texas under a state of emergency. So too is kansas. Were very concerned about this storm. We believe it may be worst than the last one. Reporter a motorist killed as a result of the storm. In missouri kansas citys mayor urging people to stay inside. We need our kansas city citizens to take this seriously and to spread the word and to be off the roads as much as possible. Reporter in oklahoma a roof caved in killing one inside. We did have that collapse and one individual was found dead at the scene there. Reporter most of the trouble was on the roads. Motorists some stranded for hours as emergency crews tried to reach them. But this is the midwest and people here have seen and measured much worse. Were approaching 6 1 2 to 7 inches of snow. Reporter 6 1 2 to 7 inches, not expecting that much here in peoria. But actually, wolf, some farmers in the state of kansas who were looking forward to the snow they needed the moisture to think it ground but theres very small consolation to people who ended up getting stuck out on the roads. Jason thank you. Meanwhile other news were following including a special election today in illinois. House seat, a congressional house seat is drawing attention and a lot of money from the mayor of new york city. Michael bloomberg is flexing his financial muscle in the race where gun control has become a top issue. Our National Political correspondent jim acosta is joining us now. Why is Michael Bloomberg anxious to get involved in this special election for a congressional seat. You heard the pro democracy slogan oneman onevote. Whats happening in this race in little may be described one mayor one district. In the chicago area where street violence is raging its no surprise gun control could be the divisive issue in the democratic primary for congressional seat thats up for grabs. Watch out for debbie halvorson. When he was in congress before she was got an a for the nra. The man who is pushing tissue more than anybody else is not from illinois. New york city mayor Michael Bloomberg super p. A. C. Dumped several million into the race. Kelley will join president obama to take on the nra. Because its a special election to replace congressman Jesse Jackson jr. Who resigned abruptly last november the candidates have had only a few no, sir campaign. Halverson said bloombergs money has made her the underdog. First thing they tell me were with you. Were sick and tired of those commercials. A mayor of new york will never control this election. We dont want someone sticking their nose into little politics. Pro control mayor argues hes putting his millions to good use. The public should stand up. Im part of the public. I happen to have some money. Thats what im going to do with my money is try to get us some sensible gun laws. With chicago still reeling from the highprofile murder of hidalyia pendleton, robin kelley has her own ads. But no matter the issue the Campaign Watchdog group the Sunlight Foundation says bloombergs meddling in hil is just another reminder of so you super p. A. C. S can play king maker in tiny races. What it tells you is somebody with a lot of money can tip the balance in a race. It looks like he will determine the next member of congress for the chicago district. Hes going to be picking the next member of congress . Thats the way it looks. But the polls are still open and they have to count the votes in illinois and theres one other big election day factor in that race the snow could affect the turnout. Look at that right now. This live picture of chicago theres still some snow coming down. Well have to find out whether the snow affects this race as much as the blizzard of money thats going into these ads from mayor bloomberg. That doesnt look like a whole lot of snow to me. Those people are used to winter. Folks in chicago can deal with it. Well be speaking here in the situation room tomorrow with the reverend Jesse Jackson his sons district as you know where the special election is taking place. Reverend Jesse Jackson will join us here in the situation room tomorrow a special interview with him coming up. Also coming up here today were not getting any younger or are we. A new study is sure to put a spring back in your step especially if youre over 70. Whats going on . Well tell you. [ male announcer ] a lot of sinus products dont treat cough. They dont . [ male announcer ] nope, but alka seltzer plus severe sinus does it treats your worst sinus symptoms, plus that annoying cough. [ breathes deeply ] oh, what a relief it is [ angry gibberish ] picasso painted one of his master works at 56. Doris taerbaum finished her first marathon at 50. Not everyone peaks in their twenties. Throughout their lives. Passion keeps them realizing possibilities. An ally for real possibilities. Aarp. Find tools and support at aarp. Org possibilities. This is what its like. Paying full price for a hotel room. And this is what its like getting a highend hotel room for 45 off published prices. With travelocitys top secret hotels. Ooo, tingly. A popular tourist attraction takes a disastrous turn. Some of the other top stories in the situation room right now. Staterun media in egypt say gas is to blame for todays deadly hot air explosion over luxor. In this video shot from another balloon the ill fated craft is seen exploding on its descent and plummeting. 19 people died. Two are hospitalized. Governor of luxor province have grounded all hot air balloons until further notice. In boston the bus company pulled almost its entire fleet of buses 21 out of 28 from the road. According to the boston globe the decision was made after state inspectors discovered structural cracks in several of the companys buses. They are using charter buses and reduced schedules to make their run between boston and new york. Recovery in the Housing Market is picking up. Prices rose at an annual rate of 7. 3 in 2012 and Census Bureau says new home sales rocketed more than 15 from december to january. Lower mortgage rates, tighter supply and a stronger economy are credited with fueling that upswing. Okay so hawaii conjures upping thoughts of a warm tropical beach, swaying palm trees. Certainly not snow capped mountains. Well hawaii got a burst of Winter Weather over the weekend. Several inches of snow blanketed the mauna kea volcano. Its not expected to stay very long. Rain and high winds followed the snow and temperatures are on the rise. What a gorgeous sight. A lot of people dont realize you can go skiing in hawaii. Big island has just about every climate on the globe. Desert. Rain. I went to high school on the big island. A shout out to my high school the hawaii preparatory academy. How are you supposed to say it . Some people say hawaii but if youre there a lot of people say hawaii. How do you say it . Depending on the company im keeping but usually i say hawaii. Hawaii. Hawaii. Love it. Buffalo state. A lot of family there but the big island is a waterfall place to visit. A plug for the island. Thank you, lisa. Up next some republicans go on the record over the hot issue of same sex marriage. They are now backing it, they are urging the United StatesSupreme Court to do the same. So whats going on . Our strategy session. Thats next. Citrucel is different its the only fiber for regularity that wont cause excess gas. Its gentle and clinically proven to help restore and maintain regularity. Look for citrucel today. Its lots of things. 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Its not rocket science. Its just common sense. From td ameritrade. Top republicans are backing gay marriage just weeks before the United StatesSupreme Court takes up the hot button issue. At least 75 highprofile gop members have signed whats called a friend of the court brief urging the nine justice to rule in favor of same sex marriage. The signers include some close advisors to former president george w. Bush, some former governors, two members of congress and our own cnn contributor republican strategist ana navarro who is also joining donna brazil. Whats going on among these republicans. A lot of them not necessarily known as supporters of gay marriage, why are they now coming out signing this letter . I think it was a personal choice. You know, were very respectful of the process and of the court. I think everybody who is on there is on there because of a personal choice because of personal feelings. This is an evolving issue. Its one thats very personal, complex, emotional. For me its very simple, wolf. I cannot look into my friends eyes and say to a friend of mine they are entitled to less rights than i am, they are less equal than i am. Its not about politics its about human rights. Everybody has their own reasons to do it. For the most part its a personal journey for everybody. You know the end of march, the arguments will be made, the oral arguments will be made before the Supreme Court by the end of june we expect a decision on whether or not the country is going to go along with this from the federal perspective. A letter like this could influence some of those wavering members of the United States court. Im sure the court is split. It may influence justice kennedy. Who knows what other justices. Maybe justice roberts. Wish it would influence all nine justice because theres no place for discrimination in our society. Im proud of honor. Of course i would support the champion for human rights for all people but this is an issue, wolf, where Public Opinion has dramatically shifted in favor of same sex marriage in nine states including the District Of Columbia as some form of marriage equality. Its time all 50 states have this. We have to be a party where you can coexist. If youre a believer in equal rights and gay equality and if you are not. Thats the kind of big tent that we need to build as republicans where we can all respect each other and where there is a party that embraces diversity of thought. Looked at that list of 75 republicans. Jon huntsman a information governor of utah, former president ial candidates, a conservative and mormon he signed that letter as well. There were some other pretty significant name. My congresswoman, current congresswoman who is currently serving signed that letter. I can tell you shes got some very conservative constituents in places like little havana. Its worth noting theres three latino republicans that signed that. It talks about the diversity that there is within the party and within the thought and that we cant afraid of being. You can be anything. Thats what personal sfreem about and what the Republican Party is about. So many peoples views on this have evolved. Bill Clinton Colin powell, some others. Well see what happens. I hope anna and others will lead the way. What are you hearing . Youre pretty well plugged in. Why wasnt the republican governor of new jersey chris christie, very popular guy invited to this conservative political event thats going to be taking place in the coming days, cpac the conference here in washington . Theres people who have some issues with them. Some people still lay some blame on him for the Election Results and for what happened. Because he hugged the president. Look, cpac is a conservative meeting for conservatives. And god knows conservatives have enough soul searching of their own to do. If you ask me i tell you i think they did him a favor by not inviting him. His numbers are at 74 approval in new jersey. I can tell you that not getting involved to cpac might bump it up to 80. I think they did him a great favor. What do you think . I think its bad not to be invited. On the other hand he is a conservative. Democrats see him as a conservative. This will clearly help him with independents in new jersey. To exclude a prominent member of your party at a time when your party is in the midst of soul searching trying to rebrand yourself, retool, reach out i think is a huge mistake. But then im not a conservative. Anna is and shes going. The part is why make a big fuse about it. Why say we didnt invite him were not going if youre not going invite him dont say anything. Its worth noting how much has changed that just last year he was one of the featured speakers at cpac chicago meeting. I want to move on to another subject. Right now campaign ad a new one for teddy turner the son of cnn founder ted turner. Hes a High School Economics teacher in South Carolina. Hes running in the republican primary for an open house seat. Also in the crowded republican field former South Carolina governor mark sanford who resigned after famously saying he was going hiking instead flew to argentina to see his mistress. Heres the ad and what appears to be a swipe at san period. Weve come a long way. I know its a few much it was a few trillion. Ill keep my promises this time. It will be different. Im sorry for all the mistakes i made. Just give me one more chance. Break up with career politicians, the right guy teddy turner. Conservative republican. Economics teacher. Not a politician. Im teddy turner and i approve this message. Funny ads work in a special election . They get media. They get attention. Ill tell you something for not being a career politician he sure learned pretty quick how to put a whammy of an ad. He should have used some barry white. Or should have used dont cry for me argentina. But, you know, its a very competitive race. I think hes trying to establish himself as somebody who is not like his father mr. Turner, though i have no problems with his dad. I think his dad is a hero. This is a very interesting contest in a conservative part of the country and im looking forward to see if mark sanford can redeem himself. So many politicians have come back after falling to the wayside. Its an effective ad. Hes highlighting two things one Mark Sanfords past character flaws and number two hes not a career politician. Thanks very much. Coming up button down john kerry loosening up a bit on his first overseas trip as secretary of state. We have details his town hall meeting in berlin. Hey tell you u need your oil changed you got to bring it in. If your tires need to be rotated, you have to get that done as well. 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Our Foreign Affairs correspondent is traveling with secretary kerry. Kerry the secretary of state of the United States. Reporter in a town hall style meeting in berlin americas top diplomat john kerry sporting a preppy pink tie showed he can loosen up. At one point the often buttoned up kerry turned folksy in explaining americas right to free speech. In america you have a right to be stupid. If you want to be. And you have a right to be disconnected to somebody else if you want to be. And we tolerate it. Reporter on his first trip overseas as secretary of state kerry seems intent on avoiding diplomatic disasters, especially in his first meeting with russia. We want to reset reporter like his predecessor infamous misspelled reset button. We worked hard to get the right russian word. You got it wrong. Reporter kerrys photo op of the Russian Foreign minister was over in a minute. They seemed eager to get down to business. But when the cameras left kerry and sergei spent two hours together nearly half of which was devoted syria. Lets see if anything positive emerged from that meeting. Well stay in touch with jill dougherty. Lets get back to our top story. Three days left to see if those forced spending cuts, 85 billion over the next seven months go into effect. Our chief political analyst has been talking to senior Administration Officials. Is there any progress being made at all to avert those cuts between now and friday . Sure doesnt seem so. The senior Administration Officials i spoke with seem completely dug in on this. They are not having meetings with the House Speaker or the republican leader in the senate. They told me that they believe that politically everyone agrees with him on this, that this debate occurred during the 2012 election, that it was resolved, people want a balanced approach, spending cuts and some tax increases, and one senior official said to me the only thing we can think of is that republicans cant figure out a way to get all of their people together which is why they are putting this focus on us. So as you can hear, wolf, there is no give on this at this point as we stare into that deadline. Because see the president says these are stupid ways to make cuts it is very painful, teachers, head start, certain Defense Department employees. Just a dumb way to do it across the board. Some republicans are now saying you know what mr. President well give you flexibility. Right. Its up to you to decide a smarter way to get rid of some waste, fraud and abuse, you come up with a plan well support you and the white house says absolutely, unequivocally no. One Senior Administration official said it would be quota cynical device, that it would be a complete sham, the republican proposal that is. And one official put to it me this way. He said you know its as if somebody says okay you have to cut off 2005 your fingers and well give you a choice of which two of your fingers you want cut off. Not much of a choice. As you know wolf there are also republicans who object to that like senator john mccain who say why would we give the president more authority to decide where these cuts go. Why should we abdicate in that sense. So from the administrations perspective an absolute complete nonstarter. What about the idea Lindsey Graham had. A grand bargain. Hell deal with more tax revenue, eliminate loopholes, deductions, lower some rates, tax reform in exchange for entitlement reform, Social Security, medicare reform, lets do a big deal and then well get to the bottom. Lindsay fwrams was over at the white house today and i guarantee you that that question was probably posed by the president of the United States. Is the president open to that . Its hard to say at this point because you have to get through this problem before you can get to the grand bargain. But from the white house perspective you know they believe they put a plan on the table. They put a serious deal on the table. And when you say to them okay how do you get past this, this issue we have with march 1, there is a possibility of some kind of a short term kind of deal like a credit card down payment, but, again, i think the administration would insist that it have some revenue component and thats a nonstarter for republicans and then, of course, wolf, what everybody is talking about is this question of do you find some way to deal with all of this on march 27th when we have this impending potential government shut down and when