more leverage in order to be more flexible on diplomacy. and in order to do that, they have to get tough on russia. they recognize that and this is what they're trying to do. >> okay, that's strange, john. >> yeah. >> the president likes credit. >> he likes to be the front man. why the the one issue in which he doesn't want to be the front man and take the credit have to do with russia and election meddling? and the pushback, by the way, the senators are giving is that this should be done mandatorily. there was a quick moment, though, that was really important that i think got lost. mike rogers, former nsa for donald trump, at a conference earlier this week staid that he would brief president trump on russia and election meddling. and he said without fully explaining it, the president would say something to the effect of, mike, you know i'm in a different place, than the reality of the briefing he was presenting on on russia and election meddling. that demands further scrutiny. >> i'm glad you're highlighting that. john, abby, thank you very much. okay, other news as well. at this hour, pope francis is meeting with u.s. bishops of the catholic church at the vatican about the priest sex abuse