facility? >> you don't think the president would make a mistake taking on this fight? >> he's on a dilemma here. if he doesn't nominate her he looks weak and if he does, he has a fight on his hands and a polar rising secretary of state nominee. >> ed? >> i'm not a big rice fan but i think if the president wants to hut her as secretary of state it's his prerogative. it will be a knock down, dragout fight but at the end of the day i think he will win it and we will move forward. >> let's move to the overwhelming vote at u.n. this week, 148 to 9 to recognize palestine as a, quote, nonmember observer state. mara, what does that do for the palestinians, what does it mean in terms of the israeli-palestinian peace process? >> a big boost for the palestinians. they were thrilled and this is something the united states didn't want to happen.