And with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. And. This program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Brown washington was awhirl today with more talk of avoiding the muchdiscussed fiscal cliff. But as november wound down, the president suggested an agreement on taxes and spending could come in time for the holidays. I believe that both parties can agree on a frame work that does that in the coming weeks. In fact my hope is to get this done before christmas. You know me, i was born with the glass half full. Im an optimist. Brown hopeful signs emanated from the white house and the capitol today, about getting a deal before the new year brings automatic tax hikes and spending cuts. President obama offered his optimism at an event with middleclass americans whod be hit by any tax increase. Im glad to see if youve been reading the papers lately that more and more republicans in congress seem to be agreeing with this idea that we should have a balanced approach. So if both parties agree we should not raise taxes on middle class families, lets begin our work with where we agree. Brown one such lawmaker is Republican House member tom cole of oklahoma. The journal politico reported hes urging colleagues to extend middle class tax cuts but allow tax rates for top earners to rise for now. Thats what the president wants, but Republican Leaders have called for raising revenues by closing loopholes and capping deductions. And this morning, House Speaker john boehner said hed reinforced that position to congressman cole. Youre not going to grow the economy if you raise tax rates on the top two rates. Itll hurt Small Businesses, itll hurt our economy, its why its not the right approach. Were willing to put revenue on the table as long as were not raising rates. Brown despite the president s talk of changing minds, politicos manu raju says that privately, House Republicans think they can win this fight. Right now the Republican Leadership feels pretty confident that they have most of their folks in line. They all generally support keeping tax rates low for virtually for every single income group. They do not want to see incomes increase for that top tax bracket. Brown meanwhile, on the senate floor, Minority Leader Mitch Mcconnell criticized democrats for putting Social Security off limits in any deficit deal. As for Social Security, the only thing we hear from why in the world wouldnt they want to talk about the fact that this Vital Program started spending out more than it took in 2010, for the first time in nearly 30 years and that its trustees now estimate that it will keep spending more than it takes it in for 75 years unless we strengthen it. Brown majority whip dick durbin answered that Social Security isnt the issue; its medicare and medicaid. Social security does not add one penny to the deficit. Its an important program, a critical program. Lets take care of it in the future. Lets do it separate from the debt debate. Medicare is another story. Medicare has 12 years of life left and let me make a point of saying it has eight of those years because of president obamas leadership. Brown white house officials said the president will send treasury secretary Timothy Geithner and legislative chief rob nabors to the capitol tomorrow, to meet with congressional leaders. Warner online, we have a primer explaining how the fiscal cliff might affect you. Still, to come on the newshour debating palestinian status at the u. N. ; reading the fine print; tackling Immigration Reform and repurposing digital data gathered during the campaign. But first, the other news of the day. Heres hari sreenivasan. Sreenivasan wall street tracked the ups and downs of the fiscal cliff drama in washington today. At one point, the Dow Jones Industrial average was off more than 100 points. But stocks made up the ground after the president s talk of a deal by christmas. The dow ended with a gain of nearly 107 points to close at 12,985. The nasdaq rose 24 points to close well over 2,991. A moderate republican senator Susan Collins of maine voiced new concerns today about u. N. Ambassador susan rice. It stemmed from rices initial account, on a sunday talk show, of the attack on the u. S. Consulate in benghazi, libya. At the time, she said it began as an antiamerican protest, but she now says she was working off faulty intelligence. Rice met with collins for 90 minutes today, but afterward the senator remained critical. I still have many questions that remain unanswered. I continue to be troubled by the fact that the u. N. Ambassador decided to play what was essentially a political role at the height of the contentious president ial Election Campaign by agreeing to go on the sunday shows to present the administrations position. Sreenivasan collins stopped short of joining other republican senators who have said they will oppose rice if she is nominated to be secretary of state. Later, president obama again defended rice. He called her extraordinary, and cabinet members joined him in applause. A pair of suicide car bombers in syria blew themselves up today in a suburb of damascus. At least 34 people were killed. The twin explosions shattered buildings and left streets littered with rubble. In addition to the dead, the state news agency reported dozens of people were wounded. Meanwhile, in the north, rebels said they shot down a government fighter jet with an anti aircraft missile. In egypt, the political crisis took a new turn, as two top Appellate Courts went on strike against president mohammed morsi. They said they wont return to work until morsi rescinds decrees giving himself near absolute power. At the same time, the Supreme Constitutional Court rejected morsis claims that its undermining his government. translated the egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court will not be terrorized from any threat or blackmail and it will not be subjected to any pressure from anyone, no matter how forcible the pressure. And the Supreme Constitutional Court is ready to face this, whatever the consequences, which could be a high price, even if the price is the life of its judges. Sreenivasan the courts actions came a day after nationwide protests against morsis decrees. And late today, there was word the egyptian leader will address the country tomorrow about his actions and the response. Rebels in eastern congo have begun pulling out of territory they seized from Government Troops just last week. Neighboring countries had issued an ultimatum for the m23 fighters to withdraw from the key town of goma by friday. The group is made up mainly of soldiers who deserted the Congolese Army last april. U. N. Experts and the congolese government say rwanda is backing the rebels, in a bid to seize mineral wealth. The rebels deny the charge. Three b. P. Employees were arraigned in new orleans today on charges stemming from the 2010 oil disaster in the gulf of mexico. The charges ranged from manslaughter to concealing information. The two rig supervisors and a former executive pleaded not guilty. Separately, the u. S. Environmental Protection Agency barred b. P. From new federal contracts indefinitely. It cited a lack of business integrity. Those are some of the days major stories. Now, back to margaret. Warner the Palestinian Authority will make an historic move tomorrow at the United Nations, despite being discouraged by the United States. For palestinian president mahmoud abbas, it is a moment of diplomatic and political opportunity. Tomorrows vote in the u. N. General assembly. We are going tomorrow to the United Nations to upgrade the status of palestine to an observer state at the u. N. And this is the first step to accomplish our palestinian rights which we have cemented in warner abbas is seeking recognition of palestine as a nonmember observer state encompassing the west bank, gaza and East Jerusalem along the pre1967 war borders. His fatah faction only rules now in part of the west bank. Its islamist rival hamas, which advocates violent resistance to israel, controls gaza. After long opposing abbass u. N. Efforts, the militant hamas recently endorsed the move. translated the Hamas Movement is with all the diplomacy acts that adds to the palestinian victories. We welcome the step for statehood at the United Nations but we want it to be through a National Program based on the resistance and keeps the palestinian rights. Warner General Assembly recognition would put palestine on a par with the vatican at the u. N. , but would not grant full representation. Last year, abbas failed to win full u. N. Membership for a state of palestine. The u. S. Is opposed to even limited recognition, saying it will endanger prospects for a negotiated settlement with israel. State Department SpokeswomanVictoria Nuland issued that warning again today. We are concerned that this vote is going to make the work of getting. The work of getting the parties back to the table more difficult. Warner but the palestinians u. N. Representative Riyad Mansour voiced the opposite view yesterday. It should be respected by everyone and we should get ready for the day after. The day after that we desire is to create a conducive atmosphere to go to negotiation in order to reach an agreement with israel that will end the occupation that started in 1967 and allow for the independence of our state, the state of palestine, warner a majority of the General Assemblys 193 members are expected to vote yes, not just the muslim and developing countries, but a good number of european nations, too. Denmark, spain, switzerland and, as of yesterday, france. You know that for years and years, the constant position of france has been to recognize the palestinian state. So that is why i am answering you directly next thursday or friday, when the question is put before us, france will answer yes out of a desire for coherence. Warner germany said again today it will vote no. Britain announced it will abstain, but would vote yes if the palestinians pledge not to try to join the International Criminal court, and agree to return to negotiations without conditions. Israeli government spokesman mark regev dismissed abbass effort again today. This palestinian move at the its not going to change anything on the ground. The only way to make life better for both israelis and palestinians is to solve the issues that separate us, it is through peace talks, direct peace talks, and we are ready. I frankly dont understand how the palestinians expect to make peace if they refuse to talk to us, only through direct peace talks can we solve the issues and make a better future. Warner for president abbas, the u. N. Win could boost his standing, after the recent conflict in gaza bolstered hamas among palestinians and across the middle east. For more on the palestinian bid, im joined by David Makovsky and gaith alomari, executive director of the American Task force on palestine. Welcome back to both of you. Lets start by explaining why is this such a big deal . Youve got the u. S. Vociferously opposed to it. Why is this such a big deal, first of all, for the palestinians . For president abbas, the stagnation in the Peace Process over the last couple of years, his lack of any diplomatic achievements throughout that period, and the fact that we have seen hamas gaining more and more mainstreaming in the region and beyond the region makes it warner gaining more popularity . More popularity, more diplomatic recognition by some of the arab countries, et cetera, all of these things have made abbas need a diplomatic achievement. Not necessarily for the Strategic Value of it, but for the political value and for the credibility thats been given him in the palestinian streets. Warner why is it such a big deal for israel . For israel they see it as politically harmful, as a step away from the tablement as gaith said, weve been in this impasse now for a few years and it seems it incentivizes, the palestinians go to a third party, the u. N. , to impose an outcome of statehood and to get the statehood without going through through peace. And that these two ideas should be really joined. So thats the main point of the second fear is that somehow this would put a snowball impact on the International Criminal court and create certain efforts to delegitimize israel in the International Arena and if there was another gaza situation that it would impair israels ability to defend itself. Warner because the new palestinian state, quote unquote, might take the opportunity to go to the i. C. C. Right. Warner theyd be at least entitled to try for membership there. So gaith back to you. What impact did the gaza conflict that just ended a week ago have on all the the actors here . From a palestinian point of view, from point of view of president abbas, it made it very clear and it sharpened his need for political achievement. So it made him more determined to go through with this step. For some of the europeans, i think, they felt that hamas diplomatic and political gains are getting too much. And abbas needs, again for himself. So you saw some countries like france and others changing their view, moving from abstention to actually voting for because they felt that the trend are going in a negative direction. And i suspect what we will see in the israeli and american reaction and the day after some recognition that the balance of power in palestine has shifted and abbas needs to be supported at this moment, even though there is tremendous frustration with his move. But i think strategically they understand he has to be strengthened otherwise its going to be hamas that will take the lead. Warner do you agree . Do you expect israels reaction to be less negative than it would have been two weeks ago . Explain this. I think actually gaith and i agree. I think that its more muted right now. Now, things could change in 24 hours if abbas gives an incendiary speech at the u. N. Where like hes done in the past, said jerusalem is only the capital for christianity and islam and hasnt even mentioned the jewish connection of the land. So the tone could impact things. But i think its more muted for the reason gaith said. I think there is some concern that with the Gaza Campaign last week that that gave hamas too much of a boost and this would really be leading to a situation where israels steps could hurt the wrong guys. Warner you mean, for instance, if israel were to try to withhold the tax money they collect. Right. Well have to see for sure. But i think that is a big factor. I think a second element in this is the counterintuitive relationship that is emerging between president obama and Prime Minister netanyahu as a result of gaza. I was in jerusalem, i was in ramallah last week and during gaza and it was striking how the Prime Ministers people were very delighted by the statement of the president in east asia. Warner youre talking about the Prime Minister of israel were delightd . Right. And that therefore this is theyre not looking for something and it also may add that we just came off of a couple days ago and netanyahu will maximize the vote which also says that you can manage the american account. Warner but abbas as a leader in the Palestinian Community has been adversely affected by gaza, has he not . Oh, most certainly. Most certainly. Warner and his whole path toward negotiation . Basically the message incoming from hamas is negotiation and diplomacy have produced nothing, throwing missiles into israel is producing gains, whether politically now after the last gaza round they expect that things are going to go open up, the borders are going to open up. All of these things mean that hamas message that violence actually works is taking traction. While abbas message that diplomacy works have produced nothing over the last couple of years. Added to this i would say over the last year what we have seen is a very interesting dynamic. On the high diplomacy, the very visible diplomacy, a lot of tension and a lot of mutual recrimination. On the ground there has been a degree of cooperation between Prime Minister salify and his government and the Israeli Government to such an extent that you see elements wanting to reward that kind of trend and are aware that cutting off funds, whether by the u. S. Or israel actually hurts the only thing that has been working. So i think all of these things together come to produce would what i would hope would be a more rational response. Warner so bottom line what impact will this have on, say, the prospects for moving at all off the negotiation which is have been stalled for so many years . I think nothing is big is going to havetohappen until after the israeli elections in january and hopefully well see a broaderbased government and well see also president abbas realize two years of impasse, not coming to the table has not really yielded much and t