>> this guy, congressman from south carolina begins to heckles the guy. i'm like, okay, now governor mark sanford is the second most embarrassing politician from south carolina. >> republican congressman joe wilson's apologized for calling president obama a liar during his speech on health care. yeah. obama accepted wilson's apology and then invited him to appear before a death panel. >> what about a little bit of

south carolina needs better health care. and to get it, it may need some civil servants who are slightly more interested in getting that for the state. governor sanford considered just a year ago a possible presidential contender in 2012 led the fight to turn down stimulus funding from the federal government. shunning federal unemployment benefits when south carolina had the second highest rate of joblessness in the country. we should've seen that as a symbol. and that was all before he offered this fine moment in leadership. >> i've been unfaithful to my wife. i developed a relationship with a -- what started out as a dear, dear friend from argentina. about a year ago it sparked into something more than that. i have seen her three times since then. during that whole sparking thing. >> after that performance, the department of homeland security temporarily took away governor sanford's homeland security clearance. because they thought what the rest of the country thought, this man is not balanced. >>> and then there's south c

. >> the joke is on south carolina. yet again. all that and more now on "countdown." >> oh, no, you did not! >>> good evening from new york. i'm lawrence o'donnell in for keith olbermann. on this date in 2001, this nation rallied together in the wake of the worst attack ever to hit these shores. eight years later, the pain of what happened that morning feels just as acute, but in our fifth story on the countdown, the concept of working together toward a common goal for the public good. in this case, improving access to health care, has perhaps never seemed so distant. congressman joe wilson's outburst at wednesday's joint address to congress in which he called president obama a liar for his claim that illegal immigrants would not benefit from health care reform appears to have become the new rallying cry for the right. at a rally organized by republican lobbying groups and attended by the republican leadership, once the name of president obama was uttered from the podium, the crowd, breaking into a chant of "liar, liar, pants on f

what is going on in south carolina? >> something in the water. we talked yesterday to a lot of political leaders in the state who say this is really within character, frankly the politics already sort of rough and tumble there dating back to before the civil war when a south carolina congressman burst onto the senate floor and started beating a massachusetts senator with a cane over his head. the first senator was called out over a slavery issue, really just a state where it is rough politics as normal. >> you have been farther than that you go back to the scene on the movie from "1776" based on real events we see edward rutledge, the democratic from south carolina, arguing the issue of slavery with thomas jefferson. >> to us in south carolina, black slavery is our peculiar institution and a cherished way of life. >> nevertheless, we must abolish t. >> rutledge ultimately did sign the declaration of independence, the youngest man to do so. when you have an issue where racial politics has been around so long, is it pos thain is what is driving may

the gentleman from south carolina. mr. clyburn: mr. speaker, i continue to reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. boehner: mr. speaker, i'm pleased to yield to the gentlelady from washington state, mrs. mcmorris rodgers. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from washington is recognized for four minutes. mrs. mcmorris rodgers: mr. speaker, i thank the gentleman for yielding and i rise in opposition to this resolution. i think the facts are clear. congressman joe wilson admitted himself that his actions were wrong and that he shouldn't have done it and that he won't do it again. mr. wilson apologized to the president and that was the right thing to do. mr. speaker, how much longer does this -- does if this go on? what are we really accomplishing here today? the president accepted mr. wilson's apology and both the president and mr. wilson agreed it was time to move on. just late last week the speaker of this house said, and quote, it's time for us to talk about h

. >>> plus, it seems like a south carolina kind of day. governor mark sanford today defended his decision to stay in office. but can he survive the ground swell of calls for his resignation this week by the state's house republicans? >>> back to health care for a moment. could bill clinton become president obama's secret weapon to keep democrats in line when reform comes to a vote? that's in the "politics fix." >>> and we all know it's a bad idea to text while driving. well, it's not much smarter to text while you're on national television. virginia's eric cantor learned that lesson last night and we'll have it on the "hardball side show." but we begin with president obama and where the health care debate goes from here. senator jay rockefeller is a democrat from west virginia and a member of the finance committee. senator, congressman joe wilson from south carolina, it's like a mandatory question being asked by every politician in washington today, what was your take on it? >> my take was that it was a very small, i thought rather rude, i

that's south carolina. and of course in one instance, it's not really orneryness but something that sounds like that. that is the problem. on that inauspicious note, i have the great honor of presenting our first speaker, someone who can bring us into the here and now of political scandal. the reporter who drove to atlanta and enterprised her way into the first interview with a palmetto state governor returning from what many of us thought up until that moment had been the appalachian trail but was indeed argentina. a proud cougar, a graduate of the college of charleston, and a south carolinian we can be proud of and look forward to learning from, we have jeana smith with us. everyone please welcome jeana. [applause] jeana, all of us want to know what was it like sitting across from mark sanford that day? can you tell us and share some thoughts? >> sure. i have to hold my hand to keep the mic on and that will be difficult because he talk with my hands but thanks. mics help me out. yeah, i -- best way to sta

. >>> plus, it seems like a south carolina kind of day. governor mark sanford today defended his decision to stay in office. but can he survive the ground swell of calls for his resignation this week by the statehouse republicans? >>> back to health care for a moment. could bill clinton become president obama's secret weapon to keep democrats in line when reform comes to a vote? that's in the "politics fix." >>> and we all know it's a bad idea to text while driving. well, it's not much smarter to text while you're on national television. virginia's eric cantor learned that lesson last night and we'll have it on the "hardball side show." but we begin with president obama and where the health care debate goes from here. senator jay rockefeller is a democrat from west virginia and a member of the finance committee. senator, congressman joe wilson from south carolina, it's like a mandatory question being asked by every politician in washington today, what was your take on it? >> my take was that it was a very small, i thought rather rode, inte

. >>> plus, it seems like a south carolina kind of day. governor mark sanford today defended his decision to stay in office. but can he survive the ground swell of calls for his resignation this week by the statehouse republicans? >>> back to health care for a moment. could bill clinton become president obama's secret weapon to keep democrats in line when reform comes to a vote? that's in the "politics fix." >>> and we all know it's a bad idea to text while driving. well, it's not much smarter to text while you're on national television. virginia's eric cantor learned that lesson last night and we'll have it on the "hardball side show." but we begin with president obama and where the health care debate goes from here. senator jay rockefeller is a democrat from west virginia and a member of the finance committee. senator, congressman joe wilson from south carolina, it's like a mandatory question being asked by every politician in washington today, what was your take on it? >> my take was that it was a very small, i thought rather rude, inte

not just south carolina. we also have a senator in nevada that is a lot of trouble, but he is not up for election in 2010. i question is, i know you are conservative. i am conservative. but what governor sanford railed against president clinton, he is doing the same thing now. he had an affair. but in argentina. guest: true. caller: all of these moral values go aside when they are an office -- that is where i am frustrated with some people in the republican party. guest: anthony, i appreciate question. the thing i point out is that the most voters -- not all -- i think can separate the political party from the individual's and distractions -- individual's indiscretions. i don't think people will vote differently in new york with the governor's race comes along, based on elliott spitzer and what he did as a democrat. i do not think they will penalize the party for it because it happens to widespread on both sides of the aisle. i don't think they will label the republican party the party that cheats on their sp

if you are not investing in a place like south carolina, this problem will grow. we tried to make the pitch of them investing. we opened up an office in shanghai and the other office during this administration was an office in toronto. it is completely straight for to say you go where your strengths are. if you are in their neck of the woods and you can pick up something else, you do something. >>> there is an ulterior motive for what you were doing in argentina. >> if that was the case, that all the other places i have been around the globe, i guess i should not gone to those places either. the fact is that i was in eastern europe earlier this year prospecting. i was trying to say if there was something missing in poland that we should have. that is the nature of prospecting. i have been to many other places. >> we have a few more minutes with governor mark sanford. first, fast, and accurately from a team of news professionals. >> what are you doing with yourself in keeping busy aside from the rotaries? >> that is just the public schedule. for instance, we are on

especially in south carolina. and that frustration manifested itself last night on the floor of the u.s. congress. >> reporter: joe wilson's district is heavily republican. observers say an influx of hispanic immigrants in recent years has sparked tension over jobs and health care. tensions which had been weighing on the mind of the former immigration attorney. >> people who have come to our country and violated laws, we should not be providing full health care services. >> reporter: wilson once worked for legendary republican senator strom thurmond. >> congressman wilson is kind of the traditional south carolina congressman who focuses on keeping the people at home happy and when folks have an issue back in the district, they can call up their congressman. the congressman will take care of that. >> reporter: that's a formular observes say that keeps you in office in south carolina. since taking over floyd spens's seat in 2001, wilson had not been seriously challenged until last year. his opponent then, rob miller

not just south carolina. we also have a senator in nevada that is a lot of trouble, but he is not up for election in 2010. i question is, i know you are conservative. i am conservative. but what governor sanford railed against president clinton, he is doing the same thing now. he had an affair. but in argentina. guest: true. caller: all of these moral values go aside when they are an office -- that is where i am frustrated with some people in the republican party. guest: anthony, i appreciate question. the thing i point out is that the most voters -- not all -- i think can separate the political party from the individual's and distractions -- individual's indiscretions. i don't think people will vote differently in new york with the governor's race comes along, based on elliott spitzer and what he did as a democrat. i do not think they will penalize the party for it because it happens to widespread on both sides of the aisle. i don't think they will label the republican party the party that cheats on their sp

this is from a little-known congressman from south carolina. i think that was his welcome to the nfl moment if you will. >> and it's interesting in the backlash included the fact that many people are making contributions to rob miller, the democrat running against him. i believe it's now around $200,000 in contributions. but on the other side, luke, you have t-shirts that say "awe lie." people are supporting him. the balance of this here, what's next for congressman wilson. he doesn't seem to be backing down. he pointed out he's worked on immigration issues and this is his part -- >> tamron, excuse me, 48 hours ago, which one of any of us among us in the media would have thought that a little-known congressman from south carolina would become a culture icon overnight? >> right. >> the right is infatuated with him right now. when i was waiting to interview him, we had people from operation rescue, from freedom check, tea party people, tea party patriots. the leftist fired up saying we have to get this guy out of office. this guy, joe wilson n. ,

carolina. >> spending more time in the south. okay. you're the vote counter. you're the guy in charge of saying we have the votes, we don't have the votes. health careful are we going to see somebody introduce the president's health care bill? are you going to have somebody put together, hey, we have to put the president's plan on the famili floor of the u.s. house. is that going to happen? >> yes, that's going to happen. >> who is putting that together? >> the speaker is. she is working with the three committees. >> they want to take the president's blueprint and turn it into the house bill, correct? >> absolutely. we have one eye on the senate. he made it very clear. >> wait for that. >> absolutely. >> thanks giving is when the vice president said you would have a health care bill. is that a fair deadline? >> i think so. i think i agree with that will. >> thanksgiving. thank you very much. >> thank you very much for having me. >>> let's look at what congressman joe wilson had to say on his campaign website thursday. let take a

breaking news from south carolina governor mark sanford. he is devil raysing the media today after lawmakers of his own party ratchet up their call for him to resign. >> first of all, this conversation never took place. okay? >> bernie madoff coaching a potential witness on how to fool the sec. how did the fed get it so wrong and miss so many clues? >>> good afternoon. i'm david shuster. live in washington. >> i'm tamron hall live in new york. big picture this hour, president obama accepts congressman joe wilson's apology. republican house member from south carolina yelled out you lie during the president's health care speech to congress last night. and later apologized. take a listen to the outburst heard around the world. >> the reform -- the reforms i'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally. >> you lie! >> not that the outburst would have been inexcusable behavior but add this to the equation. here is the exact wording approveded by three house committees. congressman wilson said today he still believes illegal immigr

let's stick with south carolina. south carolina governor mark sanford says he won't bow to critics who want him to quit over that secret trip he made to argentina to see his mistress. holding a conference call in about 20 minutes to discuss the resolution calling for his resignation. at a news conference a few minutes ago, sanford threatened to use legal action to stop a report from being released to investigators. he says a full investigation should be conducted before anything is released. a letter was signed demanding his resignation. >>> we want to warn you, this next story is not for little ears. this is a politician talking about an affair with a mistress. actually more like bragging about his sexual exploits in detail. amazingly california governor mike duval said all of it without knowing a microphone was there. he said today the comments were not an admission of an affair. this is some of what he told another legislator while they were in a committee meeting. >> yeah, you heard what you thought he heard. he

cold mist at south carolina -- and upset alert. -- old miss at south carolina, an upset alert. mo brown not quite fast enough. caught inside of the nine. sets up spencer. a 30 yard field goal is good. 9-3 south carolina. it is finally breaking through in the red zone. a two-yard td. south carolina hangs on and keeps the upset alive, 16-10. the tour championship this week. 30 golfers earning the right to place in this tournament. if you want the biggest prize, you have to go through tiger. chasing down shawn. four under par. not stem the 12-footer. -- knocks down the 12-footer. one chance of one rotation shy. it did not fall. one shot back of him. >> that is just kroll. it really is. coming up, a look at the seven- day forecast. >> we have some cold stuff and wet stuff coming our way? >> a little cooler. it is all relative. a couple of showers tomorrow as the front slowly makes its way through. the sun will come out for the ravens and the brain goes away just in time for sunday afternoon. -- and the rain it goes away just in time for sunday afternoon. >> if you would like to see

don fowler from south carolina. what else was in columbia, south carolina tonight? really, really bad weather. huge thunderstorm which interfered with our satellite feed and cost us the chance to hear from mr. fowler. what can you do? we apologize to him and to you. we think it is a story worth talking about and aware hoping to do so as soon as it stops raining in south carolina. we turn now to our unplanned media event correspondent, kent jones. >> tv is an inexact science. statements things go wrong and sometimes things go terribly, terribly, terribly wrong. >> okay. >> this is one of those. the filter between private thoughts and public declarations can be perilously thin. case in point. here in new york, a local news anchor is exchanging pleasantries with the weather man on last night's newscast. >> it's tough to make a tender forecast. >> excuse me? >> based on the reaction of his co-anchor -- yes. he really did say that. >> clearly the word plucking was in his head. but the word right next to it came out. what

it's a 16-10, south carolina lead. under two minutes to go. the reverse. dexter mccluster, gets brought down. tucks it away. as darian stewart with the big hit. two plays later. fourth and 19. last chance for ole miss. snead. the pass is incomplete. and the gamecocks hold on to a 16-10 win. >>> tiger wood, he's the number one seed in the fedex cup standings. only the first round of the tour championship. tiger's approach, puts it within 12 feet. tiger would birdie and move to 1 under. 13th hole now. tiger on the green. this, for birdie. and woods moves to 2 under. finished the round with a 67, just 1 shot back of sean o'hair. back to you. >>> an unemployed man with a metal detector has hit the jackpot in england. >> he stumbled upon a massive archaeological trease. the biggest hall of angelo saxson gold and silver ever found. more than 1,000 pieces were unearthed, dating back to the seventh century. they include inscribed gold bands. >> the lucky treasure hunter could get half its value. it could be worth seven figures. he can stay unemployed. >>> coming u

>> his wife, her roots, her grandfather was from south carolina. and i think that there are many instances, requests have been made for eats one of them or both to come to the state. and i think the president could do a whole lot of good in this regard if we were to take a hard look at when he and she, or he or she would come to south carolina. >> spending time in the south will you're the vote counter. you're the guy in charge of saying we have the votes, we don't have the votes. health careful are we going to see somebody introduce the health care bill? hey, we have to put the president's plan on the floor. is that going to happen? >> yes, that's going to happen. >> who is putting that together? >> the speaker is. she is working with the three committees. >> they want to take the president's blueprint andture it into the house bill. >> absolutely. we have one eye on the senate. she made it very clear. >> absolutely. >> wait for that. thanksgiving is what the vice president said we would have a health care bill. is that a fair deadline? >> i think

a south carolina man is laid to cars, but this is ridiculous. a south carolina man is laid to rest in his cherished vehicle. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> hello and good morning. i'm christina brown. >>> today we begin with making his case. in a rare primetime address to congress this evening, president obama will lay out his prescription to over haul the nation's health care system. it is seen as the president's last best chance to regain control of the contentious issue. nbc's steve handelsman reports. >> some memory of our friend and departed colleague, late senator edward kennedy. >> reporter: back in session for the health care fight, the senate remembered ted kennedy. he would have led the push for optional government health insurance. outside the white house, demonstrators urged president obama not to give up on that. >> and any health reform that does not have the public option is not change we can believe in. >> reporter: house speaker pelosi said her bill, at least the first version will have it. >> as far as our ho

republican joe wilson of south carolina. today, the house approved an historic resolution of disapproval by a vote of 240-179. largely along party lines, though 12 democrats did vote no and seven republicans yes. it's the first time a member has been admonished for speaking out while the president was addressing a joint session. >> and to put him through this on the floor of the house i think unacceptable and it is a partisan stunt. >> classroom teachers and school children across the country and around the world looking in on our proceedings should see proper decorum and hear civil discourse. >> couric: jo wilson, who has apologized to president obama, reacted to the house rebuke. >> i believe today was a low day in terms of how the political process... and this really was a game of no meaning and so now we need to put this behind us and persons should be working for health insurance reform. >> couric: despite the rebuke of congressman wilson, mark strassmann tells us there are plenty of people in his district supporting hi

, south carolina. what else was in columbia, south carolina, tonight? really, really bad weather. houston thunderstorms, which interfered with our satellite feed and cost us the chance to hear from mr. fowler. what can you do? we apologize to mr. fowler and to you. we think it's a story worth talking about when we're hoping to do that just as soon as it stops raining in south carolina. we turn now to our unplanned media event correspondent kent jones. >> t is an inexact science. we prooued that this evening. sometimes things go wrong and sometimes things go terribly, terrib terribly, terribly rong. this is one of those. the filter between private thoughtings and public declarations can be perilously thin. case in point, here in new york, a local news anchor is exchanging pleasantries with the weather man on last night's forecast. >> it takes a tough man to make a tender forecast, nick. keep [ bleep ] that chicken. >> okay, i'll do that. >> excuse me? based on the reaction of his co-anchor, yes, he real

it's a 16-10, south carolina lead. under two minutes to go. the reverse. dexter mccluster, gets brought down. tucks it away. as darian stewart with the big hit. two plays later. fourth and 19. last chance for ole miss. snead. the pass is incomplete. and the gamecocks hold on to a 16-10 win. >>> tiger wood, he's the number one seed in the fedex cup standings. only the first round of the tour championship. tiger's approach, puts it within 12 feet. tiger would birdie and move to 1 under. 13th hole now. tiger on the green. this, for birdie. and woods moves to 2 under. finished the round with a 67, just 1 shot back of sean o'hair. back to you. >>> an unemployed man with a metal detector has hit the jackpot in england. >> he stumbled upon a massive archaeological treasure. the biggt hall of angelo saxson gold and silver ever found. more than 1,000 pieces were unearthed, dating back to the seventh century. they include inscribed gold bands. >> the lucky treasure hunter could get half its value. it could be worth seven figures. he can stay unemployed. >>> coming u

republican congressman joe wilson of south carolina. his recent scream may incite 'high-profile smackdown. >> the reforms -- the reforms that i'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally. >> you lie. >> that's not true. >> although wilson apologized to the president for shouting out you lie, although the president accepted the apology, top democrats in the house want him punished. according to the house's own historian, what they are pushing for right now, well, would mark the first time a member of congress is rebuked for speaking out during a presidential address to a joint session of congress. let's go straight to our congressional correspondent brianna keilar. she now has the details of this resolution that's being introduced. i wonder if you want to read it to us, brianna? >> reporter: yeah, wolf. here is what part of this resolution says. it's very brief. it says where the conduct of the representative from south carolina was a breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit o

the gentleman from south carolina. mr. clyburn: mr. speaker, i continue to reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from ohio. mr. boehner: mr. speaker, i'm pleased to yield to the gentlelady from washington state, mrs. mcmorris rodgers. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from washington is recognized for four minutes. mrs. mcmorris rodgers: mr. speaker, i thank the gentleman for yielding and i rise in opposition to this resolution. i think the facts are clear. congressman joe wilson admitted himself that his actions were wrong and that he shouldn't have done it and that he won't do it again. mr. wilson apologized to the president and that was the right thing to do. mr. speaker, how much longer does this -- does if this go on? what are we really accomplishing here today? the president accepted mr. wilson's apology and both the president and mr. wilson agreed it was time to move on. just late last week the speaker of this house said, and quote, it's time for us to talk about h

the support he's received in the south carolina district. is it threatened to harden the republican party reputation now? we'll talk to two members of congress. plus, september 11 is the reason we waged war in afghanistan. what is our mission there today. richard engel has been in the region recently and will give their take on the present state of afghanistan. it's the latest dwolment in an important week for president obama which included health care and his back to school speech. press secretary robert gibbs will do a briefing here. plus, with an interview sunday, we'll ask, are we seeing too much of president obama? it's all in the politics fix. it wouldn't be a political scandal without david letterman. that e's in the "hardball" side show. we begin with press house secretary robert gibbs. robert, sorry we didn't see you earlier today. we thought we would drag you out. >> i'll be in this room one way or another. >> i want to play a sound bite from wednesday, listen. >> while there remains significant details to be ironed out, i believe

joining us from greenville, south carolina, dean allen, running for general of the south carolina national guard. dean, good to see you today. 3. >> good afternoon, ma'am. >> okay. explain to me this very unusual idea for a fund-raiser. >> well, the idea may seem very unusual but the thought behind it is very usual and important. we want to show solidarity with the second amendment to the constitution. the most important right people have is the right to keep and bear arms. one of my concerns is our state guard is not properly trained and equipped and i intend to see that they are and i was told, well, there's a possible of liability if you arm the state guard. we're out here running civilians through a fund-raiser having fun on a saturday afternoon. we give them a ten-minute safety briefing, put live ammo in their hands. nobody gets hurt. people were coming up with pretty good targets and having me autograph their targets for them. it's not a safety issue, and all of our rights including the first amendment to be here and talk to are predicated on supporting the second amendment. that's w

this<@q& is michael smith down charleston, south carolina. speaking of the truth without piling on to go back to your original trip to argentina. in 2007 i attended a south carolina world trade center dinner hosted in honor of the argentina ambassador to the united states. during that dinner the ambassador administrationed he had met with you during his visit to south carolina and when asked if strengthening trade ties between argentina and a south carolina would be a priority among those among your economic development agenda, the ambassador said that you  that that would not be a priority. so i'm curious about what changed your mind a year later when you decided to add the argentina leg of your trade trip to brazil? >> let me let the governor tackle that? >> you are there. you're in brazil. you're in that neck of the woods. i think it was completely true to say that the dominant trading partners with south carolina were -- with about a 50-year history had been europe, predominantly tied to germany with the bmw hub, and other firms, and tha

congressman joe wilson of south carolina, today's "worst person in the world" in a landslide. >>> that's "countdown," for this, the 2,223rd day since the previous president declared mission accomplished in iraq. i'm keith olbermann. good night and good luck. now to resume our analysis of the president's address to congress tonight, ladies and gentlemen, here is rachel maddow. good evening, rachel. >> good evening, keith. thank you very much for that and thank you at home for staying with us for the next hour. white house adviser david axelrod will be joining us in just a moment, as will senator barbara boxer. she will be joining us, as will congressman barney frank, as will chris hayes from "the nation." i'm here as you can see by the big building behind me, i'm here in washington on the occasion of the president's big health care speech. we are anticipating a very busy studio here. it's all coming up this hour. it is going to be a great show. we begin tonight with what has become almost a ritual for u.s. presidents. a little over an hour ago, president obama addressed a joint session of

. >> he was focused on one south carolina congressman, jo wilson, who shocked the establishment shouting out at the president. >> the reforms i am proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally. >> you lie. >> some say that he would never have done that to a white president. he was one of a handful of congress people who voted for the confederate flag to be flown out side of the south carolina capital. a few miles away, the flag still out letters. there is conservatives and confederate memorabilia. if you hefew hear like what thee hearing from the present but they don't like the charge of racism. >> that is arrogant. how can someone know what my feelings are towards another individual? >> many conservatives feel that president bush was treated as harshly and the democrats are using the race card to shut them up. >> he comcame out and said publicly what people have been saying in the barbershops and beauty parlors of the african- american communities. >> this is a subterranean debate. given that the relationships between black and whites has been a driving force, the only surpr

unranked south carolina upset number 4 ole miss, 16-10. that's your early look at sports on "early today." have a great weekend. i'm fred roggin. >> thank you, fred. you too. >>> two new films take on a champ at the box office. your early morning entertainment headlines are straight ahead. >>> plus, 65 years on the job, the same job and counting. you're watching "early today." >>> welcome back to "early today." startinging off with a little bit of wet weather in the nation's capital, extending west to cincinnati. but the southeast dry this morning. it's going to be a warm day in the southeast. sa van narcotics 89. orlando and tallahassee, 92. simply beautiful here in the northeast today. and tomorrow as well with highs into the 60s. showers again tomorrow in charlotte at 71. but unfortunately the east coast, the rains return by sunday. slightly warmer temperatures f. you're watching us on channel 2 in buffalo, new york, see hundreds of artifacts from sandy african lands as you travel through the circle of life in an gentlemen egypt at the

wilson's very safe house seat in the high-rent tourist area of south carolina shifted to in play. congressman wilson's challenger in next year's midterm election rob miller today raising more than $500,000 and counting. that was some shout. the president, meantime, always eager to find common ground, today accepting congressman wilson's apology. >> i'm a big believer that we all make mistakes. he apologized quickly and without equivocation, and i'm appreciative of that. >> time now to call on our own lawrence o'donnell, contributor to "the huffington post," former chief of staff on the senate finance committee. good evening. >> great to be here. >> with everything that congressman wilson said today that minority leader boehner said today, limbaugh, hannity, did the republicans take what was already an untenable position for them and manage somehow to succeed in making it worse? >> well, they've become very good at that. and following campaign manager limbaugh is to follow him off the cliff. he has advised the republicans into a series of losses here, 2006 congressional campaign, t

the south carolina congressman could end up paying a political price for his outburst. we'll tell you what his colleagues from south carolina have got to say about that. >>> plus, could terrorists really buy nuclear bombs on the black market and sneak them into an american city? how realistic a threat is that? on the eve of september 11th, we're looking into the problem of loose nukes in our "spies among us" series. >>> but we begin this morning with president obama's bold call to action on health care reform, one that laid out his vision and challenged what he called the scare tactics of his opponents. the president also touched on the hotly debated so-called public option, a government-run insurance program. >> some have suggested that the public option go into effect only in those markets where insurance companies are not providing affordable policies. others have proposed a co-op or another nonprofit entity to administer the plan. these are all constructive ideas worth exploring. but i will not back down on the basic principle that if americans can't find affordable

. >> we're told by the associated press that that was congressman joe with wilson of south carolina ironically named indeed given vocal considerations of the last ten years. my thanks to rachel maddow and howard fineman. our coverage continues and then rachel will join you at 10:00 p.m. eastern followed by a special late edition of "the ed show." that's at 11:00 p.m. eastern as our night of coverage of the president's speech to the joint session of congress continues. >> a president offering an interim plan to prevent bankruptcy from health care costs that would morph in four years to an insurance exchange containing a public option olding as he announced this a door open for bipartisanship crediting his election opponent for part of the health care reform plan he tonight endorsed insisting no one will be forced to change insurance, no abortions will be federally funded, no death panels calling that a lie insisting there will be no coverage for those here illegally and then greeted by congressman wilson of south carolina shouting from the safety of the crowd "you lie." the state of health care

our winner, speaking of that, congressman joe wilson of south carolina, not only interrupting the president of the united states during his joint address to congress and to the nation on this extraordinarily important subject, but interrupting the president of the united states to call him before the eyes of the world a liar. it is bad enough that mr. wilson was factually wrong, mr. obama was not lying when he said health care reform will not pay

-- and what happens in south carolina these days, doesn't it? i will read this to you. it is not too long. we will get to nasa in the second. "whereas on september 9, 2009, during a joint session of congress convened pursuant to house concurrent 179, the president speaking at the invitation of the house and senate, and his remarks were interrupted by this man, the representative from south carolina, mr. wilson, and whereas the conduct of the gentleman from south carolina was a breach of decorum and discredited the house, therefore, be it resolved that the house of representatives disapproves of the behavior of the representative from south carolina during the joint session of congress held on september 9, 2009." isn't that lovely? that resolution has been put out there. they are in recess, but they will not stay in recess forever because you have to have school to really enjoy recess. they will be back for more school in just a minute. at the top of cavuto's program, they will debate that. it is a place nasa hopes will serve as a working and liv

wilson's very safe house seat in the high-rent tourist area of south carolina shifted to in play. congressman wilson's challenger in next year's midterm election rob miller today raising more than $500,000 and counting. that was some shout. the president, meantime, always eager to find common ground, today accepting congressman wilson's apology. >> i'm a big believer that we all make mistakes. he apologized quickly and without equivocation, and i'm appreciative of that. >> time now to call in our own lawrence o'donnell, contributor to "the huffington post," former chief of staff on the senate finance committee. good evening. >> great to be here. >> with everything that congressman wilson said today that minority leader boehner said today, limbaugh, hannity, did the republicans take what was already an untenable position for them and manage somehow to succeed in making it worse? >> well, they've become very good at that. and following campaign manager limbaugh is to follow him off the cliff. he has advised the republicans into a series of losses here, 2006 congressional campaign, t

speaker, i'm pleased to yield to the gentleman from south carolina, mr. wilson, for as much time as he may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from south carolina is recognized. mr. wilson: thank you, mr. leader. i appreciate your service for america and i further expect the majority leader, mr. hoyer. mr. speaker, i'm humbled and grateful for the support and prayers of my wife, rocks anne, my four sons, my staff, the people of south carolina, my colleagues and the american people. mr. speaker, i think it is clear to the american people that there are far more important issues facing this nation than what we're addressing right now. the president said the time for games is over. i agree with the president. he graciously accepted my apology and the issue is over. however, this action today will have done nothing for the taxpayers to rein in the growing cost and size of the federal government. it will not help more americans secure a job -- secure jobs, promote better education, ensure retirement or reform health insurance. it is the democrat le

heas anrphan when he left south carolina, a feeling south carolina farm without a penny in his pocket at the age of 17 annie rd. west. he rode into the frontier. that was that the time, western orgia. that was the boundary between theopean american advance and the receiving indian territory. that boundaryas very near atlanta then. he was much like another south carolina born frontier usman, andrew jackson, althou jackson was born many years before him. he came here, he became, he was an indian fighter. he grew rich as a lawyer and then he beme aolitician. james cal hen had it all. and he seemed to be destined for great things, like his corts in the state legislature, alexander stevens, robert tums and how cob, all of whom went on to important national office in the u.s. government prior to the civil war and then of course play major roles in the confederate government. by james calvin never made more than local and state office. why was that? though he supported states' rights, and considered himself the great southern patriot, he believed in the union above all. and he ledhe oppositi

>>> south carolina congressman joe wilson facing rebuke by the house of representatives today for heckling the president. >>> democratic senator max baucus promising a health care bill this week with or without republican support. i'm tony harris. you're in the "cnn newsroom." >>> let's quickly get you caught up on the day's hot headlines and take the time to break down the big issues to find out why they really matter. leading the way this hour, the economy making a comeback. that's the message minutes from now from president obama. he's in hard hit ohio visiting a general motors plant that had been shut down for nine weeks. the plant is rehiring now thanks in part to the cash for clunkers program. the president's remarks to workers there set to begin in ten minutes. we'll be bringing you those remarks live right here in the "cnn newsroom." who was that nut that hollered

not true. >> congressman joe wilson of south carolina there, republican congressman. they're ca there calling the president of the united states a liar, despite the provision of 246 in the proposed health care bill from the house which say specifically those living in the u.s. illegally are not covered and would not be covered by the affordability credits in the plan. but never let the truth get in the way of an opportunity for a good scream, right? that's part of what president obama is facing. it's what he does next that will determine whether we get health reform in the next 40 days or whether we should settle in to wait another 40 years. taken at his word, this president does appear to be determined. >> the time for bickering is over. the time for games has passed. now is the season for action. now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together and show the american people that we can still do what we were sent here to do. now is the time to deliver on health care. >> joining us now from the u.s. capitol is white house senior adviser david axelrod.

playing at home, south carolina took on fourth ranked ole miss in a southeastern conference match-up, but the gamecocks turned the tables on the rebels with a tough defense plus just enough offense, three field goals and a short yardage touch done pass, the final south carolina 16, mch. 10. >>> in baseball, call them the san diego spoilers. the colorado rockies jumped to an early lead, but the visiting padres rallied late. san diego's nick hundredly singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth and the padres one 5-4, cutting the rockies wild card lead to 3 1/2 games. >>> in the american league, justin ver lander racked up 11 strikeouts as the tigers squeaked by the sinking indians 6-5. detroit now holds a three game lead over minnesota. >>> and in kansas city, the red sox rolled over the royals. david ortiz homered and drove in three runs as boston beat the royals 10-3. the sox are now within three games of clinching the al wild card. >>> when we return, another look at this morning's top stories. and home grown terror, an illinois man charged with trying to blow up a federal courthouse.

so, to see a place like south carolina, when the inequities in funding are devastating and where the dropout rate is scarily high and when children simply because of the poor education have no chance of entering the mainstream society and being successful, where the education system in too many places in south carolina is a part of the problem, for the governor or anyone else to say that those children1x don't deserve more and don't deserve better and we shouldn't invest in them is absolutely inconceivable to me. >> all right, let me do this, let me take a quick break here. we'll be back in just a minute. >> for the first time, adults and children around the country can say, if i work hard, if i get a great education, i can be successful. we start with a fresh grade-a egg. we break it, then we fix it. so you can start your day sunny side up. that's what we're made of. ♪ ♪ we break it, then we fix it. so you can start your day sunny side up. that's what we're made of. ♪ ♪ i'm sorry. i can't hear you very well. announcer: does someone you know have trouble hearing on the phone?

turned the south carolina republican congressman who yelled it into a hero to some. joe wilson for president. but among those we talked to -- >> i think it's disgusting. >> really totally disgraceful. i just came out of the gym and we were talking about it in the loom. >> but "you lie" is a love tap in countries where politicians play "hardball." and opposition laughs out loud at the british prime minister. >> and we not only saved the world -- saved the bank -- and led the way. >> critics of joe wilson are laughing. they set up a website called "joe wilson is your pre-existing condition.com" aimed solely at hurling imaginary insults to the congressman. we did find one obama supporter who came to wilson's defense. >> it's about freedom of speech. i think that we live in a country where you can say what you want to say and -- >> freedom of speech. yeah. won't stop you from talking. >> even argued over the apology. >> you don't think i should apologize to you for interrupting you? >> yes. no, i do. >> why? >> because it's rude. >> "you lie" strikes us as kids' stuff as