senator schumer, you have said you were for this. senator mccain, what is your view of requiring that? >> i'm for this. .. it just couldn't be forged. we want to stop future -- i want to make a point here. our goal is not to have to come back to this 10 years from now. we want a permanent solution, and that means stopping future waves of illegal immigration. a lot of that is the border and that's why that's important, but other parts of it are something margarita has pushed. the exit entry system. we have a biometrics -- >> 40% of the people here -- >> we have a biometric when you come in the country but not when you leave. we've got to fix that. sentence is having employers. wide illegal immigrants come here? simple, for jobs. if you're making a dollar a week, half of the province in southern mexico and you to make $3 an hour here, lousy conditions, you will come. so you will want to make sure that employers do not hire people who are here illegally. the only way to do that is to have a non-portugal card. you can go down the street

schumer congratulations on the sandy aid package. the amount of money is one of your biggest accomplishments. >> thank you. very important. there are so many people in new york just waiting for that age. i was in highland park monday morning before i came here and i was with all fonts stow motto because that's his home community. he came out, 60% of the stores on main street are still not open. half of the homes cannot be occupy then no one can repair or rebuild until they knew the money was there because the way the federal reimbursement works, no bank will lend money and less they know the money is there and now they know and people will be able to begin to get back to their lives. >> senator mccain later this week you're off to -- for security meeting. >> the vice president is going also to the annual conference that is attended by world leaders from all over the world. i remember a couple of years vladimir putin came and insult in the united states and every other country in the west which was in interesting diatribe. [inaudible]

chuck schumer says he will back chuck hagel as defense secretary. secretary of state hillary clinton with a long-time ally, liberia's president ellen johnson surleaf. >> it's important to be here today to see that you have fully recovered from your recent illness. >>> on "today" chelsea clinton speaks for the first time about her mom's recovery. >> she is exuding the energy, the vibrancy, and certainly the mental acuty that she always has. i am so grateful that she is not only fine, but healthy and vibrant and strong and, you know, god willing, will be for the next 65 years of her life. >> and chelsea clinton is also chairing the national day of service on saturday. more on that to come. good day. i'm andrea mitchell live in washington. the political cavalry has arrived. new york senator chuck schumer has given his seal of approval to president obama's defense nominee. any decision that could rally senate democrats and signal an easier path to confirmation for former senator chuck hagel. joining us now washington post columnist greta -- white house

how big a push does hagel get from chuck schumer's endorsement? earlier in the week there was some ambivalence from chuck schumer, wasn't there? >> reporter: absolutely. i think hagel get a big push. i think a lot of eyes were on chuck schumer to see what he decides. he met with hagel. the two sat down at the white house, had a long meeting, and chuck schumer came out of that meeting essentially saying he now supports hagel's nomination for secretary of defense. one of the key points he makes is that he feels as though hagel has shifted positions on some of these controversial issues and comments that he brought up in the past, on iran, on israel, and he specifically says that hagel now understands the fact that israel is in a more endangered spot than it was, essentially acknowledging the administration's position which is that iran has gotten closer to acquiring nuclear weapons, so hagel basically telling schumer he would support unilateral action on iran, would not take any option off the table as it pertains to iran around understands some of

senator mccain. >> i would like to thank schumer for his leadership. i'd like to thank the democratic leader dick durbin. there's not been anyone in america who has fought harder for the so-called dreamers that -- than dick durbin has and he'll continue to be -- have the gratitude of many americans. my friend senator rubio who obviously is a new but incredibly important voice in this whole issue of immigration reform. senator menendez is also played a key role. and of course, senator graham who is uncharacteristically absent of this gathering. it is difficult but achievable. i don't think i have to remind anyone the last major attempt was over six years ago. now we'll again attempt to commit the remaining resources needed to secure the border, modernize and streamline our current immigration system and create a tough but fair path to citizenship for those here illegally. and i would like to testify again the security situation along the southwest border is not perfect. it remains several areas, particularly in arizona where people's homes are being inv

with regard to senator schumer, i cannot speak more highly than senator schumer. i was seeking the aim accusations when i was running as senator of pennsylvania in 2010. senator schumer called me and came in to philadelphia and met with the jewish literee leaders having understood having been in the military, we would have laid down our lives for the defense of israel. i went to the middle east with senator hagel and heard him talk about having the strength of having america defend israel. my take on end of the day, senator schumer critically will probably do what he did once for america, defend that that is best for national security interests. i think he's going to be key and you'll see in these hearings that chuck hagel, former enlisted man for vietnam will get this nomination because of what he will do for america's security. >> based on what admiral sestak just said, politico is reporting saying if schumer would oppose hagel it would amount to a fatal blow to his candidacy since a number of pro-israel democrats could very well be influenced by the number thre

i think schumer needs to demonstrate he asked some tough questions. i think hagel can get pass it it if he has some good meetings and he essentially swanlgs some concerns here. >> ken talked about that this morning that he thought schumer was the key as well. how much of this do you think is republicans that just want to say no and how much is genuine concern? >> i think the fed, john mccain is keeping an open mind on this. that's encouraging if you're chuck hagel in the white house. but i would argue that the most critical meeting chuck hagel will have in the coming days is chuck schumer. he has to be able to answer the questions of the new york senator because he can bring along as many as ten democrats. i was counting last week his statement was coming out after the nomination was announced. notably, the junior senator from new york who takes a lot of cues from chuck schumer. several other senators who are beholden to schumer for helping them get elected in 2006-2008. if the most prominent jewish senator on the democratic side of is there, it could

so now everyone can call the jewish schumer anti-semmite. israel may have found its two chuck solution. let's bring moo my guest. comedian ben kissell on cave comedy radio. sherrod small an actor and comedian who appears on literally every show on television. and comedian dave rubin, host of the rubin report on rubinreport.com. thank you all so much for joining us tonight. so i know all of you have been lying in bed awake at night haunted by your doubts about chuck hagel. >> you know it. >> john: does chuck schumer clear it up for you? >> i'm glad the chuck on chuck hate is over. >> a guy named chuck has to back another guy named chuck. it is not like john, dave, you can find a dave that doesn't agree with you. chuck, you're going to agree with the chuck. i think i'm the only jew here. >> i'm jew-ish. >> we're going to follow down the chuck schumer. >> john: i will be gentile with you. >> hagel got the right jewish guy on the side. you can't get more jewish than schumer. >> john: ben stein isn't going to flip. >> here's the thing. >> it does

their paths crossed and really chuck schumer wanted an opportunity to have a face to face meeting. he made that request. as you point out, they met at the white house. they spent a considerable amount of time and a couple of issues that stood out for chuck schumer and others, the positions that hagel has held with respect to iran and israel, would he, in fact, support the fullest protection of israel if there were any kind of a threat from iran that materialized? also, issues related to gay americans and would there be an issue with that, especially given the fact he's serving a democratic president? so they spent the time, they talked it out and very important indication that schumer will encourage his colleagues in the senate to go along and support the hague el nomination, as well. one of the sort of dances that's going to happen here is typically a former senator or senator put up for nominee in this way is confirmed pretty easily among friends in the senate who know them and have a personal history so to have resistance to chuck hagel has been one of the more unusual circumsta

is it your opinion, politically that if chuck schumer doesn't come onboard that chuck hagel couldn't suffer and not go through and get confirmed? >> i think senator schumer will be critical. >> i think that he will be inclined to support the president's choice. i think most of us would be. at the same time, he is going to have to be satisfied that senator hagel will advance these policies that will seek to prevent iran from ever obtaining a nuclear bomb, and i think if the senator, that is if senator schumer were not persuaded during the confirmation that he would be willing to break with the president and it's that important. the iran issue is simply that important, but again, if i were a betting man, i would say that he'll be confirmed, that he'll satisfy the questions that have been raised, but that fate is very much in senator hagel's hands as well as in senator schumer's. >> the hearings will tell the tale. >> thanks for your time. i appreciate it. >> thank you. >>> bill clinton is in haiti today. we'll take you live to the island nation still devastated from the aftermath of th

i guess chuck schumer is too a death threat? >> haegel's supporters support him because of the principle. he wanted to talk to iran and so forth and who knows where he is going to stand should he become defense secretary. how can you trust this guy haegle? >> you cannot. he represents the obama administration's foreign policy. he is handing off the cut backs to a former member of the military. i do not expect him to be part of the foreign policy. it will be closely held as it was in the first administration. he is a big defense cutter. maybe that is ironic he is a dedicated vietnam vet. it is going to slash the defense department more. >> the question is whether you are going to trim the budget with an axe of scalpel. chuck haeg eext lel can't get i. it takes decades. >> he was opposed to it. >> that may be one reason why he stepped down. i'm told that there is no sorrow. this is frying pan an fire. i know that chuck haegel a month into this process is likely to be the secretary of defense and the defense department is adjusting

he is not the only one, but they don't sit well with chuck schumer. he understands the role and influence he has within the senate democratic caucus, and sort of what him saying no would mean. of course, politics doesn't exist in a vacuum. we all know that. i think chuck schumer's desire to not blemish the pick of the president of his party on defense -- this is not a small bore cabinet position. this is a big one. this is a biggy. i think ultimately unless chuck hagel in his meeting, his one-on-one meeting with schumer, something in the confirmation hearing, something disqualified comes out. i think this will be a kind of hold your nose and vote for it because ultimately his loyalty to president obama is higher than his desire. >> it will be an anguished swroet. >> he elizabeth be thrilled to do it, and he will probably not talk a lot about it. he will say hi. >> you don't get a pass on this one if you are a democratic senator in the leadership. >> not as defense secretary, and not if you are chuck schumer, and you have, by all accounts, the inside t

i thought schumer would take more time. got it on the record, maybe got a little more pro-hawkish than he was to start with the interview, but he got what he needed. i was impressed at the speed with which this is being done. your thoughts? >> i'm sort of with you on the one hand. it looked like schumer had legitimate concerns about what hagel's positions were with respect to iran and israel. then again, i thought about what was behind the act? in the end it was a democratic president appointing a cabinet member. it didn't shock me that schumer was on board. i was surprised by the speed. but it looks like it's shaping up for a relatively more comfortable confirmation battle for chuck hagel. >> michael, what i think, it's not about attitude. i don't know where cardin is going to go. i don't know where a lot of people from big states, jewish communities are more sensitive to the language he's used in the past, but it seems to me that what will beat him now is evidence, not argument. if it comes out that he's used bad language

we got a statement from chuck schumer. there will be a strong democratic vote for this proposal and hopefully we will vote before midnight. we spoken to other who's say that's probably not likely. senator harry reid says they are waiting for the coo as well. let's go to nbc's kristen welker at the white house. tell us what you are hearing from your sources there? >> good evening, milissa. according to chuck todd, breaking details from that meeting that vice president biden just had. no one in the meeting said they were planning to vote against this bull once it does move through the senate, it doesn't mean they won't. they didn't voice opposition during that meeting, so that is significant this idea there is some liberal revolve doesn't seem to be coming to the floor, the vice president's agreement received very well. and speculation it could get as many as 80 votes. the vice president putting to caucus members this way. the second part of a three-part process. first was the budget control act. this deals with the issue of

chuck consume schumer has been a terrific defender of the

i thought schumer would take more time. got it on the record, maybe got a little more pro hawkish than he was to start with the interview but he got what he needed. i was impressed at the speed with which this is being done. your thoughts? >> i'm sort of with you on the one hand. it looked like schumer had legitimate concerns about what hagel's positions were with respect to iran and israel. then again, i thought about what was behind the act? it" the end it was a democratic president appointing a cabinet member. it didn't shock me that schumer was on board. i was surprised by the speed. but it looks like it's shaping up for a relatively more comfortable confirmation battle for chuck hagel. >> michael, what i think it's not abouted a tud. i don't know where cardin is going to go. i don't know where a lot of people from big states, jewish communities are more sensitive to the language he's used in the past, but it seems to me that what will beat him now is evidence. not argument. it comes out that he's used bad language, eth

i thought schumer would take more time. that's why i'm impressed. he had the interview, asked the questions. got it on the record, maybe got a little more pro-hawkish than he was to start with the interview, but he got what he needed. i was impressed at the speed with which this is being done. your thoughts? >> i'm sort of with you on the one hand. it looked like schumer had legitimate concerns about what hagel's positions were with respect to iran and israel. then again, i thought about what was behind the act? in the end it was a democratic president appointing a cabinet member. it didn't shock me that schumer was on board. i was surprised by the speed. but it looks like it's shaping up for a relatively more comfortable confirmation battle for chuck hagel. >> michael, what i think, it's not about attitude. i don't know where cardin is going to go. he expressed concerns in the beginning. i don't know where a lot of people from big states, jewish communities are more sensitive to the language he's used in the past, but it seems to me that what will

schumer: thank you. first i want to thank the chair of the appropriations committee for the wonderful job she has done. we've worked as a team together, and she's been great. this is her first major bill, i guess, she's handling as chair of appropriations, and i think it bodes well for the future of, if you will, the strengthening of that committee on into the year as we do appropriations bills. i want to thank my colleague from alabama, my gym mate, senator shelby, for his help and support. and i think he and senator mikulski will be a great team as chair and ranking on appropriations. i want to thank mary landrieu and the other subcommittee chairs. they did an amazing job for us, and i thank them. mary's assistance, advice, given what she went through several years ago in louisiana with katrina, was invaluable to those of us in new york and new jersey. and finally, my colleagues, i see senator gillibrand is here. senator blumenthal is in the chair. in addition, senators murphy, senator menendez, senato

we've got another drama within a drama there, which is chuck schumer and-- chuck schumer a democratic senator from new york, jewish, seen as a decisive vote inside the senate and the republicans mostly oppose hagel and the question for the democrats go and could be following schumer's league and going to enjoy this drama as long as he can and get on tv a lot saying i'm deciding, i'm deciding, you'll deciding, and see what he's doing in the end. >> and what do you think of the pick of the president for a republican. >> and commenttators would say why would you pick someone with such tense rowlations as a republican. most republicans don't see chuck hagel as a stand-up guy anymore. and said the reason he's there, is they're asking republicans, nominal republicans to cut the defense budget, that's one thing to do in republican circles and that's why he's there. >> jon: have the politics of this choice been examined? if you want to fracture the republican senate the way you fractured the republican house with a the fiscal cliff vote you pick chuck hagel. >> it's interesting, and folks wen

senator schumer, thank you very much. senator schumer did not trust us to have sweet'n low this time. >> it is made in brooklyn. 1200 employees. eat sweet'n low. it is good for you. >> the aid package, the amount of money in these times of austerity, one of your biggest accomplishments. >> thank you. there are so many people in new york waiting for that aid. i was in highland park, and i was with someone in their home community. 60% of the stores on main street are still not open. half of the homes cannot be occupied. they could not be rebuilt because of the money not being there. no contract. no bank will lend money unless they know the money is there. now they know that people will be able to get back and get on with their lives. >> the vice president is going also. it is an annual conference. i river a few years ago, vladimir putin came to talk. >> -- i remember a few years ago, vladimir putin came to talk. >> what is your vibes about the president? >> i do not think it was his happiest day after the 60 minutes speech.

chuck schumer, senator schumer of new york is the chairman of the inauguration and he is kicking off the ceremony right now by making some introductory remarks. he will be the master of ceremonies for this. we'll take a little bit of a listen to him. >> despite the conflict which engulfed the nation and surrounded the city, the dome continued to rise. on december 2, 1863, the statue of freedom, a woman, was placed atop the dome where she still stands today. in a sublime irony, it was a former slave, now free american, phillip reed, who helped to cast the bronze statue. now, our present times are not as perilous or as despairing as they were in 1863, but in 2013, far too many doubt the future of this great nation. and our ability to tackle our own domes. today's problems are retractible. the times are so complex, the differences in the country and the world so deep. we will never overcome them. when thoughts like these produce anxiety, fear and even despair, we do well to remember that americans have always been and still are a practical, optimistic, problem-solving people. and that,

you know, the problem for chuck schumer is not so much getting republicans to get used to it. what about all those red state democrats in the senate. those are the people that are probably hyperventilating right now over what chuck schumer said if you look at the l.a. tour map, there are six, seven, or eight red state democrats that face reelection in 2014. melissa, i don't think too many of them are relishing the idea of voting for another tax increase. i wonder whether the chuck schumer, harry reid budget could pass the senate, even with just democratic votes because you have so many people that are up for reelection that are going to be very reluctant to stick their necks out and vote. by the way, as you know, we just had a $600 billion tax increase in the fiscal cliff negotiations. plus, we had $520 billion of new taxes from obamacare. this would be the third tax increase. melissa: i really hope you're right because i feel their is a tide of higher taxes. its role in norway. it will keep all of us out to see no matter what our income bracket because it seems like before th

it was selected by chairman schumer. this year marks the 150th year since the completion of the capitol dome. the project began in the 1850's's and stopped midway through when the civil war broke out. there was a question among congress and the president as to whether we could fight a civil war and finish the dome. president lincoln said, if people see the capitol going on, it is a sign that we intend the union shall go on. center schumer selected this theme and knowing that we have challenges we face as a country. if we look back and we accomplished 150 years ago, we can find faith in america's future. this is a steam dole and for some of the remarks throughout the day. -- a theme that will inform some of the remarks throughout the day. the day for our committee really begins about 9:00, when the members had to the white house for coffee and tea with the president. senator mcconnell joined that group. -- joins the group. there is coffee with the president, vice president, first lady, and dr. biden as well. everyone begi

chuck schumer was saying you have mccain and rubio up there with chuck schumer shows there's bipartisan appeal. it could fall apart. house republicans gave the cool response. there was barely a republican leader in the house who said a nice deal. >> would they rather see it piecemeal? >> rather piecemeal and without a pathway to citizenship. it's the most important component. you had rush limbaugh saying i'm calling on my listeners and fox news to unite to kill this plan. he's talking marco rubio in particular. >> the citizenship part? >> totally. it's the pathway to citizenship. the idea that some people that came here illegally are going to be allowed, ultimately to stay in the country. that is always turned off. >> your odds against the descendent on the time line by the end of spring? >> it can get through the senate quickly. then we get to the house. you have to understand the congress you are dealing with. in the house, it is a much more conservative, much more southern group of republicans who are hostile to immigration. it doesn't mean it can't be done. ultimately, this, unlike

iris wine stawn, wife of chuck schumer, and the wife of harry reed and mr. paul pelosi, the husband of house minortiy leader nancy pelosi. >> announcer: ladies and gentlemen, the first lady of the united states, mrs. michelle obama, accompanied by secretary of the senate nancy erikson, clerk of the house of representatives, karen h0. 0s, mrs. schubert, mrs. reed and -- [cheering] in >> next up we're going to see the approach and about to be announced of vice president, the world's happiest guy, bill biden. don't think we have ever seen him except in times of national crises without that smile on his face. >> and why not today. >> it's the effect of joe biden's remarks on this administration. they were an odd couple. he was the hot to barack obama's cool. >> he was the punch line for a lot of late-night monologues. if anything, joe biden has emerged in this administration has a key player and indispensable player in dealing with the congress and the political part of politics, the people part of politics which the president does not spend a lot of time, effor

you heard it well described by chairman schumer in his remarks. today the statue of freedom and the spirit of freedom marches over the capital as another prison from illinois has taken the oath of office. -- another president from illinois has taken the oath of office. despite the challenges at home and abroad, we heard in president obama's eighth inaugural address im a message of hope, a vision of peace, progress, prosperity, and the promise of freedom for all. may god bless you, president obama, vice-president biden, and your families. congratulations, with wishes for much success for you, for that is the success of our nation. may god bless you all, may god bless america. [applause] >> mr. president and dr. biden and your whole wonderful famil ies, i rise now to toast the vice president of the united states and my former colleague and my friend, joe biden. mr. vice president, you have been an extraordinary leader of this nation and a true partner to our president these passed for years. you play many roles -- advisor, at the cat, implement your

chris: what about -- >> chuck schumer. >> not just chuck schumer. but other reassurances, for example, among the neo-cons. about iran, about israel, and so forth. you're going hear a lot more statements publicly from the president in order to make sure that hagel gets through. which he will. chris: let's go about the gun issue. which is very troubling to a lot of people. will we get a substantial package that looks like the n.r.a. didn't like it but it still passed? >> it will be small and discrete. >> they're more likely to get a smaller package than a larger one. >> i agree but this issue is moving faster than people think. chris: are we in a unique time where people will bounce against the n.r.a. and say no, you're wrong this time? >> the n.r.a. will oppose everything so yes. and in that sense. you'll get background checks and might get some limits on the high capacity clips. and health care -- and mental hettle proposals that relate -- health proposals that relate to gun violence. chris: marginal victory for the president. and we have talked abo

but senator chuck schumer - who's involved in orggnizing, says they're still ppanning plentyyof pomp and circumstance.schumer says: "the inauguration seees to bee gaiiing in strength in terms of the interest people have and among those ho want to ceremonies - a private one sunday since the constitution calls for the president ttobe &psworn in on the 0th - and th usuallpublic one monday. the military's role is so invvlved that officials have construuted a iant mmp of the ccty to prep and plan. linnington says: "we know the eyes of the nation and the eyes of our worrd are on ouu country so weewwnttto do it right." tey've done lots of walk throughs on the rrd alreaay - aad will do many more beforeetransitioning to the city streets in a couple weeks. linnington says: "paradeedown constitution avenue with a cordon of thousands from all military bbanches will take part - servingga variety of rolee - as ushers uringgthe swearing pprade... a military tradition that dates back to the beginning. linningtonnsays: ""he army, military veterans and veterans of the revolutionary war paaaded with ge

as you were writing you said as chuck schumer goes so goes hagel. >> that's right. chuck schumer is probably the most important voice in this debate on the democratic side right now. really the only way that chuck hagel doesn't get confirmed right now is if democratic senators come out in opposition to him. there is going to be a balk of republican senators who will vote against hagel for the reasons you mention. >> do you think schumer will go against this nomination? >> i think it is unlikely at this point. chuck hagel will have to really assure both schumer, blumenthal, other jewish democrats that he would be a staunch advocate for israel. i'm sure he will do that. if he slips up in any way in the hearings or if a lot of the groups off of the hill that are very influential try to derail after the hearings it will be very hard for some democrats to vote for him. absent that i think his confirmation is affirmed. >> let's change subjects to afghanistan that came up throughout this week. i want to play a little sound here from retired army general stanley mccrystal.

even after the tax increases, he is going to follow along what chuck schumer would say. more tax increases to come. how do you feel about that in the impact from that? >> i think that the speech was political. they can't be that stupid to continue to divide america. whenever i see them hitting those that were successful are those that one, did they forget that that is the american dream? lets all have a shot at making it in life. you know, i started off homeless and made it. when you start dividing people and you have stupid suggestions like that, i also think that one you have chuck schumer making a statement as a democrat, chuck get elected and has big corporate money behind him. so a lot of what is going on now is political. i do not think the democratic party will spend us to death. they look around and see it what is going on. neil: they might be more inclined to just continue to attack the rich are far more creative ways to get money from the rich. because i don't think chuck schumer was talking about raising anyone's rates beyond what they are now. how do you feel

schumer. >> mr. president, mr. vice president, members of congress, all who are present and to all who are watching, welcome to the capitol and to this celebration of our great democracy. now, this is the 57th inauguration of an american president, and no matter how many times one witnesses this event, its simplicity, its innate majesty, and most of all, its meaning, that sacred and yet cautious entrusting of power from we, the people, to our chosen leader never fails to make one's heart beat faster, as it will today with the inauguration of president barack h. obama! now, we know that we would not be here today were it not for those who stand guard around the world to preserve our freedom. to those in our armed forces, we offer our infinite thanks for your bravery, your honor, your sacrifice. [ applause ] >> this democracy of ours was forged by intellect in argument, by activism and blood, and above all, from john adams to elizabeth cady stanton to martin luther king, by a stubborn adherence to the notion that we

chuck schumer. >> doesn't need a prompter. >> all right. now, all of his enthusiasm yesterday helped fuel speculation about a presidential run in 2016. just take a look at some of the recent headlines. i've got scarborough over here throwing stuff. i get no respect. i'm like rodney dangerfield. vice president biden invited key players -- >> i'm almost positive he was drinking apple juice. i just poured this jameson. do we really want to see what's going to happen? >> look at this. this is incredible. i can't even get through the script. what am i going to do? what am i going to do? >> come here. >> come on. this is just embarrassment. ow. still ahead on "way too early," why are you awake? your tweets, texts and e-mails are next. and "morning joe" and none other than mika and joe are moments away. ♪ just one bite opens a world of delight... ♪ savor and explore, the great indoors ♪ ♪ friskies indoor delights. ♪ feed the senses. officemax can help you drive suand down.s down... use your maxperks card and get a 10-ream case of officem

to chuck schumer. good to see you, pal. [ applause ] >> the best parts of these events are unscripted. i'd now like to introduce our senate majority leader, my good friend and really foxhole buddy, a great man, harry reid, to offer the official toast to the president. [ applause ] >> americans today are wishing the president god speed for the next four years. people all over the world are looking at us and our exemplary democracy and wishing the president the best in the years to come. i've had the good fortune for the last many years to work on very close, personal basis with president obama. i've watched him the most difficult challenges that a person could face. i've watched him do this with brilliance, with patience, with courage, wisdom and kindness. for which i have learned a great deal. so, mr. president, i toast and pray for you, your wonderful family and our great country. four more successful years. barack obama. >> here, here! >> here, here! >> michelle and the speaker of the house came to a

and chuck schumer and we have seen legislation in new york, even i just saw a report that governor cuomo approval rating took a dip as a result of some people believing he went too far with new legislation in the state but when you look at this group, these four men here, are they the best faces to at least get something moving coming to background checks? set aside legislation on assault weapons. but just on background checks and widely supported. >> i mean, i think it's a good diverse mix in terms of if you will, centrist conservative democrats, moderate democrats. you have conservative republican and gives just in terms of the geography and the politics of the senate, it kind of -- it's a smart group to be sitting down and negotiating this. listen. if anybody wondering why something needs to be done, read the column the parents of one of the child lost in newtown wrote in "the washington post" yesterday. it's incredibly powerful for -- and the words are very clear and basically, you know, and i'm going to cruelly summarize it. something needs to be done. a background check will not sa

melissa: new york senator chuck schumer laying the groundwork. pick up tomorrow morning after all the warm fuzzy feelings are over. clearly democrats still calling for more taxes. how will it all plays out and who will get stuck with the tab? looking back to today's amazing power panel. the man in charge. and the fox news political analyst, hedge fund manager. fox news contributor. in know, when i hear chuck schumer, that sounds like a bully on the playground. tomorrow and coming back and i'll take a back pack. >> they feel the momentum is going their way. nowhere in the address to dated he elena plan to get all the spending under control. he talked about addressing our big budget down the road. i'm paraphrasing here. it was not the same sense of courtesy that republicans have had about this. so with the sense that they get out of this president, the same commitment to go after entitlements, he did ot seem to intimate that. we have to it dot the is and cross the t's. but nothing but it is general statements today indicated the president who is wi

i think a critical event in this whole battle was when he met with senator chuck schumer and schumer gave his blessing, endorsed hagel. i think the one issue that could give energy to the opposition was whether hagel was pro-israel and with schumer's blessing, schumer is a well-known supporter of israel. this was a signal to the pro-israel community, a lot of other people, leaders in that community have endorsed hagel. so i think that pushed him very close to nomination. i think it was very interesting that senator levin at the beginning of the hearing listed all of the controversial statements that senator hagel has made -- not all of them but a substantial list, and i think he was trying to signal hagel is going to have the chance to answer all of these and he, levin, expects him to answer them satisfactorily. i think it would be surprising if in the end hagel were not confirmed. >> is that what this hearing is going to be about? are we mostly going to hear questions about statements he's made about israel, about gays and so on? how much of it do you think will be it at the heart o

chuck consume schumer has been a terrific defender of the u.s.-israeli relationship. >> thank you both very much as the debates continue. >>> coming up, we'll break down president obama's leadership challenges over the next four years, both at home and abroad. our political roundtable is here. former senior adviser to president obama david axelrod. host of msnbc's "morning joe," joe scarborough. historian doris kearns goodwin. nbc's tom brokaw. and our chief foreign correspondent richard engel. plus, chuck todd. all coming up after this short break. >>> "meet the press" is brought to you by the boeing company. what's today's dare? fight dryness. roughness. breakage. all 5 signs of damage with pantene. amazing pro-v formulas fight signs of damage for healthier, stronger, shinier hair. dare to take the pantene 5 signs challenge today. i took the dare. will you? pantene. daily moisture renewal. hair so healthy it shines. in the middle of the night it can be frustrating. it's hard to turn off and go back to sleep. intermezzo is the first and only pre

gwen: i have a hard time imagining senator schumer, a leading democrat, in the end -- he may hold out his support but in the end, not supporting the president's choice. >> no, and hagel's going to say what schumer wants to hear about support for israel. there's no question about that. gwen: already has. >> and he's calling senate ofss saying he's a strong supporter of israel but on the point of, if he's going to not get confirmed, i would find that shocking because the president will line up behind the -- democrats will line up behind the president's choice. >> two purple hearts. gwen: john brennan has to be confirmed and he's been the architect, for many democrats, a far more troubling policy of targeting killings and drones. >> the drone policy, right. i would imagine that his confirmation hearing, as they should be, a full discussion about what the president's policies are going forward and are.his true beliefs in this case, all three of these gentlemen, kerry, hailing and brennan, will say, the president's policies are, i will be executing the president's policies. >> the most con

even after the tax increases, he is going to follow along what chuck schumer would say. more tax increases to come. how do you feel about that in the impact from that? >> i think that the speech was political. they can't be that stupid to continue to divide america. whenever i see them hitting those that were successful are those that one, did they forget that that is the american dream? lets all have a shot at making it in life. you know, i started off homeless and made it. when you start dividing people and you have stupid suggestions like that, i also think that ne you have chuck schumer making a statement as a democrat, chuck get elected and has big corporate money behind him. so a lot of what is going on now is political. i do not think the democratic party will spend us to death. they look around and see it what is going on. neil: they might be more inclined to just continue to attack the rich are far more creative ways to get money from the rich. because i don't think chuck schumer was talking about raising anyone's rates beyond what they are now. how do you feel

chuck consume schumer has been a terrific defender of the u.s.-israeli relationship. >> thank you both very much as the debates continue. >>> coming up, we'll break down president obama's leadership challenges over the next four years, both at home and abroad. our political roundtable is here. former senior adviser to president obama david axelrod. host of msnbc's "morning joe," joe scarborough. historian doris kearns goodwin. nbc's tom brokaw. and our chief foreign correspondent richard engel. plus, chuck todd. all coming up after this short break. >>> "meet the press" is brought to you by the boeing company. aig? we said we were going to turn it around, and we did. woman: we're helping joplin, missouri, come back from a devastating tornado. man: and now we're helping the east coast recover from hurricane sandy. we're a leading global insurance company, based right here in america. we've repaid every dollar america lent us. everything, plus a profit of more than $22 billion. for the american people. thank you, america. helping people recover and

chuck consume schumer has been a terrific defender of the u.s.-israeli relationship. >> thank you both very much as the debates continue. >>> coming up, we'll break down president obama's leadership challenges over the next four years, both at home and abroad. our political roundtable is here. former senior adviser to president obama david axelrod. host of msnbc's "morning joe," joe scarborough. historian doris kearns goodwin. nbc's tom brokaw. and our chief foreign correspondent richard engel. plus, chuck todd. all coming up after this short break. >>> "meet the press" is brought to you by the boeing company. [ female announcer ] going to sleep may be easy, but when you wake up in the middle of the night it can be frustrating. it's hard to turn off and go back to sleep. intermezzo is the first and only prescription sleep aid approved for use as needed in the middle of the night when you can't get back to sleep. it's an effective sleep medicine you don't take before bedtime. take it in bed only when you need it and have at least four hours left f