president? this issue was foremost in the campaign. the people spoke. the republicans need to listen. in the end, i think that will happen. >> and how critical do you think the debt ceiling question is to any agreement that you're willing to take? >> i think steve rattner was correct. i think we cannot continue to just have it hang over our heads. i think it needs to be resolved as part of these discussions of the fiscal cliff. it cannot simply be allowed to hang there for the next few months. i think they have to be both resolved. i think they will be. >> congressman s sander levin, you very much. >> thanks. >> coming up next, they are suving in iraq and afghanistan and in huge numbers, but without either the pay, benefits or other side benefits of being a combat troop. what do women really want next on "andrea mitchell reports."