the 9/11 anniversary? also the president held a political rally in north carolina. on the eve of a special election for a congressional seat. is he worried the republican candidate may lose the race? a new poll is out. ahead of the debate. what's the state of the race? i'll talk to sh-- investigations under way. and the president claims he knows nothing about it. but, is he being up front when he says this. >> i don't need to have somebody take a room over night at a hotel. mike pence for example. his family lives in ireland. he's told me he stayed there many years ago he was in ireland. he said i'll see my family. i didn't know about that. he has good taste. >> that and much more ahead. this hour. i want to begin with the big picture. joining me now.