woman and child in this country. all 208 million. the disturbing news does not end there. emergency fun set up by the federal reserve seems to have had a different impact than its architects intended. the fund which provided banks with short term loans to boost confidence in the financial system gave over half loans to foreign banks. i'm glad your tax dollars hemmed the rest of the world out of an economic slump. i wonder if our lawmakers realize that we here in this still stuck. will the new republican majority in the house be able to do anything about the out of the control spending that appears to be ingrained in the culture of washington? joining me former white house press secretary and fox news contributor, dana perino. from the "wall street journal", stephen moore. thanks for joining us. dana, i want to throw up a piece of tape that will buy you back into the beginning of the congress before in one. we had high hopes, democrats coming in, controlling for the first time in many years the congress. here was nancy pelosi, the incoming speaker's prediction for what they were going to accomplish. >> after years of historic deficits, this 110th congress will commit itself to a higher standard. pay as you go. no new deficit spending. >> tucker: all politicians stipulate that. but that really is one for the record books. that's probably number one on my personal top 10 list. what happened dana? >> that could have been followed by president obama's statement at the press conference he held before he went to hawaii for his christmas vacation where he said the last congress was the most productive in generations. boy was he right. it is just the result of that was a little different than what most would have thought of as progress. one of the things happening is that americans feel like they are running a race with lead weights on their ankles many looking at the federal government saying this has to stop. we know it's got to stop. we can't keep nickel and diming. we have to be serious, eat a lot of spinach. it will be interesting to see what president obama's budget comes forward with. already today they say they will delay it a week. they have to figure out a lot. out of the fit this country is going to want to see serious spending cuts. >> tucker: that is the mandate steve. i think we agree this congress comes to washington with. what the tea party activists want. that's what a lot of americans want. republicans have intentionally kept their plans under wraps. they don't want to be criticized before they try to enact them. convince me there is a plan to cut spending in a radical way. is there? >> hi. dana, you don't seem to understand the definition of a productive congress as one that racks up a record amount of debt. the more debt they have the more productive they are. this is the kind of insane fiscal policy we've had for the last three, four years. your question tucker, will republicans recapture the kind of fiscal conservative. we saw in 1994 and '95? hard question to answer. the first thin the republicans have to do if they are going to get this budget under control, obamacare has got to be repealed. all of those debt numbers you cited the beginning of the show don't include any of the largest new entitlement program in 25 years obamacare that puts 30 million more people under health insurance. that will be step number one. step two, quickly, i would take a hatchet to government spending programs, 15 to 20% across the board cut in he have ray genesse of government, as a way of bringing those baseline spending numbers down. >> yet, i think you are right. yet when asked the incoming speaker john boehner was asked by leslie stall on cbs what is your plan and he bragged about the several million he planned to save by cutting congressional office budgets. assume -- i assume there's a lot more waiting. we haven't heard the details, i assume we will. my question is, do you think the incoming leadership understands the magnitude of the problem and the magnitude of the response required? they need to do something like steve just suggested in order to prove to the rest of us they get it, they mean it, they are going to cut spending for the first time in a generation. >> yes, i think they get. i also think they will find a willing president and senate democrats willing to cut spending as well. let's go become to the republicans that just saw a major wave election go their way for one reason. it was to issue -- it was the issue of spending. when people on the democratic side fry to say health care want as big a concern to people. i think that is disingenuous people equate that with the economy and spending. take tucker what you just said, $10,000, per person, and think about the people, half of the country actually dent pay federal income taxes. that burden is much greater for the majority of people. let me add one other thing. you have a bunch of new committee chairman coming in many congressman paul ryan of wisconsin who wrote the road map for a per economic future for america. he came out a year ago he had this road map. immediately people from the left and right started criticizing him for wanting to privatize social security. he took a lot of beatings. he came out of that stronger. i think in some ways that third rail of politics, social security and entitlements, have been touched, starting in 2005 with president bush in an effort that did not succeed, it failed to try to reform social security. now i think people realize we have to do it. what i would say to everybody is as soon as these house republicans put something on the table that is going to be drastic cuts, don't immediately freak out. listen to them. and let them have a little bit of time to show us what their ideas are. >> if you look at the numbers, medicare even more perilous conditions than al security and you don't hear anyone, i don't i live in washington, on either side suggest seriously addressing it. >> i don't. medicaid the other big health care program half paid for half by the states. the scary thing that program isn't just broughting the federal government it is bankrupting states. that has to be cut. i have an idea that i would like to toss out for my republican friends. let's look at whole cabinet agencies. the department of education, a department that has been around for 30 years, jimmy carter created it. are the schools per today than they were 50 years ago before we had the department of education? most people would say hell no. department of energy. department of commerce. i'm thinking whole departments of government could be eliminated. >> that was the dream in 1994. i'm wondering what happened. >> back to the future. >> back to the future. >> let's try again. thanks very much both of you. >> tucker: coming up, the nation turns its attention to the 12 -- 2012 election, what does the country think of president obama's chances of winning a second term? we'll see how likely that is when we talk to michael barone, next. >> death panels once again the subject of debate. how did democrats get in issue back on the table so quietly. why haven't you heard about it? we'll tell you, straight an ed. everyone has someone to go heart healthy for. who's your someone? campbell's healthy request can help. low cholesterol, zero grams trans fat, and a healthy level of sodium. it's amazing what soup can do. . >> tucker: president obama's first two years in office mercifully behind us some of us starting to look ahead to 2012 to assess the president's chances of reelection. michael barone will join us in just a minute to explain why he thinks this president will be more difficult to bring down than many of us predict. michael has urged us to consider two recent examples of those bill clinton and ronald reagan. both of those presidents took major beatings in the midterms, as did president obama last month. both won landslide victories when they came up for reelection. the new york time pollster nate silver doesn't think the president's future is so bright. he thinks history tells a different story. he writes: mr. reagan and mr. clinton two recent examples are nevertheless just two examples, both once in a generation political talents. here with reaction recipient of the 2010 bradley prize michael barone. thanks for/> thank you tucker. >> tucker: president obama reelected! i know you are not endorsing that possibility. you seem to be predicting that all things being equal he has a good shot, why? >> he's got some republicans and hope and some democrats fear the 52-45 popular vote mar yin for republicans in november's house elections is going to be repeated this time. obviously, some of mr. obama's policy positions are highly unpopular. but he has some things going for him. one thing is that the turnout is likely to be different in 2010. the obama people hope bring out a record turn-out of black voters again as they did in 2008. that's possible. they want to rally young voters. young voters margins for the house democrats were only half percentage points, 17 points this time as opposed for 34 for mr. obama in 2008. they would like to see if they can get that again. the balance of enthusiasm, which clearly favored the democrats in 2008 and favored the republicans tea party people in 2010, that can shift too. so, those things can happen. i think there's a basic feeling on the part of the american people they usually want their presidents to succeed. watching focus groups, looking at polls in the 1996 cycle for pill clinton, 2004 cycle for george w. bush, i think that fact for was operating -- operating in their favor in both elections. those were presidents whose opposition parties hoped to defeat them but failed to do so. >> tucker: it has been a long time since an incumbent president not challenged from within his own party has loss reelection. the one thing that makes me wonder about your theory is the unemployment rate. if you watch, historically, the unemployment rate seems to track closely to president's approval numbers as rates go down his mums go up. you can imagine the unemployment rate will be anywhere near below 8 in the next cycle. how do you imagine the president is going to overcome that? >> i would quote in part the words you quoted from nate silver. we have a small number of examples of presidential elects not a statistically significant number. i think it is possible if the economy seeps to be on the up surge voters may say we've turned the corner moving in the right direction. there was a feeling that worked in behalf of president reagan in 1984, president clinton in 1996. i'm dubious this is going to happen, but it is possible. major problem for president obama is substantive issues. people done like this vast expansion of the size and scope of government. they don't like obamacare, democrats are trying to think of something else to call that health care bill. they think the president wants to, as he told joe the plumber, spread the wealth around. those work against him. the positive factors that i talked about tend to work for him. there's another one operating here, that's the ab sense of real rancor and hatred. with president clinton and president bush 43, think they both happened to have personal characteristics that people on the other side of the cultural divide just absolutely floated. a lot of conservatives -- hroegted. a lot of conservatives couldn't stand to see bill clinton, a lot of liberals can stand to see george w. bush on tv. i don't think many feel that way about barack obama he has irritating character sticks, i think they are minor and they don't scratch against the sensitivities of the people on the other side -- >> tucker: if there aren't many voters like that i must know every single one. i know a lot of people who can't bear to watch this arrogant man on television. describe the kind of republican candidate you think who might be best positioned to beat barack obama in 2012? what attributes would that candidate have? >> the candidate has to have a certain sense of command, confidence, always true in a presidential election. i think it -- the presidential candidate needs to show substantial command of the issues. and -- an understanding of how we can take a different path from that that president obama's has pursued, up to now and put us in a direction of becoming once again a tremendously productive, prosperous and creative country that we seem to have stopped being, to some significant extent. i think it needs to be a candidate who embodies a belief in what the late political scientist lipsick called american exceptionalism. that we have special strengths be ed to us by those who have come -- be ed to us by those who have come before. i think president obama does not give a sense to many voters that he believes in american exceptionalism as earlier presidents like roosevelt, kennedy, truman most certainly did. i think that's a weakness because a large majority of americans favor it. if you can get a candidate who can articulate that well and connect to -- connect it to issue positions that illustrate how that vision of american exceptionalism can be made to work in practical terms i think those would be strong characteristics for a republican nominee. >> you described an ideal candidate. i'm not sure i see that person. you don't think it will be enough to point out the obvious that these guys have no idea what they are doing. the country is in far worse shape it was when he was elected. his promises have turned out to be hollow when he has fulfilled them the consequences will be horrifying. not enough on his failures? >> that might be enough. when you are running a political campaign. you don't say i've spent 60% of my money, i'm not going to spend the rest, because that's probably going to be enough. you try to maximize your strengths. i think republicans need to do that. they need to do as well if they are going to have a successful presidency, if their nominee is elected in 2012. politics doesn't end the day after you have won a presidential election. president obama may have thought politics was ending at grant park in november of 2008. but life goes on. >> tucker: yeah, the seas didn't part much to the shock of many of his supporters. michael barone, thank you. >> death panels back on the table. outrage starting to . why democrats are trying to keep this dirty little secret, secret. that is coming up. vópstñ??o [ engine revs ] [ gorilla ] nice move. but can your retirement income keep pace with changing interest ras? this variable annuity from axa equitable has an option that can help your retirement income move with changing interest rates. but what do i know? 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[ female announcer ] make the tirement cornerstone annuity from axa equitable part of your retirement plan. consider the charges, risks, expenses and investment objves beore purchasing aariable annuity. contact a financial professional for a prospectus containing this information. read it carefully. whoo hoo! >> tucker: they didn't survive the health care bill it looks like death panels are back. under new medicare regulation, the government will pay doctors who advise patients on for end of life care. which may include advanced directives to forego aggressive life sustaining treatment. to make matters more interesting the article also indicates in early november, oregon congressman earl blumenauer in an e-mail sent to people working with him urged them to celebrate in victory quietly. congressman blumenauer wrote: we which ask that you not broadcast this out to any of your lists e-mails can too easily be forwarded. last night kirsten powers and i had a spirited conversation on this question. >> you are scaring old people tucker. >> tucker: no, i'm bringing to light something our government is doing to us. something that our elective representatives are asking supporters to keep quiet that is the duty of the press. you ought to be ashamed. >> you ought to be ashamed. >> tucker: i'm exposing it to the light of day and you know it. >> that is not what you are doing. >> tucker: that's exactly what i'm doing. >> these existed unbush you can get reimbursed for this unbush. you know this is a made up political game you are playing. come on! >> tucker: that was fun. joining me former clinton adviser. mo, there has been reaction not just from kirsten, but from democrats across the spectrum, outrage! this is demagoguery how dare you call these death panels. hurt dog barks. you know it and anyone who pays attention knows the government has a financial stake to convinces did to forego extensive end of life medical treatment. that has been the case for a long time. that's what this directive is about. wouldn't it be better if we just admitted that? >> no, because it is not true tucker. tucker, do you honestly believe these are death panels? that government is telling you when you should your life? >> tucker: i honestly believe what i just said. which is health cost are out of control because end of life costs are out of control. the government has an incentive to encourages did to not spend a lot on end of life care. >> that is what has happened in every other country when government has taken such an intrusive step into the health care arena. that is what has happened. that is how they lower costs. and the american people particularly, elderly are enough to figure this out. whether you are elderly, disabled or god forbid have an illness that is very difficult to treat you end up being the way they lower that cost curve. does anyone believe -- [ talking over each other ] >> tucker: you are a smart guy and i think an honest guy. you have been around a long time. why would congressman blumenauer in the wake of what he saw as a victor ask his supporters to not publicize this new regulation? >> i don't know. >> tucker: the answer is because -- [ talking over each other ] >> it is not like this is a secret thing something being hidden. medicare recipients are going to fan out all about this. this is an option that the government is giving to them. we are expanding choice. we are expanding people's options here. and yet, now the right is decrying that. [ talking over each other ] >> tucker: what i'm decrying is the lying that surrounds it. the government paying doctors to suggest to patients you have another option, hospice, a cheaper way, accept the fact you are going to die and save us money. they are not pushing that but they are offering that option. why can't we admit that? >> they are saying to people, let's talk about how you want to handle your care, down the road. [ talking over each other ] >> rather than wait until the end of the line, let's have this conversation now this was a smart bipartisan idea that was passed under president george w. bush, that the obama administration is now saying instead of having a one-time conversation you ought to be able to have this conversation once a year between you and your doctor, if you want to. what is wrong with that? >> let's talk to them every chance we've got and try to convince them that it would be better really if they took the morphine drip. you can call it what you will, but it is revealing the way they did this. and i think it also reveals the whole run up to the holidays where we saw obama, you know theoretically moving to the middle was one big head fake this is a regulatory end run. health care, trying to do it on global lit change, regulating the internet is particularly floatsome because -- this is particularly loathsome he's sliding it in and saying let's not talk about it. >> tucker: that may be the point mo you can look into the camera and make a defense of this. i'm leaving open that possibility. the question is, why wouldn't the white house and the congress to this moment control everything, pass this through the legislative process which is where it should be settled not by agencies, but in a law that the rest of us can read before it passes? why not do it that way? >> bus the law is already in place. >> tucker: but they pulled it out before the vote. >> no. let's be clear. the law was passed under the bush administration to allow reimbursements for these conversations. the obama administration is saying, instead of being allowed to do it once you will be allowed to do it once a year. >> tucker: we talked about it during the debate over the health care plan. this element of the plan was put. -- was pulled because the public didn't like it. now the administration is effecting this change through regulation outside the democratic process. that's a fact. >> that's not a fact. >> tucker: what do you mean it just happened? >> this is an unbelievable conversation. frankly, i agree -- >> tucker: what do you mean. they put in regulation what they couldn't get through congress. >> that's why it deserves to be repealed. and the congressional review act should be applied on this frankly, you guys have walked into the punch on this one. the on circumstance to this legislation, was and still is, bipartisan opposition. the opposition to this provision was so strong that it was pulled, and when the democrats had such wide margins. >> where was the outrage from either one of you when george w. bush passed this legislation? >> tucker: let me be clear. i'm not outraged by this regulation. i'm outraged by the lying about it. i think we should be honest on what it is. it is an attempt to save by convincing people to forego expensive end of life care. we all know that's true. let's stop lying about it! unfortunately, we are out of time. thank you both. great american panel is next. [ male announcer ] 100 potato chips or 100 pringles. both cost the same, but only the pringles superstack can makes everything pop! ♪ hey [ male announcer ] same cost but a lot more fun. everything pops with the pringles superstack can! >> tucker: welcome back. he's a democratic pollster and fox news contributor doug shown. board member of resurge jen republic, leslie sanchez joins us. one of the most famous golfers in the country ben crenshaw is here. welcome to all of you. >> thank you. >> thank you. tuck thick is the great -- >> tucker: this is the greatest video i've seen in a long time this was shot in the last 24 hours. this is of course a new york city sanitation crew tempting to move a city vehicle. oops! there's a ford explorer being destroyed in the process. they can't be fired so what do they care. have you ever seen a crispers distill of your government at work? >> that's a backhoe in action right there. are these people illegally parked or are they not? he wants to get going. that backhoe is busy. >> tucker: the first thing i think leslie, i want to give these people control of my health care. >> naturally. that's the way we look at government. two rules in government. one, if you are going to be head of a municipality you have to pick up the trash and clean the streets. if you can't do those two things people have questions that you can do anything else. >> tucker: that is basic. we don't ask too much of our government. i don't want to decide how long i live or what my kids have for dinner. i do want them to pick up the snow and they haven't. >> there were 1,000 vehicles abandoned in new york city, public and private. this was a very unfortunate circumstance. the mayor has apologized. compensation will almost certainly be provided. bottom line, the governor of new jersey, a ran, one of your heroes, chris christie stayed in disney world. shouldn't elected officials during snow storms be on-the-job? >> tucker: i don't know, i wish the guys who did this had been at disney world. wait a second, the point is not that accidents happen, because of course they do. the point is, this is government as usual. these guys don't care. >> mayor bloomberg has been relocked twice one of the most successful mayors in history. this isn't government at usual this is an extraordinary storm that happens once every 20, 30 years and there have been unfortunate things that happened. >> tucker: were you aware the storm was coming? did the news filter down to austin, texas? >> we've never seen -- this is a blizzard. i must say i'm a little sympathetic. i've been out today, we here today and those drifts are way up. there's no way a city can cleanup -- >> exactly ben. >> but there is something -- those cars have to be, some are not where they are supposed to be. but the poor backhoe operator -- >> tucker: if this were fedex, i didn't want to beat this to death, i don't want to be a sanitation worker about it. if this were a fedex or ups truck doing this the guy driving that truck would be, what say after me? fired! i've been fired myself. being fired is an educational experience. if you can be fired, who cares! >> i don't think it is so much of that. to the point yes it is a big storm, a lot of advanced notice. people were parked on snow routes when they shouldn't have been. it is basic government. is there a sign of leadership? a lot of people compare bloomberg's response to mayor giuliani's response. this is not the first storm that could take down a candidate or a public figure. people get very upset when they see how government functions in times of crisis. >> tucker: there was an airline pilot who criticized security procedures. he's in and out of airports all the time. he noticed that airline workers out on the tarmac, don't go through security they buzz out on to the runway and suggested in a youtube video he made this might be a security problem. his house was promptly searched by six armed federal an s. they confiscated his firearm and took his badge. >> he took video that he should not have taken of security arrangements at airports in contravention of his security clearance. and the obligations that go with having a gun many tucker, you may not like the response. i don't want pilots doing what he did. >> tucker: pointing out holes in the -- >> we don't need a freelance justice system. we are a government of laws and rules. with the security system that's in place, which i know you don't like, you can't make your own rules. >> tucker: whistle-blowers should have their homes -- >> this is a guy making his own rules. >> tucker: he was holding out facts for the ref of us to assess. >> apparently he did obtain this firearm leaguely. -- leaguely. i don't think there's any question that as american people we ought to do whatever we can do to secure our airports. if there was a difference in all the workers going through they should go through the same -- >> you don't make your own rules on the golf course. >> oh no. tuck tub nobody is denying he told the truth. embarrassing federal bureaucrats, he was punished. >> his choice and manner can be questioned. whistle-blowers tend to face the most amount of scrutiny, no doubt. there has been a statement issued that said he did not show anything an observant passenger could have seen on the ground. that is more to doug's point. is he showing something that could have caused -- exposed more ability rather than a failure. -- more vulnerableable. if you can tuck this was federal bureaucrats caught with their pans down they tried to crush it happens everyday. i thought the left was for defending peep -- >> not people who make their own rules and laws. next time you might try writing a letter, first. [ talking over each other ] >> let him do it in a [ talking over each other ] >> tucker: unbelievable. don't come to my house. time to check in with janine pirro. tonight someone stuck on that terrifying ski lift at sugarloaf mountain. the first tea party candidate to throw her hat in the ring for 2012. guess who that is? she will be here with us. tune in at 10. >> tucker: sold, i'm watching! more with the great american panel, next. ♪ [ male announcer ] let's be honest. no one ever wished for a smaller holiday gift. ♪ it's e lexus december to remember sales event, and for a limitetime, we're celebrating some of our greatest offers of the year. lease the 2011 is 250 for $349 a month for 36 months with $3,399 due at signing. see your lexus dealer. >> tucker: welcome back. we are glad you're watching. president obama it has been confirmed by the white house call the owner of the philadelphia eagles and during the course of their conversation, thanked him for giving michael vick a second chance. i'm a christian i've made mistakes. believe fervently in second chances. michael vick killed dogs in a heartless and cruel way. i think firstly, he should have been executed for that, he wind. the idea the president of the united states would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs, beyond the pale. >> i'm uncertain as to why he call. but i don't think there's any question that most americans agree two things in this instance, it was absolutely shocking to what we saw. what came out of that. on the other hand, there are countless people who do and want and need second chances. america is very forgiving in that instance. i'm glad michael vick is on the field. he's playing. having within of the best years of his life. but i think that he is fairly repent 10. then again, i don't know why president obama is making such a deal -- >> tucker: good point. we have a sincere disagreement. again i'm all for -- forgiveness. i think there are some things that are unforgiveable. why is the president weighing in on this? >> that's the bigger point. i don't think we can assume the president thinks any conversation like that is going to be private. the coach was excited. he talked about how passionate the president was. if he is so passionate he can go to a small business across the country that believes in second chances act, employing reentry of some convicted felons or convicts. he didn't do that. it is a bad boy celebrity who happens to be extremely talented. and i think he is repent tent. that's a -- repent 10. >> tucker: he's some creepy rich football player. if the president said there's some guy who up on crack, turned his life around, fine. >> that's not what it is >> bottom line, he did a horrific thing. he paid, he went to jail and he's speaking for the humane society. the aspca. he has turned his life around. the humane society has said michael vick may well be able to have a dog at some point in the future. at president acknowledged this is a country of second chances with a high profile felon who has acknowledged his foibles and the president was right to make this point because it is a metaphor, tucker. >> tucker: it is like the dahmer party becoming a spokesman for vegetarianism. this is like him weighing in on the mosque at ground zero. >> it is a very different thing. this is about redemption. >> tucker: i don't like the policy part. why can the president acknowledged the values and don't express -- >> there's a pattern of the president in many of these issues, professor gates, the mosque issue. it puts into question what the president is focusing in on. >> tucker: get common sense, people pay close attention to everything you say. >> christmas to talk about redemption is not the worstning in the world. >> tucker: the guy who is killing dogs. >> he a. >> tucker: he went to jail for two years. there are people who cheat on their taxes, people who don't report on their tips get longer than that, that's nothing. >> something who has paid with incarceration and trying to do pennants shouldn't have the acknowledgement by leaders high and low -- >> tucker: i think the president should be quiet on this i would like to hear him weigh in on the plans of alvin greene the famous south carolina democrat the physical embodiment of the democratic party -- >> you are just plain wrong on this hose a prospective opponent for barack obama. the state is a stepping stone. >> tucker: it is a process. why the president stepping in on behalf of his fellow democrat alvin greene in south carolina? >> it is a vacant seat. i watched this fellow. he's the subject of a lot of people's frivolity and the people are amused. i just -- you know, the votes have to be there. but somehow i don't think they are going to be there. >> tucker: as a man who spent his life around betting and odds, there's something there. >> i'm being very nice there, i'm sorry. >> tucker: i think you are being very nice. i hope that alvin greene continues his quest for he will beed office forever. it is -- for elected office forever. once he settled his on y s. >> he unlike michael vick is not repent tan -- repentant. >> tucker: he has hasn't been convicted. it shows a little bias they are leaving alvin greene, a veteran in the cold and not acknowledging that he is the physical embodiment of the values of that party. >> when somody has felony charges pending, as he does, presumably, without a campaign, without a structure and rationale, you can understand why no democrats are rallying to him. he says the system isn't working. i think leslie and ben would agree he has a point. >> tucker: innocent until prove haven't guilty. that applies even to the democratic party. it was wonderful to be with you. thank you all very much. alvin greene, hopefully, if we get together and focus all of our positive energy on alvin greene, maybe he will continue to run. maybe even against barack obama. that >> that's what he says. >> tucker: alvin, we're counting on you. the holidays can be the toughest time of the year for men and women serving overseas. one filmmaker takes us inside afghanistan to see what christmas is like for our troops serving there. that's coming up. we hope you will stay tuned. we'll be right back. [ male announcer ] 100 potato chips or 100 pringles. both cost the same, but only the pringles superstack can makes everything pop! ♪ ♪ whoa-oh-oh-oh ♪ yeah, yeah ♪ hey, hey [ male announcer ] the choice is yours... 100 of these or 100 pringles. same cost but a lot more fun. everything pops with the pringles superstack can! ♪ . >> tucker: the families of deployed servicemen and women endure a lot of hardship year round. the holidays can be especially lonely. for those serving overseas and families at home. for the second year in a row operation patriot car package has been working with the family readiness group to bring a little home to those serving thousands miles from here. this exclusive look at christmas in a war zone. >> since september 11th, 2001 we've been fighting in afghanistan the taliban and insurge . living and fighting from a remote combat out-post throughout the country of afghanistan. where i'm at now it is located in the eastern part of afghanistan. we are not too far from the pakistan border. this is probably one of the most dangerous areas within eastern afghanistan itself. >> our mission is on governance. a lot of our time is spent outside the wire. working on patrols in our sector. we have small satellite bases. >> if you have seen vietnam movies it is guys living on bunkers -- living in bunkers on cots. battle day in and date out. >> the life is one of a kind. you don't have no -- only power you got is generated. no running water. there's a lot of contact, because it is a bad place. [ unintelligible ] >> year long separation is difficult, especially during the holiday times. you don't get to hang out with your kids, with your family many you are here with your interim family. but it is not the same. it is difficult. the kids don't wake up christmas morning, dad is not there for some people mom's not there because they in afghanistan. it takes its toll on family life. >> we are unloading 15 pallets of mail. >> to make sure every serviceman and woman deployed gets a car package if us. they will get from soldier's angels to let them know we are thinking about them and we will have them. >> to be able to do something, especially during this holiday season soldiers' angels is reaching out to 170,000 soldiers, monumental undertaking if we can help in any way we are glad to. >> the operation patriot care package is a good thing. >> everyone is invited. we had parents, wives, girlfriends anyone who wanted to join. >> it allows parents and wives to put these packages together so every soldier receives a package just in time for christmas. a lot of them, there is somebody that cares about them and what they do. >> here are some packages which were put together by couple organizations people from soldiers' angels, patriot care package, also special thanks to mike and monica that were the ones put together and sponsored the company. biggest thing you got to remember is all these packages were put together by our frg. >> like our sergeant and rco they give us missions and a purpose that's why what they are dole for our wives they are giving them a purpose and mission to be able to do something back for us. that's a great thing. >> an opportunity to get packages from home. specifically packaged by our families, it is a good thing. seems like everybody is happy. everybody loves getting packages. it is always good to get something from home >> thank to you everybody that helped put it together. thank you to my wife and kids. and i'll be home in a couple of months. >> kind of a breath of fresh air. you kind of lose track of america here. it is kind of nice to help you remember everything that people care about you back home. >> it is a big deal for everybody for morale, any kind of package from anybody is a big deal. >> merry christmas, i love to you my beautiful wife, my son, and i miss everybody. >> it is like bringing christmas to afghanistan. the guy aren't going to be home. they are not going to open up presents christmas morning and not spending it with their families. it is going to be our first christmas we are missing. >> in is the first time i've been away from my son. especially difficult me just missing him. him walking and new words. this will be the first christmas he gets to open presents. so i'm definitely going to miss out on that. >> even though we are apart we are still together in our hearts. >> i think military deployment is hard on not only us, because we are here for a year, year hand a half, depending on if we get extended or not, but it is particularly hard on the families. >> it has been rough. everyday that goes by it is one day closer. >> all the wives out there with no kids, any kids, lots of kids, it doesn't matter it is a stressful time. >> if we didn't have the support of these other wives it would be a lonely world without our husbands. we all try to come together and make the time go by a little faster. >> when we are out fighting, we get stressed out. but it is a constant fight for them 365 days a year. >> it means a lot. >> i'm glad they did it. >> me too. >> my package that i received was packaged by my wife and both my sons. and they put their own little notes in my package. little drawings and everything. >> christmas cards. they wanted to put stickers in, sign a name or write something or color paper, they have something special they can stick in there for their dad or loved one. >> it means they care about me. they show their own affection in their own way. they get to do something for their dad, to show how much they love me. how much they care. >> hi dad, come back soon, from jacob, love you. >> it is not the fact that we just the get the packages, it is who they are pack canned by. our families, our friends and whatnot. all got together and put those packages together for each individual soldier. making sure that everybody, no matter what during the holidays had an opportunity to open a package from somebody that cares and understands what we're going through. i love it, it is great. >> just to be able to receive a christmas present from my wife, from my boy scottie, it means the world to me. >> the best present a soldier could have, t