>> mitchell: tonight health care showdown. the white house says americans will know where the president stands on the issue when he speaks to congress just three days from today. i'm russ michelle. also tonight, a feud over food. critics charge new labels promise a healthy choice but often don't deliver on it. fire safety controversy. >> i told you to get out. you need to get out now! >> mitchell: can design changes protect houses and people from out of control wildfires? and design star, how a 13-year-old cancer patient became a nascar winner. captioning sponsored by cbs this is the "cbs evening news" with russ mitchell. >> mitchell: and good evening. as we observe this unofficial last weekend of summer, the obama administration is gearing up for a busy week as it relaunches its massive push for health-care reform. today president obama's top advisors hit the airwaves. the debate on capitol hill is heating up again and on wednesday the president takes his case correct -- case directly to the public. kim -- kimberlie dozier has the latest. >> reporter: after months of speeches, interviews and town hall meetings, this wednesday the president will tell congress and the american people something they haven't heard before. exactly what he wants to see in health-care reform. >> the people will leave that speech knowing where he stands. >> reporter: that may answer whether president obama will insist on the controversy public option, a government provided health insurance alternative. the white house was still avoiding directly answering that question today. >> he believes the public option is a good tool. now it shouldn't define the whole health care debate, however. >> reporter: but after the media read that sound bite as a retreat from the public plan, the white house fired back that it's still their preferred option. it's just not a deal breaker. until now the white house has resisted drafting its own bill. instead offering general ideas. the president has wanted congress to come up with the specifics if bipartisan legislation. so he wouldn't be accused of dictating a plan. but that's given the president's opposition free reign to frame the debate. >> they don't even belong here and i'm paying for. >> reporter: and the intense media focus on the normal, ugly, bruising process of drafting any bill, the political squabbling, the missed deadlines has turned the american public off. they blame the president. and now he's got to win them back. >> this probably the make-or-break week for president o bam's's health-care plan. >> reporter: the latest opinion polls show mr. obama's national approval rating has dropped to 56%. according to a september 1st, cbs news poll. that's the lowest to date during his term. and down from 68% in april. but he is still arguably the most popular politician in the land. >> they still very much like the president personally. so i think he's going to use his own star power to try and sell that to congress. >> reporter: one thing it has done is spooninged some of those lawmakers into action. senator max baucus is con screen -- convening a group of senators on tuesday to try to come up with their version of the plan before mr. obama takes over the debate. >> mitchell: kimberlie dozier at the white house, thank you very much. >> the white house is also trying to tamp down the controversy over a speech the president is set to make tuesday to the nation's schoolchildren. conservatives have accused the president of pro pote po -- promoting his agenda to kids and some school districts will now allow parents to choose not to let their kids see the speech. >> reporter: in rockwell, texas, parents of more than 14,000 schoolchildren have a choice to make, whether to allow their kids to watch president obama's speech tuesday or not. >> the parents that have given me feedback had thanked us for giving parents the option. >> reporter: this district has decided kids must have parental permission to see the speech. for some it's an easy decision. >> part of our job is as i parent is to prepare them to be exposed to viewpoints and think for themselves. >> reporter: others like jeff schneider who has two children in elementary school have their doubts. >> i don't want my child raised to be a little community organizer. >> reporter: his major objection, that obama might use the speech to make political points, and a suggested homework assignment asking children to write a letter explaining what they could do to help the president. >> what i had a problem with is the lesson plan that they first put out before the uproar was pretty creepy in an orwellian kind of way. how can you help obama. >> reporter: the white house has since backtracked changing the assignment. now asking children to write about how they will achieve their education goals. >> and it's really about personal responsibility and accountable, being accountable, setting real goalsnd having the work ethic to see them through. >> reporter: president obama won't be the first american president to address institutes in school. others have done so this the past. >> it a pleasure to be at this wonderful school. >> reporter: republican presidents ronald reagan in 1988. >> the question each student watching today should ask. >> and george h.w. bush in 1991 have addressed the nation's schoolchildren. >> oddly, he actually called on students to write him a letter, to tell them, to tell him how they could help him achieve his administration's goals. >> reporter: many students say they welcome a pep talk by the president. >> i think it's inspiring to hear our president tell us how to stay in school and stuff. >> it motivates me to study harder and get good grades. >> reporter: the white house says it will release an advanced text of president obama's speech on monday which has some parents asking, why they didn't do that in the first place don diego, cbs news, rockwell, texas. >> mitchell: white house advisor van jones resigned in the face of a firestorm over statements he made prior to taking his post. he made redoing -- derogatory comments about republicans and that white house official as laud the september 11th attacks to occur. the supreme court comes back early for a rare rehearing of a case that has already been argued before it. as wyatt andrew tells it us the case involves around the right of free speech and the controversial movie about a high-profile public figure. >> or is she ruthless, cunning, dishonest. >> reporter: it's a one-sided and highly critical look at the life and politics it of hillary clinton. >> she was the first first lady to come under criminal investigation. >> reporter: but very few people had evenof "hillary the movie" until last year when the u.s. government banned the film and its ads from airing on tv. >> you thought what? >> how is this possible? >> reporter: lead producer david bossi a conservative political activist was told by the federal election commission his ads were a form of electioneering communication. >> wait until you see the movie. >> reporter: and because hillary clinton was then running for president, the ads were banned by law within 30 days of a primary. >> it was a political statement during a primary season. but that's the essence of the first amendment. >> reporter: bossi's claim that the ban violated his first amendment rights has become one of the most important free speech cases ever. is it legal to restrict corporate spending on political campaigns. >> this is a huge case for democracy. >> reporter: fred worthheimer an activist for campaign reform calls this case momentous because david boss eade have casey group, citizened united, is a corporation. and if companies have the same free speech rights as individuals, he says, then all of the laws that limit corporate spending on politics are on the line. >> this case is now about whether the immense wealth of corporations in america can be spent to elect or defeat candidates. >> reporter: bossee describes the issue more simply. is political speech free or not. >> i'm asking for the right to be able to be heard, the right to have free speech, truly free speech. >> reporter: wednesday's unusual court session is also the first for the court's new justice sonia sotomayor. and shell's be stepping right into a controversy both sides now agree is as big as it gets. wyatt andrews, cbs news at the sprem court. >> mitchell: now to a controversy that is as close as your local supermarket shelf. it's all about those familiar government nutrition labels. and the brand-new labels some manufacturers are adding on their own. randal pinkston looks them over. >> reporter: since the mid '90s if americans wanted to know what was in their food they had to look at government-approved nutrition facts on the side of the box. now some packaged foods are getting new front of the box labels. >> the purpose is to help people make choices about healthier food and to make different selections than they're making now. >> reporter: it's called the smart choices program, a system designed by and paid for the nation's major food manufacturers and managed by the american society of nutrition. but critics say the program has a very different objective. >> the point of this program is to make processed foods look healthy. when what you really want people eating is foods that have been as minimally processed as possible. >> reporter: marion, a nutrition expert was astounded by some of the products that rate the smart choices designation. >> this is the first product that i have seen with this logo on it. and i was kind of amazed because this is a sugary cereal. >> reporter: but food manufacturers say just because a product contains sugar doesn't make it bad. >> we believe this smart choices program taken in its total will encourage people to eat in line with the u.s. dietary guidelines for americans. >> reporter: so far ten large food manufacturers like kellogg's and kraft are part of the smart choices program with approximately 500 products including fruit loops, kid cuisine construction cheeseburger, teddy grams and kraft mack ronni and cheese carrying the smart choices label. the green mark does not mean government approval. but critics say there a danger some consumers won't know that. >> if you saw a cereal with this green check mark on it, what would that suggest to you, this green check part. >> smart choices program that it would be a healthy choice. >> reporter: the food and drug administration which regulates food labels is keeping close watch on the smart choices program. the major concern is that the labels may mislead consumers and encourage them to buy highly processed foods instead of fruits and vegetables. >> mitchell: randal pinkston, thank you ven. and coming up on tonight's "cbs evening news", we'll take a look at what's next for the economy and ppsdetore tops president obama's fall agenda. i'm semi retired and i'm 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(announcer) trying to lower your cholesterol can be a challenge. but with the help of honey nut cheerios' sweet taste, it's a non-challenge. get your free sample online at non-challenge.com the rest of the body is a no brainer. doesn't your whole body deserve excedrin strength relief? excedrin back & body. excedrin. what ache? >> mitchell: as washington gets back to work this week president obama and his administration are set to have a busy autumn. to help us look ahead we are joined by john dickerson in washington. good evening to you. >> good evening. >> mitchell: there has been a lot of talk about health care but what do you think s that job one for the obama administration this fall? >> well, health care is job one to the extent that it's still in the middle of the process for the president. but job one is still the economy for the white house. that's what people are really, really worried about. and these two issues are connected in some way. the president is trying to say he's had some success on the economy and that that should suggest that he might be able to have some success if his health reforms are put into action. >> mitchell: we'll come back to health care in a minute. but on the business front, the markets are up about 50%. 401(k)s looking better and better. should americans expect a prolonged recovery this fall? >> yes, i think it's a real business cycle recovery. the markets, their rise is in trying to anticipate that recovery. the real debate that we'll see this fall is how strong of a recovery is it going to be one that you notice or one that you don't really feel that much. >> mitchell: i see. unemployment is still at 9.7%, those are the latest numbers in august. can americans expect to see more jobs created? >> i think they can. surprisingly. i think there is a big debate here. but if you work outside of a factory, if you are in the services sector where most people work, nine out of ten people work, i do expect you're going to actually see jobs growth by year end. and i think that's actually something that the markets will applaud ultimately when they see it. >> mitchell: let me come back to you on health care is it a given that there will be some sort of health-care bill passed this fall? >> yes, there will be some kind of a bill it will cover some number of those who are currently uninsured. it will probably have some protections for people who have insurance now so that they don't get denied coverage or lose their coverage. but the reason that there will have to be something is this is the key priority for the president, his key domestic policy promise. and there are a lot of democrats who are going to be up for office in 2010. they need to be able to deliver on this key number one issue. >> mitchell: is there a key component that has to be in that bill in order for the administration to consider it a success? >> well, they are going to name anything that pass a success. so passage is the first thing it's got to have in it to succeed. it's going to have to cover some number of the uninsured as i said. it's also going to have to be deficit neutral, have enough reform in it so that covering some of those uninsured will be paid for. that will be absolutely crucial because people are very wary about the deficit numbers. and it's going to have to include some of those protections for people who already have insurance because they need to hear there is something in it for them to get behind this reform proposal. >> mitchell: how close will wall street be watching the health-care reform bill in washington. >> very closely. there is a whole number of different ways that it impacts wall street. certainly for the health-care companies and things like that, that analysts will be watching. but also there is concern about the debt, the deficit. and how potential more spending may impact that. but it also depends on how strong the recovery is and one other point on the recovery, it -- wall street may applaud it because it's actually happening, you've turned the corner. however main street may not feel it right away because you are necessarily starting from such a low, low point. and that's something to consider. >> busy few months ahead. thank you both very much. >> up next on tonight's "cbs evening news", shelter in place. the fireproofing strategy that some expert -- experts say is a death trap. it affects your entire day. to get a good night's sleep, try 2-layer ambien cr. the first layer dissolves quickly... to help you fall asleep. and unlike other sleep aids, a second dissolves slowly to help you stay asleep. when taking ambien cr, don't drive or operate machinery. sleepwalking, and eating or driving... while not fully awake with memory loss for the event... as well as abnormal behaviors... such as being more outgoing or aggressive than normal, confusion, agitation and hallucinations may occur. don't take it with alcohol... as it may increase these behaviors. allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, swelling of your tongue or throat may occur... and in rare cases may be fatal. side effects may include next-day drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. in patients with depression, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide may occur. if you experience any of these behaviors or reactions... contact your doctor immediately. wake up ready for your day-- ask your healthcare provider for 2-layer ambien cr. the one deal in the neighborhood where you get the real food. because our 2 for $20 features a half rack of our new double-glazed baby back ribs. seasoned and slow cooked to flavorful and tender perfection and your choice of sauces. and our juicy 7 oz. house sirloin. oriental chicken salad, boneless buffalo wings and lots of other choices. who says you can't have it all? 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you are going to run for your life because even indoors, you can't breathe. >> reporter: yet the heated debate over whether to stay or go -- >> i told to you get out. you need to get out now. >> reporter: rages on. ben tracy, cbs news, los angeles. >> mitchell: and in sports another upset at the u.s. open, 2005 champion kim clijsters of belgium making a comeback. ven beat venus williams to reach the quarterfinals. she took twono af to a have a baby, we'll be right back. you know why i sell tools? tools are uncomplicated? nothing complicated about a pair of 10 inch hose clamp pliers. you know what's complicated? shipping. shipping's complicated. not really. with priority mail flat rate boxes from the postal service shipping is easy. if it fits, it ships anywhere in the country for a low flat rate. that's not complicated. come on. how about...a handshake. alright. priority mail flat rate boxes only from the postal service. a simpler way to ship. if you get sick, or change jobs. eight ways reform matters to you. a cap on deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. no annual or lifetime limits on coverage. preventive care. covered. pre-existing conditions. covered. no higher rates due to gender. extended coverage for young adults. no more coverage denied if you get sick. and guaranteed renewal, even if you do. learn more today. my two granddaughters are my life. they always ask me, grandma, take me here, grandma, take me there. but with my occasional irregularity i wasn't always up to it. until i discovered activia and everything started to change. announcer: activia is clinically proven to help regulate your digestive system in two weeks when eaten every day. now i enjoy every minute. my grandkids are happy, and so am i. ♪ activia >> mitchell: finally this evening, defending champion carl edwards broken foot and all is racing in tonight's big nascar race in atlanta. if he wins, edwards can credit the help he got from a very special girl who designed his car's color scheme. mark straussman has our story. >> carl edwards is the race leader. >> reporter: nascar nation knows carl edwards a a winner, he drives number 99, the aflac ford fusion car. what matters to him is finishing first. >> how are you doing? >> good. >> reporter: but to jodi lauryn, what matters is finishing at all. she's 13 and fighting cancer for the second time. >> it was in my spine, in my bone marrow, in my stomach. >> reporter: this summer her atlanta hospital sponsored a coloring contest. the winner would redesign the colors of carl edwards car for one race. so jodi drew what she knew. >> i guess what i was thinking about is in the hospital every different room has a different color. the radiology room has blue. >> reporter: she picked crayons to match the colors of the hospital. colors she sees every week during her cancer treatment. >> anything bothering you? lumps, bumps, pain anywhere? >> reporter: jodi's greatest pain came right after her cancer diagnosis. her mother died. she became an orphan raised by her sister levita. >> she may cry, she may sigh but it's not for long. >> reporter: she tough. >> extremely trough. >> reporter: tough and talented. her drawing, this drawing won the contest. in the coloring contest there were 55 entries, all from kids with cancer. at the time, jodi didn't know much about nascar. she does now. >> i'm carl, nice to meet you. >> reporter: first she met carl edwards. then she saw her drawing come to life on their car. >> the car's good. they don't even let me design the car. >> if we put it in victory lane it will look real good. >> they are a competitive team. >> i like the feeling of winning. >> reporter: so if you were driving that car, you would want to win. >> yeah. >> reporter: that feeling of winning. to carl edwards it's a chick erred flag. but jodi, a finish line called remission. mark straussman, cbs news, atlanta. >> mitchell: and that is the "cbs evening news." thanks for joining us this sunday evening. i'm russ mitchell, cbs news in new york. enjoy your holiday. i'll see you again tomorrow. good night. captioning sponsored by cbs captioned by media access group at wgbh access.wgbh.org at suntrust, we help you manage your money at home. and make it easy when you're away. and where ever you go, atm fees won't follow.