Good evening. Its 10 00 on the east coast and we begin with brooking news on the looming fiscal cliff. For the past few nights weve been telling you about the frustrating lack of progress to avert a deal on automatic tax hikes and spending cuts that kick in less than four weeks from now. Poll after poll shows the American People want compromise but there werent many signs that was going to happen, nothing was getting done. In a cnn crc poll, 67 said washington officials would behave like spoiled children in the fiscal cliff discussions. Only 28 said they would behave like adults. Tonight signs that maybe some adult behavior might be prevail and a compromise might be reached. Jessica yellen joins us, dana bash and david gergen. Whats the latest . Reporter they are a long way from a deal, but late today Speaker Boehner and president obama did speak to one another on the phone. Now, this is an Important Development because its the first time theyve talked in a week about the fiscal cliff.
In a cnn crc poll, 67 said washington officials would behave like spoiled children in the fiscal cliff discussions. Only 28 said they would behave like responsible adults. Tonight, signs that maybe some adult behavior might be prevail. And a compromise might be reached. Joining me now, dana bash, jessica yellin, and david gergen. Whats the latest . Reporter they are a long way from a deal. But late today Speaker Boehner and president obama did speak to one another on the phone. Now, this is an Important Development because its the first time theyve talked in a week about the fiscal cliff. I am told, though, that there was no Real Progress in negotiations. In this sense there was no breakthrough on that Central Point of tax rates. As you know, president obama insists there is no deal unless the gop agrees to raise rates on the top 2 of earners. The gop says thats a nonstarter. And the two men have not moved from that basic position. Now, all of this comes at the same time treasury secre
The speaker met in person to talk about the fiscal cliff was more than three weeks ago. And just after midnight on sunday, making history. The governor signed the voterapproved referendum into law on wednesday. And hugo chavez is returning to cuba for more cancer surgery but this time he is making sure a new leader is in place in case he doesnt return, and he named the Vice President as his choice for a replacement in case something happens for him. The 58yearold president is still scheduled to be sworn in for a new sixyearterm on january 10th. Sad news for fans of music star jenny rivera. There doesnt appear to be any survivors. The plane lost contact with air Traffic Controllers early this morning. So far no cause has been given for that crash. The National Menorah in front of the white house was illuminated tonight marking the first day of hanukkah. And no hanukkah celebration would be complete without the spinning dradel. Great lakes, i dont have to tell you, you are getting slamme
Away. No details on their conversations but reps for both sides say the lines of communication remain open. The last time the president and the speaker met in person to talk about the fiscal cliff was more than three weeks ago. And just after midnight on sunday, making history. The governor signed the voterapproved referendum into law on wednesday. And hugo chavez is returning to cuba for more cancer surgery but this time he is making sure a new leader is in place in case he doesnt return, and he named the Vice President as his choice for a replacement in case something happens for him. The 58yearold president is still scheduled to be sworn in for a new sixyearterm on january 10th. Sad news for fans of music star jenni rivera. There doesnt appear to be any survivors. The plane lost contact with air Traffic Controllers early this morning. So far no cause has been given for that crash. The National Menorah in front of the white house was illuminated tonight marking the first day of hanuk
Captions by vitac www. Vitac. Com good morning. Im alison kosik. And im christi paul. It is 8 00 on the east coast. 5 00 for all you early birds out west, obviously. And its early. Yes. Start with negotiations going on this weekend to try and keep going off the fiscal cliff. The deadline is now just three days away. President obama is modestly optimistic. Our chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin has more on what needs to happen in order to make a deal. Reporter alison, christi, hi. The good news is things could have been worse. It doesnt seem to those of us watching from the sidelines as though time is running out, but congress does some of its best or at least its speediest work when the nations back is against the wall. After a Rare Oval Office meeting with top congressional leaders, the president said hes modestly optimistic a deal can come together. Emphasis on modestly. The American People are watching what we do here. Obviously, their patience is already thin. This is d