the time of year for it. back over to you. >> thanks, rob. turning to politics, president obama concedes that the party took a self-described shellacking in the midterm elections but just one month later some key congressional victories suggest the president recaptured momentum. extending the bush era tax cuts, winning the congressional repeal of the don't ask, don't tell policy, adoption of the s.t.a.r.t. nuclear arms pact with russia awaiting his cig signature and the 9/11 health care bill. it will provide free medical treatment to workers exposed to the toxic dangers of ground zero. cnn's senior white house correspondent ed henry in honolulu where the president is beginning the vacation. >> reporter: well, the president landed here in hawaii in the middle of the night after the long flight from washington. this hawaiian vacation delayed by the lame duck session of congress and before leaving washington, he had a news