Republicans challenged rices explanation of the september 11 attack on the u. S. Mission in benghazi, libya, that killed ambassador Chris Stephens and three others. Five days after that attack, rice appeared on face the nation. We do not have information at present that leads us to conclude this was premeditate or preplanned. Reporter republicans, led by john mccain, charged that the administration already knew that it was a planned terrorist attack. It is clear that the information that she gave the American People was incorrect. Reporter in november, rice testified behind closed doors on capitol hill, but her critices, like senator lindsey graham, were unrelenting. Bottom line, im more disturbed now than i was before that 16th september explanation about how four americans died in benghazi, libya. Ambassador rice, i think does not do justice to the reality at the time, and, in hindsight, clearly was completely wrong. Reporter last month, the president defended rice with a rare flash of public anger. When they go after the u. N. Ambassador, apparently because they think shes an easy target, then theyve got a problem. Reporter but today, in a phone conversation with the president , rice bowed out, saying as she told nbc news that she was saddened things had reached this point. Because i didnt want to see a confirmation process that was very prolonged, very politicized, very distracting and very disruptive. Reporter president obama accepted her withdrawal, then said her decision demonstrates the strength of her character and an admirable commitment to rise above the politics of the moment to put our National Interests first. The president said he was grateful rice would continue to serve at the u. N. And that he regretted the attacks on her. Scott, when rice failed to win over critics like republican john mccain and lindsey graham, in private, her chances for confirmation withered away. Pelley bill, thank you. Bob schieffer is our chief washington correspondent and anchor of face the nation. Bob, the president said its unfair. Why did ambassador rice withdraw . Reporter well, ill tell you, scott, susan rice really had no choice, nor did the administration. Key Senate Republicans quietly passed the word to Vice President biden last week that it was going to be all but impossible for her to be confirmed. Biden was told there was virtually no support for her among republicans and that some democrats were also beginning to question whether she was the best choice. When i spoke to rice myself recently, she, too, seemed to be wavering about whether she really wanted the job. I would want to talk to them. It would be a family decision. Her withdrawal will make it easier now for secretary of state who is due to testify about that benghazi episode next week on capitol hill. Senator lindsey graham, who was one of the main critics told me tonight her withdrawal is not the end of the controversy. He told me the administration is still inexplicably stonewalling, and we still want some answers. Its not known who the president will now nominate to replace hillary clinton, but republicans and democrats said tonight the nominee who would be most easily confirmed is massachusetts senator john kerry. Pelley bob, thank you very much. Busy at the white house today. The speaker of the house met with the president to try to break the budget deadlock. In about two weeks, as you know, most americans will see a big tax increase, and there will be massive spending cuts unless another way is found to reduce the red ink in the budget. Mr. Obama wants to raise taxes on the top 2 of americans, and that would include married couples earning more than 250,000. Nancy cordes is at the capitol tonight. Nancy . Reporter scott, the president and Speaker Boehner met at the white house this evening for about 50 minutes. Were told the conversation was frank, but before he headed to the white house, Speaker Boehner gave this grim assessment of the state of talks right now. Here we are at the 11th hour, and the president still isnt serious about dealing with this issue right here. Its this issue spending reporter white house aides say the president has proposed 600 billion worth of cuts. In an interview with cbs minneapolis affiliate wcco, the president said no deal is possible unless Speaker Boehner agrees to let the low bush tax rates expire for the top 2 of u. S. Households. The big problem right now is that republicans in the house are resistant to the idea of the wealthiest americans paying higher tax rates. Reporter boehner wasnt swayed. Why are you holding out for a tax cut for the wealthy that most americans, even many wealthy people, say we shouldnt have . Raising tax rates will hurt Small Businesses at a time when were expecting Small Businesses to be the engine of job creation in america. Reporter Speaker Boehner is headed to ohio for the weekend, so there will be no more face toface meetings for now. White house aides say the lines of communication remain open, but, scott, we havent been informed of any progress. Pelley nancy, thank you. Theres another fiscal deadline at the end of the year two million americans will lose their Unemployment Benefits. Heres jim axelrod. Reporter outside boston, life is not exactly turning out the way 57yearold carol green expected after 25 years of work in retail and health care. My boss sat down with me and told me that i did a wonderful job and that my job was eliminated nothing personal, just business. Reporter that was a year ago. She got 515 a week from massachusetts for six months. A federal program extend those checks. But a few weeks ago, she got a letter from the government. The nuts and bolts of it was that it didnt matter how long your extension was, as of the 29th, because of the fiscal cliff, your benefits were ended. Thats it, boom. Reporter done. Done deal. Reporter the federal program that extends Unemployment Benefits would cost 30 billion next year. Critics say thats too much for any serious deficit reduction plan. What is this going to mean to your life . I have enough money, probably, to last me through january. Reporter so what are you going to do . I dont know. Reporter are you scared . Very scared. People across the country are in my situation. Everybodys wondering. You just dont know. Reporter after 26 years in her home, carol green decide her only option was to pack up and put it on the market. In two weeks, shes heading to minnesota to move in with her daughter. Did you ever think. In a million years . Not in a million years did i ever think i would ever be in this situation, that my daughter would be supporting the household until i was resituated with another job. Reporter advocates for extending benefits say the unemployed spend most of that 30 billion, that stimulus supports 400,000 jobs. Of course, opponents argue those same benefits are an incentive for the unemployed to turn down jobs, scott, that dont pay as well as their old jobs. Pelley jim, thanks very much. The syrian civil were may have reached a turning point today. The dictatorships best ally said for the first time the rebels are gaining and president Bashar Alassad could lose. Russia even talked about evacuating its citizens. The war started nearly two years ago as a popular uprising. 40,000 people have died. In afghanistan, an american soldier and two afghans were killed by a car bomb today. It happened near the u. S. Airbase at kandahar a few hours after defense secretary leon panetta left there to meet with afghan president karzai. Taliban attacks have grown more frequent, causing a sharp rise in civilian casualties. Clarissa ward found a place where many of those lives are saved or lost. Reporter every patient who arrives here is a casualty of war. This nonprofit trauma hospital goes by one name emergency. It offers free treatment to the bruised and bloodied victims of this conflict. Regardless of whether theyre taliban or what their political affiliations are . Of course. Otherwise, youre not a doctor anymore; then are you a judge. Reporter dr. Gino strada is the chainsmoking italian cardiologist who founded emergency in 1999. He told us he has seen a dramatic shift in the types of injuries he treats fewer Bullet Wounds and many more from roadside bombs and heavy weapons. The weapons which are now used much more powerful and destructive than those that were available ten or 15 years ago. Reporter this year, the hospital has treated nearly 2,000 patients, an alltime high the vast majority, civilians. And this is from shrapnel . Fiveyearold shayr mohammeds wrist was fractured and his arm burned when he was hit by shrapnel. His injuries have healed well. Not all children are so lucky. This young boy had picked up what he thought was a toy, and it exploded in his pocket. By the time he arrived in emergency, there was nothing the doctors could do. We live in a place where insurgents and police are shooting at each other all the time, his uncle told us. So the fighting is becoming more and more close to the capital, and it is becoming more intense. And this is very i mean, its very worrying because its very difficult to predict what is going to happen in the near future. Reporter as nato troops prepare to pull out in 2014, there are fears that the security situation could deteriorate further and that afghanistans Health Care System will be overwhelmed. The u. S. Has spent nearly 1 billion on health care here in the last ten years, but dr. Strada told us there is little to show for it. What worries me is corruption in the health sector. I mean, if you look at the amount of International Aid that has come to afghanistan for health, you would expect to find fantastic hospitals everywhere, and you dont see one. Reporter but theres no shortage of patients, and the war outside emergencys walls rages on. Clarissa ward, cbs news, kabul. Pelley a high school is taking on its obesity problem and winning, and scientists take the measure of one of the biggest sequoias when the cbs evening news continues. Measure measure of one of the biggest sequoias when the cbs evening news of one of the biggest sequoias continues. Like pain, morning ss and progression of joint damage. Its helped new ra patients and those not helped enough by other treatments. Do not take orencia with another biologic medicine for ra due to an increased risk of serious infection. Serious side effects can occur including fatal infections. Cases of lymphoma and lung cancer have been reported. Tell your doctor if you are prone to or have any infection like an open sore or the flu or a history of copd, a chronic lung disease. Orencia may worsen your copd. [ male announcer ] now learn about a program committed to you and copay assistance that can reduce monthly orencia outofpocket drug cost to 5. If youre not satisfied after 6 months, you get that money back. Call 1800orencia. You know, one job or the other. The moment i could access the retirement plan, i just became firm about it the moment i could access the retirement plan, pelley a health study says obesity is killing three times as many people around the world as malnutritioon. Seth doane tells us about a Missouri High School fighting the problem. Hi, brandy, how are you . Reporter spend a minute in the Nurses Office at Truman High School in independence, missouri, and youll immediately notice something troubling. What problems are you seeing . We see type two diabetes, high blood pressure. People with joint pains, arthritis, stre swrierkt depression. From being above a healthy weight Reporter School nurse lori halsey tells us 40 of students at truman high were overweight or obese. Two years ago, he was part of a districtwide program to test students body fat. You worry where they are going to be in the future. We have a major issue in kids because what theyre eating, what theyre not eating, the lack of exercise. This is a crisis in our country. Reporter the crisis that School Superintendent jim hinson saw in his school. Through higher rates of absenteeism, illness, and lower test scores. He attacked the problem with mandatory nutrition classes in grades k12. At the how many of you use a measuring cup . Reporter at the gym, they know the record students levels, and, in the cafeteria, chicken that was fried is now baked. Salads are always on the menu. I didnt she so well. I didnt have a good nights sleep last night, either. Reporter this 17yearold seen suffers from the same weightinduced asthma that killed her father. I think slowly but surely the message will hit home and kids will start eating healthier. But like, you cant did this by yourself. Its so easy to fall back. Reporter in the last year, shes made a start, losing nine pounds so far. If kids cant be healthy, they cant be successful. So if we give them the tools they need in education they can take it home. Its the first time the Life Expectancy for kids is less than ours. That has to change. Reporter at the districts grade schools, test scores are up and asthma cases are down, and at truman high, obesity rates have dropped 10 over the last two years. The changes theyve made here are showing results. Seth doane, cbs news, independence, missouri. Pelley the stars were out last night. Who are you. Pelley . Raising millions for sandy relief. That story is next. Ide [ male announcer ] feeling like a shadow of your former self . Cmon, michael get in the game [ male announcer ] dont have the hops for hoops with your buddies . Lost your appetite for romance . And your mood is on its way down. You might not just be getting older. You might have a treatable condition called low testosterone or low t. Millions of men, fortyfive or older, may have low t. So talk to your doctor about low t. Hey, michael [ male announcer ] and step out of the shadows. Hi how are you . [ male announcer ] learn more at isitlowt. Com. [ laughs ] hey i have a great fit with my dentures. I love kiwis. Ive always had that issue with the seeds getting under my denture. Super poligrip free it creates a seal of the dentures in my mouth. Even wellfitting dentures let in food particles. Super poligrip is zinc free. With just a few dabs, its clinically proven to seal out more food particles so youre more comfortable and confident while you eat. Super poligrip free made the kiwi an enjoyable experience. [ charlie ] try zinc free super poligrip. Made the kiwi an enjoyable experience. Pelley last nights 121212 benefit concert in new york raised at least 30 million for victims of hurricane sandy. Baby, we were born to run. Reporter performers included homegrown stars Bruce Springsteen and jon bon jovi, and what mick jagger called a collection of old english musicians. Something called king tides are making a big splash along the west coast. Waves there could reach more than nine feet. The high tides have already caused flooding in san diego and elsewhere. A unique alignment of the sun, moon and earth is giving the sea an extra gravitational push. Californias climate has long helped nurture the giant sequoias. Have a look at this 3,200year old tree, called the president in Sequoia National park. Tree climbing scientists from the National Geographic society recently added it all up, inch by inch. The sequoia is 27 feet wide at the bottom and soars 247 feet into the air, and it has more than a billion leaves. No word on how long it took the man on top to climb down. It might have been curtains for this theater until the owner took Artistic License with the tax code. That story is next. [ loud party sounds ] hi, im ensure clear. Clear, huh . Im not juice or fancy water. Ive got nine grams of protein. Thats thre÷e times more than m [ female announcer ] ensure clear. Nine grams protein. Zero fat. In blueberry pomegranate and peach. But with advair, im breathing better. So now i can be in the scene. Advair is clinically proven to help significantly improve lung function. Unlike most copd medications, advair contains both an antiinflammatory and a longacting bronchodilator taking advair. If youre still having difficulty breathing, ask your doctor if including advair could help improve your lung function. Get your first full prescription free and save on refills at advaircopd. Com. Then i read an article about a study that looked at the Long Term Health benefits of taking multivitamins. They used centrum silver for the study. So i guess my wife was right. [ male announcer ] centrum. Always your most complete. Aww man. [ male announcer ] returns are easy with free pickup from the u. S. Postal service. Well even drop off boxes if you need them. Visit usps. Com pay, print, and have it picked up for free. Any time of year. Nice sweater. Thank you. Spain is in a financial crisis. The economy in recession, the government in debt, unemployment at 26 . Its a crisis that was threatening to put theaters out of business. But as Mark Phillips found, one Theater Owner got an ingenious idea straight out of bugs bunny. Reporter in other places, theatrical production may be about drama and song. In spain right now, though, they are also about vegetables. Specifically carrots. Reporter carrots, the humble root which may determine whether quim marces theater in the town of bescano, north of barcelona, lives or dies, and a lot of others, too. Why . Because the Spanish Government has recently just about tripled the sales tax on theater tickets. And quim feared that no one would ever fill these seats, until he made a discovery while out shopping. The tax on carrots is 4 . The tax on theater tickets, 21 . Quim marce did the math. Food for the body, 4 tax. Food for the soul, 21 . There had to be a way to bridge the gap. There was. Quim doesnt sell tickets now. He sells carrots, expensive ones. Thirteen euros, one carrot. Reporter you pay 17 for the carrot, you get the ticket for nothing. The ticket is free. Reporter for every carrot you buy, you get a free ticket. Yes. Reporter its not really a laughing matter. Theaters, movie houses and museums across the country are all being hit by the new tax a