few weeks. now he is back home safe and sound. thank you very much, lisa sylvester. what was it like for you to finally speak with him after having done so much work about his case and the case of his fellow journalists who were being held in captivity? it was amazing to see him right face-to-face in person, because, you know, the last time that i was reporting, we saw the pictures. well saw the still photos. but to actually see him in the flesh, to see that he was well and okay. and it is a tremendous story, too, of all of the love and the support that he and claire gillis, that they had from their family and friends, really putting the pressure on to bring them back home. so it was thrill. and he is an excellent journalist. i got to tell you, wolf. he really does put his life on the line because he feels it s important to tell people what is going on, to tell people not to sugarcoat it in any way, but to show them the pictures. and that means oftentimes putting himself in danger, w
and, you know, he had a family, three kids. beloved photographer for many years in johannesburg. and he wanted to do a two-week story on the battle of brega. reporter: foley, fellow american claire gillis, and spanish photographer manu bravo were taken by gadhafi troops and held in a cell, interrogated repeatedly as bombs fell around them in tripoli. especially towards the end, we started to hear the bombs coming closer and more frequently. reporter: he was allowed only one five-minute phone call back home, and he spoke to his mom. first thing i said when i called her, i m sorry, mom, yes. but also i m strong. i feel okay. i feel good. i m praying as much as i can. and she said don t you feel us all praying for you? and i was i took that back to set with me.
and all eyes now on the phrase one nation in the gop race to the white house. just ahead, new signs those words could be sarah palin is running for president. i m wolf blitzer. you re in the situation room. but first, a heartbreaking development in joplin, missouri. all week we ve been bringing you wrenching stories of those missing in the tornado s wake, while at the same time holding out hope they might still be found alive. one of them, 16-year-old lance who was in his car when the twister hit has become a symbol of the desperation felt by so many families. i spoke to his mother, michelle, on tuesday right here in the situation room . oh, my gosh, he is amazing. he is a straight a student. always has been. everything comes so naturally. he has amazing friends. he rides bmx. he is involved in the bridge ministries here in joplin. very active once again, respectful. cares about his family so much. sadly, we ve just learned that lantz hare has now been found dead.