>> look at that. >> wow. >> good call. >> look at that. beauty is timeless. ms. crabtree from the '30s. >> time to talk about what we learned today. i learned that thomas does a great harding. >> president harding. >> check out afternoon mojo. if president clinton and president obama have a love child, it's him. >> any 19th century love letters, thomas roberts audio. >> you're done. chuck todd is next. have a great day, everyone. as congress comes back to work, one issue has not gone away. what can be done to resolve the border crossing crisis and how much can the obama administration do without congress? anger on the issue is

turning up the heat on incumbents like lamar alexander. we'll talk to his primary opponent about their fight just a few weeks away. an affair to remember. or to forget if you wait a century. find out what warren harding's love letters tell us about the country's craving for scandals. good morning from washington. it's monday, july 7th, 2014. this is "the daily rundown." hope you had a wonderful weekend. let's get to my first read of the morning. congress returns from the holiday weekend for a border crisis. the white house will request $2 billion to deal with surge of unaccompanied children coming in from central america. pressure is building on the administration to act and on sunday it was homeland security jeh johnson's term to go before the media in this case "meet the press" to send the message that the obama administration will "stem the tide of these crossings." >> our message to those who come

here illegally, our border is not open to illegal migration. >> but when repeatedly quizzed on what would happen to the more than now 52,000 children who have crossed the border since october, johnson was evasive. >> will most of these children stay in america or will they be returned to their homes in central america? >> we are looking at ways to create additional options for dealing with the children in particular consistent with our laws and our values. >> i'm trying to get an answer to will most of them end up staying in your judgment? >> we need to find more efficient, effective ways to turn this tide around generally and we've already begun to do that. >> is the goal of the administration to settle as many of these kids in america as possible? >> the goal of the administration is to stem the tide. >> i'll get into more on why exactly he was being so evasive there. raul labrador responded saying

the administration is manufacturing excuses about why the number of children coming into the country continues to rise. >> the thing this administration needs to do is immediately deport these families, these children. i know it sounds harsh. i know it sounds difficult. they're creating a crisis at this time that is actually going to harm these children. >> there's now some criticism of the president's handling of the situation from members of his own party. >> with all due respect to the administration, they're one step behind. they should have seen this coming a long time ago. >> here's the reality. u.s. law requires migrant children from countries other than mexico and canada to be turned over to the department of health and human services within 72 hours. not immediately deported. other countries are treated differently thanks to a 2008 law passed by democratic congress and signed by republican president, in this case president bush, that was designed to combat human traffics.

hhs places them with sponsors in the u.s. while deportation cases are heard. while the law does not require that the children appear before an immigration judge, it is common practice. and according to data from brookings, children wait an average of 578 days before a hearing. that's right. more than a year. nearly two. when their cases are finally heard, many qualify for refugee asylum status. most are never sent home. the administration will argue they can't prejudge an immigration court's decision on whether the kids get to stay or go, hence why you heard the type of language from secretary johnson on sunday. last week president obama all but asked congress to change the 2008 law to give secretary johnson more discretion to send the children back to central american countries within a more reasonable period of time. in other words, to treat them like migrants from mexico. now, that ask is not likely to go over well with immigration rights groups but separately the white house is also quietly looking to expand the dream act

program. that executive action he signed back in 2011. in 2012, advocates are likely to hear an either/or. on wednesday, the president will be in texas for some dnc fundraisers. pressure is growing for him to visit the border while he's there. >> i don't believe he particularly cares whether or not the border of the united states is secure. i have to believe that when you do not respond in any way, that you are either inept or you have so some other motive. >> we'll see if that changes later this week as pressure

grows. the administration has launched a public service campaign warning parents in central america not to send their kids across the border. nbc's stephanie gosk has more from honduras about that ad campaign. >> reporter: one of the main reasons we came down here was to get at this question of why. why so many central americans leaving this area to go to the united states and to really understand what our multitude of answers to that question you have to go back a little bit in history to the '80s and '90s. this area was racked by civil war and violence and the truth is that the countries in central america have not really recovered from that. here in honduras, the economy is struggling. on top of it, it's become something of a weigh station for the colombia drug cartels. because of that drug trafficking, you have everything that comes with it.

gang, violence and murder rate in this country has doubled in the last six years. when we went to one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in this city, we talked to young people and they told us that they are worried if they go down the wrong street they could get in trouble or beaten up. one young man said his 10-year-old brother was shot and his older brother is a part of a gang. when you talk to those kids, all of them say they want to leave. the violence and economy only really tells one part of the story. we also visited a center that is dedicated to helping women and children who are deported and don't make it to the u.s., are deported back here. it helps them get back into their lives here in honduras. she said a year ago a rumor started spreading they could leave and get to the united states and they would be allowed to stay. she said in her words that it was obama's immigration policies

"misinterpreted." all of those things combined have led to this huge influx of migrants leaving this area. now, the united states government is trying to launch this dangers awareness campaign to change the message. tell them that they won't be allowed to stay when they arrive. there are commercials circulating. we don't see thousands of billboards that they hope to set up very soon. chuck? >> all right. stephanie gosk with on the ground reporting there. this immigration story is having a 2014 impact. on sunday, lindsey graham insisted republican views on immigration are changing. >> i don't see how you could effectively win the presidency in 2016 if you adopt self-deportation as republican view toward immigration. ted cruz embraces legalization without a path to citizenship. things are changing on our side. there are people in the republican party who get it. but the president is making it very hard for us, those who do

get it, to work with him because he's unilaterally changed every law he doesn't like. >> but a playbook for other conservative insurgents including joe carr mounting a long shot challenge to alexander and is on the air attacking him for reform deal last year. >> there's a crisis in america. thousands of illegal aliens are overrunning our border. president obama created this crisis only after lamar alexander voted for amnesty. >> on sunday alexander began running this ad statewide reminding voters he was a skeptic of the president's healthcare law before it passed. >> republicans chose tennessee's lamar alexander to lead. >> when you mentioned earlier that you said premiums go up, that's just not the case. >> congressional budget office

report says that premiums will rise. >> carr has a tough road ahead. tennessee is not a runoff state and as many as nine republicans are running in the august 7th primary including memphis radiologyist george flynn meaning the anti-alexander vote will get split eight ways. he had a 64% favorable rating. alexander's job rating was 47%, even with tea party republicans though. national conservatives endorsed alexander or stayed out of the race. at the end of last month newt gingrich weighed in on his behalf. mr. carr, good morning to you, sir. >> thank you, chuck. thank you for having me. >> let me start with asking you this basic question. what's the fireable offense with lamar alexander? >> there are a number of fireable offense as a republican in a republican primary.

i want to correct for a second your report. there are seven republicans on the ballot. not nine. >> my apology. >> regardless of the fact, alexander has departed from the national republican committee platform which specifically outlines certain issues that we believe reflect what it means to be a republican and more specifically what it means to be conservative. the republican platform specifically says no to amnesty and we know that lamar supports amnesty with his vote in support of senate bill 744. we know that lamar votes for higher taxes as he has on repeated occasions and the platform specifically says no more higher taxes, we have to get the federal government and regulators off the back of working americans and small businesses so there are a number of issues. that's our fireable offense where lamar departs radically from the national republican committee platform.

they want a reliable republican. >> you brought up the republican party platform. the same republican party last year in autopsy on what went wrong in 2012 presidential election specifically called for comprehensive immigration reform which is of course what lamar alexander supported. >> some republican leadership may have done that to cowtail to interest groups who have a vested interest in driving down american wages with oversupply of labor. the party platform did not change, chuck. until the party platform changes, that's the position republicans have regard to the rule of law, the american worker and regard to why we say no to amnesty. >> you brought up no taxes. it's interesting. the other republican senator in tennessee is a proponent of raising taxes, in this case raising the gas tax in order to deal with the current transportation crisis.

what do you say to that? are you critical of senator corker being in favor of raising the gas tax? >> i'm opposed at this point in our economic life as a country raising taxes on the american worker and the american business when we've already got so many different taxes that are suppressing economic growth and suppressing wages and at some point in time the republicans specifically but all of us generally need to come to the aid of the american worker because we have this overabundance of taxes and we have oversupply of cheap labor and it's making it very difficult for us to have well qualified, well paying full-time jobs in america. that's something that i'm concerned about. >> so you would be against that gas tax proposal by senator corker? >> absolutely. i don't think it's necessary. >> what would you do to fund transportation? it's been traditionally using the gas tax as a way to go. at some point government has to

pay for roads. got to pay for repairing bridges. how do you do it? >> i think we have funding mechanism there. what senator corker and senator hogan were trying to do was they were trying to increase the gas tax by 12 cents this year and another 6 cents the second year and what that is, that's a tax that goes directly to the american worker and small business. what we have is we have a funding mechanism in place that we need to go forward but specifically what we don't need to do is we don't need to fund projects through the department of transportation that have no great effect on increasing or maintaining the infrastructure of highways and bridges. just recently in tennessee, the tennessee department of transportation literally picked up the striping on an hov lane only to put down a new stripe. that cost tens of thousands of dollars and it's a very small example but it shows you waste and abuse within the transportation fund that takes

place and there are things that we can do to ensure that our transportation dollars are more appropriately spent on those areas so that our infrastructure is safe and sound for the american traveler. >> you have been cast as a tea party challenger. do you accept that? >> i certainly embrace a lot of what the tea party talks about. if you go back and look again at the rnc platform about lower taxes, balanced budgets, no to amnesty and no to obamacare, those are tea party principles and i embrace those. this campaign as an underdog is much more than just a tea party campaign. we're reaching out to republicans that believe the republican national committee platform is a document by which we can take america back to its greatness economically while based on personal responsibility, individual liberty and free and fair markets so to the extent that the tea party does that, i fully embrace it. >> if you end up in the united states senate, will you support mitch mcconnell?

>> depends on who the opposition is. obviously if it's somebody who doesn't have the necessary leadership skills or has a much more liberal voting record, the answer would be i would certainly give it serious considering. i suspect on two things. there will be a more conservative and appropriate challenger in mitch mcconnell. if there isn't, i'll make that decision at the appropriate time. >> all right. joe carr, one of the republicans challenging senator lamar alexander, state representative from tennessee. thanks for being here this morning. we'll have much more on immigration and whether it will be the defining issue for the upcoming mid terms. frankly, what will be? isn't it amazing. five months and we don't know. a look at which incumbents are feeling the heat in the final stretch of the primary season. but first, why is the u.s. zeroing in on electronic devices as security is tightened in oversea airports. we'll go to break and look at today's politics planner.

president meets with arne duncan and group of teachers today. secretary kerry is on his way to china. we'll be back in 180 seconds. piano tuners were just as simple? thanks to angie's list, now it is. start shopping online from a list of top-rated providers. visit angieslist.com today.

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if you are traveling from overseas to home you'll notice something different. at the request of the tsa and department of homeland security, airports and airlines overseas are now tightening security and their screening procedures on u.s. bound international flights. here's what's going on. passengers traveling through select airports will be forced to turn on their electronic devices, all of them, including cell phones and laptops when going through security checkpoints. if devices don't turn on, they won't be allowed on the plane and the passenger may be subject to additional screening.

turning electronics on is something secret services requires when they are in proximity of a president. the u.s. intelligence committee has been concerned for years that al qaeda tried to develop bombs that could get through security undetected and of course the best place for them to target these days is electronics. homeland security secretary jeh johnson was asked about the new procedures on "meet the press." here's what he said. >> this past week i directed that we step up aviation security. at some point departure airports coming into the united states. this is not something to overreact to or overspeculate about but it's something we felt was necessary. we do this from time to time. >> for the time being u.s. airports are not expected to be impacted by the new screening procedu procedures. primary season is starting to winddown. we have a few more big tuesdays left. a look at some of those races

still heating up. plus, the small slipup that has pat roberts feeling a bit more heat these days ahead of his republican primary. but first, today's question. in case you are wondering, we're doing kansas and nebraska this week. who is the only former governor to have a daughter become governor? first person to tweet the right answer will get the shout-out. the answer and more is coming up. my motheit's delicious. toffee in the world. so now we've turned her toffee into a business. my goal was to take an idea and make it happen. i'm janet long and i formed my toffee company through legalzoom. i never really thought i would make money doing what i love. we created legalzoom to help people start their business and launch their dreams. go to legalzoom.com today and make your business dream a reality. at legalzoom.com we put the law on your side.

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welcome to the modern world. esurance. backed by allstate. click or call. while a body in motion tends to stay in motion. staying active can ease arthritis symptoms. but if you have arthritis, this can be difficult. prescription celebrex can help relieve arthritis pain, and improve daily physical function so moving is easier. because just one 200mg celebrex a day can provide 24 hour relief for many with arthritis pain. and it's not a narcotic you and your doctor should balance the benefits with the risks. all prescription nsaids, like celebrex, ibuprofen, naproxen and meloxicam have the same cardiovascular warning. they all may increase the chance of heart attack or stroke, which can lead to death. this chance increases if you have heart disease or risk factors such as high blood pressure or when nsaids are taken for long periods. nsaids, like celebrex, increase the chance of serious skin or allergic reactions, or stomach and intestine problems, such as bleeding and ulcers, which can occur without warning and may cause death. patients also taking aspirin and the elderly are at increased risk for stomach bleeding and ulcers.

don't take celebrex if you have bleeding in the stomach or intestine, or had an asthma attack, hives, other allergies to aspirin, nsaids or sulfonamides. get help right away if you have swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing. tell your doctor your medical history. and ask your doctor about celebrex. for a body in motion. chances are we're already there. be or what you want to do, 12 brands. more hotels than anyone else in the world. like super 8, where every destination is super. save up to 15 percent and earn bonus points when you book at wyndhamrewards.com with fourth of july in the rearview hemirror, we're less tn a few months away from election day. we'll go out to the great plains states to look at kansas and nebraska. so why are we doing them together other than they are small states?

there are some geographic similarities. they were created together back in 1854. that year senator steven douglas proposed the bill to divide the land west of missouri into two new territories, kansas and nebraska. the question was whether they would be admitted as slave states or free states. a question answered by settlers themselves scrapping the terms of the missouri compromise from 30 years earlier. pro and anti-slavery states flooded the area. political fallout was extreme. passage of the bill split one of the two major parties at the time. southerns joined the democrats. northern formed a new party, the republicans, and they sent abraham lincoln to the white house a few years later. after the war, kansas was a top wheat producer and maintained that position despite grass

hoppers and hail storms. by that time, kansas was a republican state. lbj is the only democrat that got the vote for president between 1940 and 2012. the state hasn't send a democrat to the united states senate in more than 80 years. 100 years an formation, kansas once again became a key player at a critical turning point in american history. it started in 1951 when the school board was sued by a parent by a student not allowed to go to school. if you head north from kansas, you end up in neighboring nebraska. nebraska is broad and flat. a mile wide and six inches deep and nebraska relies heavily on agriculture, specifically corn. not surprising for the so-called cornhusker state. the demographic profile is

almost identical. eight in ten are white. nebraska is a solid red state when it comes to presidential elections these days but not so much when you move down the ballot. while kansas hasn't elected any democratic senator since the 30s, nebraska elected four including ben nelson who retired in 2012. the state's democratic party has struggled to register new voters over the last decade and struggled to remain relevant in the state. it's been quite a decline over the last decade. one final point in nebraska politics, state legislature is unlike any other. it has just one legislative body and not two. in addition, legislative elections are technically nonpartisan. no parties are listed on the ballots for these spots in the legislature. the two candidates with the most votes in the primary face-off in the general. despite numerous attempts in other states to adopt the system, it is still something that is unique to nebraska.

we'll delve into more. coming up, we'll stay historical. warren harding's love letters. thousands of pages of them are now public. what does at that tell us about short-term memory loss in american politics? first, a look at the issues that will define the upcoming mid terms and which incumbents are feeling the heat in the final stretch of the primary season. i have my gaggle of chiefs joining me after the break. when sales rep steve hatfield books at laquinta.com,

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less than four months from election day and that means just two months left in the primary season including four big tuesdays still on the calendar. before we get there, one more piece of business in july. a runoff in georgia's senate republican primary two weeks from tomorrow. congressman jack kingston facing david purdue in that one.

paul brown got knocked out in the initial primary. kingston and purdue have been battling over who is best positioned to fix the economy. on august 5th, four states will hold their primaries. kansas, michigan, missouri and washington state. big race may be in kansas where a handful of states where tea party conservatives have tried to knock off an incumbent and this one they think they have a chance. pat roberts hasn't been helping himself when he's stumbled about his residency issues during a radio interview last week he was pressed again about where he lives and why he spends so much time in washington instead of kansas. listen to the exchange. >> every time i get an opponent, i mean, every time i get a chance, i'm home. i don't measure my, what, my word with regards as a senator as how many times i sleep wherever it is. >> the entire interview very

defensive about where his residency is. now it plays directly into the hands of roberts' conservative pushing this residency issue for months. we've got an unusual thursday election day in tennessee. opponents say there are seven on the ballot and not nine including the man we heard from earlier in the show, conservative joe carr built his campaign around immigration now slamming alexander for what carr calls an amnesty agenda. we have another primary on a saturday in hawaii. that one of course has maybe the best campaigns in the country as far as just pure self-interest. incumbents there could both lose. on august 12th. three more states head to the polls, connecticut, minnesota and wisconsin. keep a close eye on minnesota where there are battles there including a four-way race.

alaska and wyoming hold primaries on august 19th. and on the last tuesday of august, there will be primaries in arizona, florida and vermont. at least a half dozen republicans are running for governor of arizona to replace term limit governor jan brewer. and for all intents and purposes, 2014 primary season wraps up in september on september 9th when primary elections will be held in delaware, rhode island, massachusetts and new hampshire. a lot has changed. we thought the primaries and general election would be about healthcare. hot issue is about immigration. who knows if that will continue into november. some republicans would like to turn voters attention back to healthcare or focus on the president's competency. the election could be about the economy. right now it's simply not clear.

with me, a trio of chiefs. carolyn ryan is washington bureau chief and political editor for "the new york times." this is really a nightmare scenario. this is the mainstream media all in one place, the "times," the post, "usa today." heads are exploding. dan, i want to start with you. what is this election going to go about? >> a lot is going to be about the basic divisions we've seen for last several years and how motivated republicans are about policies of president obama and this administration. >> that's what's interesting. i feel like wave elections. we have an idea of what the election is going to be about in those wave years. in '06 it was going to be iraq in some way or another. in '10, it was healthcare. in '94 it was taxes and healthcare. don't see that right now. >> we thought obamacare would be

the issue. we thought the economy and ripples. i do think one interesting point on timing in terms of the issues of this election, president obama is talking about coming out with his own plan for immigration overhaul at the end of the summer. there is a possibility given that midterm elections are so much about turnout that that -- if he does something aggressive and provocative that could have a motivating fact among republicans and that could motivate voters if they are angry about what they see as overreach by president obama. >> interesting point. right now you can say hobby lobby was a motivating force on the democratic side. women's groups are more fired up today. losing was better for them as far as the campaign was concerned. interesting point on immigrat n immigration. that could serve as a different way of motivating the conservative base. >> if the issue is who gets enthused there is the enthusiasm mostly on the republican side. that's what happens with immigration crisis and with

border and kids and with healthcare if we have new numbers on rising cost of premiums coming out in september. that's true also if you look at the collection of foreign policy issues that seem to go to the issue of competency of the administration in handling foreign policy. there may not be one issue but t republican turnout mayi inbe discourage. >> is there a democrat that wants to talk immigration in the midterm? >> not at this moment. >> they are ducking it left and right. >> for understandable reasons. we are at a flashpoint with a problem. it makes it difficult for a democrat to talk about it. on the other hand, we always have to keep the long view in mind on immigration issue and that as you look at it in that way, it's still a long-term problem for republicans. while it may be helpful to republicans in short-term in 2014 as a motivating force, when you get to 2016, i think we'll

be hearing republicans particularly those running for president talking about it in a different way. >> i just want to jump in on something that susan said which i think is a really smart point. i do think the sort of national funk that we're in, this national malaise is partly due to a sense that things aren't working. that we thought we solved iraq or got out of it and now it's exploding again. i think this crisis on the border does go to this question of competence and the problem with immigration is that there hasn't been a consensus or clarity about our policy. that's why i feel like it can be a negative for president obama where it seems like so many things in this country just aren't working. >> i was going to say because you can see that 30-second tv ad. you start with the health care rollout. you go to the va. you go to syria. you go to iraq. and you can go to the border. you can draw a straight line. >> if you look at the box president obama is in on immigration, he's going to have

to take tougher action to move to deport these kids. >> especially if he wants to go the other way and if he's going to stick a finger in the eye of house republicans. >> this is unacceptable to republicans. it's going to anger some core constituents who have wanted him to do more on immigration and not less. not take a harder line but do more for people who are here now unable to deliver legislation is a lose-lose for him politically speaking. >> speaking of immigration, are you surprised the president will be in texas and not go to the border? >> i'll be surprised if he doesn't go to the border. >> i thought the same thing. you guys are going. you're just not announcing it. we're not going. >> i wonder if as it gets closer to be in the state of texas and not go. >> it's a katrina moment. >> fund-raiser. >> and not go to the border where there's this crisis? >> it's a lose-lose. if he goes, he draws even more attention to the fact of the problem that they were unable to

solve right now. in a symbolic sense, he almost has to go but in a practical political sense there's a risk. >> the house is going to have to vote on this emergency funding. okay. that is -- we know that's going to happen probably before the august recess. the law has to change, right? is that going to be the price of getting the $2 billion? >> they'll have to have a provision where they make clear that they're going to expedite some deportations and i think we'll start hearing that there will be a hearing this week but there's going to have to be something they give to the house. >> when have we ever had a situation in this country where we've had a mass influx of illegal immigrants, i think cuba, i think haiti and the situation where a majority have been deported? >> it usually doesn't happen. these parents in central america are making a smart calculation. you don't have to be a political pundit to listen to what jeh johnson said yesterday to not conclude a lot of kids will stay

in this country for years and maybe permanently. the dangerous journey to the united states is one worth making. >> if things are so unsafe in honduras as stephanie gosk was describing, you're better chance at a better life is sitting in the united states even if it means sitting in a detention center. >> you can understand that. back to your point, when we have seen these mass arrivals, it's hurt the party that's been in the white house badly. >> always has. every time. >> it cost bill clinton -- >> i always like to remind people bill clinton lost a race over the immigration issue. i like this. the chiefs. our monday conversation with the chiefs. all right. up next, violence overseas showing no signs of easing. we'll be live in jerusalem with a new developments on these vicious attacks of retaliation.

and a steakhouse in omaha, nebraska, a favorite restaurant of warren buffett serving up creamy baked potato soup. we'll be right back. . i go to angie's list to gauge whether or not the projects will be done in a timely fashion and within budget. angie's list members can tell you which provider is the best in town. you'll find reviews on everything from home repair to healthcare. now that we're expecting, i like the fact i can go onto angie's list and look for pediatricians. the service providers that i've found on angie's list actually have blown me away. find out why more than two million members count on angie's list. angie's list -- reviews you can trust. ♪he cadillac summer collection is here. ♪

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no regular blood monitoring; no known dietary restrictions. for information and savings options download the xarelto® patient center app, call 1-888-xarelto, or visit goxarelto.com turning now to chicago where it was a very violent fourth of july weekend in the city. i know this is going to feel like deja vu type of report of what's going on in chicago in a weekend these days. more than 60 people were shot and seven people were killed in shootings throughout the city over the long holiday weekend. the numbers spiked yesterday when 11 people were shot in just a four-hour span during the afternoon. the number of homicide in the city are down compared to the first six months of last year. the number of shooting incidents and people being shot are up. clearly some sort of weekend gang issue here in chicago.

meanwhile, speaking of death and shooting deaths, we go overseas. the deaths of four teenagers touched off a new wave of violent clashes between israelis and palestinians. overnight israeli air strikes hit 14 hamas targets killing six fighters near the egyptian border. the israeli military says the latest strikes are in response to hamas firing more than 150 rockets at southern israel. a weak of violence trigged by brutal murder of a palestinian teenager burned alive in what's believed to be a revenge attack for killing of three jewish teenagers last month. the israeli teens, one of them a 16-year-old with dual israeli american citizenship were found dead last monday. hamas was blamed for the boys' kidnapping and vowed the group would pay a heavy price. 17-year-old was kidnapped and reportedly burned alive in east jerusalem.

that boy's death sparked clashes in east jerusalem. young palestinians burning tires, throwing stones at israeli soldiers who fired back with stun grenades and rubber bullets. israeli police arrested six israelis for that palestinian boy's murder. prime minister netanyahu called the boy's father telling him "we denounce all brutal behavior. the murder of your son is abhorrent." there's growing outrage of video believed to show a beating of the boy's cousin. israeli government launched an investigation into that beating. and then yesterday, the 15 year old was released from jail. meanwhile, senator john mccain is calling for secretary kerry to go to the region personally in an attempt to try to calm the situation. >> in this case i think that our secretary of state, secretary kerry, could go to the region

and try to maybe do a little shuttle diplomacy. this thing is in danger of spiraling out of control. >> nbc's foreign correspondent is in jerusalem with the latest on the situation. any chance that the u.s. is going to try to step in here and try to calm things down? >> reporter: well, chuck, right now there's definitely a tremendous amount of concern among u.s. officials on the ground. the united states as you mentioned now has had two citizens affected by the violence here. this is not just a political issue or diplomatic issue, but the citizens of the united states are being affected by this. one, israeli american citizen that was killed by suspected palestinian militants and as you mentioned another one injured in that brutal police beating who was cousin of the palestinian that was murdered. the united states on the ground has been somewhat distant from the diplomatic efforts to try to

bring palestinians and israelis to the table since the special envoy stepped down from his post not too long ago. that's one of the criticisms fr palestinians that i've been speaking to inside the west bank and some other officials here. they say that the united states could have played a role to try to keep the situation calm prior to all the outbreak of violence that really began well before this latest cycle of killings of the three israeli teens as well as the revenge attack of the palestinian that was killed last week. there's a tremendous amount of calls by israeli officials for calm as well as some palestinians. some are saying it's too little too late. >> ayman, thank you very much. obviously a rough situation now between israel and ham mas. what happens next wouldn't be surprised if john kerry ends up

there as john mccain is suggesting. before break a quick answer to the trivia question. john gilligan. kathleen sebelius. congratulations to today's winner greg brooks was first. so he gets the shoutout. we'll be right back. [ female announcer ] there's a gap out there. that's keeping you from the healthcare you deserve. at humana, we believe if healthcare changes, if it becomes simpler... if frustration and paperwork decrease... if grandparents get to live at home instead of in a home... the gap begins to close. so let's simplify things. let's close the gap between people and care.

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time for today's take away. 50 years after they were first discovered and 100 years after they were originally written, love letters between a u.s. president and his mistress. will be revealed to the public later this month. the affair with philips, who is married to one of his friends began a decade before harding became president. the majority were written by harding from 1950 the affair ended prior to the presidential

inauguration in 1921. in some of the letters, here is what harding wrote, and man, this guy had a way with words. you have to give him credit. my darling there are no words at my command sufficient to say the extent of my love for you. wow! in another, here is what harding wrote. if it flames like the fire and consumes. it racks and the tortures of aching hunger and glows in bliss. bliss only you can give. and in a letter from september 1913, harding wrote to philips, i do not know what inspired you, you res recollected me. and set me aflame with the fullness of your beauty and the fire of your desire. imprison me in your embrace and give me transport. my breath quickens to recall it. approximately 1,000 pages have been held at the library of congress under a court-ordered seal for the last 50 years. they'll be open to the public later this month. if you wonder the threshold 50

years isn't enough. to cover up 100 years may be the threshold where the public is only in awe of perhaps your writie in writing. can you imagine anybody texting those presidents? he was president during perhaps the greatest scandal in american history. up next a major day in court for voting rights in north carolina and a latest on new video that claims to show the eisis leader. that's coming up next. here is a look at your business travel forecast. much of the nation looking at conditions except for the midwest. the country will be looking at the threat for severe weather. storms that are capable of producing damage winds, large

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[ cat meows ] ♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da, bum-da, bum-da ♪ ♪ bum-da, bum-da ♪ the animals went in two by two ♪ ♪ the sheep and the frog and the kangaroo ♪ ♪ and they all went marching, marching in two by two ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] the nissan pathfinder, with intuitive four-wheel drive. an adventure worth sharing. nissan. innovation that excites. face to face for the first time. this morning the pope sits down with a victim from the church's sexual abuse scandal. a major court challenge as young people fight for voting rights in north carolina. and keeping her distance is hillary clinton moving away from president obama? we'll break down her latest

political calculus. good morning to you. i'm francis rivera, we begin this morning with a crisis at the border. this week president obama and congress will face tough decisions on what to do with the children crossing the border alone. the president will formally ask lawmakers for $2 billion to deal with the sudden surge of women and children coming here illegally from central america. now the president will visit texas wednesday, but right now he's not expected to go to the border. republicans are now coming out harder to deport these kids. >> think the administration needs to do is immediately deport these families and children. i know, it sounds harsh and difficult, but they're creating a crisis at this time that is going to harm these children. >> a democrat whose district on the border is also critical. >> with all due respect to the administration, they are one step behind. they should have seen it coming a long time ago. >> the united states is