John King, USA
Thinking of our troops on Veterans' Day
One of the many veterans that John keeps in touch with is someone he met while covering the first Gulf War back in 1990. Colonel Bill Smullen was a top aide to General Colin Powell back then. Now, he teaches at Syracuse University and is part of a remarkable collaboration with troops from nearby Fort Drum, New York. Working with Col. Patrick Frank, Commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Smullen brought soldiers from Ft. Drum to spend time on campus, attend football and basketball games, and share a meal with the players. And in exchange, both Syracuse teams went to Ft. Drum to experience life as a soldier for a day. CNN was there when the basketball team visited Ft. Drum.
Be in the know: Today's political bullet points
Every day we ask influential politicos to send us their top three bullet points that are driving the day's conversation inside and outside Washington.
RedState.Com Editor Erick-Woods Erickson:
– Judging by the media reaction to Rick Perry's damage control, we may very well see every candidate start flubbing lines in the debates. According to several reporters out there, Rick Perry has just concluded one of the best days of positive media coverage garnered by any Presidential candidate. Of course, it followed the worst 53 seconds. But more people saw him yesterday on Letterman for three minutes than during the entire 90 minute debate.
– The blame game has started in earnest on Capitol Hill over the Super Committee's failures. Sen. Jim DeMint says he is not buying into the Super Committee and does not believe Congress should hold Defense spending hostage.
– For the first time since August the President outpolls the generic Republican. Is this a rebound?
Firedoglake.com Blogger/Founder Jane Hamsher:
– Live Blog for the #Occupy Movement: Day 55, Occupations Struggle with Shooting & Veteran Suicide
– Obama, Romney Neck and Neck in Key Swing States
– Obama Punts Keystone Pipeline Decision Until After 2012 Election
Editor’s Note: The blog is a place for a freewheeling exchange of ideas and opinions. CNN does not endorse anything said by its contributors.
About this Show:
Your daily destination for political news. Join John each night as he pulls back the curtain on Washington, cuts through the partisan noise, and gets to the bottom of stories that affect you.
John King, USA aired weekdays at 6pm ET. The final show aired June 29, 2012.
Any questions for John? Tweet them to @JohnKingCNN and he'll answer them Tuesday's at noon ET on CNN.com/LIVE
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