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The biggest news stories of 2012

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    A look back at what made headlines

  • Duration 5:29
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From economic worries to mass shootings to unrest in the Middle East 2012 was indeed a very big year full.

Of some big news stories but the story that dominated headlines -- most.

-- the bitterly fought presidential election.

On -- number six President Obama beat Republican rival Mitt Romney to win a second term.

So what -- other stories top the list and what did they tell us about the world we live in today John fund is -- For national review magazine and he joins us to weigh in on this John good to see Merry Christmas to you thank you hope you're doing what else.

So we do know the top story was the election that was -- a bitter fight to the and President Obama.

When he reelection.

Or what does it tell us though about the campaign of Mitt Romney and and that the mood of the country -- because.

We have so many other big stories.

Affect the outcome of the election.

Well this election I think was a very curious one because.

Our President Obama made some history normally an incumbent with an economy that week.

And no particular prospects of -- getting better.

Wouldn't -- won reelection but President Obama was able to take advantage of I think dramatic stumbles on the part of Mitt Romney that the 47%.

For -- members are -- things.

Absolutely because he was.

-- -- -- Romney's people would took so long to address that when it was stayed out there I mean the Bain Capital the 47%.

It all stayed out there and it's just seem like -- people just kind of fumbled the ball there.

Well Mitt Romney's campaign in part reflected Mitt Romney.

Mitt Romney was a very competent business executive but frankly stiff.

And he never really communicated with the American people.

I mean the bottom line is if you ask people Election Day who they thought -- a better vision and better.

Program for the country they said Mitt Romney but by 82 to 16% they said President Obama cared more about people like them than Mitt Romney did.

One of the top stories -- really had an impact going if you will on the campaign was hurricane sandy.

Coming through New York -- and devastating people here -- In New York a Long Island Staten Island so many people adversely affected -- the president becoming more presidential.

Governor Chris Christie commending the president for his response.

That came just on that -- just before the election.

Yes and I lived through hurricane sandy and it was awful and hurricane sandy I think put the campaign in abeyance for several days.

Showcase President Obama as a leader and I think it ultimately didn't help them although I think I'll ultimately -- would have won anyway.

And of course one of the the most gut wrenching and heartbreaking stories that we will look back corner on this year as what happened in the attempt.

Newtown Connecticut sandy hook elementary school.

Of course one of the top stories -- one of the saddest stories any of us have ever had the face.

The number of mass shootings has been relatively stable over the last.

Ten or twelve years but this year saw a spike -- we've had seven -- of these they are open very tragic.

And -- the the thing that we have to come to grips with for the next year is.

What can we really do that might make a difference in what will we do perhaps that will just make us feel good and won't make a difference yeah -- you know John that is the debate that's.

Newtown Connecticut and then you also look at the Colorado shooting it you know would.

The Dark Knight and and then someone going in there taking advantage of the opening.

Moments of that and and then opening fire with a semi automatic.

It did you shooting people indiscriminately.

In a movie theater -- rural Colorado so there is a debate out there now isn't it.

Yes on the other hand we have some stubborn facts most guns in America or semi automatic.

And that the problem is when we had an assault weapons ban in 1994 it lasted for ten years there were 970.

Guns that could have qualified we only been nineteen of them because the practical realize they should as we can't ban everything.

On the other hand Connecticut.

Has the fifth toughest gun laws in the country didn't stop -- Lanza.

But it's also one of six states in the country that doesn't have an assisted treatment law which says that if somebody shows there -- imminent danger to themselves -- the danger to others.

They can be medicated -- hospitalized.

Without their permission.

So these are all things that we have to debate.

Gun control is going to be on the table I also hope mental health is on the table I also hope you know -- culture of our.

Violent entertainment society is on the table that you can also differently whether our families are intact yeah.

I think he had to say that many people will be looking at all of that and putting and all the table looking at all of the -- real quickly before -- -- ago.

The one story that's going to continue to follow west into U 2013.

Is what unfolded in the Gaza Libya.

Where we lost an ambassador in three other Americans.

It's.

What we still don't have all the answers.

And that despite the fact that there's been an internal State Department report I think there's going to be a lot more that we learned as congressional hearings ramp up.

And more people come forward with their own stories.

Bob I think that there's a lot more there and we frankly need to get those answers John fund we thank you for joining us us sharing some insights on the top stories of what unfolded.

Throughout the year 2012.

Thank you.

And perhaps -- store.

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