panel with men and not allowing female witness to testify. >> we have been denied the right to have a witness. >> let one woman speak for the panel right now on this all male panel. she is hear in the audience today. she is steps away even if you think you will disagree with everything she says. >> luke russert joins us. politico is reporting the five witnesses were all male religious leaders or professors including a catholic bosh op. two women were listed on the committee website as witnesses for the second later panel, but not the first. it set off the fireworks we saw there. >> reporter: that's right. a lot of this has to do with imagery. this is a debate around capitol hill.

we went to the white house last week about contraception coverage. the panel was titled the obama administration impact rule on freedom. it struck a cord with a lot of democrats. nancy pelosi said they were having hearing about women's health and they don't have any women up there, duh, they should do that. that greatly upset lot of folks. listen to what the baptist minister on the panel mr. mitchell said about this hearing. >> this mandate in the name of health care seems designed to offend those who have morally informed sensibility. this mandate forces people to violate their consciences. a government that force the citizens to violate their consciences has overstepped a critical boundary. republicans are trying to put forward this hearing in way to show the obama administration is

overstepped the boundaries in terms of religious freedoms and instructing religious organization. obviously, it's no longer the policy after the white house quote, unquote corrected themselves on friday. the big news out of this hear sg you taukt the walk outs. elanore holmes walked out. five men, a few catholic frooprs talking about women's health. >> it's not just about imagery. many others have sent me the tweet of this image. it is about the women's voice being heard whether they are republicans or democrats, we're not there just for the photo op especially when for many this is a women's health issue.

>> reporter: that is something that we heard over and over on the hill from the democratdemoc. a lot of democrats who feared they were on the wrong side of the issue of it felt they were losing. they said president obama was going to be criticized for overstepping his bounds again. today, that kind of took a step in the other direction where a lot of women said wait, why is this all the focus on being what men's opinions are of women's health. this is right into that viewpoint that's coming out now. last week they looked at the gop on this issue, this week it's back to the democratic side. >> congresswoman ann marie of new york was the only one there. she did agree with congresswoman issa saying she found it

objectional that her other colleagues would categorize this as something so narrow. up between mitt romney and santorum. in less than two weeks now before michigan's crucial primary. the past hour romney and santorum finished delivering duelling speeches. romney before a suburban detroit chamber of commerce. >> i love cars.

i love american cars and long they they rule the world. >> governor romney supported the bailout of wall street and decided not to support the ba bailout of detroit. the government should not be involved in bailouts period. >> let's bring in radio talk show host, michael smerconish. also with us radio talk show host steve dade who has endorsed newt gingrich. i'll let you explain that later. michael, i want to get your thoughts on this house hearing and no female witnesses being called in that first panel. there were witnesses set for the second half but none in that first panel. what do you make of this? >> i think both stories are related. i think luke russert's report and the film clip is related in

a far as social issues are back. we had a cycle in 2010 that was devoid of any conversation about social issues. it was all about the tea party. it was about the debt. it was about the economy. that's unusual. i think we're now setting the stage for 2012 where it will be a combination of both. it's going to invigorate the gop base. the question becomes how does it play with independents in the fall. >> that is the question, steve, many people are asking beyond michigan if rick santorum were to secure the nomination over mitt romney. we know his thoughts on contraception and social issues. if people did not know prior to the last couple of weeks, there's been a fair share of reports that might frighten independent voters and now you have hearings like this. you have the week before with the church leaders against the president. what do you make of the dialogue as michael said that the social issue is back? some say the economy is doing a

lot better, so this is where you go. >> i don't think in the republican party social issues, for conservatives go away. i was listening to the report you just did. never ceases to amaze me how the leadership of the republican party could screw up a one-car accident. this should never happen. the first witness at this hearing today ought to be a wendy wright, a michelle maulkin. just so you don't walk into the trap set by the democrats and those in the media. >> what do you mean trap was set? >> have nobody to blame for t t that. >> who set the trap? >> the republicans set the trap on themselves. >> okay. >> thaip lock upped the subject to be changed from where it was when they were winning this issue last week and got the perceived back down from the president whether that's what is it was or not. the republicans over and over again, the leadership of the

republican party they just find ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. >> speaking of snatching defeat, it look like rick santorum may do that in a couple of weeks. steve, are you still backing newt gingrich? he was at the zoo the other day. what's your take on what's going on in his life? >> i'm still supporting newt gingrich. i think she's shown fr i think he's shown the most leadership on the issues. this race has been about whoo can save us and deliver us from mitt romney. when it looked like newt has the momentum going in, he was the champion. he lost it in florida. now this is rick santorum's one shining moment. he gets this chance in michigan. if he beats mitt romney in michigan, i believe he will be the republican nominee for president. if he doesn't beat him, he'll

probably fade back into obscurity. you will see yet again another newt gingrich reemergence. >> michael, i'll let you respond to what steve is predicting. you agree with him? >> this is a big contest coming up. i think i would expand it by saying for the reasons he's running so well right now, santorum, he cannot be elected in a general election. that which plays so well, the social issues we just mentioned that play well to the base, the positions that he stakes out, i think are what put him in peril in a general election against barack obama. >> it would be a stark contrast to say the least. i want to play a bit of what rick santorum said today. they were talking about social issues. i believe the person went to break asking the question does he have something against women. here is the answer. >> i'm a catholic.

i subscribe to the teachings of the church, and that's my personal view. it's the view of my wife. i think everybody is entitled to their religious believes. if you look at my voting record, i have a voting record that's voted for funding for contraception both domestically and internationally. >> how does that play with social conservatives? >> he's not going to survive defending his own world view over the long haul. ultimately, the general election, i want to go back to what michael said. this will be a referendum on barack obama. if the economy looks like it's turning around and ga is at $2.50 or less the republicans could dig up the bones of ronds reagan and their going to lose.

if gas is $4, he's going to lose. that's been the case in american presidential elections. they are referendums on the incumbent. the inckucumbent is always give referendum on the economy. >> i was to go back to mitt romney, he's really going after the unions. he tries to separate the rank and file against the union leaderships in the very state where he did not back the auto bailout. he's tried to massage that language, but he's on tape and his words are clear high pressu pressu pressure. how did he get in this situation in his home state. the how did he get in this hot mess? >> people have taken a long hard look and the base is uncomfortable and has always been uncomfortable. despite the length of time he's been running, the amount of resources he's committed to the race and the arguments about him

being a severe governor when in massachusetts, they're just not buying it. he's at that 25 to 35% baseline, and nothing seems to have given those numbers a rise. >> thank you so much. just quickly, a programming note, in about 15 minutes or so elenor holmes will talk to us. thank you. still ahead, oklahoma could be one step closer to banning abortion after the state senate passed the person hood act. details ahead. plus. >> her accomplishments were a source of great pride for many people in this state. >> new jersey's governor defending his decision to lower the state's flag to half staff the day of whitney houston's funeral in honor of her. there are critics out there. we'll let you weigh in on it. general motors makes the

biggest profit in its 103-year history. coming up, a friend of the show will join me to talk about how that's going to factor into the general election if mitt gets the nomination. join our conversation on twitter. that's my personal twitter page. i wouldn't do that. get married? no, i wouldn't use that single miles credit card. nice ring. knock it off. ignore him. with the capital one venture card you earn... double miles on every purchase. [ sharon ] 3d is so real larry. i'm right here larry. if you're not earning double miles... you're settling for half. really? a plaid tie? what, are we in prep school? [ male announcer ] get the venture card at capitalone.com and earn double miles on every purchase every day. what's in your wallet? i was gonna say that. uh huh... wwe want to protect the house. right. but... home security systems can be really expensive.

so to save money, we actually just adopted a rescue panther. i think i'm goin-... shhh! we find that we don't need to sleep that much. there's an easier way to save. geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more.

♪ feel the power my young friend. mmm! [ male announcer ] for excellent fruit and veggie nutrition... v8 v-fusion, also refreshing plus tea. could've had a v8.

three years after that massive government bailout saved it, general motors is reporting its highest profits ever. it made $7.6 billion, the most in his history.

that's a 62% boost from last year. good news for detroit, but less than two weeks before the primary, mitt romney is calling the bailout crooney capitalism on a grand scale. those are his words. i'll be joined by "newsweek" columnist. many people believe that this issue of the auto bailout and what mitt romney said about it would be a bigger issue in the general election, if he gets the nomination. what do you say about the primary now? >> first of all, it's a tough message when you gou to a state where jobs have been saved by a program that nowhere cost as much as its being labeled cost. the bailout for chrysler did cost money for gm, it be seen. the government is benefitting from gm doing well because there's an interest there. i think calling it crooney

capitalism when you're talking to a lot of people whose jobs depending on the company, it's the people who support that and the community. >> it's the family that gets to pay their bills. this is the trickle down of when something survives. it's ironic he is driving around reminiscing. >> i hope it's not a gm. >> there's a report it's a chrysler. hopefully he wouldn't be that foolish to drive a foreign car. >> then there was the anti-china policy. one of gm's shinie ining spots selling cars to the chinese. gm has become an international

auto company and one of the places it's selling cars to china. >> what do you make of this doubling down? i don't really like that phrase. he is just sticking by what he says. is there any way to get out of what he said, which was let them go. >> if i'm advising romney, which i'm not. >> he might be listening. >> he might say i oppose in general doing these sorts of things. i think you should let companies rise and fall. this was an extraordinary circumstance that i respect. these are difficult choices that you need to make as president and clearly this has helped restore the economy. i think you can have your cake and eat it to. you can say i oppose it in principal, but this may be a specific case. >> it wouldn't be a far reach for him to do that since he said he's evolved or changed on issues regarding abortion and several others that we could

name. they are still having problems in the european market. >> the opal division has done quite badly. things aren't great in michigan. >> we were just there. >> it's a really, really troubled area. it's miles after miles of boarded up community. this may be this some sort of floor has been laid about how far that economic system will fall. there's a huge amount of work to be done in reconstructing it. there's a wellspring of discontent to tap into. i think railing against the auto industry currently is not the way to do that and i do think there's way of just shifting the discussion like this is a state that has suffered. you could criticize the administration. there's a lot there that's in

trouble. this just happened to not be one of them. nuclear tension still on the rise between israel and iran. the united states response to claims that the country has made major gains in its nuclear program. josh powell's family says it will not try to bury him near his sons after outrage over his mother's plans and drastic actions taken by some law enforcements to make sure he could not be buried next to those boys. there's another way to help eliminate litter box dust: purina tidy cats. our premium litters now work harder to help neutralize odors in multiple cat homes. purina tidy cats. keep your home smelling like home.

achoo! [ male announcer ] but when she used tissues, she went crazy wild. tissue after tissue, she always took a ton. until mom explained with puffs ultra soft & strong, you only need one. two times stronger than the leading value brand, they always win this test. soft non-lotion pillows, they're sure to impress. now the tissue monster had gone away, and puffs ultra soft & strong saved the day. a nose in need deserves puffs ultra soft & strong indeed. for those who prefer lotion, try puffs plus lotion.

i opened the first sammy's back sammin 1966. box. my employees are like family. and, i want people that work for me to feel that they're sharing in my success. we purchase as much as we can on the american express open gold card. so we can accumulate as many points as possible. i pass on these points to my employees to go on trips with their families. when my employees are happy, my customers are happy. vo: earn points for the things you're already buying. call 1-800-now-open to find out how the gold card can serve your business.

my dad and grandfather spent their whole careers here. [ charlie ] we're the heartbeat of this place, the people on the line. we take pride in what we do. when that refrigerator ships out the door, it's us that work out here. [ michael ] we're on the forefront of revitalizing manufacturing. we're proving that it can be done here, and it can be done well. [ ilona ] i come to ge after the plant i was working at closed after 33 years. ge's giving me the chance to start back over. [ cindy ] there's construction workers everywhere. so what does that mean? it means work. it means work for more people. [ brian ] there's a bright future here, and there's a chance to get on the ground floor of something big, something that will bring us back. not only this company, but this country. ♪ welcome back to shoe shoetwo news nation. iran agreed to return to talks over its nuclear program after halting negotiations with the

west over a year ago. the announcement came as the president arrived in pakistan today. also as iran claimed another nuclear advance being able to produce an enriched form of y uranium. iran is moving closer to developing a we and engaging in suspected terror plots around the world targeting israeli diplomats. what are officials saying of this progress? >> reporter: they don't have a lot of faith in the progress that it could represent. iran has been at the table before, and it hasn't gone anywhere. this has been a world wind week. iran stands accused of these attacks. accusations that it denies. it announces these developments in its nuclear program that they

say are significant. they maintain its civil. they are accused by the west and israel of trying to pursue a we. it has a lot of people probably scratching their heads a little bit wondering what the end game is here for iran. there's been a lot of movement and a lot of increased tension. you have israeli leaders commenting on the vents of yesterday saying the defense minister it's just a stunt. the gains were exaggerated by then to try to prove to the world that iran had gone to past the point of no return with its nuclear program. >> he believes the sanctions are strong. >> reporter: there was a differing opinion between the two leaders who have been more

or less lock step in these conversations publicly. they seem to disagree on this issue. they both do agree that sanctions are important, but today they aren't going further. that suggests that he might be thinking of stronger action. some people might say military action. there's no indication right now. this is what u.s. officials are saying, there's no indication that this country has made any decision on whether or not to unilaterally attack iran's nuclear facilitfacility. thank you. patrick leahy says helping victims of domestic violence, pep said it's now become a political issue dividing. coming up, the washington post, amanda talks about who doesn't want critical legislation to protect women who suffer at the hands of domestic violence. a sudden announcement that

st stephen colbert is suspending his show for a few days and what audience members were told as they were getting into their seats. everywhere you go, america, i see your cup of joe goes with you. how nice of joe to, how you say, have your back. try something different. a delicious gevalia kaffe, or as i like to say, a cup of johan. will johan power walk the mall with you? i don't think so. but he will spend time rubbing your feet, discussing your feelings. ♪ joe may have your back, but johan has your feet. gevalia. meet me in the coffee aisle. it's this... the etrade pro platform. finds top performing stocks -- in three clicks. quickly scans the market for new trading ideas.

got it? get it. good. introducing new etrade pro elite.

here is what the "news nation" is following right now developing news, the man known as the underwear bomber will be sentenced for trying to blow up an airliner over detroit on christmas day. we'll have the later. patrick leahy says helping victims of domestic violence has become a political issue for some lawmakers. we're learning more about what's going to happen this saturday at whitney houston's funeral in new jersey. super model cindy crawford

putting the kabosh on her daughter's modelling career. the kid is like 10 years old. developing news. the so called underware bomber is expected to learn his fate. he will likely be sentenced to life behind bars for that failed christmas day terror plot. the 15-year-old admits he was recruited by al qaeda to carry out that suicide mission. pete williams joins us. what the likelihood that he would get life behind bars? >> i think it would be stunning if he didn't. his lawyers say she shouldn't. he said no one died on that plane. the punishment wouldn't fit the crime and they also make a claim this life sentence and circumstances like this is unconstitutional. i doubt that argument will go

anywhere. it seems certain he will be sentenced to life in prison. the government says it's true others weren't injured, but this the is case that set off all the new concern to airline security and led to the installation of the full body scanners, the intrusive patdowns and americans have been living with the consequences of this for more than two years and likely for many years to come. it's possible he will speak today. he spoke earlier when he pleaded guilty. the government is going to try to show some demonstration videos done by the fbi that will somehow what the explosive impact would have been if the device worked properly. >> thank you for that live report. it's an unimaginable question for some. people are asking now if domestic violence, of all things has become a partisan issue. it was first signed by president

clinton nearly 20 years ago. it's been reauthorized twice since with support from both side, but that's until now. the issue was raised in an explosive article just yesterday. we're joined now by the writer. thank you so much for your time. >> thank you for having me. >> explain what's going on here. >> the violence against women's act has got bipartisan support when it's been passed but the senate judiciary committee. it passed recently on february 2nd out of committee. only democrats, no republicans supported it. this is clearly just showing what a partisan congress this is and how apart both sides are. >> you quote senator leahy who says helping victims of doe mystic violence vould not be partson. there was victims of domestic

violence. i never remember the police saying we can only investigate this if it's a democrat or a republican or whatever else. their reaction was how do we find the person who did this. it's outrageous to make this partisan issue. a lot of objections that you pointed out in your piece. what are his objections here? >> one of the objection s to a provision that says people who receive grants under the violence against women act cannot discriminate for these grants based on sexual orientation or gender identity. not saying they get any extra protection, they just cannot be discriminated against. there's another where undocumented immigrants can come forward. they won't get kicked out. they are soeshlt isscial issues this.

>> he is worried that some will try to manipulate it as a pathway to citizenship. leahy is worried that it will protect too many victims and obviously people wonder how could you protect too many victims when every victim should be protected. >> exactly. people aren't getting special treatment. it says you cannot discriminate against anyone if they are gay, lesbian, transgender and a number of undocumented women that can stay in the country if they are victims of the crime. it's small jump. >> thank you very much. your report very intriguing. we continue to follow that will heated house hearing on capitol hill which two democratic congresswomen walked out. the hearing was over the obama administration's contraception mandate and whether it crosses

the line between church and state. they accuse darrell issa of stacking the panel with men. >> we've been deflied the right to have a witness. >> let one woman speak for the panel right now on this all male panel. she is here in the audience today. >> joining us is eleanor holmes norton. thank you for joining me. >> of course. >> let me first find out what was the pressure point there. you have the list of the witnesses. you see the panel consists of all men. what was the point you felt it was time to take a stand as we heard you in that sound clip. >> i took a stand. maloney did not walk out. she said she was going out any way. i felt that somebody had to take

a stand against what was gross unfairness. i didn't object to an all-male panel. i objected for the refusal to have one witness who would have been a woman. you would have thought that on a -- with a hearing that grew out of the controversy last week on contraceptives and religious practices that the majority would want to have some women there. not only did they deny us the right to have our witness, finding her unqualified because she wanted to talk about contraception, it means they were violating our first amendment rights to talk about that aspect of the controversy that is what most women and most families were concerned about. it had the appearance of an autocratic romp hearing. i think they didn't deserve my

presence. somebody had to come out and talk about what kind och hef he this was. i w i had a lot of experience on accommodation. it means just that. accommodate to the religion but never by violating the rights of others. the president came up with a terrific compromise. one that means religious affiliated institutions will pay not one dime for contraception in the insurance policies and women low pressure get the contraceptives that they have been using all along. >> congressman issa said it was rejected because she was not found to be appropriate or qualified to testify about religious liberty. >> yeah. the religious liberty was not religious liberty in the abstract. it was about religious

affiliated institutions, not institutions with major mandate is religion, these are institutions that get more than half of their funds from the federal government. whether or not the there was any violation of the rights of these religious institutions because of and it's the because of that got left out of the hearing, because of insurance companies providing contraceptive insurance to women in the united states. most families and most women already use that insurance. when the president comes up with a win-win compromise that won't even cost the taxpayers anymore money because the insurance companies save money when they provide contraception because childbirth and the complications cost far more than providing contraceptive insurance. >> we greatly appreciate your time and the clarification that

representative maloney did not walk out but she did voice very strong objection that there were no women on first panel. we should note the lone female republican on that panel as well says she is siding with darrell issa and she finds objection to what you and miss maloney said as well. thank you for your time and explaining what happened in that hearing. >> of course. the oklahoma senate has approved an anti-abortion person hood bill which declares that life begins at conception. the measure headst to the house where it's expected to pass. the governor has not said if she will sign the bill. the family of josh powell backs off a plan to bury him in the same cemetery as the sons he killed. that tops our look at stories around the nation. they initially selected a plot

where the kids were buried but the boys maternal grandparents threatened to move the caskets. police officers purchased several adjacent plots to where they were buried to avoid the fathers placed near them. more than half of the inmates in an honduras prison that went up were never convicted of a crime. over 350 inmates are confirmed dead. the fire was started by an inmate. most were locked in their cells while guards searched for the keys. police in new jersey are asking whitney houston fans to stay away from her invitation only funeral this saturday. millions of fans will be able to see the final respects to that icon online. it's going to be streamed online. it will be over the internet. fans have been placing flowers

outside the church where the funeral will be held. whitney houston sang there as a child. music legends aretha franklin as well as stevie wonder is expected to perform. great sadness will be felt on saturday. >> that's right, tamron. there's also reports that kevin costner will be speaking. a lot of celebrities going to be there in the 1,500 seat church. a lot of fans a little bit disappointed that they are not being included in this tribute. newark police will block around six blocks around the church. there won't be any screens outside for fans to watch.

as for those reports that her ex-husband is being kept away from the funeral by the family, a spokesperson close to the family says that is not true. there's also some controversy over the flags in new jersey being flown at half staff on saturday. the governor has ordered that. he said he has recei e-ils in his office. people say his past admission of drug use means she shouldn't be honored but the governor is holding by his decision and hi said what happens in her life means she should have a tribute in new jersey on that day. >> thank you very much for the latest details. we appreciate it. we'll have live coverage of her final farewell right here on msnbc. "news nation" will be back after a quick break. have i got

a surprise for you! [ barks ] yeah, it's beneful healthy fiesta. gotta love the protein for muscles-- whoo-hoo! and omega-rich nutrition for that shiny coat. ever think healthy could taste so good? [ woman announcing ] beneful healthy fiesta. [ roger ] tell me you have good insurance. yup, i've got... [ dennis ] ...allstate. really? i was afraid you'd have some cut-rate policy. [ kyle ] nope, i've got... [ dennis ] ...the allstate value plan. it's their most affordable car insurance -- and you still get an allstate agent. i too have... [ dennis ] ...allstate. [ roger ] same agent and everything. [ kyle ] it's like we're connected. no we're not. yeah, we are. no...we're not. ♪ the allstate value plan.

dollar for dollar, nobody protects you like allstate. you walk into a conventional mattress store, it's really not about you. they say, "well, if you want a firm bed you can lie on one of those." we provide the exact individualization that your body needs. wow. that feels really good. it's about support where you find it most comfortable. at the ultimate sleep number event, queen mattresses now start at just $599. and save 50% on the final closeout of our innovative limited edition bed. plus, enjoy special offers through monday only.

only at the sleep number store.

i'm martin bashir, coming up, the fight in michigan revs up. mitt romney looking vulnerable. a culture war ignites a t a congressional hearing. you thought rick santorum made offensive comment bs about women, wait until you hear what his money man said. back to tamron. the colbert reports halt protection. sa cindy crawford puts the breaks on her beautiful daughter's modelling career. why? let's get the scoop from chris witherspoon. let's start off with the colbert report. is he okay? what's going on? >> all we know is that fans received an e-mail tuesday that were going to attend the show wednesday and thursday to not come. the show would be postponed. we don't know why they are not

taping. the wall street journal put a report out saying colbert had a family emergency that made them postpone taping. >> even though they sent out the alert some fans showed up thinking they would be attending the taping as well. >> he has loyal fans. this happened twice before with comedy shows. another time when a staff member suddenly passed away. i think fans are concerned. they want that. >> they want him to be okay. right now it's just temporarily halted for two shows. >> two shows. they will resume taping next week. the fans can rest assure. >> we wish him the best. we hope everything is well with his family or whatever the circumstances. all right. seal and heidi klum let us know it was over.

he have wearing his ring on "ellen," but now. >> they were together for six years. they had this great bond. he wanted to wear the ring to show he had a bond with her, but yesterday he shows up with no ring. he's wearing this really bright yellow nail polish. >> he replaced the ring with nail polish. >> i think he thought it was going to clash. >> you thought it was fashion statement. >> yeah. heidi klum on tuesday is wearing her ring. >> awfoci, pictures of her daughter online. this is a photo of her. >> she's five years old right here. >> now no modelling career. >> she's ten years old. she looked gorgeous. her hair is big.

>> she's the spitting image. >> this week she's doing coverage with the new york fashion week. he said my daughter is too young. i want her to wait until she's 17 to begin modelling. maybe she wants her to avoid the perils. modelling is a tough industry. >> great job. >> thank you. >> we'll be right back with our "news nation gut check" on whitney houston and the flags being lowered in new jersey. chr . are you still sleeping? just wanted to check and make sure that we were on schedule.

the first technology of its kind... mom and dad, i have great news. is now providing answers families need. siemens. answers. i'm going to own my own restaurant. i want to be a volunteer firefighter. when i grow up, i want to write a novel. i want to go on a road trip. when i grow up, i'm going to go there. i want to fix up old houses. [ female announcer ] at aarp we believe you're never done growing. i want to fall in love again. [ female announcer ] discover what's next in your life. get this free travel bag when you join at aarp.org/jointoday. the new spark card from capital one. spark miles gives me the most rewards of any small business credit card. the spark card earns double miles... so we really had to up our game. with spark, the boss earns double miles on every purchase, every day. that's setting the bar pretty high. owning my own business has never been more rewarding. coming through!

[ male announcer ] introducing spark the small business credit cards from capital one. get more by choosing unlimited double miles or 2% cash back on every purchase, every day. what's in your wallet?

plap. join the "news nation" on our family twitter page is at "news nation." time now for today's "news nation gut check." new jersey governor chris

christie facing some criticism for his decision to fly the state's flag at half-staff in honor of whitney houston. critics say the honor should be reserved for members of the military. they say it's inappropriate given her history of abuse. he says his past experience with addiction doesn't forgo the good she's done in her life. >> she belongs with folks like frank sinatra and bruce springstein. her accomplishments in her life were a source of great pride if many people in the state and the state as a whole. on that basis, i think he's entitled to have that recognition. do you agree with chris christie's decision to have flagged in new jersey flown at half-staff in honor of whitney houston? what does your gut tell you? go to facebook.com/newsnation. that does it for this edition of

"news nation." see you tomorrow, 2:00 p.m. it's friday. my colleague and dear friend martin bashir is up next. [ female announcer ] there's a science to the perfect swisssh. it's about zero weight, 100% more nourishment, hair that's not weighed down. introducing new aqua light from pantene. our lightweight conditioning formula nourishes then rinses clean in seconds, leaving hair perfectly conditioned to swisssh. new aqua light. pantene. hair so healthy it shines. [ woman ] swisssh. here's mine. now you show me yours. come on! swisssh your hair and upload it on pantene's facebook page. swisssh! [ giggling ]

[ sighs ] i can't wait till morning. wait! it's morning in china! ♪ [ male announcer ] it's sweet, it's nutty... it's absolutely delicious. kellogg's crunchy nut. it's morning somewhere.

good afternoon. it's thursday, february 16th, and here's what's happening. a motor city miracle. gm post record profits as the industry rebounds. >> when i took office the american auto industry was on the verge of collapse. >> now the race for michigan. santorum suddenly speeding. >> i know you've been hearing some things from my opponent that i'm a big spender. >> mitt romney running on fumes. >> i'm delighted to be back in michigan. any old girlfriends here? have to be careful. ann is not here