get myself psyched for coming out. >> we just want to pump you up. ♪ we're on a ride to nowhere come on inside ♪ >> newt equals $2.50 a gallon gasoline. >> i voed for the cheerful one for newt gingriching. >> there are lots of bunny rabbits that run through. i'm the tortoise. i just take one step at a time. ♪ >> president barack obama. ♪ we're on the road to nowhere >> yes, we start this wednesday with a figurative hangover after a night spent watching the results come in. super tuesday's 11 contests were supposed to decide once and for all which severely conservative candidate is to face the president come november. but instead, this race is about as predictable as peyton manning's destination come the new nfl season in september. yes, mitt romney won the dual of stupor tuesday, ohio, but he did

it by just 12,000 votes. and after outspending rick santorum more than four to one in the state. and also after once again relying on his base, the cadillac and horsey set. rick santorum had his share of wins in oklahoma and tennessee. but that loss in ohio, well, do the math, rick. simple math, not some snobbish calculus. your chances of stopping romney will require as a romney spokesman just said, an act of god. and with mr. santorum, taking a page from mr. romney's guide to public speaking, mistakes and other embarrassing episodes, gaffes like this are not going to help. >> i've never passed a statewide government-run health care system. whether he i was governor because well, i wasn't governor. >>, of course. mr. romney could not let that pass. so he fired back showing santorum who the king of the gaffe really is.

>> this president's run out of ideas. he's run out of excuses and in 2012, we're going to get him out of the out -- out of the white house. >> out of the where in and what election night would be without a -- would be complete without a strange metaphor from one state winner, newt gingrich. >> there are lots of bunny rabbits that run through. i'm the tortoise. i just take one step at a time. >> that single victory in georgia prompted newt to give the night's longest speech, something his new secret service detail couldn't protect the audience from. but if there was any question as to the tortoise's desire to plod along from one book signing to the next, i mean sorry stay in the race to defend the constitution, well, mr. gingrich made clear today that there are many moral miles left in those legs. >> we are staying in this race because i believe that it's going to be impossible for a moderate to win the general

election. and i would say with all respect to my friend from pennsylvania, senator santorum, there is a big difference between being a good team member and changing the game. >> and i can't believe i'm actually saying this, but the man we hated to see leave the race may have summed it up all rather accurately. >> well, it wasn't a super night for anyone when you think about it being super tuesday. >> please, rick, come back. all is forgiven. joining us now, our panel, michele cottle, a writer for news week and "the daily beast," democratic strategist julian epstein and political analyst professor michael eric dyson, a professor of sociology at georgetown university. ulian, you've previously said that mitt romney is king pirus. he won six states last night but continues to suffer grievous injuries in the process. is he better positioned for the position following super tuesday or about to face for arrows down

in the south? >> he's margin little better positioned. the sun didn't really shine the way it needed to when he wakes up this morning, he's looking at six more weeks of this kind of drudgery campaign. it's hard to see the math for either santorum or gingrich but the two of them continue to play important roles. for santorum, he's probably obama's best friend right now because he continues to pull the party to the extreme right and each time with each passing week, obama's numbers go up, the republican numbers generically go down. for gingrich, gingrich is romney's best friend because so long as romney -- so long as gingrich stays in the race, it's not a two-person race. and as we saw in virginia last night when it was romney versus ron paul who by everyone's estimation has no chance of winning the presidency, paul got 40% of the vote. think what virginia would have looked like if it was a two-person race if it was romney

running against a conservative. so right now, it looks like it's romney's race but it's going to be just more of the same for the next six weeks. good news for democrats. >> michele, rick santorum who loves to discuss nothing more than contraception has made what we might call a morning after call to newt's campaign urging him to step aside. judging by newt's speech last night, a world record length given that he had only won a single state, i guess there's very little chance of mr. gingrich stepping aside, is there? >> there just doesn't seem to be a reason for him to do it. he's got people writing him checks, one person writing him very large checks. he likes the attention. he has a world class ego as he sees it, everyone else needs to step aside no matter what the current math is. so i think that rick santorum just just be like god, what do i have to do to get this guy out of the race. i can't see newt stepping aside anytime soon. >> professor dyson, given the overwhelming majority of

pollsters and pundits say newt gingrich has no chance of winning the nomination, did you get the impression he may now be the kim kardashian of this race, in an a sense addicted to attention, addicted to the spotlight but frankly of little material value to the process. >> i think kim kardashian is insulted by the comparison. >> i apologize. >> what's interesting here is that newt gingrich is relishing his role as a spoiler. the fact that he's there, you know, we can talk about narcissism and uninhibits egoi go all of which are true for most of these politicians. i think in his case, he relishes being the bruising spoiler. he's using game analogies that we can take another one. you can't hate the player, hate the game itself. newt gingrich is trying to force his oppositioning to take him seriously. we know the math doesn't favor him, but the reality is he continues to plod along even though he calls himself the

tortoise, looking at his thick mane, he may be the hare. the reality is newt gingrich will remain there plodding along because he's basing it on the outside cannes that if any of these guys messes up in a chlo loss sal way, newt gingrich is waiting there to catch the ball and to run it back. using his game analogy, i think he's going to hang in there regardless. >> julian, when you look at romney's ohio total versus john mccain six years ago, romney won 38%. mccain won 60%. how worried should the republican party be when it appears to be supporting a frontrunner who performs in such mediocre fashion in a state like ohio? >> you know, you used the peyton manning analogy. it seems that republican voters have as much enthusiasm for romney assay gisele had for the patriots receivers. it's true. the only silver lining, the only

silver lining for romney in ohio yesterday was that he was doing well in plays like cuyahoga county. so if he becomes the nominee, he can make the argument ostensibly that he can compete in areas of ohio and other swing states where he needs to be competitive in order to win those states. but look, i think professor dyson makes a critical point. why is it that santorum and gingrich stay in this race when the math is so foreboding for them? for gingrich, as professor dyson said, it's an exercise in nothing more than narcissism. it's almost impossible for him to win this race. for santorum who again i think is the key obama ally at it point, santorum is running for 2016. his folks understand that he really can't win this race but he's positioning himself for 2016. but both santorum and gingrich are putting themselves in front of party. there's almost nobody outside of those camps inside the democratic party that believe what they're doing is good for the republican party at this point. >> michele, we've heard of this romney spokesman talking about an act of god to resolve this

issue. are they literally impugning or importuning the almighty to strike this down and deal with this problem? >> i think they're having a little bit of fun with santorum here. but romney's got some ugly days that he is looking at coming up. next we go to kansas and mississippi and alabama. these are not romney's people. that's just not his base and he's going to have to get through the south before things are going to look up for him again. >> and yet, despite that, michele, every newspaper that i read says that on delegate count numbers, there is still an inevitability about mitt romney. >> a win is a win in ohio. and it was made even worse by the fact that santorum's campaign is still disorganized. they could have gotten even more delegates with the percentage they got if they had been organized enough to kind of get tear ducks in a row and file the full slates. so yes, the math does not favor them. so we are talking about needing

some tremendous shift in this race for the math to make sense. but that you know, that said, that's what these guys are counting on. >> indeed, i think mitt romney would be well advised to provide some money to those people and deal with it himself. stick around. we're just getting started. next, the president takes his message down south. stay with us. >> i voted for the cheerful one for newt gingrich. >> there are lots of bunny rabbits that run through. i'm the tortoise, i just take one step at a time. ♪ they ran through the breyers and they ran through the bramables ♪ 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.

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the president is clearly preparing for a fight. assuming he ever gets a republican candidate 0 face off against him. he's been speaking at a truck plant in north carolina this afternoon touting job creation

and the rise in manufacturing. but this is still a very fragile recovery and there are still many variables at play a faltering europe and the annual rise in gas pries. and according to super tuesday exit polls, seven in ten voters said gas prices were an important factor in their decision. back with us is michele cottle, julian epstein and professor michael eric dyson. julian, i love polls as much as the next person. but when i read seven in ten believe gas prices were very important, why didn't newt gingrich and his $2.50 a gallon promise simply sweep super tuesday away. >> each seen other polls that cite gas prices as a factor and not a major factor. look, there's a couple points about this, martin. one is the fact that you hear republicans now talking about energying is evidence of the fact that they don't think that they can compete with obama on the economic argument. his economic plan with respect to stimulus, the rescue of the banks and the auto industry have all worked, widely endorsed by

mainstream economists. you see them shifting away from that argument because they don't think they can win on that, moving to energy. i think obama was very intelligent today in talking about this had to be a three-legged stool in terms of production, alternative fuels and conservation. he has done an enormous amount on energy in terms of 400 new licenses for rigs, oil production is higher than it has been since 2003. demand is the lowest that it's been in a decade. and i think the reason that you see prices spiking right now is because of the speculation in the international markets. so yes, this is an opening for republicans. it's not a big opening. i think the idea that they will -- and i think you'll see them try to move to this as a central campaign issue but them trying to win the campaign on this issue is like believing in the tooth fairy. it just ain't at the end of the day going to shake out. >> you say that but i have to put to you, michele, that mish mcconnell has said is if in effect blaming the president for the rises in gas prices? that's remarkable.

i can't find an economist who says the united states president is responsible for the rise in gas prices. nothing to do with supply and demand, it's all down to the president according to mitch mcconnell. >> according to mitch and the republican leadership, everything is the president's faults. that's just a given. but it is a problem that we see every four years. people always latch on to this gas price issue and you know what happens? the prices spike during the summer travel season and then just as we go into the november elections, they start falling off a little bit. just enough to where it takes a lot of the oomph out of that argument. it happens all the time. so while it is interesting to see those polls, this is not the first time it's been an issue. it is not going to be the last time it's an issue. it's also not going to decide the election. >> indeed. professor dyson, the republican brand according to someone no less than barbara bush has taken an absolute battering. but why isn't the president

benefiting do you think to a greater degree or does this speak to the vulnerability of the economic recovery which of course, come november, will be much more influential than anything else? >> well i think some people think the enemy of my enemy is not my friend. unfortunately, no matter what obama does, it will not of secure the confidence of a vast segment of this populace for a variety of reasons. i mean, he cos walk on water and they would say the president fails to swim. so the reality is that this particular interest that obama is generating out of just steadily going along, being able to address each specific issue on its face and to be able to come up with a reasonable response whether it's the automobile industry, mr. epstein talked about the speculation in the international markets, whether it's about energy, the republicans turn to the issue of energy because they have no serious moral energy so they compensate by talking about these other concerns, but the reality is, the american pocketbook is critical.

the american gas average is critical. it must be filled. but as miss cottle just said, given the cycle these things go through, at the ends of the day, obama benefits most by the infighting, the vast and horrible infighting that the republicans are now engaged in because he looks like the reasonable adult. will some adults step in and get these kids in order? as a result of that, by him remaining cool and calm and almost dispassionate when it comes to his particular style i think in the long run despite the concept tickism the voter might have, when it comes time to make a decision, they will look at the chaotic going on within the republican party and contrast that to the steady as she goes style of mr. obama and i think at the ends of the day, the president will prevail as a result of that. >> profess serious dyson, micheleal cottle, julian epstein, thanks for joining us. next, mitt romney's plan to get americans back to work. stay with us.

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as republicans stagger through a bruising primary contest, the president has been back out seeking to inspire and encourage american workers. at a truck plant in north carolina, he spoke about an economy slowly recovering and also took the opportunity to take a shot at his republican rivals who are making pie in the sky promises about gas prices. >> the next time you hear some politician trotting out some three-point plan for $2 gas, you let him know we know better. tell him we're tired of hearing phony election year promises that never come about. >> congressman steve israel is a democrat and chairman of the democratic congressional campaign committee. sir, good afternoon. >> great to be with you, martin. >> before we come to the president, it would be remiss of

me not to ask for your considered opinion of super tuesday. are you now preparing to face mitt romney in november after he took those six states last night? >> well, we're preparing to face republicans throughout this country running for the house of representatives. we are preparing to face whatever republican emerges. the fact is that mitt romney hasn't been able to seal the deal with his own party because mitt romney hasn't been able to seal the deal with mitt romney. if he is the nominee, we're not just which mitt romney we'll be running against, the progressive or the right wing conservative mitt romney. whoever the republicans put up, we'll be prepared to run against and fighting for our values, our fight for the middle class and to protect medicare, our fight for a good comprehensive energy policy in this country. i'm confident we'll do well. >> regarding the president's remarks about gas prices, senate minority leader mitch mcconnell took to the senate floor today and flat out blamed the president for high gas prices.

now, i know that mr. mcconnell would accuse the president of being responsible for the collapse of the ottoman empire as well but what is your reaction to that? >> they have no credibility. i love these republicans who run to the floor of the house and senate and with one hand they finger point at president obama for high gas prices and with the other hand, they put their voting cards in and vote for $40 billion in subsidies of oil company profits. i'll tell you when gas prices will come down. when republicans quit devoting their lives to protecting oil company profits. when they put the middle class ahead of oil company executives, then maybe we have a shot at bringing oil prices down in this country. >> well, that's a fairly strong response. what promised to be yet another ugly fight over medicare is about to rear its head again in the congress, as you know. is this a win for democrats or republicans in an election year? because you and i know, this is an extremely sensitive area of policy. >> every time the republicans

put millionaires ahead of medicare, democrats win. unfortunately, if the republicans gets their way, seniors will lose because they tried to pass a budget last year and they're going to try and pass a budget again this year that ends medicare as we know it. that ends the guaranteed medicare program, replaces it with a voucher program according to the congressional budget office will cost the average senior citizen an additional $6,000. i don't know what it is about medicare that the republicans do not like. i do nope they have been dedicated since the ryan budget came out a year ago and you see a reprice of it in a couple weeks to putting millionaires and oil companies ahead of seniors and medicare. anytime we can talk about that contrast and remind the american people that we're fighting to protect medicare while republicans are fighting to end medicare in order to protect millionaires we win the debate. >> okay. finally and if i can just get you backing to gas again, newt gingrich reckons that he can

bring down gas prices to $2.50 a gallon. he can do it with seamless confidence. what's your reaction to that. >> where was he when he was the speaker of the house. >> he was too busy cheating on his wife. who i dare you ask questions about his performance in the house. he was too busy. >> fib me. these republicans again, they can't pretend to have a comprehensive energy policy when they're trying to close down and eliminate all investments in clean technologies and alternative to -- alternatives to persian gulf oil and relentlessly protect oil company executives. let's start right here. i'll challenge them. you want to begin to have a compromise what we can do to bring down oil prices? give up on the $40 billion in oil subsidies that american taxpayers and consumers have to pay, $4 billion a year for ten years. let's start there. let's see the what they say about that. >> and there was silence. congressman steve israel of new york, thank you very much. >> stay with us. the day's top lines are coming

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>> you are a lucky dude. >> what would like to say to mr. romney? >> good luck tonight. >> washingtoning is sound asleep. and they got you. making a little sacrifice. >> to be perfectly honest with you, i voted for the cheerful one. >> there are lots of bunny rabbits that run through. i'm the tortoise. >> i'll bet you ten bucks i can beat. >> you you're going to get there, mr. >> i just came from our war room which doubles as the weight room and pumped a little iron to get myself psyched. >> do you know where the weight room is. >> i met with moms and dads and teachers and students and factory workers and business owners. i've listens and i've learned. >> as an average joe, i'm going to break out the lunch pail, okay? and strap on my blue collar. you know, some of my best friends own this company. >> mitt romney col we'll be the prince charles of the republican nomination who's been waiting

all his life to accede to the throne. >> martin, that is a gob smacking analogy. >> he tends to go one way, crashes into the wall or he goes out and does the white man overbite. >> one thing i can tell you for sure is there's not going to be a brokered convention. >> let's get right to it with our panel this afternoon. joining us from tampa, trey harden, republican strategist and senior vice president at vox global and in washington, perry bacon, an msnbc contributor and the political editor of the grio.com. trey, is there anyone within the conservative ranks who would convince the other candidates for the good of the republican party, to step aside and just let mitt romney start to consolidate support. >> i mean, even barbara bush is pleading for an end to this fight. >> well, martin, i'm surprised you would want that to happen. but it's a good question. listen. >> it's in the interests of your party, sir. that's all.

i'm really feeling a genuine sense of pity. >> i know you're very, very supportive of us. >> it's not nice to watch. >> it's not going to happen. >> it's not going to happen. >> i know. it's not going to happen. listen, the republican party clearly is scattered right now between electability, tea party mania, and the anybody but mitt influence. and it's going to take a little while for that to work out. the irony is that if newt gingrich got out today, this race would even be longer because it would have santorum and romney probably going all the way to tampa. . but the fact that newt is staying in, it just continues to help mitt romney. but as you've discussed earlier on your show, this has really become not about the popular vote. it is all about the delegate count. it's a math equation. this is a vetting process that will go as i see it all the way into the summer. >> okay, perry, last night, former advice presidential candidate sarah palin was asked about a brokered convention.

and whether she might play a role. here's how she responded. as i say, anything is possible. and i don't -- i don't close any doors that perhaps would be open out there. so no, i wouldn't close that door. and my plan is to be at that convention. >> perry, this coming from the woman described as the game-changer in 2008 albeit in a losing effort. my question to you, who is the republican game-changer this time round? >> you know, i think in terms of vice presidential candidates, a couple people to watch are marco rubio, the senator from florida who is someone that appeals to tea partiers. another person bobby jindal who appeals to that group, as well. the question for romney, does he pick someone who's a tea party conservative or evangelical conservative to shore up weaknesses among those groups? does he appeal that way like mccain did with palin or does he go with maybe a tim pawlenty,

low risk, little reward, as well. >> trey, isn't there a problem with regard to the vp states? in a sense, having had this quasi attack on women on all kinds of issues, won't you think whoever wins this nomination will feel almost obligated to engage with a female vice president because for the last six months, many people feel that will republicans have been very antagonistic towards women. >> absolutely, martin. i think that there are names being flowed around like governor nick kill haley from south carolina, governor martinez from new mexico. listen, independent voters are a very influential voting bloc and they're going to be in force this fall. neither side has them right now. the obama doesn't, the republicans don't. so yes, it would be wise for romney to consider that or the republican nominee to consider that. but regardless of who they consider, they need to be --

they need to start talking to women voters directly. >> trey harden, as reasonable as ever, thanks so much and perry bacon, too, thanks for joining us. coming up, the silence is deafening when it comes to republicans and rush limbaugh. stay with us. >> i think one of the reasons why is governor romney and others were so timid in speaking out is because rush is the defacto leader of the republican party. so to take him on would be to risk your own standing within the party. [ male announcer ] let's say you need to take care of legal matters. wouldn't it be nice if there was an easier, less-expensive option than using a traditional lawyer? well, legalzoom came up with a better way. we took the best of the old and combined it with modern technology. together, you get quality services on your terms with total customer support. legalzoom documents are accepted in all 50 states, and they're backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. so, go to legalzoom.com today and see for yourself.

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campbell's. it's amazing what soup can do. the passat is one of nine volkswagen models named a 2012 iihs top safety pick. not that we'd ever brag about it. [ chuckles ] turn right. come on -- nine. turn left. hit the brakes. huh. how'd that get there? [ male announcer ] we can't hide how proud we are to have nine 2012 iihs top safety picks, so we're celebrating with our safety in numbers event. that's the power of german engineering. right now, lease the 2012 passat for $219 a month. the shameful behavior of rush limbaugh has presented many conservatives with a problem. how do they condemn his outrageous comments without making themselves a target of his anger? people like john boehner and mitt romney seem paralyzed by fear of limbaugh while sarah palin, well, she's out there defending the man.

>> i think the definition of hypocrisy is for rush limbaugh to have been called out, forced to apologize and retract what it is he said in exercising his first amendment rights and never is that -- the same applied to the leftist radicals who say such horrible things about the handicapped, about women, about the defenseless. so i think that's the definition of hypocrisy and that's my two cents worth. >> tony perkins is president of the family research council. i'm delighted to say he joins us. i found this whole controversy extremely disturbing. and it seems almost impossible to find a republican who unequivocally without conditions condemns what's been said. now you're a family man. you're a committed christian. you play an important role in conservative politics. will you for the benefit of our broadcast clearly and categorically denounce what rush limbaugh said?

>> well, martin, first let me say i disagree because there's a double standard that that somehow defends what was said. i do think there's a double standard but that doesn't defend attacking an individual. i think we need to engage in civil discussion. i don't think there's any room in this process for calling people derogatory names of. i think what he did by calling this young woman regardless of her political views, regardless of what she was is voektsing for, calling her derogatory names. i disagree with her position. i think what she said was off base. what she was advocating for was off base but i think rush limbaugh was wrong in calling her what he did. >> you have children yourself? >> i have five children. >> do you have a daughter? >> i have three daughters. >> how would you feel if your daughter was referred to in that way? >> well -- >> i have two. >> i would not have the appreciated it. i probably would have paid the man a visit. let me say this.

>> i'm delighted to hear that because i would have done the same. >> but my daughter would not have been standing before a congressional committee talking about sexual promiscuity in the fact that the government should somehow -- >> she wasn't talking about sexual promiscuity. she was talking about a dear friend of hers who has a very serious illness. >> that is one aspect which is covered. >> on the specific issue of contraception, rick santorum has said and i'm quoting him that it's not right for christians to use contraception. >> that's a theological position. >> i know. i want to ask, sure. is that your view, and is it your view that there is a biblical precedent for christians not to use contraception? >> i don't think so. now, you would say i'm kind of -- i'm probably more catholic than i am baptist. i have five kids so obviously i don't embrace the whole idea of contraception. look, that is a view that some people have. there is arguments that can be made about how contraception into our society has changed our

view of children and intimate relationships between husbands and wives. is it a policy position that he has? no. is it one that i would advocate for? no. that's something that i think husbands and wives have the right to make a decision on in and of themselves. this conversation about contraceptives was really not an issue of contraception. it was an issue of religious freedom and organizations being forced to fund it. >> you say that, sir and yet when mr. santorum talks about the issue, he does repeatedly say it is not right for christians to use contraception. contraception is wrong and he appears to associate every social problem and link it back in some way to a permissive society that was born as a result of contraception. now i'm asking you, do you share that view? >> i do think you can look at the social studies and you can see whether -- i don't think that's the single factor. it's one of many factors that came onto the scene socially that has changed our society. but again, let me go back to what he said.

and i have not heard every word that he spoke. i have discussed it with him. he does have a personal view about contraception as do many religious americans. that's not the same as having a policy position. he's made his policy position very clear. >> can you understand why many people in the country feel as though there is a conservative stroke republican attack on women? we've had the issue of contraception discussed repeatedly. we've had rush limbaugh who for some people is the defacto spokesman of the republican party saying what he said. senator blunt doing what evers doing, bob mcdonald proposing and then withdrawing a transvaginal probe. can you understand why many women today feel as though many republicans don't like them? >> well, actually, if you look at the support. >> linked to what i've just said. >> i'm going to answer your question. if you look at what the senator santorum as he's running for president is drawing a lot of support from females. the female vote is moving toward

him. it's not an attack on females. it's what the democratic party, liberals and even some in the media have tried to make this an issue of women. contraception was an issue of religious freedom. the issue in virginia that made reference to bob mcdonald, that was an issue of protecting women, giving them the opportunity of seeing their unborn child before they choose an abortion. other states have adopted the same procedures in allowing women to see the sonogram pictures of their child before they choose an abortion. >> shouldn't you and others though defer to a woman individually? it is her body. she has autonomy and control and responsibility. >> but shouldn't she have all the facts? >> nobody's disputing that if she chooses to have them. but is it really appropriate to enforce in a mandatory fashion these kinds of things upon people? >> giving them all of the information, when you have a woman who is in a crisis situation oftentimes having been exploited who is in a desperate

situation to keep her from making a second mistake of choosing to abort what she doesn't even realize in many cases is a child within her because of the propaganda put out by planned parenthood and others. these are laws that have been passed by 17 states now that say look, out of the desire to give women all of the information, let them see the sonogram, which by the way, planned parenthood takes pictures to evaluate the size of the baby so they know how much to charge for the abortion. >> do you accept this view that many people have that rick santorum condemns contraception and yet he also condemns abortion. doesn't using contraception prevent the necessity of contraception. >> he's talking about his personal views between a husband and a wife. >> when he speaks, he appear s to be speaking for others, as well. >> if you go back, you can clearly dissect what he's saying in terms of applying it to

public policy. let's go back to the real heart of the issue is where should sexual behavior be taking place? that's what was behind the abstinence message is look, it's better for young people to abstain everyone sex till marriage. we've actually seen the studies show that a young girl, the more she engages in sexual relations before marriage, if she marries, the percentages of her, the risk of her having a divorce go up with every sexual encounter. that information should be shared with our young people so they know how to make the right choices. >> you've shared it, tony perkins. thanks very much for joining us. we'll be right back. [ male announcer ] this is coach parker... whose non-stop day starts with back pain... and a choice. take advil now and maybe up to four in a day. or choose aleve and two pills for a day free of pain. way to go, coach.

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momentum is the word of the day among economists as the recovery gains steam with a new report showing more companies

added jobs last month. let's bring in nbc's mike viqueira at the white house and luke russert on capitol hill. mike, president obama just got back after going to north carolina talking about jobs and energy and announcing a billion dollar initiative to promote clean energy and more 2012 preparations, yes? >> reporter: well, it's no accident certainly that the president has visited north carolina no fewer than ten times since coming here to the white house and the oval office. you really need to look at the pattern of where he has traveled over the course of the last three years to figure out where the battlegrounds are. you are absolutely right. north carolina he was the first president to win it since jimmy carter, first democrat to win it since jimmy carter in 1976. it's key to his electoral strategy now. he still has an uphill fight there. a recent poll says 50% of voters in north carolina disapproved of the way he is handling the economy. the president was there touting his green initiatives, touting the economy, touting a boost in manufacturing, and increase in foreign investment and hoping for more good news friday when the new jobless numbers come

out. >> indeed. the big jobs report does come out on friday as congress gets ready for another swing at the jobs act with a house vote on a package of bills i think to help small businesses. is that got any chance of progressing? >> yes it does, martin. >> wow. shock! that's unbelievable. >> and eric canter and president obama are in agreement. they will have a jobs package albeit a lot smaller than the one democrats or the president would like to see. but it has as republicans like to say common sense reforms in it. it is a collection of about four or five bills which basically make it easier for small businesses. it cuts the red tape. not as much reporting they have to do to the s.e.c. and other things. a little agreement here. pennsylvania avenue and capitol hill agreeing. maybe we'll see a few more of these during the election but not many. both sides don't want to look like they're too cozy. >> an act of god. the almighty has spoken. luke russert, mike viqueira,

thanks very much. now to a check on how stocks are reacting this afternoon. amanda drury has the cnbc market wrap. >> hi there, martin. yeah. after quite a bad day we're making a good comeback today. why don't we look at some of the numbers. you have a gain of about 93 points for the dow. the s&p is up by ten and theed in is gaining by 27 points. that's it from us for the moment. we'll be back this afternoon. we're cnbc first in business worldwide. [ male announcer ] if you believe the mayan calendar, on december 21st, polar shifts will reverse the earth's gravitational pull and hurtle us all into space, which would render retirement planning unnecessary. but say the sun rises on december 22nd and you still need to retire, td ameritrade's investment consultants can help you build a plan that fits your life. we'll even throw in up to $600 when you open a new account or roll over an old 401(k). so who's in control now, mayans?

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but does bringing a floor back to life really make us heroes? [ chuckles ] yes. yes, it does. ♪ call 1-800-steemer it's time to clear the air. as the great martin luther king jr. says in his book of sermons entitled "strength to love" the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. so let's apply dr. king's moral measure to mitt romney, the man who won six states on super tuesday and hopes to become president. because before he notched up

these victories mr. romney like so many public figures faced up to a challenge. how to respond to the repugnant and demeaning remarks from the republican party's loudest spokesman mr. rush limbaugh. romney was not subjected to a difficult interview nor a gotcha question but he did take no less than two opportunities to make his position abundantly clear. >> i'll just say this which is it's not the language i would have used. i'm focusing on the issues thai think are significant in the country today. >> this moment, quite apart from his general awkwardness in public and his complete failure to connect with anyone other than his wealthy backers, this moment is a defining moment for mitt romney. because this was mitt romney's moment of challenge and controversy. he could so easily have offered a simple but comprehensive condemnation of mr. limbaugh. he could have offered his hand of support to a defenseless college student who was only trying to defend her friend.

he could so easily have -- no he couldn't. and that is because mr. romney is what some people refer to as a stuffed shirt. an outfit that contains a body without any real convictions. that's why his utter failure at this moment of challenge was only made a whole lot worse by the response of another man. >> i thought about malia and sasha and one of the things i want them to do as they get older is to engage in issues they care about, even ones i may not agree on. i don't want them attacked or called horrible names because they're being good citizens. >> what we have learned from this moment of challenge and controversy is mr. romney has failed disastrously. but all is not lost. in the same year that dr. martin luther king's book of sermons was published he also wrote his

profound letter from birmingham jail and words from that letter could nothe present hour. we will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of bad people but for the appalling silence of good people. and that i'm afraid now includes mitt romney. thank you so much for watching. dylan ratigan is here to take us forward. what you got? >> all sorts of stuff. what a fun show we have lined up today. people are figuring things out all over town. even if the politicians can't. it makes the job fun. it's entertaining to watch how different -- how much of a difference there is between americans and people of the world that are solving problems everywhere and both political parties who are pretending that that's not possible. you know? >> let's get ahead and show them what it's about. >> here we go. >> thanks.