persona today. >> i'm not going to sit back. the war of words between debbie wasserman schultz and priebus. over this remark. >> our own little captain schettino is more interested in campaigning than doing his job. what congresswoman has to say now. she joins me live. senate votes to clear the way on a band by insider trading. low pressure it keep lawmakers from trading stocks based o on information not made public. developing news regarding iran and what the director of national intelligence said just

today. the "news nation" is following mitt romney and newt gingrich both defiant as voters stream into the polls. gingrich has been meeting with voters. at one point he said he doesn't care that romney has a huge lead because he's not going anywhere. >> how close is this to being over? >> i would say six months. >> six months. >> unless romney drops out of the race. >> romney went on a tirade. >> we came to florida and speaker gingrich didn't have two good debates, i did. his comments most recently attacking me have been quite sad, and painfully revealing about the speaker. >> let's bring in our panel with

us. thank you for joining us. michael, i'll start off with you. you heard him say this will go on till june or july or until romney drops out. is this a faux swagger. >> p given the early on proportionate way in which the delegates are going to be named. i think he's got every insensitive to hang in for a long time. it remains to be seen if he can get the expenditures. i think he has every intention to hang in for the long haul. if newt gingrich can keep the money coming in from that casino, that would be

tremendous. the romney folks would like toe suh his victory exceed what we saw for newt gingrich in south carolina. >> you need some gas in the tank to get yourself going. >> especially in a big state

like florida. you need plenty of gas. our team points out some numbers from the poll that was recently released. i don't mean knee is having big numbers. look at that it's 42% unfavorable rating with independents we know he'll need. this destruction could take a great toll on romney if he gets this nomination here. >> you and i have discussed the subject many times in the past. i've made the case this election will be did i remembered by the 40% that told gallup just two weeks ago they consider themselves to be independent. it's the same 40% that told the wall street and nbc news last august that their approach is moderate. i maintain that segment would be

thrilled to vote for mitt romney. what you have seen take place is he's tacked to the right so as to survive the primary process and it's cost him with exactly the group that you're now identifying. >> ruth, let me talk to you about the rhetoric that's coming from newt gingrich. we've heard too many times this food stamp president, referring to president obama. now he's bringing us what he says is an attack from mitt romney on jewish people and catholic. let me play what he was saying a i want to get your thoughts. >> romney is governor imposed on catholic hospitals and romney is governor illuminated kosher food and he has no understanding of the importance of conscious and religion liberty in this country. >> some people are saying this is bringing in attacks on

mormons and calling the president food stamp and now you have the jewish and catholic. >> i think it's a serious attack. whether it's some kind of sly attack on governor romney's religion, i'm not prepared to go that far. talking about old people and old jewish and their kosher food in florida is fighting words. it shows how seriously nasty this campaign has gotten more brutal than i can remember they any in the same party. >> michael, is this more than nastiness. he says mitt romney is dishonest, he's a flip-flopper. maybe some of that language might be seen as nastiness but when you call the first

african-american president be food stamp president and jewish senior citizens kept away from their kosher meals, what do you call that? >> i would call it crass and brazen. it's a short-term strategy. it's precisely the thing that may bring out for all the wrong reasons some members of the electorate but it's going to cost you in the general election because they are strictly primary voters. >> thank you ruth and michael. let me bring in rick. some of the polls show a double digit lead, but he still has a problem in miami-dade. he was defeated by mccain and rudy giuliani in that important county. a lot of hispanic voters. if he secures the nomination

he'll need in a general election. romney could win tonight, but he'll still be seen as a loser if he makes it to the general election. >> i think that's absurd. romney has shown a lot of support in the hispanic community. i think he will run up some big numbers. >> he's going to win miami-dade. >> if you say something is absurd, i think you should come back with stronger language than we'll see fp if you say i'm absurd you got to bring it back a little stronger or ooirm forced to laugh at you. >> there's no story where he's perceived as a loser. he will wrap up a significant win. he will come out of this state with massive amount of momentum and headway. he'll come out with his main opponent having thrown everything at the wall and having no success at redefining

the race. tonight, when he rolls up a 10-point lead across the state. ranging from the cracker counties in the panhandle, down to central florida, down to miami and the southwest part of the state, i think he will roll out incredibly big numbers. if you're trying to cherry pick one demo that he doesn't compete with gingrich on, i think it's hard to say it's a national loss. >> here sr. how i cis how i cant rational. romney loses in the state of florida to the current president as does gingrich, santorum and paul. we also see romney's unfavorable rating with independents at 42%. rationalize those numbers for me. >> what's going to happen is this long thing called the

campaign. there's going to be a lot of debate and discussion about how barack obama's economic policies have utterly failed the people of florida. how the hostility to business, how the hostility to small and large business in the obama administration has caused florida ease economic growth to be anemic at best. the state has stagnated that this is a president whose policy is spend as much as you can as fast as you can and hope something will happen. >> with the litany of things you just named, with all of those things in a head to head matchup, romney still loses to president obama in florida. i know there's time and there's still a general election. today as it stands with all of

things you've just outlined, why would romney lose today in florida to president obama. >> the election's not today. >> i know that. >> the election is in november. i understand your point, but the election is in november. this will be a long contest. barack obama doesn't get to do an uncontested sweep and say love me now for the rest of the year. he has to run on his record. this will be a referendum on his failed nick record in this state. >> regarding a comment made by mitt romney, he said he will protect medicare and social security for this generation and generations moving ahead. many find it contrary that he's supported this voecher plan by congressman ryan, how can you want it to be around for generations to come and also say you would want a voucher

program? >> the current path that barack obama has medicare on, it will collapse and go bankrupt and fail. we're going to see millions of senior who is they are happy to use as campaign rhetoric. you'll see those folks suffering by a program they allowed to fail unless we do fundamental reform in this country. whether it's the ryan plan or another plan that reforms the structure of these programs, the seniors will be protected in the future and republicans have committed to that. you'll have to reform them. you can't pretend the systems are find and the cost growth curves of the systems are sustainable under any rational budget regime. >> you're far more passionate on mitt romney. he didn't say what you just said. you may need to advise him. thank you very much. we greatly appreciate it. we're following developing

news involving iran today. just a short sometime ago director of national intelligence, clapper said they are stepping up international terrorism support. luke, what can you tell us? >> reporter: iran, a few months back, when the u.s. foiled the plot to assassinate the ambassador, the direction to carry out the plot came from very high up in the regime. we also found out the u.s. has t

tharted three attacks. they have signalled they're willing to continue enriching uranium to a degree that would not be suitable by the united states and israel. clapper said it's still too early to tell on north korea, whether or not the new leadership will be as big a threat as his father was and cyber security is a very big issue. he sees al qaeda as being a more decentralized force. >> thank you very much. dnc chair is slamming her republican counter part for his comments comparing president obama to the captain of that doomed italian cruise ship. what she is now saying. the senate clears the way on a ban by congress. what does it really mean? plus. >> turn around.

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it's a fair analogy in regards to leadership? a moment of crisis that this president is more interested in his job than the jobs of millions of americans out there hurting. >> was it a low blow?

priebus is still defending his comparison of obama to the captain of that wrecked use ship. his words have set off a few with democratic national chair. the congresswoman will talk to me in a few minutes. with just over six hours till the polls close in florida, newt gingrich has been busy with voters. let's check in with ron mott. what's the tone there coming from mr. gingrich? >> reporter: it's hard to believe they are so far down in the polls based on how the speaker is purporting himself. he was here this morning visiting with some of his campaign team in lakeland. they were trying to get people out today. he was not content to mail it in. he's got those four events today. he knows he will have some work to do coming out of florida, win

or lose. we go three weeks without a debate. because they are so far in terms of money and advertising, he'll have to get out to nevada and try to build up support out there. he said he's going all the way to the convention. i think he's getting a little irritate. he said the race will go five or six more months, maybe sooner if mitt romney gets out of the r e race. he's still keeping a little humor. joining me debby wasserman schultz. thank you for your time. >> thank you. >> let me start off with the feud between yourself and priebus. he compared the president to the captain of that cruise liner. you took issue with that. he was on fox news and he says i was referring to the fact that this president is in love with

campaigning and not in love with his job of getting the country back on track. he said to take this comment and turn it into something this was not, that's wrong too. what do you say that? >> i wouldn't characterize this is a feud. this is my commenting on remarks that the chairman of the rnc made about comparing the president of the united states to the captain of a ship kwhofs charged with manslaughter which was insensitive because people died and there are still people missing. i called on him and i still do to apologize to the families of those victims. he's trying to brush it under the rug because he's been roundly criticized by republican leaders and democratic leaders. he just needs to take a step back and focus on the issues. that's what's important right now. they are wrong on the issues that matter to working family ps p. >> we should be focused on the issues. you, as well as i know, there

are great number of president's supporters who feel the tone and language and accusations pointed his direction would never be hurled at another candidate, especially as you pointed out to compare the president who is charged with manslaughter. we have heard that you lie and the list goes on and on, jan brewer and the finger pointing. this becomes a collective picture and not for some individual events. >> when you are a collection of republican candidates for president that are so extreme as this field is led my mitt romney who sat on a board, the whole time he was on the board, they were engaged in the most significant medicare fraud, got $119 million fine. there's a lot of reasons for republicans to distract from their regard. that's one of them. particularly, in florida it's

understandable they would want to say anything to keep voters off of their priorities because they are so out of step with the priorities of seniors, hispan s hispanics. we'll continue to focus on making sure that president obama's message of helping everyone is our focus. they can sort of let those comments that the chairperson made speak for themselves. >> you bring up medicare at an event last night in florida. rom trying to appeal to seniors and olders voters in your state. said i will protect method care and social security for those that are currently retired or near retirement and i'll make sure the programs are solvent for the next generations coming along. i know you are taking issue for him praising when in the past pe supported the voucher system idea. >> that's right. another example of him willing to say anything to get elected

and saying one thing in another state where the voters aren't focused on a particular issue. mitt romney has consistently supported ending medicare, embrace the ryan plan that would turn medicare into a voucher program, consistently supported a proposal that would increase medi premiums by $6,000. we have a safety net that i will fight for my last breath to protecting seniors. he will not be allowed to say anything he wants to pander to voters. they'll see right through it. >> do you believe that romney will wrap things up in florida and moving very close to securing this nomination? >> i don't think so. it looks like in terms of the number och delegates that they still have tloeft achieve and secure the nomination, looks

like it will go on. let's put it in perspective. if he wins florida tonight, which we expect he will, he's run 13,000 ads on television in florida versus newt gingrich's 200. a win for him will be a commentary on him drowning his opposition in ads rather than voters suggesting that they support him. that's why the polls that are out there show that president obama would beat mitt romney, newt gingrich or anyone in the republican field in florida because when it comes to medicare, when it comes to jobs in the economy, president obama has the right message and has been moving us in the right direction. >> thank you so much for your time. big night in your state. in less than an hour, the u.n. security council ll meet to discuss a draft resolution. russia calls it a path to civil

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whoops, forgot one... [ male announcer ] sustainable solutions. fedex. solutions that matter. still ahead, the search has been called off. why italian officials will not continue looking for people missing. will tonight mark the beginning of the end of the gop nomination season. it's our "news nation gut check." first, david axelrod posted a photo taking aim at mitt romney. it showed president in the back of his limo. the tweet came with how loving owners transport their dogs. the picture was a jab at romney who admitted he secured a kennel to the roof of the family's car, the family dog in the kennel on

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♪ here is what the "news nation" is following right now. beginning of the end. if romney wins tonight's florida primary, will he wrap up be gop season? newt gingrich vows to fight until the gop convention, but will he be able to survive february. the senate clears away for an insider trading ban in congress after harry reid accuses harry cantor of holding up the debate. mitt romney is vowing to aggressively fends off any attacks coming from a rival candidate or president obama.

pete erp peter alexander has been covering the campaign. what else are we hearing? >> reporter: he's wearing short sleeves, seems relaxed and confident. spoke to reporters a short time ago and he mocked newt gingrich and said he can't complain about the negative complaining because he went after me in south carolina. the fact that we're going after him here has only been part of our success. people prefer our message in this state. mitt romney has spent four to one. he and his allies have four to one more money. some suggest that might impact romney going forward. some polls show he lost about 13% among independents in terms of favorability. he, when i posed that question to him, he thinks people wants to see a any president but it's one of the narratives we will be watching as we go forward from

here. he spent the day making phone calls. tonight, we'll see him just across the water at the convention center where he hopes to celebrate a big win. it could approximate 15 percentage points from the latest polls. >> thank you very much, peter. as for rival newt gingrich, he's add mat that this race is far from over. steve, good to see you. >> always good to see you as well. thank you. >> let me talk to you about what newt gingrich is saying and you heard mitt romney go after him. these are romney's words that gingrich is whining from his debate performance to being out spent. all of the things that can happen. you have supported newt gingrich in the past. what do you make of this

strategy? >> there's fur reason frs a victory. number one is the barrage of criticism. the party establishment unleashing the flood gates trying to destroy newt gingrich. that's something that newt can't control. the other three factors are things he can control. he squandered two debates. number two, i think they were taken aback by the depths that the party establishment is willing to sink to in order to get their own proxy into the white house. he was taken aback by that in november. i think he was caught flat footed with that again. number three, i will give credit where credit is due. i think the romney campaign is professional, they're organized. they had a third of their vote in. they were almost immune to a

post-south carolina bump and they should be commended to that. the tactics used against newt gingrich in this primary will increase the likelihood this is going to go all the way to a convention. it has solidified conserve angst and they just despise romney and the establishment. i think a lot of conservatives have decided they are willing to fight this all the way to 1144 delegates. >> if you're add vising gingrich, how would you like for him to fight back? >> i think he's got to get to the point that he doesn't care what mitt romney or anybody in the party establishment cares about him when thp primary process is over. one thing that happens to conservative candidates a lot, they are too consumed with how do we put the party back together with this when it's

over. you'll notice the party establishment isn't consumed with that. until they're willing to go all the way with it, they'll see more things like that. i think newt's got to get to the point where it's go for broke. it's play for the win and not care about what mitt romney will think about newt gingrich if he were to be the nominee. i think that's the mind set thing that they have to get to the point that they have to play to win. period. >> thank you so much. always a pleasure to have you on. stay with msnbc tonight. we'll get the results live. bipartisan efrt to regain

public trust is full steam ahead. insider trading laws also apply to lawmakers. wouldn't that be assumed. the senate voted 93-2 on monday. the stop trading on congressional knowledge act or stock is the most symbolic measure we've seen makie ining clear to voters that members of congress are banned from insider trading. eric cantor said it's a step in the right direction but needs to be expanded. >> it does not cover those connected with federal government and federal branch that are in positions with access and are privy to

information that could benefit those individuals. >> the white house supports the senate legislation writing in part. a final senate vote could come thursday. developing now, a hee v high p p level offensive. hillary clinton will join in urging syrian president to step down. 26 deaths have been reported just today. p first, let's talk about what's expected too happen today.

might this have any impact on what's happening in syria? >> reporter: the short answer to that will depend on what russia does. y we know that western powers are likely going to support the arab plan. the arab plan which came out of here put calls that he must step down from power within 15 days and begin a transition process. you shall s russ russia said it would authorize the use of force. >> thank you so much. the economy is the mind on

florida voters. it's how to spread the message to the different regions of that one state. the president has taken a personal interest in the story of texas woman whose engineer husband is out of work. the president asked the woman to send him her husband's resume and he promised to follow up. today we talked with jennifer. >> i didn't get a chance yet to tell hem before family was calling him and saying obama just asked for your resume. my two daughters said he was like absolutely ecstatic. google made sure that we got the resume straight to obama. voerts in oregon are taking part in the special election to replace congressman david woo.

thp photo surfaced of him in that tiger costume. republican presidential candidate newt gingrich is being sued for using "eye of the tiger" at a campaign event. the composer wants an injunction for him using the classic heat. those are the things we just thought you should know.

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regulates emotion and control. if you feel stressed during your normal day, don't worry, only extreme stress such as being held at gun point shrinks the brain. coming up, a beaming mitt romney moved to song. an american idol, he is not. rival newt gingrich, anything but moon struck as florida voters head to the polls. we'll talk to his super mac master mind. and is respect for the office of the presidency dead among certain republicans? thank you martin. biggest battleground in today's florida primary by be miami-dade county. it's been seeing more visits by republican candidates. thank you for joining me. >> thank you for having me.

>> i know you haven't been endorsing any of the gop candidates. with that same miami-dade is crucial. what is the outlook, in your opinion, for mitt romney? >> i think certainly in miami-dade county from the feedback i'm getting from my folks down there, getting exit polls and early voting, it seems to be very favorable for mitt romney. >> that would be impressive if the information holds up. mitt romney finished third the last time around in miami-dade county finishing behind john mccain and rudy giuliani. what's the difference this time? is it the competition? is it the message?

>> i think the difference isn't so much the competition and i think he has honed in a more solids message for the primary voter. i think the biggest difference is four years later. i think governor romney has established a well-oiled, incredibly structured campaign team. i think that's evidenced in not only the way he was able to take advantage and target those voerts and having the best ground game in a state as large as ours. my feeling is tonight's results will show that. >> you've been called one of the up and coming latino leaders . we saw a lot of conversation regarding cuba and immigration there. do you believe if mitt romney gets the nomination and faces

you have with president obama, he's done enough to get a boost from the hispanic voters? >> i think you have to distinguish the difference between the primary and facing obama. the dynamics changed so much. it's on a block vote when you talk about hispanics, there's variations among them. i think it's going to be important for whomever the nominee is on the republican side to not only hone in that message but recognize one size does not fit all. it has to be a very specific message with a real immigration reform plan while recognizing that some sort of an extreme, unrealistic plan given the

realities probably won't work and the message has to be honed in for a general election audience. >> thank you so much. great pleasure having you on. >> thank you. italian emergency officials say they have called off an under water search for missing passengers. officials say conditions with just too dangerous for rescue workers. workers have shifted their focus to pumping out the fuel to avoid an oil spill. 17 bodies have been recovered. 16 people are listed as missing. next in today's "news nation gut check," we get to hear from you. do you believe tonight will mark the end of the beginning of the republican nominating season? it's our "news nation gut check." a 6-year-old utah girl told her teacher that all she wanted for her birthday was her dad to

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time now for the "news nation gut check." major polls have mitt romney leading newt gingrich by double digits, but does a win in florida means romney will clinch the nomination? newt gingrich has promised to stay in this race regardless of the outcome. just 115 delegates, less than 5% will have been awarded. it takes more than 1100

delegates to clinch the nomination. what does your gut tell you? will the primary mark the end of the nominating season. gop to facebook.com/newsnation. that does it for this super tuesday. i'm tamron hall. martin bashir is up next.

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good afternoon. it's tuesday, january 31st, and fight for florida is on. ♪ ♪ america, america, god shed his grace on thee