i have a deal i want to make with you quickly. if they don't get jobs, can they live in your house. >> i love all of them. >> fantastic. thank you very much. thanks to all of you. we'll see you in chicago tomorrow. "hardball" is up right now. the last horumph. let's play "hardball." good evening. i'm chris matthews in washington. leading off tonight, team of grouches. was there anything that happened in last night's debate that could make republicans happy? did one candidate emerge as a likable leader? did any look like a hero? did they together build their case against president obama? no. and with with each passing day and every passing sinking poll number, republicans are wondering is this the team we want on the field? the serial stumbling and the gop

is turning whispers into cries. is this as good as it it gets? could a third-party candidate emerge? what would that do to the race? plus, reversal fortune. now that bob mcdonnell has backed down on the ultrasound bill, who is happy? not republicans who accuse him of backing down and certainly not democrats who say he didn't go far enough. but democrats are taking the issue as a way to deepen the gop's already serious problem with women voters. and president obama is singing the blues this week reminding us he's not the first commander in chief to ham it up. >> was that good or what? richard nixon hit the piano u.

they are american idol wanna bees. finally rick santorum's strange notions about phoney theology. we begin with last night's debate. howard fineman is director for t"the huffington post." and susan page is a bureau chief. in that two-hour debate, romney figged out a way to blame santorum for president obama's health care plan, which was a model on romney's own plan in massachusetts. he turned the tables by setting santorum's support. who would have thought arlen spector would ever be mentioned again? let's watch. >> a study came out two weeks ago that listed 15 ways in which romney care was the model frp obama care. >> the reason we have obama care, the reason we have obama

care is because the senator you supported over pat toomey in pennsylvania, arlen spector, the pro-choice senator of pennsylvania that you supported and endorsed in a race over pat toomey, he vote d for obama car. if you had not supported him and said no, we would not have obama care. so don't look at me. take a look in the mirror. >> you know, romney had his achorus there last night. applauding on command. are we allowed to say the word piss ant on television? this debate was small. a debate about who is going to command us in the world. we have terrorism going on out there. we have to deal with iran. and they are sitting there talking about, well, you know, all those years ago, you backed arlen spector.

give me a break. mickey mouse club. am i wrong? help me here, susan. objective reporter. wasn't it petty last night? >> it was not one of those -- we have had some good debates. i mean, we have had 20 debates. you would hope some of them would be good. last night was a debate of candidates who know they may not have much time left on stage. after next week's primary, romney could be in trouble. santorum could be fading fast or surging. so you really find them trying to pick things to differentiate themselves from the other guy. it was a debate that left president obama all pretty scot-free until the very end talking about foreign policy. >> if they only had one day to live. i love politics. i love it so much, but what were they talking about? >> first of all, to say it was about republican intramust recalls was to overstate what it was. they were getting deep into the

history of legislation and legislative maneuvering and trading folks in the senate. >> i'd like to never hear about those olympics again. >> our friend simon said rick santorum had studied at the bob dole school of debating. >> here he is. santorum trying to defend his record as a former washington senator who championed earmarks. here it comes. be ready for the excitement. >> unfortunately, attacking me for saying i'm this great earmarker when he not only asked for earmarks for the olympics in tens of millions of dollars, sought those earmarks, and used them. and he did as the governor of massachusetts, $300 million. there was abuse. when abuse happened, i said we should stop the earmarking process. but i did say there were good earmarks and bad earmarks. >> i would put a ban on

earmarks. there are a lot of projects that have been voted for. you vote d for the bridge to nowhere. while you were fighting to save the olympics, you were fighting to save the bridge to nowhere. >> they are trying to get the job that teddy roosevelt once had. and they are looking like they are trying to be jerry ford. >> well, that's a good point. romney clearly wanted to get under santorum's skin. santorum was in a positional night where he was getting engaged in discussions about how the earmark process works. you have gone too far. at one point, romney had a good line. he said i don't know what you're talking about, but i want to make this point i want to make. for romney who wants to portray santorum as a washington insider, he did his business for him by trying to explain washington processes that a lot of americans don't make any sense. >> susan and howard, we know the

problems facing this country. the reason people watch programs like this is they are real. we have an unemployment situation which was chronic. we're never getting back to 4%. let's talk about that. the fact we have real competitors in the world like china and south america now. we have terrorists out there who get up every morning thinking how to kill us. and these guys are talking about earmarks. >> this is a case of tactics overwhelming any vision. it had been several weeks since the last debate. it gave the tacticians inside of each campaign way too much time to think of tiny little maneuvers. >> i know. >> rick santorum played right into it as susan said. this was a huge missed opportunity for santorum. what he needed to do was say, forget about all that legislative bologna. i'm not agent legislative bologna. here's my vision. if he had gone to the top of the polls, he needed to enlarge.

instead, he bored into the pass and this legislative maneuvers. it was a terrible mistake. >> susan, we know he has a message. he wants to build a republican party and a presidency that's looking out not just for the rich, but for the sons of italian immigrants, people living in parts of the country that have been left behind economically. older people who don't have the money to go to arizona and florida. they are stuck living on pension checks and social security. if they are lucky to have pension checks. this is a real important challenge out there for people living on this planet. it often seemed that ron paul was on team romney. talk about double teaming. he went after rick santorum like he was working for romney. what does he want to be? head of the post office? calling santorum a fake. right on the air. let's watch the exchange. >> congressman paul, you have questioned the fiscal conservative credentials of all

these gentlemen, but particularly santorum. you have an ad that labels him a fake. why? >> because he's a fake. >> unreal. >> congratulations. >> i'm real. >> i find it fascinating when people are running for office, they are fiscally conservative. when they are in office, they do something different. >> howard, why are we watching ron paul? he's never going to be president of the united states. ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. he's not running for president. what was he doing last night? >> i think he's calculating and expecting that in the end, mitt romney, somehow or another, is going to struggle his way to the nomination. therefore, mitt romney will control the convention. although barely. and ron paul wants air time and attention and a platform at the convention. and i think would like, somehow,

perhaps, have some kind of role in economic -- i know is it sounds crazy. >> the networks aren't going to give him time. they aren't going to let ron paul give a prime time speech. so romney can't really deliver, can he? >> if that's what's required for peace and to keep ron paul from walking out of the convention, that's what he'll do. >> do you have any theories about what ron paul is seeking from the good will of romney? >> i think ron paul is someone who, unlike politicians, believes what he says. >> why is he spending all this time on santorum? >> for whatever reason he romney seem to have a friendship that's been useful for romney to have somebody else on stage that's willing to hit at the anti-romney person of the night seems to be. he did the same thing on gingrich. >> are they pinned for this semester? >> there's another theory here. >> susan, you don't think it's about affection do you?

>> i think ron paul is motivated by his ideas. he wants to affect policy. you have seen the republican party on big issues move in his direction. i agree he's not likely to get the nomination, but that doesn't mean he won't have an effect on where the republican party stands. >> let's go to your newspaper. you had an amazing headline there. you have some new numbers in the usa poll. they are bleak for both the president and the republican field. 50% of registered voters judge president obama's presidency as a failure. 44% think it's a success. and republicans did not seem thrilled with their field of candidates either. 55% wish someone else was in the race. only 44% are pleased. what an opportunity this seems to create for some third option. >> absolutely.

now, who would it be? i don't know. but it's not only the satisfaction with both president obama and republican rivals, it's this general sense the country has gotten off track. what really struck us is this is a time when americans are feeling better about the economy. the economy is growing now. six out of ten think it will be growing in a year. that hasn't lifted the views of any of the political leaders. >> it's so interesting. they don't really like the leadership of the country. >> the approval rating of congress is about 12%. lo looking at the number of people in the republican party who want another candidate even at this late -- >> so the president's numbers are good? >> that 55% of republicans saying give us another candidate here, that's the highest percentage ever. >> it's appropriate. >> that captures the general mood. >> last night was a reasonable explanation.

i don't see how they got a good number. that did not turn on the audience. thank you howard fineman, thank you. susan, thank you. fears are rising on the right that republicans are kicking the election away. they had a great chance. the people aren't there. the candidates aren't looking presidential. now a new word for the third party to the right of the winner of the republican nomination could take away their votes and get the president reelected. you're watching "hardball," only on msnbc ♪ he was a 21st century global nomad ♪ ♪ home was an airport lounge and an ipad ♪ ♪ made sure his credit score did not go bad ♪ ♪ with a free-credit-score-dot-com ♪ ♪ app that he had ♪ downloaded it in the himalayas ♪ ♪ while meditating like a true playa ♪ ♪ now when he's surfing down in chile'a ♪ ♪ he can see when his score is in danger ♪ ♪ if you're a mobile type on the go ♪ ♪ i suggest you take a tip from my bro ♪ ♪ and download the app that lets you know ♪ ♪ at free-credit-score-dot-com now let's go. ♪ vo: offer applies with enrollment in freecreditscore.com™.

but we couldn't simply repeat history. we had to create it. introducing the 2013 lexus gs, with leading-edge safety technology, like available blind spot monitor... [ tires screech ] ...night view... and heads-up display. [ engine revving ] the all-new 2013 lexus gs. there's no going back. new poll numbers from my home state of pennsylvania. let's go to the "hardball" score board. according to a new poll, rick santorum has a huge lead over mitt romney in april's republican primary. santorum at 45%. romney just 16%. a 29-point spread. look at how santorum and romney match up against president obama in the general. santorum advantage is gone. the former pennsylvania senator trails obama by 8 in his home

state, 45% to 37%. same spread for mitt romney, eight points. obama is up over romney. we'll be right back. what is this shorty? uh, tissues sir, i'm sick. you don't cough, you don't show defeat. give me your war face! raaah! [ male announcer ] halls. a pep talk in every drop. give me your war face! raaah! i'm al ways like splenda® essentials™ no calorie sweeteners. this bowl of strawberries is loaded with vitamin c. and now, b vitamins to boot. coffee doesn't have fiber. unless you want it to. splenda® essentials™ are the first and only line of sweeteners with a small boost of fiber, or antioxidants, or b vitamins in every packet. mmm. same great taste with an added "way to go, me" feeling. splenda® essentials™. get more out of what you put in. to those who say... [worker 1:] we need to produce our own energy. [announcer:] and, to those who say... [worker 2:] we need environmental protection. [announcer:] conocophillips says, you're right. find out how natural gas answers both

at powerincooperation.com. good gravy, bill. our insurance company doesn't have anything like it. magnificent, isn't it? with progressive, it's easy to cover all of your favorite rides. progressive has truck insurance? number one in truck and motorcycle. is that a golf cart? yep. we also cover rvs, boats, atvs. anything else i can help you with? -can i take a ride? -you need a ticket -- -i'm first! -and that's by the water slide. okay. no running. oh, dear. save on all your rides. now, that's progressive. call or click today.

welcome back to "hardball." with unhappiness with the republican field and judging president obama's presidency a failure, our "hardball" strategists are here to discuss that fact. first if americans don't like what they are seeing for 2012, could this year really bring a third-party candidate to the race who matters? and two, all this talk of contraception and even satan, which party has the edge when it comes to the culture wars? here are the strategists. democratic steve mcmahon and todd harris. steve, i think when you look at these numbers, and i have been very cautious about the delight of the president's people. they are popping balloons in chicago way too early.

the economy hasn't got into that lift yet you need for a real recovery. and republicans certainly are blowing it as much as they can. but i don't think this president has been reelected yet. do you agree with that first of all? >> yes. >> the republicans have not shown any grateness yet? >> not yet. >> let's talk about the third party. if it's romney, if he pulls it out, suppose it happens is there a bigger opportunity for a third-party candidate to emerge down the middle, somebody out of new york? a bloomberg-type pro-choice, somebody fiscally conservative, or a great opportunity for some guy far out like ross perot, somebody who is a libertarian, somebody way out there? >> i think there's a better chance of getting votes if it were somebody like bloomberg or

donald trump with some credibility, who could run against the system and politicia politicians. >> you mean go around the republican. >> it's like for a ross perot. >> let me ask you about that. do you buy the fact they can't go to the right or left? they have to go around obama? they have to grab pieces from around the territories and not one chunk? >> if it were to happen, which it's going to the going to happen, the way you would win is not through -- >> this is a lot like '92. >> it would be because you had the character attributes. the history of third-party movements have been personality driven. they have never been environmentally driven. you have to have the person. >> you have to have the actual person. let's take a look. former presidential candidate and current romney supporter jon huntsman called the party broken. he waited on that third-party

question. >> i think we're going to have problems politically until we get a third-party movement or an alternative voice to put forward new ideas. that ain't going to be me, by the way. i know the next question. i'm not interested in that. >> he's not exactly pushing romney's. who is this guy? are you sure he isn't supporting for the job? i think huntsman makes the most sense of a guy to scatter his support, some liberals even like him. can he scatter enough to get 20% and make a showing? >> no. i don't think he can. he would have been the strongest republican nominee, but we couldn't. >> why not a third-party candidate? >> there's not enough vote left. the most interesting person is buddy roemer. >> you made his day. >> big money in politics and against the system as it is.

the president with the move into the super pacs is making that case a little easier for someone like that. he did it for good reason. he had to do it, but it does create an environment. >> let's look at the situation. if you're counting strategies, the swing states that mattered the most, voters see the gop nomination battle as weakening so far. that's 53% of the swing states say it's hurt. >> i think it's awfully hard when you're right in the middle of the battle to see this is something that could strengthen the nominee. but four years ago in the middle of the clinton/obama fight, i don't think many people rr looking beyond the here and now, the immediacy and thinking eventually this is really going to help us bullpen obviously -- there are -- >> i think it was a strong

contest of two strong candidates. i never got the feeling they were killing each other in the general. >> that's exactly the point. >> i don't agree with that at all. >> "the washington post" did a study and found 6% of the ads four years ago were negative. over 50% of the ads so far that have been run so far are negative. in the same poll, mitt romney's ratio is 27/57 in those states. it's a net negative 30. those are places he hasn't campaigned. they are just reading and seeing and learning about him. >> let's talk about women. three guys here. let's try this. it's dangerous territory. all this talk about contraception and birth control. all this talk about thee yak ra si from santorum, this stuff from the women i work with is a major turnoff. they say why are you getting into the bedroom again? why are you telling us what we can't do? >> this is my view. let's put the specifics aside.

some people have strong feelings on both sides about this. but the fact is that when you look at poll after poll after poll, what is this election about? it's about jobs and the economy. i was just -- i got out of the field in a battleground state. >> why is everybody talking about contraception? your whole party wants to pass a bill to overrule the president on giving women free contraception so we'll have less abortions, i would argue from my point of view. that's the good part of it. >> i think most republicans would argue that the specific bill on capitol hill that that's about religious freedom. in the case of santorum, you cut the guy some slack in he's typically answering the questions that the media are asking him. if the media -- >> he said he was going to make contraception an issue in this campaign. >> i'm not saying he hasn't brought it up, but they ought to be talking about jobs and the economy. >> todd is right. >> let me get this straight.

romney isn't going to ask our questions. and we aren't supposed to ask them about what they are talking about. >> you can ask them whatever you want. you can't blame them then. >> we're going to do this in the sideshow. don't pay attention to what they are talking about. >> romney established that as a rule. you get to ask whatever question you want. i can give whatever answer. >> answer the question that they should have asked you. >> the issue that will decide this election or the set of issues revolve around the economy. they are talking about contraception and gay marriage and cultural issues, which could hurt them. >> rooubio, people change religions. let's talk about this. does the nominee, if it's romney, have to run a cultural conservative?

>> i don't think he needs to run a cultural conservative. i think he probably at the end of this fight is going to want someone who will energize the conservative base. it doesn't mean they have to be. when marco was elected in 2010, our campaign was entirely about changing the direction of the country and creating jobs. it was all about the economy. >> what bones are you going to throw ron paul after last night's flak ri on his behalf? that was sad. i never disliked him, but he was a flak for romney. it was pathetic. he was like a little guy in the movies where he runs alongside in the side car. thank you steve mcmahon and todd harris. up next, what if mitt romney answered all the questions not really answering them. stick around for the sideshow. you're watching "hardball," only on msnbc .

[ male announcer ] you are a business pro. lord of the carry-on. sovereign of the security line. you never take an upgrade for granted. and you rent from national. because only national lets you choose any car in the aisle. and go. you can even take a full-size or above. and still pay the mid-size price. i deserve this. [ male announcer ] you do, business pro. you do. go national. go like a pro.

with less chronic osteoarthritis pain. imagine living your life with less chronic low back pain. imagine you, with less pain. cymbalta can help. cymbalta is fda-approved to manage chronic musculoskeletal pain. one non-narcotic pill a day, every day, can help reduce this pain. tell your doctor right away if your mood worsens, you have unusual changes in mood or behavior

or thoughts of suicide. antidepressants can increase these in children, teens, and young adults. cymbalta is not approved for children under 18. people taking maois or thioridazine or with uncontrolled glaucoma should not take cymbalta. taking it with nsaids, aspirin, or blood thinners may increase bleeding risk. severe liver problems, some fatal, were reported. signs include abdominal pain and yellowing skin or eyes. tell your doctor about all your medicines, including those for migraine and while on cymbalta, call right away if you have high fever, confusion and stiff muscles or serious allergic skin reactions like blisters, peeling rash, hives, or mouth sores to address possible life-threatening conditions. talk about your alcohol use, liver disease and before you reduce or stop cymbalta. dizziness or fainting may occur upon standing. ask your doctor about cymbalta. imagine you with less pain. cymbalta can help. go to cymbalta.com to learn about a free trial offer.

back to "hardball." now for the promised sideshow. first up, question and answer. that's how it usually goes when the candidates hit the stage for a debate. right? let's fast forward to the final question in last night's presidential debate. when the four contenders were asked to name the biggest misconception that voters have about them. let's join romney's response already in progress. >> we're going to have to create more jobs, have less debt, and shrink the size of government. i'm the only person? >> those are misconceptions about you. >> you get to ask the questions you want and i give the answers i want. >> romney's amen course may have liked that answer, but if that's how he thinks it's done, imagine his first press conference. mr. president, when are we going

to see the unemployment number begin to drop dramatically as you promised on the campaign trail? >> we have restore america's promise in this country. where people know with hard work and education, they are going to be secure and prosperous and their kids will have a brighter future than they had. >> can you give us a rough date with the jobless numbers start to come down? >> you get to ask the questions you want. i give the answers i want. >> that's how it will be. when i saw that exchange last night, by the way, something in my memory said i have seen this before. we went do his 1994 debate with senator ted kennedy and dug this up. nbc asked romney to name his biggest personal failing. here's romney's, again, nonanswer. >> i spent hours and hours, hundreds of hours in hospitals across this state from wooster to boston, working with sick people, talking with them, consoling them -- >> can i interrupt you.

this was about your greatest personal failing. >> good for him. they always thought he can show up at a debate, this is romney, and not answer any of the questions. after all, he can always fire the moderator. and romney started the night with an interesting note. as something of an ice breaker, each candidate got to give a statement. what was romney's tip off that it was time to wrap up? let's watch. >> i want to restore america's promise and i'm going to do t t that -- that's it good enough. when they are applauding stop. >> a little bit of a nod to "seinfeld." it's where jerry teaches george to end every conversation on a high note. watch and remember. >> showmanship, george. when you hit the high note, you

say good night and walk off. >> what was that? >> showmanship. george is trying to get out on a high note. >> it's really jerry's line. that aside, the real guy and the face of george on "seinfeld" took to twitter last night with his reaction to romney's line. "thrilled governor romney enjoys my old character. i enjoyed the character he used to be too. he would be a great candidate if he didn't embrace that again. go back to being the governor of massachusetts. you spent all these years denying you are. bob mcdonnell, backs down on that controversial bill requiring women seeking abortions to get an ultrasound. for democrats, it's still a chance to exploit the problems republicans have with independent women voters. that's ahead. you're watching "hardball," only on msnbc

i got this one. oh hey. [ male announcer ] spit it out. or yeti will find you. [ grunts ] i like him. thanks ryan. [ male announcer ] new stride whitemint. the ridiculously long lasting gum.

you should know that just one dose of children's advil gives up to eight hours of fever relief. allowing your little one to get back to building a better afternoon. children's advil. relief you can trust.

i'm tyler matteson with your cnbc market wrap. weekly jobless claims flat in the latest week holding steady at a four-year low. that's good economic news. and vivus shares up 77% after an fda panel endorsed its obesity drug. p and g are going to cut 4,100 jobs over the next year. and strong holiday sales boosted profits at target. that's it from cnbc. now back to "hardball."

welcome back to "hardball." today, again, the politics of contraception and women's medical care are out front and center. democrats on capitol hill at a hearing of sorts to allow testimony from that single witness. she was the woman democrats wanted included in last week's initially all-male panel discussing contraception in the obama health bill. it was not technically an official hearing today, it allowed democrats to make clear they will not back down on contraceptive coverage. and there's polarizing reaction to governor bob mcdonnell and his decision to shift his ruling on ultrasounds before abortions. he says he objects to requiring internal ultrasound, but he supports an external one. this small move gets the governor out of his glaring

national spotlight or no. perhaps more significantly, will it keep him in the race for vice president. elijah cummings attended the hearing today. and virginia state senator barbara fovolo opposes that ultrasound bill. you're very much apart of this story. here's part of the governor's statement explaining his shift somewhat mandating an invasive procedure in order to give informed consent is not a proper role for the state. no person should be directed to undergo procedure for the state. let's listen. >> it's just still a mandate. and that's the problem. actually, mandating an unnecessary procedure -- that's the problem. until the governor is imposing a mandate and walking into doctor offices and telling a doctor what procedure he should do,

it's an improper role of government. >> just to get it squared away. what do you make of the fact that the governor, the republican governor of your state who may be on the ticket nationally this year, saying you don't have to get this very invasive procedure, but you have to have the standard one that women have when having a baby. why did the mandate survive even in this form with the external sonogram requirement? >> well, the mandate is really a ridiculous approach. i think governor mcdonnell showed his true colors. they spent a lot of time on this issue that was part of the first bill, which the governor clearly wanted. he proposed and had his allies odd vo indicate for it in the general assembly. it wasn't until women pushed back and demonstrated on the state capitol and heard from the

american medical association and a numb of other interest groups where the governor decided to amend the bill and actually just require these external sonograms. but let's be clear. there is no need to require anything. if in fact a woman medically needs this procedure, doctors will perform them. so there is no room for the state government in these decisions. no room at all. it's just totally inappropriate. >> do you think there's any evidence, not that you have to give their it argument, but do they have any evidence to suggest that if women are forced under law, threat of law and sanction, to have these sonograms before an abortion, is there any evidence they choose not to have an abortion, which you would think would be their argument? is that their argument that that will discourage women who go in for an abortion, will they decide not to on that information? or is it just to torture people?

>> that clearly -- i mean, their intent is to prevent women from exercising their constitutional rights in accessing an abortion. i think they are -- >> what do you mean preevent them? discourage them. not prevent them. >> i would say prevent. i mean these are pretty egregious bills chris. nobody can even point to an example in virginia history where we have actually gotten involved in the practice of medicine and dictated to doctors how they should practice medicine. so, you know, let me just go on. when you mandate anything, and it's not medically necessary, it's really insurance companies don't have to cover it. poor women would be referred to clinics where there are long lines. and in virginia, they are called

pregnancy crisis centers. they are really abortion prevention clinics. so, you know, this has lots of ramifications. and you and i in and a lot of everybody will be paying through higher insurance premiums. >> congressman, you were very effective last week in lam basting the majority in your house. the republicans running that place for the way they put together an all-male panel. what did you get done today? >> we did very well. we had miss fluk, the young lady we wanted to testify last week to come in and provide testimony as to why it's so important that women have access to contraception. she made a clear case that there's an effort throughout the federal and state governments to cut back or to push back and

actually prevent women from getting contraceptives. and she also talked about the difficulties that students at georgetown university go through. normally, they would have to spend some $3,000 over say a course of a three-year stay at law school. and the fact is the way things are now, the way they are going, there's an effort to stop them from being able to get contraceptives through their insurance. but we're seeing this all over, chris. the republicans seem to be bent on making sure that women don't have access to contraceptives. i'm talking about the bill. it's ridiculous. women are rising up. >> we're out of time. do you think the republicans will keep up the fight and bring the bill to the president's desk? >> right now, i got to tell you, i think so. they have 209 signatures, chris, on this bill.

and that bill is a horrible bill, which basically says if an employer, whether it's a religious institution or not, has any moral convictions against contraception, they don't have to include it in an insurance policy. and women are feeling this out and saying, wait a minute. the republicans are going far too far. we already over 300,000 women signing on saying they object to all of this. >> thank you so much for coming on the show tonight on "hardball." up next, president obama sang the blues this week, but he's hardly the first president to show off his musical side. but he has one. clinton, nixon, they all did it. we're going to talk about what it does politically when they get up on the stage. you're watching "hardball," only on msnbc. [ male announcer ] drinking a smoothie with no vegetable nutrition?

♪ [ gong ] strawberry banana! [ male announcer ] for a smoothie with real fruit plus veggie nutrition new v8 v-fusion smoothie. could've had a v8. new v8 v-fusion smoothie. an accident doesn't have to slow you down. with better car replacement, if your car is totaled, we give you the money for a car one model year newer. liberty mutual auto insurance.

nate silver, "the new york times" blog has updated his projections for the primary contests. let's go to the "hardball" score board. in arizona he gives romney an 89% chance of victory next week. but look at michigan, much closer. santorum's the favorite with only a 52% chance. that's a tossup.

fast forward to sieper tuesday. newt gingrich looks competitive in georgia. it's a three-way race among newt, mitt, and rick. and finally in ohio, santorum has a 91% chance of winning. that's an important state. what a race. it looks like a three-way split that day on super tuesday. if there was a pill to help protect your eye health as you age... would you take it? well, there is. [ male announcer ] it's called ocuvite. a vitamin totally dedicated to your eyes, from the eye-care experts at bausch + lomb. as you age, eyes can lose vital nutrients. ocuvite helps replenish key eye nutrients. [ male announcer ] ocuvite has a unique formula not found in your multivitamin to help protect your eye health.

now, that's a pill worth taking. [ male announcer ] ocuvite. help protect your eye health. ♪ [ male announcer ] offering four distinct driving modes and lexus' dynamic handling, the next generation of lexus will not be contained. the all-new 2013 lexus gs. there's no going back. ♪ 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 came 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. ♪ ♪ i'm so in love with you >> we're back. that was president obama bringing down the house singing

al green's "let's stay together" last month. the president picked up the ♪ come on baby, don't you want to go ♪ ♪ same old place sweet home chicago ♪ president obama joins a long list of performing presidents. i'm joined by jill zuckman. let's talk positive and negative here. what's the positive of a president, whether it's harry truman or mr. bill clinton or who, they get out there and show some interest in being on stage as entertainers. >> well, first of all, president obama rocked it when he was crooning those lyrics. he -- it warmed him up. everybody complains. how often have you complained, chris, that he is the lecturer in chief, he's detached,

professorial. >> so he does listen to me? >> he's listening to you. he looks happy. it warms him up. he looks like he's enjoying himself. and people can relate. now don't get me wrong. if the president sang one note off key, we'd be excoriating him. there are a lot of risks with this. >> here's bill clinton demonstrating what you are talking about. here's his musical ability on a memorable appearance on arsenio hall back in '92. ♪ ♪ >> you know what? he's had credibility problems over the years on different issues, as we know. brilliant guy. one thing i trust him on absolutely completely. music. >> absolutely. >> he's good at it. he's talented. and when he talks about it like he talks about the old long

playing records are, we're the same age, totally. >> he got a huge reaction when he made that appearance and was playing. i mean, people really connected. and there's something also about politicians. they come across as a little bit one dimensional. but, oh, now we know that president obama really likes music. cares about music. president clinton -- >> here's a guy with real pr problems. richard nixon showed off his chops on the old jack parr friday night show. this is in '63 after not just losing to kennedy in the presidential election but in the governors election out in california. here's he is, a pc composed himself. dick nixon on jack parr. ♪

♪ >> well -- >> fascinating. fascinating. i have never seen that before. >> it's good. >> i had no idea he played the piano. maybe that's my failing as a student of history. the bottom line for all of this stuff is if you're going to put yourself out there, you better do it well. because if you don't, everyone is going to be watching. >> danger point. is it a danger for this president? the republicans are already rung an ad just razzing him on this saying he's acting like he's celebrating and there's nothing to celebrate yet. let's take a look. here's the attack ad. ♪ come on baby, don't you want to go ♪ >> the republican national committee is responsible for the content of this advertising. >> okay. they have him celebrating the rising gas prices. that's a pretty nasty -- >> it's a clever ad. hat's off to the rnc. they made a clever ad.

>> but he still did the right thing? >> absolutely. >> thanks, jill. i like direct statements. when we return, let me finish with a book i'm worried about. rick santorum's charge that president obama subscribes to a phony theology. we've done some research on that question. rick, you're in trouble if you're watching. you're watching "hardball" only on msnbc. today is gonna be an important day for us. you ready? we wanna be our brother's keeper. what's number two we wanna do? bring it up to 90 decatherms. how bout ya, joe? let's go ahead and bring it online. attention on site, attention on site. now starting unit nine. some of the world's cleanest gas turbines are now powering some of america's biggest cities.

siemens. answers.

it's real milk full of calcium and vitamin d. and tastes simply delicious. for those of us with lactose intolerance... lactaid® milk. the original 100% lactose-free milk. your finances can't manage themselves. but that doesn't mean they won't try. bring all your finances together with the help of the one person who can. a certified financial planner professional. cfp. let's make a plan.

let me finish tonight with this -- the other day, rick santorum attacked president

obama for having what he called a phony theology, an apparent reference to the president's belief that man should do what he can, whatever he can to protect this earth on which we all live. the earth that is, not counting the newt gingrich plan for lunar colonization, the only place we, our children, their children and forever into the future have to live. well, santorum called this concern for a healthy planet a religion that puts the earth above man. well, i suppose he's talking about the concern that scientists and most thinking people have with climate change. and what we're doing to affect it. it's all phony, he says, this serious concern about what we're doing to the earth, all this part of a phony theology. well, so i wonder who else believes in this so-called phony theology santorum derides from his electoral pulpit. here's someone who believes in climate change and what we need to do about it. it's someone addressing diplomats from around the world just last month. quote, environmental protection and the connection between fighting poverty and fighting climate change are important areas for the promotion of human

development. for this reason, i hope that pursuant to the 17th session of the conference of states parties to the u.n. convention on climate change recently concluded in durbin, the international community will prepare for the u.n. conference on sustainable development as an authentic family of nations and, thus, with a great sense of solidarity and toward present and future generations. who is this figure summoning the nations of the world to band together as a family to work on the problem of global climate change? who is this person dabbling in what rick santorum calls phony theology? well, rick, it's pope benedict xvi, leader of the roman catholic church. your church. so where does santorum get his theology of climate change? where does he get this odd language of christians having dominion over the earth? could he be getting it from the faction known as dominionists who also believe that christians should control civil society as well as their own