contenders who perhaps needed a better showing, look at tim pawlenty. he's trying to establish himself as the alternative to mitt romney and he had a chance to make that distinction with the health care question, and betty, he chose to walk away from it. >> joel brown joining us live from washington. joel, thank you. >>> well, the economy dominated last night's debate and it is clearly an issue with american voters. today "the early show" will broadcast a town hall meeting with top republicans. here's a preview of what they had to say about fixing the economy and the political hurdles they face. >> we're more interested in political careers than we are fixing the very real and urgent problems in front of our country, so rather than come up here and do the job, and have the courage and the honor to go out and defend your votes, what we do is we just don't vote. >> how do you change that, though? how do you change -- >> you change it with leadership. >> -- actions -- >> but leadership...