i think that's reflected in the governor's appointment of beth myers as part of his search committee. i think it will be a lot of information, going to be a lot of discussion, going to be a great deal of vetting and i think it will ultimately come down to a decision the governor makes. when he makes it, beth will learn, i will learn and so will the american people.

. >> reporter: two months ago romney named longtime aide beth myers to had head up his v.p. search process. he said not even his wife ann knows who's on the short list. >> i can't comment on the process. i can tell you this, only beth myers and i know who's being vetted. >> reporter: but there are clues, tim pawlenty has been on the stump with romney, even appeared in one of his ads, and republicans close to romney say he's a top, may be the top, contender. for clues on others, watch romney on the trail. he's recently been with three others believed to be under serious consideration. ohio senator rob portman, new hampshire senator kelly ayotte and wisconsin congressman paul ryan. as for the 41-year-old rubio, in his interview with david muir, he suggested his time will come later. >> i think if i do a good job as a senator, i'll have other opportunities both inside and outside politics in the future. >> reporter: a good bet whether or not this is the time. jonathan karl, abc news, washington. >>> and history has been made. for the first time in its 167-year history southern

but i can tell you this: only beth myers and i know who is being vetted. >> oh, yeah.y we know, and you should account' bother to ask. by the way, you might want to consider a couple of more people in your vetting process. i hope you are a little bit more thorough than youjust you and meth myers. geraldo said mitt romney looks like the kind of guys latinos won't let him in the house. spaivenlth not in the white house at least not in the white house at least this morning, they had today go to the associate presses and say what? us? us being in trouble because we weren't considering marco rubio. no, he is thoroughly being vetted. don't worry about a thing. we are definitely considering him. right, beth? okay. now, for a discussion on who should be his vp pick that would be an epic political discussion. so who would we have to bring in? >> mike shure joins us. who is leaking this thing? >> interesting. who wanted it out there that rubio wasn't even being considered? >> you know, i don't know who that is. very often the romney campaign or a campaign will float 1 of these r

so even when romney said, it's just me and beth myers. know whether somebody is being vetted. that seemed a little bit disingenuous. >> i can't see romney and beth buyers getting together and putting on a pot of coffee and is he let's get to tim pawlenty tonight. there has to be some other people. he said ann romney his wife doesn't know. the minute, they send out the documents to these candidates or possible con denieders, you have topics of people who are going to know. all of their staff all of the candidates, all of their arrives. so if the circle is small now it's going to get very big very soon. >> abc i imagine, is still standing by itself report. >> jonathan carl is a wonderful reporter. i have absolutely no doubt he had a person high up in the romney campaign give him that information, but the timing was very curious about it. it had to be somebody who really wanted to undercut rubio on his big day with his book. >> speaking of timing, there have been a lot of indications that the romney campaign wants to make the choice earlier

only beth myers and i know who is being vet. >> later he said those reports are truly false and rubio is being vetted. why would he say something so ludicrous as only i and his assistant, beth myers, know this, when everybody knows that's illogical? as mr. spock would say. >> i think he was trying to tamp down some of the anger existing out there among supporters of marco rubio. his aides won't comment on this at all. they won't touch it, but a lot of their supporters are touching it. >> so, he wants it. >> i think they don't want to seem like they're being dissed. he's hanging out there alone today. marco rubio was not being considered. i think mitt romney was trying to deal with that but i don't think that was perhaps the best way to do it. >> let's go to the edge. he's not on the list. let's go to these names. my three picks are as follows. it's important because you can't win the republican presidency without a never happened. he's an economic heavy weight. he could be president tomorrow if you're a conservative republican. i think jeb bush could ever get him talked into it, i thi

and that's beth myers and myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to anybody. the story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> rubio, a hispanic leader from a swing state, is a rising star in republican politics. rubio refuses to comment, on the vice presidential process. >>> attorney general eric holder may be held in contempt of congress today in a dispute over the failed gun smuggling probe known as fast and furious. agents running fast and furious lost track of hundreds of weapons that ended up in mexico. many at crime scenes, including the murder of a u.s. border agent. last night holder and committee chairman darrell issa were unable to agree on handing over justice department documents to congress. holder wants assurances that the documents will satisfy a subpoena from issa's committee. >> i think we are actually involved more in political gamesmanship as opposed to trying to get the information they say they want. >> our position is give us the documents. their position is they'd like to give us a briefing,

have we gotten any more insights from beth myers who is heading up the vetting?, thomas, there's really no tougher nut to crack in the romney campaign than beth myers and that's why she got this job. she does not talk to the media. and ironically enough the only person who anyone in the romney campaign has officially confirmed is being vetted for vp is marco rubio and he's really one of the only people on sort of the conventional wisdom short list who won't be here. he and chris christiee being the two exceptions to the rule, but romney's comments publicly have always been he wants somebody ready to go, could be president on day one, and he said he sort of prefers the ideas of governors because those folks have expernce and know how to run things. of the folks here today, you have to think tim pawlenty and potentially jeb bush are on that list. >> doesn't it make sense if marco rubio is somebody high up on this list, doesn't it make sense for him to be at a different event carrying the romney message, especially at the conference? >> i would argue his speech toda

and that's beth myers and myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to anybody. the story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> abc standing by its reporting of yesterday morning saying at the time rubio had yet to be asked to turn over any materials. as of now rubio the only person to be publicly identified as a possible vp candidate by the romney campaign. rubio has refused comment. >>> also this morning a new bloomberg poll gives president obama a 13-point edge over mitt romney in a general election matchup. this is a national poll. make of it what you will. when it comes to the president's handling of the economy, 53% say they disapprove, 43% say they approve of the way the president handling this economy. 45% say this is an interesting number, they are better off now than they were in 2009 when president obama was inaugurated. 45% say better off. 36% say they are worse off since barack obama became president of the united states. >>> on to business now, jpmorgan chase ceo jamie dimon remains under the microscop

i mean, listen, if they're doing a vetting operation, it's not just beth myers.here's a team of lawyers and others who are vetting, and, of course, it's beyond that. a couple -- i think two months ago or so, marco rubio gave this interview of the national review on-line that was fascinating because in it he said i will not be vetted for vice president, which indicated to me he knew something, and there was a reason why he didn't want to be vetted or he knew he wouldn't be vetted. this report is in keeping with that, and i think on the so -- i think the last three days have made it impossible from the ticket now because any question is going to be what is your position of immigration? how come you're closer to barack obama, or at least you used to be, than the guy you want to run with? >> that is a problem. ken, we're still waiting to know what mitt romney's position is on the new immigration policy, and this is causing confusion for the republicans. they're not even now able to respond to questions themselves on this subject. take a listen. maybe others behind me

only beth myers and i know who is being vetted."l, earlier rubio repeatedly refused to discuss the topic on cnbc. >> as i have said repeatedly, i won't discuss the vice presidential process out of respect for governor romney. i'm not discussing the vice presidential -- >> did you already say that? >> i did. but i'll tell you, look, i don't think there's any -- i have no doubt that i'm qualified to serve in the united states senate. >> do you have a doubt that you're qualified to serve as vice president. >> i have no doubt i'm qualified to serve in the united states senate. that's the job that i have, and that's the job that i'm doing. >> the political panel today, washington post deputy national political editor ann cornblue, and salon.com writer jefferson morley. thank you for joining us the first time. ann, i'll start off with you. the washington post now reporting that a romney advisor confirming rubio is not being seriously vetted by the campaign. what else do we know at this hour? >> well, this is something that my colleague sh

and that is beth myers and m myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to it anybody. the story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly

that is beth myers and myself.g thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> there were reports that he was not on the short list of potential candidates. the romney campaign has kept his complete list of possible running mates a very closely guarded secret. it is 5:12, 73 degrees. >> some good news for those hailing a cab in the district. >> and a cosmetic company is selling one jar of moisturizer for $13,000. they have a list of a well the kids wanted a puppy but they can be really expensive. so to save money i just found them a possum. dad, i think he's dead. probably just playin' possum. sfx: possum hisses there he is. there's an easier way to save. geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. >> your watching abc 7's "good morning washington" with sydney simpsoandcnne cynne and steve. >> a man died when his car hit a fire hydrant in springfield and overturned on leesville boulevard. the victim's name has not been released. investigators looking for the gunman who shot and kil

and that is beth myers and m myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to it anybody. the story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> sean: prior to the bomb shell announcement i sat down with mit and ann romney to talk about the erroneous media reports and much more. we spoke with romney from the frankenmuth mill in michigan. appreciate you taking time to be with us today. governor, 140 days to go to election day. defining decision is comeing up pretty soon and that is who will be your running mate. what are you going to be looking for in the person that you choose to run with you? >> by far the most important factor is whether this is a person who could lead the country if that were necessary. fortunately there are a number of good men and women in my party that would meet that te t test. that is the most important element. would the american people and i see this person as someone who could lead in that kind of eventuality. >> sean: what did you make of the news report that said marco rubio was not being vetted but gov

and that's beth myers and myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to anybody.lse. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> not to disagree with the governor, but there are never just two people. inside his campaign there might be just two people. but marco rubio has a chief of staff, a counsel. everybody who is vetted, somebody finds out. the candidate finds out, then their lawyer finds out, then their spouse finds out and sometimes their friends and family find out because of the questions. do you think marco rubio is really being vetted? >> i think that he said that because he was forced to say it because of whatever was leaked. whether it was from the romney campaign or rubio campaign, it was a mistake. because now mitt romney is yet again in another box trying to say, oh, yes, by the way, marco rubio is being vetted. and now it doesn't look like it's actually true. and i think that that's going to hurt him yet again with latino voters, if it's possible to hurt him even more with latino voters, because they're going to see it as a sn

only beth myers and i know who is being veted. >>reporter: there are clue.nnesota governor tim has been on the stump with romney even appeared in one of the ads. and republicans close to romney say he is a top and maybe the top contender. for clue on others watch romney on the trail. recently been with 3 others believed to be under serious consideration. ohio senator rob portman. new hampshire senator kelly and wisconsin congressman ryan. as for the 41-year-old rubio, in the interview with david muir he suggested his time will come. later. >> i think might do a good job as senator. i'll:00 have other opportunity inside and outside politic in the future. i don't know what they are but i'll have them. >>reporter: good bet whether or not this is the time. jonathan karl, abc news, washington. >>> team of stanford scientist punch add hole in the leading solution to global warming. they looked at technique in which carbon dioxide is captured and stored undergroun underground. that's before it makes it into the atmosphere. scientist warn even small earthquake can m

and that's beth myers and myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to anybody. story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> of course they did rule out sarah palin and herman cain after the rest of america ruled them out for them. i hope it will be marco rubio for the running mate because i have been saying for the past two years it will be. so has bill riley. that is one thing bill o'reilly and i have in common next to the way we treat people who work for us. romney wrapped up a bus duer and back to the private jet for insight into his beef"veep" stakes process. >> donnie fowler who has helped democrats the last four campaigns including directing al gore's field operations. sir, welcome back to the war room. >> glad to be here. >> i don't see how it can be marco rubio. you have to win florida. you need 40% of the latin 0 vote to win this election. am i missing something here? is there anyone else that's seriously in the running? >> this is like a bad version of the dating game. the bachelor can't make up his mind u

and that is beth myers and m myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to it anybody. the story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> sean: prior to the bomb shell announcement i sat down with mit and ann romney to talk about the erroneous media reports and much more. we spoke with romney from the frankenmuth mill in michigan. appreciate you taking time to be with us today. governor, 140 days to go to election day. defining decision is comeing up pretty soon and that is who will be your running mate. what are you going to be looking for in the person that you choose to run with you? >> by far the most important factor is whether this is a person who could lead the country if that were necessary. fortunately there are a number of good men and women in my party that would meet that te t test. that is the most important element. would the american people and i see this person as someone who could lead in that kind of eventuality. >> sean: what did you make of the news report that said marco rubio was not being vetted but gov

and that is beth myers and m myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to it anybody.entirely false. marco rubio is be

i'm not going to comment on the process of course but i can tell you this, only beth myers and i know who is being vetted. beth, of course, his top aide who is handling the process. this was rubio being asked about it on cnbc today. >> as i've said repeatedly, i won't discuss the vice presidential process. >> you're only 41 and you haven't been in the senate that long but how does it all figure out in the political calculus, do you think? >> two things. one, i'm not discussing the vice presidential race. i have no doubt i'm qualified to serve in the senate. >> do you have a doubt you're qualified to serve as president? >> i have no doubt i'm qualified to serve in the united states senate. that's the job i have and the job i'm doing. >> that was of course on "squawk box." marco rubio will be on our show on thursday. but he is really such an interesting character for the republican party because he was trying to come up with some sort of compromise on immigration and as you point out, it's not the biggest issue, not even the biggest issue among hispanics but it is an important issue and

and that's beth myers and myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to anybody. story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> in an interview with john hanni hannity, when asked what he was looking for in a vice presidential candidate, romney immediately ruled out sean hannity. >> the most important factor is whether this is a person who could lead the country whether that were necessary. >> a romney adviser who works directly on the campaign tells the "washington post," "romney officials conducted a preliminary review of rubio, mostly using documents, statements, and news reports that are publicly available. the team did similar public vetting of a large number of other candidates. other vice presidential possibilities including senator rob portman of ohio, former minnesota governor tim pawlenty are undergoing a more intensive review, according to two republicans close to the campaign." joining me now is manuel franzia, writer for "the washington post," and author of the new book, "the rise of marco rubio," and jonat

and that's beth myers and myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to anybody.e story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> so chris as i mentioned, you've worked on campaigns and know, would only truly people know that this rubio not being vetted come out of thin air? >> that's 100% impossible. it is literally impossible because to vet a candidate requires a number of individuals who are going to go through not only what's public but what's not public. i mean, you're talking about a staff of individuals, and it just really is strange to me. it kind of speaks to dysfunction in the romney campaign that they will seemingly and top advisers don't know who is being veried and who is not. it clearly seems to me what happened here is they got embarrassed, in particular i think the rubio campaign was upset about how this leaked out unnecessarily and governor romney had to come out and squelch it will. >> let me play what will governor rubio said today on fox. nia, i'll get your thoughts on the other side. >> that's part o

and that's beth myers and myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to anybody. the story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> so after we woke up in the morning and we heard marco rubio is not being vetted, it seemed that there is kind of a swell of donors who wanted his name on that list. there is some pressure on the romney campaign. >> luke, marco rubio is a rock star in the republican party. and there is a demand in the republican base that he at least would be highly considered for this. but i will say, my big takeaway from yesterday after two reports came out that either marco rubio wasn't being vetted or being vetted as much as some other republicans out there, and mitt romney having to say, look, he's being seriously vetted, that kind of tells you that maybe rubio really isn't at that top of that list. if you have to go out and tell reporters that you're considering someone, maybe that someone is actually really not being seriously considered. >> and from all of the reports we're reading and from what i he

only beth myers and i know who's being vetted. >> okay, first of all, that's wrong.ggie, anybody who's being vetted, there are accountants, lawyers, probably their spouses, so the idea that he's in some zone of silence, if you're vetting people, they'll have to know about it if they're helping you fill out these forms. why would he say something so ludicrous when everybody knows that's illogical? as mr. spock would say. >> i think he was trying to tamp down some of the anger existing out there among supporters of marco rubio. his aides won't comment on this at all. they won't touch it, but a lot of their supporters are. >> so, he wants it. >> i think they don't want to seem like they're being dissed. he's hanging out there alone today. marco rubio was not being considered. >> let's go to the edge. he's not on the list. let's go to these names. my three picks are as follows. 's can't win the republican presidency without a never happened. he's an economic heavy weight. he could be president tomorrow if you're a conservative republican. i think jeb bush could ever get

i think that's reflected in the governor's appointment of beth myers as part of his search committee. i think it will be a lot of information, going to be a lot of discussion, going to be a great deal of vetting and i think it will ultimately come down to a decision the governor makes. when he makes it, beth will learn, i will learn and so will the american people. >> you are not telling me today? >> i'm not telling you today. i tell andrea you guys are smart to ask, i'm dumb to answer. >> now to exclusive reporting on the syrian crisis. word that russian troops are headed to syria. nbc's jim miklaszewski is at the pentagon. what have you learned? >> reporter: officials tell nbc news a russian ship carrying russian military forces is making its way out of the black sea and headed to the russian port city there in syria, the only deep water port for russia outside its own borders. now, to be clear, these officials are not indicating that these are any kind of large numbers of combat forces that intend to get directly involved in the fighting in syria, but instead, they describe it as a

there are only two people in this country who know who are being vetted and who are not, and that's beth myers know beth well. she doesn't talk to anybody. the story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> mark halpern, editor at large for "time" magazine and msnbc senior political analyst. was mitt romney trying to smooth ruffled feathers among rubio supporters who might feel he was being dissed by not even being vetted? what was romney trying to do in breaking his own promise to never discuss the process? >> i should say that this is based, what i'm going to say is based less on reporting and more on magic eight ball and ouija board and experience covering these things. my guess is he's not going to be picked, he's not going to hand over the full documentation because he doesn't think he's going to be picked and they will send the signal he's not going to. there is clearly a political problem caused by the report, which is a lot of conservatives, a lot of people who think governor romney needs to do something about the hispanic vote, feel marco r

and that's beth myers and myself. and i know beth well. she doesn't talk to anybody. the story was entirely false. marco rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process. >> let's -- >> gone right now they're going through his baseball card right now. i mean, abc standing by their story and, of course, mitt romney can say he's thoroughly being vetted but they, of course -- it's good politically. willie, did you want to get in here? it's good politically. >> no, go ahead. >> for them to say that they are vetting rubio. >> yeah. i -- look, i think romney has blown this one, blown the immigration thing, blown this. you should have vetted marco rubio from the beginning. i think mark and john are probably right, not going to be chosen. >> right. >> but not to have him on that list given -- and presidential candidates say that all the time. used to always put a woman on the list. weren't going to pick a woman but you put a woman on the list. not to do that and what -- of course is even more serious, the fact that mitt romney dragged his feet for so long on immigratio