charlie crist says, but republicans disagree, they say this is just the latest example of crist embracingsides of an issue for his own political gain. those are strong words coming from a party that just a few years ago, he was a member of. in just three years, charlie crist has gone from republican governor to independent to now a democratic candidate for governor. a political evolution that could give you whiplash. >> i think it's just been phenomenal in the speed and not just the dynamics of it. >> reporter: this week, crist, now a democrat, apologized for opposing gay marriage while he was florida's republican governor. admitting his position then was purely political. he says he was being a quote, good republican and in an interview with the lgbt website watermark, begged forgiveness. i'm sorry i did that, it was a mistake, i was wrong, please forgive me. which begs the question, is his apology genuine. >> this isn't the first issue position that charlie crist has changed and it probably isn't going to be the last position he's going to have to change. this is just part of the proces

a recently poll showed scott trailing crist by 12 points.ge on tuesday struck down a law that scott championed that required drug screening for welfare recipients. scott says that he'll appeal. and the democrat who scott defeated in the 2010 gubernatorial election is now a candidate in the congressional race, expected to be a bellwether for 2014. alex sink has a massive money lead over her gop opponents in her bid to replace the late congressman bill young in florida's 14th congressional district. young held the seat for more than four decades, and the district is split almost evenly between democrats and republicans. the special election is set for march. joining us now from tampa, florida, is adam smith. not that adam smith. you know, adam smith, the political editor of the "tampa bay times." nice to have you, adam. >> thanks for having me. >> adam, how important is this particular special election? and why should all the folks snowed in right now in these other place around the country, why should they care what's happening? >> the temper

so i like to try to solve problems each and every day. >> reporter: crist switched parties.at. was once the republican governor here. under his watch the job market tanked. this irritated conservative voters. >> today too many politicians embrace washington's same old broken ways. >> reporter: it came out to haunt him in attack ads last time he ran for office. >> i'm excited about running for governor. >> reporter: it won't be a cake walk for crist. after switching parties he's now switched his stance on gay marriage, apologizing for opposing it. both candidates are polling at under 50%. both have high unfavorable ratings leaving many to have to choose between who they like the least. >> the distrust, disdain and hate for rick scott will probably trump some of the distrust they have for charlie crist. >> reporter: scott has pledged to spend huge sums o of his own money which was earned in part at a health company which was slapped with fines for fraud after he left. >> rick scott will spend $100 million making charlie crist so unpalatable that charlie crist won't want to vot

. >> new jersey governor crist christie calls himself heartbroken said he was blind sided by a scandaly some of his top aids. >> i come out here today to apologize to the people of new jersey. i am embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of the people on my team. >> mayor accepting that apology, but back in september 3rd lanes of the george washington bridge were closed in his city for four-days causing massive delays. they claim it was for a traffic study until texts and e-mails emerged revealing the move was political pay back. top aids against suck lich for not endorsing christie's reelection bid. >> i had no knowledge or involvement in this issue in its planning or execution. i am stunned the abject stupidity that was shown here. >> christie fired the deputy chief of staff who sent texts and e-mails about the closing. he told his former campaign manager to withdraw for consideration for state gop chairman and david wild steen a former port authority was held in contempt of court for pleading the 5th during a hearing. he met with the mayor to apologize face to face. >> i t

former campaign manager is joining charlie crist's campaign for governor.s trying to unseed rick scott. >>> hillary clinton is also expected in florida next month. the former secretary of state will speak at the university of miami. a release from the school does not specify what topics or issues she will discuss. >>> can't we all just get along? former first lady barbara bush can teach lawmakers a thing or two about good will. she's revealing surprising affection for one former rival. >> bill's father wasn't around. and i think that he thinks of george a little bit like the father he didn't have. and he's very loving to him. and i really appreciate that. and when they went on that long tsunami trip, george told me bill insisted he stay in the bed and bill instisted he was taken care of. and that was really nice. i love bill clinton. maybe not his politics but i love bill clinton. >> there you have it. president obama honored dr. martin luther king's legacy of service by visiting a d.c. soup kitchen. the first family helped prepare the daily meals by joinin

charlie crist now a democrat today, he is still a democrat today. former republican running for governor down there. he has brought in big talent from the obama campaign. jim messina is providing big picture strategic advice to charlie crist as he runs as a democrat down in florida against a very vulnerable republican governor who made ads for president obama and also making ads for crist. this is becoming a big obama operation down there. while we are talking about the obama family today, also, this morning, sad news. david axelrod's mother passed this morning at newton mass. an amazing woman. muriel axelrod bennett was in the 1940s, a newspaper reporter for the new york city newspaper "p.m." a time when very few reporters and then in 1960s, the madmen era and one of the first vice presidents at young and reubencamp. known to us as mrs. axelrod and a pioneer in journalism and advertising. one of the first people to use focus groups. so thoughts are with david axelrod this morning. >> absolutely. thank you, mike, for that news. >> we appreciate it,

>> well there's a lot of people who always liked charlie crist personally and then when he started to do this ideological tap dance it hurt his reputation nationally among political elites and left him without a home in florida. a big part of his challenge is to introduce himself, re-introduce himself as somebody who has been principled and consistent rather than opportunistic which usually a kind of a death stamp in any context in any party if you're seen as without principle, without back bone, without any kind of core convictions. >> another fascinating race in the state of texas. the republican a.g. facing wendy davis who shot to national fame during her filibuster against abortion restrictions in the state of texas. what do we look for here? >> well that would be a real sign of the times if wendy davis who, of course did as you say shot to national celebrity because of the abortion issue if she were to wage a competitive race. that would tell you something big about the direction of texas. at the state level this is a heavily republican state for a good while. and so although wen

chris crist yez amelodic tone who could forget what it sounds like. let me see if i can get the tone just right. no, that's not it. ♪ no. >> damn, man, i'm governor could you just shut up for a second. >> jon: no, no that's not it. hold on. ♪ try that one. >> did i say on topic, are you stupid? >> jon: not yet. just haven't found it yet. ♪ >> let me tell you something after you graduate from law school you conduct yourself like that in a courtroom your rear-end is going to get thrown in jail, idiot. >> jon: we're getting there. [ laughter ] >> (bleep). okay? that's what it is. ♪ >> jon: i think finally figured out the tone he has set, fu Ôio' %u@r [cheers and applause] >> jon: welcome back. my guest tonight has a new film coming out called "her." >> what do you love most about is samantha? >> oh, god, she's so many things. i love most about her she isn't just one thing, so much larger than that. >> thanks theodore. >> is a samantha, he's so much more evolved than i am. >> you know what is interesting? i used to be so worried about not having a bod bod

>> governor chris crist too eis trying to reset his political future. >> i think you're going to see a more reserveds christie going forward. >> i believe in you, new jersey. and i always, always will. >> it's hard out there for a republican governor. today, the republican who was governor of virginia just ten days ago was indicted along with his wife for illegally accepting more than $150,000 in gifts from a political donor. but chris christie cannot count on the mcdonald stannal to eclipse the far more important christie administration scandal. the mcdonald scandal used to be the most important republican political scandal way back when it involved a possible candidate for president. but the mcdonald scandal knocked bob mcdonald out of the running for president long, long before he was indicted today. so team christie is still number one when it comes to republican political scandals. and they continued to emphasize that by hiring some of the best criminal defense lawyers in the country to protect them. the latest high profile hire is former secretary of homeland committee michael

are scott's numbers terrible. 30's.b approval is in the but charlie crist is not a candidate. -- perfect candidate. infamousd a rather senate race that did not go well in 2000 and -- 2010. i think this is going to be a big race. i do not even have a favorite candidate in terms of who i think is ahead. either candidate should not be underestimated. host: democrat line, good morning. jonathan, are you with us? caller: yes. good morning. , we haves to the race portrayingn one ad a solid supporter of the obamacare act. it is more of a 50-50 in , as itity in the state is throughout the nation. there per trigger with the health care act -- portraying her with the health care act, i know rumor has it -- some of the democratic strategist, and they are not -- even though they have or trade her as -- portrayed her as a liar. thank you. host: thank you. guest: the senate race was talked about a little bit. i think that the caller is i salute you write about -- is absolutely right about new hampshire being a swing state. their congressional district has flipped a couple of times. this is probably th

he's going to have a tough race against former governor charlie crist. >> right.ow, one of the things that strikes me is we've seen this. this is not just in florida. we're seeing this alec and big pharma have been pushing these kind of laws. we have nine red states passed this year, 29 states have introduced laws like this. so, again, this feels like more of a broader strategy, and obviously i come from politics so i will see it as a political strategy not necessarily good policy, particularly since we keep hearing from the justices that it's unconstitutional. but that really it's a political issue and part of sort of this war on the poor, class warfare about who's deserving and who's not. >> right. governor scott and the legislatures across the country that have passed similar laws won't let facts or the constitution get in the way of their agenda. it's one thing to tout these policies as part of a campaign. but frankly they're not doing so well in the courts. he's not doing so well. but that isn't stopping him from, governor scott, from pushing his political ag

. >> reporter: it's the end of the road for kristen -- accessories crist -- chris christie's deputy chief of staff. reportedly as pay back from a democratic mayor. >> i terminated her employment because she lied to me. >> reporter: the governor seen as a likely candidate for the 2016 republican nomination says bridge et ann kelly and two appointees concocted the traffic scheme behind his back without his knowledge. >> i am embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of the people on my team. >> reporter: christie is known for his tough, no nonsense style. what his admirers see as refreshingly blunt, crit you -- critics call bullying. he said the traffic tie ups made kids late for school and slowed down first responders. >> to learn that people were put in harm's way because of something apparently that i didn't do. i cannot begin to tell you how troubling that is to me. >> reporter: cbs news, trenton, new jersey. >>> well, another wave of winter weather is about to hit the region. howard my dad has aor afib.brillation, he has the most common kind... ...it's not caused by a heart val

roof and had a big impact on marco rubio's rise and eventually charlie crist now becoming a democrat. i think the conservative activist can feel justified in their anger. i think for a on the republican side, they're stuck between a rock and a hard place of wanting to insure electable candidates but the more they play in these primaries, the more they risk getting fuel to the less electable candidates and i think if i were paul broun in georgia who is the most obviously tea party candidate in that race, i would welcome the nrsc coming in and spending money on somebody else. >> i cannot believe they announced that publicly. there's enough outside groups on the republican side with the establishment money that could've done that without having the parties imprimatur. i was surprised. >> i from northeastern university. i've comment on two of the papers. one, the paper about the politics of recovery. two other names you could add your list are harold washington who is both debarred and spent time in prison and then got elected mayor of chicago, and the other if you want to go further bac

how should republican candidates feel about campaigning for crist christie. proud or embarrassed using hashl crossfire. we'll have the results after the break. hey guys! sorry we're late. did you run into traffic? no, just had to stop by the house to grab a few things. you stopped by the house? uh-huh. yea. alright, whenever you get your stuff, run upstairs, get cleaned up for dinner. you leave the house in good shape? yea. yea, of course. ♪ [ sportscaster talking on tv ] last-second field go-- yea, sure ya did. [ male announcer ] introducing at&t digital life. personalized home security and automation. get professionally monitored security for just $29.99 a month. with limited availability in select markets. ♪ of the dusty basement at 1406 35th street the old dining table at 25th and hoffman. ...and the little room above the strip mall off roble avenue. ♪ this magic moment it is the story of where every great idea begins. and of those who believed they had the power to do more. dell is honored to be part of some of the world's great stories. that began much

conservative activists through the roof and had a big impact on marco rubio's rides and eventually crist not only leafing the republican party, but now becoming a democrat. i think those conservative activists can feel pretty justified in their anger. so i think for at least on the republican side, they're really stuck between a rock and a hard place of wanting to insure electable candidates, but the more that they play in these primaries, the more today risk giving fuel to the less electable candidates. and i think if i were paul brown from georgia, i would welcome the nrsc coming in and spending money on someone like a jack kingston or a karen handle. >> i couldn't believe they announced that publicly. there's enough outside groups on the republican side with establishment money that they could have done that without having the party -- [inaudible] so i was really surprised. >> come over to this side of the room. >> i have, i'm bill that her from northeastern university. i have comments on two of the papers. one, the paper on the politics of recovery. two other names you could add to y

charlie crist supports this initiative, the republican incumbent does not.come very big on the national scene as of late. going in part due to recreational use in colorado passing. what are the applications? -- implications? >> they're looking at florida as a test case. they also have medical marijuana legal in 20 states, but florida is the southern test case e/ . as national acceptance of this has gone about 50% so far this year, they think they can reach that 60% threshold that they need, and it will be a big win that they could take to washington as they push on the federal level. trying to get some kind of enteral rules and regulations as they legalize this even more so. >> this is a test case for the south, in theory this issue plays everly bear than in the u.s. west. >> that is very true, i think the polls show that out. on thisere laughing issue as they tried to push this to the ballot. in a month they turned it all around. this is what happens when you get money and smart political minds into the game. front and center, and i would will be up for a v

and amid the new charlie crist of asking for ways to increase his. at his cost indices all meetings whiz man as politics business and elation. i know it was in active labor unions. he believes when sis need to rethink readers does ride called sunshine of the pool to come clean on to inflation as he mentioned three companies that actually raise wages are ready what are some of the optics goals for other companies. serious hallows collins is far it's not easy at each company to go to the ways he's busily really is. and it's not clear how many companies include our way to pay the war has more now he's in different industries with different dynamics. take for example steelmaker is an astute users didn't seem to declan pm was out of the causal role months areas. so save enough to call me the stories in braces sitcom some parts i was small in india was high the parts face another challenge. in and hope to galilee into an oval is a consumption tax will find that a precedent and don't list which is a co op consumers will most likely buy list. the kenyan avai

we challenge an incumbent and also when the gop establishment rallies around someone like charlie cristho is now a democrat. and we have had this problem, tray grayson in kentucky whom mitch mcconnell got behind instead of rand paul and he is a co-chairman of the democratic super pack. some politicians for office too long. and we need accountability and that helps the republican party win. we win when we stand for something and authtentic. and win when grassroots america believes we'll do what we ran on. in the margin. we spend resources and time going after democrats because they are the guys driving up the debt and they are the guys causing all of the trouble. but we win when we support republicans that share those basic values. >> i believe in term limits. to me the ultimate way to get rid of people that have been there too long is you have a limit and you have to go home. i believe in that forever and i still believe in that. >> there are senators, that have been in washington almost as long as i have been alive. that's not the way it should be. it is their policys that have gotten

but back to governor crist christie their real problem with the governor that we saw with his to ourapology he is very absorbent into himself. lou: that is unusual with politicians. [laughter] >> of but milbank wrote a wonderful piece by dash ece in the "washington post" on sunday as the number of times he said me myself and i to say i'm sorry. but i don't micromanage my people? i think the adverti $25 million he got from hud. i don't love him. is too early to 1.to these folks. lou: i weld make a note but what do you think of the idea? here is the man now. viciously attacked by the democrats and the administration and the republican party. the tea party tears him to pieces. what is the meaning of this? >> chris christie breaks the mold of politics. he is so popular with so many people he does not fit into a box. he talks about me myself a and i. lou: mike obama asked? >> if he pulls this off he will be even more of a front-runner i am not convinced he will pull led off. lou: you really like him the? >> i did not say that. [laughter] ready like him or not this is treacherous stuff. >>

frustration in these primaries when the gop establishment rallies around someone like charl charlie cristwho is now a democrat. so we do need some competition. we do need some accountability. some politicians are in office too long. that's part of what helps the republican party win. we win when we stand for something. we win when we're authentic. now at the margin, we spend most of our money and most of our resources going after democrats because they're the guys driving up the debt and causing all the trouble, but i think we win when we support republicans that share those basic values. >> i believe in term limits. you've got to go home. i still believe in it. >> there are senators that have been in washington almost as long as i've been alive. that's not the way it should be. it is their policies that has gotten us into this mess. we cannot blame this entire mess on the democrats. that's a fact that the republicans have contributed to it as well. we need to change things. let's try some fresh ideas from some of these new guys. >> you could say you have a challenger, he doesn't win. sho

night at 8 a disturbing video now going viral of the internet but it's with a police unit that's been cristzed for opposing the deal. >> : the store in the fall of troy. >> : for children or those videos taken in omaha. nothing criminal occurred and the video but there is a concerns. >> : please see in defending its decision to riposte the profanity released to. in one minute 23 second video. the will hear from the police union and mean. >> : >> : profanity being used. >> : the whole point opposing this deal is to show again the depth of the problem. so the people realize that this type of thing diskette happen in omaha nebraska it this is a very serious issue. >> : in that video you heard adults using profanity at a child and then shalt responding in the senate. >> : the dulse initially plus a video on this. >> : it's a local street gang. >> : the video perpetuates stereotypes that needlessly. >> : people are to the page are weighing in as a hot topic is good here i was moved from that home. >> : the kid deserves a chance hyde be respectful and be civilized. >> : " for the it services they

it is said to be empty when crist mer dorner went in. >> the silver lining is when terrible tragedies happen, it unites us as a country. >> worst bad run. given to south african athlete oscar pistorius. he said he is innocent, but he is awaiting his day in court. worst bad break up, jodi arias. >> i can't speak for the verdict, but i understand why it was made from watching the coverage i saw. >> they told kapt vieting tales about her relationship with travis alexander who she was accused of killing. >> it's weird because you can't help but notice that the girl is a beautiful girl. >> the only thing i remember about the trial was her lawyer tried to get her off by putting glasses on her. >> i'm afraid i have glasses now. we move for immediate dismissal. >> guilty. >> the jury couldn't see that. she was found guilty. >> my concern was the true crime stuff. it tends to leave people with the impression that america is a much more dangerous place. the crime rate is going down. people forget that. >> best crowning achievement, the first appearance of and william's royal baby, prince george

. >> crist cree and matt, thank you very much. >> thank you. >> the aftermath of the massive data breach at target continues to affect a great many people across america. one state is doing something to combat the security concerns. >>> new rules now require pilots to get a minimum amount of uninterrupted sleep. what might that mean for flight availability? we'll talk about it next. >>> it's bottom of the hour. time for top of the news. after getting slammed by snow, much of the country is now shivering under record-breaking cold. the governor of minnesota already closed schools for tomorrow where temperatures -- monday i should say. where temperatures are set to reach minus 20. >> russian president putin visiting sochi today a little more than a month ahead of the winter olympics there. russian media reporting president putin signed a decree promising to beef up security following last month's terrorist attacks. >>> former first lady barbara bush is resting at home tonight after pneumonia put her in a texas hospital for a whole week. a family spokesman says the 88-year-old is doing grea

but it is a stereo type and unfortunately for crist and is true with me, if something happens that reinforcesereo type it is a big deal. >> joining me is barbara buono. senator, i appreciate you being with us. you while running against the governor had a commercial calling him a bully prepared to go and didn't run it. do you think he is a bully? >> we had a few commercials and didn't have money to run all of them. but when i was running, people would say you have so much courage running against this guy and i didn't get it. but what we are seeing now is evidence of the fear of retribution that permeates new jersey politics. >> you believe what the mayor is saying? >> let me say two things. i believe that the u.s. attorney needs to fully investigate it. he spoke to dawn zimmer for several hours yesterday. what do i think? as a former criminal defense attorney, i will tell you that her testimony that i heard have the ring of truth. this is someone who, you know, can put it in writing fairly contemporaneously with this experience. and that gives her additional added credit. why would she come ou

you won't get the hug that charlie crist gave president obama when he went to florida that time.o defend those two governors, charlie crist and chris christie at the moment, yes, they knew they were taking a political risk but they were applauding the president for helping their state at the time of the crisis, whether it's the bp oil spill, or superstorm sandy. but you're right, among some republican base voters, they'll want to see the body language when scott walker greets the president today. watch the president come down the stairs, i think you'll see a respectful handshake, a brief conversation. governor walker knows he's trying to do some state business, but there will be a lot of republican national eyes on him today. >> all right. john king, many thanks, we appreciate it. jake tapper will sit down with president obama for his first exclusive interview since the state of the union. you can see that tomorrow morning on "new day" and on "the lead" with jake tapper. it all begins at 6:00 a.m. eastern right here on cnn. >>> still to come, super bowl seats now going for an ave

the main stream media is doing back flips over chris crist kwli's traffic scandal.hen i heard nbc's tom brokaw say this. >> i do think across the country however, they're looking at long-term unemployment and they're looking at the uncertainty of obama care, they're saying you got to move on guys. you can only close those lanes for so long if you're on the national media. i wonder if this was nevada if it would have gotten so much attention. >> but the main stream media is giving president obama a pass on benghazi. senator john mccain, surprise. >> i mention the "new york times," you call them a surrogate for the obama administration. are you accusing the paper of defending them on benghazi? >> of course. and i, not only that, i'm accusing them of being the mouthpiece for the hillary clinton for president campaign. no one could look at that article with objectivity and say that it's anything but a profound al apology and distortion on behalf of the administration and the secretary of state. >> joining me howard kurts. howard, what is your take on the media's rabbit

you can see a very different crist krst as he deals with other politicians. maybe even republicans on the presidential level. we consider chris christie a likely contender for the republican nomination in 2016. so you could see definitely a different change in tone from chris christie going forward. >> what about the reaction in republican circles? some commentators talking about irs and benghazi. they are moving on from chris christie trying to talk about other things. supporters of christie, those are criticizing him. he was never a base candidate for them. talk to me about that different reaction among republicans. >> you are seeing some republicans defend him. rudy giuliani is one. he did it it on cnn last night. nicki hailey putting out a statement. that was the exception. most republicans didn't want to talk about this saying it was a matter they knew little about. you make another good point as well. chris christie was never beloved by the base of the republican party. conservatives haven't trusted chris christie. they consider him willing to work with

. >> at one point, the crist had told hinckley's parents that their son was simply immature, that hehe last of 15 sessions takes place 4 1/2 weeks before the shooting. >> the mother of the troubled young man might have kept him home. the brother and the sister would have had him institutionalized, but the family followed the psychiatrist advice as troubled families will do and to put it mildly, it didn't work out. >> his parents actually gave him an ultimatum. they were supplying the funding for his travels. and they were getting tired of it, and they told him emphatically in these words that he had to clean up his act and get a job and they're cutting off his funds at the end of march. he was not capable of taking that as a challenge and then straightening his life out. he was more capable of drifting off as a loner into his own fantasy world, and so at the end of march, he makes the decision that he has to do something. >> six days before the shooting, hinckley flies to los angeles, then boards a bus to washington, d.c. from there, he'll go to new haven and commit his act of love f

so given the difficulty of supporting charlie crist to crash and burn to extend what unifies the chairman about things to do in this nominating process he's proposed a number of things. so, i would like to hear your thoughts on that. >> i think it really depends on what his goals are and the goals of the party. i think the structure of the calendar is so important and which states are allowed to go early. the senate to party supporters how strong the tea party is in those states at that time. can the republican party keep other states from locking up the rules and moving where they want anyways? i just really wonder if it is going to keep florida from moving forward if the candidates are going to campaign and if they are going to spend millions of dollars there. florida doesn't really -- i don't think that florida cares whether it has nine delegates or 99 delegates because in the recent years, we don't see that matters come the time of the convention. and so that is not penalty enough. you know, in my paper i have got quotes from arizona governor and officials in florida saying we deserve

he had said -- >> he just released a letter that he sent to speaker boehner and to governor charlie crist in florida, saying he acknowledges personal struggles, that he has dealt with those personally but doesn't feel that he can adequately and fully represent south florida to the best of his ability now. that resignation is effective 6:30 tonight. >> that follows his arrest after being -- illegal drugs from -- >> right. he is the first member of congress to plead guilty on cocaine charges. >> all right. well, thanks so much, domenico. >> thank you. >> for nor from domenico, check out first read on nbcnews.com. >>> we're bracing for it, because we've been warned. storm team4 meteorologist tom kierein is here to tell you what you can look forward to later today. hey, tom. >> cold air is coming in as we speak. >> it is? >> when we went on the air, it was 51 degrees, and now, on your screen, it's down to 45. we have dropped six degrees here just about the last 15 minutes. it's going to continue to go down, and here's what's coming. as we get into the afternoon, the temperatures will continue

. >> new jersey governor crist kristy apologizing but says he didn't know about a traffic scandal, and he shouldn't be blamed for it. a federal investigation is now underway. president obama make as new commitment to tackle poverty calling for a year of action, what his promise zones aim to accomplish. and a team of al jazeera journalists detained in egypt, will remain imprisoned for at least 15 more days accused of being part of a terrorist group. ♪ . >> new jersey governor chris christie is aboll apologizing today. he says he felt embarrassed and humiliated but knew nothing about a plan where two aids ordered lane closures as political retribution. >> i had no knowledge, or involvement. in this issue, in its planning or execution, and i am stunned by the abject stupidity that was shown here kristy says he fired deputy chief of staff fur lying to him about her involvement, he also says former campaign manager bill step yankee will not become head of the new jersey republican party. david chuter is here, this extraordinary news cop presence this morning. >> extraordinary because republ

. >> charlie crist. >> join the campaign of 2016. charlie crist. first, too. >> and in an interview published tuesday this tech industry billionaire voted for legalizing marijuana in his home state of washington. >> bill gates. >> did say that. correct. >> 200 point question. this republican governor announced he is taking steps towards decriminalizing the use of marijuana in his state? >> rick perry. >> of texas. correct. 200 point question. on monday, this nine-time olympic gold medalist alleged new jersey governor chris christie tried to dissuade him frun running in 2011. call time on that. >> casey? >> first name carl? >> can we accept that, judges? >> no. >> we need more. >> incorrect? anybody else? >> can't come up with the last name. >> kacarl lewis. >> the score -- >> not docked? >> 800. kiss chrissy 600. congressman, negative. and crown a new winner. hardest questions. first one starts now -- lee brite, a fro gun state legislator is auctions off a brand new ar-15 to raise campaign funds challenging what two-term u.s. senator in republican

was there a coverup by crist tees's people. scandal unfolds, other mayors are speaking out saying they have been targets of christ christie's team. >> it's going to be interesting to see how big this could get. the assembly is expected to hold a special session on thursday. what do we expect this? >> a call for a vote to renew power. that's the plan. i spoke with a democrat leading this investigating committee and he wants all of the documents to be made available. he also said there could be criminal charges if public resources were actually used for political purposes. the question is, who are they going to subpoena? top political aids or his deputy chief of staff who was fired or maybe both of them? what might they share that chris christie says he knows nothing about. he's apologized saying this is embarrassing and humiliating. he held a two-hour press conference this week. next week he's scheduled to fundraise in florida. >> we'll stay on the story. march egret, thanks. >>> congress can't seem o get anything done and we ma

charlie crist is apologizing for backing the state's constitutional amendment in 2008 that banned same-sex. in an interview with orlando lgbt publication, he said i'm sorry i did that, it was a mistake. it was wrong. please forgive me. it was a republican when he served as governor from 2007 to 2011 but now running for office as a democrat. >>> clay aiken is reportedly considering a new career in politics, sources say aiken has been meeting with political operatives in washington and abtively considering launching a bid for congress in north carolina. he would be seeking the seat currently held by renee elmerz. >>> people can buy a brand-new car for the first time in 50 years in cuba. previously citizens were only able to buy and sell cars with government approval if they were built before the 1959 communist revolution. two years ago the government allowed newer models to be sold. with the average income in cuba, $22 a month, affording a new car isn't a reality for most. >>> time for the gut check, we look at the latest television import that may be coming to a screen near you. it comes fr

crist christie is very easily emboldened. >> who is celebrating the most today or the last two days as they watch this unfold? >> other than the obama justice department? people celebrating the most are those candidates for 2016 who are the most donor friendly. the people who actually matter right now within the republican 2016 primary is the donor class. it's the money. okay? and so candidates like marco rubio, candidates like scott walker i think are the ones who stand the most likely to benefit from something like this, where donors will look at courtesy and second guess their decision, maybe get a little skittish about endorsing someone this early or backing someone to the hilt. >> i actually read this in the "federalist" which you published, the money primary is really important. as sam was saying, in the same way his base has been kind of the beltway media and his base in the republican party has really been kind of like hedge fund guys in new york. right? right, ben? that's where a lot of these, quote, base support is. >> exactly. that's -- i think it's actually just going to le

. ♪ >>> with 20 subpoenas going out to just about anyone in crist christie's inner circle, the jerseyied to get back some of that old spirit of sandy magic today. >> tonight, i will govern with the spirit of sandy. ♪ >> the jersey shore is open. >> word is spreading. >> because we're stronger than the storm. >> you bet we are. ♪ >> the new jersey governor was out on his first non-state house public appearance since it became national news his staff ordered traffic jams that backed up george washington bridge for four days. showing the core he showed in the aftermath of sandy that endeared him to so many jersey voters. >> in my government are going to be focused on getting the job done for all of you. that's what you pay us for. that's what you re-elected me to do. >> the official purpose of today's appearance was to announce that $817 million of sandy funds had been given to people in need. but as we said time and again, there's a lot less to the sandy recovery effort than it appears. the fact that according to the ocean county planning board, around 26,000 people were still displaced

when we challenge an incumbent, and also when the gop stepment rallies around someone like charlie cristwho is now a democrat. and we have had this problem, trey greyson in kentucky, who mitch mcconnell got behind instead of rand paul. he's now the co-chairman of a democratic superpac. we need some competition. we need some accountability. some politicians are in office for too long. i think that's part of what helps the republican party win. we win when we stand for something. we win when we're authentic. we win when grassroots america believes we say what we ran on. now, at the margin, we spend most of our money and most of our resources and our time going after democrats because they're the guys driving up the debt, they're the guys causing all the trouble, but i think we win when we support republicans who share those basic values. >> i mean, i believe in term limits. to me, the ultimate way to get rid of people who have been there too long is to say you can't be there too long because you have a limit and you have to go home. i think we need that, forever. >> there are senators that

and remember, crist christie was sailing to re-election. he had his reendorsements lined up. it was not only stupid, it was unnecessary. >> i want to get a translation from our new jersey experts here of this particular sequence here where wildstein was exchanging messages with the campaign manager about a wall street journal story about local official complaints. he stepped in and said it's fine. the mayor is an idiot, though. win some lose some. wildstein wrote back, this part i don't get. idemty boxes ready to take to work today just in case. it will be a tough november for this little serbian. what's that about? the empty boxes thing? >> well, you know, that was the initial coverage that was going on in this. when you have the mayor of fort lee quoted that he thought this was punitive in nature. that was the canary in the mine that let us know this was a problem. and, you know, it shows that -- is this wildstein saying if there was going to be a negative article in "the wall street journal," maybe he would have to get fired and fill up those empty boxes and get out of his