doug luzader has the latest now from the campaign trail. >> reporter: the contest in south carolina is a week and a half away and may be a last stand for some of these republican candidates. mitt romney still basking in the glow of his 2 and 0 record hoping south carolina makes 3 in his race to unseat president obama. >> he is leading us down a path of becoming like greece or italy i am convinced we will be there at some point if we don't get this guy out of office. >> reporter: while his focus is exclusively on the president other republicans are trying to chip away at romney. >> south carolina, picks the president i want you to pick me. >> reporter: rick perry, john huntsman, rick santorum all have to do well in south carolina, so does newt gingrich who is running tough new ads against romney. >> massachusetts moderate, mitt romney, he can't be trusted. >> reporter: while polls show romney is in the lead in south carolina this isn't new hampshire and that can be a problem for ron paul too last time around in 2008, more than two thirds of south carolina republican voters identified th

doug luzader is traveling with the candidate he has the latest from honolulu. >> the president is enjoying a relaxing vacation but is talking about what lies ahead in 2012. iowa the hotly contested republican caucuses are on tuesday but the president's reelection campaign sees iowa as a potential swing state this year. they have already opened up 8 field offices in the hawkeye state and hired more than 20 paid staff members according to the "washington post". the first family meantime as their vacation winds to a close visited a cultural center in hawaii why the anthro poll logical result is on display. the president seems comfortable to stay out of the spotlight at least for now. >> it is not a terrible idea for the president to get out of the way and let all of the focus be on the republicans. there will be a lot of sniping and attacking republicans. it is not a terrible time for him to be out of pocket. >> out of pocket a little while longer the president is about to return to washington from there he will almost immediately go to cleveland, ohio for an appearance that deals with the ec

doug luzader is traveling with the candidate he has the latest from honolulu. >> the president is enjoying a relaxing vacation but is talking about what lies ahead in 2012. iowa the hotly contested republican caucuses are on tuesday but the president's reelection campaign sees iowa as a potential swing state this year. they have already opened up 8 field offices in the hawkeye state and hired more than 20 paid staff members according to the "washington post". the first family meantime as their vacation winds to a close visited a cultural center in hawaii why the anthro poll logical result is on display. the president seems comfortable to stay out of the spotlight at least for now. >> it is not a terrible idea for the president to get out of the way and let all of the focus be on the republicans. there will be a lot of sniping and attacking republicans. it is not a terrible time for him to be out of pocket. >> out of pocket a little while longer the president is about to return to washington from there he will almost immediately go to cleveland, ohio for an appearance that deals with the ec

the white house republican field of candidates gathered in south carolina for a debate, fox's doug luzader tells us the four trailing mitt romney are taking direct aim. >> reporter: the field may be smaller but attacks are getting more intense. >>> then this were 5 john huntsman now out this now diminished field duked it out in what could be the final battleground state in this race, south carolina. mitt romney is the guy to beat. >> mitt we need for you to release your income tax so people of this country can see, how you made your money. >> reporter: it was a question romney would eventually answer. >> i anticipate that most likely, i am going to get asked to do that around the april time period i will keep that open. >> that may be well after the republican race is decided. rick santorum hit romney over whether felons who served their time can vote. >> i am asking you to answer the question. that is how you got the time, it is my time. >> the answer finally was no. >> newt gingrich was on the offensive he got some of the best applause of the night talking about president obama's support

fox' doug luzader has more on last night's debate from capitol hill. reporter: the stakes in florida are huge and this is coming down to a two-man race there. >> this is a nonsense question. [ applause ] reporter: newt gingrich did what he seems to do best at these debates, firing back at the moderators, but he also had to fend off an increasingly aggressive mitt romney who he has accused of being anti-immigrant in a state where immigration is a primary issue. >> i think you should apologize for it, and i think you should recognize that having differences of opinions on issues does not justify labeling people with highly- charged epithets. reporter: gingrich stood by the attack and in a state with home foreclosures, he hit romney on his investment of fannie mae and freddie mac. >> maybe governor romney in the spirit of openness should tell us how much money he's made off how many households that have been foreclosed by his investments. but let's be clear about that. >> have you checked your own investments? you also have investments in mutual funds tha

contest under way already in new hampshire the first votes in the primary already being counted, doug luzaderw hampshire this isn't just a question who comes in first. >> tough decision. very tough. >> a tough decision in two tiny towns in new hampshire, dicksville notch and hartsville location, combined population 100 people the polls opened at midnight results mitt romney on top, good news for a candidate who just yesterday, said this. >> i like being able to fire people who provide services to me. >> he was talking about firing health insurance companies but the damage was done democrats were salivating after all romney did make his fortune restructuring companies, some times adding jobs some times eliminating them. even fellow republicans took the ball and ran. >> i do draw a distinction between looting a company leaving behind broken families and broken neighbourhoods and a factory that should be there. >> romney's words were often taken out of context. >> it is hard enough to defend cam limp you don't need -- capitollism, you don't need these guys going out there and sounding like it is

. >>> polls open today in florida, i am doug luzader in washington more on what is at stake and whatls are saying coming up. >>> occupy dc protestors told they can't sleep in mcpherson square they stayed up all night long we are out there live with this mornings action. >>> then we all know working out can help you lose weight but there are other tricks out there, like eating with your nondominant hand. >>> fox medical team joins us with more on that coming up at 8:30 a.m. >> i have heard about this before i am tony perkens. >> looking forward to learning about that i am wisdom martin alison has the day off. >> we hope she feels better, those watching yesterday know she wasn't well. >> good morning gentlemen. >>> nice forecast maybe eat lunch outdoors temperatures mid- 50s. plenty comfortable nice couple days in the forecast. >> nothing to complain about. >> not in the weather department. that's right. current temperatures regan national, it is cool out there headed out right now, wear a jacket it is going to be another hour or two to warm things up we should be off and running short

allison. >> doug luzader for us live. thank you, doug. >>> paying no attention to the debate, secretary of state hillary clinton says that she is ready for a break and will not continue in public office even if president obama wins reelection. she says that she wants to step off the "high wire of american politics" and told workers at the state department yesterday that she is ready for a rest. >>> on tap for president barack obama today, he starts this morning with a speech at the university of michigan on making college more affordable for all americans. then this afternoon he'll attend a democratic conference in cambridge, maryland, and tonight the president is set to speak at a campaign event at the mandarin oriental hotel in the direct. >>> it is 7:10 right now on a friday morning. new technology being offered by twitter is raising free speech concerns. we're going to tell you what all the fuss is about. that's next. >>> and some relief for the survivors of that capsized cruise ship off the coast of italy. how they ar

here is doug luzader. >> reporter: well, newt gingrich and mitt romney duke it out in florida, president obama is squeezing into the picture leap frogging ahead of republicans into some of the next battleground states nevada and colorado today, arizona yesterday where he was fighting with republicans as soon as he got off the plane. arizona governor january brewer offered a welcome -- jan brewer offered a welcome, moments later, it was heated. they clash on immigration reform. >> i don't know why he was surprised by my book but he evidently is and he is very thin skinned in regards to it. >> the administration says the two had a cordial, white house meeting but in arizona it appeared anything but. a short time later the president was making his case for re-election. >> over the last 22 months, our businesses have created more than 3 million jobs [ applause ] >> this is part of the president's post state of the union tour not technically a campaign trip but a chance to grab the spotlight on a day when republicans were battling in florida. more tax on newt gingrich and mitt romney. new pol

in washington, doug luzader, fox news. >>> so what is on tap today, and a look ahead. president barack obama plans a hang out session in a video chat room next week after tomorrow's big state of the union speech he will participate in the live video chat as part of google plus' site. in the meantime this afternoon he will honor the boston bruins for winning the stanley cup. >>> the president is reaffirming his stance on abortion with a statement coming from the white house saying the nation marks the 39th anniversary of reversos wade the supreme court decision which legalizes abortion. he calls it a sensitive and often decisive issue and makes it clear the government quote should not intrude on private family members. opponents will rally at the supreme court for the annual march for life. expect road closures because of that event. john boehner will speak to the crowd at noon and they will march up county constitution avenue to the supreme court. >>> rescue crews are working hard to find 19 people still missing from the capsized cruise ship in italy while officials de

in washington, doug luzader, fox news. >>> other top stories, still no word on when the suspected serial slasher will be extradited back to fairfax county to face charges. he was arrested in his native peru friday. 9 women reported being cut on their buttocks while shops since last february investigators identified him as the man shown in surveillance video. >>> man accused in a series of home invasions and sexual attacks in montgomery, may have not have acted alone. ken ray is charged with robberies and sexual attacks in bethesda, wheaton and temple hill they are on the hunt for a second suspect they believe helped ray. one of her relatives says she wants to hear more of the facts in this case. >> it is an accusation right now he is accused we have no problem with the justice system playing out and justice being acted as it should be but you know some injuries have been sustained some other things and i just need to know you know, what you have. you know what i am saying. what is he guilty of this? do you have evidence. >>> ray is being held in montgomery county due in court this aftern

last night president obama was in chicago to attend three fundraisers in washington doug luzader, fox news. >> metro general manager will present to the board of directors today. metro says it needs the money to rebuild its system which had been neglected for years and help pay for hiring of more than 1,000 workers. >>> 9 minutes past the hour, still ahead a winter storm system spawning possible tornadoes, we will take a look at the damage next. >>> a new report, disturbing new report out of north korea, this was the scene in the days and weeks after their leader passed away crying and wailing in public next why some are being punished. >>> two years later, millions of dollars in aid and international effort. we are going to have an update how haiti is coping today, two year anniversary of the devastating earthquake. >>> as we take you to the break, a live lookout side, look at the latest weather and traffic, from tony and julie, nice blast from the past, 7:09 a.m. ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] combine a pnc cashbuilder visa credit card with a pnc performance select checking account and get

in washington doug luzader, fox news. >>> new legislative session begins in maryland and virginia there slew of top issues on the docket. hi stacey. >> hey, a slew indeed neighboring states start their legislative session on the same day there are big differences on their agendas, maryland lawmakers are tasked with budget cutting while governor o'malley wants to increase spending on school construction and transportation projects the law makers must find some way to close a $1 billion budget short fall in the state's $14 billion operating budget, options include micking the gas tax by 16¢s a gallon to 38s, o'malley wants to double the monthly flush tax to $5 a month to pay for sewer system upgrades and lawmakers may consider gambling in that state. >>> republicans control 68 out of 100 house seats in virginia, they are expected to push a conservative agenda in the general assembly which could include more restrictions on abortions in the common wealth and tighter controls on immigrants and loosening of state laws on gun ownership in maryland, governor o'malley would like to legalize sam

doug luzader has a look what is next for remaining candidates. >> we expect john huntsman to drop out of the race for president and formerly endorse mitt romney. >> i would say third place is a ticket to ride ladies and gentlemen. >>> the ride didn't last long. john huntsman never got his footing in the race for president, he essentially bypassed iowa counting on a strong showing in new hampshire but third place there didn't give him the momentum he was looking for and with south carolina's primary less than a week away and fox news debate there tonight he is out >> i watched the president over these last three years and been disappointed he has failed the american people. >> mitt romney is the wiper from today's announcement he is -- winner from today's announcement he is expected to get a huntsman endorsement. this poll out with 30% support nationally romney's numbers have almost doubled since december. look at number two, rick santorum his support has almost quadrupled, religious conservative leaders eventually backed santorum as their alternative to romney dispointing to gingrich

president obama is getting a jump start ahead of congress' return next week and fox's doug luzader has more. reporter: we knew this was coming, president obama is asking congress to raise the debt ceiling again. republicans will try to block it. $15 trillion and counting, an unimaginable number and another $1.2 trillion in debt is probably on the way. president obama just sent this quick one-sentence letter to congress asking for the authority to pile on more debt. the third increase that was part of a deal he hammered out with congress last year. but part of that agreement gives congress a chance to vote it down and that is what republicans will try to do, even though the white house says the president will simply veto any objections. it gave fresh fodder to republicans out on the campaign trail. >> i hope the members of congress send a very clear message to the president of the united states, not now, not again, absolutely not, mr. president. >> the idea of year after year passing on massive debts that we know we'll never pay and that our kids and grandkids are going to be burdened w

our doug luzader is travelling with the president. he's live for us this honolulu tonight. doug? >> and harris, hello. at this moment the first family is logging a little bit of beach time, but the president no doubt has iowa on his mind and two reasons for that. first of all, his campaign was to what potential republican they're obviously going to be facing later on this year, but secondly, the president wants to win iowa and they see this as a potential swing state, one that really could determine, who knows, the outcome of the election and you mention this had. they've opened up eight sealed office there is and washington post reports they've hired more than 20 staff members and that's a pretty big operation and iowa is just one of the swing states that the campaign is going to make a real play for. >> and the democrats have to put a premium on places like nevada and new mexico, for example, wisconsin because they won those states traditionally and no, i think there are eight or ten states that are going to decide the presidency. >> now, we talk about the obamas finishing up t

doug luzader has more on his trip down south. >> reporter: the campaign trail is already a busy placebut with five gop candidates making the rounds of south carolina and florida ahead of this month's primaries, it's about to get more crowded. president obama is heading to florida today, a trip to disneyworld to talk about a new effort to boost travel and tourism. it's an official visit, not technically a campaign appearance, so taxpayers will pick up the tab. the fact it coincides with the run up to the florida primary is a coincidence says the white house. >> every president should travel across the country to meet with americans from as many states as possible, and that's a principle this president pursues. >> reporter: and another strategy, this tv ad. the president's first for his re-election. >> for the first time in 13 years our dependence on foreign oil is below 15%. >> reporter: he decided to kill the pipeline project yesterday, saying republicans were rushing the decision. it's a strategy aimed at defusing an issue that republican candidates have been hammering the president

doug luzader joins us with more. good morning. >> reporter: good morning guys. well, this was a low volume debate last night one thing is clear, mitt romney, is on the attack. >> free world. >> reporter: right from the start mitt romney didn't hold back. >> and the speaker was given an opportunity to be leader of our party in the 1994 he had to resign in disgrace. >>> he just said four things that were false. >> reporter: that is how florida is playing out a race between gingrich, now working florida crowds with the boost he got from winning south carolina over the weekend and romney, whose big campaign operation and deep pockets give him advantages in florida. his much discussed tax returns are out showing he made more than $21 million in 2010. >> i pay all the taxes legally required not a dollar more. you don't want someone as candidate for president who pays more taxes than he owes. >> reporter: gingrich had to deal with his consulting contract with freddie mac. >> freddie mac was paying speaker gingrich, $1,600,000 at the same time it was costing the people

doug luzader joins us with a primary preview good morning. >> reporter: alison good morning mitt romney is hoping to seal the deal in florida tomorrow with a big win and the polls show he could have a pretty good day.>> [ speaking in spanish ] >> reporter: mitt romney's son making his fathers case in spanish pitching a message fine tuned for florida. in english he was trying to build on his lead unloading on gingrich. >>> he said the first debate he didn't do well because the crowd was so quiet then the second debate he said he didn't do so well because the crowd was so loud. >> reporter: recent polls show he is falling behind in florida but generated a huge crowd of retirees at the villages. >> i am in fact the legitimate heir of the regan movement. >>> ron paul moved on to maine over the weekend rick santorum had to leave florida to tend to his ailing daughter she is recovering now from pneumonia, her father is on his way to minnesota today. looking at a race that may not end any time soon. >> the fact is once you get beyond florida these are all proportional representation states he