. >> i've got msnbc contributor chris cillizza, tand jackie cu kucini kucinich. with you. america's newspaper, you're here. is the debate tonight going to be the front page? is that what everybody will wake up to tomorrow or no? >> that's above my pay grade. it is what i would like to wake up to tomorrow. i think it is a big deal. i think a lot -- talking to people after being here, a lot of people are undecided. there are a lot of straw poll voters who don't know who they're going to vote for and they'll watch the debate to see how people do. they're talking about the economy. and if the ideas are the ones they want. >> kay anderson said the same thing. there is enthusiasm among republicans to show up to the straw poll. but even though they're not motivated by a candidate yet. >> i kind of -- >> this is going to date me, but it reminds me of 1995 where you had energy, but not behind anyone in particular. it was like, well, i'm not sure. >> very similar situation. romney, yes, but in iowa, maybe not. >> date others. >> if you're a republican, you're happy that th

jackie kucinich covers politics. good to see you today. here's the problem.he president's handling of the economy, people just don't approve of it. only 26% of those who were asked in a new poll say they approve of the job he's doing handling the economy but it seems like you do a better job when you get a break every now and then. >> well, you know, i think americans generally have an understanding and sympathy for presidents needing to get away. everyday folks in the united states want to have their own vacations, they want to get away from the routines and pressures of their jobs and understand the president wants to do that, too. there is this sense that presidents need to get away. but at the same time, it's not just presidents on vacation, it's where they go. that's where president obama has a problem right now, i think, because of this notion of the optics. how it looks for him to be at this playground of rich people and celebrities and famous people maybe indulging himself while the country is suffering through hardship. that's the problem, not so muc

jackie kucinich, thank you. and i'm joined now by former dnc communications director karen finney in washington. also here is joe watkins in the studio, former aide to president george h.w. bush. joe, we have rick perry making it official about 25 minutes or so from now. if you were a republican competing in iowa, would you be happy with perry right now? >> i think that every candidate has to stick to their own knitting. you have to stay focused on what you're trying to do. rick perry is going to be a serious candidate for the presidency. all the polling data i've seen shows that he is. so that is what it is. if you're in the iowa straw polls, you petter concentrate on what you need to do to get voters to vote for you. >> how about from the obama campaign perspective, karen, potential presidential run by rick perry, what does that mean for them? >> i think it mean it is rick perry were to be the republican nominee, it would define for america a very sharp contrast. and in an election, that is one of the best thi