let's take a look at that. >> john king is an excellent journalist. newt gingrich is an excellent politician. the excellent politician tries to embarrass the guy who asks the question. the excellent journalist, nevertheless, asked that question. knowing full well a crowd and a big one will turn on him because he did ask it. >> brian, should king have frame the question more pointedly rather than to say do you want to say something about this so the government would understand why it was important, and then once they were unloaded on, and took that club and whacked him, should he have come back more forcefully -- >> gunning rich was prepared for that to be the first topic of the night, and he had an attack planned on the press. no matter how it was asked. >> the danger then, you are the moderator of the event, and you don't want to be drawn into the position of debating the candidate, like you're not just a moderator, but a participant. >> you don't want to make it all about you. >> i disagree. there was a great opportunity to do that because in an ear

wolf, i hope you're ready to eclipse john king's current crown as best question in debate history. so a lot of pressure on you, mr. wolf, to get one over on mr. king. >> i'll do my best, thursday night, 8:00 p.m. eastern. >> congratulations on the coverage again. it's been exhilarating to watch. thank you all very much. >> thanks, piers. >>> when we come back, how will mitt romney and rick santorum respond to gingrich's surge? so who ordered the cereal that can help lower cholesterol and who ordered the yummy cereal? yummy. [ woman ] lower cholesterol. [ man 2 ] yummy. i got that wrong didn't i? [ male announcer ] want great taste and whole grain oats that can help lower cholesterol? honey nut cheerios. that can help lower cholesterol? like splenda® essentials™ no calorie sweeteners. this bowl of strawberries is loaded with vitamin c. and now, b vitamins to boot. coffee doesn't have fiber. unless you want it to. splenda® essentials™ are the first and only line of sweeteners with a small boost of fiber, or antioxidants, or b vitamins in every packet. mmm. same great taste with an add

show, i thought he was really mad at john king. gingrich seems to revel in these platforms, whether he is getting worked up about the moderators or not. >> i think it helps him when he -- aside from this last debate, i think it's helped him. i think when juan williams was asking him really tough questions and the fox debate and i think when the john king moment happened, i think that ultimately helped gingrich in south carolina. you know -- >> my question, jackie is -- my question, jackie -- hold on a second. my question is how much of this is for show? i mean, newt gingrich looked really, really -- >> a couple of days later it's like, sure, go on the show, talk some more. you're saying? >> i think it's absolutely -- i think it's absolutely for show. i do. because it plays to his base and to the people that are angry at the media. it plays to people who are angry at the president, frankly, and the people who love him best. i think a lot of it's for show. i think the explosiveness of the anger, particularly with the john king questi

barack obama, the democrats, but there will be fear in the back of their minds they don't want to be john kingh this tape to start off. >> as you know, it didn't come from our network and it is a subject of conversation in the campaign. i get your point -- >> john. john, it was repeated by your network. you chose to start the debate by it. don't try to blame somebody else. you and your staff chose to start the debate with it. i'm tired of the elite media protecting barack obama by attacking republicans. >> you know, if you are one of the media elite, and you've got a republican debate coming up, you are thinking i don't want to be john king. what do you think? >> yeah. did somebody get the license number of the truck that flattened john king last night? i mean, talk about a deer caught in the headlights. he wasn't expecting that from newt. i think newt was generally angry at the end, general winly angry. is it newsworthy? we looked at the he is squire, the december, 2010 esquire story on the marriage that put the interview of mrs. gingrich number two. there's nothing, let me underscore, there'

wolf, i hope you're ready to eclipse john king's current crown as best question in debate history. so a lot of pressure on you, mr. wolf, to get one over on mr. king. >> i'll do my best, thursday night, 8:00 p.m. eastern. >> congratulations on the coverage again. it's been exhilarating to watch. thank you all very much. >> thanks, piers. >>> when we come back, how will mitt romney and rick santorum respond to gingrich's surge? there is a platform built for the purpose of driving innovation. one that's transforming how companies from every industry-- and of every size-- are doing business. a platform built for now. and for what's next. this...is the cisco intelligent network. cisco. and during the four course feast, there's so much to choose from. [ male announcer ] the four course seafood feast is back at red lobster. still just $15. get soup, salad, unlimited cheddar bay biscuits, dessert, and your choice of 7 entrées, like new honey bbq shrimp skewers or shrimp and scallops alfredo. all four courses, just $15. [ jody ] it's really good value. all my guests love it. i'm jody gonzal

it was very interesting, after the debate, he went over to john king and thanked him for a great debate. of course he did. we just set him up nicely for tomorrow. and, you know, the question had to be asked, i'm glad john asked it first because it would have otherwise over shadowed everything in the debate. so, yeah, this question won newt gingrich the south carolina primary. >> so he was taking a lot of criticism, john king, that is, for asking this question first. you think that was a good idea? get it off the plate? >> oh, absolutely. everyone was waiting for the question. everyone knew it was coming. you might as well get it out of the way up front instead of being -- if he didn't ask it up front, cnn would be accused of dragging out the viewers until the very end in soap opera fashion. it needed to be asked. asked up front was the right place to ask it. >> sheira, let's go back to that poll. the new public policy poll. gingrich is ahead in that by six points. that does not reflect the debate performance. he already had the momentum. do you agree that gingrich is going to take south

the moderator for cnn john king asked newt about his ex-wife's new interview. let's watch newt's very effective right away he turned it into a charge against the media. let's watch. >> she says you asked her, sir, to enter into an open marriage. would you like to take some time to respond to that? >> no. but i will. i think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to tract decent people to run for public office. and i am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that. >> well, howard, you notice how he turns the question about his behavior into a criticism of the media. it's an old tactic. attack from a defensive position. there you go again. watch a bit more. your thoughts on what we just saw, howard. >> okay. well, that was to be expected. cnn had been talking about that open marriage quote all afternoon. newt was loaded for wear. newt has been attacking the media all through this. for a republican crowd in a conservative state, that's just cat nip. they love i

wolf, i hope you're ready to eclipse john king's current crown of best question in debate history. a lot of pressure on you now, wolf. >> i'll do my best. >> to get one over mr. king. >> thank you. i'll do my best thursday night 8:00 p.m. jacksonville, we'll all be there. >> be there. >> going to be terrific. convict gralt lai congratulations on the brilliant coverage. wolf, gloria, john, thank you all very much. >>> when we come back, how will mitt romney and rick santorum respond to tonight's gingrich's sunch and will his winl in south carolina give him the nomination? it [ todd ] hello? hello todd. just calling to let you know i'm giving you the silent treatment. so you're calling to tell me you're giving me the silent treatment? ummm, yeah. jen, this is like the eighth time you've called... no, it's fine, my family has free unlimited mobile-to-any-mobile minutes. i can call all i want. i don't think you understand how the silent treatment works. hello? [ male announcer ] buy unlimited messaging and get free unlimited calling to any mobile phone on any network. at&t. my high scho

john king laid out the poverty rate in florida.ne of the things that has bothered me when i watched these gop debates that doesn't come up, and we love to talk about everybody else, and what you're seeing is that a number of people who are sitting here saying i'm doing the best i can. and i'm still not getting enough. and the president talked about saying let's stop giving people tax incentives who take jobs overseas. that's speaking directly to that. that's why i was amused earlier. ari said there was nothing in the speech that he liked. man, you can't like that, supporting businesses that are here, let's stop taking jobs overseas. i think it is typical when you say why can't we say, if you talk american jobs out of the country, you don't get tax breaks. you don't get to write it off. how is that not fair? >> what you're saying is that bmw that employs all those people in south carolina should no longer employ people in south carolina. the toyota plant in indiana shouldn't employ americans? if it's in one direction it's going to g

although john king is a good guy, he's a fine reporter. he's an honest guy. he's a straight character. you might ask whether you should start with that question. >> you mean it was a mistake? it was a mistake? >> i think it was a mistake on john king's party to lead on >> my income comes overwhelmingly from investments made in the past. >> republican presidential contender mitt romney was asked this week what tax break he was paying on his income. his answer -- >> it's er tots 15% rate than anything. >> question, governor romney has a net worth of $250 million. he definitely is in the top 1% of the american wealth population. on one hand, this shows his business experience. on the other hand, he is more vulnerable to populous attacks. which impact is the more powerful? eleanor? >> he is going to become the vehicle through which the american public learns just how rigged our tax system is. he says he paid close to 15%. that could be under 15%. he may have paid less than that over some years. he's also apparently got some investments in the cayman islands. he a

the moderator for cnn, john king, asked newt about his wife's new interview. let's watch newt's very effective answer. right away he turned it into a charge against the media. let's watch. >> she says you asked her, sir, to enter into an open marriage. would you like to take some time to respond to that? >> no, but i will. [ applause ] i think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run for public office, and i'm appalled you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that. [ applause ] >> howard, you notice how he turns a question about his behavior into a criticism of the media. it's an old tactic. attack from a defensive position. there you go again. watch a bit more. your thoughts on what we just saw. howard? >> well, that was to be expected. cnn had been talking about that open marriage quote all afternoon. newt was loaded for bear. he knew what was going to happen. newt has been attacking the media all through this. for a republican crowd in a co

yes, we have john king in there. john, let me start off with you.t does seem when you talk to whether it's senator demint or jeff or folks on the left or right, they're on completely different planets. >> that's a good way to put it, on different planets. elections matter. if the american people hear anything, it's contrast. a very unapologetic speech from the president defending the role of the government in economy. you went through the tax credits, the president sharing his tax law. he's talking about the an an apologetic hand in the government, and from the predsaying he's not spending enough time on the debt, and mitch daniels, he said the pretdz believes in a government with benevolent government. david was being cute by saying the campaign can wait. it's already under way. >> i don't know when one of you is from mars or seens, but it seems like you see the same set of facts and interpret them differently. >> i'm from texas and fleisher is from new york. which one is liberal and which one is conservative? i'm struck at both sides, but mora e a

gingrich put towards john king last night, he also said after the debate to anderson cooper that he thought john did a very good job moderating the debate. so he will continue to be asked this question, but he was so forceful last night in doing so, he could just say i've answered it and i do not want to be asked ever again. >> yeah, quite startling. takes courage for a journalist to ask him again. but we'll see if the voters care either way. thank you, mark. good to see you. >>> hrt. as we were mentioning, serious fireworks at last night's debate. newt gingrich comes out swinging when asked about an ex-wife's accusation that he wanted an open marriage. which brings us to today's talk back question. hey, carol. >> well, let's be honest. last night's south carolina debate will be remembered for john king's very first question. you know,s one about newt beginning griffin's ex-wife being gingrich's ex-wife. >> would you like to take time to respond to that? >> no but i will. i think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes harder to govern this country, harder

we'll see if the tea party will reassert itself. >> john king, thank you very much. listen, don't forget to catch john king usa tonight at 6:00 p.m. >>> i've decided to turn to texas, assess the results of tonight's caucus, determine whether there is a path forward. >> all right. so doesn't -- it sure sounds like the texas governor is dropping out, right? it sounds like it to me. take a look at perry. apparently he's living to fight another day. but what's behind the strategy? you're about to hear him from someone who knows him better than most people. don't miss it. h. they grow up, and they're out having their life. i really started to talk to them about the things that are important that they have to take ownership over. my name's colleen stiles, and my kids and i did our wills on legalzoom. [ shapiro ] we created legalzoom to help you take care of the ones you love. go to legalzoom.com today and complete your will in minutes. at legalzoom.com, we put the law on your side. and complete your will in minutes. i'm really glad we took this last minute trip! you booked

let's bring in john king, ari fleischer. the debate over bain capital, is that one that is still resonating here in south carolina. >> i think it is to a degree, and the degree is even if the evangelical meeting in texas, a lot of people wanted to defend capitalism, but they understand, how do you make money when you lose and win at the same time? and the entry tonight, we want someone who grew up in the streets of america. i scratched my head and said which one of your five houses in the streets of america, martha's vineyard really the streets of america? >> eric is not a romney fan. >> not a romney fan. >> it leaves a lot of people with that question. he has been, the reason he stumbugs in the debate that is more surprising is he has been such a consistent debater or the course of the campaign and he's corrected mistakes. there's something about the last week, something about the tax question. we don't read minds, don't understand the strategy. when gingrich first serves, they were complaining, but they got back it in. and

i hope -- >> john king. >> oh, come on. >> hello? don't just wake up and say, john king, do you? >> ah. good morning. >> good morning. >> don't you answer your phone like the rest of us mere mortals and say -- hello -- in the morning? >> go away. call another day. >> that's what wolf said. >> actually, telling everybody you're not a morning person. you sound pretty awake to me. >> i am awake. sleep is overrated. that's my motto in life. >> i love it. >> i think it's because you work into the morning. on probably late last night and on very late tonight. are you gearing up for tonight? >> i am. some days you do like to sleep in. not on a day like this. we've been talking about this election so long. the people finally get to vote and we're going to learn a lot tonight. first we'll learn who's number one, two and three in iowa, but also learn the republicans have the intensity to challenge president obama in this re-election campaign. by that i mean that we see higher turnout by republicans no matter who wins. we see the energy that the

john king has the big picture and dana bash and joe johns look at the winners and losers and dan lothian and david mattingly looking ahead to the battlegrounds that are now more important than ever. all right, let's start with dana bash. dana? >> well, we have some potential news this morning about what this caucus has did to the field on the republican side. michele bachmann who, of course, came in a disappointing sixth, effectively dead last here in iowa is going to hold a news conference in a few hours. her campaign is not saying what it is about, but it is hastily arranged news conference. it is hard to imagine that she's going to have something and not give us news about the future or maybe lack there of of her campaign. so, kyra, we're waiting to see exactly what she says. obviously, she is somebody who was one of those who is riding very, very high in iowa. not that long ago. she actually won the first contest here. the ames straw poll only to see her popularity absolutely plummet in the last few weeks. that will be probably, potentially, some kind of result from the iowa caucuses

he used the question just like judo, and he handed john king his head on the platter.of votes in simply the way he handled it. so there was a transformation. they were certainly ready for it. he came back after it really hard and denied it. the one thing that's interesting to me, going back and reading and listening to the transcript of a speech he gave on traditional values and religious values the day after he asked his wife for a divorce, i've noticed that he's not really brought that card to the table this year. and of course, this is an economic election. it's not a values election. >> you're dead right. our table is filled with what we worry about as a voter. voters are so caught up in the economy and their anger against this president. they have no time to think about somebody's marital history. what do you expect her to say? these divorces are always sad and based on acrimony. i think a lot of people think what erin reported is old news. thank you erin. thank you, james. next, what's stephen colbert really up to? that's ahead. tomorrow i'll be in tampa, florida

you know, no more john king stuff. you better go back after him. that's exactly what that was all about. i thought blitzer did a pretty good job saying, hey, if you are going to make a big deal out of it in your campaign, i'm going to ask you about it. don't give me any garbage. i would have done that. >> right. here is my rule of thumb. it's legitimate to go after a reporter or moderator if he asks you an unreasonable or unfair question that clearly shows his own biases. but wolf blitzer asked a fair and reasonable question, especially as you just said. since it was gingrich who initially brought up the swiss bank account thing earlier in the campaign. so, you did notice though, you did notice that the audience applauded gingrich and booed wolf blitzer. i think this is a reflexive reaction. i think the so-called mainstream media has made a lot of enemies over the years by their own actions and as a result the audience reflectively was rooting for newt gingrich. >> bill: i viewed it differently. >> but let me just add one sentence but wolf blitzer

yes, we have john king in there. john, let me start off with you.es seem when you talk to whether it's senator demint or jeff or folks on the left or right, they're on completely different planets. >> that's a good way to put it, on different planets. elections matter. if the american people hear anything, it's contrast. a very unapologetic speech from the president defending the role of the government in economy. you went through the tax credits, the president sharing his tax law. he's talking about the regulations after the oil spill. you could go on and on. government aides to keep certain manufacturing incentives in place. an an apologetic hand in the government, and from the predsaying he's not spending enough time on the debt, and mitch daniels, he said the pretdz believes in a government with benevolent government. david was being cute by saying the campaign can wait. it's already under way. >> i don't know when one of you is from mars or seens, but it seems like you see the same set of facts and interpret them differently. >> i'm from texas

john king walked right into the lion's den with a suit of meat strapped to him. it just was not the smartest move. forget media ethics for a second. it was dumb, he played into gingrich's hands. >> i started in journalism the same time john king did. he's one of the best political reporters in the country. i think the way he phrased it and by starting with it, he did make a mistake. he said since the debate he's an old wire guy and the wire you lead with the lead. i don't think that was the lead. >> he also said the elephant in the room he wanted to get out of the way. >> and i saw john's quote and i understand. if gingrich had done something that became news and everybody knew that it'd occurred, that's fine. that is the lead. but the lead is not an allegation from an ex-wife who has every reason to be angry at her ex-husband going back a decade or so, dredging up what they may or may not have said together in the secrecy of their own bedroom. if that is the lead in american politics in 2012, we are all in a hell of a lot of trouble. >> let me ask you, though, l

john king so asked for that moment. i have been thinking today. imagine the preparation at cnn, they thought about what should we lead with? a lot of people watching, make sure we hit the right note. i'm not saying they shouldn't have brought it up at all. it was the news of day. why did they decide to lead with it is beyond me? it hurt them a lot. >> greg: it was on everybody's minds. i'm torn. have to do it first, it was great for me because i didn't have to watch the rest of the debate. what is it about the cnn anchors and white hair? what do they against just for men. it's out there. it's at walgreens. the reaction of the audience is interesting. they weren't cheering a guy over adultery but cheering a media slap-down. the media slap-down has become the water slide to victory. it trumps everything. he has to keep doing it. has to. >> eric: don't you think cnn and john king knew he'd do it? he's good at it. >> andrea: they knew it. they don't think they realized they handed him such a huge gift. he was able to look like a victim of the liberal

it was that first dumb question that john king asked him that he hit it out of the county on. >> wellcampaign. he thought it was the big development since the last debate. so you ask it. it's up to the candidate to how he handles it. >> gretchen: there was a big development that rick perry dropped out of the race and endorsed newt gingrich. he could have started with that. >> oh, i think that's kind of inside baseball. really? what does it mean to you that rick perry dropped out of the race? i don't know. let me ask you, do you think this was more interesting debate than the perry question as a first question? >> brian: yeah. i just think -- i understand where he's coming from with newt gingrich being outraged. but they also know underlying this entire dialogue is the family values. south carolina is known for and rick santorum perhaps represents better and mitt romney and ron paul perhaps represent better. so the finesse portion of the follow-up to that question which i found interesting, here is rick santorum on the offensive taking on newt gingrich because he told him to get out of

let's go over to cnn's john king over at the magic wall. first of all, john, rick perry, i think it's fair to say, all but announcing it's over for him. >> he said he was going back to texas to reassess. he's going to sit down with the team, look at the polls and talk to donors and says, is there any path to success in the campaign? dark red is romney, purple san tomorrow ru tor rum. i talked to him several hours ago. wolf. he said the plane will be warmed up in the morning, i'm going to aiken, south carolina. obviously the people in iowa, people in iowa humbled rick perry tonight. sounded like he was going home' to call it quits. the question in new hampshire, south carolina, beyond, who does that benefit? senator santorum will think it's him. speaker gingrich will think it's him. we're going to watch this play out. we're waiting for the final votes. we're up to 97%. see rick santorum with the tiniest lead. 27-10. do i have that right? is that 37 votes? that's 37 votes. i wasn't so bad at arithmetic. that's 37 votes. that's nuts, right? can