let me say, michael steele is exactly right. this is not the first thing that should come out of his mouth when people are still picking up the pieces. >> let me be fair to congressman cantor by sharing what his spokesman said. he went on the defense when asked about requesting aid back in '04. quote -- the national debt was at the time under $8 trillion and 8.67 try wrong which nancy pelosi became speaker. today the debt assistants at 14.625, mean that while democrats controlled the purse string, the national debt literally exploded. we have living in different times. so michael steele, his point is, you can ask for offsets because we find our selves in dire straits. >> this is where the rank-and-file republicans have a little rub. back in the day we didn't have the money to spend, either. we were increasing the deficit. remember, in 2001 we had a balanced budget. by 2008 we didn't. that's part of the argument that a lot -- that resonates with a lot more people in this country than i think some in our party really want to get t

and michael steele. michael, good to have you onboard this morning, as well. >> good morning.ood to be with you. >> and willie geist. i've got to tell you, i've got to tell you, last night -- you know the sox get hammered the afternoon game. >> yep. >> making a.j. burnett look good. >> hard to do. >> that is hard to do. very hard to do. and then he pitches, gave up three runs in the first inning. >> didn't get a lot of help from the defense. >> not a lot of help from defense. but he held on and i can't believe it. and they actually -- the red sox won a game. the red sox won a game. the red sox won a game. >> that play right there, you thought, here we go again. they throw the ball to the outfield, he comes around to score, but they fought back. that was a huge win last night, ellsbury hits a home run to win the game. they're tied for the wild card, no momentum, looks like it'll go to the rays. now up a game with three to play, they get the orioles, braves have to play the yankees. you're still betting on the red sox to go to the playoffs. >> not that i'm obsessing on this, bec

. >> former chairman of the republican national committee michael steele.eacham, do you have the list of rules from the school? i think joe needs to review. >> oh, no. >> before i get to news. >> okay. willie, listen to this. >> and your art room downstairs, i copied five art room rules. >> and you want to apply these to "morning joe." >> particularly to you and dr. geist. number one, respect yourself and others. >> okay. there's a problem there. willie and i know ourselves too well. >> number two is not going to go over well. listen carefully during instruction. that will not -- >> in fact, i'm already bored with this list. >> number three is remain seated at all times. number four, raise your hand to ask a question. and number five, challenge yourself and be creative. so it's -- >> good lord. >> these are rules i think apply. >> there's a reason why my school when i was in fifth grade was not the best in the city which i lived in. so these are special kids. it's a special school, and more importantly, mika, the community. what everybody is doing here is j

hear him on this immigration stuff, michael steele.on to go after mccain and giuliani. trying to prove conservative -- and it didn't work for romney four years ago. can it work this time? can you make rick perry seem not as conservative as he is? >> i don't know if it's a question of making him seem not as conservative, but i think you have an ability with romney or at least the romney people have an ability to draw stark contrasts playing into the fears of the base about controlling and making sure that we're not, you know, keeping the border op as we did after the last time we talked about this. >> reminding the base, hey, remember the last time we had a texas governor in there? you didn't like his immigration stance either. >> absolutely. i think a lot of that is being plays out now. >> romney specifically used the term illegal alien. which -- >> old school formula. >> he wins, which is a term -- >> in the primary it will work. in the general election, the latino -- >> a final commonwealth of pennsylvania at end had a weird moment.

howard fineman's "the huffington post" media group editorial director and michael steele's the former chairman of the republican national committee. both are msnbc political analysts. gentleman, let's take a look in a surprising victory, herman cain walked away with the win at the florida straw vote this weekend. that was a poll down there, 3,500 people with delegates, he had 37% to perry's 15, romney's 14. small potatoes for the so-called frontrunners. this way this is being judged by everybody, michael steele, is that the republican activists, who show up at these things are not thrilled with either romney, who has never thrilled them, or perry who seems to be faltering as a performer. >> well, i think that's part of it. there is truth to that. the other part of it, and i talked to a number of people who were there, they really responded to the candidate, in this case, it was cain, who spent time with them, who actually stuck around and participated in the events that weekend. that went a long way, surprisingly enough. and that's how these straw poll events tend to be. florida's no

thank you michael steele and ron reagan. up next -- and that's not rhetoric, i really believe you have to argue these things out as citizens or somebody else will be making these decisions out of habit and you don't want them to get about habit. talk about corny, the republicans were all asked about what they would bring to the white house if they won. cue the canned answers. next in the sideshow. you're watching "hardball" only on msnbc. >>> back to "hardball." now for the sideshow. first up, adding a personal touch at last night's cnn tea party debate, the 2012 gopers were asked for some personal specifics on what they would add to the white house should the election were in their favor. think they would be unprepared for that question? not in the slightest. let's listen. >> i have seven children, so i would add some bedrooms and some beds to the white house. >> winston churchill used to have his bust in the white house, and if i were president of the united states, it will be there again. >> i would bring a copy of the de

this is somewhere between reprehensible and disgraceful. >> michael steele?r. >> we're seeing here if you were the chairman of the republican party, where would you stand on this? would you be asking pennsylvania republicans, yeah, do it? or -- and say, you know what, i'm going to call the florida republicans and do the same thing because we've gerrymandered that state to the point where we can risk losing? >> i think as national chairman i would pretty much largely stay out of it. individual states on the political side are driven by legislators. legislators are really setting the tone and pace. just as you saw in florida. >> what do you think of it? >> i get the politics of it absolutely. it's like saying in maryland where elections are started by three counties, baltimore city, brins georges and montgomery counties decide statewide elections. you want to try to create a situation in which their votes are less impactful on the overall outcome? >> you can't. they've got the political where wi wherewithall. >> keith sessions, heish shoo - this proposal will h

thank you michael steele and ron reagan. up next -- and that's not rhetoric, i really believe you have to argue these things out as citizens or somebody else will be making these decisions out of habit and you don't want them to get about habit. talk about corny, the republicans were all asked about what they would bring to the white house if they won. cue the canned answers. next in the sideshow. you're watching "hardball" only on msnbc. and having enough income when you retire. that's why i'm here -- to help come up with a plan and get you on the right path. i have more than a thousand fidelity experts working with me so that i can work one-on-one with you. it's your green line. but i'll be there every step of the way. call or come in and talk with us today. [ male announcer ] that onion after taste after you again? new crest complete with scope dual blast technology blasts away bad breath germs and food after tastes. new crest complete with scope dual blast. blast your way to fresh breath. ♪ [ male announcer ] unlike some

>> thank you michael steele.nks for coming out here. >>> the one thing rick perry fleeds to do in his first republic republican presidential debate. what do they needed to do to come out on top. michele bachmann, mitt romney and rick perry. how do they all have to act tomorrow might to get in? >>> don't forget, you can only watch the debate here on msnbc. this is a unique monopoly tomorrow night. you've got to watch it here to find out what republicans are up to. what a revolt and development that must be. this is "hardball," only on msnbc. [ female announcer ] instantly smooth wrinkles with a shot? wait a second... with olay challenge that. new regenerist wrinkle revolution... relaxes the look of wrinkles instantly, and the look of deep wrinkles in 14 days. ready, set, smooth... regenerist. from olay. >>> tomorrow night republicans who want to be president will take the stage behind me for a debate at reagan library. one republican who won't be here, new jersey governor chris christie. the big "but" that he won'

thank you, michael steele, my friend. and thank you, cynthia tucker. i love to see you argue. >>> next up, turns out an endorsement from donald trump hurts more than helps. this is going to kill the trump story. apparently that man doesn't help. i know he creates publicity, but he maybe can hurt, but doesn't help. and words between donald trump and the presidential candidate jon huntsman are getting a little nasty. let's catch that in the sideshow. you're watching "hardball" only on msnbc. [ monitor beeping ] [ sponge ] you've suffered some real damage. cheesy crusting. 3rd degree noodle trauma. the prognosis is bleak. you may need to soak overnight. nurse...! dawn power clean? it'll never work. [ female announcer ] dawn power clean with micro-scrubbing enzymes can give you the power of an overnight soak in just 5 minutes. [ sponge ] i give you a sparkling clean bill of health. it's a scientific miracle! [ female announcer ] for money-saving coupons, visit dawn-dish.com. >>> back to "hardball." now to the side show. first up, the trump factor. it all s

michael steele? >> open.e rest of the country, not just the base of the party, that he is open to them, listening to them. and that as press they will be a part of his agenda. it is not just what is defined at the moment. >> the range of motion is enormous. if he does well, if he does what everyone here said, presidential calm -- >> sophisticated, is that too high a bar? >> no, sophisticated, it would be a very big night for him. >> rick perry of texas. >> everything i heard here is correct. one thing to keep in mind, you don't get to november unless you win the nomination. i think he will come across as conservative, as a reasonable conservative. he will face some tough questions i suspect on social security and medicare and it depends on how he handles though. how he said they were unconstitutional and we ought to get rid of them and opportunity to be attacked by his rivals. he could have a very memorable come back it some of these attacks folks are making on him. >> yeah, we have all learned the come back,

>> thank you michael steele.r coming out here. >>> the one thing rick perry needs to do in his first republican presidential debate. what do they needed to do to come out on top. we're going to go through this analytically with pat buchanan. michele bachmann, mitt romney and rick perry. how do they all have to act tomorrow might to get in? to win? we're going into wrestling fight tonight. >>> don't forget, you can only watch the debate here on msnbc. this is a unique monopoly tomorrow night. you've got to watch it here to find out what republicans are up to. what a revolt and development what a revoltin' development that must be. this is "hardball," only on msnbc. it's salonpas. this is the relief i've been looking for. salonpas has 2 powerful pain fighting ingredients that work for up to 12 hours. and my pharmacist told me it's the only otc pain patch approved for sale using the same rigorous clinical testing that's required for prescription pain medications. proven. powerful. safe. salonpas. it's schwab at your

thank you, michael steele, my friend. and thank you, cynthia tucker. i love to see you argue. >>> next up, turns out an endorsement from donald trump hurts more than helps. apparently that man doesn't help. i know he creates publicity, but he maybe can hurt, but doesn't help. and words between donald trump and the presidential candidate jon huntsman are getting a little nasty. let's catch that in the sideshow. you're watching "hardball" only on msnbc. [ fema le announcer ] introducing crest complete whitening plus deep clean. you feel it working, so you know it's working. and that means you're good to go, for whatever the day brings. new crest complete. unlike ordinary toothpaste, you feel a deeper clean. it's a signal that tells you your whole mouth is clean. you're also protected. because most of life happens outside the bathroom. feel it working, know you're covered. with new crest complete, life opens up when you do. >>> back to "hardball." now to the side show. first up, the trump factor. it all started with a fox news poll released yesterday, poi

thank you, michael steele, my friend. and thank you, cynthia tucker.e to see you argue. >>> next up, turns out an endorsement from donald trump hurts more than helps. this is going to kill the trump story. apparently that man doesn't help. i know he creates publicity, but he maybe can hurt, but doesn't help. and words between donald trump and the presidential candidate jon huntsman are getting a little nasty. let's catch that in the sideshow. you're watching "hardball" only on msnbc. [ engine sputtering ] ♪ ♪ [ dennis ] allstate wants everyone to be protected on the road, whether you're an allstate customer or not. ♪ all you have to do is call. [ female announcer ] call allstate now and you'll get a free lifetime membership in good hands roadside assistance. [ dennis ] shop less. get more. make one call to an allstate agent. [ jennifer ] and i'm jennifer northcutt. opening a restaurant is utterly terrifying. we lost well over half of our funding when everything took a big dip. i don't think anyone would open up a restaurant if they knew what that momen

joining mess is ed rendell, former dnc chairman and current msnbc political analyst, and michael steelew an msnbc analyst. michael, with this record of getting rid of teachers is christie really the republicans' best hope to take on president obama? >> i don't floe if he's the best hope to take on the president. that's a decision he's grappling with right now and a number of republicans are trying to come to some conclusion on, but i think in terms of his record, like every other governor out around the country, has had to make some tough decisions in a state that had a huge tax burden on the backs of their citizens. and i think he's made the tough choices, which has endeared him to a lot of folks around the country, not just republicans and conservatives, but independent voters as well. so i think, certainly the record will get the scrutiny that you referred to, al, but i think ultimately it's going to boil down to whether or not christie believes he can get into this race at this stage of the game and be an effective campaigner and effective challengers to romney for the nomination. >

. >> joining me now is dana milbank, and michael steele, former rnc chairman and now an msnbc analyst a man who thinks that social security is a ponzi scheme the most electable republican candidates? >> that will be something that would be left up to the individual voters in the various states. i think as you have noted, the governor is walking that back a bit. the language was very strong and el reaction was equally strong. when you have michele bachmann and others within the party are saying, wait a minute, we draw a bright line, the perry campaign has some retooling to do, and we'll see how he handles that, whether he stays that course or does he soften the tone a bit, which i think the smarter move would be to soften the tone, put it in the context of the changes you think are appropriate, as op posed to giving the impression that you want to destroy or remove it from the books completely, which i don't think is the case. >> it looks like perry is starting to show alternates staying power. what does mitt romney have to do tonight to start trying to turn around this seemingly stayi

michael steele also an msnbc political analyst, former head of the rnc. two of my favorite strategists join me in wednesday. thanks so much. appreciate you being here. ladies first. debbie wasserman schultz called the loss in new york an isolated issue smepd it's a special election of purely reflective of who showed up to the polls. there were other factors at play in the new york race. she said how much of the loss last night can be attributed to the president's plummeting popularity, karen? >> i think you have to look it at the dems of that district specifically remember that there is very large jewish pop lagts and there are concerns within the jewish community about the way president obama has handled the middle east, issues with regard to israel. so i think that played a prominent role. i'm not going to sugarcoat it. the republicans won. we lost. we took one back from them in upstate new york this had been a long time republican seat. i don't think you can say that this is a sign of things to come, but even about if it is, i'd rather have that happen

maggie hayward is the senior political reporter for politico and my colleague here michael steel, formercan party. you're a new yorker sometimes. >> always. >> let's talk about rudy giuliani's advice there. i find it fascinating winning iowa means something. that doesn't sound like a guy who is running for president. >> i don't think giuliani is running for president. >> right. >> and if he is, let's stop him right now. >> let's talk about watching this romney period. if you're watching it from out here it feels as if this presidential primary is in another gear and we'll see that tonight. it seems like things are finally beginning to focus. it feels like we know what the field is going to be. there's speculation with other people that jump in. my guess is that sarah palin is not going to jump in, but the race is coming into focus and you have the two-person race with one other person trying to get in and you definitely have the second tier of candidates here and i just feel for now, it's the psychological boost that comes after labor day, so i feel we're definitely into a new phase of t

and former republican party leader, michael steele, also an msnbc analyst and both, quite candidly, are gentleman whose company i enjoy and i'm happy to have both of you guys here. i'll begin with you, michael. is it a -- is this a human psychological problem? it feels like we need a shrink. >> well, it is. it's the love/hate thing. and it's one of those things where i push you away and i pull you back, i push you away and i pull you back. and i think the unknown is what keeps more people anchored to both parties than anything else. because they don't know what a third party looks like, what it will feel like. >> could be even crazy perp. >> could be even crazier than the two we've got. so better the devil you know than the devil you're wishing for. and i think that's what the american people are. however, having said that, i still believe fundamentally that beyond the 2012 election, the nation is going to begin to get its act together with respect to the political process, and you will see emerge some strand or form of third partyism. i don't know exactly -- >> there could be 100 parti

joining me now from the reagan library is michael steele, msnbc analyst and former rnc chairman as well as richard wolffe, msnbc analyst and political contributors. good to see you, gentlemen. >> how you doing, tamron? >> doing great. >> michael, i'll start off with you. >> sure. >> does perry need to bring it tonight? >> oh, i think so, and i think he will to some degree. i think there's going to be a little bit of kind of the i'm the new kid on the block and not really want to cause too many waves but if pushed, he'll push back and he may tweak, you know, romney or one of the others like a michelle bachmann a little bit. certainly he's got a lot of upside to him and expectation, but i think the dynamics on the stage are going to be very different tonight. >> richard, you heard michael bring um michele bachmann and this will be the first debate she struggled for the spotlight. no one knew what to expect from her in the first debate in new hampshire, but she stuck to her talking points, clear, articulate and lit up the room? what does she need to do, if anything? what can she do to real

michael steele is former chairman of the republican national committee and now msnbc analyst and alex wagner i think up in new york also an msnbc analyst. i am struck by this. here is michele bachmann talking about the implications of getting these shots done in texas that governor perry implemented by executive order. on the "today" show making very controversial and sharp comments about the hpv vaccine. let's watch. >> i had a mother last night come up to me here in tampa, florida, after the debate. she told me that her little daughter took that -- took that vaccine, that injection, and she suffered from mental retardation thereafter. >> and here's how she defended those comments later on sean hannity's radio show. let's listen. >> i am not a doctor, i'm not a scientist, i'm not a physician. all i was doing was reporting what this woman told me last night at the debate. >> "reporting"? what the hell does that mean?! parroting. reporting? as if she's engaging in some sort of study group. some nut case comes up to me about building seven and i ignore them. she comes on television, it'

joining us now is ron reagan and msnbc contributor michael steele. but before we get into what happened inside the debate hall last night down in tampa, let's talk about this scene on the outside. this is a video of an airplane flying around over the debate site, which was sponsored by world net daily editor joseph forah. it's flying a banner that reads "where's the real birth certificate?" are are we going down this path again? what is it in the bloodstream of the republican party that won't let go? i think there's about 6% of republicans that won't drop this baby. that guy's flying a plane, spending a thousand bucks to waste his money. >> well, that's his money and he can waste it. and it's not in the bloodstream of the republican party. you would see a vast majority of the republicans, you just cited the percentage, so that means 94% of the republicans think that this issue is dumb to talk about, particularly now that it's been solved. so i think that individual spent his money, you know, his chance to get on national news, he flies his little pla

and michael steele joins us, he served as the chairman of the republican national committee and lieutenantovernor of maryland, he's an msnbc political analyst. and i guess the question is, we'll talk about obama's luck, but i think it's pretty manifest, the man had some pretty lucky -- he was pretty lucky in his opponents. he ran with two guys with marital problems in illinois, alan keyes. i want to go with you first, you're laughing. because basically, he's been pretty lucky. and john mccain, like your party always does, runs a guy eight years too late. he was tired, just like joey jardello, the middleweight championship 20 years too late. my question is, is your party all kind of thinking, rick perry, tough sell in the 'burbs, tough sell among the -- >> some are. i think some people are looking at it that way. i think if you look at a general election strategy given what you saw the president do just in the last seven days, the whole turnaround with his effort, starting with the speech before congress a week ago, ending up with the speeches out across the country. he's ready. and -- >> h

michael steele told the guys, you can talk to black folks on the show.nt an e-mail to every press secretary in the house, great show, open conversation, david has been on my show, we've had great conversations. they refuse to do so. they can't even talk to black folks even in a television studio. that's why african-americans don't talk to them. >> why don't -- sometimes they get frightened. they worry they will meet a negative response. that's news to me. you should go everywhere. that's the point of politics. you go everywhere. if people don't all like it, they are not going to like you. you never need 100% of the vote. you need 51. >> talk to black folks and have a conversation. economics education, don't think it's always going to be a conversation about a social program. have a dialogue. here's the deal -- >> great snacks in the green room. >> i'm shooting my show next week in atlanta. herman cain, you want to come talk, we'll have a conversation. >> let's see if anybody does. >> see if they have the best to do so. >> thank you. >>> jack cafferty say

michael steele when he was chairman of the party stated to the leadership, guys, here's an opportunitybout our policies to african-americans. they won't take it. i can show you many examples when the gop refuses to go to places to have an honest dialogue about the issues. tom price, we had a great conversation. allen west, great conversation. but republicans by and large don't want to engage african-americans and unless you engage, they will never hear what you have to say if you run from them, then you have no shot at ever getting their votes. >> all right. we only have 20 seconds left so john, just very quickly your final thought. >> look, progress is being made to break down these stereotypes that are rooted in history. tim scott, african-american elected. you need to understand american history in light of politic and policy and just ignore the relationship between race and politics in american history is just to ignore fundamental faultline. it's always been there. you can't just dismiss it or use labels like brainwashing. >> tell your buddies come talk to me, mary. >> great discu

point, i received this statement just this morning from house speaker john boehner's spokesman michael steeleen i asked for reaction about the president's suggestions, he wrote to me, well, it is disappointing the president has nothing but a fresh slogan for the same job-killing tax sites opposed by bipartisan majority in corninng. we can see early on, a problem between democrats, republicans in the white house, similar to the battle lines we saw during the debt ceiling debate. it will not be easy. house and senate republicans not happy way proposition of raising taxes at this time. wolf? >> just to be precise on this point, kate, this is not formal legislation that the president is introducing today. these are general guidelines he's recommending to the so-called super committee that will be looking at all of this. the formal legislation from the other day was for job creation some $500 billion plan that he wants. that's the legislation congress is going to have to consider. the senate's going to consider it, say, a month from now. so it may or may not go anywhere in the house of representat

rosneft coleus gold steel companies but it is not negative for the domestically oriented companies including spear bank the retail operators as well as the mobile operators michael stein from critics financial corp has just wrapped up the day's straight for us some that wraps up the business bulletin more stories you can head to our website archie dot com slash business. commission free accreditation free in-store charge is free from h m m's free. free studio time free. the old free blogs just plug in video for your media projects and a free media all gone to r t v dot com. it is easy. to. say. hello this is all it's a very good of a company let me update you for one of my top stories tonight from moscow gadhafi lawyer. keeping up the fight in libya but the country's interim leaders are struggling to form a cabinet this is the french president could face a legal battle at home over his country's actions in the war. the e.u. is calling for calm over the ethnic tension that erupted when kosovo seized two checkpoints on its northern border with serbia it led to service locating the approach roads meantime belgrade's top goes here it is urging all sides to seek a di

rosneft coleus gold steel companies but it is not negative for the domestically oriented companies including spear bank the retail operators as well as the mobile operators. michael stein from what creative wrapping up the days straight for us russia's insurance market is saying it's because dale since the crisis number three in the market rest so is buying a twenty five percent blocking stake in its rival the s.k. the deal is expected to be worth around two hundred fifty million dollars the company's aim to created joint group name to rest so. the goal of this deal is of course a crazy form of the company. exam may be a real goal to other appreciations jointly but in three of five years i expect it to be one big company under one brand. called the biggest company in the russian market. ok that's up to date from all stories log onto our web site r t dot com slash business. the book. the book. the little. culture is that so much observant and there's a huge music israel opposed to trying to play the front i mean i'm seeing some peace process the palestinians will ask the united nations to upgrade their current observer status for about a full member state. is it's

rise now it's gold steel companies but it is not negative for the domestically or in from companies including spear bank the retail operators as well as the mobile operators. michael stein from what chris a financial corporation has just wrapped up the day straight for us some that wraps up the business bulletin you can head to our website archies up com slash. mission is. a good education free in-store charge free. free. free. free. gold free bhansali videos for your media projects a free meal john darche john tom. is a cave to. the disease.

up all your school steel companies but it is not negative for the domestically or in from companies including spear being the retail operators as well as the mobile operators michael's time for what creature they're wrapping up the day straight for us russia's insurance market is saying it's because deal since the crisis number three in the market resto is buying a twenty five percent blocking stake in its rival the s.k. deal is expected to be worth around two hundred fifty million dollars the company's aim to created joint group names rests over the escape. the goal of this deal is of course because each of those a company. may be a real gold all other positions join clear but in the city of fight fear so expect it to be the one big company on the one brand to believe it will be called the biggest company for russian market. ok that's the chart today for more stories launched a website our business. culture is that so much of an elite huge music israel apparently trying to tell their friends in the absence of a peace process the palestinians will ask the united nations to upgrade their current observer status so bad a full member state. is . in the.