differences and the space between us on some of the issues, i believe that candidate is governor mick -- mitt romney. >> newt gingrich could do well in conservative, religious south carolina. the field is narrowing. the race could end soon. paul adams, bbc news, washington. >> if you are on line, join us on twitter. >> this is "newsday." i am in singapore. >> i am in london. the headlines. a number of people missing after a cruise liner capsized off the coast of italy has risen to 29, with six people confirmed dead. >> the owners have blamed the captain for the accident. he has been accused of deliberately bearing off course, but he said he followed correct procedures. >> china is slowing down. the world's sickest -- second largest economy expanded by 8.9% in the final quarter of 2011, its lowest rate in 2.5 years. our correspondent runs as from beijing. how significant is this deceleration of growth in the chinese economy? >> it is in line with expectations. what we are seeing in the chinese economy is the impact of america. china is the world's largest exporter. we are seeing a slowing in growth.

romney made no apologies last night in florida. this morning democrats were all too happy to weigh in. >> we need to mick shower -- make sure that middle class workers are not paying more than people making 100 million dollars a year. >> reporter: romney tried opportunity takes on gingrich after he disclosed he made hundreds of thousands working for freddie mac. romney call it lobbying. >> you just jumped a long way over here friend. >> another area of influence peddling. >> no. >> reporter: a new poll says romney's favorability rating is 31%. 49% view him unfavorably. 29% of those surveyed view gingrich favorably his unfavorable number is 51%. that same poll has better news for president obama. 53% of the people surveyed view him favorably that puts a little wind at his back heading into the state of the union address tonight. scott goldberg, abc news a washington. >> during tonight's address the president is expected to endorse a tentative deal to overhaul the mortgage industry under the agreement one million homeowners could have the size of their mortgages reduced. another 750,000 people who have already lost their homes could get

romney made no apologies last night in florida. this morning democrats were all too happy to weigh in. >> we need to mick shower -- make sure that middle class workers are not paying more than people making 100 million dollars a year. >> reporter: romney tried opportunity takes on gingrich after he disclosed he made hundreds of thousands working for freddie mac. romney call it lobbying. >> you just jumped a long way over here friend. >> another area of influence peddling. >> no. >> reporter: a new poll says romney's favorability rating is 31%. 49% view him unfavorably. 29% of those surveyed view gingrich favorably his unfavorable number is 51%. that same poll has better news for president obama. 53% of the people surveyed view him favorably that puts a little wind at his back heading into the state of the union address tonight. scott goldberg, abc news a washington. >> during tonight's address the president is expected to endorse a tentative deal toerhay under the agreement one million homeowners could have the size of their mortgages reduced. another 750,000 people who have already lost their homes could get an 1800 settlement. the ag

mick huckabee up here. you see the diversity. much more conservative in the panhandle. mitt romney has a base here.ative voters up here. a bigger state and more diverse state and a challenging state and expensive state. >> the northern part of florida is like the south and the southern part of florida is like the north because of all of the people who moved to the south. >> we'll get back to the presidential race this hour. meantime, the sports world mourns the loss of legendary football coach joe paterno. next hour, i'll talk to another legendary coach, bobby bowden, about paterno's life and legacy. >>> welcome back to the special hour of the "cnn newsroom." we're taking this time out every sunday to let you hear from the 2012 presidential contenders in their words out on the campaign trail. >>> the florida voter population is very diverse. based on where people are geographically, they vote differently. let's bring in our guest to talk about this, some of the distinguishing factors. sergio bustos covers south florida. good to see you. scott kent of the news herald covers the panhandle, joining us

mick a mistake or say anything revealing. >> i enjoy looking at the entire field. we have quality candidates including mitt romney.ant to see how things shake out and we take here as i do our opportunity and responsibility seriously. i will continue to be an ambassador for the primary and see how things shake out. if i'm compelled to make my decision known i may do that and maybe even with ow your show. >> i would be delighted. mitt romney owns property in your state. you know everything you need to know about him. is there another candidate you feel more prepared or more inclined or disposed to support? >> i think for the republican primary, republicans, myself included are trying to consider who is best equipped to be the best candidate against barack obama. i and others in new hampshire feel he has not led on the economy and jobs and on things that are important to granite staters. we have a group of candidates through this process who have risen and fallen and shown great poise through the process. i want to make that final decision over the next few days and i'm likely to do that and possibly make an announce