governor rendell, there was rick santorum who almost, almost turned this into a three-way debate.tive, banging away at the two front-runners from a republican perspective on health care. he scored a lot of points in this debate. it might be too late for it to matter for him in the final vote total. but that's the rick santorum you have seen around pennsylvania for many years, isn't it? >> sure. people are always underrating rick santorum. but he knocked off a popular democratic senator to win his election. and another to win his election to the senate. he lost in 2006 but that was a wave election. so rick santorum is an effective campaigner. but rick santorum doing well tonight, lawrence, was good for governor romney because the votes that rick santorum gathered, probably not enough to vault him into serious contention. but if he picks up an extra 3% or 4%, that's coming from newt gingrich. >> i want to show you before we go to you, melissa, on this romney point, here is rick santorum again on health care. taking it straight to romney in a very powerful way. let's listen to this.

and ed rendell, nbc news political analyst and former dnc chairman. you both for coming on the show tonight. >> our pleasure. >> congresswoman edwards, let me start with you. you'llant t be at the state of union tomorrow night. what do you make of your republican colleagues who are already slamming the president's speech. let me show you mitt romney admitted in an interview on friday that the economy is getting better. let me let you hear that first. >> how do you answer the president's argument that the economy is getting better in a general election campaign if you yourself are saying that it's getting better? >> well, of course it's getting better. the economy always gets better after a recession. there's always a recovery. >> isn't that a hard argument to make if you're saying, like, okay he inherited this recession and he took a bunch of steps to try to turn it around and now we're seeing more jobs but vote against him anyway. isn't that a hard argument to make? is that a stark enough contrast? >> have you got a better one, laura? it happens to b

governor ed rendell and chairman michael steele. thanks for coming on the show tonight. >>> ahead -- willard likes being able to fire people which means he's right stepping today's gop, no matter how he said it. how will the obama team run against the party of the 1%? >>> plus -- voters are calling out newt gingrich and rick santorum for their racially charged rhetoric. >> do you think that blacks represent an american problem? >> the man who confronted newt joins us exclusively. >>> and a long way from new hampshire, scott walker shows just how scared he is. you won't believe what he's doing now. you're watching "politics nation" on msnbc. this is an rc robotic claw. my high school science teacher made me what i am today. our science teacher helped us build it. ♪ now i'm a geologist at chevron, and i get to help science teachers. it has four servo motors and a wireless microcontroller. over the last three years we've put nearly 100 million dollars into american education. that's thousands of kids learning to love science. ♪ isn't t

were actually ed rendell.there's been no shortage of people weighing in on the state of the union. how about the verdict from someone less political? a body language expert. according to a piece in forbes magazine, three things were going for the president that night in terms of body language. one, his smile. according to the piece, a smile like that is an invitation. a sign of welcome. it says i'm friendly and approachable. two, his fluid motions. in the article, he walked with ease and stood erect but not stiffly so. and his gestures were fluid and flowing. lastly, verbal and nonverbal alignment. what does that mean? apparently, the president's body language matched perfectly with the speech itself. "president obama has a model of congruent communication. his body language totally supported his message." in all matters, especially when he may be up against mitt romney. how can he beat, or not beat, mr. smooth mitt romney? >>> take a look at this picture of jan brewer. brewer jamming a finger in president oba

thank you both for being on the show tonight. >> our pleasure. >> thanks, reverend. >> governor rendell, is this a conversation mitt willard romney and the republicans are hoping not to have this year about income equality? >> sure, but that's a false hope. there's no way we can't discuss that issue when more americans than ever are in poverty, when in my home state, 1 out of every 10 people is on food stamps. i never thought i'd tloif see that. with statistics like that, with hurt and pain like that, it's got to be the number one discussion during this entire election year. and if mitt romney believes he's got a way to put people back to work and to raise incomes, then let's hear it. but don't say we're going to talk about it in quiet rooms. you know what that means. we'll talk about it after the election is over. >> that's exactly right. >> joan, when you -- today, mitt romney went even further. he started trying to show a different, soft, kinder, gentler willard. let me show you what he said. >> i think any time a job is lost is a tragedy. for the family, for the individual that lose

ed rendell and doug high. great to have you with us. doug, i want to start with you. of the critiques of huntsman is a lack of headliner moments like that one. he tends to stay above the fray. not picking fights. politico saying in this debate he managed to muster a strong version of his statesman above the fray approach. was that huntsman's turning point in new hampshire and where can he take it from there if so? >> we haven't seen much of jon huntsman have moments in the debate and this was a strong moment for him. the first one we've seen. the challenge is there's not a lot of time. voting happens tomorrow in new hampshire. that's not a lot of time to transition and really have any kind of a surge. it will be interesting to see where he really ends up. >> governor rendell, new jersey governor chris christie backing romney fired back at huntsman last night saying this. take a look. >> i would be kind of pissed if i were barack obama. i mean, i give this guy a job. he's over in china supposedly representing my administration when you know the whole time he's planning

ed rendell, michael steele, thank you for coming on the show tonight. have a good weekend to both of you. >>> coming up, the brutal gingrich attack ad. will it make the difference? we'll be live in florida. >>> plus -- while republicans hammer each other, president obama is hammering his message on fairness. willard, remember that auto industry bailout you opposed? >>> and the truth about jan brewer's tarmac incident. her story is now being contradicted. you're watching "politics nation" on msnbc. we are the house when it comes to the big game. yeah. it's his thing. i don't even participate. boom! here it comes! bring it back! bring it home! [ male announcer ] when you combine creamy velveeta with zesty rotel tomatoes and green chilies, you get a bowl of queso that makes even this get-together better. [ british accent ] i host a book club. so sexy... vaga had no tolerance for such dastardly deeds. finally... [ male announcer ] when you combine creamy velveeta with zesty rotel tomatoes and green chilies, you get a bowl of queso that makes even this get-t

that hurts. >> thank you, bill. >> good try, ed rendell, i'm impressed. up next, mitt romney weathers the attacks in south carolina. has newt gingrich helped conservatives finally find their man? david gregory and eugene robinson join the conversation. you're watching "morning joe" brewed by starbucks. [ male announcer ] lately, there's been a seismic shift in what passes for common sense. used to be we socked money away and expected it to grow. then the world changed... and the common sense of retirement planning became anything but common. fortunately, td ameritrade's investment consultants can help you build a plan that fits your life. take control by opening a new account or rolling over an old 401(k) today, and we'll throw in up to $600. how's that for common sense? but think about your heart. 2% has over half the saturated fat of whole milk. want to cut back on fat and not compromise on taste? try smart balance fat free milk. it's what you'd expect from the folks at smart balance. it's got 10 speeds, my friend. ♪ is it fast? it's got a lightning bol

thank you again to governor rendell, martin, dylan and luke.." thank you for joining us, on martin loouma martin luther king day we have a great lineup, but until then follow us to twitter machine. andrea is joining us. >> happy friday the 13th and up next, the rough road ahead for mitt romney from the gingrich campaign, sally at water. the chance of conflict with iran and who had the worst week in washington. "andrea mitchell reports" is next on msnbc. [ female announcer ] lactaid milk is easy to digest. it's real milk full of calcium and vitamin d. and tastes simply delicious. for those of us with lactose intolerance... lactaid® milk. the original 100% lactose-free milk. the two trains and a bus rider. the "i'll sleep when it's done" academic. for 80 years, we've been inspired by you. and we've been honored to walk with you to help you get where you want to be. ♪ because your moment is now. let nothing stand in your way. learn more at keller.edu. today i'm calling on congress to reentate the authority that past presidents had to streamline an

rendell walker off the gloss. 20a game high. wizards up by 20 at the break.ond half, john wall leads the break. led 17, wizards dominate the bobcats 92-75 for their first victory in a week and randy whitman is a winner in his coaching debut. >> i'm so happy for those guys. you know, see smiles on their face and to feel good, you know. i said all the critiquing will be done tomorrow. we'll clean things up on the practice floor before we head out to houston. but go out and enjoy this. >> the rockets on friday. don't go anywhere. when we come back, the nats biggest offseason splash is welcomed to town. stay with us. ♪ i'm feelin', feelin' a sunny day ♪ ♪ sunny day ♪ i'm feelin', feelin' the taste i crave ♪ ♪ subway ♪ i'm makin' it, makin' it how i like ♪ ♪ it's meant to be ♪ i'm feelin' subway ♪ i'm feelin' subway today [ male announcer ] hey, capital area! are you feelin' subway®? then heat up your day with the big hot pastrami melt! it's fresh toasted and piled-high with pastrami, then topped with pickles, mustard, and cheese. head into a subway® restaurant to

governor rendell, thank you, sir. thank you joan walsh.question. you're watched "hardball" on msnbc. juice drinks. because less sugar is a better way to fly. ♪ just not literally. capri sun. respect what's in the pouch. of how a shipping giant can befriend a forest may seem like the stuff of fairy tales. but if you take away the faces on the trees... take away the pixie dust. take away the singing animals, and the storybook narrator... [ man ] you're left with more electric trucks. more recycled shipping materials... and a growing number of lower emissions planes... which still makes for a pretty enchanted tale. ♪ la la la [ man ] whoops, forgot one... [ male announcer ] sustainable solutions. fedex. solutions that matter. c'mon, michael! get in the game! [ male announcer ] don't have the hops for hoops with your buddies? lost your appetite for romance? and your mood is on its way down. you might not just be getting older. you might have a treatable condition called low testosterone or low t. millions of men, forty-five or older, may have

ed rendell joins me now. good to see you, governor. >> good morning, chris. >> he granted 200 pardons, 17 to convicted murderers. what do you make of that? >> it's hard to assess without knowing the facts of each and every case. there are some cases where pardons are appropriate. i pardoned two lifers. they had been in prison nearly 40 years, in their 60s and the victims families had no objections. they didn't support it, but no objections. they were not a threat to society and lived good lives in prison. without knowing the cases, it's hard to pardon. not on barber's part, but it's people who attack people who pardon those who commit a crime. ronald reagan pardoned a murderer who went out and murderer two highway patrolmen. it has to be used and used well. the end of term pardons in the amount hailey barber did raised questions. >> you mentioned the families, governor. in this case, in the key cases that have been written about, the families are very upset about it. they said they were not consu consulted be

joining me now is ed rendell and former advisor to george w. bush and john mccain. you, governor. what do you make about the intention to run? >> i think harry truman with tremendous success and his numbers were far worse than what the presidents was and he just pounded the congress and pounded the congress. he promised to turn the economy around and i think he made a case that he did. we've had over a year of a gain and it's not where we want to be and not where he wants to be. but in turning the economy around, sure. did he turn the financial services industry around? sure he did by taking gutsy stands and doing the right thing. if the republicans and congress would let him, let him provide for this nation's infrastructure and create well paying jobs, we could turn it around at a faster rate. >> and who do you trust to protect the middle class and 50% republicans, only 38%. so if mr. romney's plan is to run against promises not kept, it seems that the president has fought for the middle class, they have trusted more, and many of the things that the governor just s

i want to bring in former party leader ed rendell, who has enlisted with us to really bring to light the incredible national security liability associated with adopting a decision-making process predicated on the use of secret money to destroy the reputation of your opponent. this is a remarkably effective way to exchange power between individuals. explain to us through your lens what the national security risk becomes from unemployment to energy to war as we choose to solve our problems using secret media. >> let me begin by saying i hope the supreme court is watching what's played out in the primaries and caucuses. it's embarrassing. it is embarrassing that one man can give $10 million. it is absolutely embarrassing. we have to put a stop to it, which is why we need a constitutional amendment. i got that off my chest. now let me answer your question. it works, but it has serious consequences for us as a country. because we never have rational discussion about the issues. when negatives predominate, there's barely any attempt, other than to give insight into a background, but you ne

with us is former governor ed rendell. who cares whether the candidates are frustrated.the voter frustration is palpable. i'm interested in your feelings as a voter. forget your political life. how do you feel about the president of your country being decided in this çmanner? >> well, it's absolutely fool. you make the point that iowa and new hampshire, which could decide the race. if mitt romney were to win by 25 points, it would be effectively over. and you'd have the decision made by two states that have no minorities. very few urban problems. and that makes no sense. plus where is it written in the constitution that iowa and new hampshire go first? >> if you come with the first round knockout, you can basically sew up the nomination by taking out two of the least populated and least relevant states to the economy and culture of this country. >> sure. think back to 2008. had barack obama maintained his lead and beat hillary clinton in iowa, that race would have been over. it would have been over. with none of the big states having cast their votes. >> let's learn abo

bob rendell from kntv has more from california. >> reporter: good morning.ity hall will reopen this morning. vandalism wasn't significant enough to force a shut down, but they have going to reconsider security measures to prevent this happening again. what happened was saturday night, occupy oakland protesters crow barred their way in, started vandalizing. mayor kwan showed the damage, which included a broken window, damage to a children's art exhibit, and historic model of city hall. protesters stole and burned an american flag. both sides are blaming each other for the violence over the weekend. protesters complained police were overly aggressive in the use of bean bag bullets, tear gas, batons. officers argue they were responding to objects being thrown at them. the clashes started when demonstrators tried to break in to the empty kaiser convention center, the ymca, and eventually city hall. three officers, two protesters hurt according to police. oakland police arrested around 400 people. for those being arrested more than once during the recent occupy o

it's friday, january 13th on "now," governor ed, a verbalist, rendell is here. the empire is

i have been reading rendell who is my favorite [crying] writers. i love good mysteries and particularly the mysteries of those who really know how to make that aspect work. these are great novelists, and i reading trollope, who i love, and i just bought a number of new books that i intend to in oregon. i always have three to four different books going at once. i learned that from dr. gorgeous when i was writing about the panama canal. he always had four different books on his reading table and they will all be books about different interests, different categories, a medical book, novel, book of poetry, book of history and he would read each one every night for 20 minutes and then switched to the next one and that way he was getting a liberal arts education as life continued through his experiences. a gorgeous as you know helped eliminate yellow fever in the panel which made it possible for us to proceed with building the panama canal. next question comes from the audience at the national book festival. >> i want to express my gratitude for your pos

noon eastern, joining the friday edition, nbc's luke russert, the sage of capitol hill, governor ed rendellado, and television's dynamic duo, martin bashir and dylan ratigan. >>> "andrea mitchell reports" is next. hello, andrea. >> next on "andrea mitchell reports," the republican primary race rolls into with south carolina, and up next, florida. we'll talk to the republican party chairs in both of those early contest states. plus, a mississippi judge puts a stop to some of haley barbour's pardons. >>> and two years since the haiti earthquake, a colossal humanitarian failure. "andrea mitchell reports" is next, right here on msnbc. sple™ 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 added "way to go, me" feeling. splenda® essentials™. get more out of what you put in. i want to fix up old houses. ♪ [ woman ] when i grow

. >> it might be helpful to gingrich, governor rendell, because if it does come to that in florida and opposed to saying, well, there were still three people in. so this could go either way. >> governor, how much do you think the obama campaign is watching all of this infighting with the gop and basically giving them a political blueprint for their campaign? >> to some extent, yes. but remember -- and i warn my democratic colleagues all the time -- there are two phases to elections and the post-convention phase is almost like a brand new game. it's almost as if things are wiped clean. then events and the tenor of the campaign matter dramatically. so i wouldn't be so hard -- look, this has been a bloodletting, awful for the republicans, they look crazy, it looks like the candidates are emerging from the old clown car, one more by zoor than the next. if i'm an independent voter i'm shaking my said saying, what in god's name is this party made up of? but that all changes when it's one-on-o one-on-one. >> remember in 1992 the democratic field was called the seven dwarfs. one of those dwarf

and governor ed rendell introducing us.00 people downstairs and then in the holding room, they'd checked registration cards and ed rendell put all the republicans in a holding room so they couldn't make eye contact with your father. it was a remarkable, remarkable event. >> thank you very much for having us. and sunday you'll see my dad again if you want to show up in washington. coming up next, martin o'malley of maryland and governor markell. we'll be right back. is it fast? it's got 10 speeds, my friend. ♪ is it fast? it's got a lightning bolt on it, doesn't it? ♪ is it fast? i don't even know if it's street-legal. ♪ is it safe? oh, yeah. it's a volkswagen. [ male announcer ] the security of a jetta. one of nine volkswagen models named a 2012 iihs top safety pick. ♪ got you in a stranglehold, baby ♪ of how a shipping giant can befriend a forest may seem like the stuff of fairy tales. but if you take away the faces on the trees... take away the pixie dust. take away the singing animals, and the storybook narrator... [ man