democratic steve mcmahon and todd harris. have been very cautious about the delight about the president's people that are all popping balloons out in chicago way too early. the economy hasn't got into that lift yet you need for a real recovery. and republicans certainly are blowing it as much as they can. but i don't think this president has been re-elected yet. do you agree with that first of all? >> yes. >> okay. the republicans have not shown any greatness yet? >> not yet. >> so there's an opening for a third party. if it's romney, if he pulls it out, suppose it happens, is there a bigger opportunity for a third-party candidate to emerge down the middle, somebody out of new york? somebody backed by this elite group? a bloomberg-type, pro-choice, somebody fiscally conservative, somebody wall street really respects. or a great opportunity for some guy far out like ross perot, somebody who is sort of a cowboy, libertarian, but somebody way out there? >> i think there's a better chance of getting votes if it were somebody like

democratic steve mcmahon and todd harris. n very cautious about the delight of the president's people. they are popping balloons in chicago way too early. the economy hasn't got into that lift yet you need for a real recovery. and republicans certainly are blowing it as much as they can. but i don't think this president has been reelected yet. do you agree with that first of all? >> yes. >> the republicans have not shown any grateness yet? >> not yet. >> let's talk about the third party. if it's romney, if he pulls it out, suppose it happens is there a bigger opportunity for a third-party candidate to emerge down the middle, somebody out of new york? a bloomberg-type pro-choice, somebody fiscally conservative, or a great opportunity for some guy far out like ross perot, somebody who is a libertarian, somebody way out there? >> i think there's a better chance of getting votes if it were somebody like bloomberg or donald trump with some credibility, who could run against the system and politicia politicians. >> you mean go aroun

steve mcmahon.out to erase you, is there any way to stop them? >> to go after romney because his record has been legislated over and over and over again. people are generally aware of it. so you have to turn it into a character logical fight and get after who he is. what's he going to say the third day? >> go at his soul. santorum has to go negative. >> but you can't go negative by saying romney used to support this and now supports this. you have to cut underneath that. >> it's like the old jimmy in the old movie. hit him harder than he hits you. >> it has to be about character. mitt romney's changing position is somebody you cannot trust when the chips are down. >> santorum has held back on the attack on his soul. i thought because in the end he would like to be on his ticket. >> right now, he seems an opportunity to win the nomination. the ad where the guy comes in and sprays mud at rick santorum. it's a good ad. >> why is this good? >> because when you're desperate and say almost anything to win

thank you, steve mcmahon.hank you todd harris. >>> up next, is marco rubio still out of the running for vp? >> take him at his word. >> up next, conservatives find mitt romney disengaged. this will be fun. maybe because romney can't talk his language. it's like he's wearing someone else's clothes. romney doesn't even like to talk to conservative commentators. why doesn't he want to hang out with the guys who agree with him and women who agree with him? that's an extra problem. this is "hardball" only on msnbc. right there -- reminds yu why you fell in love wi her in the first place. and why you still feel the same. but your erectile dysfunction -- that could be a question of blood flow. cialis for daily use helps you be ready anytime the moment's right. you can be more confident in your ability to be ready. and the same cialis is the only daily ed tablet approved to treat ed and symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently or urgently. tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications, and a

thank you, steve mcmahon. todd harris. >>> up next, is marco rubio still out of the running for vp? >> take him at his word. >> up next, conservatives find mitt romney disengaged. this will be fun. maybe because romney can't talk his language. it's like he's wearing someone else's clothes. romney doesn't even like to talk to conservative commentators. why doesn't he want to hang out with the guys who agree with him and women who agree with him? that's an extra problem. this is "hardball" only on msnbc. hat? tissue box (whispering): he said nasal congestion... nyquil: i heard him. anncr vo: tylenol cold multi-symptom nighttime relieves nasal congestion... nyquil cold & flu doesn't. ♪ imagine zero pollutants in our environment. or zero dependency on foreign oil. ♪ this is why we at nissan built a car inspired by zero. because zero is worth everything. the zero gas, 100% electric nissan leaf. innovation for the planet. innovation for all. my dad and grandfather spent their whole careers here. [ charlie ] we're th

campaigns and dozens of gubernatorial campaigns, cofounder of purple strategies, hockey player, steve mcmahon. he is the host of fox news, author of the brand-new book out today, dispatches from bitter america, today stearn says back. he is a host of fox sports, poker after dark. model and personality. good to see you. how is your husband. american hero pilot? >> she great. after spending a year. he is back and still part of the national guard. he is getting back to somewhat of normal life. >> sean: you got back from afghanistan recently? >> they are pretty resilient. >> sean: what you do for them is amazing. are we ready to go? we're going to listen in to mitt romney took the stage in denver, colorado tonight. >> before we start. i want to bring you. associated press is calling missouri for rick santorum. he will win the missouri primary. as the beauty contest there. but he will win and wins big. a lot of focus in missouri. he'll give a speech in missouri tonight. he is the winner there. we don't know how the rest will stack up. newt gingrich was not on the ballot. its beauty contest. a stra

steve mcmahon. thank you. look at the dow. ten points from 13,000. going to keep our eye on that. in the meantime, $5 gas is here. while the national average is now $3.57 a gallon. the price of premium is more than $5 at a gas station in los angeles. >> it impacts everything, you know. it's going to impact how much cheerios cost and -- >> gas prices are crazy. aisle probably ride my bike to work. >> mandy drury is here. it's the highest it's been since this time of year ever? >> that's right. in terms of whether it's going to stop, it doesn't feel like it's going to stop. prices, as you say, chris, have never been this high this time of year, they're expected to climb in the weeks ahead. while it's painful for individuals like you and me, it also risks becoming a major problem for the overall economy as well. every $10 increase in oil prices cuts gdp. it doesn't look like the prices are going to come down any time soon when you look at the reasons. such as iran. they're keeping the region very tense. there are reports of saudi arabia cutting imports

with me are the "hardball" strategists, democrat steve mcmahon and republican todd harris.d romney do? first, they took all the credit when he had a good week and when he had a bad week, they dump on him. >> have i seen it before? yeah. >> in the newspapers. >> it's shameful. i think the story was overwritten. it talked about advisors who flew to boston. everyone who understands the romney operation knows if you're an advisor of any substance or weight in that organization, you aren't having to fly to boston to deliver your message. there are a lot of people who want to -- >> that probably identifies who the guy is by saying he flew to boston. how about you, steve? one of these guys says, you can't make him what he's not. they are complaining about the putty they have to work with, the candidate. >> it is amazing. actually, you asked if we have seen this before, and the truth is, we saw it a couple weeks ago in the rick perry campaign. even before rick perry got out of the race, his advisers were already pointing the fingers at each other and pointing their fingers at him.