we think our strength has always been mitt romney is the best person when it comes to the biggest issue facing this country, and that's jobs and the economy. and he's the best position to take on president obama when it comes to the big issues that are facing us in this election. that's why i think we're going to be the nominee. >> we're going to find out if voters agree in just six days. russ, i'm excited. thanks for joining us. >> thanks, chris. by the time the republican party has a nominee to face president obama, there is concern that the party's brand will have suffered some real damage. some people are blaming the tea party's influence on the candidates and on republican lawmakers. matt kibby is the president of freedom works and he joins us now. matt, my colleague dan balz at the "washington post" wrote a piece that suggested some republicans believe the tea party has pushed the republican party too far to the right. that the two-month extension on the payroll tax cut being an example. that the reason party is so afraid of the tea party they are making themselves çunelectableo