a sympathetic figure and the media descended on sandra fluke giving her a high profile platform to fight back. >> what does it say about the college co-ed susan fluke who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? what does that make her? it makes her a slut, right? it makes her a prostitute. >> what was your first reaction when you heard the comments? >> well, i think my reaction was the reaction that a lot of women have had when historically they've been called these types of names, and that really i think a lot of women across america have had to this, and that was initially to be stunned by it, but then to quickly feel outraged and very upset. >> joining us now to talk about the echos of this media and the twist in the presidential campaign, julia mason, host of sirius's "the press pool, david prom from "the daily beast" and an analyst for cnn and dana millbank, columnist for "the washington post." david, you are a kwifsh who has been critical of rush limbaugh. he likes to stoke outrage and draw attention by saying things that are a bit over the line. >> it is good for rush limb bay, and that's not good for the -- >> so that he goes from rating success to rating success. >> all across america there have been brothers of women and sons of women and fathers of women who respond to this by saying i think that's about the worst thing i have ever heard on radio. i did have one constructive suggestion. there's one further clip that rush that you didn't have time for where rush limbaugh invited sandra fluke to post a sex tape of herself on the internet. >> yes. >> now he has issued a kind of grudging apology on his website. i think it would be a nice gesture if he were to send sandra fluke one of his sex tapes. >> something america does not need. >> you have woken us up this sunday morning. dana millbank, limbaugh did lose about a half dozen advertisers. we'll see if they come back. he did apologize. i'll read that in a moment, but sandra fluke was all over msnbc. they love that story. almost nothing on fox news about this. we see the choosing of idealogical sides as to whether or not the slut comments were truly offensive. >> yeah, but i think this was a good reaction by the media. rush limbaugh says any number of outrageous things all the time, and people say that's rush being rush, but i think it's better to put the spotlight on these guys. i certainly wrote about this. we did a lot of it at the washington post and having her front and center on the "today" show is a good idea, and this should occur. if people are out there saying outrajsz things, okay, smoke them out. don't just say that's just how it is. i mean, that's what was going on with glen beck. that's why he was eventually exposed and people said, we just don't want this on our airwaves. >> is this because rather than using strong language to beat up on nancy pelosi, for example, limbaugh had picked out this, you know, georgetown university law student who no one had ever heard of who seemed like a pretty sympathetic figure? >> yes, of course, it's different. i think the danger now is that democrats could overplay their hand. there's talk of a lawsuit against rush limbaugh, and they have had democrats that use it this to raise money. it's rep rehencible. there's a danger of overkill on the other side now. >> is there a danger of overkill in the media coverage? for example, early this morning newt gingrich on "meet the press" said why is the elite media not talking about gas prices or other issues that would make president obama look bad? they suddenly decide that rush limbaugh is the great national crisis of the week? >> all of these things are being covered. it's not an either/or proposition. people are covering gas prices and jobs and the economy and everything else. this is a distraction. it's a horrible one, but the media has an obligation to highlight when these things are said in the public venue. >> i have an obligation to read what limbaugh said. we're going to break away in a moment, but we'll put his statement up on the screen, and this is late saturday after days of continuing his assault on sandra floouk. for over 20 years, says rush, i have illustrated the absurd with absurdity. three hours a day, five days a week. in this instance i chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. i did not mean a personal attack on ms. floouk. my choice of words was not the best, and and in an attempt to be humorous, i created a national stir. i sincerely apologize to ms. fluke for the insulting word choices. in part, he is saying i'm just an entertainer here that maybe went a little too far. >> it was about the most graceless apology ever. >> ever? >> yeah. >> it is interesting to contrast that with the heart felt, on air, in person apologies delivered by david letterman and ed schultz. david letterman, after he said -- he told an ugly joke about one of sarah palin's children, he was on there for seven minutes on his own show in his own voice. not written by a publicist. ed schultz said on his radio program. >> he used the word slut. >> msnbc suspended him, and he -- >> he didn't say it on msnbc. >> yeah, but on the radio. he apologized in person. this is something that has the -- it actually repeats a lot of the accusations. it apologizes for word choice, but i mean, the suggestion that maybe should have used a more refined word to describe this woman, but the -- >> simply his choice of words. >> exactly. >> it's a whole technical vocabulary that he might have used. it was graceless, and i think it's going to -- that's why it's going to linger, and even if it doesn't linger for him, it's going to linger for all those conservatives out there who now are in a position having to take a stance on this. it's not a thing that republicans want to do. >> look how much -- is there something to the notion that there's a double standard that it's worse for conservatives. look dana millbank, how much ed schultz using the word slut got, and admittedly, he apologized in a very manner very quickly, and how this rush story has become the front page top of the newscast. >> because ed schultz is reaching tens or at most hundreds of thousands of people, and rush limbaugh is reaching tens of millions of people, and i think we should get rid of this whole kenard that rush limbaugh is not part of the mainstream media. he is reaching far more than any of us at this table are reaching. the idea that the conservatives or the people on the left would say, you know, criticize the mainstream media, let's just get used to it. we're -- they're all part of the mainstream media. now andrew was part of the mainstream media. there's no such thing -- let me come back to the fact that this is barely been on the radar screen at fox news, and last year when ed schultz used the slut word, the s-word, sean hannity was all over him. there are certain words you never say about a woman to a woman ever, ever, ever. it was over the line and distasteful. when this rush thing came up slightly on the hamnity show, they complained about the left not criticizing its own, but he didn't have a word to say about limbaugh, and it was almost treated as a non-story on fox. >> imauto glad you are calling them out. republicans have done themsdz a terrible disservice to women in the last few months, and fox is now perpetuating that. if they want to be taken seriously as a credible news organization, then i would say that the reporters and some of the anchors at fox are excellent, xlenlt journalists, but there's this whole other part of fox news that contributes that they don't have credible, and the news side has to correct the other side, the commentary side. >> let me turn in our many moments to the presidential campaign. you'll remember the drumbeat early this week was whether or not romney could win the state where he grew up. how badly would his campaign be damaged if he failed to win michigan? well, he won michigan, as you may recall. this is -- let's take a look at some of the coverage. >> it was a close call for mitt romney last night in the michigan primary. romney won his home state by only about three points. >> it wasn't easy. he admitted it was an ugly -- >> this cannot be -- it cannot turn out to be a romney win tonight because a romney win is defined as it's all over. >> mitt romney won both of these events tonight, but winning ugly in this way is not necessarily what the friends and supporters of mitt romney wanted. >> this is cnn breaking news. >> hi, i'm candy crowley in washington. we are standing by to bring you live the president of the united states. you see him there. he has just been introduced at apac, the american israel public affairs committee. essentially these are americans who push for pro-israeli causes. it is a huge group, an influential group. the president was here before. i have with me our foreign affairs reporter. the brez president about to speak, but tense times right now. >> very much, candy. >> hang on. always hard to try to second guess the president. >> please have a seat, thank you. well, good morning, everyone. rosy, thank you for your kind words. i have never seen rosie on the basketball court. i bet it would be a treat. rosie, you have been a dear friend of mine for a long time and a tireless advocate for the unbreakable bonds between israel and the united states and as you complete your term as president, i salute your leadership and your commitment. [ applause ] i want to thank the board of directors ash as always, i'm glad to see my long-time friends in the chicago delegation. i also want to thank the members of congress who are here with us today and will be speaking to you over the next few days. you have worked hard to maintain the partnership between the united states and israel. especially i want to thank my close friend and leader of the democratic national committee, debbie wasserman-schultz. [ applause ] >> i'm glad that my outstanding young ambassador is in the house. i understand that dan is perfecting his hebrew on his new assignment, and i appreciate his constant outreach to the israeli people. i'm also pleased we're joined by so many people, including ambassador michael orr. tomorrow i'm very much looking forward to welcoming prime minister netanyahu and his delegation back to the white house. [ applause ] every time i come to aipac i'm especially impressed to see so many young people here. you don't get the front seats. i understand. you have to earn that. students from all over the country who are making their voices heard and engaging deeply in our democratic debate, you carry with you an extraordinary legacy. the more than six decades of friendship between the united states and israel. you have the opportunity and the responsibility to make your own mark on the world. for inspiration you can look to the man who preceded mow this stage who is being honored at this conference, my friend president simon peres. [ applause ] >> shimon was born a world away from here. it was then poland a few years after the end of the first world war. his heart was always in israel, the historic homeland of the jewish people. when he was -- [ applause ] when he was just a boy, he made his journey across land and sea toward home. in his life he has fought for israel's independence, and he has fought for peace and security. as a member of the -- as a minister of defense,, as a prime minister, as president. shimon helped build a nation that thrives today, the jewish state of israel. [ applause ] but beyond these extraordinary achievements, he has also been a powerful moral voice that reminds us that right makes might. not the other way around. shimon once described the story of the jewish people by saying it proved that slings, arrows, and gas chambers can anileate man, but cannot destroy human values, dignity, and freedom, and he has lived those values. [ applause ] he has taught us to ask more of ourselves and to empathize more with our fellow human beings. i am grateful for his life's work and his moral example. i'm proud to announce that later this spring i will invite simon peres to the white house to present him with america's highest civilian honor, the presidential medal of freedom. [ applause ] in many ways this award is a symbol of the broader ties that bind our nations. the united states and israel share interests, but we also share those human values that shimon spoke about. a commitment to human dignity. a belief that freedom is a right that is given to all of god's children. an experience that shows us that democracy is the one and only form of government that can truly respond to the aspirations of citizens. america's founding fathers understood this truth, just as israel's founding generation did. president truman put it well describing his decision to formally recognize israel only minutes after it declared independence. he said, i had faith in israel before it was established. i believe it has a glorious future before it as not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization. for over six decades the american people have kept that faith. yes, we are bound to israel because of the interests that we share and security for our communities, prosperity for our people, the new frontiers, science that can light the world, but you wantly it is our common ideas that provide the true foundation for our relationship. it is why america's commitment to israel has endured under democratic and republican presidents and congressional leaders of both parts. in the united states our support for israel is bipartisan, and that is how it should stay. [ applause ] aipac's work continually nurtures this bond. because of aipac's effectiveness in carrying out its mission, you can expect that over the next several days you will hear many fine words from elected officials describing their commitment to the u.s.-israel relationship. but as you examine my commitment, you don't just have to count on my words. you can look at my deeds because over the last three years as president of the united states, i have kept my commitments to the state of israel at every crucial juncture, at every fork in the road we have been there for israel every single time. four years ago i stood before you and said that israel's security is sacrisanct, it is nonnegotiable. that belief has guided my actions as president. the fact is my administration's commitment to israel's security has been unprecedented. our military and intelligence cooperation has never been closer. our joint exercises and training have never been morrow bust despite a tough budget environment, our security assistance has increased every single year. we are investing in new capabilities. we're providing israel with more advanced technologies and types of systems that only go tower on closest friends and allies. make no mistake, we will do what it takes to preserve israel's qualitative military edge because israel must always have the ability to defend itself by itself against any threat. [ applause ] >> this isn't just about numbers on a balance sheet. as a senator, i spoke to israeli troops on the lebanese border. i visited with families who have known the terror of rocket fire. that's why as president i have provided critical funding to deploy the iron dome system that has intercepted rockets that might have hit homes and hospitals and schools in that town and in others. [ mrauz ] applause [ . >> now our assistance is expanding israel's defense capabilities so that more israelis can live free from the fear of rockets and ballistic missiles. no family, no citizen should live in fear. just as we've been there with our security assistance, we've been there through our diplomacy. when the goldstone report unfairly singled out israel with criticism, we challenged it. when israel was isolated in the aftermath of the flotilla incident, we supported them. when the durban conference was commemorated, we will always reject the notion that zionism is racism. [ applause ] when one sided resolutions are brought up at the human rights council, we oppose them. when israeli diplomats feared for their lives in cairo, we intervened to save them. [ applause ] >> when there are efforts to boycott or divest from israel, we will stand against them. and whenever an effort is made to delegitimatize the state of israel my administration has opposed them. so there should not be a shred of doubt by now. the chips are down, i have israel's back. [ applause ] which is why if during this political season you hear some questions regarding my administration's support for israel, remember that it's not backed up by the facts and remember that the u.s.-israel relationship is simply too important to be distorted by partisan politics. america's national security is too important. israel's security is too important. [ applause ] there are those that question my security but rather my administration's ongoing pursuit of peace between israelis and palestinians. let me say this, i make no apologies for pursuing peace. israel's own leaders understand the necessity of peace. prime minister netanyahu, defense minister barack, president peres, each of them have called for two states. a secure israel that lives side-by-side with an independent palestinian state. i believe that peace is profoundly in israel's security interest. the reality that israel faces, shifting demographics to emerging technologies, to extremely difficult international environment demands a resolution of this issue. i believe that peace with the palestinians is consistent with israel's founding values. because of our shared belief in self-determination and because israel's place as a jewish and democratic state must be protected. [ applause ] of course, peace is hard to achieve. there's a reason why it's remained elusive for six decades. the upheel heaval and uncertainty in israel's neighborhood makes it that much harder. the horrific violence raging in syria to the transition in egypt. and the division within the palestinian leadership makes it harder still. most notably with hamas's continued rejection of israel's very right to exist. as hard as it may be, we should and cannot give into citizens more despair. the change is taking place in the region to make peace. more important, not less. i have made it clear that there is no lasting peace until israel's security concerns are met. [ applause ] that's why we continue to press arab leaders to reach out to israel and will continue to support the peace treaty with egypt. that's why just as we encourage israel to be resolute in the pursuit of peace, we have continued to insist that any palestinian partner must recognize israel's right to exist and reject violence and adhere to existing agreements. [ applause ] that is why my administration has consistently rejected any efforts to shortcut negotiations or impose an agreement on the parties. as rosy noted, last year i stood before you and pledged that the united states will stand up against efforts to single israel out at the united nations. as you know, that pledge has been kept. [ applause ] last september i stood before the united nations general assembly and reaffirmed that any lasting peace must acknowledge the fundamental legitimacy of israel and its security concerns. i said that america's commitment to israel's security is unshaken. our friendship with israel is enduring, and that israel must be recognized. no american president has made such a clear statement about our support for israel at the united nations at such a difficult time. people usually give those speeches before audiences like this one. not before the general assembly. [ applause ] i must say there was not a lot of applause. but it was the right thing to do. and as a result, today there is no doubt anywhere in the world that the united states will insist upon israel's security and legitimacy. [ applause ] that will be true as we continue our efforts to pursue pursuit of peace and that will be true when it comes to the issue that is such a focus for all of us today. iran's nuclear program, a threat that has the potential to bring together the worst rhetoric about israel's destruction with the world's most dangerous weapons. let's begin with a basic truth that you all understand. no israeli government can tolerate a nuclear weapon in the hands of a regime that denies the holocaust, threatens to wipe israel off the map and sponsor terrorist groups committed to israel's destruction. [ applause ] so i understand the profound historical obligation that weighs on the shoulders of benjamin netanyahu and ehud barack. a nuclear armed iran is completely counter to israel's security interests. it is also counter to the national security interests of the united states. [ applause ] indeed, the entire world has a responsibility from preventing iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. a nuclear armed iran would thoroughly undermine the nonproliferation regime that we've done so much to build. there are risks that an iranian nuclear weapon could fall into the hands of a terrorist organization. it is almost certain that others in the region would feel compelled to get their own nuclear weapon, triggering an arms race in one of the world's most volatile regions. it would embolden a regime that has brutalized its own people, and it would embolden iran's process who have carried out terrorist attacks, and that is why four years ago i made a commitment to the american people and said that we would use all elements of american power to pressure iran and prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon and that is what we have done. [ applause ] when i took office, the efforts to apply pressure on iran were intense. iran had gone from zero centrifuges to thousands without facing broad pushback from the world. in the region iran was a center increasingly popular and extending its reach. in other words, the iranian leadership was united and on the move, and the international community was divided about how to go forward. so from my very first months in office we put forward a very clear choice to the iranian regime. a path that would allow them to rejoin the community of nations if they meet their international obligations or path that leads to an escalating series of consequences if they don't. in fact, our policy of engagement quickly rebuffed by the iranian regime allowed us to rally the international community as never before to expose iran's intransigents and to apply pressure more than anything the united states could do on our own. because of our efforts, iran is under greater pressure than ever before. some of you will recall -- people predicted that russia and china wouldn't join us to move towards pressure. in 2010 overwhelmingly comprehensive sanctions. they had slowing the iranian nuclear program and virtually grinding the iranian economy to a halt in 2011. many questioned whether we could hold our coalition together as we moved against iran's central bank and oil exports. friends, europe and asia, and elsewhere are joining us, and in 2012 the iranian government faces the prospect of even more crippling opposition. that is where we are today. because of our work. the leader hipp is dship is div under pressure, and the arab spring -- of course, so long as iran fails to meet its obligation, this problem remains. we must accomplish our objective. in that effort i firmly believe that an opportunity still remains for diplomacy backed by pressure to succeed. the united states and israel both assess that iran does not yet have a nuclear weapon. we are exceedingly vigilant in monitoring their program. now the international community has a responsibility to use the time and space that exists. sanctions are continuing to increase. this july thanks to our diplomatic coordination, a european ban on iranian oil imports will take hold. [ applause ] it still has the opportunity to make the right decision. they can choose a path that brings them back into the community of nations where they can continue down a dead end. given their history, there are, of course, no guarantees of the iranian regime will make the right choice, but both israel and the united states have an interest in seeing this challenge resolved diplomatically. after all, the only way to truly solve this problem is for the iranian government to make a decision to foresake nuclear weapons. that's what history tells us. moreover, as president and commander in chief, i have a deeply held preference for peace over war. i have sent men and women into harm's way. i can seen the consequences of those decisions in the eyes of those i meet who have come back bravely wounded. in the absence of those who don't make it home. it's the most searing of my presidency. for this reason as part of my solemn obligation of the american people, i will only use force when the time and circumstances demand it. i know that israeli leaders also know all too well the costs and consequences of war. even as they recognize their obligation to defend their country. we all prefer to resolve this issue diplomatically. having said that, iran's leaders should have no doubt about the resolve of the united states. [ applause ] just as they should not doubt israel's sovereign right to make its own decisions about what is required to meet its security needs. [ applause ] i have said that when it comes to preventing iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, i will take no options off the table. and i mean what i say. [ applause ] that includes all elements of american power. a political effort aimed at isolating iran, a diplomatic effort to sustain our coalition and insure that iranian program is monitored. an economic effort that imposes crippling sanctions. and, yes, a military effort to be prepared for any contingency. [ applause ] iran's leaders should understand that i do not have a policy of containment. i have a policy to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. [ applause ] s as i have made clear time and again during the course of my presidency, i will not hesitate to use force when it is necessary to defend the united states and its interests. moving forward, i would ask that we all remember the weightiness of the situation. the stakes involved for israel, for america, and for the world. already there is too much loose talk of war. over the last few weeks such talk has only benefitted the iranian government by driving up the price of oil which they depend on to fund their nuclear program. for the sake of israel's security, america's security, and the peace and security of the world, now is not the time for bluster. now is the time to let our increased pressure sink in and to sustain the broad international coalition we have built. now is the time to heed the timeless advice from teddy roosevelt. speak softly, carry a big stick. [ applause ] as we do, rest assured that the iranian government will know our resolve. our coordination will, with israel, will continue. these are challenging times. we've been through challenging times before. the united states and israel have come through them together. because of our cooperation, citizens in both our countries have benefitted from the bonds that bring us together. i'm proud to be one of those people. in the past i've shared in this forum why those bonds are so personal for me. the stories of a great uncle who helped liberate to my memories of returning there and sharing books with president peres to sharing satyrs with my young staff in a tradition that started on the campaign trail and continues in the white house. from the countless friends i know in this room to the concept who those that have enriched and guided my life. as harry truman understood, israel's story is one of hope. we may not agree on every single issue. no two nations do. our democracies contain a vibrant diversity. we agree on the big things. things that matter. together we are working to build a better world. one where people can live free from fear, one where peace is founded upon justice. one where our children can know a future that is more hopeful than the present. there is no shortage of speech on the friendship between the united states and israel. i'm also mindful of the proverb a man is judged by his deeds, not his words. if you want to know where my heart lies, look no further than what i have done. to stand up for israel, to secure both of our countries, and to see that the rough waters of our time lead to a peaceful and prosperous shore. thank you very much, everybody. god bless you. god bless the people of israel. god bless the united states of america. [ applause ] >> the president of the united states was speaking to the american israel public affairs committee here in washington. opening up a very important week in u.s.-israeli relations and also in u.s.-israeli relations, visa vi iran. there will be meetings this week, very important ones, with the president and prime minister netanyahu who have had a somewhat troublesome relationship. both of them focused this week on iran. i'm candy crowley. with me here are foreign affairs reporter ellise. give me your 50,000 foot view about this sweech. >> candy, i think the president did some very key things that the pro-israel lobby is looking for him to do, and that's, first of all, he took containment off the table. he said i am not here to contain iran. my job is to prevent a nuclear weapon. and not just that this is an israeli issue. why it's in the u.s. interest to do so. he said he is not going to take military option off the table, and he also said, look, israel has a right to go this alone. i think at the same time he then went on to say all the reasons why he doesn't think it's a good idea. why a preemptive attack right now is unwise and precipitous and said this will embolden iran. this will strengthen the regime and this will destabilize the region. even as he said yes, i'm not taking anything off the table, he is also saying that he doesn't want to go there. >> it seems to be a matter of timing now that the israelis at least have signalled publicly that they are more anxious to take out the -- whatever iranian facilities they can before it goes too far, whereas the president still wants to give sanctions and new ones coming up in early summer and diplomacy more time. is it a matter of timing? >> it's all about those red lines that the president didn't lay out. when he thinks the time is necessary. for israel that's now. not just because they think iran's program is developing. they want to be able to do this themselves. they heard president obama say i've got your back. that's not really enough for israel. they don't want to give their fate to the americans. they want to be able to do this in a way right now where they don't have to rely on the u.s. they do want the support. they would like the u.s. to go out and they want to be able to do it by themselves. i think it's a race against time for israel. president obama saying we do have a little more time, clearly. >> we are going to after the break toss this back to howie kurtz and "reliable sources." much more on "state of the union" at the top of the hour. much more after the break. we're america's natural gas and here's what we did today: supported nearly 3 million steady jobs across our country... ... scientists, technicians, engineers, machinists... ... adding nearly 400 billion dollars to our economy... we're at work providing power to almost a quarter of our homes and businesses... ... and giving us cleaner rides to work and school... and tomorrow, we could do even more. cleaner, domestic, abundant and creating jobs now. we're america's natural gas. the smarter power, today. learn more at anga.us. lord of the carry-on. sovereign of the security line. you never take an upgrade for granted. and you rent from national. because only national lets you choose any car in the aisle. and go. you can even take a full-size or above. and still pay the mid-size price. i deserve this. 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[ gasps ] ♪ [ male announcer ] get a retirement plan that works at e-trade. just before the president's speech to aipac, i had played some sound from the presidential campaign about the coverage of mitt romney winning not just arizona, but his home state of michigan by three points, and dana millbank, the phrase you kept hearing over and over again, it was an ugly win, he won ugly. you almost got the impression that romney had lost michigan, despite the fact that he won. >> a lot of goal post shifrting going on in the press right now. i think that's for the simple reason as we don't want this race to be over. i think everybody if you sort of woke any of us up in the middle of the night, we say, yeah, romney is going to figure this out and win this somehow. it's probably want going to be a brokered convention, but that's not a good story for us. it's a boring story for us. i think we like to keep being the tension and saying, no, no, this one is really make or break. no, no. this one is make or break. >> it's ohio on super tuesday. that's a devastating indictment from dana saying we are putting our thumb on the scales, collectively, we journalists, because we want to keep the race against santorum going. do you agree with that? >> i do. i do. reporters are very biassed in favor of a good story, and mitt romney sort of dead-eyed march to the nomination is not a good story. that's why you see so much attention and excitement paid to, like, races that are close and going the other way, i thought it was interesting that ann romney said she wanted to strangle the press. >> whoa. i didn't know -- that's going a little far in my view. you are seeing something about the way the media covers mitt romney. it seems when he loses, we pile, on and even when he wins we kif minimize it maybe for the reason these folks are suggesting, maybe for other reasons. maybe the press doesn't really feel like romney is not as much fun to cover as santorum, much more scripted. your thoughts? >> one of the things mentioned in the coverage which is because of the michigan going out of the designated sequence by the party, its cache of delegates have been reduced by half. you think of michigan a big state as a big prize, this time it's not such a big prize. i think the reporters do like a contest. i think there's a lot of respect for romney in the press because he is so amazingly smart. sometimes that plays against him. when he makes a mistake as happened when he talked about the blunt bill, and he took a while, he got a question on the phone, he took a while to get his footing as to whether he speared this amendment or not, no one will accept well he was confused because he's mitt romney, never allowed to be confused. >> a bill having to do with contraception coverage. >> while romney says i'm not going to light my hair on fire just to get better press coverage he's sending a message he doesn't want to go to the inflammatory route? >> he sends that message and a minute later he'll reverse his position on the blunt amendment within a period of minutes. >> without lighting his hair on fire. >> without lighting his hair on fire and it's highly flammable. >> he didn't reverse. he misunderstood the question the first time, and then he reiterated his consistent position and you're guilty of what i just said, he's not allowed to say okay i'm sorry, i thought that was a different bill you were asking about. >> on the rush limbaugh slut attack for example we talked about at the top of the program, even rick santorum said that was an absurd thing to say. mitt romney said well i wouldn't have used that language. >> "i wouldn't have used that language" tepid, nondenunciat n nondenunciation. >> what is it about rush limbaugh that makes republicans and conservatives so cautious that even when he says something for which he has to apologize, they are very wary of saying anything? >> it's what dana said earlier, he has millions of listeners, still influences a god-fearing nation, they are frayed of alienating rush limbaugh. >> is not a big fan of mitt romney, more sympathetic toward rick santorum. republican national committee put out talking points this week guiding conservative publics about what they should say about debt, unemployment and gas prices and jon stewart had fun looking at the subsequent coverage on fox news. >> the debt is the issue. why isn't the national debt the main issue? >> rising unemployment, the country is deeper in debt. 15% use six unemployment. >> 8.5 unemployment and four bucks for gas. >> it is interesting nobody is talking about the gas prices. >> you know fox's talking heads, i don't know, reading the memo allowed much to the chagrin of one of the other talking heads next to them, do we? >> the rnc sees trouble for the president regarding this and apparently they sent out something according to the papers called "pundit prep" for their talking heads to go out. >> he proceeded to read the memo. is this a classic case of fox news driving an anti-obama story line? >> sure, it was and it's false, because everyone was talking about gas prices last week. no one was talking about the debt. there's not any movement but gas prices was a huge story and the economy but not in the way they described it. >> fox has its agenda but in this case there is a public interest. one of the great problems we have is the recession is over for upper america but it is very much present for two-thirds or three-quarters of the rest of america and whatever their agenda, if we can -- washington where it's impossible to get a dinner reservation on a thursday night needs to be reminded this is an economy in deep crisis for the vast majority of people in this country. >> every one of the issues listed is legitimate and there are certainly points to be made that the economy as you just pointed out is not anywhere near fully recovered, but are you suggesting, let me go to dana, do you think that this is a coincidence that so many of the fox personalities seem to be accentuating the negative side in the wake of that rnc? >> i would give fox more credit, they're not responding to the rnc. they know full well to beat up on obama on gas prices by themselves. fox made some efforts i think to tone it back, pull back from the tea party here. look, this is an obvious thing for our conservatives to do right now. the. the is going to be blamed for high gas prices but also going to get credit for the beginning to pick up in the economy, regardless of what fox news or anybody else is saying. >> i don't see anybody on fox news saying well, you know, you got to give obama this because the stock market has come back to 13,000, when he first came into office, when the stock was plunging. hannity used to plug that every night. jon stewart went a comedic step further saying fox is rooting for bad economic news. i'm not buying that. >> we are seeing the return of a party press just like in the 19th century. drive through rural economy the jackson county democrat is the name of the play, and the other place the "clay county republican." msnbc is the jackson county democrat and fox news as the clay county republican. >> msnbc jumping up aover the rush limbaugh sarah fluke story others were not. i wouldn't say fox is the oppositional network when it comes to journalists like brett beiere or chris wallace yet we were hearing the discouraging economic news. >> there has been a shift and does it have to do with the presidential campaign and increasing partisanship of viewers? >> we are he all biased by negative news. we don't write stories about how many planes landed safely at international airport. it's not interesting. when the stock markets go up, look for something else to do. it's not all ideology it's a bias in favor of things that are negative, bad news. >> things that aren't working. >> does obama unite those at fox because they're not enthusiastic about romney? >> there seems to be a lack of enthusiasm for romney but that will change. >> as he closes in on the no nation and everyone falls into line. we'll see if that prediction holds true. thank you for joining us. that's it for this truncated edition of "reliable sources.
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