Right here, i love being in iowa. My dad grew up. Its good to be here, good to be on the trail. Were going to be here for the rest of the days here until we get to the caucuses. Of course monday nighting four days away from the states first in the nation contest. Tonight, the last Republican Debate before 2016 voting officially kicks off. And as you might have heard, the a debate thats missing the partys frontrunner. Lets get to tonights take. Donald trump has a commanding lead in iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina. Important note here, though, the reality of his iowa lead depends on caucus night turnout. Sitting out the debate is a gamble. Could pay off. Trump might only lose traction by showing up at the debate tonight. But look when has something to gain. For the first time, marco rubio has spiked in our iowa poll to a strong third place showing. Fivepoint gain from earlier this month. His first real push towards second place as ted cruzs numbers slipped in his tussle with trump. With trump out of the way tonight, the debate could become a slugfest between rubio and cruz. Of course, that could end up benefiting one guy, donald trump. But the upside for rubio is that he could raise himself up by knocking cruz down. The downside could be the opposite. That without trump on stage, cruz looks like the leader of the pack and rubio gets lumped in with the rest of them. Potential good spotlight for rubio comes at same time as notable advertising changes for his campaign. Politico first reported on shifting Spending Plans for rubio. Thats code for, weve got a cash problem. Campaign planned to cut nearly 1 million worth of advertising in iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina. A week later, rubio spokesman said the campaign planned to roll out a slew of new 30second ad buys in the hawkeye state. Now the campaign has cut down tv ads again, and this time slashed another 100,000 in New Hampshire. Rubio was once aiming for a second place finish. And hes cut 32,000 in South Carolina. Now, a source familiar with the Campaign Spending says the changes arent financial fallout but, instead, simply strategy. We can tell you thats what you saying you never want to admit you have a money problem. Rubio showered with attack ads. More than 20 million out of 55 million spent by jeb bushs pack has been spent on just attacking rubio. Hes coming under fire from other candidates. Just today, cruz not so quietly released a new tv ad in iowa coming after rubio. Heres a clip. I am not and i will never support, never have, never will support any effort to support grant blanket legalization amnesty. Marco rubio was part of a gang of eight trying to secure amnesty. One of the architects of the plan, senator marco rubio, you are giving legal status to people who have broken the law. It was marco rubio that was a member of the gang of eight and ted cruz that wasnt. Its the first rubio attack ad that comes directly from the Cruz Campaign itself. Rubio isnt shy noting the onslaught. What he mans to do about it is another matter a test in a new iowa add that he released today. America is exceptional. Every generation before us met the great challenges of their time. But after seven long years of this president , we feel our country slipping away. This election is about defeating Hillary Clinton and saving what makes america unique. So rubios keeping his focus on the long game, towards the general election. At least right now. But will a forward looking approach hold up as he scares up against cruz without a donald trump buffer. By the way, a bunch of other candidates that think marco rubios in their way to becoming the chief establishment challenger. Ted cruz wants a within on one debate with donald trump but he does have to get through the debate tonight first. He may have more than trump to worry about. Joining me to talk about cruzs strategy, alice stewart, Senior Adviser for the Cruz Campaign. Great to be here. I apologize for the lack of heat. This is iowa. Im used to it. Speaking of heat, how much time do you think will be devoted to going after trump and to the candidates on stage . I think the sheer standpoint of the elephant in the room, i think there will be questions directly from the moderators about donald trump and i think its important. I dont think they can get away a free pass on this simply because for him to decide he wants to bypass the allimportant final debate before the iowa caucus, its an insult to the people of iowa. This is a time, as you know, a lot of the candidates havent made the caucusgoers have not made up their minds yet. They have heard from all of the conditions. They have read the issues, they have seen them in previous debates. But this is a chance for them to go headtohead see them on stage. For him to take that opportunity away from them, its a disservice. Its an insult to the process. As senator cruz thought about going to trumps rally . Has he thought about going to the rally . Ted cruz hes kind of busy during that time. He made a commitment to fox news that hell participate in the debate because he knows its important to get out there just a few days before the iowa caucus and get his message out. He, unlike donald trump, will honor his commitment to fox news to do this debate for the sheer point that the caucusgoers deserve those opportunity and its a last chance for candidates to get the message out. Not going after trump. Going after rubio. Every poll, not just ours, has shown ted cruz is sitting in a pretty solid second with a chance to get to first. Why is he punching down . This is an important issue. Illegal immigration is important across the country. Here in iowa its an issue that resonates with voters. Every stop, we went to 22 stops a few weeks ago, 33 this week, this comes up. Its important to show contrast. You worried about rubio . Its not a matter 0 of that. A whole ad devoted to him, a guy mired in third place. Its important to show contrast. Ted cruz fighting against illegal imgratification. We have marco rubio, who promised people that he would fight amnesty and fight against illegal immigration and hes a sponsor and author of the gang of eight. Working along with chuck schumer, barack obama, providing amnesty for illegals. Has done nothing to stand up to barack obama in his executive action on amnesty. And ted cruz, on the other hand, fought vehemently against the gang of eight, vowed on day one, he will do away with the im sort of confused why youre going after rubio and not trump. Its important to show the contrast with the candidates. Weve on the debate stage had the opportunity to show the contrast of donald trump and well do that this evening. Its an important issue, importanter to voters to understand marco rubios record on this. As you heard yourself, when he was on your show meet the press, he vowed to continue to support amnesty for criminal illegal aliens. I know your campaign is the senator issued a debate challenge to donald trump, oneonone. They have responded in saying they will do it as soon as you get approval from a court that youre eligible to run for president. Do you consider that a real counteroffer. That issue has been put to bed. The voters out there understand completely that ted cruz is a natural born citizen, he is 100 eligible to run for president. Call his bluff. Get the judgment and say, lets go. It hasnt moved the numbers. The voters understand this is another tactic by donald trump to avoid talking about the issues that theyre concerned with. He doesnt want to talk about his records supporting democrats, he doesnt want to talk about the fact hes contributes tens of thousands to democrats and he is not a conservative when it comes to issues when hes and a democrat on gay marriage, on abortion. And supporting democratic candidates. He doesnt want to talk about that. Hes bringing up this birther nonsense. I will leave it there. I imagine ill be running into a lot over the next four days. I looked forward to it. Ill be sitting down with senator ted cruz sunday on meet the press. Hes our lead guest. Check your local nbc station. Now, take a look at how donald trump is spending his evening, if its not on the debate stage. There are some folks at another Network Holding out hope he might show up. Katy tur at Drake University site of the donald trump event. I feel like the only people that think trump might show up are the people that are putting on the debate because theyre hoping he might show up. Reporter im notten ti ete sure thats true. It is possible he will be showing up at this debate later tonight. I know that hes got secret service, ben carson has secret service, the debate has been swept by secret service and donald trump in the bubble already will easily be able to get in and get quickly to the stage. They need a 20minute window to reset lights and the podium. There has been chatter this would be good for donald trump because he likes an entrance. He like a show, attention, what better way to get the most attention you can get than by holding this event here and then showing up late and making a grand entrance into the debate tonight. Of course, fox will have to let them in. Were not sure theyd want to do that. As of now, the counter programming fundraising event stands. He will be here at 8 00 pacific, thats 9 00 eastern, that is when the debate starts. There will be a fundraising event. Were told by at least one group now, canines for warriors, that they have been contacted by the Trump Campaign for the money that will be fundraised tonight. They say that the campaign told them that they are one of 18 groups that is being considered right now. Weve reached out to the campaign a number of times today, chuck to find out exactly who this money will be going to. So far we have gotten no response from them. Well, i think is a sign of what happens when you slap an event together at the last minute. Katy tur, from drake, what a split screen. Coming up, the democrats, negative side of staying positive. Bernie sanders seems to be weighing the merits of going on the attack. Well hear from the man running the Sanders Campaign. But first, iowa caucus pop quiz. Later this hour, ill be joined by one of Hillary Clintons most influential supporters. A hint, hes one of only two people to win in iowa over a clinton. Stay tuned for the answer. And the exclusive interview. Can a business have a mind . A subconscious. A knack for predicting the future. Reflexes faster than the speed of thought. Can a business have a spirit . Can a business have a soul . Can a business be. Alive . And feeling good, sort of. N and real, and 500 calories or less. The clean pairings menu. At panera. Food as it should be. I am totally blind. I lost my sight in afghanistan. If youre totally blind, you may also be struggling with non24. Calling 8448442424. Or visit my24info. Com. Today rhode island lost one of its most famous sons, former providence mayor, he died this morning, buddy cianci, one of the longest serving mayors in american history, beloved and disdained. Forced from office twice on felony convicts for assault and corruption. He defied the odds, not only the first italianamerican mayor but a republican who beat the democratic incumbent in a blue city. 2014, before a failed run to get back into office everybody this time as independent, i asked him about his blurred party lines. I never met a fence i couldnt straddle. No way democratic way to build a park or fix a zoo. Its the formula thats worked for me. Ive i ran twice as republican and four times as independent. In that interview he said that good mayors Pay Attention to five things, safety, schools, housing, jobs, recreation. In other words, simply making it a nice place to live. You can argue those five things are what any executive, governor, president , or mayor should worry about. Much of his legacy lies in the redevelopment of providences blighted downtown area. He delivered his commentary as talk radio show host. He had his likeness on line of pasta sauce, the mayors own marinara. Vincent buddy cianci jr. , 74. In new york state, we believe tomorrow starts today. All across the state the economy is growing, with creative new business incentives, the lowest taxes in decades, and university partnerships, attracting the talent and companies of tomorrow. Like in utica, where a new kind of workforce is being trained. And in albany, the nanotechnology capital of the world. Let us help grow your companys tomorrow, today at business. Ny. Gov zp i am delighted to be here with you tonight in mason city. My opponent is not in iowa tonight. She is raising money from a philadelphia investment firm. Frankly, i would rather be here with you. Well, that was Bernie Sanders last night at a rally in mason city, iowa. Thats two hours north of where we are here in des moines, by the way. Music man reference there, as you know. With one of one of his most direct attacks at Hillary Clinton. Sanders says he will not put out any negative ads against Hillary Clinton. But there is a new ad out by the campaign called the problem. It doesnt mention clinton by name but it criticizes wall street firms like Goldman Sachs for pushing money into politics. So, is it a negative ad . Here what happens Bernie Sanders had to say about it. Does it mention Hillary Clinton . No. Does it have any image of Hillary Clinton . No. Is it true in American Society wall street spends huge amounts of money on dozens and dozens of politicians . It is true. Its not so the point is, this campaign is significantly about is taking on wall street and the power of wall street and the fact that wall street spends huge amounts of money on campaign contributions. Arent you suggesting shes bought by wall street . Im not suggesting anything at all. It may be time to pull out all of the stops for iowa. Our poll has clinton up inside the margin of error by three points. Kasie hunt on the road with the Sanders Campaigns and joins me now. Kasie, you know, its funny to watch this, is this a negative ad, is this not . I played what a negative ad looks like with ted cruz going after marco rubio. The republican side has gone negative. Were still in a very soft stage here on the democratic side. We are, chuck. Its very early. Bernie sanders has talked at some length over the course of today to reporters today at a breakfast, when i talked to him about the fact he will not go negative. He wants to remain the politician who is never, as he says run a negative ad in his life. The something that he takes pride in. Something that from a political perspective is important to him. It a selling point for him with people who are supportive of him. But as you point out, as this race tightens and as the Hillary ClintonCampaign Begins to feel more confident about where they stand they have russell with the question if they dont do anything along lines is going to result in his defeat. If he went there, could we have pulled it out . This is clearly a difficult personal decision for Bernie Sanders. Its something he wrestles with. Hell say this is a contrast. As you know, thats jargon typically for an attack ad. On the other hand this ad is somewhere in between. This is not the ad that donald trump is airing against ted cruz, for example. Right. Absolutely. Kasie hunt, at the debate side. Thanks very much. Joining me the Sanders Campaign manager, jeff weaver. Welcome. Glad to be here. Shocked that im running into you iowa. Let me pick up on kasies point here, this idea if you come up three points short, say our poll is spot on accurate, do you feel like youve done Everything Possible to win iowa . Yes, absolutely. Pulling out all of the stops weve got bernie here last week, going around the state on a bus tour, small towns, big towns good ads up on the air, a great ground game. Were doing everything we can do win. The race is tight. Its essentially a tie. Within at margin of error that means the race could be eight points apart. The closer the race, the harder to poll. The question of who will show up. Exactly. We have not yet seen, you go to rallies, you see evidence. You go to trump rallies you see evidence there are more people engaging. Right. But in the allimportant looking at Voter Registration rolls in iowa we have not seen an uptick in Voter Registration on the d or r side. Why do you assume youll get new caucus voters out. You can register when you get there. Our campaign is not putting a great amount of effort registering people. Getting in tome register and get people to go to the caucus. Its a double commitment. Talk about number ones, talk about ones, twos, threes. You get somebody to pull the trigger on changing the registration, you know theyre going, you dont get them to do it before i would rather spend that effort to get those people to come to a bernie rally where they can bernie in person or come into the office and call other iowans. Weve had 15,000 people here in iowa do some volunteer activity. Thats impressive. What do you make of the fact youre seeing people who have been allies of Bernie Sanders in the past at least rhetorically on policy, people like nancy pelosi talking about being uncomfortable running on the Bernie Sanders yaend and this could you could see more democrats coming 0 uout nervous. What do you tell nancy pelosi, Bernie Sanders isnt going to cost house seats. Bernie sanders is a nominee, we will gain seats in the house, gain seats in the senate. How do you know . Thats a tough thing to say. A democrat promising to raise taxes and succeed in winning. If you look at issues that Bernie Sanders is talking about, widespread support among the american people. Its early but look at headtohead matchups betw