Page 27 - Mark Haleprin News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Important issues we have by playing petty personal politics. can we set aside that newt was a member of congress and used the skills that he developed as a member of congress to go out and advise companies. and that's not the worst thing in the world and mitt romney is a wealthy guy because he worked hard and he's going out and working hard. leave that alone and focus on the issue. >> it didn't stop there. good morning, everyone. it's friday, january 27th. with us onset, we have msnbc contributor mike barnicle, msnbc and "time" magazine political analyst mark haleprin, as well. welcome, everyo...

Somebody in the white house said to me this week that voters need some encouragement to sort of get back to backing obama. there's enough evidence in the poll to suggest that americans do want him to do well despite so many pockets of resistance. and i think the sense that americans feel like the economic situation's going to turn around is what they're really banking on as he asks for more time in the electorate. >> mark haleprin? >> there are fresh numbers that show romney opening up a lead in florida. certainly the conventional wisdom is romney's in a commanding position. what's the scenari...

Kerry. we know how that turned out. the damage that's been done to romney in the -- for the general i think is something that is going to make it for -- it's going to be -- if he gets out of here, if he's the nominee, he needs to wrap this up early. i don't think he can afford a long primary. >> no, i don't think. and mark haleprin, though, if either pick tim tebow plus 33% as the v.p. -- >> hey, joe -- >> they carry colorado, they carry florida, a lot of other football-loving states. >> all the way. all the way with that left-handed throw. >> what is that? >> i'm all about tebow. >> that's a ...

He's not aggressive, when he's not hitting out really hard. and romney was especially sharp last night, relentless, never backing down. that's showing some fire that he hadn't shown in previous debates. and it's that combined with the money he's putting on television between him and the super pac's a pretty good combination. >> also, mark haleprin, really strong performances by mitt romney and rick santorum. >> and those stood out as much as gingrich being bad. i've got to say romney was very good last night, but the campaign -- the romney campaign did go after gingrich in south carolina until...

Good idea. >> so in massachusetts -- just so we understand. in massachusetts, everybody is mandated as a condition of breathing in massachusetts to be able -- to buy health insurance. and if you don't, and if you don't, you have to pay a fine. >> first of all, it's not worth getting angry about. secondly, the -- secondly 98% of the people have insurance. and so the idea that more people are free riding the system is simply impossible. >> what a great debate. great conversation. that was a little bit of a misstep, but he still won. welcome back, everyone. >> yes, ma'am. i'm going -- we just got...