to an already red hot fire. we will get into that at the top of the program. and it is the question that makes or breaks presidents who are running for re-election. are you better off now than you were four years ago? we have surprising new poll numbers that are sure to make the white house smile if you believe them. plus, mitt romney now says marco rubio is being vetted to be his running mate. but was romney forced to say that after being caught flat-footed on the campaign trail? and the jerry sandusky trial. defense rests without calling sandusky himself to the witness stand. finally, mitt romney's dancing horse is the inspiration for some horse play by stephen colbert. ♪ more of that in the side show. we begin with president obama invoking executive privilege against house republicans. pete williams, of course, is nbc's justice correspondent.