it that next step and say he doesn t believe in the american people is a tough charge. that s a good question, chuck. i would say this simply that i want a president who believes in the american people that we start putting the focus on what the american people can do for themselves and not what the government has to conclude on their behalf. that s a very strong distinction and my distinction was that we need a president who believes more in the american people than he does in the size of the federal government in order to protect the american people. let me go to south carolina politics here. i know yesterday in an interview with npr you said you were down to two or three candidates. are you any closer, did anything happen that made you say, you know what, i m with romney or santorum or newt? i have not made that decision i m going to need the next 24 hours. this is a photo finish that at
mistake by playing so hard in south carolina where romney finished fourth four years ago? last night in an odd moment rom think ended a strong answer, anti-washington answer, by losing his train of thought. now you asked me an entirely different question. beats me. i don t know. where are we at, john? well, he lost track there of the debate question but as the campaign losing track of where they should be heading? nathan gonzalez is the founder of politics stereo.com and contributor for roll call. jen sake is a former communications direct or and susan page, washington bureau chief for the first newspaper i read this morning, usa today, because it s right in front of my hotel door. nathan, i want to start with you. you have done a lot of
now before the south carolina republican primary. and since last summer tim scott of south carolina has hosted each of the presidential candidates at town hall forums with the exception of ron paul. he s seen them up close and perm but hasn t endorsed anyone yet. instead, kept his focus on president obama. here is representative scott at the southern republican leadership conference yesterday. why aren t we upset about a president who does not believe in the american people but he believes in socialism? congressman tim scott joins me now. before i get to south carolina politics here, i really am curious if where you re coming down to, i know you re down to two or three candidates, only four left. it s the one guy yes. it s the one guy that didn t show up to one of your forums. that s a tough charge on the president. you don t think he believes in the american people, this is a philosophical difference about size of government but to take
it was important to set the record straight. is this how you re assuming this campaign is going to be about where it is going to be constantly having to respond not just to your republican nominee but to these outside groups? well, todd, i think that fundamentally this campaign is going to be about who is prepared to fight for economic security for all americans, and if i could, todd, i want to quickly commend you for challenging scott who was on the air for the way in which he went after the president s americanism. i think at the end of the day all americans, democrats, republicans, independents, are tired of that kind of divisive brand of politics. folks want to know in very, very tough climate who is fighting on their behalf, who will make sure the next generation can be as successful as past generations have been and i believe that when they pause we finally have a republican nominee and they re able to see all of the ways in