vacations. >> it's a hard sell for those republicans to go home and say, well, we're for this tax cut, w but two months isn't enough. i think many constituents will say, we'll take the two months and in february you'll renew it. >> there are real-world consequences to this that will affect people in districts and people will living paycheck to paycheck and this will matter. >> no doubt. >> and i think at some point republicans are going to recognize that it's better for them to at least go two months and negotiate from there. >> dana milbank, thank you. sam stein, thank you as well. coming up, three new polls show newt gingrich and mitt romney tied, literally. and now ron paul is facing questions about racist and anti-gay remarks printed in his political newsletter 20 years ago. that's ahead. you're watching "hardball," only on msnbc. bolo snakeskin boots sequin costume under things stiletto heels skinny jeans houndstooth snuggie pork pie hat oshkosh socks 5% cash back. right now get 5% cash back at department stores. it pays to discover.