So who are the republicans turning to . Turning to lead their bold, new plan. The ayes have it. Priebus is elected chairman. Huh . Huh . Thats how they started . With reince priebus, the same guy who helped get them into the mess . But, okay, lets give them a chance with their bold, new plan. Whats at the top of the to do list . Weve got to stop being the stupid party. And im serious. Its time for a new Republican Party that talks like adults. Its no secret that we had a number of people that damaged the brain with offensive comments. Stop being the stupid party. Okay. Okay. I can get behind that. Whats next . Weve got to compete for every single vote. 47 and the 53 and, by the way, any other combination of that that adds up to a hundred percent. And Newt Gingrich agrees, im for 100 percent of the American People believing that they have a party that cares about their future. Wow. What a vision. What an amazing, groundbreaking idea, including all americans. But okay, its an idea, at least. What other changes do they have in mind . Gingrich says we need to learn to be a happy party. Imagine that. A party with leaders that arent so grumpy. Im liking this. So how do you plan to get this done . The task before us now is charting our partys future. The good news is our principles are sound. Principles are sound . Theyre sticking with the same, failed principles. What about the renewal . The 100 percent . The happy people . What exactly will you be changing . We can standby our timeless principles and articulate them in ways that are modern. And that, i believe, is how well achieve republican renewal. Theyre going to change by renewing the same druestructive policies. Same principles, different message. Maybe its time to go back to step one. Weve got to stop being the stupid party. On second thought, good luck with that one. Joining me now is Melissa Harry perry. Did they not get the message . Any time you give me a chance to talk about my governor, bobby jindal, who, on my place, we use a hash tag, fbj, forget bobby jindal. This is a man whose policies in the state of louisiana have created a Voucher Program that increasingly sends children to schools that teach creationism. This man, who was a biology major, who understands what basic, scientific principles are, is sending children in a poor state with underachieving schools to school that are teaching them with state dollars. When he says stop being the stupid party, that is pure rhetoric. As you heard there from priebus, theyre not talking at all act a core change in how this party actually plans to govern. Theyre just talking about a cosmetic difference. Hes also not teaching in some of those schools, siensz oh, yeah, as the science course is creationism. Yes, thats exactly right. E. J. , when you look at reince ps reince priebus, opportunityism working on voters but the same policies, i mean, do they get it . I think the newer slogan is dont worry, be happy. That happiness would be nice compared to what we have. He did say the party needed to be more welcoming and inclusive. The problem is that that takes them away from having to think about what actually failed them. Mitt romney got in trouble because a lot of people had already come to believe that the Republican Party was primarily a party of very wealthy people and was only interested in cutting their taxes. They lost the latino vote because mitt romney talked about self deportation and the party of blocked immigration reform. And the African American vote was going to go to president obama. But they jammed it way up with their Voter Suppression effort. Theyve got to think more about fundamentals and not just organization. And, melissa, will you look at the American People, 68 say its unacceptable to cut medicaid. 66 disapprove of the gops negotiation over tax. What they are selling, the American People are not buying. Theyre in denial. Theyre acting in fact, theyre saying that what we have is fundamental principles are right. Were just presenting it wrong. Its not the content theyre saying its the package. No, its the content. You know where this is going to get really real for people on the ground . Are these republican governors who are going to continue to try to block president obamas Affordable Care act that is going to now finally start taking effect on the legislative term. Now what were going to see is in states that are allowing the health care changes, that are doing the kinds of things that are allowing the medicaid extension, youre going to see a dramatic impact. And then in states like Bobby Jindals where theyre standing around the school door with Health Care Reform and have fewer k no, maamic opportunities and cant grow in their hospital sick tors and all of that, nen ythen youre going see part of it is about the social policy. But the other part of it is their social policy decisions would have economic consequences. They are going to feel it in their pocketbook. You know, e. J. , something was telling when the senator announced it and he wont run for reelection. And took a shot at his own party. Now, this is a conservative taking a shot at his own party. Well, i guess i agree, by the way, with melissa on the health care and people trying to block it. But let me be a little opt mystic here. I do think there are republicans who do know that the substance matters here. The republicans knew they couldnt fight president obama on the debt ceiling. They should have just extended it sbeerly. I think there are some republicans who learned some lessons who broke with the party to vote with aid for the victims of hurricane sandy. So i think this sort of meeting is sort of the top line of people wanting to say its just organization. But i think below that, there are republicans who know their problems run deeper. I dont doubt that, but i think that the bad signal is, for example, how are you going to say youre going to have change reelect the same chairman in reince priebus, who we learned this week, had clint east wo easts empty chair in his office. To have that as some symbol that you want to recognize other than if you use an example to show how you lost an election, how dumb we could be. I mean, what can you ree lek elect this guys chair . Look, we are in a twoparty system. But the parties recon fizz your themselves. So, for example, there was ultimately a moment when the party shifted and where those democrats had to find themselves a new party. And we may be looking at a Republican Party that was similarly in a position where its going to have to shift between those who are going to follow a reasonable path. Theres plenty to disagree about in the land of reasonable. Its fine to have a con sefbtive party. E. J. , dion and Melissa Harry perry, thanks. And have a great weekend. And remember, watch Melissa Harris perry saturdays and sundays at 10 00 a. M. Here on msnbc. Ahead, the right wing plan to steal elections pops up in another state . Why is the rnc chair sigh lent. And then the sheriff vowing to defie president obamas gun laws. I have a few questions for him. And he missed the inauguration. But willard is in washington today. And he made some news. Theres a Big Friday Show coming, so stay with us. Even this i can stand i want to keep you any way i can aint too proud to beg, sweet darling dont leave me girl dont you go aint to proud to please baby please dont leave me girl dont you go oh, oh, oh looer nobody insures more bikes than progressive. Do you guys ride . Well. No. Sometimes, yeah. Yes. Well, if you know anybody else who also rides, send them here we got great coverage. Its not like bikers love their bikes more than life itself. I doubt anyone will even notice. Leading the pack in motorcycle insurance. Now, thats progressive. Call or click today. Aarrggh . Have you joined the politics nation conversation on facebook yet . We hope you will. We asked our facebook fans to give advice to republicans on how they can stop being the stupid party, as bobby jindal suggested. Sydney said its time to care about others. Dred says the gop needs to explain how their big business views can help the average man if they can. Joy says start by helping the mirn people, which is what you were e lelected to do. We want to hear your advice, too. Please head over to facebook and join politics nation and like us to follow the conversation that keeps going long after the show ends. I did not want to think about that. Relax, relax, relax. Look at me, look at me. Three words, dad etrade financial consultants. So i can just go talk to em . Just walk right in and talk to em. Dude, those guys are pros. Theyll hook you up with a solid plan. Theyll wa wa wait a minute. Bobby . Bobby what are you doing, man . Im speed dating [ male announcer ] get investing advice for your family at etrade. If we took the already great sentra apart and completely reimagined it with bestinclass combined mpg and more interior room than corolla and civic and a Technology Suite with bluetooth, navigation, and other handy stuff . Yeah, that would be cool. Introducing the allnew nissan sentra. Its our most innovative sentra ever. Nissan. Innovation that excites. Now get a 169 per month lease on a new nissan sentra, plus 500 bonus cash. For the men and women in big cities and small towns who fall victim to senseless violence each and every day. For all the americans who are counting on us to keep them safe from harm. Lets do the right thing. More than a month after the shootings at sandy hook elementary, president obama is ramping up the pressure on gun safety. Vice President Biden went to virginia today, the first stop on a National Road trip to push new gun laws also, today, the president nominated a new atf dprek tor, byron todd jones. Hes one of the 23 executive actions he signed earlier this month. But some republicans vow to block him. Arizona sheriff is one of several sheriffs promising to defie the federal government and refusing to obey any new laws. He wrote a letter to the president saying, im writing you this letter today to inform you that any law or regulation created by an executive order, which is contrary to the constitution of the United States of america and what it says shall be deemed as unlawful and shall not be carried out by myself or my office. An officer of the law refusing to carry out the law. Interesting. Well, joining me now is that arizona sheriff, paul babu. Sheriff, thank you first of all for being here tonight. Its my pleasure, reverend al. Now youll defie the law if it violates the constitution, but what gives you the authority to decide if it does that . Well, my oath and that im the top Law Enforcement officer of my county. And where were talking here, and this is what i put in parenthesis, that letter or law that circumvents the ledge slative process. The last time i checked, we live in a republic with democratic principles and you cant just write and sign an executive order, especially in matters of constitutional consequences and infringe upon the rights but the president ocht United States is in power to give executive orders. Like he did today. Thats not unconstitutional. My question was what gives you the right. I mean, youre not a Supreme Court justice, are you . Well, my oath actually says, and this is my 20 years in the reserve component, the military, i swore an oet to obey the lawful owners ahead of me. A law, a legislative bodty has to pass, and then the president signs. We all learned that. This is a process. And to think that, es spispecian an issue, yes u its emotionally charged. But what i am saying is the president cannot and should not unilaterally say with the wave of the hand this is what were going to do. First of all, the president has made some proposals to congress. Other things hes issued an executive action and certainly, thats within the law. But what im saying is that you said you will be the decider of what jou thi what you think is constitutional. If every Law Enforcement person decided that they think theyd do what was constitutional, youd have anarchy. Theres 3,000 plus elected sheriffs. Im the Third Largest county in arizona. I have to enforce the law. We enforce laws, whether i agree with them or not. But these are not laws. Who determines theyre not laws . The president by executive order, that is not a law. What i am saying is here, these restrictio restrictions, especially not in our constitution but guaranteed rights and liberties for our Second Amendment freedoms. Tell me how these orders violate constitutional freedom. Well, many of these orders, theres 23 as you pointed out. Well, grif me one of them. What the president is talking a and now president finestein is embodying, and this is the right approach to talk. Well, most americans would agree that yes, we should have background checks. But this idea to think that were establishing another law or a regulation somehow is going to make america safer. Youre not telling me how it violates constitutional law. He appointed the head of the atf by executive order. Are you telling me thats unconstitutional . Not at all. So youre going to decide what executive order the constitutional right has to do. Its all right with you that he did atf. But its not all right with you it becomes something you disagree with and you hide behind its unconstitutional . Heres the difference. The most important person in the land is that of private citizs. When we have guaranteed liberties and freedoms, when the president believes he can infringe upon those rights and opportunities, thats unconstitutional. Tell me the executive order u again, im asking for the second time, that vie lates that privacy. He doesnt in those 23. Why are you writing him of acting like a king and a dictator. You said you defie that youre going to do it. But what im asking you, pointblank, to give me an example, you say he didnt do it. So what is the letter about . On the web sielte, he talks about what he plans for legislation. So youre not talking about executive action. You mean if he proposes gislation that is voted by the congress, youre going to defie in that case. The very laws that the congress may vote on . Not at all. Thats what im encouraging the president to do. You just said hes going to do it. Legislation means it goes before the congress. Thats what legislation is. Heres the thing. What weve seen, and i put this in the letter, as well, and you read, that our experience specifically here in arizona when it came to fast and furious. Theres hi pock ra si here. Its not just the mass murders. Youre trying to go fast and furious away from the issue. You just admitted that he is proposing legislation, which is the antithesis to him being a kings king or dictator. I can only assume that you did this to raise an issue to get some attention. You dont find anything about the executive order to if thats the route he takes, that would be great. I think i think i think i agree with that hes going to legislate. And i think that is not what you can call a king or a dictator. I think that is what hes proposed to do. And youve admitted that. So i dont think all of this saying that i am going to defie you amounts to much if you cant tell me what is unconstitutional youre going to defie . Well, this is the whole approach hes taken on countless issues. Even with the immigration issue. The president , on one day, says he doesnt have the authority and a year later, he did exactly what he said he didnt have the authority to do. And youre the sheriff . People actually depend on you to protect them. Exactly. Thank you, again, sheriff. We actually enforce the laws and you should enforce the laws and not try to interpret the laws. Thats what we have judges for. Stay ahead thats what we do. Still ahead, mitt romney tells the gop, quote, im not going away. Holy cow, is that a promise or a threat . [ male announcer ] citi turns 200 this year. In that time thereve been some good days. And some difficult ones. But, through it all, weve persevered, supporting some of the biggest ideas in modern history. So why should our anniversary matter to you . Because for 200 years, weve been helping ideas move from ambition to achievement. And the next great idea could be yours. Plays a key role throughout our lives. One a day womens 50 is a complete multivitamin designed for Womens Health concerns as we age. It has 7 antioxidants to support cell health. One a day 50 . Yeah, so last week we had a Surprise Party for our dear friend, lizzy. Surprise surprise surprise surprise we totally got her [ male announcer ] when you combine creamy velveeta with zesty Rotel Tomatoes and green chiles, youll get a bowl of queso that makes even this gettogether better. Guess whos back in the nations capitol . Mr. 47 himself. Thats governor romney carrying his own bags through the airport after arriving in washington today. He couldnt show up for president obamas inauguration four days ago, but he has no problem making it in for a lunch in his honor. He and anne were the big guest of honor at a party just blocks from the white house thrown by hotel chairman and good friend bill marriott. And everyone in attendance left with a party favor. Some pearls of wisdom from the party itself. He began by telling everyone in the crowd, we lost. Huh . We lost . What is this we . Im pretty sure he lost. But, anyway, romney went onto say im not going away. I will continue to help. Wow. Hes going to continue to help. Its christmas come early for the democrats. I wonder how the republicans reacted . Huh . Oh, im hearing we have a video of the reaction from the actual lunch. Its important. To be honest, i was the one doing the weeping. Ive spent my whole life chasing the american dream. Im sorry, governor, that was the big takeaway from the luncheon. Then, if thats what it was, people left with heartburn, not doggie bags. Is this the last thing the republican wants . Oh, sure, its pretty much the last thing. Its a ritual they have to go through. Losing is a short, sharp goodbye, usually. He may say hes not going away. The truth is hes not going anywhere. Unlike john kerry and john mccain, he doesnt have an i