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    Does Romney connect with people?

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Welcome to another edition of special report on line I'm Bret -- if you haven't been here before welcome aboard this is where you can ask questions interact with the panel.

Vote on some of the polls that we'll have throughout the show underneath here.

Our panel tonight for bonds.

Rick Klein and Charles Krauthammer let's start where we left off on politics.

Charles Nevada caucuses Saturday.

It seems like Mitt Romney is well positioned there there's the big Mormon presence out there he's done well previously.

What about this race on Saturday.

Well primarily correctly in 2008 a quarter of the the Republican caucus goers in Nevada where mormons and Romney won them actually overwhelmingly so he's got a built in advantage.

-- in a four way race even know that not everybody's competing.

As hard down there in Nevada so I think he's sort of expected to win.

The -- you see how.

You can get it through a Tea Party appeal from Gingrich whether that would.

Have a dramatic effect remember in the matter when they have their primary for this generation 2010 it was Tea Party candidate.

Who won out over the -- quote establishment candidate so has its strong Tea Party on but I still think you have to give the edge to Romney.

I'm Jim from Arizona I would like to hear more from Charles about what Mitt should have said about the pool.

Basically you're saying he should have said.

What that they know no class difference -- that -- -- our economic program is designed to help.

All Americans we don't believe -- dividing -- some -- classes.

You lower tax rates it's not because we want to help the rich or anybody is because it's been demonstrated in the Kennedy years in the Reagan years.

Over and over again and if you do that's basically the corporate tax rate you -- an increase in job.

Creation which will help everybody including the -- we don't consigned them to a safety net existence which is what the liberals want.

Dependency you know to boast about how many people are being -- by the government.

And neither are the policies which -- -- conservatives eradicated which would also support.

The idea of a conservative economy a free market economy and its dynamic.

And people are are are rising in -- and some of them are are dropping in class.

But that we don't accept the class distinctions that the Democrats insist on and demagogue.

Rick blue lives in Tampa says Romney had better learn very quickly how to talk conservative.

I I agree with that the problem.

The -- as he doesn't have an economic program that would do the that's the conservatives are -- as one that.

You know lowers -- capital gains tax rate for people under 200000.

Which means -- -- mainly for people who don't have any capital gains I think -- -- -- -- -- other corporate tax rate that -- 25% but.

You know he doesn't have a -- -- real conservative.

Economic program that's full of incentives for investment and job growth and -- so on.

It's always -- question here -- that.

Mitt Romney is trying to straddle both races he's trying to run a general election race.

As he's running a GOP primary there's two things going on here one is that the the abundance of caution that -- he's -- right now he's out there are literally on the stump singing.

America the beautiful that is part of his stump speech Scotland not offending anyone that's -- that's my thoughts on Al Green doesn't think that well it's very it's a good point but at the the being here this is just a fascinating window.

Into the guy's mind to -- he's mindset and his policy -- they're from this.

He is not a conservative ideologue he -- -- driven by gender even I think a theory of conservative governance he's mr.

fix it and he looks at the problem he says look.

We've got poor people were trying to take care of them already rich people don't eat meat it's the folks in the middle that is the problem as he defines it -- that's how he.

That's -- we conceptualize is what he do as president and what he did as governor in the way he works is an executive.

Charles I guess the question and it comes up here people typing in you know.

People say Mitt Romney doesn't connect well.

With people and the campaign pushes back about that -- they put out and Romney and they say he connects well.

Person to person.

This sound -- even in its entirety.

Does not help the connecting well.

With people.

It's true I mean look he doesn't have a kind of attached which is I think in eight Clinton.

You know he could charm the pants -- remember you friends saying when you when you go to seemed to check your wallet.

Yeah.

An injury and taken heat resistant natural I mean they're people who haven't Obama has and in many ways.

He's sort of aloof and stiff but I mean he has a good kind of there -- -- about him that.

That in -- -- particularly the made him almost messianic.

They're selling out -- doesn't have at least if OK that's not what I'm talking about.

It's that if you listen really speech last night the victory speech.

What was the content of that a couple of attacks -- jabs on -- on Obama that's fine.

But the basic argument was I'm a businessman I created jobs I know how to do it we have a jobless economy I'll fix it.

Trust me it but but basically the biography.

But that's can only be half of it the other half has to -- I have policies which have a coherence.

To them.

And if I implement them and -- help the economy it's not just as Rick said trust me I can do this I can fix it.

That's not enough but I think Romney seems to think he can run on.

The biography of the mr.

fix it rather than somebody -- running as a Republican ticket if you want to energize the base that's not -- You have to at least learn to talk about and to outline your argument he conservative.

Terms Frankie Frankie -- says just by observing.

It seems like Brett is a Gingrich supporter and Charles is also.

How about that Charles after all over -- inlet -- -- Romney comment you are now a Gingrich supporter.

I didn't -- so many names.

I guess I I only know which ones I believe anymore and I thought I was -- -- -- -- cocktails Sweden.

Right he had no elitist and now all of a set value target was someone insurgent again I go go Fred you were talking about the plan the economic plan is their time.

For Mitt Romney did change his plan to get more to -- -- horse there's lots of time left.

He could do -- I mean Gingrich when did Gingrich come up with is -- 15% flat tax that wasn't that long ago Gingrich has a much superior.

Economic plan the -- Not well look I think Romney has to do this he needs something.

He needs some that's something a plan an argument that frames the debate you can't say it's me I'm framing the debate my biography is.

That's ridiculous.

Breaking the suggested something.

A little bit ago and that is -- he's running a general election campaign.

In the in the primary election usually it's just the opposite view of the Richard -- -- -- about this.

As a Republican you under the right in the primaries and you under the left in the general election nothing funny too.

Romney's.

Run to the senator in the primaries and I think there is a reason for it -- I think he he.

Thought and still thinks he's gonna get through with this very cautious campaign against the nomination.

And he won't have given a lot of fodder.

For the Obama campaign because he may have given some today.

Inadvertently but what that he wouldn't have to make some of these.

Wilder right wing statements that get conservative votes out.

Well this may pay off for him but it's it's certainly unusual speaking of.

Nixon wasn't it Nixon who was really than the last winner.

Who had a problem with the base in the -- He did look he overcame it it looked like Nixon had a lot of great ideas.

And and he had you'll remember in the in the year in 1968 campaign he had these.

A town hall he's totally orchestrated town hall meetings but -- the if you watch him on TV.

They look pretty good.

But I mean I'm this I'm not making that comparison button.

Is the Mitt Romney campaign that's similar to the Nixon primary campaign but Clinton -- Nixon was so devious.

That it it it's automatically get behind a pejorative when you say somebody did some bright red flag saying -- -- -- so I wouldn't say that.

But Nixon of course anyone of them you under the right the primary here one of the left of the center I -- in the general election and that's what.

Republican candidates I've usually done pre Romney.

Nixon was never accused of the common touch or charisma here.

And nobody got through and anyone that re election device -- -- that's quite a feat but it just to know one thing I don't mean completely negative I think Romney.

Can actually do something he needs to give one or two serious speeches announce them as a serious policy speech.

How to -- an economic plan.

Instead of every time -- asked about it -- the -- hasn't got seven points.

He's got a three point gets to -- you can't go beyond Trinidad's if you stop at three you've you've collapse the other ones.

Give a plan with a -- without you know sort of ideological could contours.

And then debate and then stand up and do on on I don't know -- social -- -- foreign affairs or whatever.

I think he can do that it isn't as if he has to keep winning it every day.

Outline it give a big speech and make -- -- the center point of discussion about Romney enough -- stuff.

And he stumbles on on the CNN morning -- -- Reagan speechwriter is still around.

-- -- -- Peggy -- intention cheeky and would be very good you can.

The donuts setting an example Tony Collins with -- -- -- it really allows someone like him so I guess probably will not be calling Hillary hundreds of but that.

But they could send -- an example here's what.

Well we think Ronald Reagan would say.

In the circumstance -- -- but what's ironic is Romney actually has a plan.

For entitlements and cuts cuts in entitlements and cuts in domestic and discretionary spending.

Which is actually the most radical -- the most attractive of all he gave that speech.

Embraced a lot of you'll be all right glad I won and covered a lot right it was on Thursday however -- a busy week but he never brings it out now I know that's a big enough that that's what's so amazing it's all there he's got to give it again maybe.

Yes I'm not policy haven't these gentlemen I decided to go I think can be persuasive an entry in convincing him do this from a lot of conservatives that.

Maybe he wants a Mulligan on that original tax plan maybe if you want to know I I guess.

You know that was nice in the context we have a lot of interesting things happened since then maybe you wanna trying in the flesh it out he's got kinda putting this amazing or interesting that he doesn't talk about that.

What you characterized as a great speech.

When he -- a lot of the Paul Ryan ideas he doesn't on the stump.

Talk about that because again do we get back to he's running the general election campaign doesn't want to get brutalized for Paul Ryan in the democratic attacks he's.

I am in constant demonize them so scary -- -- that that's just his cautiousness but I think it's what he's got to do because.

You know I mean that you can't do a 59 point but the plan there's behind Israel and fifty cent and -- and I.

Not trying to learn about used to being that they used to -- room like talking when Nixon speechwriter is once rumored price.

Who said they would always look whenever they put out a plan they have you know 45 or fifty points.

And you know why.

This is very cynical because the press would take it more seriously.

The more points you have.

Let America or Twitter changed and 140 carry out -- -- it's.

-- -- Ron Paul reaction from the Ron -- campaign to the Gingrich.

Legal challenge to delegate battle in Florida where he wants to the -- -- campaign wants me proportional.

Says that the RC rules say before April you can't have a winner take all.

The -- campaign says quote this is typical Newt Gingrich just like when he failed to qualify for the Virginia ballot he thinks the rules don't apply to him.

Doctor -- campaign made a strategic decision to hold resources out of Florida.

Based on the rules that it was winner take all.

Work proportional he would have campaigned hard there spent money.

Tripled our returns and one delegates changing the rules after the fact because Newt Gingrich -- like his results is simply not an option.

That's the official responsible for assaulting her yeah there -- And this is an ex list is one of the problems Gingrich is gonna have all -- all the whole time trying to consolidate support against Romney is that he's gonna get these -- Not as Ron -- also Rick Santorum a little the fact that there are 95%.

Delegates still on the table and that.

And the folks who say listen there's still a path.

Even though February is going to be slow.

In an example February is a home game for Mitt -- it starts in Nevada we talked about the Mormon population there there -- six contests that award delegates in February Mitt Romney won five of them last time around when he didn't win the nomination Arizona Michigan Arizona going he didn't win and that's as McCain was -- -- -- Michigan is is the last in the biggest -- -- the end of the month and that's his home state so.

He's -- a -- position.

That doesn't allow him to lock up the nomination but it does prevent someone else from getting a toehold it's going to be hard for Newt Gingrich or anyone else to to break -- and any of these contests in February -- of the campaign goes national with Super Tuesday so.

If you're exactly right -- -- delegates as is Newt Gingrich pointed out 46 states have haven't had -- -- -- on this he's at 46 days ago but it's really his forty time because he's not on the number about 144.

I don't know Missouri yeah.

And that's.

The horse and I'm -- this vision of each each -- 45 now 44 you to take on the number like we cal Ripken had the streak going on -- of the number.

But it's it's harder and harder as time goes -- for someone -- to catch the kind of fire they're gonna need -- and in the blowout win.

In Florida yesterday is who was a good opportunity would have been a good opportunity for Newt Gingrich to make the argument that he didn't Charles.

Rick Santorum is positioning himself -- -- the true conservative Newt Gingrich tried to be he got bombarded it became about him Santorum said and that can't happen.

It needs to be about the issues.

Is he positioned at all.

To be the fall back and time Mitt Romney camp he's got one shot and we now the results and in Florida.

Were made got buried and now in six days since -- -- better well -- -- -- had always.

He -- yes it didn't expect that this is alive it's easy what -- -- news okay let me try this again yes.

Gingrich got -- there.

I really value his last -- -- a lot easier to design business.

-- official act in Florida where it's essentially a one on one.

And now in six -- you got to Missouri contest no delegates however Gingrich isn't on the back.

So if you need -- -- he'll get his you know 10% or whatever it's a one on one that Santorum has never had against -- There's a poll that shows Santorum up by eleven.

Assume that Santorum sustained said I'm not sure if he can do he can do that and have a lot of money.

But if he does he can then say look what happened in the one on one in Florida.

Newt got whacked.

I went in Missouri in -- one on one.

I'm the guy who can unite the party -- the conservatives.

And he's also I would argue if you ended up at a deadlock.

They that Santorum is a guy that the then new Tony ends and the Romney ice could probably settle on -- a compromise.

-- I can't see.

You know of the Romney on -- reconciling.

-- themselves with a game which.

Or the of the way around so.

He could argue if he does well in a one on one on the alternative on the any Romney.

And in the end he's a guy that the party could rally around that's the case it's probably extremely improbable but you're saying it's another win from Iowa.

But it's extremely improbable you're right about that -- -- -- if -- -- in -- have -- wanted to look -- to -- you have to were Santorum did campaign in Florida.

Santorum didn't they just wanted literally -- -- and others may have and any lost.

To Gingrich 31% to 13%.

So he's the 13% guy telling Gingrich the 31% guy he ought to get out of -- -- ahead in Iowa he's got he's got the wind and you can't.

And and -- was way down there and -- 12%.

So he can argue it's a 10101.

Initially won that way but I navy can demonstrate in a -- on -- on Romney wins that mean something.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- If I mean imagine this imagine if Newt Gingrich gets the point with a negative ads just taking their total and he says you know what I can do it.

I think we should also portraits to you know what really took him but until going to be a big game -- really can't -- in Florida which is not been mentioned a whole lot.

Today.

And that is.

The testimony by Marianne Gingrich.

And I think that had to be told.

Did you see how -- I tell -- how gender gap -- Gingrich lost among women is the first company at a -- got any in any of -- -- completely credit card.

He went down to 29%.

Than it was -- -- 51% among women for Romney.

29%.

For Gingrich.

I mean -- and 22 point now gender gap may have been delayed reaction from that immediately I think it probably watched.

Well this is stunned shocked after the response to John king's question that South Carolina it was.

It was trying to figure out and I think they've they've rallied around Gingrich and beginning in the army because instructor all of the women you were.

They voted for Gingrich across the board they all -- they -- that they did but it adds I don't think it really sunk -- I think exactly what you suggesting it was that.

Tirade against John King that's -- -- carried the day and the next and the next couple -- days but.

Dropping down and I -- the 22 point gender gap.

How well would you explain it because it was the -- the first day that we saw a gender gap that's why insignificant it may have been that if you're watching that unfold from a little bit of distance not voting in 2448 hours and you process that's slightly differently.

I want I talk -- quickly Ron Paul and then -- -- -- for foreign policy.

Ron Paul says he's competing in Maine he says he has a good shot there he says he's gonna do a lot better in Nevada.

Then he did four years ago.

John Roberts interviewed him today and asked him if you don't get the nomination what's the biggest plank in the platform.

That you want to put him he didn't really answer but it was a lot of Federal Reserve and he also talked about his -- and that he thinks about his son.

Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky.

The fact that he was talking like that to John Roberts today I thought was and -- and what about Ron Paul and.

His future I think it's like Kim Jong-Il in North Korea and Assad the father -- -- he varies it dynastic succession that's gonna happen here.

And I think one of the main arguments please just didn't get this is online -- to us.

-- -- So please I don't know -- given everything I can't.

-- Communist dictator okay.

I think for him the main reason why he's unlikely to run as a third party which would be -- Is because of Rand Paul because it would surely like Obama and would be held against -- forever.

And I think he sees a future is a movement not as a fringe of the third party.

As it historically always has been which means it will never achieve power.

But if he can become an important faction within the Republican.

Party.

He passes on the torch to a new young attractive senator.

Then you build from within and I can imagine he sees it is sort of cold water reaganism it'll take a decade -- so to a and that's where I think he wants to it makes all kinds of -- he's the leader of the movement he's not going to be.

In the Oval Office 76 he knows that.

And that's why I think he'll negotiate over applying to to a may be speaking engagement at the Tampa.

But I think the -- odds of him splitting and running against her -- is pretty low because of -- is clearly have.

Fall oh yeah it is Charles nailed -- I think that's exactly the scenario to climb inside the guys had for a second.

He's running for president on -- 25 years of day you started out as this -- third party candidate.

NEC overtime he ran for years ago he's seen over time he and getting more popular more he's not a fringe candidate anymore he's actually part of -- -- came in.

You know he's actually placing he's picking up delegates he's any more relevant this year politics and he -- his political career.

And he looks at this and his son is with 47 years older Sony and -- as bright political future in the sanity can be in the senate from from from Kentucky for as long as he wants basically.

This is the heir apparent and I think Charles exactly right he doesn't he thinks it is not going to be meeting in my lifetime it's not going to be for me but.

This is the party is moving in my direction and in in his mind the country's moving in my direction I've been talking about the same things they're moving to me.

Brand is the future so that he will limit the amount of damage he's gonna wanna do to the Republican nominee if he were to run as a third party candidate blow up the election in your.

Obama another term that would be very difficult for rent for a perfect climax for -- -- -- Paul campaign is a major speech in prime time that the Republican Convention.

I'm not sure he has no bargaining power.

To get that but he's getting pretty close I mean you would have the -- threat of running as a third party candidate.

-- so he may be able to get one.

In his -- noted that Rick agrees.

With me you can just.

You want cop comedy is what you want is I didn't want to see that -- -- But I think -- of the emails and share ideas -- -- we're talking about dictators let's wrap up.

And talk about Syria.

Which has been an ongoing issue.

Arab League monitors -- now out of there because it was they were getting attacked.

The fighting continues we're above 5000 I think Charles.

On the -- dead.

What about this in the administration's response or lack of it.

I think the really important event -- -- the Arab League which generally there's nothing on that we did on Libya for the first time.

Has almost unanimous -- two abstentions Iraq and and Hezbollah dominated Lebanon but essentially unanimous in demanding the ouster.

They -- sides and in part it's because.

-- is the he's led the -- -- of the father -- the -- Syria is the only Arab country that's allied itself with Iran which is.

Non Arab.

It's also Shiite and it's a threat to all -- -- take in the gulf Arabs.

It's gonna go nuclear there are worried to death about Iran in hegemony it's been a threat since I don't know Cyrus the Great.

2500 years ago and now -- -- worried about.

And Syria is a traitor in the group and that's because the with the Astros have done it if they are -- or removed.

You become a traditional Sunni Arab nation which will no longer have this alliance with -- Iran and by extension.

He won't have Iran having a conduit to Hezbollah in Lebanon which is also a threat.

To a lot of the regimes in -- of the Arab League is weighing in here.

The west is coming along the problem is the Russians who will probably be veto any resolution we're still supporting.

The Syrians -- arms but I think the writings on the wall the increase in defections in the Syrian army is the key metric.

And if it continues the senator -- -- get those pictures of the of the of -- the roses in the in the gun barrels I think tells story of what's going on in there and I think it's that pressure more than.

And he in the UN Security -- gonna do it's going to be the regional pressure is going to be inside the country the pressure that ultimately.

And the regime -- saw that Hillary Clinton with the with the UNS top.

Lot of Saber rattling with Russia what side you want here I don't really think I think that's sort of a -- -- in this I think what's gonna happen is it seems like they -- his thirty -- right now inside Syria and inside that region.

-- have to find a place for the outside.

You know and the perfect place -- -- -- Charles you know where that is right saying Carolina but I was a -- let him know you know Korea and but nobody knows what are your -- -- with a terrible problem that when Jimmy Carter was president finding a place for the -- Randy.

Travel around to a number places finally died but.

You have to find a place -- -- if you're gonna convince them to leave.

There's got to be some place -- to -- we can't be the suburbs of Damascus for you know.

-- -- country that is working -- they've well negotiating to try to -- have a place and he decided market that we decide to fight it out.

There was a story in Haaretz last Friday amateur -- was because it was the only place I saw Israeli daily where they say that the Assad.

The family the wife and some of the kids had tried to leave Damascus in the convoy was stopped and had to turn back.

They were on the way out of the country if that is true -- probably if it were what you would have seemed -- from other sources.

But I think there would be a movement for the process of trying to protect themselves away some of the Qaddafi is yet handed out into -- -- him.

But in the end here's the problem is such a tribal regime.

It's an -- -- to real regime -- 10% of the population.

Who have oppressed and dominated the Sunnis for a half a century.

There is going to be real revenge and that's why I think you may -- -- -- -- and because I think Gallo writes -- that if you're gonna win here somehow -- -- massacred.

Because there's nowhere for -- -- -- to go.

So when you look less -- when you look at Libya and you look at Syria and you look at administration policy acting in Libya and not in Syria.

Is there and disparities.

I think Elizabeth is -- disparity there but -- observed about where.

Qaddafi was.

A couple of months before.

And I -- that point win aren't we need the US and -- and we've provided.

No fly zone waited.

Provided support regarding transition to NATO.

I agree with child so this is a fight to the death then I think -- are sons are going to be the people doing the nine US get involved in anyway.

I think clearly is a disparity that I think I think the -- the President Obama handles foreign policy and and that's the most presidents would do with this way I think it's.

To take the situations and look look exactly how it is here there's in the doctrine that you're setting in deciding.

It's it to be to intervene militarily one way or the other yet to decide what the consequences are what region we're talking though at a neighborhood were talking about.

How rational the actors are on the other side I was down just gone by -- -- the speech that I don't wanna see thousands of dead bodies is piled up in mass graves.

Were there that's right but at the end game is if the end game is the same if we if we if that's the point is ending the Asad regime.

And you get there and in a different way I think present a lot of happy to be judged that way.

I -- Obama.

-- -- will be used to be constructed in theory.

Under which he would intervene you know we are you the bodies because if it weren't feeling that we're applicable -- should apply nasseria.

But the problem is geography number one.

-- along the beach on the Mediterranean with easy access from the west series and more -- second the Russians have a presence -- military presence.

They have sort of and they lived a small one -- In in northern.

In one of the northern ports which is in -- a wide area.

And I think and that's why you don't want to mess with the Russians you can actually have a conflict and Iraq and you've got to run as well and also.

The Syrians have the serious military aside -- -- whereas.

You know Qaddafi had a rag tag.

-- -- -- Soldiers Syria has a very strong army -- which if he -- into a conflict with outsiders can actually be effective.

So I think from all of those perspectives you know -- get involved militarily but.

He supports the guys the military defectors who are in Cherokee.

Our supporter you -- in arms and ammunition.

And let the Syrians.

Liberate themselves.

Okay on that happy note we're gonna wrap up panel thank you very much this is desperate report online every Wednesday night join us of course -- week day.

Weeknight 6 PM eastern for special report on Fox News Channel.

We'll see you next week control room of about.

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