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Is one of the GOP candidates a spoiler?

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    Basil Smikle Jr. and Flip Pidot discuss the inter-candidate politics of the GOP race

  • Duration 11:01
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This transcript is automatically generated

I want to get to some of the polls the recent polls -- Rasmussen polls that we always.

Like to bring you the latest here we have President Obama vs the GOP feel -- -- This this really hasn't been changing -- you can see -- there Obama if he goes against Romney 4348%.

Romney.

That is a change 45%.

Against Santorum -- thoughts on us.

-- this the best Romney's done against Obama since I think December I think he got two things happening won the president's numbers are starting to -- -- gas prices move higher and higher.

Two I think now for our fellow ratings and -- they've it has angry -- seen an increase from January but they start to pull back on the last week or two.

Perhaps again as as gas prices continue higher but on the other side I think also we're now seeing slowly but surely.

This consolidation.

Within the GOP primary field around Romney so I think some of that sort of inevitable coming home that's long been heralded.

Of those that may have scored on the candidates is now translating into some slightly stronger numbers for Romney vs Obama and general.

As a -- I absolutely agree I think -- -- the Republican.

Parties at a place where this thing.

We we understand -- started going on here with the conservatives -- -- -- fight that out.

But Romney's got to be our guy he's too he's.

Two times the number of delegates that that Santorum -- very.

There yet he's got about let's say forty -- 54 delegates Santorum.

217.

Gingrich a 107 for Ron Paul -- -- I think there is incidents and I think they're starting to.

Get their minds wrapped around Romney being -- god and what that allows you to do is it allows you to.

Start to conceivable if they have -- ready.

-- books are to execute some ground campaign -- coordinated media campaigns and really talk about what's going on down ballot.

As you get into as you move into the fall and that's where you really start to see the party really Begin to.

Get its ground troops out and then in and then people start paying attention.

You know -- -- -- -- Wall Street Journal article I think they sent it to you.

Talking about you know how how Romney is finding himself within striking distance of with an Alabama and Mississippi.

You've got sandstorm you've got Newt Gingrich -- as if both during the race looks like neither one really is going to be able to -- -- delegates.

To kinda overtake Romney.

At this point.

-- Santorum has he hasn't come out and said Gingrich.

You don't get out but basically is suggested but you know the playing field should be found to need.

And Mitt Romney in Gingrich has said he's not going anywhere -- he's going all the way to Tampa.

What what's really gonna happen here do you think yeah I mean he's -- tough talker and usually backs up what he says.

He does and of course with with super -- backing.

Close he can afford his his plane flights from one state to the other there's there's there's no real impetus for him to.

To get out at least until the -- national hue and cry from the Republican base from the establishment become so severe that.

They really can -- it anymore I think if Gingrich certainly if he doesn't win either of you know in the severe Alabama.

The so called southern strategy -- really not have any credibility even if he just winds one.

It's going to be pretty hard printed to suggest that even he envisions any credible path towards towards even for a brokered convention is Romney continues to.

To gain an outright majority of the of the delegates and with the three way tie shaping up the way it is it Gingrich could well lose both Romney could one of winning both -- The only -- and I think what's interesting is if you look at.

Some of the arguments on the left over the number of years we had Ralph Nader sort of being that's where we're -- general elections taking -- of those precious votes away.

Some -- things happening on the Republican side in this primary among conservatives not quite to the same degree because we still not at the general election but.

It's this it's this notion.

You know why -- Who's who's the spoiler in this it's not even.

It's not a good Ron Paul at this place for kids if it doesn't like -- Gingrich can't argue against.

-- oil companies like into.

You know within the group the Republican -- to very.

Viable credible.

Candidates but just not not really at that level of -- in terms of delegate count right now.

And what's what's to be also very -- Is that you have you read this fighting really for the soul of the party to these folks that are fighting for the so really the ideology of the party and and one that's really just fighting to get through this primary and get to get to be the beat Obama.

Opponent.

When -- -- you know talking about the delegates and everything mathematically according to Lindsey Graham.

This thing's over do you agree essentially with that and his at this school are saying here.

Yes I I think -- either -- interest Santorum would need seventy some percent of the remaining delegates coming from 2030%.

If it seems like -- an insurmountable deficit especially with the overwhelmingly proportional.

Allocation of delegates.

It didn't really essential often points well if you combine the Gingrich -- or vote we'd be winning more states.

So far though the only major ones that would have swung would be Ohio and Michigan -- -- were key races but again that assumes.

Say Gingrich had been the one to drop out it assumes all of the Gingrich for we're gonna Santorum.

They make credible argument a lot of it may be most of it would.

But some certainly would would go to Romney is well is he's certainly the second choice to at least some.

Some voters that support Gingrich Santorum so you might not even be able to say Ohio and or Michigan would have swung into another camp.

And of those the only ones that that.

Having a one on one race would've changed.

It you're still left of Romney being perhaps not be.

Overwhelmingly prohibitive favorite but still -- record that still the favorite is still probably in the an outright majority -- holder.

I do you think America is not here for these for the other candidates it's it's the works -- Romney.

Right now and I think ultimately the money's gonna start to run out and talked about Criss crossing streets.

The money is ultimately going to run out probably for Santorum Gingrich about social.

And what policies and his insistence it.

That's -- that's -- -- got a problem that's this rumpled but ultimately there's going to be a question look you know we we need to start putting money behind.

Not just you on an ideological.

-- I think -- and to get the guy we need to get this guy.

Two to the primary through the primary and start spending money on the ground going door to door that's you know the focus should have to shift today for the -- -- we haven't because of the fact that this this field still hasn't narrowed down there isn't one definite I mean that you can -- you can argue with that but.

On -- you know there had been talk that dean's anti about as far as the -- vice presidential.

-- on the -- I mean we're hearing perhaps Rick Perry Newt Gingrich.

I mean it you know it is the time to start talking about that and you would you think would be throated that would really be -- in the hall.

Didn't -- -- hoping that Perry is his ace in the hole would not campaign.

I'm not so sure they're they're both southern candidate say it may be -- to -- last hail Mary attempt to lock up this so called southern strategy.

But then where does that leave them going forward a little further concert concentrated in the south so that he could pick off.

Through three states but still -- much.

Much more national appeal the Perry campaign came back and that something like they're flattered but this is premature and they always like they always say right ever in the states in the race and it it is typically.

Premature.

Folks floating different names but you don't really and here -- coming out and saying especially with without the VP.

-- on board with the announcement that this is intended running -- so it does seem.

A bit like a desperation play whether it actually helped swing and in.

In some of the southern states I think is unlikely what what would be the -- Would go out there that would to strike fear in the hearts of Democrats.

I mean I think I have my.

We'll be Chris Christie Chris Christie ahead.

But to.

You know if -- the candidate you have to northern Republicans are just don't know that I think Christie is would be included campaign.

And he sort of thing you know what you need to be it -- -- a vice president's kind of like dog -- but some might well come.

-- -- -- That's great -- that the question is does that.

Ultimately bring you the kind of enthusiasm among southern Republicans that you really need.

Because you have these two northern Republicans that I want to see Christie's -- moderate.

But I I just I just don't know if that really works and -- don't need someone that's going to lock up a number of -- that you just that you haven't been able to get.

That's just conservatives but it -- case and independents where Obama is losing traction.

And by the way we -- know a lot of you folks are following us on Twitter right now and involved in this conversation let us know do you think you know might be.

Somebody that you think would sort of change -- -- -- vice presidential candidate vice presidential running -- another Rasmussen Reports poll what's more important when choosing candidates.

37% say the best job representing GOP values is the most -- and -- 56% say the best chance to be President Obama any surprises here.

-- really -- whenever first term presence running for reelection the election is.

By and large going to be a referendum on their.

First term and so in the opposition party you'd expect to see be the -- -- -- factor being ousting the the incumbent.

Rather than even if it's candidate they're excited about these aren't usually mean is this are very and typically strong note.

56% that's like a pretty high percent this.

I don't think it's too overwhelming especially without the -- the field fully consolidated -- see those come a little closer together.

As Romney.

Since it up but but so I wouldn't be surprised to see that did the and electing Obama number.

Being larger than and they getting their candidate and that's don't have.

We -- and then I think it's things as we move towards convention you see the numbers shift a little bit but and -- talking about very specific issues but.

You know there are very do you think those numbers are where -- -- -- -- -- from Richard.

-- US ticket Allen west.

-- -- -- Think -- -- but I don't think that's speculate on the map that it's gonna happen I don't think it brings him anything equipment.

That's I think that's what you need vice president.

Are -- here's a question of the day by the way as well should you need an ID to vote.

Let's see what everybody's saying here -- the -- my results page.

Yes no not shores.

Well we have that can you guys -- not up.

Okay take a look at my computers slowing down release agency yes 95 safe as.

A little Clinton say no and I -- there's a hash mark of the not sure mark not to show.

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