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Daily Beast columnist Kirsten Powers and Republican strategist Brad Blakeman on the 2012 GOP race.
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Now one week away from the Iowa Caucuses -- setting the stage for what could be probably will be absolutely will be a knock down drag out nomination fight.
Joining me now Kirsten Powers Daily Beast columnist and Fox News contributor and Republican strategist Brad Blake -- welcome to both -- -- So -- Brad let me start with you know.
How was this gonna play out do you think isn't gonna be knockdown drag out is -- but -- gonna be on their best -- Well I think it's gonna knock down drag out as we've -- -- a three way tie in Iowa.
Between Gingrich and we have -- we have Ron Paul.
And I think people looking Jerry.
For Romney to have that surge in this Iowa.
Caucus may just do that if if -- -- comes in first or second.
And that he goes to New Hampshire just a week later where he strong in the polls and then heads down to South Carolina after -- victory in.
A New Hampshire.
I think that's the search that everybody's been waiting for and of course the monkey -- could be Ron Paul coming at first I like.
Well and I can't tell yet yeah -- get a a look at this Brad and anything could happen maybe that doesn't happen maybe Romney doesn't take the lead who knows.
-- -- how does this set the stage for the rest of the primary season how really important is Iowa at the end today.
Well it's given an outsized importance I think -- but it does it does dictate a little bit of the story -- so a lot of that depends on of course.
Who wins in Iowa and then what happens next and in New Hampshire and I think if if Ron Paul wins in Iowa to Iowa which is just you know very likely.
And then goes to New Hampshire with that with a lot of momentum.
You know and potentially does while there comes in you know first or second unit -- you'll probably when New Hampshire may -- comes in second.
Back similar rationale for his campaign to keep calling.
You know so I think it really in and what it does to that sort of the last -- candidates is it puts them you know that the Bachmann is -- -- Have -- gay have to really place at least you know in the top four to even have any kind of rationale to move forward so it is so it is pretty important.
Well it sounds like it's decisive in -- -- of course one of the big headlines is that Gingrich is not qualified.
Act participate in the primary -- Virginia.
So Brad do you know how does that happen if you real candidate or is -- not a real can't.
It tells me that Perry and Gingrich probably never thought they get this four.
The fact that they don't have the organization necessary to make the proper filings is really inexcusable and what I find now is they're blaming the state of Virginia.
The very people you need their support to be selected they're not to blame it's the organizational failures of these campaigns.
Well it's so funny because we pay a lot of attention to.
New Gingrich in the last few weeks -- he's done so well in the polls person to yield.
Interesting reporting on -- Newt Gingrich supporting Romney care.
At a critical time it comes out that he love this plan even though is that just the opposite recently.
Does this kind of back important second are hurt him with voters.
Well I mean the timing is very interesting is that when this came out sort of the perfect timing right -- right before the caucuses.
It certainly is another blow to Gingrich is aren't even being hammered on the airwaves.
By Ron Paul.
By Romney is super pac and he really has you've seen him his numbers implode because of those attack ads this is just.
This is just gonna be another.
You know another thing that people are not -- his explanations are.
Pretty weak.
You know trying to pass an office -- as a really an endorsement it was just me saying this is pretty clear that he is.
He is embracing mandates individual mandates so I think it's going to be very problematic program.
-- says we agree entirely with the governor Romney this is a quote from him and Massachusetts legislators.
Their goal should be -- 100% insurance coverage for all Americans boy that sounds like had.
Bad endorsement today -- -- actual something like this don't understand how these politicians can.
Flip flopped so much.
Let's -- cumulative certainly people will look at this and and we'll just be one more thing to consider.
As they go into that voting Booth there were at their caucus meetings.
But certainly Gingrich's.
-- has fallen quite a bit just the past few weeks it's gonna be hard for him to overcome that.
Because after he does Iowa he doesn't have a kind of organization.
Even in New Hampshire South Carolina or Florida or as we've seen in Virginia say the money may stop -- -- organization is not quite there yet so he's really in a tough.
Buying those backers they disappear fairly quickly.
What story that is caught my attention this week that I I -- really think this is important the Justice Department.
As blocks south Carolina's attempt to require voters to have photo IDs person do you what do you make of -- story.
-- I know a lot of Republicans have been saying that this is holder playing the race card I don't I don't really see it that way the voting rights act does.
Place.
You know higher.
Restrictions on what you're allowed to do it ends in certain states and so while you can say while another state has has this kind of restrictive.
Thing like having to show -- ninety it is different and and some of these southern states which are governed by the voting rights act and so.
There always looking for discrimination and of course I don't personally think this is discriminatory.
-- But at the same time the most the people who don't have IDs are African and her kids sell.
You know it does look a lot like these these Republican state legislatures.
Who have the all the passing these lies are doing it -- sort of keep Democrats from voting.
-- at look at this and I think I have to have a photo ID two.
Drive a car I have to have want to -- a bottle wine I mean anywhere you turn in this country you have to have a photo ID.
This seems to me if you're voting for president or anything else you should have to identify yourself otherwise vote early vote often right I mean.
What it is -- people from if you don't track voting what are you get.
Track.
Absolutely -- this is another.
Evidence of a Justice Department it's out of touch and out of control whether it's fast and furious whether it's -- or whether it's denying people the right.
Two vote and make sure their vote is counted properly as you pointed out you need an -- for everything today including getting on an airplane.
There is no justifiable common sense reason.
Not to require people to identify themselves.
But the basic right which is so dear to all Americans in the democracy.
And that is the right to vote to prove you are who you -- what's wrong -- why would anybody be against that and it shows that this Justice Department.
Just doesn't get it.
Crazy talk it's going to be -- to see -- that comes out.
Thanks so much person Bratton telling him to show great job.
