Video: Have rivals? attacks on Romney backfired?

>> let's bring david gregory in. moderator of "meet the press." good morning.

>> good morning, matt.

>> it seems there is conflict and confusion. some of the candidates aren't sure of the record they want to send out.

>> they think it's hurting them. they are hearing the chorus saying, don't do this. it does smack of desperation and something else. there is no alternative to romney . the best they have is an alternative idea which is not a separate narrative from what romney 's offering. simply to say he'll have a problem against obama because of this issue. it's become complicated by even gingrich saying, i'm just asking questions. you know, this is part of the mix. i'm going to attack him for being a conservative. none of this is helping one alternative to emerge to challenge romney .

>> what adds to the confusion is while the candidates may be saying one thing, the super pacs are clearly saying something else. i guess the question is what are the people of south carolina going to believe?

>> well, they have to believe both and they have to believe it's all one message, even if you are not supposed to coordinate. if you're newt gingrich you're saying one thing on the stump, backing off the bane bashing for a day. that's going to go on and voters will see it. you see the evidence of what numerous republicans have been talking about. consolidation around romney . establishment support around him. leading conservative figures. jim demint , the senior senator who is all but endorsing him by saying he doesn't have a problem with him and some of the attacks are a mistake.

>> he did endorse mitt romney in 2008 . to this date he has remained neutral. i agree. his defense of mitt romney leads us in that direction.

>> no question about it. could he tip the balance? he could help with social conservatives . he did endorse romney in 2008 against john mccain who only won with 33% in 2008 . with a splintered field you look to see a potential result along the same rylines if romney doesn't do better.

>> we talked about this. not only do the attacks hurt him in the primaries but if he become it is nominee they could spell trouble in the election. to that end look at the ad or footage released by the dnc. we'll talk about it on the other side.

>> governor romney enjoys firing people.

>> there is a difference between venture capitalism and vulture capitalism.

>> is it too soon to tell what sort of gift they have give to barack obama and his campaign?

>> it may be a stocking stuffer at this point. we know it will be a line of attack the president will use. i think romney , by the time of the general, will be well prepared if he's the nominee to take the issue on and make it part of a broader question about the economy. there is no question that the president will pick up this baton and run with it.

>> who do you have sunday on "meet the press"?

>> newt gingrich on his final stand in south carolina . also the majority leader of the senate harry reid to talk about the year we'll see out of washington. i will add my voice, too. happy 6-0, matt.

>> we are the second longest running show behind your program.

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/45984292/

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