The Republican candidates, Donald Trump and the President

Hour 1

Newt Gingrich’s surge in the polls has both parties worried.  Democrats are concerned that despite his baggage, Gingrich is more capable of tapping into the anger of Republican voters than any other Republican candidates. At the same time, GOP leaders are worried that Gingrich’s history and his unpredictability could hurt their chances of beating Barack Obama in a general election.  In the meantime, Gingrich is busy building his campaign operation and raising much-needed money.  And last week, once presidential contender Donald Trump mixed things up by announcing he will moderate a Republican debate on December 27th. Gingrich is in, Michele Bachman and Rick Perry have yet to commit, and Romney and Ron Paul have declined to participate.  Heated words between Trump and Romney and Paul have ensued. On Tuesday President Obama channeled Teddy Roosevelt in a major speech in Kansas, long considered GOP territory.  He called the current debate over taxes the “defining issue of our time.”  Has the President made the case that he is the candidate who will most appeal to voters on the issue of economic fairness?  What’s behind Newt Gingrich’s rise and what does it mean for Republican chances to get their candidate into the White House?  And what is behind Donald Trump’s power within his party?   We’ll pose all those questions to our guests MOLLY BALL of Atlantic Magazine and TIME Magazine’s JAY NEWTON-SMALL.

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[audio: 120811_100630.mp3]