and who is on 0 the short list for nikki haley to fill the seat? and breaking news from the romney campaign. you heard me right. the final fund-raising month was an unusual press release raises a few eyebrows. causes some finger pointing and reminds us of the multibillion-dollar campaign we just went through. good morning from new york city. it's friday, december 7th, 2012. this is "the daily rundown." i'm chuck todd. you should always remember this is a day that lives in infamy and if you don't know why, ask your parents or your grandparents to explain. let's get right to my first reads of the morning. as the republican party picks up the pieces and searches for the next generation of leaders, one of the conservative movements most influential icons of late and inside the senate, south carolina's jim demint, stunned his colleagues by resigning to become a full-time political activist. in effect, the ceo of the conservative movement. just two years into his second term demint is leaving the senate to become president of the heritage foundation wher

on monday south carolina gopher niki haley announced she would appoint -- governor nikki haley announced she would appoint scott, who will be the first african-american republican to serve in the senate since the 19 0's and the first black senator in the south since reconstruction. he was first elected to the u.s. house in 2010. this is about 35 minutes. >> good morning and it is a great day in south carolina. it's a historic day in south carolina, because, you know, first of all, we all were saddened and surprised when senator demint told us that he was not going to continue in the u.s. senate. but i will tell you, as i've told many people, that the heritage foundation is blessed. he will lift them up to an amazing new level. it's a foundation that i have always had great respect for, and they could not have made a more perfect pick. in this decision and process that we went through, there is no replacing jim demint, there is no replacing him. there is no one that can fill his shoes. there is no one that can really carry on that torch. and i don't -- i think that says a lot about him. i

(laughter) now the lamestream media is saying nikki haley has shut the door on my senate bid. that is ridiculous. because if getting a south car linia trivia fact wrong disqualifies you for office then nikki haley would have step down after saying this. >> what's the state amphibian. >> hmm. >> stephen: oh, how does it feel when the spike shoe is on the other foot? it's the spotted salamander. oh. you know the state dish, governor? it's revenge. best served cold with a side of salamander milk. (laughter) so nation, do to the give up the fight. keep tweeting governor haley why i would make an ideal senator using the hashtag spotted salamander. (laughter) or, or governor, governor you can end this by coming on my show-and-telling me your decision in person. or we could meet somewhere more convenient, like my senate chambers. because i will remember who my friends are. now folks, since the brutal presidential election there has been a lot of soul-searching going on at fox news. an i am confident that they vent allly will find one. now-- eventually will find one. now while many pe

governor haley, it's like picking a judge, you know? you make 100 ingrates -- one ingrate and 100 people mad at you. filling this seat had to be tough. just look at the people she could have chosen from. we have a really deep bench in south carolina, people in government and out of government. you chose wisely. if these walls could talk, what would they say? just think of the conversations that's happened in this building during the history of our state. i can't help but say the obvious. yes, you did earn everything that comes your way, tim, but this is a day that's been long in the making in south carolina and i'm very proud to see it come. now, about tim -- the payee the same. mrs. scott, i can only imagine how you feel today. all of that work and effort and apparently some whipping. i was so good, i never got whipped. \[laughter] that's not true either. but ms. scott, i just want to say that we acknowledge what you've done. and there's so many people like you in this state, in this nation, and i am sure that tim is -- counts his bles

the question is, though, we have haley barbour up next. the question for haley barbour is, he's taken a leadership role in the rnc, how do we avoid this catastrophe as republicans four years from now. you have to look at the playing field. i could tell you four years ago jeb wasn't going to jump in he thought the party was out of control. i could tell you chris christie, two years ago wasn't going to jump in. what is going to make these people more likely to jump in four years from now. you can sit there and not worry about it. for people that don't want this to continue for years, we can't. >> it wasn't pot. you're on meth. >> the question i think you can be asking for 2016 and whatever is not the players, but indeed the process. here, you can look back to the past because we know what happened. when bill clinton ran in 1992, he challenged the party. he said, you are wrong on a lot of stuff. the american people -- almost exact quote crushed us neither with their pocketbooks or security. he brought them an agenda. whoever you want to analy

haley to come up with mr. young lalague. young is a track maintenance supervisor and terry manages the entire maintenance of way division and is here on behalf of the signal crew. both of these gentlemen have been with the agency for 13 years. and we're really recognizing them for two specific projects, one of which director heinicke is well familiar with, the eureka curve track replacement project which was replacing the track that you heard updates on often at the director's request over the course of the project. very significant in terms of the basic service of the muni metro service through the tunnels and that the track had gotten worn to the point where we couldn't run. it was not safe for us to run the trains at full speed. and the diminished speed diminished the level of service we were able to provide. after the rest of us went to sleep every night over the course of many, many months, young and his crews went in and worked very efficiently, very cost-effectively to systematically replace those rails to put that pa

he is a former rival of governor haley. they faced off for governor two years ago now and haley defeated him. you know, a lot of people have mentioned him as a possible caretaker, someone who would serve two years and bow out gracefully. i don't see that. i think that henry mcmaster has political ambition. i think he wants to run for that seat. >> ain't no way that's happening. there is no way she would appoint somebody -- i just can't imagine that. if it is somebody, though from the very far right, the most conservative part of the spectrum do you think that could set up in south carolina actually a moderate democrat in a couple of years? >> well it could. you know, i think democrats have an opportunity here there is a poll that was released just yesterday. >> yeah. >> that showed that 48% of south carolina angels approve of the barack obama which is higher than the governor's rating. but that same poll shows among registered voters that number is flip-flopped 49% disproved for the president. there is an opportunities for

let's talk about his potential replacement, nikki haley might be considering. you have very strong contender in representative tim scott, nick mulvaney, barrett, nathan valentine, haley's deputy chief of staff pits. what do you think is the current horse race here? >> it's tough because nikki haley marches to the beat of her own drum and could throw a curveball. with that, conservatives, a number have made clear that they prefer tim scott. he has a very strong story to tell. he would be fective and i think that, you know, this is a topic of discussion throughout the day, senators who are appointed and then try to get elected, don't always have the greatest level of success. i don't think that would be the case here. i think tim scott would do well and get elected. but there are other options. i think it is going to -- a couple competing forces. there's senator lindsey graham who would love to see his primary be avoided, nikki haley could buy herself political help with what she does. those will be the main factors. >> thank you so much, maggie haberman. massive

states and they weren't -- [inaudible] >> well, but atwater was haley barbour's age. they were the same generation. and thurmond had an important, i mean, thurmond was around a long time. 48 years in the senate. but it's more about the fact that haley barbour is a mississippi rather than south carolina. that he wasn't in this book. any other questions? thank you all again -- yes? >> i have one question. you were criticized by a man in "the wall street journal" "wall street journal" -- >> oh, i'm so glad you brought this up. [laughter] i didn't ask them to ask this question. >> his name is lee -- >> lee edwards. >> lee edwards. >> that's right. >> who is also a biographer, as you are. >> and he's a historian. he's written several histories of the conservative movement. he himself has been a member of the conservative movement, an important person in that. >> jealousy? >> no, it's not jealousy, i can do that. but one thing about mr. edwards being asked to write that review, is that one of the things he takes issue with is i call him from his ghost writer because -- it w

and republicans are pushing south carolina governor nikki haley to make the right choice to replace jim demint. will she pick right or far right? that's coming up. capella university understands businesses are trying to come back from rough economic times. employees are being forced to do more with less. and the need for capable leaders is greater than ever. when you see these problems do you take a step back, or do you want to dive right in? with a degree in business from capella university, you'll have the knowledge to go further in your career than you ever thought possible. let's get started at capella.edu [ traffic passing ] ] ♪ [ music box: lullaby ] [ man on tv, indistinct ] ♪ [ lullaby continues ] [ baby coos ] [ man announcing ] millions are still exposed to the dangers... of secondhand smoke... and some of them can't do anything about it. ♪ [ continues ] [ gasping ] >>> with the exception of newt gingrich, republicans fell over themselves to run from todd akin after his legitimate rape comments. so why were they still giving him money? that's coming up. >>> and the supre

senator jim demint, and also whether nikki haley should replace senator jim demint. [ male announcer ] this is amy. amy likes to invest in the market. she also likes to ride her bike. she knows the potential for making or losing money can pop up anytime. that's why she trades with the leader in mobile trading. so she's always ready to take action, no matter how wily... or weird... or wonderfully the market's behaving... which isn't rocket science. it's just common sense. from td ameritrade. >>> the decision on who will replace demint falls to south carolina governor and friend of the show nikki haley. but who will she pick? let's see. you want somebody young, somebody conservative, somebody from south carolina. maybe somebody who had a superpac. wait a second. i know when i look at the u.s. senate, i say to myself, you know what they could use? another white guy. >> in the spotlight tonight, how jim demint's departure will hurt the republican party. governor nikki haley writes on her facebook wall that she will not appoint stephen colbert to south carolina's vacant senate seat. steph

haley for giving me the opportunity to lead young and also the maintenance crew. again, to reiterate what young said, it's the guys, the boots on the ground that really carry this through, that when everyone else is sleeping, they're the ones out fixing the problems and getting the project done. so, i appreciate all of them, all your crew and all of the signal maintenance crew. >> thank you for outstanding work on these two vital projects. director heinicke. >> sure. i will say a special thank you. this has been as you know, terry and young, it's nice to see you. something of particular interest to me. and i think it would be remiss if i didn't note particular interest to director beach who i suspect is smiling for a brief moment and then will continue yelling at you guys. [laughter] >> so, on that note i will say this is a very tangible and significant thing. the speed and the curve is significant. when you multiply the number of people that go through the curve, by the time lost because of that track wear, you're talking about very significant losses and people

haley if he wants to add a few words. >> director heinicke, [speaker not understood]. i heard you might. [laughter] >> we'll give it to you. >> good afternoon. actually, it's good morning to me because i work graveyard shift. to the chairman and to the board, thank you very much. i'm just up here representing the track maintenance crew which is a crew of 50. and i'm going to have to break this up in pieces and hand it to them. because as a team it's the only way we can function. one of the biggest significant things of this project we were able to do it on revenue hours which is no service disruption to the public. and those are the folks, the people at the city and county of san francisco that pay our wageses so we can go home and support our families. so, we are at a track maintenance department true civil servants of the city of san francisco. we thank you, board members for doing your job. if you weren't doing your job, we wouldn't have a job. so, thank you very much. (applause) >> i'd also like to thank the board and mr. rifkin and mr. haley for giving me the oppo

. >>> we'd like to bring you to a breaking news story, do we have that of governor nikki haley? there she is. shall we listen in? nikki haley is announcing the replacement of outgoing republican senator jim demint. >> the heritage foundation is blessed. he will lift them up to an amazing new level. it's a foundation i have always had great respect for, and they could not have made a more perfect pick. in this decision and process that we went through, there is no replacing jim demint. there's no replacing him. there's no one that can fill his shoes, there's no one that can really carry on that torch. and i don't, i think that says a lot about him. i think it says a lot about how he has changed the face of south carolina and the way that we have a lot to be proud of. but i also think that this is a new day, and it is, um, with great pleasure that i am announcing, um, that i am appointing our next u.s. senator to be congressman tim scott. [applause] many people have asked what went into this decision process, and it was pretty simple. he understands the strength that we need to ha

prospect that i will be appointed to replace jim demint in the us senate by south carolina governor nikki haley. [cheers and applause] and i am raking in the -- it's electric! and i am raking in the endorsements. for instance, when asked about my appointment with destiny senator john mccain recently said quote, "he would be a very valued member in that he seems to know everything about us, so he wouldn't have any trouble fitting in." [ laughter ] yes, i'd fit right into the senate. i love any job that has recess. [ laughter ] [cheers and applause] in fact, mccain and i are already engaging in some friendly joshing. >> john mccain, was asked what he would teach colbert if he landed the job. mccain jokingly answered quote, "how to shut up." [ laughter ] >> stephen: it's a joke, because he clearly can't make anyone shut up! [ laughter ] now mccain's wrong on one point. i don't know everything about the senate. so here now to educate me is my future former collegue, the distinguished gentleman from new mexico, senator jeff bingaman. senator, thank you for joining us. >> [cheers and applause] >> tha

>>>kki haley is holding a news conference at noon. we do at least now know one thing about what she's up to. yesterday haley released a statement saying the state would be best served by a u.s. senator who would work hard day in and day out. same quote, accordingly, i reject the option of a place holder. she is it going to be in tim scott's district, that is why there is some bubbling up there. you have to think that she may be deciding to let this play out a little bit longer and let the media attention help a little bits far as her own base politics is concerned. >>> up next, the macks are back. will be here. they both lost their races in november. find out what these spouses are saying now about the climate in washington and they disagree with how to deal with the looming cliff. what is that like. nothing public. no fiscal cliff photo-op of the day. although, told we may have to watch for twitter hash tags. yo can i help you? i heard you guys can ship ground for less than the ups store. that's right. i've learned the only way to ge

i want you to tweet@nikki-- ask nikki haley why she should appoint me to the u.s. is senate with the hashtag senator colbert. (cheers and applause) s that-- that feels right. now of course we all know jim demint leaves some big shoes to fill. then again-- (cheers and applause) but i'm not surprised that the people want me to have this honor. i've been honored in so many ways. in lego form, in ice cream, in space station treadmill, as a plush hockey mascot. which of course let me realize my dream of having drunk townies throw beer cans at me. but now the ultimate honor has come. being immortallized at madame tussaud's wax museum. they-- i know, i know, it's impressive. they have the world's biggest collection of glassy eyed fake celebrities outside of the bravo network. now -- while madame tussaud is a storied institution with 200 years of excellence, could even they capture my essence? find out tonight in. >> stephen colbert, wax on and wax off at madame tussaud the. last june i sat down with the art frist madame tussauds so i could get waxed. >> just leave a landi

nikki haley gets to pick a replacement. comedy central's stephen colbert hinted at another unlikely candidate. >> but who will she pick? let's see. want somebody young, somebody conservative, somebody from south carolina, maybe somebody who had a super pac. wait a second. [ applause ] watch where you point that thing. it's powerful. okay. >> that wandering f infinger. colbert took himself out of the running with her when he could not name the state drink which is milk. thomas roberts will be back on monday at 11:00 eastern time. "now" with alex wagner. my favorite was the stash. he looks five years younger. >> he does. i'm uncomfortable seeing david axelrod without the mustache. it's wrong but so right he raised so much money. >> he did a great job. >> we have a big show today. the unemployment rate may have ticked down last month, but will it prevent the country from falling off the fiscal cliff? new reports say president obama and john boehner are going mono mono with negotiations. ayman jabbers will join us with a live r

joining us now, former mississippi governor and former rnc chair, haley barbour. as always, thank you, sir. >> thank you, larry. >> it's hard to figure. i have been around not as long as you, but i have been around. you were at the top of the world, november 2010. then look what happens in november 2012. in the middle of those two dates is a very anemic economy. how did the gop go from here to here? how did that happen? >> well, larry, you put your finger on why the chair of the rnc has done what he's done to order a very serious in depth comprehensive, iny opinion, ruthless view of why we lost the presidential election. many of us believe we should have won. certainly we could have won. that's what this is going to be about -- technology, message. it's going to be very inclusive to let people participate in it. but you have asked the right question. and the party is going to do its very dead level best to get to the bottom of it so we'll have an answer and it won't happen again. >> did we lose some of it -- 2010 messages? for example, spending reduction, deficit

nikki haley up for re-election in 2014, lindsay gray laey grah. nikki haley has to make a decision. she may make conservatives mad if she doesn't do tim scott but if she doesn't do him and do a caretaker, chris, all the conservative action can be in that primary and maybe she doesn't get a conservative primary challenge. a lot of moving parts here. >> maybe lindsay gray lamb doesn't either. kelly, i don't want to leave the fiscal cliff out here. talk about a former senator who is making a lot of noise on it alan simpson, from wyoming. here what happens he had to say on the "today" show about who knows what about the fiscal cliff and the budget negotiations. >> these guys if you gave half of them -- gave 90% of them a profit and loss statement in one hand and a balance sheet in the other they wouldn't know how to read it. >> so, alan simpson not making himself the most popular among former colleagues. what is your sense? how well do the members who are going to be voting on the stuff understand, both what's in this deal or could be in the deal and what the consequences are? >> typica

haley. there you have it. guardedly optimistic that train service will be up and running for the usual time of the morning train service, which is around 4:30 a.m. reporting live, amber lee, ktvu, channel 2 news. >>> stay with us for continued coverage on this story. ktvu morning news begins at 4:30 a.m. they'll be monitoring the repairs, and whether they're done in time for the all important morning commute. >>> work crews are trying to salvage bine hill road near scotts valley, which collapsed from sunday's downpour. one entire lane is now missing. >> it didn't happen while i was driving on this road. i actually left yesterday for work, and came back and saw this. >> we found another man nearby repairing his roof after not one, but two trees fell on it during the storms. even as he was working, he saw a new problem. another tall tree leaning dangerously toward his home. >>> 11 people are now facing federal drug charges tonight after they were arrested in a large methamphetamine bust in the south bay. the u.s

this morning he tweeted, at nikki haley, about how i'd make an ideal senator. for one, i have no idea how many houses i own. >>> another prks pp poll shows that 44% think that jolly old st. nick is a democrat. just 28% believe santa claus is a republican. >>> and if you read only one thing this morning part of the fiscal cliff challenge for medicare is the simple math that people are living longer. so what are your chances of living to be 100 or older? it's my must read. up on our facebook page at facebook/jansingco.ew sou ps that will make it drop over, and over again. ♪ from jammin' jerk chicken, to creamy gouda bisque. see what's new from campbell's. it's amazing what soup can do. see what's new from campbell's. [ female announcer ] some people like to pretend a flood could never happen to them. and that their homeowners insurance protects them. [ thunder crashes ] it doesn't. stop pretending. only flood insurance covers floods. ♪ visit floodsmart.gov/pretend to learn your risk. [ male announcer ] can a car be built around a state of mind? ♪ announcing