Nightly News   |  November 06, 2011

Surveying the political landscape

CNBC’s Chief Washington Correspondent, John Harwood weighs in on how serious Herman Cain is as a candidate.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>> washington correspond john harwood . john, cain had been, as far as the pundits, they said he didn't have the organization, they said he didn't have the staying power . they went after the 9-9-9 tax plan and now this. and yet he remains at the top of the pack. has he been underestimated?

>> reporter: yes. he certainly has been more durable, but as iowa and new hampshire draw closer, we're about to find out whether he is merely a curiosity candidate for a party playing the presidential field or somebody who can win real election when voters are serious. to do that, he has to beat candidates with more money, more organization, or both.

>> what is the view from the white house for the president in his re-election bid? he would like to have a newly signed jobs bill clearly to take on the campaign trail with him. is he going to get that?

>> reporter: odds are still decent he'll get something he can call a jobs bill, specifically an extension, perhaps an expansion of payroll tax cuts. speaker boehner said today his relationship with the president had grown frosty. the differences between the two parties are huge. but when a democratic president proposes tax cuts for every american, not easy for republicans in congress to hold out against that indefinitely.

>> john harwood , thanks very much.

>>> want to let folks know you and maria bartiromo will moderate a republican presidential debate wednesday night on cnbc.