florida primary

John Heilemann on Hardball: The Gingrich vs. Romney Hate-Fest Drags On

John Heilemann joined Chris Matthews on Hardball in Florida tonight to discuss the ongoing Gingrich-Romney mud-slinging contest that has torn through the state in the months leading up to today’s primary vote. “The earth here is beyond scorched,” Heilemann said. “I don’t think there’s going to be anything growing in the state of Florida for a long time.” Heilemann also noted that the ugliness had a much earlier start this year, compared to the 2008 election when it wasn’t until March that a negative ad between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama aired. This year, “we’ve seen negative ads on an unprecedented scale starting in Iowa and it’s obvious that the personal antipathy between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney is now center stage. These guys really hate each other.”

John Heilemann on Hardball: Gingrich vs. Romney