The Republican race is beginning to look like a horror film – with campaigns coming back from the dead to terrorize the establishment.  Who will be left standing?  Take a look back at the week as we ask, “What just happened?!”

On the show today: We'll dissect last night's debate for clues as to what will happen in Florida this coming Tuesday; we'll discuss the immigration issue that has attracted attention in the Florida State primary (and take a look at an interview Jose Diaz-Balart had with Romney yesterday); Michael Hastings will help lead the discussion on foreign policy (he's just released an acclaimed new book on Afghanistan, The Operators); and of course, take a look at the week that was and answer our favorite question, "What Just Happened?!"

> Patricia Murphy, The Daily Beast/Citizen Jane Politics (@1patriciamurphy)

> Michael Hastings, Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone/Author, “The Operators” (@mmhastings)

> Hugo Lindgren, Editor, The New York Times Magazine (@hugolindgren) 

> John Heilemann, New York Magazine/MSNBC Political Analyst (@jheil)

> Jose Diaz Balart, Telemundo (@jdbalart) 

Conventional wisdom says Mitt Romney won the debate last night, and that Newt Gingrich continues to falter when he's the clear front-runner.  Regardless, last night's show are this morning's trends.

Magid CPI: GOP Race: Romney and Gingrich face Florida's Hispanic voters days before high-stakes primary; 'Welcome Back Kotter' actor Robert Hegyes dies from suspected heart attack; Costa to offer 11,000 euros to passengers on Concordia 

Google: republican debate; gop debate; saul alinsky 

Twitter: Newt Gingrich; Florida; Finally FRIDAY

YouTube Politics: Ron Paul Supporters Heckle Rick Santorum 

Billboard (Hot 100): Set Fire To The Rain - Adele; We Found Love - Rihanna Featuring Calvin Harris; Good Feeling - Flo Rida

Billboard (Ringtones): Sexy And I Know It - LMFAO; Red Solo Cup - Toby Keith; It Will Rain - Bruno Mars

To the moon!! This picture says it all -- Gingrich and his grandiose plans to colonize the lunar landscape!
Picture via BoingBoing.net

Here's our take on what the NOWists think a Newt in Space Presidency might look like:

There's a new NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll out this morning, and it paints one of the best pictures for President Obama in nearly 7 months.  This as the race in Florida is in a statistical dead heat just days before the Jan. 31 primary.  Meanwhile, one of the candidates (guess who) says that he'd have a permanent base on the moon by his second term as President.

We'll take a look at the numbers and the rhetoric - plus discuss the role of independent voters.  They have historically played a huge role in Florida, and this year is not expected to be an exception.

> Ari Melber, The Nation/MSNBC Contributor (@arimelber)

> S.E. Cupp, NY Daily News Columnist (@secupp)

> Linda Killian, The Wilson Center/Author, “The Swing Vote”

> Ben White, POLITICO (@morningmoneyben)

The President today has events in Nevada, Colorado, and Michigan - but it's his exchange with Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer yesterday that's getting attention.  That and more are trending this morning.

Magid CPI: Obama in testy tarmac exchange with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer; Penn State to pay tribute to Paterno at public memorial; New iPhone 5 rumors hint at summer launch 

Google: jan brewer; seal team 6; gabby giffords 

Twitter: Howard Dean; Essential YouTube Channels; #iUseToThink

YouTube Politics: Newt Gingrich Manhandles Heckler at Rally in South Florida 

Billboard (Hot 100): Set Fire To The Rain - Adele; We Found Love - Rihanna Featuring Calvin Harris; Good Feeling - Flo Rida

Billboard (Ringtones): Sexy And I Know It - LMFAO; Red Solo Cup - Toby Keith; It Will Rain - Bruno Mars

The White House has maintained the President is not watching the debates or paying much attention to the Republican primary, but we found a number of veiled shots President Obama took at Mitt Romney in last night's State of the Union.  Take a listen, and hear what our panel had to say after:

How did the President go from being optimistic three years ago, hopeful for a post-partisan Washington, to what we have today? As Ryan Lizza explained, "One party has moved further to the right, than the other has moved to the left."

What do you think?

Good morning! We're live today in Washington, following President Obama's State of the Union message. It wasn't a campaign speech but it was made pretty clear last night that his new populist rhetoric will dominate his re-election message over the next few months.

Joining Alex from DC today:

• Bill Burton who heads the pro-Obama Super Pac, Priorities USA Action
• Our very own Sage of Capitol Hill, NBC's Luke Russert
• Ryan Lizza, of The New Yorker - and author of this must-read article about Obama's Post-Partisan Presidency
• Phil Musser, Republican Strategist

Plus -- Hardball host and friend of the show, Chris Matthews

And -- fresh off his controversial recess appointment, President Obama's Consumer Watchdog Chief, Richard Cordray.

After the jump -- A great picture just released from the White House this morning

All of the focus on Mitt Romney's taxes and his time at Bain had us wondering why there hasn't been a closer look at Newt Gingrich's past -- especially his time as House Speaker.  We've heard about the ethics investigation and the marriages, but how did he get to Congress, what were his "big ideas" at that time, and what did he accomplish?  A series of Gingrich "doodles" released in a 1997 House Select Committee on Ethics report and posted by Slate.com tell us Newt's "primary mission" -- a list that includes "arouser of those who form civilization" and "leader (possibly) of the civilizing forces." 

Also, what does January 21st mean to Newt Gingrich?  It's the date he won the South Carolina Primary this year...as well as the date he was found guilty of ethics violations as House Speaker in 1997.  Check out our segment on the Book of Newt!