Will smile and a handshake help Obama find common ground?

>> is the man who beat allen west in the 2012 election, florida's democratic congressman patrick murphy . sir to great to have you join us.

>> thanks, tom.

>>> president obama will be traveling to capitol hill for the third time in as many days. he's going to meet with senate republicans and then house democrats. republicans like john boehner say the charm offensive fine, where is the leadership? listen to what congressman barney frank had to say on morning joe today on the personal relationships.

>> i think the personal is he -- i put this. bad personal relationships can make things worse, good personal relations can make things better.

>> do you think the smile and handshake campaign will allow the president to find the common ground with allen west types in the republican house?

>> there's no question that relationships do count. i've seen it internally within the freshman class. on both sides of the aisle, we've focused on getting to know each other and each other's families. it makes a real difference. it's a lot tougher to call someone a name when you know their wife's name and kids' names. i'm not saying that would work with all members. there are some that are stuck in their ways and never going to compromise. by and large, there's a group in this freshman class. and i think a growing number that do want to compromise and where those relationships that sort of outreach that the president is doing now will make a difference.

>> as we talk about that outreach, the latest numbers from an abc news " washington post " poll, it shows that the president's job approval rating has taken a hit over this. do you recognize that's an opening for the gop to take advantage of?

>> i haven't seen those numbers. the fact is, the president is doing what he should be doing. it's making the tough decisions, it's putting everything on the table. explaining to the republicans that he wants a balanced approach. that's what it's all about. you talk to any economist out there. you talk to any business owner . they understand that. before you get our fiscal house in order, which is what the focus should be, we have do it in a balanced manner. that's what the president is trying to do. he's trying to build these relationships. if his ratings take a hit right now, i think they will come back in a couple years. not that he has to worry about it, of course. that's a major short term role, the long-term picture is what matters.

>> as a newly elected member of the 213th has your shiny optimism come in to make changes, has that eroded at all once you get inside that bubble of the beltway?

>> there's no question, i'm still in that honeymoon phase where everything is exciting and enjoying the challenge. there is a group of people in congress on both sides of the aisle that are trying to make a difference and compromise and make the tough decisions. when they want to put everything on the table, that's saying something. there's also a group that perhaps aren't in it for the right reasons. most people know the difference. but there is a growing group of people willing to make the compromisement i'm part of a group called no label. doesn't matter republican or democrat. it's about finding solutions to the problems we have and not demagoguing and pointing the finger and blaming others. let's move forward.

>> congressman patrick murphy . thanks for coming on.

>> thank you.