Face in the News: Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders gain momentum heading into Iowa

WASHINGTON (CBS News) - This week on "Face the Nation," Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump shrugged off the prospect of former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg entering the race. Democratic presidential candidate, Sen Bernie Sanders (D-VT) responded to criticisms that his campaign was too "idealistic," and showed optimism about his chances in South Carolina. CBS News Elections Director, Anthony Salvanto also appeared on the broadcast to give analysis on the newest CBS News' Battleground Tracker.

During Sunday's broadcast Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump was asked by host, John Dickerson, about the prospect of former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg entering the race.

"I would love it." Trump said adding that, "He's very opposite on me with guns and he's opposite on pro-life and he's opposite on a lot of things, so I would love to have Michael get in the race."

Trump also defended the comments that he made at a recent campaign stop where he said he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and would not lose any voters.

"I have people that are so loyal," he said, "These are people that just won't leave, they will not leave. I love my people. And it's a great thing. I mean, it's a great thing. Far greater loyalty than any other candidate."

On the Democratic side, we spoke with Vermont senator Bernie Sanders who responded to criticisms that his campaign was too "idealistic," calling the critique unfair.

"To say that we should make public colleges and universities tuition-free and do what many other countries around the world already are doing and pay for that on a tax on Wall Street speculation, that's not a radical idea."

The Vermont senator also spoke about his optimism in his campaign showing confidence in his chances in states like South Carolina, where Democratic frontrunner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has a demanding lead.

"I feel confident that if we can win here in Iowa, if we can win in New Hampshire and those are going to be tough races, I think we stand an excellent chance to win in South Carolina and in Nevada." The Vermont Senator said and added, "I have been to South Carolina, we have a lot of momentum on the ground. I think we're picking up more and more African-American support. Frankly, I think we can win there."

Our interviews with both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders made news in USA Today, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Daily Mail, The New York Post, Bloomberg, Slate, International Business Times, The Wrap, Newsmax, AP, The Hill, Politico, The New York Times, CNNand Mediaite.

Finally, CBS News Elections Director, Anthony Salvanto, joined Sunday's broadcast to discuss the latest CBS News; Battleground Tracker. With voting in Iowa starting in a week, the Battleground Tracker shows Trump regaining the lead in Iowa with 39% of the vote. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) comes in second at 34%. On the Democratic side the Battleground Tracker shows that Sen. Bernie Sanders had had success linking Hillary Clinton to Wall Street with 91% of Iowa Democrats believing that Sanders would side with regular people over Wall Street.

For more information on our newest CBS News' Battleground Tracker click here.