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Democratic National Committee Executive Director Patrick Gaspard speaks with Alan about the payroll tax cut battle and the 2012 presidential race.
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Welcome welcome Patrick gas card to -- microphones executive director of the Democratic National Committee.
As he reelection campaign kicks into gear.
What are you looking at Patrick I mean from one minute it's noon the next minute it's now back to may be Romney -- seem to be in free -- What -- the campaign thinking in terms of likely opponent.
Well first of all think -- so much for having me on -- great it's only at this stage.
So what authority and it has been all -- traits we've had.
-- that the leader Republican field everyone from.
Donald Trump the soapbox.
Even changed.
Yeah I think -- while they been although from people all over the map there our president has been consistent in the consolation is that with American and I'm excited.
To be able to report.
That we already have one million activists who have -- and for a campaign.
And more out there are considered armed and family in the papers about the pertinent message about the economy.
We have to be -- that's three and they're all American.
Yeah well in terms of -- -- in the economy and who it.
Are you gearing up to face a particular opponent the open I mean the rumor as you keep your envoy there -- Gingrich's CB easier to -- -- clearly when you strategize you gotta be considering who the opponent -- What you know of course.
You -- we have to our look to see -- taking -- on the other side but I will tell you that this president's ready -- Stand up and debate wherever emerges from that.
From from backtrack from that contest for both candidates who further and further to the right to appeal to their people to craft.
Been just just give the day.
Mitt Romney stood on that stage of the debate in the credit that he had no right here.
The president auto industry rescue what doubts -- for Americans and not say that the people -- folks from the midwest.
Know that while Romney would have allowed them to go bankrupt -- -- The president's decision save one point four million American auto industry jobs you've got someone like Newt Gingrich it was the that the kind of gridlock that we're seeing.
In Washington DC today it was kind of like.
And chief progenitor -- -- so whoever emerges there is gonna have a lot of work to do to appeal to the -- -- Middle class Americans -- just trying to make ends -- -- -- -- -- -- president.
-- speaking about their values and their interest everything.
What bothers me about the auto issue is that they keep repeating.
The falsehood.
That you know which is socialized takeover of the auto industry which is not true people don't seem to be educated about the -- -- the General Motors paid back well in advance.
And -- lot of people don't seem to grasp that and that's troubling that they don't have the facts.
Let's say general won't take it -- well in advance and every single worker who would lead off in the downturn of the -- -- streets.
Has been put back to work -- actually expanded.
Their payrolls and there are folks -- not -- just.
Are -- direct industry -- -- being -- our industries that are benefited immeasurably.
In states like Ohio and Indiana and leisure as well so.
By the president's incredibly deeply proud that the cost efficient that you made there.
Americans have benefited from it and -- ultra you're out.
Whatever happened in that Republican contests whatever happens in January 3 in Iowa I know that we are all going to wake up and generate export.
And we're still gonna have the best organize.
Our deepest infrastructure of any of -- -- campaigns and candidates.
We're gonna take very -- -- our conversation.
To the American people are all that we Don I'm education reform.
-- -- purest -- look at the announcement that we got this week you know what the Republicans are government of the war troop congress right now on payroll tax.
Just a few days ago we removed all to combat troops from Iraq all troops from Iraq and we got.
An announcement in the actual window from an independent analysis that showed that two point six million young Americans.
Have access to quality -- Jared did not have war and the consequent.
Let let's talk let's talk about the payroll tax a minute because -- been all over the place first it seems like he one of the deal.
That he said he's not gonna take the deal is like nailing jell -- to a wall this idea that the patty do you negotiate.
When -- the goalposts keep changing.
That's that's right well you know -- the end of the day I think that done they -- the Kipling culprits of the livelihood of typical middle class families and put a thousand dollars back.
I mean to let their pockets you know speaker Boehner as you just said.
-- and cold and it's still a good deal any victory.
And -- it will two with a program will be it's gonna Republican supporting it 90% goes by the show that.
Moving this thing -- and you know how difficult it is to get to those kind of numbers.
But when he couldn't.
So it to keep political hardliners think -- put it hardliners that.
Romney and Gingrich have been moved back was to appeal to right now teaching his mind -- he's gonna instead risk.
That tax I don't -- sixteen million Americans in this economy.
It makes -- -- It seems if Obama wants that they don't want it to Obama would have flip -- they flip -- I mean it just amazing and -- That's that's right of course the president wants to extend the payroll tax -- for an entire year.
By we should pack two of extinction now assistant in instituting -- they're getting taxcut.
But now of course Republicans are coming on through well through much of a long enough even though they -- to be higher.
In its original.
Seven.
-- -- in the numbers by the U 46% of likely voters said he's -- lose 41% say he'll win.
51%.
Voters say he's the failure.
Or not very successful.
37% say an -- successful when you look at these polls.
And this is all in the hill over the last day or two.
What what what's the reaction of the of the campaign to that can.
What -- Alabama -- organizers certain numbers seem reluctant to me and I'm actually encouraged by other numbers that we're seeing today especially when.
-- matchup this president against any of the likely.
Republican nominee for you consider.
That at the height that the president's popularity into better than any you captured 50%.
The vote it's clear that there are some deep partisan divide -- books of the country.
But this president has a way.
First speaking through that and and and an appealing to -- So our American values and I'm confident that they'll be able to do that in this contest as well and I'm also emboldened by numbers like a million.
You -- contributors to our our campaign -- -- conversation that we can't repeal question black activists want to look at.
Iowa I know that are organizers have already palpable without intriguing and -- fashion house parties.
And phone -- can be -- or for bulk order of a 1000001 on one call.
Complications would oversee not so while the Republicans are in Iowa having.
They're like twelve contests -- using this as an opportunity.
Try to organize -- deep in the conversation.
And assure that -- over the -- for next year are we're gonna have a winning hand try to so great about the numbers particularly since.
This is a democracy and at some point folks to vote and it's a comparative exercise -- you -- the president will do extremely well.
Do you see a main narrative of this campaign or does that narrative emerge and evolve as the campaign goes on.
You know I I will say this from the moment that Barack Obama was organizing the shadow of closing steel mills.
In Illinois.
Two the moment -- that he went and interest joint session of congress.
Few months ago on -- the question of emerging jobs Zach great to -- through his speech and Kansas City.
Here that.
Fact candidate and this president has been.
Focused.
Entirely.
On the question.
Where this economy is where it's gone over the course -- glass that -- decades.
I in America the group a group of wiping gaps that disparity in the sense that -- -- -- working hard.
And playing by the rules has not always been well -- cry.
By a bad back and those were top -- and this government.
The district and is looking to create a level playing Drupal will be asking what that means arid areas.
I think are clearly.
Economic fairness -- they'd be big bird tracking part of the conversation and jokes fairly good considering the fact that this president.
To its policies has grown.
Host three million jobs in the prior restrict over the course of the last when LaMont.
When you think about all the ways in which folks have demonstrated.
From Health Care Reform education reform consumer protection reform sport control -- actually -- That we -- -- adventure of all Americans and over time.
Will bring the kind.
Measure of stability that we need to have a great American troops -- in total.
Patrick I've seen you as you know in action your community organizer and to me that's a good thing Jesus was community organizer I've seen you -- address the crowd and I -- I know the numbers are important to you and motivating people to get out to vote import -- -- motivate those progressives who might say.
The dream wasn't fulfilled he didn't do all the things we thought he's not as progressive as we thought you know that's an issue among some on the left had to get those people to the polls.
Absolutely wolf first don't think you're -- you're generous description of my of my qualities I will I will tell you.
Then as we get around this country its president leaves Washington DC -- -- Stratton Nevada and Florida and Ohio Iowa.
That -- actually seen a real -- energy -- -- limitations that they're progressives after.
For the change that he he promised was delivered on and -- -- real change means.
Stating.
All of from the combat in Iraq -- promised.
Bringing.
Real.
Massive change to our help your system didn't two point six million young people on the rules were not -- before.
Real change to me Allen looks like ending Don't Ask Don't Tell in the spirit in -- -- for years.
Republican opposition you -- to me.
Looks like somebody who stand up and say despite the poultry despite what Boehner and interstate and -- Mitt Romney I'm gonna go out and I'm gonna.
Make sure that the American automobile walker has -- fighting chance to provide up to their -- so.
I think they're real change looks like all of those promises made and and promises kept.
And you can tell sides passions.
And both thoughtful way in which city president carry the conversation the American people to ineffectual -- this speech.
-- actor intent Stewart tried but are these issues home and away.
That I think walked or not just aggressors sparked.
Anyone who were armed and it's concerned about the long term strength and vitality of -- American enterprise.
Pentagon appreciate the opportunity talk to you once again -- get chance to do it again before the campaign is over thank you out of your great if you aren't thanks very much betacast far executive directors -- DNC with him and.
