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Special Report Online: 3/21

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    How Ann Romney helps Mitt's presidential campaign

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Welcome to another edition of special report on line I'm Bret -- if you haven't been here before.

Welcome aboard its place we can type in your comments and questions into the middle section right here.

And we'll get to them don't worry if you don't see them right away producers are putting them in by the second thousands of U.

At least hundreds of you are typing in.

Every second we're back -- panel Steve Hayes Mary Katharine Ham.

And David Drucker oh we are.

Going to do a little segment right here at the top that I didn't get to in the regular show which was about the wives James Rosen piece of the wives of the candidates the GOP candidates and we had infinity.

Text to -- to a question in which and Romney.

One that vote on her 43 wedding anniversary.

James Rosen -- peace talk to and Romney.

-- -- It's -- hard road to city on this and for me.

To be able to have someone there that loves and that cares for him that encourages him.

That's where I feel like -- not had the most important piece in the boys do the same thing they're just terrific.

They're emailing all the time of calling all the time they're giving us encouragement all the time.

They know they know it's hard and so it's wonderful to have loved ones around you when you're going -- this.

And Romney -- campaign has used her.

I'm pretty effectively to intro Mitt Romney at almost every election night.

They clearly think that she's an asset America I think they're right -- -- you can see it just and that little clip she's warm she's engaging she has been.

Connect stability that -- Thank you for Allegra really are that Romney is not able to Muster sometimes and I rolled them on spouses generally.

If if you're John Kerry and your your spouse happens to be the one person less likable then you are you don't use that -- company.

And your -- your wife is great it's been -- -- the hammer out there on the trail them Steve.

Yeah I think in dehumanize is is an overused word and discussions of presidential candidates.

But I think she does that to him I mean that we -- you could -- I think it was at a debate he took -- question.

And he gave an extended answer on her and his relationship with her and and her her illness and I think Chris Wallace's interview on FOX News Sunday becoming an emotional talking about that right at rappers have yet to tie at the time when you get into a window into Mitt Romney that you don't usually see when he's sort of his rehearsed stump speech self.

Spouses.

On the trail of sort of become.

Not only in an accepted part of campaign politics but almost a necessary part.

And allow unit if your spouse is really good on the stump you -- almost been two places at once as we know and -- is going to be in Wisconsin tomorrow.

It won't Mitt Romney's in Washington.

And she's.

Really good at it.

And because of that has been and me is an asset to his campaign that his competitors have not -- And you know like I mean I've watched spouses over the years and summer passable and -- -- okay and some have decent moments.

She's strikes me as a natural campaign -- And particularly maybe because her husband just isn't.

It's noticeable that that this is one of those cases where.

If she's that good and I think he needs her.

-- if he's gonna get through this thing beat him in you know we -- we talked about this earlier it.

She does for him what he can't do for himself.

Williams just look at the text and does it -- running does not often -- the 65 mark when he when -- we -- people -- and he doesn't sort of create that kind of -- -- -- and she clearly does -- -- from Florida says I agree and Romney fits the presidential First Lady persona.

KH from Ohio houses and Romney rocks shall be a fabulous First Lady.

Brian in Nevada agrees she's awesome.

You know Dick Cheney had his first heart attack back in 1978 and we ran for congress for the first time after having served as chief of staff in the Ford White House.

Lynne Cheney stepped Dan for a couple months on the campaign trail -- literally did all these events for -- he was.

It bedridden for the beginning part of -- many of them spent the rest of -- in his backyard -- Nixon biography.

But Lynne Cheney was out on the campaign trail and and he says quite seriously he talked -- about this.

The number of people he heard from who said she is better.

On the stomp then you are.

And I don't think it was just a lot and I think she was very -- so we've seen this before.

-- Pluto and -- George says wives have such an influence it is pertinent.

Others say let's move on.

A leash as a common question here where's Charles.

-- we get a lot.

And don't hold it against David that he's sitting in this particular position.

Because -- Whoever sits there when -- and here we get the tax and the tweets -- like who's sitting in charles' chair and only -- and yeah.

He got -- he is giving a speech and town he will be back.

I think it's Friday we'll be back for it.

Okay but that's not to diminish the fine -- -- panel that we have.

Let's let's talk about.

What are the chances that.

This thing you know despite the Etch A Sketch.

Back and forth today that Illinois change the dynamic.

That Illinois I was it was a turning point in this race.

I think most people are looking to Wisconsin.

As being that point if Mitt Romney wins Wisconsin.

Or for example Pennsylvania.

Coming up at the end of the month those are two.

Killers for Rick -- Rick Santorum has to win Pennsylvania the same way Mitt Romney needed to win Michigan.

And I think that while I still believe this race is going to be devoid of momentum.

And that.

Candidates are gonna continue to win states and -- states that on Paper we expect -- to win and lose meaning Santorum wins Louisiana.

Saturday and -- and in my opinion no momentum come out of that that will have to -- the dynamic.

You Mitt Romney will win Maryland etc.

It so I think that were were.

You know on our way to a Mitt Romney is the nominee in all this race has been strange and weird and I've been hesitant to make.

Predictions for that reason I look at delegate math adding up and I don't see.

Anyone doing anything to change -- the the overall dynamic of the race sucks that they can overtake him.

And and it's you know it's one thing when we're -- you know South Carolina and Florida and even early in February when Rick Santorum shock us all and end.

Did something really special but you know the closer you get to the finish line.

The more it really just becomes a question in my mind of will Mitt Romney sort of be seen as a as a strong nominee or at least a pretty you know a guy going into the general some momentum -- will he be seen as a weak nominee who's limping -- cancel the exact.

Right radios as I'm still trying for it Charles nomination.

Krauthammer 2012.

Can I have a seat then -- -- -- -- the -- Rose says Santorum and Gingrich are coming off his spoiled sports -- and I guess when you get to the point we're mathematically it's it's almost impossible.

Running on a campaign of preventing someone from getting to 1144 is a different dynamic then.

I can get to the number myself yeah and all these guys had to be careful about -- has been careful about it they should event.

Telling people they should get out of the race because there's a real sense -- among conservatives that what we're having this fight for a reason there is dissatisfaction of Mitt Romney and that's why we're having this discussion.

What you do get to a point where there are a lot of winner take all situations left where you're gonna get a lot of delegates and it's hard to rationalize for -- -- where I also think Santorum.

As we -- unfortunately for some.

With his backing -- stature in 2004 is -- party player he will he will play ball and I'm not sure that he wants to be eight.

Prevent or all the way TV and I'm not sure how well that place.

-- for all this back and forth and I'll get a lot of emails or comments that this is you know in the tank for Romney.

The people who vote in primaries.

Are.

Motivated they are motivated voters is not the entire Republican.

Possibility of of voters.

All of those when we analyze these exit polls we focus on the ones the very conservatives.

In the exit polls the ones who have the problem with -- round trip but in the big picture.

Over the big spin on things doesn't he look pretty strong even after some of these states where.

We've focused on the conservative -- where are we focus on the consumers for a reason I think it's important to explain why we knew that if Mitt Romney starts winning the very conservative voters it's over.

I -- the -- has done so.

That's why at a time so you -- if you -- Tea Party support but I've never had that his high watermark on Tea Party support came last night it -- and oil and only 2%.

For for strong Tea Party supporters now he's done well with the generals Tea Party supporters in the past.

But he's never done that well among the strong Tea Party supporters so maybe you know is that progress does that from the beginning of a trend.

We'll see that's the reason we spent so much time -- Look I think he comes out of this process weekend I don't think there's any question about that a lot of the things that people -- the reservations that people have had.

You know -- we've we've seen this in evidence today with the Etch A Sketch with CNET with a very poor -- for the reservations that people have had.

They seem to have been validated in certain respects that's not to say that he couldn't.

He's done himself some good he had to go through these things that he was going to have to go through it was in the general election -- primary in certain key battleground states states that will be battleground.

In November if he's the nominee or whether he's the nominee or not.

He's had to put together an organization he's had to actually get people to the polls he's done a lot of other things you would have to do.

In order to win.

A general election.

But has moneys -- he's had some gaffes you.

-- types and the control room as biased for Romney not putting up my posts.

Okay Randy we I just read that one type away or put another one and there.

Is there any chance David that.

That there may be some point.

Soon.

And maybe it's even as soon as next week in and the decision in Wisconsin Maryland and DC.

Where Santorum and Gingrich for the good of the party.

Do the statesman like thing.

And say we need to unify.

We need to step aside we need to get behind this nominee -- have as much time to raise money.

And to go up against President Obama as possible or is it too.

Has -- gotten to a point where it's too negative to get to that point.

I just feel.

My gut tells me no my gut tells no he's not gonna happen it's not gonna happen first of all I think that there might be -- least with the speaker.

And this is pure conjecture but I think the speaker in some -- can't believe he's losing to Mitt Romney.

And I think that Rick Santorum.

Having come on lane after all of that work that everybody ignored and and smell victory.

Isn't ready to pack again and I also think that.

People all the time do things for the good of the party but there's also an element of self interest there which is natural.

But both of these guys.

If if if both of these guys have already been in office the speaker.

Mean his best days are behind him -- that he 68 he was already the speaker.

It's not like he's looking down the road to some future run -- position.

And I think with Rick Santorum he spent sixteen years in congress so while he's young enough.

To what degree is he really worried about what's next.

And I think really what it's gonna take -- for Romney to close this thing out and I think the key state would be Wisconsin.

And even though the very -- -- And it not only just the good of the party thing but also -- what's next thing you know if you push it to a point where it gets so negative.

That it's and he ends up being the nominee anyway.

What how does that benefit Santorum and Gingrich in whatever they're gonna do next whether it's -- incorporated.

Or Santorum on the speaking tour or whatever.

I just don't think they lose.

In that arena by staying and and yet that's what they have the -- time America.

I think for so they both believe genuinely that -- more conservative alternative becoming the nominee even though it's through -- means I think that would be for the good of the party so that's.

Part of it.

I always say ever -- -- they're gonna take it to the convention that's sort of the standard line but don't to kind of believe.

Newt Gingrich more -- him again I have doubts about Santorum and I feel like he's more like it felt like a little bit of a team player and maybe win.

Would make that decision.

It would take something like a -- and.

I feel Rush Limbaugh said today maybe the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney is -- round that's what they thought -- years ago.

As we sit today on his radio show and he's in the Santorum.

At least -- you're not backer but.

Yeah we you you know the question that the question all along has been given the changes in the schedule on the proportionality -- the reasons that.

Candidates who are not leading have to stay in.

Wouldn't will any of these candidates these non Romney candidates have this moment when they say are -- this just isn't gonna happen I'm not gonna get there.

I'm not gonna get there -- contested convention.

And now the time that I need to start getting comfortable with the fact that I've savage this guy for several months and the savagery goes in all directions it's a tough primary.

This guy that I've been very tough on I suddenly can embrace him.

I'm not sure there's that moment in part because.

The delegate math -- meanwhile certainly favors.

Mitt Romney and Larry Stabenow has put -- the likelihood of his that being the nominee in 80%.

Is it it is still possible that he would not get.

1144.

Delegates that I don't think it's possible at this point one makes predictions in this election cycle.

Is hat -- -- -- it was with great caution.

It seems virtually inconceivable that either Newt Gingrich -- Rick Santorum.

Could get that number.

By June 26.

Their past 7%.

Threatened yet seen -- matches 3% with Dunlap is my seventh time -- and makes it right something.

And I think Illinois put king sandstorm yet to win 70%.

Of the remaining -- on the table Brett was virtually inconceivable so you've got to campaigns that are as you suggest basically running -- -- is is -- not strategy we want to keep him from getting to 1144.

And we think we can't as long as they think they can they stand.

I know but I mean it it explaining that to people how that benefits.

The Republican Party and making that case gets increasingly tougher by the -- Doesn't depends who you're talking to -- if you're talking to conservatives who never come around.

The Romney he's very conservative voters who says he's just not going to be my guy.

It you know this is the paid I think this is the debate about the entire primary is can he win those voters and it goes back the question you asked earlier.

That's why we focused on on -- group.

Yeah Jeff W says I wish I could Etch A Sketch a -- the last three plus years of this president and administration.

The Etch A Sketch of -- who's gonna catch up.

Oh how about this this is what is your favorite old school -- The slinky is is winning big time in the in the voting.

Okay let's talk a a little bit about Paul Ryan and this budget plan.

It's getting hammered from Democrats.

It is.

And that's not surprising.

How does this affect the giant big picture and even the presidential race.

-- Well I think on the one hand in it.

Quality in its sense end up being the budget plan that Republican nominee who runs on and because we don't have a nominee now.

It means that the only budget planning any arena really he is Paul Ryan's budget plan.

What I'm curious to see is will conservatives.

Off of Capitol Hill grassroots conservatives.

Rally around this thing today we saw the Club for Growth criticize it and they criticized pretty hard.

And the last time Paul Ryan put out a budget which is considered politically courageous.

And a lot of people question whether it was Smart given we knew was gonna die in the senate not go -- -- you're gonna support something that's politically you know.

Could be damaging in -- have nothing to show for it there was no.

From what I can tell real sense of grassroots.

Support off of the hill.

Rally today as saying hey this is.

The best thing we've got whatever you're gonna say less -- and so are we gonna see that this time where you just gonna get because he's gonna get hammered.

It is going to die and senate it's going nowhere are the only way it goes somewhere it's if there's a Republican president a year from now.

Brian is still the budget chairman he brings it up and then he's got something but until then.

Where's the outcry from conservatives around the country saying here's a guy proposing a budget to deal of entitlement programs.

You need to pass it I'm out here and any.

Think for dinner together.

It's a risky thing to be a leader politically.

That's why.

The senate has passed on doing budgets -- they're no fun and he is gonna take a lot of fire sleeping project manager on the apprentice who wants that so.

I think he has given people what he wants is that discussion that's a national discussion that says look these are the problems were actually facing.

I will say that -- Admired the roll out of it just from PR sense the way it looks the way she talks about it he's very good on his feet -- gonna talk about numbers making it sound interesting.

And it.

We have the same problem we have in the primary which is that there are conservatives fighting for a -- this doesn't balance quick enough and then you get division and then nobody's.

Rallied like you said behind Paul Ryan's budget and that does cause a problem.

-- it does seem like this time there has been this lawmaker one on one that Paul Ryan has instructed him kind of -- and professor up there.

To teach some of the guys on Capitol Hill what this was all about -- -- and I think that was aimed at consolidating support before the roll up to avoid the kind of divisions on.

The right that.

We may be seeing -- this is a real question is a Club for Growth sort of leading indicator will they have made their attack and then and then you know no one on Capitol Hill.

We'll -- I -- I will say I think that the club's attack ads generally agree with a lot of what the Club for Growth both says and does.

I think that -- attack in this instance is misguided and that they're criticizing him for not coming in a balance.

Early enough right he bounces in 2040 because he has used to seeing you guys a lot of -- And the CBO framework.

Which can't not to get too in the weeds but can't.

Putting a higher growth rate that he things you can spur on by lowering corporate taxes -- and simplifying the tax reform.

Overall right and many of the other budgets that we've seen roll up -- coming to balance sooner.

Do you use those different growth rates -- higher growth rates rosier economic scenarios are forecasting.

And it allows them to come to balance sooner I think he's gonna answer this you -- -- this is going to answer this.

I believe in his speech tomorrow at The Heritage Foundation -- can use some different numbers and different assumptions and you know he's confident.

That he can get that the budget will in fact battles with the changes that he's talking about.

-- -- -- to tax structure of the 10% to 25% to rates.

And other reforms that -- the budget would in fact come to bounce in roughly.

Ten years but the CBO numbers are like a straitjacket he can't get outside you know it's tough it's tough to -- budget.

You know people glaze over at home.

But we try to do it as detailed.

As we can hear on the show and kind of get into the nitty gritty Scott Jensen who often types and Steve wants to know your thoughts about Wisconsin.

The vote there.

Well if you distinctive -- Republicans in the senate it was kind of stuck if of course that Scott Walker right and here you recall recall recall.

Republicans in the senate lost one of the state senators from last week who resigned because of family reasons and she was up for recall.

She is not going to face recall that takes them one vote lead in the Wisconsin state senate from seventeen.

Sixteen to sixteen all -- even.

There -- them for.

Including that on four seats up for for recall those are going to be strongly contested.

Thanks Scott Walker is making its case he's got on his side I think the fact that the reforms war that's a pretty strong argument and I think you're seeing this.

Evidence of this the fact -- Democrats understand this in the fact that they're not focusing their critiques of Scott Walker.

As much on the budget reform proposals that he actually implement.

They're looking at other things are trying to drag him down and scandals there's an investigation into some of -- former staffers they're focusing on the things that.

We're not the reason for the recall and that I think speaks to the success the recall Scott Walker just needs mind he's trying to raise as much money as he possibly can because.

Well -- they'll -- money in the race from.

The -- Brothers -- -- side but they'll be a ton of money in the race from unions.

And Democrats are looked like there and make a stand.

This is do or die for unions I mean this is the central problem we have a public employee unions and putting all this money for pensions -- -- can't.

Make those promises and continue to fulfill them.

It's a huge cultural discussion and some some Republicans have -- it and one has Scott -- did on you know on the merits.

An Ohio it was a different story -- this sale was not made and so this is this is a very serious issue for unions -- -- not let -- And Wisconsin but I -- you have Ohio and what governor Casey tried to do there and it has a bit of.

Broader implication.

And yet I mean look if we if walker recall that is were called Democrats are gonna rejoice in it and feel like it's a lot of momentum.

For them and Republicans feel similarly if if if he's able to hold it but -- -- recall these things are very.

Unpredictable it's.

It's hard to gauge turnout it's hard to gauge motivations and and it's a different.

It's -- different threshold then when you've got a normal life to normal election somebody's up for reelection -- got a racist regularly scheduled people would go to vote go to vote.

If people are angry get more or less -- right but the recall it's like it's usually on a different day.

And usually exists.

-- on June 5.

Handsets -- Tuesday but in other words it's not necessarily like oh yeah this is have to start yeah primary etc.

and it's a threshold OK I mean.

Does that guy deserve to not finish out the term.

That we elected in two and there's the issue of the fairness and -- it gets beyond politics.

If walker.

You know can make the case even that look even if you don't agree with everything I've done I've been a decent leader.

Let me finish out my term what the next -- finish out his term.

That's very helpful to him if people just sour on him and there's visceral anger that's where he's in trouble so what what he wants to do is.

Just keep it at a hang out -- -- really not that bad.

Now let alone that.

What he needs -- Wisconsin voters and -- for.

Like more giant of people it's been quite and exhausting.

Couple huge care that much but this is that this this is really I mean and I think the question that -- will see resolved on June 5 visit -- a question intensity so who's who cares more.

I want Hannity get -- -- -- were indignant you know this is our governor he ran.

He's he's doing that affect what he ran when he said he was going to do he had to make these changes this is that these are the problems he -- county executive.

He station announced governor this is -- solving the problems and by the way they've worked.

On the other hand you have the unions to you know in some ways I think feel like is very -- suggest their very existence is at stake.

And I'm not sure they're wrong one thing that might help will -- some fatigue because you've got the April 3 primary mean and then two months later you got another election there's -- you know -- or -- He could help him in -- people say enough we Maloney could hurt because you've got a lot of you know Republican turnout maybe.

In a competitive presidential primary enemy and turn right around and show up again and look -- I'm just really just in New York city's unions have to make their stand in Wisconsin.

With diminishing membership they have nothing left to fight over Richie in Massachusetts says I am a union member.

And I'm embarrassed by the union actions in Wisconsin our poll has its.

That 74%.

Of people who typed in -- are following the race in Wisconsin closely.

Nazis slinky is the tour of choice with 41%.

And this race will last another month the GOP primary race one more month and then it wraps up.

Padilla ran down the list.

David Mary -- Steve thank you very much Charles will be back next week no offense to David.

And thank you for watching special report online join -- Fox News Channel of course every weekday 6 PM eastern.

-- special report control room -- behind.

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