Can 'warm-and-fuzzy' win an election?

This transcript is automatically generated

It was all right let's get -- politics we have.

Following day Friday I always laugh at us Jim Payton and Sally -- you know them both well they need no introduction.

Jim did you see the shuffle.

He's only on your videos up there on an innocent design -- I've missed but Annika did that kind of -- bittersweet moment as well into the shuttle program wouldn't.

Seeing what NASA moves on to the next thing -- yes you should.

Move on -- fighting global warming and then running outreach to Muslims and so on and are -- the mission of NASA that I grew up I was born in nineteen negates I remember although -- Apollo -- programs very well and it's a shame to see it disappear and Charles -- -- -- a terrific piece about this.

Charles Krauthammer who always -- -- because of a week or so ago and then made the point this is gonna you know it's.

Sad maudlin bordering on pathetic and stupid that we're letting this program support -- -- Well in politics aside Sally I just say I completely agree we you know I don't know maybe should raise taxes on millionaires and -- Now it's up almost half -- hawks got home and work I.

Most trying to get us off to a nice.

Stop on line at any good these two I mean I interact -- I don't know I was.

This is on all the never wanted to see it it's amazing you know I grew up I had an item.

Grew up a little later than you but I remember you know so that every -- space exploration that we got to watch in school and had I you know it's just.

A fundamental part of my youth and I'm sad to see the tip.

Which is funny though it's is sort of funny to hear conservatives like crap ever saying.

All boo -- that we're cutting government.

When everyone's all of -- saying we should be cutting government and cutting spending and you know not all right actually -- You took it away -- politics about something as beautiful as a thoughtful policy New York City.

Let's get to politics for a you know you're I had a you to try my patients.

And quite the week this week we've had to -- with the the real sort of election campaign taking shape that would Mitt Romney.

Accepting you and everybody else -- he is the nominee.

And we seem to be touring some battle lines -- -- with a distinct lines of add another very eloquent speech.

-- Tuesday night.

From where we're -- was.

That talking about look you know Larry Bird is in effect reworking a Reagan -- of -- -- you're four years ago.

And the and -- -- the Clinton line if it's the economy is it right right so I mean it was again and Romney's game better.

This -- it act.

Objectively speaking if you can speak objectively he did seem to me -- while he's -- he didn't seem to me to improve as a candidate.

Knowing full well that he is now the nominee lifting himself above that sort of dirty dozen.

Contest of the primaries.

He seemed a little more at ease now that he could now that everybody saying -- -- you want it is.

Yeah I -- In truth he encrypt it was a great speech Tuesday night now I do Richard that in part two he has and you -- the speed training team.

What it is much more adept at finding a sort of human and humane voice for him to.

Speak and so it it's helped along by that dramatically.

You know I tweeted earlier in the week they should -- -- hologram of him to go out campaign because anything would be better than the actual real life.

Mitt Romney who seems to be -- worse -- So the reality is he is improved over previous incarnations of Mitt Romney.

He's still not exactly the sort of warm Fuzzy accessible.

Every day.

-- a guy like this -- is it.

-- little Fuzzy is gonna win this election and that the electability factor where we did see President Obama far ahead in the polls or is it going to be the economy stupid.

Well I mean -- them.

Obama people look at polls either that Obama's 21 more likable and I -- -- the big issue to talk about his his final likable.

Romney looks -- -- this is I'm -- edge on the economy.

So we'll talk with the economy Obama's also imposing his head on foreign policy interest after the making a big deal out of that -- -- especially anniversary of bin Laden coming on but I think.

James Carville and now Mitt Romney has only -- correct it's the economy stupid and you know there's a there's political scientist named.

Bigs and gives it that you receive Stockholm all places whom we who has done -- of real per capita disposable income and how it changes in the four years prior to a presidential election has produced decisive that if you're below 2%.

In terms of the growth of real income you lose reelection campaign and a promise like point nine impressive.

Yeah it -- I don't know I don't disagree that it's about the economy.

The election is clearly going to be about the economy and the reality is what's gonna happen in November is gonna be based on the numbers in November election happen right now.

I keep -- fact Sarah -- that are real -- nine point five straight months of private sector job growth.

You know the economy is getting better.

-- a new national figures and today growth 2.2 percent -- and -- again.

It's not insane it's better not say that's where anybody would want it to be eaten but again you know what Obama took office everybody knew -- we were headed toward the second worst recession in the history of our country.

Shedding over 750000.

Jobs per month.

And now we've had 25 straight months of private sector job in the American you know the reality is.

The election campaign hasn't even begun.

You always had so far is Republicans throwing mud at Republicans.

Without question that's hurt Romney so he hasn't had a chances to put his best foot forward and really go after the president that's true.

And the president hasn't had the chance to full with a full voice full throttle campaign.

Put his agenda sort of what he's done and tell the country what Mitt Romney other jobs -- that Romney has managed to kill you when he was -- -- they haven't had that fight yet why had.

And why why hasn't president -- -- -- do that this than what what what rules prevented him from making any -- he wanted to about the future gender and over the last three years but just hasn't been I don't know.

Why that's ahead hasn't begun yet it hasn't happened and the question I think any Democrat would have to have a hard time -- -- of what exact what exactly good thing.

-- present Obama do.

If you were reelected would he pursue cap and trade would he would.

Shut down gitmo I mean you know these are things they talk about sometimes it's hard a hard question to answer in terms of what's politically acceptable to the middle okay.

I wanna bring in a couple of our viewer comments here Charles -- admit is definitely getting better as a candidate we need a leader not a celebrity in chief like mr.

Obama.

Popularity doesn't fix our economic mess Mike -- -- says yes very much from he's become choose these events and -- a clear message.

It was a stark contrast to the president's appearance on Jimmy Fallon.

The same night well yeah it was a stark contrast but it depends would you prefer slow jamming the news or making.

Can't campaign speech.

We shall say I I kind of like Sloan -- newspapers I mean this is one of the things it's just like tells me talking -- I can't quit talking of hip cool people I've got to get to dot with Callaway was in -- DC bureau with the latest.

Although he's still unfolding and I guess spreading.

Secret Service -- You know and this is getting just weirder and we're Jonathan in recent days I've spoken to a lot of people who either work for the Secret Service over the past several years or who are closely associated with it.

And what's emerging from that the best I can make of it are really polar opposite views and one -- -- here that the Secret -- is a highly ethical agency.

Or any type of shenanigans.

Is the frowned upon and that -- has taken great pains to protect one another from many behavior that could damage the agency or more importantly damage the president.

But then in another camp by here that there is a culture risky behaviors that manifest itself when the supervisors are away.

Listen to what it once -- security consultant.

Who is hired former Secret Service agents and whose firm has worked closely with the Secret Service told me.

All going saying it's normal or decades.

Where when someone is out of the country when it seems that the country it is out of sight out of mind -- almost very.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas mentality as applied to receive environment.

And in regards to a series of new allegations one that agents patronized prostitutes during president Obama's trip to San Salvador 2011.

The Secret Service -- told congressional investigators that quote.

There is nothing credible and quote to that.

And but they continue to investigate many many leads in that case and then in regards to new or allegations of parting -- strip clubs in Moscow and also in Buenos areas.

The secret services says this statement still applies the statement reads.

The recent investigation Cartagena has generated several -- stories that contain allegations by mostly un named sources.

And information that has brought to our attention that can be assessed as credible.

We'll be followed up on in inappropriate manner.

And one source tells me is Jonathan at the the farther back these rumors go the more difficult they are to investigate -- got one little piece of fresh news for you just spoke with.

Senator Grassley staff you'll -- -- -- senator Grassley last week sent a letter.

To the White House which posed fourteen questions of the White House which would.

Either -- or implicate the White House in any of the events in Cartagena.

They asked for a response to that letter and to the fourteen questions within 48 hours.

The White House -- that deadline past there's been no response from the White House whatsoever Jonathan.

-- in the Callaway thank you very much my friend have a good weekend don't you our offer -- -- of covering the sense -- yeah.

It's got -- aha until he'll wait -- the Germans the German to write -- saying the sex scandals at -- he's he's very excited about that.

Has I would imagine a -- would be he also says how much he also says wrong these charisma is worse than Angela looked cool so what she's thinking something.

I don't know about that anyway on to -- back to sex scandals -- Here's my here's my question on this.

Do all we really surprised.

That a bunch of guys win it in there will quite a bit of power line.

That'll fit their old being great shape they go away there ahead of the president there in hotels.

They end up with some -- -- Dangling over the decades -- -- It probably hasn't got a still and -- big fuss about.

That the -- -- that fundamental mistake you get caught.

And it and I got back that in -- investigating this.

With all due respect that it doesn't go out I think -- -- investigate this you -- have.

Credit card receipts right and -- -- -- I that was initially is is it do we want -- -- not Stewart the entire reputation all of the entire Secret Service over something that.

We know well I had actually struck by what Michelle Obama said he said that what I love the -- And if you associate them with keeping her analysts say over and so I think that's probably the final at this the Secret Service -- survive this.

Scandal which I will probably get a lot bigger record of smaller court side do you think we should be doing these sort of investigations I mean.

Do I think that we years the government should root out this kind of behavior which you know if you -- Great -- besmirched -- isn't the American reputation brought absolutely.

The reason though let's be very clear these things have happened through out time and you -- out presidencies.

I have no doubt that the reason we're focused right now is because it's happened under.

President Obama The -- letter that was referred to that.

That Chuck Grassley sent.

For the White House was trying.

That you know it and frankly very insulting ways to implicate the White House.

As knowing about we're somehow involve -- wrapped up in the scandal is this just shouldn't yeah.

Wasn't hello this is good isn't the only candidate find something to you know zero LO YOS is literacy and is -- that -- Jim do you think is this set a genuine let's investigate the Secret Service let's make sure they're not doing this kind of behavior which while not necessarily -- in Columbia.

Immoral in most people's eyes but is there a sense that Republicans are trying to make more of this because of the political season we're in.

Well one point -- is TJ the real issue.

If it turned out to be the case is on the using government money to pay for this and expense residency -- somehow I don't think it's not just the workers but also the alcohol and I mean what what exactly expense to -- the -- heard that the government right.

Certainly.

But if if this had been.

President Bush 43 who doubts that it would have been senator Grassley would have been in upstate congressman Waxman you know.

Are sufficient everybody all politicians.

You have everything opposite party would be sure to -- the insulting insinuating letters saying don't you wanna invest now and -- being involved in this and so on and it's on the one hand asserted that users there are some of their hand it is sort of a useful way in which the powers check each other.

And keep each other from abuse -- that this look look at the GSA's you know if we would have hypothesized.

That the kind of behavior that -- possibly.

Evident in overseas from the Secret Service were somehow believe back over to the GSA and so on.

Then that'd be real issue here -- you can't have the GSA operating like this even -- -- -- like in Las Vegas with a -- evaporated Carnahan.

But -- -- with all due respect to Jim who who he knows I respect immensely not I don't think so you're right there's certainly a tit for tat.

Asking us about this where you know -- my so we -- get on after bush for who knows what.

But it seems to me the sort of scandal of vacation of politics right I mean you sort of look at what happened under.

I mean -- have a perfectly every bit like what happened under Clinton for instance right so -- take let's come trying to have her slightly apples to apples.

Under Clinton Republicans didn't go after so that every little tiny thing to blow it up into you know the next thing that could bring down the presidency and then there's a bit -- an opponent.

Well so this -- the bottom of the bucket here.

Crying and then and demean and attack President Obama running as he goes on Jimmy Fallon.

You couldn't hadn't won all -- president does locking himself in Washington isn't going out the media.

He's traveling in swing states all of the -- if you hadn't been travelling it's a the president wasn't making himself available -- constituents.

And listen to the going to throw everything her desire for everything in the kitchen sink -- the president to just try to make them look bad without addressing the substance problems.

Ted used to riding in this is what a surprise there because in Columbia.

And Washington DCE.

I guess you're probably right about that and the German write things saying maybe this is an argument that campaign the Secret Service most that they don't try to -- change.

The prostitutes.

Which is where is okay but that's that's a ridiculous thing about this is -- Jim.

Had -- been paid.

What she was allegedly promised we would never -- about any of this other right as you said you could you can you -- you can have a pretty good thing going until somebody blows -- -- and and this -- that whoever did.

-- -- that that some particular agent is going to be very unpopular with the his colleagues and former -- -- -- -- -- You know I say this of trying to put the politics of this aside -- second.

If it gives us an opportunity.

To look at you know frankly Democrats and Republicans history of you know whether it's intern sex abuse scandals.

Two you know what happened -- -- And across the board the sort of you know ongoing issues all of these sexual.

-- advances slash taking advantage of splash outright illegal and immoral behavior.

Of -- in various high positions within our government.

Then that's a good opportunity that's in that didn't talk about and -- it's not inconsequential -- were discussing this the day after finally.

The violence against women act passed.

Despite monstrous opposition from Republicans at least all of the Republican women voted for.

And you know says so yes his corruption in the government was seeing a lot of it lately does that mean of the current government is more corrupt.

Although the current current government is more transparent and the corruption has not -- we may never know it's a fair point -- perfect you know.

Do you think it's you obviously don't think this is more corrupt than any other government you think did I.

Don't -- let's take the GSA example as a good one right the only reason we're talking about the GSA quote unquote scandals because GSA's -- turn in -- internal inspector general.

Founded that waste and fraud and abuse in Las Vegas elsewhere.

And surfaced that they -- in -- the ones who told.

Congressman Darrell ice on the Republican side of the house about.

This malfeasance -- it was because.

You know for lack a better way of putting it the system work not in the microcosm of the one that you just put in the -- -- -- suspect.

I'm actually a -- I mean for solicitor generals are somewhat independent figure inside any -- -- and no I don't think he's a democratic appointee I think he's a career guy who.

So I think if he -- to the opposite member of congress and the run other Republicans in congress is supposed to say his.

Some boss of the government that might actually suggest that this -- -- the business checks and balances Nash is necessary because it -- on the democratic.

White House might have been eager to publicize a scandal just what did.

Doesn't say anything about leadership of the very top one would imagine that if it walls reflective of that kind of -- -- getting in the top -- a lot more this during the Clinton years than the overwhelming what I think -- has been two things one as I dubious talent I think they're more polarized now there's there's a permanent after a mechanism on both sides always in Atlanta now that the British did jump on the other.

I also think there's been a DK in public service.

Pretty steadily in my lifetime and terms and you know what what.

People go into the government to do that.

The old idea of some sort of selfless Nazi bureaucrat has now been replaced by his sort of players and I am like a lot of pointing -- and look to think about Alex on the Hamilton even Andruw Jones and I mean.

Just to relax and had some scandals and we have got giant Johnson and and get hands -- I think yeah.

Two Vatican's point which I do a Christmas.

I would say though.

I think that at least starting back with that George Bush the second answer at least earlier this was the Republican -- right in the woods was too.

Attacking undermined public service by lifting up these what are fairly isolated examples I mean like it or not.

Our federal government is is a huge bureaucracy it's what it.

And most of it works exceptionally well and in fact the American people overwhelmingly including conservatives like the parts that work well -- whether Social Security whether it's Medicare etc.

But little conservative and agenda has been worked fine the two or three really egregious really ugly examples that nobody would stunning.

And -- and use those to paint all of government with a broad brush up in a bad one at that aren't you know -- I -- used to say when this happens in the practice yesterday don't quit we don't throw out capitalism we don't attacked all of capitalism because of a few bad apples on wall sent it would seem to be a -- --

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Can 'warm-and-fuzzy' win an election?

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